Communication method and device for updating parameters of reference signal

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus for updating a parameter of a reference signal, the method comprising: a first apparatus may receive a configuration message for configuring a parameter of a first reference signal; in one embodiment, a first device may receive a first message for updating part or all of parameters of a first reference signal, the first message being a MAC CE or DCI. The first device may then transmit or receive the first reference signal according to the updated parameter of the first reference signal. According to the method, the parameter of the reference signal can be updated through low-layer signaling such as MAC CE or DCI, so that the parameter of the reference signal can be quickly updated, the time delay of updating the parameter of the reference signal is reduced, and the performance loss caused by the time delay of parameter updating in a mobile scene is avoided or reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of communication, and in particular to a communication method and device for updating parameters of a reference signal. BACKGROUND

[0002] In a mobile communication system, a transmitting device can transmit a reference signal. A receiving device can perform measurement and estimation according to the received reference signal. For example, the receiving device can obtain a channel estimation result between the transmitting device and the receiving device by using channel reciprocity, and then perform communication according to the channel estimation result.

[0003] In a communication process, the parameters of the reference signal can change. How to update the parameters of the reference signal needs further research. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application provides a communication method and device to reduce the latency of updating the parameters of the reference signal.

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a first device. The first device can be a terminal, or a device (for example, a module, a communication module, a circuit or a chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system on chip (SoC) chip or a system in package (SIP) chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor) of the terminal, or a logic node, a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the terminal. The method can include: the first device receives a configuration message, the configuration message being used to configure the parameters of a first reference signal; the first device receives a first message, the first message being used to update part or all of the parameters of the first reference signal, the first message being a medium access control-control element (MAC CE) or a downlink control information (DCI); and the first device transmits or receives the first reference signal according to the updated parameters of the first reference signal.

[0006] The method can update the parameters of the reference signal through low-layer signaling such as the MAC CE or the DCI. The transmission latency of the low-layer signaling such as the MAC CE or the DCI is small, so that the parameters of the reference signal can be quickly updated, the latency of updating the parameters of the reference signal is reduced, and the performance loss caused by the latency of parameter updating in a mobile scenario is avoided or reduced.

[0007] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a second device. The second device can be an access network device, or a device (e.g., a module, a communication module, a circuit or a chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor) of an access network device, or a logic node, a logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of an access network device. The method can include: the second device sending a configuration message, the configuration message being used to configure parameters of a first reference signal; the second device sending a first message, the first message being used to update part or all of the parameters of the first reference signal, the first message being a MAC CE or a DCI; and the second device receiving or sending the first reference signal according to the updated parameters of the first reference signal.

[0008] The method can update the parameters of the reference signal through low-layer signaling such as a MAC CE or a DCI. The transmission delay of the low-layer signaling such as the MAC CE or the DCI is small, so that the parameters of the reference signal can be quickly updated, the delay of updating the parameters of the reference signal is reduced, and the performance loss caused by the delay of updating the parameters in a mobile scenario is avoided or reduced.

[0009] Based on the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the part or all of the parameters include a combination of one or more of the following: a transmission occasion of the first reference signal, a transmission beam of the first reference signal, or a reception beam of the first reference signal. This design can quickly update one or more of the combination of the transmission occasion of the first reference signal, the transmission beam of the first reference signal, or the reception beam of the first reference signal.

[0010] Based on the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the part or all of the parameters include a transmission occasion of the first reference signal, and the first message is used to indicate one of the following:

[0011] 1. a time unit corresponding to the updated transmission occasion. Through this design, the first device can accurately determine the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal according to the first message. In addition, in this design, the first message can directly indicate the time unit corresponding to the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal, so that the first device can not determine the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal through calculation, thereby reducing the calculation complexity of the first device.

[0012] 2. A first offset, the first offset being an offset between a time unit corresponding to the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal and a reference time unit. With this design, the first device can accurately determine the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal according to the first message. Moreover, in this design, the first message can indicate the offset between the time unit corresponding to the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal and the reference time unit, and can not indicate the time unit corresponding to the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal, so that the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal can be indicated by fewer bits, and thus the signaling overhead can be reduced.

[0013] Based on the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the reference time unit includes: a sending time unit of the first message; a receiving time unit of the first message; a sending time unit of a feedback message corresponding to the first message; a receiving time unit of the feedback message corresponding to the first message; a sending time unit of the first reference signal; or a receiving time unit of the first reference signal. This design provides multiple implementation manners of the reference time unit, and is more flexible.

[0014] Based on the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the part or all of the parameters include a transmission occasion of the first reference signal, and the first message indicates the first resource, and the first resource and the first association relationship are used to determine the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal. The first association relationship is an association relationship between at least one resource and at least one transmission occasion, and the at least one resource includes the first resource. With this design, the first device can accurately determine the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal according to the first message and the first association relationship. Moreover, in this design, the first device can determine two parameters (i.e., the first resource and the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal) according to one parameter (i.e., the first resource) indicated by the first message, and the two parameters can not be simultaneously transmitted between the first device and the second device, so that the signaling overhead can be reduced.

[0015] Based on the first aspect or the second aspect, in a possible design, the first resource is one of: a beam resource, a synchronization signal block (SSB) resource, or a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) resource. This design provides multiple possible manners of the first resource, and is more flexible.

[0016] In a possible design based on the first aspect or the second aspect, the configuration message is further used to configure the first association relationship. With this design, the first device can accurately determine the first association relationship according to the configuration message. In addition, in this design, the first association relationship can be configured by the second device for the first device, thereby enabling flexible management of the first device by the second device.

[0017] In a possible design based on the first aspect or the second aspect, part or all of the parameters include a transmission occasion of the first reference signal. The configuration message is used to configure parameters of multiple reference signals, and a second association relationship exists between the multiple reference signals and multiple transmission occasions. The first message is used to indicate the first reference signal of the multiple reference signals; and the transmission occasion of the first reference signal is a transmission occasion corresponding to the first reference signal among the multiple transmission occasions. With this design, the first device can accurately determine the transmission occasion of the first reference signal according to the first message and the second association relationship. In addition, in this design, the first device can determine the transmission occasion of the first reference signal according to the first reference signal indicated by the first message, and the first device and the second device can not transmit the transmission occasion of the first reference signal, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0018] In a possible design based on the first aspect or the second aspect, part or all of the parameters include a transmission beam of the first reference signal. The first message is used to indicate a combination of one or more of the following: a spatial relation parameter corresponding to the updated transmission beam of the first reference signal, a transmission configuration indication state parameter, an SSB resource, or a CSI-RS resource. With this design, the first message can accurately indicate the updated transmission beam of the first reference signal. In this way, the first device can accurately determine the updated transmission beam of the first reference signal according to the first message.

[0019] In a possible design based on the first aspect or the second aspect, part or all of the parameters include a reception beam of the first reference signal. The first message is used to indicate a combination of one or more of the following: a spatial relation parameter corresponding to the updated reception beam of the first reference signal, a transmission configuration indication state parameter, an SSB resource, or a CSI-RS resource. With this design, the first message can accurately indicate the updated reception beam of the first reference signal. In this way, the first device can accurately determine the updated reception beam of the first reference signal according to the first message.

[0020] In a possible design based on the first aspect or the second aspect, the first message is further used to indicate the first reference signal. In this way, the first device can learn which reference signal or which reference signals are to be updated according to the first message.

[0021] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a first device. The first device can be a terminal, or a device (for example, a module, a communication module, a circuit or a chip responsible for a communication function (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor) of the terminal, or a logic node, a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the terminal function. The method can include: the first device receiving a configuration message, the configuration message being used to configure parameters of a plurality of reference signals, and a second association relationship existing between the plurality of reference signals and a plurality of transmission occasions. The first device receives a first message, the first message being used to indicate a first reference signal, and the first message being a MAC CE or a DCI. The first device transmits or receives the first reference signal according to the parameters of the first reference signal.

[0022] The method can indicate the first reference signal through low-layer signaling such as a MAC CE or a DCI, so that the first device and the second device can communicate according to the transmission occasion of the first reference signal. Since the transmission delay of the low-layer signaling such as the MAC CE or the DCI is small, the transmission occasion of the first reference signal can be quickly indicated (or activated), the delay of indicating (or activating) the transmission occasion of the first reference signal is reduced, and the performance loss caused by the delay of updating the parameters (for example, the transmission occasion of the reference signal) of the reference signal in a mobile scenario is avoided or reduced.

[0023] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a second device. The second device can be an access network device, or a device (for example, a module, a communication module, a circuit or a chip responsible for a communication function (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor) of the access network device, or a logic node, a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the function of the access network device. The method can include: the second device sending a configuration message, the configuration message being used to configure parameters of a plurality of reference signals, and a second association relationship existing between the plurality of reference signals and a plurality of transmission occasions. The second device sends a first message, the first message being used to indicate a first reference signal, and the first message being a MAC CE or a DCI. The second device receives or transmits the first reference signal according to the parameters of the first reference signal.

[0024] The method can indicate the first reference signal by low-layer signaling such as a MAC CE or a DCI, so that the first device and the second device can communicate according to the transmission occasion of the first reference signal. Since the transmission delay of the low-layer signaling such as the MAC CE or the DCI is small, the transmission occasion of the first reference signal can be quickly indicated (or activated), the delay of indicating (or activating) the transmission occasion of the first reference signal is reduced, and the performance loss caused by the delay of updating the parameters (for example, the transmission occasion of the reference signal) of the reference signal in the mobile scenario is avoided or reduced.

[0025] In a possible design based on any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, the first reference signal includes a sounding reference signal (SRS), an SSB, a CSI-RS, a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), or a phase tracking reference signal (PTRS). This design provides multiple possible ways of the first reference signal, and is more flexible.

[0026] In the fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device. In some examples, the communication device can be a terminal, or can be a device (for example, a module, a communication module, a circuit or a chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor) of the terminal, or can be a logic node, a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the terminal functions. The communication device has the functions of realizing the first aspect or the third aspect. In other examples, the communication device can be an access network device, or can be a device (for example, a module, a communication module, a circuit or a chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor) of the access network device, or can be a logic node, a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the access network device functions. The communication device has the functions of realizing the second aspect or the fourth aspect.

[0027] In a possible design, the communication apparatus includes a module or unit or means corresponding to the operations in any of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, which can be implemented by software, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. For example, the communication apparatus includes an interface unit and a processing unit. The interface unit can be configured to transmit and receive signals to implement communication between the communication apparatus and another apparatus. The processing unit can be configured to perform some internal operations of the communication apparatus. The processing unit and the interface unit can be configured to perform the operations corresponding to any of the first aspect to the fourth aspect.

[0028] In a possible design, the communication apparatus includes a processor. The processor can execute computer programs or instructions, which, when executed, cause the communication apparatus to implement the method in any of the possible designs of any of the first aspect to the fourth aspect.

[0029] In a possible design, the communication apparatus includes a processor and a memory. The memory can store necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions corresponding to any of the first aspect to the fourth aspect. The processor can execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, which, when executed, cause the communication apparatus to implement the method in any of the possible designs of any of the first aspect to the fourth aspect.

[0030] In a possible design, the communication apparatus includes a processor and an interface circuit. The processor can be configured to communicate with another apparatus through the interface circuit, and implement the method in any of the possible designs of any of the first aspect to the fourth aspect.

[0031] In a sixth aspect, a communication system is provided, which can include a first apparatus and a second apparatus. The first apparatus can implement the communication method in the first aspect, and the second apparatus can implement the communication method in the second aspect. Alternatively, the first apparatus can implement the communication method in the third aspect, and the second apparatus can implement the communication method in the fourth aspect.

[0032] In some possible designs, the first apparatus is a terminal, and the second apparatus is an access network device.

[0033] In a seventh aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which stores computer programs or instructions. When the computer programs or instructions are executed, the method in any of the possible designs of any of the first aspect to the fourth aspect is implemented.

[0034] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which comprises computer program codes, when the computer program codes are run, the method in any possible design of any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect is implemented.

[0035] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a chip, which is used to read the computer program stored in the memory, so as to execute the method in any possible design of any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect.

[0036] The technical effects that can be achieved by any one of the fifth aspect to the ninth aspect can be explained with reference to the technical effects that can be achieved by any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, and the repeated parts will not be discussed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] FIG. 1A to FIG. 1B The architecture diagram of several communication systems provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in the following figure:

[0038] FIG. 1C The architecture diagram of an open access network (open RAN, O-RAN or ORAN) device provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in the following figure:

[0039] FIG. 2 The flow chart of a downlink beam management method provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in the following figure:

[0040] FIG. 3 The flow chart of an uplink beam management method provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in the following figure:

[0041] FIG. 4 The schematic diagram of a beam management method provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in the following figure:

[0042] FIG. 5 The schematic diagram of an SRS measurement occasion provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in the following figure:

[0043] FIG. 6 The flow chart of a communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in the following figure:

[0044] FIG. 7 The flow chart of another communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in the following figure:

[0045] FIG. 8 to FIG. 11 The structure diagram of several communication devices provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in the following figure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example, a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi or WiFi) system, a 4th generation (4G) mobile communication system (such as a long term evolution (LTE) system), a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system (such as a new radio (NR) system), or a future communication system. The method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a terrestrial network communication system or a non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system. The NTN communication system may, for example, be a satellite communication system, or may include a drone, a high altitude platform station (HAPS), and other aerial access network devices, and the present application does not make a limitation in this regard.

[0047] The present application will present various aspects, embodiments or features around a system that can include a plurality of devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that each system can include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or can not include all of the devices, components, modules, etc., discussed in conjunction with the figures. Moreover, combinations of these aspects can also be used.

[0048] To facilitate the understanding of the embodiments of the present application, FIG. 1A A possible, non-limiting system schematic diagram is shown. As FIG. 1A shown, the communication system 10 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. Optionally, the communication system 10 can also include the Internet 300.

[0049] The RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (such as FIG. 1A 110a and 110b in FIG. 1, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (such as FIG. 1A 120a-120j in FIG. 1, collectively referred to as 120). Other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in FIG. 1) can also be included in the RAN 100. FIG. 1AThe terminal 120 is connected to the RAN node 110 in a wireless manner. The RAN node 110 is connected to the core network 200 in a wireless or wired manner. The core network device in the core network 200 and the RAN node 110 in the RAN 100 can be different physical devices respectively, or can be the same physical device integrating the core network logic function and the RAN logic function.

[0050] The RAN 100 can be a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) related cellular system, for example, a 4G, 5G mobile communication system, or a future evolution oriented system. The RAN 100 can also be an ORAN, a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a WiFi system. The RAN 100 can also be a communication system integrating two or more of the above systems.

[0051] The RAN node 110, which can also be referred to as a RAN entity or an access node, etc., constitutes a part of the communication system and helps the terminal to realize wireless access. The RAN nodes 110 in the communication system 10 can be nodes of the same type or nodes of different types. In some scenarios, the roles of the RAN node 110 and the terminal 120 are opposite, for example, FIG. 1A The network element 120i can be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For those terminals 120j accessing the RAN 100 through the network element 120i, the network element 120i is a base station; but for the base station 110a, the network element 120i is a terminal. The RAN node 110 and the terminal 120 are sometimes collectively referred to as a communication apparatus, for example FIG. 1A The network elements 110a and 110b can be understood as communication apparatuses with base station functions, and the network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication apparatuses with terminal functions.

[0052] The RAN node can also be referred to as an access network device. In the following, the access network device is used for description unless otherwise specified.

[0053] The access network device can be a device or module with corresponding communication functions located at the network side of the above communication system. The access network device is usually provided with a communication module, circuit or chip for executing corresponding communication functions, and a program or instruction and corresponding program or instruction for executing corresponding communication functions.

[0054] In one possible scenario, access network equipment can be a base station (BS), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission point (TP), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a mobile switching center, a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a next-generation base station in a future communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc. Access network equipment can also be a macro base station (such as...). FIG. 1A 110a), micro base stations or indoor stations (such as FIG. 1A The access network equipment can be categorized as follows: 110b), relay nodes or donor nodes, wireless controllers in CRAN scenarios, satellites, drones, balloons, or aircraft, etc. Optionally, the access network equipment can also be servers, wearable devices, vehicles, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the access network equipment in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0055] In another possible scenario, multiple access network devices collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, with each device performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, the access network devices can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0056] The CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU can also have different names in different systems, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as an open CU (O-CU), the DU can also be referred to as an open DU (O-DU), the CU-CP can also be referred to as an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), the CU-UP can also be referred to as an open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and the RU can also be referred to as an open RU (O-RU). Any of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0057] A terminal can be a device or module with corresponding communication functions for accessing the above communication system. The terminal can also be referred to as a terminal device, a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal device, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a remote station, a user terminal device, a user agent or a user device, etc. The terminal is usually provided with a communication module, circuit or chip for executing corresponding communication functions. The terminal can also be configured with programs or instructions for executing corresponding communication functions.

[0058] The terminal can be widely applied in various scenarios, for example, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle to everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), internet of things (IOT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, automatic driving, remote medical treatment, smart power grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart traffic, smart city, etc. The terminal can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a wearable device, a vehicle, a drone, a helicopter, an airplane, a ship, a robot, a mechanical arm, a smart home device, etc. Among them, the wearable device can also be called a wearable smart device or a smart wearable device, etc., which is a general term of devices that can be worn by applying wearable technology to the intelligent design of daily wear. The terminal applied to the vehicle can be called a vehicle terminal device, for example, a transportation vehicle with wireless communication function, a communication module or an on-board unit (OBU).

[0059] For example, the terminal can include a mobile phone (or called "cellular" phone), a computer with mobile terminal device, or a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-embedded mobile device, etc. For example, the terminal can be a personal communication service (PCS) phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), etc. The terminal can also include a limited device, for example, a device with limited power consumption, or a device with limited storage capacity, or a device with limited computing capacity, etc. For example, the terminal can be a bar code, a radio frequency identification (RFID), a sensor, a global positioning system (GPS), or a laser scanner, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the device form of the terminal.

[0060] In this application, the core network device refers to the device in the core network that provides service support for the terminal. For example, in the case of CN 200 as the core network in the future communication system, or the 5G core network, or the evolved 5G core network, some examples of the core network device are: access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, session management function (SMF) entity, user plane function (UPF) entity, policy control function (PCF) entity, and the like, which are not listed one by one here. Among them, the AMF entity can be responsible for access management and mobility management of the terminal; the SMF entity can be responsible for session management, such as session establishment of a user; and the UPF entity can be a functional entity of the user plane, mainly responsible for connecting external networks. For another example, in the case of CN 200 as the 4G core network, some examples of the core network device are: mobility management entity (MME) entity, home subscriber server (HSS) entity, serving gateway (S-GW) entity, policy and charging rules function (PCRF) entity, public data network gateway (PDN gateway, P-GW) entity, and the like, which are not listed one by one here. It should be noted that the entity in this application can also be referred to as a network element or a functional entity, for example, the AMF entity can also be referred to as an AMF network element or an AMF functional entity, for another example, the SMF entity can also be referred to as an SMF network element or an SMF functional entity, and the like. The above core network device can work independently, or can be combined together to realize certain control functions, for example, the AMF, SMF and PCF can be combined together as a core network device.

[0061] FIG. 1B An example shows a schematic diagram of an ORAN system architecture provided by an embodiment of the application. The ORAN system in the embodiment of the application can include FIG. 1B In addition to the components shown in FIG. 1BAs shown, the access network device can communicate with the CN through a backhaul link and communicate with the terminal through an air interface. For example, the BBU in the access network device communicates with the core network through a backhaul link, and the RU in the access network device communicates with at least one terminal through an air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU through a fronthaul link, and the BBU and the RU can be co-located or not co-located. The BBU includes at least one CU and at least one DU, which can communicate through at least one midhaul link.

[0062] FIG. 1C An exemplary figure shows the network element function division and protocol layer structure of an ORAN device provided by the embodiments of the application.

[0063] In some possible implementations, the CU is a logical node that carries the radio resource control (RRC) layer, the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and other control functions of the access network device. The CU can be connected to network nodes such as the core network through some interfaces (for example, an E2 interface, etc.). Optionally, the CU can have part of the functions of the core network. The CU (for example, the PDCP layer and higher layers of the CU) is connected to the DU (for example, the radio link control (RLC) layer and lower layers of the DU) through some interfaces (for example, an F1 interface, etc.). Exemplarily, the F1 interface can provide control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane) functions (for example, interface management, system information management, UE context management, RRC message transmission, etc.). The F1AP is an application protocol of the F1 interface, which defines the signaling procedures of the F1 in some examples. The F1 interface supports the F1 control plane (F1-C) and the F1 user plane (F1-U).

[0064] In some examples, a CU can include a CU-CP and a CU-UP. Wherein the CU-CP is a logical node carrying a control plane part of PDCP (PDCP-C) layer of RRC layer and packet data convergence protocol layer, used to implement the control plane function of the CU. The CU-CP can interact with a network element in the core network for implementing the control plane function. The network element in the core network for implementing the control plane function can be an access and mobility function network element, such as AMF in the 5G system. The CU-UP is a logical node carrying a user plane part of PDCP (PDCP-U) layer of SDAP layer and packet data convergence protocol layer, used to implement the user plane function of the CU. The CU-UP can interact with a network element in the core network for implementing the user plane function. The network element in the core network for implementing the user plane function is, for example, the UPF in the 5G system.

[0065] In some possible implementations, the DU is a logical node carrying an RLC layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, a higher physical (Higher PHY) layer and other functions. In some examples, the DU can control at least one RU. The DU is connected to the RU through some interfaces (for example, a front-haul interface). In some examples, the Higher PHY layer includes part of physical layer (PHY) processing, such as forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, and other processing functions.

[0066] The above configuration of the CU and the DU is only an example, and the functions of the CU and / or the DU can be configured as needed. For example, the CU or the DU can be configured to have more functions of protocol layers, or the CU or the DU can be configured to have part of the processing functions of the protocol layers. For example, part of the functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layers above the RLC layer are arranged in the CU, and the remaining functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layers below the RLC layer are arranged in the DU. For another example, the functions of the CU or the DU can be divided according to the service type or other system requirements, for example, according to the delay. The functions that need to meet the requirement of a shorter delay in processing time are arranged in the DU, and the functions that do not need to meet the requirement are arranged in the CU.

[0067] In some possible implementations, the RU is a logical node that hosts lower physical (Lower PHY) layer and radio frequency (RF) processing. In some examples, the RU can be a 3GPP TRP or RRH or other similar functional entity. In some examples, the Low-PHY includes portions of PHY processing such as fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse fast Fourier transformation (IFFT), digital beamforming and filtering, and other processing functions. The RU communicates with one or more terminals over a wireless link.

[0068] The DU and the RU can or can not be co-located. The DU and the RU exchange control plane and user plane information over a fronthaul link via a lower-layer split-control, user and synchronization (Lower-Layer Split CUS-Plane, LLS-CUS or LLS-C / U / S) interface. The LLS-CUS can include a lower-layer split-control plane (LLS-C) interface and a lower-layer split-user plane (LLS-U) interface that provide control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane), respectively. In some examples, the control plane refers to real-time control between the DU and the RU. The DU and the RU exchange management information over a lower-layer split management (LLS-M) interface of the fronthaul link. The management plane (M-Plane) refers to non-real-time management operations between the DU and the RU.

[0069] The DU and the RU can cooperate to collectively implement the functionality of the PHY layer. One DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functionality of the DU and the RU can be configured in multiple ways according to design. For example, the DU is configured to implement baseband functionality and the RU is configured to implement mid- RF functionality. As another example, the DU is configured to implement high-layer functionality in the PHY layer and the RU is configured to implement low-layer functionality in the PHY layer or to implement the low-layer functionality and RF functionality. The high-layer functionality in the PHY layer can include a portion of the functionality of the PHY layer that is closer to the MAC layer, and the low-layer functionality in the PHY layer can include another portion of the functionality of the PHY layer that is closer to the mid-RF side.

[0070] The communication system and service scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of network architecture and the appearance of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0071] The related terms involved in the embodiments of the present application are explained below. It should be noted that these explanations are to make the embodiments of the present application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope of protection required by the present application.

[0072] 1、beam (beam):

[0073] A mobile communication system (for example, a 5G mobile communication system) can use high-frequency communication, that is, use high-frequency signals to transmit data. One major problem of high-frequency communication is that the signal energy sharply decreases with the transmission distance, resulting in a short signal transmission distance. In order to overcome this problem, high-frequency communication uses analog beam technology, which concentrates signal energy in a small angular range by weighting processing on the antenna array, forming a signal similar to a light beam (called an analog beam, simply referred to as a beam), thereby improving the transmission distance. Both the access network device and the terminal can use beams for transmission.

[0074] A beam can be referred to as a spatial domain filter, a spatial filter, a spatial domain parameter, a spatial parameter, a spatial domain setting, a spatial setting, Quasi-colocation (QCL) information, a QCL assumption, or a QCL indication, etc. in a protocol (e.g., an NR protocol). A beam can also be represented by a transmission configuration indicator state parameter, or by a spatial relation parameter. Among them, the English of the transmission configuration indicator state can be transmission configuration indicator state (TCI-state), transmission configuration indication state (TCI-state), or transmission configuration index state (TCI-state), etc. Therefore, in this application, the beam can be replaced by the spatial domain filter, the spatial filter, the spatial domain parameter, the spatial parameter, the spatial domain setting, the spatial setting, the QCL information, the QCL assumption, the QCL indication, the TCI-state (e.g., the downlink TCI-state (DL TCI-state), and / or the uplink TCI-state (UL TCI-state)), or the spatial relation, etc. The above terms are also equivalent to each other. The beam can also be replaced by other terms representing the beam, which is not limited in this application.

[0075] A beam for transmitting a signal can be referred to as a transmission beam (Tx beam), a spatial domain transmission filter, a spatial transmission filter, a spatial domain transmission parameter, a spatial transmission parameter, a spatial domain transmission setting, or a spatial transmission setting.

[0076] For uplink communication, a transmission beam can also be referred to as an uplink transmission beam. Exemplarily, an uplink transmission beam can be indicated by any one of a spatial relation, an uplink TCI-state, or an SRS resource (indicating the transmission beam using the SRS). An uplink transmission beam can also be replaced by an SRS resource.

[0077] For downlink communication, a transmission beam can also be referred to as a downlink transmission beam. Exemplarily, a downlink transmission beam can be indicated by any one of a spatial relation, a CSI-RS resource, a downlink TCI-state, an SSB resource, or a tracking reference signal (TRS) resource.

[0078] A beam for receiving a signal can be referred to as a reception beam (Rx beam), a spatial domain reception filter, a spatial reception filter, a spatial domain reception parameter, a spatial reception parameter, a spatial domain reception setting, or a spatial reception setting.

[0079] A transmission beam can refer to a distribution of signal strength in different directions in space after a signal is transmitted by an antenna, and a reception beam can refer to a distribution of signal strength in different directions in space of a wireless signal received by an antenna.

[0080] In addition, a beam can be a wide beam, or a narrow beam, or other types of beams. A technique for forming a beam can be a beamforming technique or other techniques. A beamforming technique can be, for example, a digital beamforming technique, an analog beamforming technique, or a hybrid digital / analog beamforming technique, etc.

[0081] A beam is generally associated with a resource. For example, when performing beam measurement, the access network device measures different beams through different resources, and the terminal feeds back the measured resource quality, so that the access network device knows the quality of the corresponding beam. In data transmission, beam information is also indicated through its corresponding resource. For example, the access network device indicates the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) beam information of the terminal through the transmission configuration indication field in the DCI. The English of transmission configuration indication can be transmission configuration indicator (TCI), transmission configuration indication (TCI), or transmission configuration index (TCI), etc.

[0082] Optionally, multiple beams with the same or similar communication characteristics can be regarded as one beam. One beam can include one or more antenna ports for transmitting data channels, control channels, and sounding signals, etc. One or more antenna ports forming a beam can also be regarded as an antenna port set.

[0083] 2. Resource:

[0084] In this application, there is an association between resources and beams, so resources can be used to implicitly describe beams. For example, in beam measurement, there is an association between beams and resources. The access network device transmits its corresponding resource using one beam, which is equivalent to at least one of the following: the access network device transmits signals using the resource corresponding to the beam, or the access network device transmits signals using the beam corresponding to the resource. The terminal measures the quality of the resource, which is equivalent to at least one of the following: the terminal measures the quality of the beam corresponding to the resource, the terminal measures the quality of the signal transmitted on the resource, or the terminal measures the quality of the signal transmitted on the beam corresponding to the resource.

[0085] The resource can be an uplink signal resource and / or a downlink signal resource. The uplink signal includes but is not limited to at least one of the following: SRS, or DMRS. The downlink signal includes but is not limited to at least one of the following: CSI-RS, cell-specific reference signal (CS-RS), user equipment-specific reference signal (US-RS), demodulation reference signal (DMRS), or SSB.

[0086] A resource can be configured by RRC signaling. In a configuration structure, a resource is a data structure including one or more of the following parameters of its corresponding uplink / downlink signal, such as the type of the uplink / downlink signal, the resource elements (REs) carrying the uplink / downlink signal, the transmission time and period of the uplink / downlink signal, the number of ports used for transmitting the uplink / downlink signal, and the like. Each resource of an uplink / downlink signal has a unique index to identify the resource of the uplink / downlink signal. It can be understood that the index of the resource can also be referred to as the identifier of the resource, which is not limited in the present application.

[0087] 3. Reference signal (RS):

[0088] The reference signal can also be referred to as a pilot signal. In a communication system, it is important to transmit and receive data, obtain system synchronization and feedback channel information, estimate an uplink channel or a downlink channel. Channel estimation refers to a process of reconstructing or recovering a received signal to compensate for signal distortion caused by channel fading and noise due to fading, which uses a reference signal known by a transmitting device and a receiving device to track time domain and frequency domain changes of a channel. The reference signal can also be referred to as a reference signal. Optionally, the reference signal can be distributed on one or more REs in a time-frequency two-dimensional space within an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, and has a known amplitude and phase.

[0089] The reference signal can include an uplink reference signal and a downlink reference signal. The uplink reference signal can include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: SRS, uplink DMRS, or uplink PTRS. The downlink reference signal can include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: SSB, CSI-RS, downlink DMRS, or downlink PTRS.

[0090] 4. Beam management:

[0091] Beam management is a measurement process in a protocol (for example, a release 15 (R15) protocol), which can include downlink beam management and uplink beam management. This will be described below.

[0092] 4.1. Downlink beam management:

[0093] As shown in FIG. 2 , the downlink beam management method can include:

[0094] S201: The access network device sends measurement configuration information to the terminal.

[0095] The measurement configuration information can be carried in RRC signaling sent by the access network device to the terminal.

[0096] Optionally, the measurement configuration information includes resource configuration information and reporting configuration information. The resource configuration information is measurement resource related information, which can be used to configure measurement resources. In the protocol, the measurement resources can be configured through a three-level structure, which is resource configuration (resourceConfig or resourceSetting), resource set (resourceSet) and resource (resource) respectively. For example, the access network device can configure one or more resource configurations for the terminal, each resource configuration includes one or more resource sets, and each resource set can include one or more resources. Each resource configuration / resource set / resource includes its own index. In addition, each resource configuration / resource set / resource also includes other parameters, such as the period of the resource, the signal type corresponding to the resource, etc. The reporting configuration information refers to measurement result reporting related information, which can be configured through reporting configuration (ReportConfig) in the protocol. The access network device can configure one or more reporting configurations for the terminal, each reporting configuration includes reporting indicators, reporting time and period, reporting format and other information related to reporting. In addition, the reporting configuration also includes the index of the resource configuration, which is used to indicate which or which measurement resource is used to measure the reporting result.

[0097] For ease of understanding, an example of resource configuration information and reporting configuration information in R15 protocol is shown below.

[0098] An example of resource configuration information in R15 protocol is as follows:

[0099]

[0100] The explanations of some parameters in this example are as follows:

[0101] CSI-ResourceConfig is the resource configuration of channel status information (CSI). One resource configuration includes one or more resource sets, and one resource set includes one or more resources.

[0102] csi-ResourceConfigId is the index of the CSI resource configuration.

[0103] csi-RS-ResourceSetList is a resource set list of CSI-RS, which can be a list of nzp-CSI-RS-SSB (or Non-zero-power (NZP) CSI-RS-SSB) resource sets, or a list of csi-IM (or channel state information-interference measurement (CSI-IM)) resource sets.

[0104] nzp-CSI-RS-SSB-ResourceSetList is a nzp-CSI-RS-SSB resource set list, which can include one or more nzp-CSI-RS (or NZP CSI-RS) resource sets or one or more csi-SSB (or CSI-SSB) resource sets, or one or more nzp-CSI-RS resource sets and one or more csi-SSB resource sets.

[0105] csi-IM-ResourceSetList is a csi-IM resource set list, which can include one or more csi-IM resource sets.

[0106] bwp-Id is an identifier of a bandwidth part (BWP). The frequency of a cell is divided into multiple BWPs, and bwp-id is used to indicate a BWP.

[0107] resourceType is a resource type, which can be used to indicate the time domain transmission characteristics of the resources in the resource configuration, for example, whether it is periodically transmitted, semi-persistently transmitted, or aperiodically transmitted.

[0108] It should be understood that the examples of the resource configuration information are only illustrative. In actual applications, one resource set can include one or more resources, one nzp-CSI-RS resource set can include one or more nzp-CSI-RS resources, one csi-SSB resource set can include one or more SSB resources, and one csi-IM resource set can include one or more csi-IM resources. Since there are many types of resource sets, they will not be expanded one by one here.

[0109] An example of reporting configuration information in the R15 protocol is as follows:

[0110]

[0111]

[0112] The explanations of some parameters in the example are as follows:

[0113] CSI-ReportConfig is the reporting configuration of CSI.

[0114] reportConfigId is the index of the reporting configuration.

[0115] resourcesForChannelMeasurement is the identification of the resource configuration for measuring channel information.

[0116] csi-IM-ResourcesForInterference is the identification of the resource configuration for measuring interference information, and the resource types included in the resource configuration are all csi-IM.

[0117] nzp-CSI-RS-ResourcesForInterference is the identification of the resource configuration for measuring interference information, and the resource types included in the resource configuration are all nzp-CSI-RS.

[0118] reportQuantity is the quantity of reporting, which can include, for example, reference signal receiving power (RSRP) and / or channel quality indicator (CQI).

[0119] groupBasedBeamReporting can be a grouping-based reporting criterion, which can be enabled or disabled. When it is configured as enabled, the access network device can not configure other details, and the terminal can report CSI-RS index (CRI) and / or SSB resource index (SSBRI), which can be received simultaneously. When it is configured as disabled, the access network device further configures the number of beams to be reported, which can be configured as one of 1 to 4. For example, when the number of beams to be reported configured is 4, the terminal can report 4 resource identifications, which do not require to be received simultaneously; or the 4 resource identifications can not be received simultaneously.

[0120] S202: The access network device transmits a downlink signal on a resource particle corresponding to a resource configured by the resource configuration information.

[0121] S203: The terminal measures the downlink signal according to the measurement configuration information.

[0122] For example, the terminal can measure the downlink signal according to the resource configuration information in the measurement configuration information, and determine the quality of each resource.

[0123] S204: The terminal sends a beam measurement report to the access network device.

[0124] The beam measurement report can include, but is not limited to, one or more combinations of the following: index of one or more resources, quality of the resources, etc. Table 1 is the format of the beam measurement report in the R15 protocol. The CRI field and the SSBRI field can be used to indicate the resource index to be reported. The terminal can report CRI or SSBRI, or report both CRI and SSBRI. and are the lengths of the CRI field and the SSBRI field, respectively. RSRP is the quality of the resource. The reporting of RSRP can use a differential reporting criterion. For example, the RSRP of the best resource can be reported by using 7-bit quantization in the RSRP field in Table 1, and the RSRP of other resources can be reported by using 4-bit quantization in the differential RSRP field in Table 1.

[0125] Optionally, the beam measurement report can be carried in a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) or a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH).

[0126] Table 1

[0127]

[0128] 4.2, Uplink Beam Management:

[0129] As shown in FIG. 3 , the uplink beam management method can include:

[0130] S301: The access network device sends uplink signal resource configuration information to the terminal.

[0131] Hereinafter, the uplink signal resource configuration information is taken as SRS resource configuration information for illustration.

[0132] The SRS resource configuration information can be used to configure one or more SRS resource sets (SRS-ResourceSet) for uplink beam management; or the access network device can configure one or more SRS resource sets for uplink beam management for the terminal. Each SRS resource set can include one or more SRS resources (SRS-Resource). Each SRS resource is associated with (or corresponds to or is related to) a beam. An SRS is included (or carried) in each SRS resource. The access network device can perform uplink beam measurement by measuring the SRS corresponding to the SRS resource.

[0133] For ease of understanding, an example of SRS resource configuration information in the R15 protocol is shown below.

[0134]

[0135] The explanations of some parameters in this example are as follows:

[0136] SRS-ResourceSet is an SRS resource set.

[0137] srs-ResourceSetId is the index of the SRS resource set.

[0138] srs-ResourceIdList is a list of SRS resource indexes, used to indicate the SRS resources included in the SRS resource set.

[0139] resourceType in srs-ResourceIdList is used to indicate the type of the SRS resource set, for example, aperiodic, semi-static, or periodic.

[0140] usage is used to indicate the purpose of the SRS resource set, for example: beam management, codebook-based uplink transmission, non-codebook-based uplink transmission, or uplink channel measurement.

[0141] srs-ResourceId is an SRS resource index.

[0142] nrofSRS-Ports is the number of antenna ports of the SRS resource.

[0143] resourceMapping is the time-frequency resource location corresponding to the SRS resource.

[0144] resourceType in SRS-Resource is used to indicate the type of the SRS resource, for example, aperiodic, semi-static, or periodic.

[0145] spatialRelationInfo is the spatial information of the SRS resource set, used to indicate the transmission spatial parameter of the SRS resource set.

[0146] It should be understood that the example of the SRS resource configuration information is only illustrative. In actual application, one SRS resource set can include one or more SRS resources, which will not be expanded one by one here.

[0147] S302: For each SRS resource, the terminal transmits the SRS associated with the SRS resource by using the uplink transmission beam associated with the SRS resource.

[0148] S303: The access network device measures each SRS transmitted by the terminal to obtain the quality of each SRS resource.

[0149] 5. Determine the beam for communication:

[0150] When performing uplink and / or downlink communication (for example, uplink and / or downlink data transmission), the access network device and the terminal need to use a specific beam to perform. Which specific beam to use for transmission is determined through a beam measurement process. Optionally, the access network device can configure multiple measurement resources for the terminal through RRC signaling, which are, for example, the resources configured in the resource configuration information in S201. Each measurement resource corresponds to a reference signal. For each measurement resource, the access network device transmits the reference signal corresponding to the measurement resource through the beam corresponding to the measurement resource. The terminal measures the reference signal transmitted by each beam to obtain the quality (such as RSRP) of each beam (or measurement resource), thereby determining the best access network device beam and the best terminal beam. The best access network device beam and the best terminal beam can be the best pair of beams in quality, for example, the pair of beams with the maximum RSRP.

[0151] A possible implementation process is introduced as follows. As shown in FIG. 4 The access network device has M beams, and the terminal has N beams. M and N are positive integers. The access network device configures M measurement resources for the terminal, which correspond to M access network device beams respectively. In each measurement period, the access network device transmits the M reference signals through the M beams respectively, and the terminal uses a beam to receive and measure the M reference signals. Through N measurement periods, the terminal uses N beams to measure the M reference signals transmitted by the access network device respectively, thereby completing the channel measurement between the M access network device beams and the N terminal beams. Based on the above measurement, the terminal can determine the best access network device beam and the best terminal beam, and report them to the access network device.

[0152] During downlink communication, the access network device uses the optimal access network device beam for transmission, and the terminal uses the optimal terminal beam for reception. During uplink communication, the terminal uses the optimal terminal beam for transmission, and the access network device uses the optimal access network device beam for reception.

[0153] 6. SRS measurement:

[0154] In uplink communication, SRS measurement can be performed to allow access network devices to obtain channel information from the terminal. Optionally, the terminal can use the optimal terminal beam to transmit SRS, and the access network device can use the corresponding optimal access network device beam to receive the SRS and perform channel measurement.

[0155] In a cell with multiple users, the optimal access network (ANR) beam for each user may be different. For each terminal, the ANR device can use the optimal ANR beam corresponding to that terminal to receive the SRS transmitted by that terminal. Since the ANR device typically can only use a single receiving beam at a time, it must use different beams at different times to receive SRS transmitted by different terminals.

[0156] For example, such as FIG. 5 As shown, during SRS transmission time #1, the access network device can receive SRS through access network device beam #1; during SRS transmission time #2, the access network device can receive SRS through access network device beam #2. When access network device beam #1 and terminal #1's transmit beam #1 are the optimal access network device beam and optimal terminal beam, during SRS transmission time #1, terminal #1 can transmit SRS through terminal #1's transmit beam #1, and the access network device can receive SRS from terminal #1 through access network device beam #1. When access network device beam #2 and terminal #2's transmit beam #2 are the optimal access network device beam and optimal terminal beam, during SRS transmission time #2, terminal #2 can transmit SRS through terminal #2's transmit beam #2, and the access network device can receive SRS from terminal #2 through access network device beam #2.

[0157] 7. Timing of reference signal transmission:

[0158] In this application, the time when the receiving device receives the reference signal can be referred to as the transmission timing of the reference signal. For example, the time when the access network device receives the SRS can be referred to as the SRS transmission timing. It should be understood that the transmission timing of the reference signal may also have other names, such as the reception timing of the reference signal, the transmission time of the reference signal, or the reception time of the reference signal. As long as they have the same function, they are all within the protection scope of this application.

[0159] The transmission occasion of the reference signal can include a transmission time resource of the reference signal. The transmission time resource can include a transmission time unit. In this application, a time unit can be a unit of a time domain resource. Exemplarily, a time unit can include at least one of the following: a system frame, a subframe, a slot, or a symbol (for example, an OFDM symbol), and the like.

[0160] Optionally, the transmission occasion of the reference signal also includes a transmission frequency domain unit of the reference signal. The transmission frequency domain resource can include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: a cell, a BWP, a resource block (RB), a resource block group (RBG), or an RE, and the like.

[0161] 8、Beam resource:

[0162] In this application, a beam resource can be a reference signal resource used to determine a beam. Exemplarily, a beam resource can be a combination of one or more of the following: an SSB resource, a CSI-RS resource, an SRS resource, a DMRS resource, or a PTRS resource, and the like. Among them, the SSB resource can be a resource used to transmit an SSB; the CSI-RS can be a resource used to transmit a CSI-RS; the SRS resource can be a resource used to transmit an SRS; the DMRS resource can be a resource used to transmit a DMRS; and the PTRS can be a resource used to transmit a PTRS.

[0163] 9、In this application, "indicate" or "for indicating" can include explicit indication (or direct indication) and implicit indication (or indirect indication). When describing that a certain information is used to indicate A, it can include that the information explicitly indicates A or implicitly indicates A, and does not mean that A must be carried in the information.

[0164] The indication method involved in the embodiments of this application should be understood as covering various methods that can enable the to-be-indicated party to know the to-be-indicated information. The to-be-indicated information can be sent as a whole, or can be sent separately into multiple sub-information, and the sending period and / or sending occasion of these sub-information can be the same or different, without limitation.

[0165] The "information" in the embodiments of this application can be explicitly indicated, that is, directly indicated through signaling, or obtained according to the parameters indicated by the signaling, combined with other rules or combined with other parameters or through derivation. It can also be implicitly indicated, that is, obtained according to rules or relationships, or according to other parameters, or through derivation. Without limitation.

[0166] 10、In this application, the communication between different devices can mean direct communication between different devices (i.e. without the need for other devices to transfer or forward), or can mean communication between different devices through other devices (i.e. the need for other devices to transfer or forward), or can mean that the functional units inside the device communicate with other devices through another functional unit. For example, "sending information to (terminal)" can be understood as the destination of the information is the terminal, which can include direct or indirect sending of information to the terminal. "Receiving information from (terminal)" can be understood as the source of the information is the terminal, which can include direct or indirect receiving of information from the terminal. The information between the source and the destination of the information sending may be processed as necessary, such as format change, digital-to-analog conversion, amplification, filtering, etc., but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be similarly understood, and will not be repeated here.

[0167] 11、In this application, the words "exemplarily", "such as", "for example" and "examples of" are used to represent examples, illustrations or descriptions, and are not used to limit the protection scope of this application. It should be understood that the examples in this application can also be implemented in other ways.

[0168] 12、In this application, any two of programs, instructions and codes can be replaced with each other.

[0169] 13、In this application, the association relationship and the corresponding relationship can be replaced with each other.

[0170] Currently, in a mobile communication system, a sending device can send a reference signal. A receiving device can perform measurement and estimation according to the received reference signal. Exemplarily, the receiving device can obtain a channel estimation result between the sending device and the receiving device by using channel reciprocity, and then perform communication according to the channel estimation result.

[0171] In the communication process, the parameters of the reference signal can change. For example, as described above, the terminal can use the best terminal beam to send the SRS, and the access network device can use the corresponding best access network device beam to receive the SRS and perform channel measurement. With the movement of the terminal, the best terminal beam and / or the best access network device beam can change, and the SRS transmission occasion can also change with the change of the best access network device beam. At this time, the terminal needs to use the new best terminal beam to send the SRS at the new SRS transmission occasion, and the access network device needs to use the new best access network device beam to receive and measure the SRS sent by the terminal at the new SRS transmission occasion. For the terminal, it needs to determine the new SRS sending beam and / or transmission occasion.

[0172] Currently, the access network device can update the SRS transmission beam and the transmission occasion through an RRC reconfiguration procedure. For example, the access network device sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal, and the RRC reconfiguration message can be used to indicate a new SRS transmission beam and a transmission occasion. The terminal receives the RRC reconfiguration message, thereby determining the new SRS transmission beam and the transmission occasion, and sending the SRS by using the new SRS transmission beam at the new transmission occasion. The access network device can receive and measure the SRS by using the access network device beam corresponding to the transmission occasion at the new SRS transmission occasion.

[0173] The method updates the SRS transmission beam and the transmission occasion through the RRC reconfiguration procedure. Since the RRC reconfiguration message is layer three signaling, the delay between the access network device and the terminal is large when the layer three signaling is exchanged, thereby causing a large delay in updating the SRS transmission beam and the transmission occasion. During the transmission of the RRC reconfiguration message, the terminal still sends the SRS by using the best terminal beam before the update at the transmission occasion before the update. Since the quality of the best terminal beam before the update is lower than that of the best terminal beam after the update, the transmission performance is lost.

[0174] How to update the parameters of the reference signal needs further research.

[0175] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method. FIG. 6 A flowchart corresponding to the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown. FIG. 6 The method is illustrated by taking a first device and a second device as the execution subject of the interaction. The first device can be a terminal or a device (such as a module, a circuit, a chip (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor) in the terminal, or a logic node, a logic module or software for realizing all or part of the terminal function. The second device can be an access network device or a device (such as a module, a circuit, a chip (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor) in the access network device, or a logic node, a logic module or software for realizing all or part of the access network device function.

[0176] As shown in FIG. 6, the method includes the following steps. FIG. 6

[0177] S601: The second device sends a configuration message; correspondingly, the first device receives the configuration message.

[0178] ​The configuration message can be used to configure parameters of the first reference signal. Correspondingly, the first device can determine the parameters of the first reference signal according to the configuration information. The first reference signal can be a traditional reference signal. For example, the first reference signal can be one of the following: SRS, SSB, CSI-RS, DMRS, or PTRS. In the subsequent standard evolution process, the name of the traditional reference signal can change or remain unchanged, which is within the protection scope of the present application. Alternatively, the first reference signal can be an evolution of the traditional reference signal. The name of the evolved reference signal can change or remain unchanged, which is within the protection scope of the present application. Alternatively, the first reference signal can be a new reference signal or a future defined reference signal. Optionally, the SRS can be one or a combination of the following: SRS of a type of beam management, SRS of a type of codebook, SRS of a type of non-codebook, or SRS of a type of antenna switching. The parameters of the first reference signal can include, but are not limited to, one or a combination of the following: a period of the first reference signal, a transmission beam of the first reference signal, a transmission occasion of the first reference signal, or a frequency domain position corresponding to the first reference signal, and the like.

[0179] The present application does not limit the specific process of the configuration message configuring the parameters of the first reference signal. For example, the first reference signal is SRS, and the configuration message can include SRS resource configuration information in S301. For another example, the first reference signal is CSI-RS, and the configuration message can include resource configuration information in S201.

[0180] The configuration message can be a traditional message or a new message, which is not limited. For example, the configuration message can be RRC signaling, such as RRC configuration message or RRC reconfiguration message.

[0181] The configuration message can have other names as long as it has the same function, which is within the protection scope of the present application.

[0182] S602: The second device sends the first message; correspondingly, the first device receives the first message.

[0183] The first message can be used to update part or all of the parameters of the first reference signal; correspondingly, the first device can update part or all of the parameters of the first reference signal according to the first message. The specific content of “the first message can be used to update part or all of the parameters of the first reference signal” will be described below, which is not expanded here.

[0184] The first message can be MAC CE or DCI.

[0185] Optionally, the part or all of the parameters can comprise one or more of the following in combination: a transmission occasion of the first reference signal, a transmission beam of the first reference signal, or a reception beam of the first reference signal.

[0186] For example, the part or all of the parameters can comprise a transmission occasion of the first reference signal.

[0187] For another example, the part or all of the parameters can comprise a transmission occasion of the first reference signal and a transmission beam of the first reference signal.

[0188] For yet another example, the part or all of the parameters can comprise a transmission beam of the first reference signal.

[0189] For yet another example, the part or all of the parameters can comprise a reception beam of the first reference signal.

[0190] The first message can have other names as long as it has the same function and is within the protection scope of the present application.

[0191] S603: The first device transmits or receives the first reference signal according to the updated parameters of the first reference signal; correspondingly, the second device receives or transmits the first reference signal according to the updated parameters of the first reference signal.

[0192] In some possible manners, the first device transmits the first reference signal according to the updated parameters of the first reference signal; correspondingly, the second device receives the first reference signal according to the updated parameters of the first reference signal.

[0193] In some examples, the part or all of the parameters can comprise a transmission occasion of the first reference signal. After receiving the first message, the first device can transmit the first reference signal at the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal; correspondingly, after transmitting the first message, the second device can receive the first reference signal at the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal. For example, the first reference signal is SRS. The first message indicates that the updated transmission occasion of the SRS is SRS transmission occasion #2 in the following table: FIG. 5 After receiving the first message, the first device can transmit the SRS at SRS transmission occasion #2; correspondingly, after transmitting the first message, the second device can receive the SRS at SRS transmission occasion #2.

[0194] In some examples, the part or all of the parameters can include: a transmission occasion of the first reference signal, a transmission beam of the first reference signal. After receiving the first message, the first device can transmit the first reference signal through the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal at the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal; correspondingly, after transmitting the first message, the second device can receive the first reference signal through a reception beam corresponding to the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal at the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal, or, after transmitting the first message, the second device can receive the first reference signal through a reception beam corresponding to the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal at the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal. For example, the first reference signal is SRS. The first message indicates that the updated transmission occasion of the SRS is SRS transmission occasion #2, and the updated transmission beam of the SRS is the transmission beam #1 of the terminal. After receiving the first message, the first device can transmit the SRS through the transmission beam #1 at the SRS transmission occasion #2; correspondingly, after transmitting the first message, the second device can receive the SRS through the reception beam corresponding to the SRS transmission occasion #2 at the SRS transmission occasion #2, or, after transmitting the first message, the second device can receive the SRS through the reception beam corresponding to the transmission beam #1 at the SRS transmission occasion #2. FIG. 5 In some other examples, the part or all of the parameters can include: a transmission beam of the first reference signal. After receiving the first message, the first device can transmit the first reference signal through the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal; correspondingly, after transmitting the first message, the second device can receive the first reference signal through a reception beam corresponding to the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal, or, after transmitting the first message, the second device can receive the first reference signal through a reception beam corresponding to the transmission occasion of the first reference signal. For example, the first reference signal is SRS. The first message indicates that the updated transmission beam of the SRS is the transmission beam #1 of the terminal. Before receiving the first message, the transmission occasion of the SRS is SRS transmission occasion #2. After receiving the first message, the first device can transmit the SRS through the transmission beam #1 at the SRS transmission occasion #2; correspondingly, after transmitting the first message, the second device can receive the SRS through the reception beam corresponding to the SRS transmission occasion #2 at the SRS transmission occasion #2, or, after transmitting the first message, the second device can receive the SRS through the reception beam corresponding to the transmission beam #1 at the SRS transmission occasion #2.

[0195] In some other examples, the part or all of the parameters can include: a transmission beam of the first reference signal. After receiving the first message, the first device can transmit the first reference signal through the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal; correspondingly, after transmitting the first message, the second device can receive the first reference signal through a reception beam corresponding to the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal, or, after transmitting the first message, the second device can receive the first reference signal through a reception beam corresponding to the transmission occasion of the first reference signal. For example, the first reference signal is SRS. The first message indicates that the updated transmission beam of the SRS is the transmission beam #1 of the terminal. Before receiving the first message, the transmission occasion of the SRS is SRS transmission occasion #2. After receiving the first message, the first device can transmit the SRS through the transmission beam #1 at the SRS transmission occasion #2; correspondingly, after transmitting the first message, the second device can receive the SRS through the reception beam corresponding to the SRS transmission occasion #2 at the SRS transmission occasion #2, or, after transmitting the first message, the second device can receive the SRS through the reception beam corresponding to the transmission beam #1 at the SRS transmission occasion #2.

[0196] In some other examples, the part or all of the parameters can include: a transmission beam of the first reference signal. After receiving the first message, the first device can transmit the first reference signal through the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal; correspondingly, after transmitting the first message, the second device can receive the first reference signal through a reception beam corresponding to the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal, or, after transmitting the first message, the second device can receive the first reference signal through a reception beam corresponding to the transmission occasion of the first reference signal. For example, the first reference signal is SRS. The first message indicates that the updated transmission beam of the SRS is the transmission beam #1 of the terminal. Before receiving the first message, the transmission occasion of the SRS is SRS transmission occasion #2. After receiving the first message, the first device can transmit the SRS through the transmission beam #1 at the SRS transmission occasion #2; correspondingly, after transmitting the first message, the second device can receive the SRS through the reception beam corresponding to the SRS transmission occasion #2 at the SRS transmission occasion #2, or, after transmitting the first message, the second device can receive the SRS through the reception beam corresponding to the transmission beam #1 at the SRS transmission occasion #2.

[0197] In some examples, the part or all of the parameters can comprise a transmission occasion of the first reference signal. After sending the first message, the second device can send the first reference signal at the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal; correspondingly, after receiving the first message, the first device can receive the first reference signal at the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal. For example, the first reference signal is a CSI-RS. The first message indicates that the updated transmission occasion of the CSI-RS is CSI-RS transmission occasion #1. After sending the first message, the second device can send the CSI-RS at the CSI-RS transmission occasion #1; correspondingly, after receiving the first message, the first device can receive the CSI-RS at the CSI-RS transmission occasion #1.

[0198] In some other examples, the part or all of the parameters can comprise a transmission occasion of the first reference signal, a transmission beam of the first reference signal. After sending the first message, the second device can send the first reference signal at the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal through the updated transmission beam of the first reference signal; correspondingly, after receiving the first message, the first device can receive the first reference signal at the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal through a reception beam corresponding to the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal, or, after receiving the first message, the first device can receive the first reference signal at the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal through a reception beam corresponding to the updated transmission beam of the first reference signal. For example, the first reference signal is a CSI-RS. The first message indicates that the updated transmission occasion of the CSI-RS is CSI-RS transmission occasion #1, and the updated transmission beam of the CSI-RS is a transmission beam #3 of the second device. After sending the first message, the second device can send the CSI-RS at the CSI-RS transmission occasion #1 through the transmission beam #3; correspondingly, after receiving the first message, the first device can receive the CSI-RS at the CSI-RS transmission occasion #1 through a reception beam corresponding to the CSI-RS transmission occasion #1, or, after receiving the first message, the first device can receive the CSI-RS at the CSI-RS transmission occasion #1 through a reception beam corresponding to the transmission beam #3.

[0199] In some examples, the part or all of the parameters can comprise a transmission beam of the first reference signal. After sending the first message, the second device can send the first reference signal through the updated transmission beam of the first reference signal; correspondingly, after receiving the first message, the first device can receive the first reference signal through a receiving beam corresponding to the transmission occasion of the current first reference signal, or after receiving the first message, the first device can receive the first reference signal through a receiving beam corresponding to the updated transmission beam of the first reference signal. For example, the first reference signal is a CSI-RS. The first message indicates that the updated transmission beam of the CSI-RS is a transmission beam #3 of the second device. Before sending the first message, the transmission occasion of the CSI-RS is a CSI-RS transmission occasion #2. After sending the first message, the second device can send the CSI-RS through the transmission beam #3 at the CSI-RS transmission occasion #2; correspondingly, after receiving the first message, the first device can receive the CSI-RS through a receiving beam corresponding to the CSI-RS transmission occasion #2 at the CSI-RS transmission occasion #2, or after receiving the first message, the first device can receive the CSI-RS through a receiving beam corresponding to the transmission beam #3 at the CSI-RS transmission occasion #2.

[0200] Optionally, S602 can be after S601, and S603 can be after S602.

[0201] FIG. 6 The method shown can update the parameters of the reference signal through low-layer signaling such as MAC CE or DCI. The transmission delay of the low-layer signaling such as MAC CE or DCI is small, so that the parameters of the reference signal can be quickly updated, the delay of updating the parameters of the reference signal is reduced, and the performance loss caused by the delay of parameter updating in a mobile scenario is avoided or reduced.

[0202] As described above, the first message can be used to update part or all of the parameters of the first reference signal, and the way in which the first message is used to update each parameter in the part or all of the parameters is described below.

[0203] I. The first message is used to update the transmission occasion of the first reference signal; or the part or all of the parameters comprise the transmission occasion of the first reference signal.

[0204] There are various ways in which the first message is used to update the transmission occasion of the first reference signal, for example, at least one of the ways a1 to a4.

[0205] a1: The first message is used to indicate a time unit corresponding to (occupied by or located in) the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal. Correspondingly, the first device can determine that the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal is the time unit indicated by the first message.

[0206] For example, the first message indicates that the time unit corresponding to the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal is slot #1. The first device can determine that the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal is slot #1, and thus can send and / or receive the first reference signal on slot #1.

[0207] For example, the first message indicates that the time unit corresponding to the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal is slot #1. The first device can determine that the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal is slot #1, and thus can send and / or receive the first reference signal on slot #1.

[0208] For example, the first message indicates that the time unit corresponding to the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal is slot #1. The first device can determine that the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal is slot #1, and thus can send and / or receive the first reference signal on slot #1.

[0209] The first message can explicitly indicate the time unit corresponding to the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal, for example, the first message can include the time unit corresponding to the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal; or the first message can implicitly indicate the time unit corresponding to the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal, for example, the first message can include information corresponding to the time unit corresponding to the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal.

[0210] In the manner a1, the first device can accurately determine the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal according to the first message. In addition, in this manner, the first message can directly indicate the time unit corresponding to the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal, so that the first device can not determine the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal by calculation, thereby reducing the calculation complexity of the first device.

[0211] Manner a2: The first message is used to indicate a first offset, and the first offset is the offset between the time unit corresponding to the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal and a reference time unit. Correspondingly, the first device can determine the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal according to the first offset and the reference time unit.

[0212] The first offset can be a positive number, a negative number or 0. The unit of the first offset can be a time unit.

[0213] For example, the first offset is 2 slots; the reference time unit is the 1st slot. The first device can determine that the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal is the 3rd slot.

[0214] Optionally, the reference time unit can be one of: a sending time unit of the first message; a receiving time unit of the first message; a sending time unit of a feedback message corresponding to the first message; a receiving time unit of the feedback message corresponding to the first message; a sending time unit of the first reference signal; or a receiving time unit of the first reference signal. The following will be described respectively.

[0215] 1. The sending time unit of the first message:

[0216] For example, the second device sends the first message in the first time slot; in other words, the sending time unit of the first message is the first time slot. If the first message indicates that the first offset is 2 time slots, the first device can determine that the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal is the third time slot.

[0217] 2. The receiving time unit of the first message:

[0218] For example, the first device receives the first message in the first time slot; in other words, the receiving time unit of the first message is the first time slot. If the first message indicates that the first offset is 2 time slots, the first device can determine that the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal is the third time slot.

[0219] 3. The sending time unit of the feedback message corresponding to the first message:

[0220] Optionally, the feedback message corresponding to the first message can be an acknowledgement (ACK) message of the first message, used to indicate that the first device successfully receives and / or decodes the first message.

[0221] For example, the first device receives the first message in the first time slot and sends the feedback message corresponding to the first message in the fourth time slot. If the first message indicates that the first offset is 2 time slots, the first device can determine that the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal is the sixth time slot.

[0222] 4. The receiving time unit of the feedback message corresponding to the first message:

[0223] Optionally, the feedback message corresponding to the first message can be an ACK message of the first message, used to indicate that the first device successfully receives and / or decodes the first message.

[0224] For example, the first device receives the first message in the first time slot, and the second device receives the feedback message corresponding to the first message in the fourth time slot. If the first message indicates that the first offset is 2 time slots, the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal is the sixth time slot.

[0225] 5. The sending time unit of the first reference signal:

[0226] Optionally, the transmission time unit of the first reference signal can be the transmission time unit of the first reference signal configured by the configuration message, or can be the transmission time unit of the first reference signal updated last time.

[0227] For example, the transmission time unit of the first reference signal is the first time slot. If the first message indicates that the first offset is 2 time slots, the first device can determine that the transmission time of the updated first reference signal is the third time slot.

[0228] Optionally, the transmission time unit of the first reference signal can be replaced by at least one of the following: the transmission time unit currently used by the first reference signal, the transmission time unit of the first reference signal before being updated.

[0229] 6, the reception time unit of the first reference signal:

[0230] Optionally, the reception time unit of the first reference signal can be the reception time unit of the first reference signal configured by the configuration message, or can be the reception time unit of the first reference signal updated last time.

[0231] For example, the reception time unit of the first reference signal is the first time slot. If the first message indicates that the first offset is 2 time slots, the first device can determine that the transmission time of the updated first reference signal is the third time slot.

[0232] Optionally, the reception time unit of the first reference signal can be replaced by at least one of the following: the reception time unit currently used by the first reference signal, the reception time unit of the first reference signal before being updated.

[0233] Through the mode a2, the first device can accurately determine the transmission time of the updated first reference signal according to the first message. In this mode, the first message can indicate the offset between the time unit corresponding to the transmission time of the updated first reference signal and the reference time unit, and can not indicate the time unit corresponding to the transmission time of the updated first reference signal, so that the transmission time of the updated first reference signal can be indicated by fewer bits, and the signaling overhead can be reduced.

[0234] Mode a3: the first message is used to indicate the first resource, and the first resource and the first association relationship can be used to determine the transmission time of the updated first reference signal. Correspondingly, the first device can determine the transmission time of the updated first reference signal according to the first resource and the first association relationship.

[0235] The first association relationship can be an association relationship between at least one resource and at least one transmission occasion, and the at least one resource includes the first resource. Correspondingly, the first device can determine a first transmission occasion corresponding to the first resource from the at least one transmission occasion according to the first resource and the first association relationship, and determine the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal as the first transmission occasion. The first association relationship can be embodied in various ways, for example, in the form of a table. Table 2 shows a possible example of the first association relationship. For example, the first resource indicated by the first message is resource #1. According to the first association relationship shown in Table 2, the first device can determine that resource #1 corresponds to transmission occasion #a1, and thus determine the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal as transmission occasion #a1.

[0236] Table 2

[0237] Resource Transmission occasion Resource #1 Transmission occasion #a1 Resource #2 Transmission occasion #a2 Resource #3 Transmission occasion #a3

[0238] It should be understood that Table 2 is only an example, and in actual applications, the number of resources and transmission occasions in the first association relationship can be more or less.

[0239] Alternatively, the first association relationship can also be understood as an association relationship between the identification or index of at least one resource and at least one transmission occasion. In this case, the resources in Table 2 can be replaced by the identification or index of the resources.

[0240] The first association relationship can be pre-set, for example, specified by a protocol. Alternatively, the first association relationship can be determined by the first device, in which case the first device can send indication information of the first association relationship to the second device. Alternatively, the first association relationship can be notified to the first device by another device (for example, a core network device or the second device), for example, in S601, the configuration message sent by the second device to the first device is also used to configure the first association relationship, for example, the configuration message includes indication information of the first association relationship. It should be understood that the second device can also configure the first association relationship through messages other than the configuration message, without limitation.

[0241] Alternatively, in the first association relationship, at least one resource and at least one transmission occasion can correspond one-to-one, thereby saving transmission resources and / or storage resources of the first association relationship, and reducing the time for finding the transmission occasion corresponding to the first resource.

[0242] Optionally, the at least one resource can be at least one resource associated with (or corresponding to or related to) the reference signal. For example, the at least one resource can be one of at least one beam resource, at least one SSB resource, or at least one CSI-RS resource. And / or, the first resource can be associated with (or corresponding to or related to) the first reference signal. For example, the first resource can be one of a beam resource, an SSB resource, or a CSI-RS resource. The specific content of the beam resource, the SSB resource, and the CSI-RS resource can be referred to the description of the beam resource, the SSB resource, and the CSI-RS resource in the above term explanation part, and will not be repeated here.

[0243] As mentioned above, there is an association relationship between the resource and the beam. Therefore, the first resource and the resource in the at least one resource in the mode a3 can be replaced by a beam. For example, the mode a3 can be replaced by: the first message is used to indicate a first beam, and the first beam and the first association relationship can be used to determine the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal. Correspondingly, the first device can determine the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal according to the first beam and the first association relationship.

[0244] Table 3 shows a possible example of the first association relationship. For example, the first beam indicated by the first message is beam #a1. The first device can determine that beam #a1 and transmission occasion #a1 correspond according to the first association relationship shown in Table 3, and thus determine that the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal is transmission occasion #a1.

[0245] Table 3

[0246]

[0247]

[0248] It should be understood that Table 3 is only an example, and in actual application, the number of beams and transmission occasions in the first association relationship can be more or less.

[0249] Optionally, the first beam can be a receiving beam of the first reference signal. For example, the first reference signal is an SRS, and the first beam can be a receiving beam of the SRS; or in other words, the first beam can be a beam used by the second device to receive the SRS.

[0250] Through the mode a3, the first device can accurately determine the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal according to the first message and the first association relationship. In this mode, the first device can determine two parameters (i.e., the first resource and the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal) according to one parameter (i.e., the first resource) indicated by the first message, and the first device and the second device can not transmit these two parameters at the same time, thereby reducing the signaling overhead.

[0251] The configuration message in S601 can be used to configure parameters of a plurality of reference signals, and there is a second association relationship between the plurality of reference signals and a plurality of transmission occasions. The first message can be used to indicate a first reference signal in the plurality of reference signals; accordingly, the first device can determine the transmission occasion of the first reference signal according to the first reference signal and the second association relationship. The transmission occasion of the first reference signal is a transmission occasion corresponding to the first reference signal in the plurality of transmission occasions (hereinafter referred to as a second transmission occasion); accordingly, the first device can determine the transmission occasion of the first reference signal as the second transmission occasion according to the first reference signal and the second association relationship. In S603, the first device can send and / or receive the first reference signal at the second transmission occasion; accordingly, the second device can receive and / or send the first reference signal at the second transmission occasion.

[0252] The specific content of the configuration message used to configure the parameters of the plurality of reference signals can be referred to the description of the configuration message used to configure the parameters of the first reference signal in S601, and the plurality of reference signals is replaced by the first reference signal, which will not be repeated here.

[0253] The plurality of reference signals can be traditional reference signals, for example, the plurality of reference signals can be one of the following: a plurality of SRSs, a plurality of SSBs, a plurality of CSI-RSs, a plurality of DMRSs, or a plurality of PTRSs. In subsequent standard evolution process, the names of the traditional reference signals can change or remain unchanged, which are all within the protection scope of the present application. Alternatively, the plurality of reference signals can be evolved from the traditional reference signals, and the names of the evolved reference signals can change or remain unchanged, which are all within the protection scope of the present application. Alternatively, the plurality of reference signals can be new reference signals or future defined reference signals.

[0254] As described above, the first device can determine the transmission occasion of the first reference signal according to the first reference signal and the second association relationship. The second association relationship can be embodied in various ways, for example, in the form of a table. Table 4 shows one possible example of the second association relationship. For example, the first message indicates that the first reference signal is SRS#1. The first device can determine the transmission occasion #b1 corresponding to SRS#1 according to the second association relationship shown in Table 4. The first device can send SRS#1 at the transmission occasion #b1; accordingly, the second device can receive SRS#1 at the transmission occasion #b1.

[0255] Table 4

[0256] SRS Transmission occasion SRS #1 Transmission occasion #b1 SRS #2 Transmission occasion #b2 SRS #3 Transmission occasion #b3

[0257] It should be understood that Table 4 is only an example, and the number of SRSs and transmission occasions in the second association relationship can be more or less in actual application.

[0258] Table 5 shows another possible example of the second association relationship. For example, the first message indicates that the first reference signal is CSI-RS#1. The first device can determine, according to the second association relationship shown in Table 5, that the transmission occasion #b1 corresponds to the CSI-RS#1. The second device can send the CSI-RS#1 at the transmission occasion #b1; correspondingly, the first device can receive the CSI-RS#1 at the transmission occasion #b1.

[0259] Table 5

[0260] CSI-RS Transmission occasion CSI-RS #1 Transmission occasion #b1 CSI-RS #2 Transmission occasion #b2 CSI-RS #3 Transmission occasion #b3

[0261] It should be understood that Table 5 is only an example, and in actual applications, the number of CSI-RSs and transmission occasions in the second association relationship can be more or less.

[0262] Alternatively, the second association relationship can also be understood as an association relationship between the identifiers or indexes of the plurality of reference signals and the plurality of transmission occasions. In this case, the SRS in Table 4 can be replaced by the identifier or index of the SRS, and the CSI-RS in Table 5 can be replaced by the identifier or index of the CSI-RS.

[0263] The second association relationship can be pre-set, for example, specified by a protocol. Alternatively, the second association relationship can be determined by the first device, in which case the first device can send indication information of the second association relationship to the second device. Alternatively, the second association relationship can be notified to the first device by another device (for example, a core network device or the second device), for example, in S601, the configuration message sent by the second device to the first device is also used to configure the second association relationship, for example, the configuration message includes indication information of the second association relationship. It should be understood that the second device can also configure the second association relationship through messages other than the configuration message, without limitation.

[0264] Alternatively, in the second association relationship, the plurality of reference signals and the plurality of transmission occasions can correspond one by one, thereby saving transmission resources and / or storage resources of the second association relationship, and reducing the time for finding the transmission occasion corresponding to the first reference signal.

[0265] Through the mode a4, the first device can accurately determine the transmission occasion of the first reference signal according to the first message and the second association relationship. Moreover, in this mode, the first device can determine the transmission occasion of the first reference signal according to the first reference signal indicated by the first message, and the first device and the second device can not transmit the transmission occasion of the first reference signal, thereby reducing the signaling overhead.

[0266] Optionally, the first message can be used to update one or more transmission occasions of the first reference signal, and each of the updated transmission occasions can be determined according to one of the manner a1 to the manner a4. For example, the first message can indicate a plurality of offsets, and each of the offsets can be used to determine one of the updated transmission occasions of the first reference signal according to the manner a2. For another example, the first message can indicate a plurality of resources, and each of the resources and the first association relationship can be used to determine one of the updated transmission occasions of the first reference signal according to the manner a3.

[0267] II. The first message is used to update a transmission beam of the first reference signal; or the part or all of the parameters comprise the transmission beam of the first reference signal.

[0268] The first message can be used to indicate a combination of one or more of the following: a spatial relation parameter, a TCI-state parameter, or a beam resource corresponding to the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal. The beam resource can be, for example, a combination of one or more of an SSB resource or a CSI-RS resource. Accordingly, the first device can determine the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal according to the first message.

[0269] In some examples, the spatial relation parameter corresponding to the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal can be a spatial relation index corresponding to the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal. The first device can determine the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal according to the spatial relation index indicated by the first message. For example, the first message indicates that the spatial relation index corresponding to the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal is spatial relation index #1, and the first device can determine that the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal is the beam corresponding to the spatial relation index #1.

[0270] In other examples, the TCI-state parameter corresponding to the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal can be a TCI-state index corresponding to the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal. The first device can determine the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal according to the TCI-state index indicated by the first message. For example, the first message indicates that the TCI-state index corresponding to the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal is TCI-state index #1, and the first device can determine that the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal is the beam corresponding to the TCI-state index #1.

[0271] In yet other examples, the first message indicates that the beam resource corresponding to the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal is beam resource #1, and the first device can determine that the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal is the beam corresponding to the beam resource #1.

[0272] In some examples, the first message indicates that the SSB resource corresponding to the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal is SSB resource #1, and the first apparatus can determine that the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal is the beam corresponding to SSB resource #1.

[0273] In some examples, the first message indicates that the CSI-RS resource corresponding to the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal is CSI-RS resource #1, and the first apparatus can determine that the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal is the beam corresponding to CSI-RS resource #1.

[0274] In this way, the first message can accurately indicate the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal. In this way, the first apparatus can accurately determine the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal according to the first message.

[0275] III. The first message is used to update the reception beam of the first reference signal; or the part or all of the parameters include the reception beam of the first reference signal.

[0276] The first message is used to indicate one or more combinations of the following: the spatial relation parameter, the TCI-state parameter, or the beam resource corresponding to the reception beam of the updated first reference signal. The beam resource is, for example, one or more combinations of SSB resources or CSI-RS resources. Correspondingly, the first apparatus can determine the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal according to the first message. For details, please refer to the description of “the first apparatus can determine the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal according to the first message” above, except that the transmission beam is replaced by the reception beam, which will not be repeated here.

[0277] In this way, the first message can accurately indicate the reception beam of the updated first reference signal. In this way, the first apparatus can accurately determine the reception beam of the updated first reference signal according to the first message.

[0278] Optionally, the first message is also used to indicate the first reference signal, so that the first apparatus can know which reference signal or which reference signals to update the parameters of.

[0279] It should be understood that the above is described by taking the first message as an example of updating one reference signal. The first message can be used to update part or all of the parameters of at least one reference signal. For details of the first message being used to update part or all of the parameters of each reference signal in the at least one reference signal, please refer to the description of “the first message can be used to update part or all of the parameters of the first reference signal” above, which will not be repeated here.

[0280] Optionally, in the case that the first message is used to update part or all parameters of the at least one reference signal, the first message can indicate the at least one reference signal; accordingly, the first device can determine the at least one reference signal according to the first message, so as to update part or all parameters of the at least one reference signal.

[0281] In some examples, the first message can comprise an index of the at least one reference signal. For example, the first message comprises an index of reference signal #1 and reference signal #2, and the first message is used to update part or all parameters of reference signal #1 and reference signal #2. The first device can determine the updated parameters of reference signal #1 and reference signal #2 according to the first message, so as to update part or all parameters of reference signal #1 and reference signal #2. Through this example, the first device can accurately determine the at least one reference signal according to the first message. In addition, in this way, the first message can directly comprise the index of the at least one reference signal, so that the first device can not determine the at least one reference signal by calculation, thereby reducing the calculation complexity of the first device.

[0282] In other examples, the first message can indicate the at least one reference signal through a bit map. The bit map can comprise a plurality of bits, each bit can correspond to a reference signal, and be used to indicate whether the reference signal corresponding to the bit belongs to the at least one reference signal. Optionally, the first bit is any bit in the plurality of bits. In the case that the first bit takes a first value (for example, 1 or 0), the reference signal corresponding to the first bit belongs to the at least one reference signal; in the case that the first bit takes a second value (for example, 0 or 1), the reference signal corresponding to the first bit does not belong to the at least one reference signal. The first value and the second value are different. For example, the bit map comprises 4 bits corresponding to reference signal #1 to reference signal #4. In the case that the 4 bits take the value 1100, the first value is 1, and the second value is 0, the first message is used to update part or all parameters of reference signal #1 and reference signal #2. Through this example, the first device can accurately determine the at least one reference signal according to the first message. In addition, in this way, the first message can indicate the at least one reference signal through the bit map, and can not comprise an index of each reference signal in the at least one reference signal, thereby reducing the signaling overhead.

[0283] In some possible manners, S602 is an optional step; or, FIG. 6The method shown can include S601 and S603. In this way, the first device can determine the first resource. The first resource and the first association relationship can be used to determine the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal. Correspondingly, the first device can determine the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal according to the first resource and the first association relationship. For details, please refer to the description of "the first device can determine the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal according to the first resource and the first association relationship" in the manner a3, which will not be repeated here.

[0284] Optionally, the first device can determine the first resource according to the beam measurement process, and the first resource can be the beam resource corresponding to the best access network device beam. For example, the first device can determine the best access network device beam. For details, please refer to the description of "determining the beam for communication" in the term explanation part above, which will not be repeated here. The first device can determine the first resource as the beam resource corresponding to the best access network device beam.

[0285] As mentioned above, there is an association relationship between the resource and the beam, so the resource in this way can be replaced by the beam. For example, the first device can determine the first beam. The first beam and the first association relationship can be used to determine the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal. Correspondingly, the first device can determine the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal according to the first beam and the first association relationship. Optionally, the first beam can be the best access network device beam.

[0286] Through this way, the first device can accurately determine the transmission occasion of the updated first reference signal according to the first resource and the first association relationship. Moreover, in this way, the first device and the second device can not transmit the message for updating the parameters of the reference signal, so as to reduce the signaling overhead.

[0287] In some possible ways, FIG. 6The reference signal in the method can be replaced by a channel. For example, the channel can include, but is not limited to, one or a combination of the following: a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a PDSCH, a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), or a physical random access channel (PRACH). The parameters of the channel can be updated by low-layer signaling such as a MAC CE or DCI. The transmission delay of the low-layer signaling such as the MAC CE or DCI is small, so that the parameters of the channel can be quickly updated, the delay of updating the parameters of the channel is reduced, and the performance loss caused by the delay of updating the parameters is avoided or reduced.

[0288] The embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. FIG. 7 The embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. FIG. 7 The embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. FIG. 6 The embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The embodiment of the present application provides a communication method.

[0289] As shown in the method, the method comprises the following steps. FIG. 7 The method comprises the following steps.

[0290] S701: The second device sends a configuration message; and correspondingly, the first device receives the configuration message.

[0291] The configuration message can be used to configure parameters of a plurality of reference signals. The specific content of the plurality of reference signals can be referred to the description of the plurality of reference signals in the method a4, and details are not repeated. There can be a second association relationship between the plurality of reference signals and a plurality of transmission occasions, and the specific content of the second association relationship can be referred to the description of the second association relationship in the method a4, and details are not repeated.

[0292] The specific content of S701 can be referred to S601, except that the first reference signal is replaced by the plurality of reference signals, and details are not repeated.

[0293] S702: The second device sends a first message; and correspondingly, the first device receives the first message.

[0294] The first message can be used to indicate the first reference signal. Correspondingly, the first device can determine a transmission occasion of the first reference signal according to the first reference signal and the second association relationship. For details, refer to the description of "the first device can determine a transmission occasion of the first reference signal according to the first reference signal and the second association relationship" in the manner a4, and details are not repeated. The transmission occasion of the first reference signal is a transmission occasion (hereinafter referred to as a second transmission occasion) corresponding to the first reference signal in the plurality of transmission occasions.

[0295] Optionally, the first message can be a MAC CE or DCI.

[0296] S703: The first device transmits or receives the first reference signal according to the parameters of the first reference signal; and correspondingly, the second device receives or transmits the first reference signal according to the parameters of the first reference signal.

[0297] The specific content of S703 can refer to S603, except that "updated" is deleted, and repeated parts are not repeated.

[0298] Optionally, the first device can transmit and / or receive the first reference signal at the second transmission occasion; and correspondingly, the second device can receive and / or transmit the first reference signal at the second transmission occasion.

[0299] The following examples illustrate FIG. 7 The implementation process of the method shown.

[0300] For example, the configuration message sent by the second device to the first device can be used to configure the parameters of SRS#1 to SRS#3. The second association relationship is as shown in Table 4. The first message#1 sent by the second device to the first device indicates SRS#1. After receiving the first message#1, the first device can transmit SRS#1 at the transmission occasion#b1; and correspondingly, after transmitting the first message#1, the second device can receive SRS#1 at the transmission occasion#b1. The second device sends the first message#2 to the first device, and the first message#2 can indicate SRS#2. After receiving the first message#2, the first device can transmit SRS#2 at the transmission occasion#b2; and correspondingly, after transmitting the first message#2, the second device can receive SRS#2 at the transmission occasion#b2.

[0301] For example, the configuration message sent by the second device to the first device can be used to configure the parameters of the CSI-RS#1 to CSI-RS#3. The second association relationship is shown in Table 5. The first message #1 sent by the second device to the first device indicates the CSI-RS#1. After sending the first message #1, the second device can send the CSI-RS#1 at the transmission occasion #b1; correspondingly, after receiving the first message #1, the first device can receive the CSI-RS#1 at the transmission occasion #b1. The second device sends the first message #2 to the first device, and the first message #2 can indicate the CSI-RS#2. After sending the first message #2, the second device can send the CSI-RS#2 at the transmission occasion #b2; correspondingly, after receiving the first message #2, the first device can receive the CSI-RS#2 at the transmission occasion #b2.

[0302] FIG. 7 The method shown can indicate the first reference signal through low-layer signaling such as a MAC CE or a DCI, so that the first device and the second device can communicate according to the transmission occasion of the first reference signal. Since the transmission delay of the low-layer signaling such as the MAC CE or the DCI is small, the transmission occasion of the first reference signal can be quickly indicated (or activated), the delay of indicating (or activating) the transmission occasion of the first reference signal is reduced, and the performance loss caused by the delay of updating the parameters (for example, the transmission occasion of the reference signal) of the reference signal in the mobile scenario is avoided or reduced.

[0303] Based on the same technical concept as the above method embodiments, the embodiments of the present application provide a corresponding communication device, which can be used to perform the functions of the related steps in the above method embodiments. The functions can be implemented by hardware, software, or hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. The communication device can be a terminal or an access network device, or can be a device (for example, a module, a communication module, a circuit or a chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system or a processor) in a terminal or an access network device, or can be a logic node, a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the terminal or function.

[0304] In a possible implementation, the structure of the communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown in FIG. 8 and includes a processing unit 802. Optionally, the communication device also includes an interface unit 801. The functions of each unit in the communication device 800 are introduced below.

[0305] The interface unit 801 is configured to input and / or output information. The input information can be replaced by received information, and the output information can be replaced by transmitted information. When outputting the information, the interface unit 801 can output the information to other devices outside the communication apparatus 800, or output the information to other units in the communication apparatus 800. In some manners, the interface unit 801 can be implemented by at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, and an input / output interface. In other manners, the interface unit 801 can be implemented by an interface circuit, for example, a mobile communication module. The mobile communication module can include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier (LNA), and the like. The interface unit 801 is configured to perform the receiving operation and the sending operation in the above method embodiments.

[0306] In this application, the interface unit 801 can also be referred to as a transceiver unit or a communication unit. Optionally, the interface unit 801 can include a receiving unit and a sending unit, which are configured to input and output information, respectively. The receiving unit is configured to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments. The sending unit is configured to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments.

[0307] The processing unit 802 can be configured to support the communication apparatus 800 to perform the processing actions in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 802 can be implemented by one or more processors. For example, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller unit (MCU), or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, or any conventional processor. The processing unit 802 is configured to perform operations related to processing in the above method embodiments, for example, operations other than the receiving operation and the sending operation in the above method embodiments.

[0308] In an embodiment, the communication apparatus 800 is applied to FIG. 6 The first device in the embodiment of the application is shown. The specific functions of the processing unit 802 in the embodiment are introduced as follows.

[0309] The processing unit 802 is configured to receive, through the interface unit 801, a configuration message, the configuration message being used for configuring parameters of a first reference signal; receive, through the interface unit 801, a first message, the first message being used for updating part or all of the parameters of the first reference signal, the first message being a MAC CE or a DCI; and transmit or receive, through the interface unit 801, the first reference signal according to the updated parameters of the first reference signal.

[0310] In another implementation, the communication apparatus 800 is applied to a first device in the embodiment of the application as shown in FIG. 8B. The specific functions of the processing unit 802 in this implementation are described below. FIG. 6

[0311] The processing unit 802 is configured to transmit, through the interface unit 801, a configuration message, the configuration message being used for configuring parameters of a first reference signal; transmit, through the interface unit 801, a first message, the first message being used for updating part or all of the parameters of the first reference signal, the first message being a MAC CE or a DCI; and receive or transmit, through the interface unit 801, the first reference signal according to the updated parameters of the first reference signal.

[0312] In another implementation, the communication apparatus 800 is applied to a first device in the embodiment of the application as shown in FIG. 8B. The specific functions of the processing unit 802 in this implementation are described below. FIG. 7

[0313] The processing unit 802 is configured to receive, through the interface unit 801, a configuration message, the configuration message being used for configuring parameters of a plurality of reference signals, a second association relationship existing between the plurality of reference signals and a plurality of transmission occasions; receive, through the interface unit 801, a first message, the first message being used for indicating a first reference signal in the plurality of reference signals; and transmit or receive, through the interface unit 801, the first reference signal according to the parameters of the first reference signal.

[0314] In another implementation, the communication apparatus 800 is applied to a second device in the embodiment of the application as shown in FIG. 8C. The specific functions of the processing unit 802 in this implementation are described below. FIG. 7

[0315] The processing unit 802 is configured to transmit, through the interface unit 801, a configuration message, the configuration message being used for configuring parameters of a plurality of reference signals, a second association relationship existing between the plurality of reference signals and a plurality of transmission occasions; transmit, through the interface unit 801, a first message, the first message being used for indicating a first reference signal in the plurality of reference signals; and receive or transmit, through the interface unit 801, the first reference signal according to the parameters of the first reference signal.

[0316] ​​​In one possible design, the processing unit 802 can be implemented by one or more processors when the communication apparatus 800 is a communication device or a communication module in a communication device. For example, the processor(s) can include a modem chip, or a system on chip (SoC) chip or a SIP chip that includes a modem core.

[0317] In one possible design, the processing unit 802 can be implemented by circuitry including one or more processors or processor cores in a chip that is responsible for communication functions in a communication device, such as a modem chip or a system on chip (SoC) chip or a SIP chip that includes a modem core. The interface unit 801 can be implemented by interface circuitry or data transceiver circuitry on the chip.

[0318] The communication device can be a terminal or an access network device.

[0319] More detailed description of the processing unit 802 and the interface unit 801 can be found in the description of the method embodiments shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 6 to FIG. 7 The description of the method embodiments shown in FIG. 2 can be directly obtained from the description of the apparatus embodiments shown in FIG. 1, and thus is not repeated here.

[0320] It is noted that the division of modules in the above embodiments is illustrative only, and is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, another division manner can be used. In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present disclosure can be integrated in one processing unit, or can be physically separated, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware, software, or hardware combined with software. Whether a certain function is implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present disclosure.

[0321] For example, the functional units in any of the apparatuses described above can be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement one or more of the above methods, such as one or more ASICs, one or more CPUs, one or more MCUs, one or more DSPs, or one or more FPGAs, or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0322] The integrated unit described above, if realized in the form of a software function unit and sold or used as an independent product, can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solutions of the present application essentially or the part of the prior art that contributes to the technical solutions or the whole or part of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes a plurality of instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media that can store program codes.

[0323] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application comprises FIG. 9 As shown in the figure, the communication apparatus 900 comprises a processor 902. Optionally, the communication apparatus 900 further comprises an interface circuit 901 and a memory 903. The interface circuit 901, the processor 902 and the memory 903 are coupled with each other.

[0324] Optionally, the interface circuit 901, the processor 902 and the memory 903 are coupled with each other through a bus 904. The bus 904 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For the convenience of representation, FIG. 9 In the figure, only one thick line is used to represent the bus, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0325] The interface circuit 901 is configured to input and / or output information. The input information can be replaced by received information, and the output information can be replaced by transmitted information. When the output information is output, the interface circuit 901 can output the information to other devices outside the communication apparatus 900, or output the information to other units in the communication apparatus 900. Exemplarily, the interface circuit 901 can be realized by at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, an input / output interface, and a mobile communication module. The mobile communication module can include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, an LNA, etc. The interface circuit 901 is configured to perform the receiving operation and the transmitting operation in the above method embodiments.

[0326] The interface circuit 901 can be one of a transceiver, a transceiving circuit, a communication circuit, an interface, a communication interface, or an input / output interface (for example, an input / output interface of a chip). The interface circuit 901 can include an input interface circuit and an output interface circuit for inputting and outputting information respectively. The input interface circuit is configured to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments. The output interface circuit is configured to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments.

[0327] The transceiver can be configured to communicate with other communication devices. For example, the communication device 900 is a terminal, and the transceiver can be configured to communicate with an access network device or another terminal. For another example, the communication device 900 is an access network device, and the transceiver can be configured to communicate with a terminal or another access network device.

[0328] Optionally, the transceiver can include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver is configured to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments. The transmitter is configured to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments.

[0329] Optionally, the transceiver can be integrated with the processor 902 or exist independently and be coupled with the processor 902 through the interface circuit of the communication device 900, and the embodiments of the present application do not make a specific limitation in this regard.

[0330] The processor 902 can be configured to support the communication device 900 to perform the processing actions in the above method embodiments. When the communication device 900 is configured to implement the above method embodiments, the processor 902 can also be configured to implement the functions of the processing unit 802 described above. The processor 902 can be a CPU, and can also be other general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, or any conventional processor. The processor 902 is configured to perform operations related to processing in the above method embodiments, for example, operations other than the receiving operation and the sending operation in the above method embodiments.

[0331] In an embodiment, the communication device 900 is applied to FIG. 6 The processor 902 in the embodiment of the present application is described as follows.

[0332] The processor 902 is configured to: receive, through the interface circuit 901, a configuration message, the configuration message being used to configure parameters of a first reference signal; receive, through the interface circuit 901, a first message, the first message being used to update part or all of the parameters of the first reference signal, the first message being a MAC CE or a DCI; and transmit or receive, through the interface circuit 901, the first reference signal according to the updated parameters of the first reference signal.

[0333] In another implementation, the communication apparatus 900 is applied to FIG. 6 The second device in the embodiment of the application is shown in FIG. 9. The specific functions of the processor 902 in this implementation are introduced as follows.

[0334] The processor 902 is configured to send, through the interface circuit 901, a configuration message, the configuration message being used to configure parameters of a first reference signal; send, through the interface circuit 901, a first message, the first message being used to update part or all of the parameters of the first reference signal, the first message being a MAC CE or a DCI; and receive or send, through the interface circuit 901, the first reference signal according to the updated parameters of the first reference signal.

[0335] In another implementation, the communication apparatus 900 is applied to FIG. 7 The first device in the embodiment of the application is shown in FIG. 8. The specific functions of the processor 902 in this implementation are introduced as follows.

[0336] The processor 902 is configured to receive, through the interface circuit 901, a configuration message, the configuration message being used to configure parameters of a plurality of reference signals, a second association relationship existing between the plurality of reference signals and a plurality of transmission occasions; receive, through the interface circuit 901, a first message, the first message being used to indicate a first reference signal in the plurality of reference signals; and send or receive, through the interface circuit 901, the first reference signal according to the parameters of the first reference signal.

[0337] In another implementation, the communication apparatus 900 is applied to FIG. 7 The second device in the embodiment of the application is shown in FIG. 9. The specific functions of the processor 902 in this implementation are introduced as follows.

[0338] The processor 902 is configured to send, through the interface circuit 901, a configuration message, the configuration message being used to configure parameters of a plurality of reference signals, a second association relationship existing between the plurality of reference signals and a plurality of transmission occasions; send, through the interface circuit 901, a first message, the first message being used to indicate a first reference signal in the plurality of reference signals; and receive or send, through the interface circuit 901, the first reference signal according to the parameters of the first reference signal.

[0339] The specific functions of the processor 902 can refer to the description of the communication method provided in the above embodiments and examples of the application, and FIG. 8 The specific functions of the communication apparatus 800 in the embodiment of the application are described above, and thus are not described herein again.

[0340] The memory 903 is configured to store program instructions and / or data, etc. Specifically, the program instructions can include program codes including computer operation instructions. The memory 903 can include a RAM, and can further include a non-volatile memory such as at least one disk memory. The processor 902 executes the program instructions stored in the memory 903, and uses the data stored in the memory 903, to implement the above functions, thereby implementing the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application. The memory 903 can be integrated with the processor 902, or can be a memory outside the communication device.

[0341] It can be understood that the memory 903 in the above FIG. 9 embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. The non-volatile memory can be a ROM, a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically EPROM (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a RAM used as an external cache. By way of example, and not limitation, many forms of RAM can be used, such as a static random access memory (SRAM), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), a double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), an enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), a synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and a direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0342] The present application also provides a communication device 1000, which can be a terminal, a processor in the terminal, or a chip. The communication device 1000 can be used to perform the operations performed by the first device in the above method embodiments.

[0343] When the communication device 1000 is a terminal, FIG. 10 A structural diagram of a terminal is shown. As FIG. 10As shown, the terminal includes a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The memory can store computer program code, and the transceiver includes a transmitter 1031, a receiver 1032, a radio frequency circuit (not shown in the figure), an antenna 1033, and an input / output device (not shown in the figure).

[0344] The processor is mainly used for processing communication protocols and communication data, controlling the terminal, executing software programs and processing data of the software programs, and the like.

[0345] The memory is mainly used for storing software programs and data.

[0346] The radio frequency circuit is mainly used for conversion between a baseband signal and a radio frequency signal and processing of the radio frequency signal.

[0347] The antenna is mainly used for transceiving a radio frequency signal in the form of an electromagnetic wave.

[0348] The input / output device can include a touch screen, a display screen, a keyboard, or the like. The input / output device is mainly used for receiving user input data and outputting data to the user. It should be noted that some types of terminals can not have an input / output device.

[0349] When data needs to be sent, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be sent, and outputs a baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. Then, the radio frequency circuit performs radio frequency processing on the baseband signal, and transmits a radio frequency signal in the form of an electromagnetic wave through the antenna. When data is sent to the terminal, the radio frequency circuit receives a radio frequency signal through the antenna. The radio frequency circuit converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor. The processor converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0350] For ease of illustration, FIG. 10 Only one memory, processor, and transceiver are shown in the figure. In actual terminal products, there can be one or more processors and one or more memories. The memory can also be referred to as a storage medium or a storage device, and the like. The memory can be independent of the processor, or can be integrated with the processor. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0351] In the embodiments of the present application, the antenna and the radio frequency circuit having transceiving functions can be regarded as an interface unit of the terminal, and the processor having processing functions can be regarded as a processing unit of the terminal.

[0352] For example, FIG. 10As shown in FIG. 10, the terminal includes a processor 1010, a memory 1020, and a transceiver 1030. The processor 1010 can also be referred to as a processing board, a processing module, or a processing device, etc. The transceiver 1030 can also be referred to as an interface circuit, a transceiver, or a transceiving device, etc. The processor 1010 is configured to perform the processing operations of the first device side in the above method embodiments. The transceiver 1030 is configured to perform the transceiving operations of the first device side in the above method embodiments.

[0353] Optionally, the device for implementing the receiving function in the transceiver 1030 is regarded as a receiver, and the device for implementing the sending function in the transceiver 1030 is regarded as a transmitter, i.e., the transceiver 1030 includes a receiver 1032 and a transmitter 1031. The receiver can also be referred to as a receiver, a receiving module, or a receiving circuit, etc. The transmitter can also be referred to as a transmitter, a transmitting module, or a transmitting circuit, etc. The receiver is configured to perform the receiving operations of the first device side in the above method embodiments. The transmitter is configured to perform the sending operations of the first device side in the above method embodiments.

[0354] It should be understood that, FIG. 10 For example only and not limitation, the terminal can not depend on FIG. 10 The structure shown.

[0355] When the communication device 1000 is a chip, the chip includes a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The transceiver can be an input-output circuit or a communication interface. The processor can be a processing module integrated on the chip or a microprocessor or an integrated circuit. The sending operations of the first device in the above method embodiments can be understood as the output of the chip, and the receiving operations of the first device in the above method embodiments can be understood as the input of the chip.

[0356] The present application also provides a communication device 1100, which can be an access network device or a chip. The communication device 1100 can be configured to perform the operations performed by the second device in the above method embodiments.

[0357] When the communication device 1100 is an access network device, for example, a base station. FIG. 11 A structure diagram of an access network device is shown. The access network device includes a 1110 part, a 1120 part, and a 1130 part.

[0358] The 1110 part is mainly used for baseband processing, controlling the access network device, etc. The 1110 part is usually the control center of the base station, which can be referred to as a processor, and is configured to control the access network device to perform the processing operations of the second device side in the above method embodiments.

[0359] The 1120 part is mainly used for storing computer program codes and data.

[0360] The 1130 part is mainly used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals and converting radio frequency signals and baseband signals. The 1130 part can be commonly referred to as a transceiver module, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, an interface circuit, or a transceiver, etc. The 1130 part can include an antenna 1133 and a radio frequency circuit (not shown in the figure), wherein the radio frequency circuit is mainly used for radio frequency processing. The 1130 part can be used to perform the receiving operation of the second device side in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0361] Optionally, the devices in the 1130 part used to implement the receiving function can be regarded as a receiver, and the devices used to implement the sending function can be regarded as a transmitter, that is, the 1130 part includes a receiver 1132 and a transmitter 1131. The receiver can also be referred to as a receiving module, a receiver, or a receiving circuit, etc. The transmitter can be referred to as a transmitting module, a transmitter, or a transmitting circuit, etc. The receiver is used to perform the receiving operation of the second device side in the above-mentioned method embodiments. The transmitter is used to perform the sending operation of the second device side in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0362] The 1110 part and the 1120 part can include one or more single boards, and each single board can include one or more processors and one or more memories. The processor is used to read and execute the program in the memory to realize the baseband processing function and control the access network device. If there are multiple single boards, the single boards can be interconnected to enhance the processing capability. As an optional implementation, multiple single boards can also share one or more processors, or multiple single boards can share one or more memories, or multiple single boards can share one or more processors at the same time.

[0363] It should be understood that FIG. 11 The access network device can not depend on FIG. 11 The structure shown.

[0364] When the communication device 1100 is a chip, the chip includes a transceiver, a memory, and a processor. The transceiver can be an input / output circuit, a communication interface; the processor is an integrated processor on the chip, or a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit. The sending operation of the second device in the above-mentioned method embodiments can be understood as the output of the chip, and the receiving operation of the second device in the above-mentioned method embodiments can be understood as the input of the chip.

[0365] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product including computer executable instructions, which, when executed by a computer, cause the above-mentioned method provided by the embodiments to be performed.

[0366] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a computer readable storage medium, which stores a computer program, and the computer program is executed by a computer to cause the computer to execute the method provided by the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0367] The storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

[0368] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a chip for reading a computer program stored in a memory, and implementing the method provided in the above embodiments.

[0369] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application provide a chip system, which comprises a processor for supporting a computer device to implement the functions related to the devices in the above embodiments. In a possible design, the chip system further comprises a memory for storing necessary programs and data of the computer device. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0370] In each of the embodiments of the present application, the terms and / or descriptions in different embodiments are consistent and can be referred to each other if there is no special description and logical conflict. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0371] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the method, device (system) and computer program product according to the present application. It should be understood that each flow and / or block in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, and the combination of the flows and / or blocks in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the computer or other programmable data processing device produce a device that implements the functions specified in one or more flows in the flowcharts and / or one or more blocks in the block diagrams.

[0372] These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer readable memory that can guide the computer or other programmable data processing device to work in a specific way, so that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce a product including instruction devices, which implement the functions specified in one or more flows in the flowcharts and / or one or more blocks in the block diagrams.

[0373] These computer program instructions can also be loaded into a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks and / or blocks in the block diagram.

[0374] In this application, the terms "system" and "network" can be interchangeably used. "At least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "And / or" describes the associated relationship of associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent the following three cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions means any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. In the description of the present application, the character " / ", generally represents that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0375] It can be understood that various numerical numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only distinguished for convenience of description, and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The size of the serial number of the above processes does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of the processes should be determined according to its function and inherent logic.

[0376] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present application without departing from the scope of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalent technologies, the present application also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the first device, comprising: Receive a configuration message, the configuration message being used to configure the parameters of the first reference signal; Receive a first message, the first message being used to update some or all of the parameters of the first reference signal, the first message being a Media Access Control-Control Unit (MAC CE) or Downlink Control Information (DCI); The first reference signal is sent or received according to the updated parameters of the first reference signal.

2. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a second device, comprising: Send a configuration message, the configuration message being used to configure the parameters of the first reference signal; Send a first message, which is used to update some or all of the parameters of the first reference signal. The first message is a Media Access Control-Control Unit (MAC CE) or Downlink Control Information (DCI). The first reference signal is received or transmitted according to the updated parameters of the first reference signal.

3. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Some or all of the parameters include a combination of one or more of the following: The timing of the transmission of the first reference signal, the transmitting beam of the first reference signal, or the receiving beam of the first reference signal.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Some or all of the parameters include the transmission timing of the first reference signal, and the first message is used to indicate: The updated time unit corresponding to the transmission timing; or The first offset is the offset between the time unit corresponding to the updated transmission timing and the reference time unit.

5. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The reference time unit includes: The sending time unit of the first message; The receiving time unit of the first message; The sending time unit of the feedback message corresponding to the first message; The receiving time unit of the feedback message corresponding to the first message; The transmission time unit of the first reference signal; or The receiving time unit of the first reference signal.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, Some or all of the parameters include the transmission timing of the first reference signal. The first message indicates a first resource, and the first resource and the first association are used to determine the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal; Wherein, the first association relationship is the association relationship between at least one resource and at least one transmission timing, and the at least one resource includes the first resource.

7. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The first resource is one of the following: Beam resources, synchronization signal block (SSB) resources, or channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) resources.

8. The method as described in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The configuration message is also used to configure the first association relationship.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, Some or all of the parameters include the transmission timing of the first reference signal. The configuration message is used to configure parameters of multiple reference signals, and there is a second correlation between the multiple reference signals and multiple transmission timings; The first message is used to indicate the first reference signal among the plurality of reference signals; The transmission timing of the first reference signal is the transmission timing that corresponds to the first reference signal among the plurality of transmission timings.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, Some or all of the parameters include the transmission beam of the first reference signal, and the first message is used to indicate one or more of the following combinations: spatial relationship parameters corresponding to the updated transmission beam of the first reference signal, Transmission Configuration Indication State (TCI-state) parameters, SSB resources, or CSI-RS resources; and / or The parameters, some or all, include the received beam of the first reference signal, and the first message is used to indicate one or more of the following combinations: spatial relationship parameters, TCI-state parameters, SSB resources, or CSI-RS resources corresponding to the received beam of the updated first reference signal.

11. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a unit for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-10.

12. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processor for executing computer programs or instructions that cause the apparatus to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-10.

13. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-10.

14. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes: computer program code, wherein when the computer program code is run, the method as described in any one of claims 1-10 is implemented.

Images