A communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The application provides a communication method and device, which is suitable for a scenario that a network device configures a terminal device with multiple bandwidth parts. When the network device configures the terminal device with a first bandwidth part and a second bandwidth part, for the first bandwidth part, the network device can indicate the distinguishing characteristic parameter information of the first bandwidth part through first information, and the terminal device can determine the characteristic parameter information of the first bandwidth part according to the first information and the characteristic parameter information of the second bandwidth part. Through the method, the terminal device can only store the distinguishing characteristic parameter information of the first bandwidth part, thereby reducing the storage overhead of the characteristic parameter information of the first bandwidth part. Meanwhile, the network device can also reduce the signaling overhead of indicating the first bandwidth part.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application. The original application is entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus". The application number of the original application is 202080104423.1. The original application date is October 15, 2020. The entire contents of the original application are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] New radio (NR) systems introduce the concept of a bandwidth part (BWP). A BWP is a continuous segment of frequency resources on a carrier. A terminal device can be configured with one or more BWPs in a serving cell, but can only apply one uplink-active BWP and one downlink-active BWP at a time. When a terminal device is configured with multiple BWPs in a serving cell, it can switch between the multiple BWPs.

[0004] When configuring a BWP for a terminal device, network devices need to configure a large number of different configuration parameters to configure the attributes of different physical channels in the BWP. For example, taking the configuration of a downlink BWP as an example, a downlink BWP needs to configure parameters for channels such as the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) and the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

[0005] Since each BWP corresponds to a large number of configuration parameters, the terminal device incurs significant storage overhead in order to store the configuration parameters of multiple BWPs. Furthermore, during BWP switching, the terminal device needs to reload the configuration parameters of the new BWP, resulting in a substantial increase in switching latency and consequently impacting the terminal device's data throughput. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this application is to provide a communication method and apparatus to reduce the storage overhead of terminal devices and improve communication efficiency.

[0007] Firstly, this application provides a communication method applicable to scenarios where a network device configures multiple bandwidth portions for a terminal device. The method is executed by a terminal device or a module within a terminal device; here, the terminal device is used as the executing entity for example. The method includes: receiving first information from a network device; the first information indicating distinguishing feature parameter information of a first bandwidth portion, wherein the distinguishing feature parameter information is feature parameter information of the first bandwidth portion that differs from the feature parameter information of a second bandwidth portion; and determining the feature parameter information of the first bandwidth portion based on the first information and the feature parameter information of the second bandwidth portion.

[0008] By implementing the method described in the first aspect, the terminal device can store only the distinguishing feature parameter information of the first bandwidth portion, thereby reducing the overhead of storing the feature parameter information of the first bandwidth portion and thus improving communication efficiency. Simultaneously, the network device can also reduce the signaling overhead of indicating the first bandwidth portion.

[0009] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, at least one of the characteristic parameter information of the first bandwidth portion is the same as that of the characteristic parameter information of the second bandwidth portion.

[0010] By implementing this method, it can be ensured that the storage space required for the distinguishing feature parameter information of the first bandwidth portion is less than the storage space required for the feature parameter information of the first bandwidth portion.

[0011] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the distinguishing feature parameter information includes one or more of the following: the maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output MIMO layers in the first bandwidth portion; the time slot scheduling type of the first bandwidth portion; the minimum scheduling offset of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) in the first bandwidth portion; the minimum scheduling offset of the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) in the first bandwidth portion; the bandwidth of the first bandwidth portion; the center frequency of the first bandwidth portion; and the search space set of the first bandwidth portion.

[0012] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the first information also includes an identifier of the second bandwidth portion.

[0013] By implementing this method, the terminal device can accurately determine the second bandwidth portion based on the first information.

[0014] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the second bandwidth portion is the initial bandwidth portion of the terminal device; or, the second bandwidth portion is any bandwidth portion configured by the network device for the terminal device.

[0015] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving second information from a network device, the second information indicating characteristic parameter information of a third bandwidth portion; and the switching delay from the first bandwidth portion to the second bandwidth portion being less than the switching delay from the first bandwidth portion to the third bandwidth portion.

[0016] By implementing this method, the terminal device can switch between the first bandwidth portion and the second bandwidth portion, thereby reducing switching latency and improving communication efficiency.

[0017] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving N sets of candidate configuration information from a network device; N is a positive integer; one set of candidate configuration information in the N sets indicates partial characteristic parameter information of the first bandwidth portion.

[0018] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the N sets of candidate configuration information are configuration information of L characteristic parameters of the first bandwidth portion, where L is a positive integer.

[0019] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the feature parameters corresponding to the distinguishing feature parameter information are the radio frequency related parameters among the feature parameters corresponding to the first bandwidth portion; the feature parameters corresponding to the L feature parameter information indicated by the N sets of candidate configuration information are the baseband related parameters among the feature parameters corresponding to the first bandwidth portion.

[0020] By implementing this method, when a terminal device switches between N sets of candidate configuration information, it only needs to adjust the baseband or radio frequency (RF) components, thus reducing switching latency. If the RF components are not adjusted, data transmission interruption can be avoided, improving communication stability.

[0021] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the distinguishing feature parameter information indicated by the first information includes one or more of the following: the maximum number of MIMO layers in the first bandwidth portion; the bandwidth of the first bandwidth portion; the center frequency of the first bandwidth portion; one set of candidate configuration information from N sets of candidate configuration information includes one or more of the following: the time slot scheduling type of the first bandwidth portion; the minimum scheduling offset of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of the first bandwidth portion; the minimum scheduling offset of the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) of the first bandwidth portion; and the search space set of the first bandwidth portion.

[0022] Secondly, this application also provides a communication device that implements any of the methods provided in the first aspect. This communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in performing corresponding functions of the terminal device in the methods described above. The communication device may also include a memory coupled to the processor, which stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface for supporting communication between the communication device and devices such as network devices.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, each used to implement the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, which can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples, as described in the method provided in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0026] Thirdly, this application provides a communication method applicable to scenarios where a network device configures multiple bandwidth portions for a terminal device. The method is executed by a network device or a module within a network device; here, the network device is used as the executing entity for example. The method includes: determining first information; the first information indicating distinguishing feature parameter information of a first bandwidth portion, wherein the distinguishing feature parameter information is feature parameter information of the first bandwidth portion that differs from the feature parameter information of a second bandwidth portion; and sending the first information to the terminal device.

[0027] By implementing the method described in the third aspect, the terminal device can store only the distinguishing feature parameter information of the first bandwidth portion, thereby reducing the overhead of storing the feature parameter information of the first bandwidth portion and improving communication efficiency. Simultaneously, the network device can also reduce the signaling overhead of indicating the first bandwidth portion.

[0028] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, at least one of the characteristic parameter information of the first bandwidth portion is the same as that of the characteristic parameter information of the second bandwidth portion.

[0029] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the distinguishing feature parameter information includes one or more of the following: the maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output MIMO layers in the first bandwidth portion; the time slot scheduling type of the first bandwidth portion; the minimum scheduling offset of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) in the first bandwidth portion; the minimum scheduling offset of the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) in the first bandwidth portion; the bandwidth of the first bandwidth portion; the center frequency of the first bandwidth portion; and the search space set of the first bandwidth portion.

[0030] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the first information also includes an identifier for the second bandwidth portion.

[0031] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the second bandwidth portion is the initial bandwidth portion of the terminal device; or, the second bandwidth portion is any bandwidth portion configured by the network device for the terminal device.

[0032] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the method further includes: receiving second information from a network device, the second information indicating characteristic parameter information of a third bandwidth portion; and the switching delay from the first bandwidth portion to the second bandwidth portion being less than the switching delay from the first bandwidth portion to the third bandwidth portion.

[0033] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the method further includes: sending N sets of candidate configuration information to the terminal device; N is a positive integer; one set of candidate configuration information in the N sets indicates some characteristic parameter information of the first bandwidth portion.

[0034] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the N sets of candidate configuration information are configuration information of L characteristic parameters of the first bandwidth portion, where L is a positive integer.

[0035] In one possible implementation of the third aspect, the characteristic parameters corresponding to the distinguishing characteristic parameter information are the radio frequency related parameters among the characteristic parameters corresponding to the first bandwidth part; the characteristic parameters corresponding to the L characteristic parameter information indicated by the N sets of candidate configuration information are the baseband related parameters among the characteristic parameters corresponding to the first bandwidth part.

[0036] Fourthly, this application also provides a communication device that implements any of the methods provided in the third aspect above. This communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in performing corresponding functions of the network device described above. The communication device may also include a memory coupled to the processor, which stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface for supporting communication between the communication device and devices such as terminal devices.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, each used to implement the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, which can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples, as described in the method provided in the third aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0040] Fifthly, this application also provides a communication method applicable to scenarios where a network device configures multiple bandwidth portions for a terminal device. The method is executed by a network device or a module within a network device; here, the network device is used as the executing entity for example. The method includes: determining N sets of candidate configuration information; N being an integer greater than 0; one set of candidate configuration information from the N sets indicating partial feature parameter information of the feature parameter information of the first bandwidth portion; and sending the N sets of candidate configuration information to the terminal device.

[0041] By implementing the method described in the fifth aspect, network devices can configure N bandwidth portions by configuring only N sets of candidate configuration information, thereby reducing the storage overhead of storage terminal devices and improving communication efficiency.

[0042] In one possible implementation of the fifth aspect, the N sets of candidate configuration information are configuration information of L characteristic parameters of the first bandwidth portion, where L is an integer greater than 0.

[0043] In one possible implementation of the fifth aspect, one set of candidate configuration information in the N sets of candidate configuration information includes one or more of the following: the maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output MIMO layers in the first bandwidth portion; the time slot scheduling type of the first bandwidth portion; the minimum scheduling offset of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of the first bandwidth portion; the minimum scheduling offset of the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) of the first bandwidth portion; the bandwidth of the first bandwidth portion; the center frequency of the first bandwidth portion; and the search space set of the first bandwidth portion.

[0044] In one possible implementation of the fifth aspect, the method further includes: sending third information to the terminal device, the third information indicating information other than the partial feature parameter information in the feature parameter information of the first bandwidth portion.

[0045] In one possible implementation of the fifth aspect, the method further includes: sending a control command to the terminal device, the control command instructing the determination of effective configuration information based on the first group of candidate configuration information from N groups of candidate configuration information.

[0046] Sixthly, this application also provides a communication device having any of the methods provided in the fifth aspect above. This communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0047] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in performing corresponding functions of the network device described above. The communication device may also include a memory coupled to the processor, which stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface for supporting communication between the communication device and devices such as terminal devices.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, each used to implement the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0049] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, which can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples, as described in the method provided in the fifth aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0050] Seventhly, a communication method is provided, applicable to scenarios where a network device configures multiple bandwidth portions for a terminal device. The method is executed by the terminal device or a module within the terminal device; here, the terminal device is used as the executing entity for example. The method includes: receiving N sets of candidate configuration information from the network device; N being an integer greater than 0; one set of candidate configuration information from the N sets indicating partial feature parameter information of the feature parameter information of the first bandwidth portion; and determining the effective configuration information based on one set of candidate configuration information from the N sets.

[0051] By implementing the method described in the fifth aspect, network devices can configure N bandwidth portions by configuring only N sets of candidate configuration information, thereby reducing the storage overhead of storage terminal devices and improving communication efficiency.

[0052] In one possible implementation of the seventh aspect, the N sets of candidate configuration information are configuration information of L characteristic parameters of the first bandwidth portion, where L is an integer greater than 0.

[0053] In one possible implementation of the seventh aspect, one set of candidate configuration information in the N sets of candidate configuration information includes one or more of the following: the maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output MIMO layers in the first bandwidth portion; the time slot scheduling type of the first bandwidth portion; the minimum scheduling offset of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of the first bandwidth portion; the minimum scheduling offset of the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) of the first bandwidth portion; the bandwidth of the first bandwidth portion; the center frequency of the first bandwidth portion; and the search space set of the first bandwidth portion.

[0054] In one possible implementation of the seventh aspect, the method further includes: receiving a control command from a network device, the control command instructing the determination of effective configuration information based on the first set of candidate configuration information from N sets of candidate configuration information.

[0055] By implementing this method, the terminal device is instructed to select the effective configuration information from N sets of candidate configuration information, which can avoid the terminal device switching between different bandwidth sections, reduce switching latency, and improve communication efficiency.

[0056] Eighthly, this application also provides a communication device having any of the methods provided in the seventh aspect above. This communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0057] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processor configured to support the communication device in performing corresponding functions of the terminal device in the methods described above. The communication device may also include a memory coupled to the processor, which stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface for supporting communication between the communication device and devices such as network devices.

[0058] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, each used to implement the steps in the above method. The functions can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0059] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit, which can perform the corresponding functions in the above method examples, as described in the method provided in aspect seven, and will not be repeated here.

[0060] A ninth aspect provides a communication device, including a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device, the processor being configured to implement the methods in any possible implementation of the first aspect or any other aspect via logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0061] In a tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor is configured to implement functional modules of the methods in the aforementioned third aspect and any possible implementation of the third aspect through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0062] Eleventhly, a communication device is provided, including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor is used to implement the functional modules of the methods in the aforementioned fifth aspect and any possible implementation of the fifth aspect through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0063] In a twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor is used to implement functional modules of the methods in any possible implementation of the seventh aspect or the seventh aspect through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0064] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program or instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement the methods of any one of the first, third, fifth, or seventh aspects, and any possible implementation thereof.

[0065] In a fourteenth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided that, when executed by a processor, implements the methods of any one of the first, third, fifth, or seventh aspects, and any possible implementation thereof.

[0066] In a fifteenth aspect, a chip system is provided, comprising a processor and potentially a memory, for implementing the methods of any one of the first, third, fifth, or seventh aspects, and any possible implementation thereof. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0067] In a sixteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, the system comprising the apparatus of the second aspect (such as a terminal device) and the apparatus of the fourth aspect (such as a network device).

[0068] In a seventeenth aspect, a communication system is provided, the system comprising the apparatus of the sixth aspect (such as a network device) and the apparatus of the eighth aspect (such as a terminal device). Attached Figure Description

[0069] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to embodiments of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the switching delay in the prior art; Figure 3 This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of feature parameter information storage provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a switching delay provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 6 This is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of candidate configuration information storage provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device structure provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device structure provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0070] The embodiments of this application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0071] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD) system and NR system, etc., without limitation.

[0072] In this application embodiment, the terminal device can be a device with wireless transceiver function or a chip that can be set in any device. It can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. The terminal device in this application embodiment can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, virtual reality (VR) terminal, augmented reality (AR) terminal, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in self-driving, wireless terminal in remote medical care, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation safety, wireless terminal in smart city, wireless terminal in smart home, etc.

[0073] Network equipment can be a next-generation node B (gNB) in an NR system, an evolved node B (eNB) in an LTE system, a base transceiver station (BTS) in a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, or a base station (nodeB, NB) in a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, etc.

[0074] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to an embodiment of this application. For example... Figure 1 As shown, a terminal device can connect to a network device to obtain services from an external network (such as a data network (DN)) or to communicate with other devices, such as other terminal devices.

[0075] Taking the NR system as an example, Figure 1In NR systems, terminal devices can send uplink signals or receive downlink signals through the BWP configured for them on the network equipment. To enable terminal devices to send and receive data on different BWPs at different times according to service needs, NR systems support BWP handover for terminal devices. Currently, there are three methods to achieve BWP handover: - Downlink control information (DCI) indication: Network devices instruct terminal devices to perform BWP handover by sending DCI; - Timer-based approach: The network configures a BWP inactivity timer (bwp-InactivityTimer). If the terminal device times out during the current BWP's bwp-InactivityTimer, the terminal device switches to the default BWP (defaultBWP). - Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling instruction: Network devices instruct terminal devices to perform BWP handover by sending RRC signaling.

[0076] Specifically, for BWP handover indicated by DCI, if the time slot (slot) where the DCI indicating the BWP handover is located is n, then the terminal device must be able to receive the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or send the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) on the BWP after the start time of time slot n+T_BWPswitchDelay.

[0077] Depending on the capabilities of the terminal equipment, the NR system defines two different types of BWP handover latency, as shown in Table 1.

[0078] Table 1

[0079] Where μ is the parameter corresponding to the subcarrier spacing of the terminal device, that is, the subcarrier spacing of the terminal device is... kHz. Terminal devices can report to network devices whether their supported BWP handover capability is Type 1 or Type 2.

[0080] During BWP handover, the terminal device needs to reload the configuration parameters of the new BWP and adjust the radio frequency channel accordingly. Therefore, the BWP handover delay... Within this context, the terminal device is not required to send uplink signals or receive downlink signals. For example, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the currently active BWP is BWP 1. The network device transmits a DCI via PDCCH, instructing the terminal device to switch from BWP 1 to BWP 2. This DCI also schedules a PDSCH. Figure 2 BWP switching latency =2 time slots. The terminal device must ensure that the BWP handover is completed within the BWP handover delay, that is, it must be able to receive downlink data PDSCH on BWP 2 after the start time of time slot n+2. Accordingly, the network device should schedule the terminal device's data in time slot n+2. After the start time of the time slot. For ease of description, the BWP handover delay will be referred to as handover delay below.

[0081] As described above, when a network device configures multiple BWPs for a terminal device, the storage required for the configuration parameters of each BWP is substantial. For example, currently, a single BWP requires at least 40KB, increasing the overhead for the terminal device to store the configuration parameters of multiple BWPs. This is especially true for low-capability (REDCAP) terminal devices with limited storage space. Therefore, existing BWP configuration methods are not suitable for REDCAP terminal devices that need to reduce storage overhead to decrease power consumption and cost.

[0082] Meanwhile, when a terminal device switches between multiple BWPs, it needs to reload the configuration parameters of the switched BWP, which greatly increases the switching latency. During BWP switching, the terminal device cannot transmit data, which will affect the throughput.

[0083] To this end, this application provides a method that can minimize the storage overhead required to store the configuration parameters of multiple BWPs, while also minimizing BWP switching latency and reducing the scheduling impact of BWP switching.

[0084] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0085] Based on the preceding description, such as Figure 3 The diagram shown is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 3 This example illustrates the interaction between network devices and terminal devices. Operations performed by the network device can also be executed by chips or modules within the network device, and vice versa. (See also...) Figure 3 The method includes: S301: Network device determines first information.

[0086] The first information indicates the distinguishing feature parameter information of the first bandwidth portion, which is the feature parameter information of the first bandwidth portion that is different from the feature parameter information of the second bandwidth portion.

[0087] For ease of description, here are the definitions of a few terms: Feature parameters describe a characteristic or attribute of a bandwidth component. A bandwidth component includes multiple feature parameters, such as bandwidth, center frequency, search space set, PDSCH, PDCCH, PUSCH, maximum number of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) layers, time slot scheduling type, minimum scheduling offset K0 of PDSCH, minimum scheduling offset K2 of PUSCH, etc.

[0088] Parameter information refers to the configuration information of each characteristic parameter in the bandwidth portion. For example, if the characteristic parameter is the maximum number of MIMO layers, the network device can configure the maximum number of MIMO layers in the first bandwidth portion to be 2 or 4, etc. In this case, 2 or 4 is the parameter information corresponding to the maximum number of MIMO layers. As another example, for the characteristic parameter of time slot scheduling type, the network device can configure it as cross-time slot scheduling or simultaneous time slot scheduling; cross-time slot scheduling or simultaneous time slot scheduling is the parameter information corresponding to the time slot scheduling type.

[0089] Feature parameter information is a collection of parameter information corresponding to all feature parameters included in a bandwidth segment. If the bandwidth segment includes 10 feature parameters, the parameter information corresponding to these 10 feature parameters can be collectively referred to as feature parameter information.

[0090] The distinguishing characteristic parameters of the first bandwidth portion refer to the information that differs from the characteristic parameters of the second bandwidth portion. For example, the characteristic parameters of the first bandwidth portion might include: a maximum MIMO layer count of 2; a time slot scheduling type of inter-time slot scheduling; and a bandwidth of 100MHz. Alternatively, the characteristic parameters of the second bandwidth portion might include: a maximum MIMO layer count of 1; a time slot scheduling type of inter-time slot scheduling; and a bandwidth of 20MHz. In this case, the distinguishing characteristic parameters of the first bandwidth portion could include: a maximum MIMO layer count of 2; and a bandwidth of 100MHz. In this case, when configuring the first bandwidth portion, the network device does not need to configure the time slot scheduling type; it only needs to configure the maximum MIMO layer count and bandwidth.

[0091] The above are just examples; the distinguishing feature parameters may also include one or more of the following: The maximum number of MIMO layers in the first bandwidth portion; the time slot scheduling type of the first bandwidth portion, including cross-time slot scheduling and simultaneous time slot scheduling. Cross-time slot scheduling refers to PDCCH and PDSCH being scheduled in different time slots, while simultaneous time slot scheduling refers to PDCCH and PDSCH being scheduled in the same time slot; the minimum scheduling offset K0 of PDSCH in the first bandwidth portion, which can refer to the time slot interval between the downlink scheduling DCI and its scheduled PDSCH; the minimum scheduling offset K2 of PUSCH in the first bandwidth portion, which can refer to the time slot interval between the uplink scheduling DCI and its scheduled PUSCH; the bandwidth of the first bandwidth portion; the center frequency of the first bandwidth portion; and the search space set of the first bandwidth portion.

[0092] The above are just examples. The specific information included in the distinguishing feature parameters can be determined according to the actual situation, and will not be listed one by one here.

[0093] The first information can also indicate the identifier of the second bandwidth portion, thereby indicating the second bandwidth portion through the identifier of the second bandwidth portion. In the embodiments of this application, the second bandwidth portion can be a pre-set bandwidth portion or a bandwidth portion indicated by the network device through signaling. When the second bandwidth portion is a pre-set bandwidth portion, the second bandwidth portion can be the initial bandwidth portion of the terminal device, or any bandwidth portion configured by the network device for the terminal device.

[0094] For example, a network device can configure multiple bandwidth portions for a terminal device. In an NR system, a network device can configure four bandwidth portions for a terminal device, and one of the multiple bandwidth portions configured for the terminal device can be used as the second bandwidth portion.

[0095] It should be noted that the first bandwidth portion can be either the uplink bandwidth portion or the downlink bandwidth portion; the second bandwidth portion can also be either the uplink bandwidth portion or the downlink bandwidth portion, and this application does not limit this. At least one of the characteristic parameter information of the first bandwidth portion and the characteristic parameter information of the second bandwidth portion are the same. The distinguishing characteristic parameter information indicated by the first information can reduce the storage overhead of the first bandwidth portion.

[0096] S302: The network device sends the first information to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the first information from the network device accordingly.

[0097] Network devices can send the first information via DCI or via higher-layer signaling such as RRC signaling; however, this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0098] S303: The terminal device determines the characteristic parameter information of the first bandwidth portion based on the first information and the characteristic parameter information of the second bandwidth portion.

[0099] It should be noted that when the terminal device needs to operate in the first bandwidth portion, it can update the characteristic parameter information of the second bandwidth portion based on the distinguishing characteristic parameter information to obtain the characteristic parameter information of the first bandwidth portion. Specifically, assuming the distinguishing characteristic parameter information includes the maximum number of MIMO layers, the time slot scheduling type, and the bandwidth, the terminal device can update the maximum number of MIMO layers in the second bandwidth portion to the maximum number of MIMO layers in the distinguishing characteristic parameter information, update the time slot scheduling type in the second bandwidth portion to the time slot scheduling type in the distinguishing characteristic parameter information, update the bandwidth in the second bandwidth portion to the bandwidth in the distinguishing characteristic parameter information, and leave the other characteristic parameters unchanged to obtain the characteristic parameter information of the first bandwidth portion.

[0100] Using the method described above, the network device only needs to indicate the distinguishing feature parameters of the first bandwidth portion via the first information, and the terminal device can determine the feature parameters of the first bandwidth portion. The terminal device can then store only the feature parameters of the second bandwidth portion and the distinguishing feature parameters of the first bandwidth portion, thereby reducing the overhead of storing the feature parameters of the first bandwidth portion. Simultaneously, the network device can also reduce the signaling overhead of indicating the first bandwidth portion.

[0101] In the above process, the second bandwidth portion can also be called the reference bandwidth portion, and the first bandwidth portion can also be called the simplified bandwidth portion (BWP), the inherited bandwidth portion (BWP), or the cloned bandwidth portion (BWP), etc. This application does not limit the names of the first and second bandwidth portions. Currently, a bandwidth portion needs to be configured with many characteristic parameters, such as the bandwidth, center frequency, search space set, PDSCH, PDCCH, PUSCH, maximum number of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) layers, time slot scheduling type, minimum scheduling offset K0 of PDSCH, and minimum scheduling offset K2 of PUSCH, etc. The above are just examples; the characteristic parameters that need to be configured for a bandwidth portion are not limited to the examples above and include other content, which will not be listed here.

[0102] In the preceding process, we took the configuration of one first bandwidth portion and one second bandwidth portion of the network device as an example. In practical applications, the network device can be configured with one second bandwidth portion and Y first bandwidth portions, where each of the Y first bandwidth portions uses the second bandwidth portion as a reference bandwidth portion, and Y is a positive integer.

[0103] Specifically, as mentioned earlier, a bandwidth segment requires configuration of multiple characteristic parameters. For the second bandwidth segment, the network device can configure parameter information for all its characteristic parameters. However, for any one of the Y first bandwidth segments, parameter information can be configured only for some of its characteristic parameters to obtain distinguishing characteristic parameter information. Specifically, for a first bandwidth segment, if the parameter information of a characteristic parameter in the first bandwidth segment is the same as the parameter information of a corresponding characteristic parameter in the second bandwidth segment, then the parameter information for that characteristic parameter is not configured separately; if the parameter information of a characteristic parameter in the first bandwidth segment is different from the parameter information of a corresponding characteristic parameter in the second bandwidth segment, then the parameter information for that characteristic parameter is configured. The value of Y can be determined according to the capabilities of the terminal device or specified by the protocol. For ease of description, a second bandwidth segment and the Y first bandwidth segments can be referred to as a BWP family. Without loss of generality, only one second bandwidth segment in a BWP family serves as the reference bandwidth segment. Without loss of generality, a BWP family can also be referred to as a BWP group or BWP set. Correspondingly, network devices can also configure X BWP families for terminal devices, where X can be determined based on the capabilities of the terminal devices or specified by the protocol.

[0104] For example, the size of the feature parameter information of the second bandwidth portion (BWP 0) configured in the network device is approximately P × 10 kilobytes (KB), where P can be equal to 4. The feature parameter information of the second bandwidth portion (BWP 0) includes at least the following: the maximum number of MIMO layers in the first bandwidth portion; the time slot scheduling type of the first bandwidth portion, including cross-time slot scheduling and simultaneous time slot scheduling. Cross-time slot scheduling refers to PDCCH and PDSCH being scheduled in different time slots, while simultaneous time slot scheduling refers to PDCCH and PDSCH being scheduled in the same time slot; the minimum scheduling offset K0 of the PDSCH in the first bandwidth portion, which can refer to the time slot interval between the downlink scheduling DCI and its scheduled PDSCH; the minimum scheduling offset K2 of the PUSCH in the first bandwidth portion, which can refer to the time slot interval between the uplink scheduling DCI and its scheduled PUSCH; the bandwidth of the first bandwidth portion; the center frequency of the first bandwidth portion; and the search space set of the first bandwidth portion. The storage space occupied by the feature parameter information of the second bandwidth portion (BWP 0) can be as follows: Figure 4As shown. The network device is also configured with three first bandwidth sections, namely BWP 1, BWP 2, and BWP 3. In these three BWPs, most of the characteristic parameters correspond to the same parameter information as the corresponding characteristic parameters in the second bandwidth section BWP 0, therefore, the parameter information for these characteristic parameters does not need to be configured. Specifically, the size of the first information corresponding to BWP 1 can be only a few hundred bits, much smaller than P × 10 KB. The first information corresponding to BWP 1 can include the following: the identifier of BWP 1; the identifier of BWP 0; the maximum number of MIMO layers of BWP 1; the bandwidth of BWP 1; and the center frequency of BWP 1.

[0105] Similarly, the size of the first information corresponding to BWP 2 is much smaller than P×10 KB, and the size of the first information corresponding to BWP 3 is also much smaller than P×10 KB. The first information corresponding to BWP 2 may include the following: the identifier of BWP 2; the identifier of BWP 0; the time slot scheduling type of BWP 2; the bandwidth of BWP 2; and the minimum scheduling offset K0 of the PDSCH of BWP 2. The first information corresponding to BWP 3 may include the following: the identifier of BWP 3; the identifier of BWP 0; the maximum number of MIMO layers in BWP 3; the center frequency of BWP 3; and the minimum scheduling offset K2 of the PUSCH of BWP 3.

[0106] Based on the first information corresponding to BWP 1, it can be seen that the maximum number of MIMO layers, bandwidth, and center frequency of BWP 1 are different from those of BWP 0. Other characteristic parameters are the same, and other cases will not be elaborated further. When all configuration parameters of BWP 0 are known or can be obtained, the terminal device only needs to store the distinguishing characteristic parameters of BWP 1 relative to BWP 0, and does not need to store all characteristic parameters corresponding to BWP 1, thus reducing storage space. Similarly, the terminal device only needs to store the distinguishing characteristic parameters of BWP 2 relative to BWP 0, and the first information corresponding to BWP 3. When multiple BWPs are configured in the network device, the storage overhead of the terminal device can be greatly reduced, thereby reducing power consumption and cost.

[0107] In this embodiment, when a terminal device performs BWP handover between BWPs within the same BWP family, the handover latency required by the terminal device can be reduced. Specifically, when the terminal device performs BWP handover according to the DCI instruction, the handover latency mainly includes three parts: the first part is the DCI parsing time; the second part is the time for applying new parameter information; and the third part is the radiofrequency retuning time, etc. It should be noted that there are other influencing factors on the handover latency; only three factors have been listed above, and other cases will not be elaborated upon.

[0108] The time for applying the new characteristic parameter information can refer to the time required to reload the characteristic parameter information of the switched BWP. The RF readjustment time refers to the time required for the frequency adapted to the RF transmission channel of the terminal device to readjust to the frequency of the switched BWP. This time can also be called RF retuning time, RF retuning delay, or RF retuning gap, etc. For ease of description, it will be referred to as RF readjustment time below.

[0109] For example, suppose the network device also configures a third bandwidth portion for the terminal device. Specifically, the network device can send second information to the terminal device, indicating the characteristic parameter information of the third bandwidth portion. The third bandwidth portion does not correspond to the first or second bandwidth portion, or in other words, the third bandwidth portion and the first or second bandwidth portion do not belong to the same BWP family. Figure 5 As shown, the handover delay T1 when the terminal device switches from the first bandwidth portion or the second bandwidth portion to the third bandwidth portion can be determined according to the provisions of existing standards, such as by using Table 1 above. The handover delay T2 when the terminal device switches from the second bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion is less than the handover delay T1. Specifically, as mentioned above, both the handover delay T1 and the handover delay T2 consist of three parts.

[0110] In addition, in this embodiment of the application, since there are multiple identical feature parameter information between the first bandwidth portion and the second bandwidth portion, when the terminal device switches from the second bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion, it does not need to reload all the feature parameter information of the first bandwidth portion, but only needs to reload the difference feature parameter information between the two. It can be understood that only the first information of the first bandwidth portion relative to the second bandwidth portion needs to be reloaded. Therefore, the time required for the terminal device to reload the feature parameter information is reduced, that is, the second part in the switching delay T2 is smaller than the second part in the switching delay T1.

[0111] Furthermore, if the center frequency of the first bandwidth portion and the center frequency of the second bandwidth portion are the same, then the terminal device can also reduce the radio frequency readjustment time, that is, the third part of the switching delay T2 is less than the third part of the switching delay T1.

[0112] Combination Figure 5 As described above, when terminal devices switch between BWPs within the same BWP family, the switching latency can be reduced and the scheduling efficiency improved.

[0113] For example, as shown in Table 2, there is a switching delay provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0114] Table 2

[0115] In Table 2, the left column of Type 1 and the left column of Type 2 represent the BWP handover latency in the existing standard, while the right column of Type 1 and the right column of Type 2 represent the BWP handover latency added in this application.

[0116] When the capability reported by the terminal device is Type 1, the handover delay from the first bandwidth portion to the second bandwidth portion, or from the second bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion, can be determined from the right column of Type 1. For example, if the value of μ is 1, meaning the subcarrier spacing is 30kHz, the handover delay is 1 time slot. The handover delay from the first or second bandwidth portion to the third bandwidth portion, or from the third bandwidth portion to the first or second bandwidth portion, can be determined from the left column of Type 1. For example, if the value of μ is 1, meaning the subcarrier spacing is 30kHz, the handover delay is 2 time slots.

[0117] Accordingly, when the capability reported by the terminal device is Type 2, the handover latency from the first bandwidth portion to the second bandwidth portion, or from the second bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion, can be determined from the right column of Type 2. The handover latency from the first bandwidth portion or the second bandwidth portion to the third bandwidth portion, or from the third bandwidth portion to the first bandwidth portion or the second bandwidth portion, can be determined from the left column of Type 2.

[0118] It should be noted that Table 2 is just an example, and there may be other cases in Table 2, which will not be explained one by one here.

[0119] In this embodiment, the characteristic parameters of a bandwidth portion can be divided into two parts. Each characteristic parameter in one part is configured with one set of parameter information; each characteristic parameter in the other part can be configured with multiple sets of parameter information. This latter part can be considered a variable parameter set (adaptation parameter set), which includes one or more characteristic parameters. In other words, multiple sets of candidate configuration information can be configured for the variable parameter set, with each set indicating the parameter information corresponding to the variable parameter set. The network device can then instruct the terminal device not to perform a BWP handover and instead use a set of candidate configuration information as the characteristic parameters of the current BWP, which will be described in detail below.

[0120] like Figure 6 The diagram shown is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 6 This example illustrates the interaction between network devices and terminal devices. Operations performed by the network device can also be executed by chips or modules within the network device, and vice versa. (See also...) Figure 6 The method includes: S601: The network device determines N sets of candidate configuration information.

[0121] Among these N sets of candidate configuration information, one set of candidate configuration information indicates a portion of the characteristic parameter information in the characteristic parameter information of the first bandwidth portion. In this embodiment, N is an integer greater than 0, and the value of N can be determined by the network device, determined by the capability reported by the terminal device, or predefined by the protocol.

[0122] One set of candidate configuration information in the N sets of candidate configuration information can correspond to L feature parameters, where L is a positive integer.

[0123] In this embodiment, N sets of candidate configuration information can correspond to the same L feature parameters. The L feature parameters corresponding to the N sets of candidate configuration information can be feature parameters preset by the protocol, feature parameters reported by the terminal device, or feature parameters configured by the network; this application does not limit the types of feature parameters.

[0124] For example, the L feature parameters corresponding to N sets of candidate configuration information may include one or more of the following: Maximum number of MIMO layers in the first bandwidth section; time slot scheduling type in the first bandwidth section; minimum scheduling offset of PDSCH in the first bandwidth section; minimum scheduling offset of PUSCH in the first bandwidth section; bandwidth of the first bandwidth section; center frequency of the first bandwidth section; search space set of the first bandwidth section.

[0125] Based on the example above, assuming N equals 2, the two sets of candidate configuration information can be shown below: The first set of candidate configuration information may include the following: the maximum number of downlink MIMO layers is 2; the time slot scheduling type is cross-time slot scheduling (the minimum scheduling offset of PDSCH is 2 time slots); the bandwidth is B1, where B1 is a number greater than 0; the center frequency is F1; and the search space set is set 1. In this example, L=5.

[0126] The second set of candidate configuration information may include the following: the maximum number of downlink MIMO layers is 4; the time slot scheduling type is simultaneous time slot scheduling (the minimum scheduling offset of PDSCH is 0); the bandwidth is B2, where B2 is a number greater than 0; the center frequency is F2; ​​and the search space set is set 2. In this example, L=5.

[0127] It should be noted that the N groups of candidate configuration information can also correspond to different groups of feature parameters, which will not be illustrated one by one here.

[0128] S602: The network device sends N sets of candidate configuration information to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the N sets of candidate configuration information from the network device accordingly.

[0129] The network device can also send third information to the terminal device, which indicates the characteristic parameter information of the first bandwidth portion. The third information can indicate the characteristic parameter information of all characteristic parameters of the first bandwidth portion, or it can indicate the characteristic parameter information other than L characteristic parameters.

[0130] Correspondingly, the terminal device can also receive third information and combine it with N sets of candidate configuration information to determine N sets of complete BWP configuration information. Although the network device configures a first bandwidth portion for the terminal device, the third information and one set of candidate configuration information from the N sets can serve as the feature parameter information for all feature parameters of the first bandwidth portion. Therefore, it is equivalent to the network device configuring N first bandwidth portions for the terminal device. In other words, the terminal device only needs a minimal amount of storage space to store the feature parameter information corresponding to multiple bandwidth portions, thereby reducing the storage overhead of the terminal device.

[0131] S603: The terminal device determines a set of candidate configuration information from N sets of candidate configuration information and determines the effective configuration information in the first bandwidth portion.

[0132] The effective configuration information refers to the configuration information applied when transmitting data using the first bandwidth portion. In other words, the terminal device uses one set of candidate configuration information from N sets of candidate configuration information for communication. The effective configuration information can also be called the activated configuration information.

[0133] The terminal device can determine the updated characteristic parameter information of the first bandwidth portion based on the effective configuration information, and then conduct communication in the first bandwidth portion according to the characteristic parameter information of the first bandwidth portion. Specifically, the terminal device can update the parameter information of the characteristic parameters in the current characteristic parameter information of the first bandwidth portion that corresponds to the effective configuration information based on the effective configuration information, thereby obtaining the updated characteristic parameter information of the first bandwidth portion.

[0134] For example, if the effective configuration information includes the maximum number of MIMO layers, time slot scheduling type, and bandwidth, the terminal device can update the maximum number of MIMO layers, time slot scheduling type, and bandwidth in the current characteristic parameter information of the first bandwidth portion to the maximum number of MIMO layers, time slot scheduling type, and bandwidth in the effective configuration information, while keeping the parameter information of other characteristic parameters unchanged, thus obtaining the updated characteristic parameter information of the first bandwidth portion.

[0135] In this embodiment, the terminal device can receive a control command from the network device, which instructs the determination of effective configuration information based on the first set of candidate configuration information from N sets of candidate configuration information. The specific implementation and name of the control command are not limited in this embodiment.

[0136] For example, such as Figure 7 As shown, assuming N equals 3, the set of feature parameters corresponding to the N sets of candidate configuration information includes the following: the maximum number of MIMO layers in the first bandwidth part; the time slot scheduling type of the first bandwidth part; and the bandwidth of the first bandwidth part.

[0137] The first group of candidate configuration information includes the following: the maximum number of MIMO layers is 2; the time slot scheduling type is simultaneous time slot scheduling; and the bandwidth is 100MHz.

[0138] The second set of candidate configuration information includes the following: the maximum number of MIMO layers is equal to 1; the time slot scheduling type is cross-time slot scheduling; and the bandwidth is 20MHz.

[0139] The third group of candidate configuration information includes the following: the maximum number of MIMO layers is 2; the time slot scheduling type is simultaneous time slot scheduling; and the bandwidth is 50MHz.

[0140] Assuming the third information consists of feature parameters from the first bandwidth portion excluding the maximum number of MIMO layers, time slot scheduling type, and bandwidth, the terminal device currently uses the first set of candidate configuration information as the effective configuration information for data transmission. When the terminal device receives a handover command instructing it to switch to the second set of candidate configuration information, the terminal device can update the maximum number of MIMO layers in the first bandwidth portion to 1, update the time slot scheduling type in the first bandwidth portion to cross-time slot scheduling, update the bandwidth of the first bandwidth portion to 20MHz, and keep the configuration of other feature parameters unchanged.

[0141] In this implementation, when the terminal device switches between N sets of candidate configuration information, the switching latency can be less than the traditional switching latency, i.e., less than the switching latency specified in Table 1. For details, please refer to the preceding description; it will not be repeated here. Using this method, the terminal device only needs to update a small number of characteristic parameters to switch to another bandwidth portion, thereby improving switching efficiency and reducing switching latency.

[0142] The various embodiments described herein can be independent solutions or combinations thereof based on their inherent logic. For example, Figure 3 In the process shown, when configuring the first bandwidth portion for the terminal device, the network device can configure N sets of candidate configuration information for the first bandwidth portion in addition to configuring the first information.

[0143] In this case, the feature parameters corresponding to the distinguishing feature parameter information indicated by the first information can be radio frequency related parameters among the feature parameters corresponding to the first bandwidth portion; the feature parameters corresponding to the L feature parameter information indicated by the N groups of candidate configuration information can be non-radio frequency related parameters among the feature parameters corresponding to the first bandwidth portion.

[0144] Among these, radio frequency (RF) related parameters refer to the RF devices in the terminal equipment that need to be adjusted accordingly to adapt to the changed parameters when the parameters change. For example, RF related parameters may include, but are not limited to, the maximum number of MIMO layers in the first bandwidth section, the bandwidth of the first bandwidth section, and the center frequency of the first bandwidth section.

[0145] Parameters related to baseband but not to radio frequency (RF) can refer to those parameters that require adjustment of the baseband in the terminal device when the parameters change, but do not require adjustment of the RF devices to adapt to the changed parameters. For example, baseband-related parameters may include, but are not limited to, the time slot scheduling type of the first bandwidth portion, the minimum scheduling offset of the PDSCH of the first bandwidth portion, the minimum scheduling offset of the PUSCH of the first bandwidth portion, and the search space set of the first bandwidth portion.

[0146] For example, the distinguishing characteristic parameters indicated by the first information in the network device configuration may include the following: The maximum number of MIMO layers in the first bandwidth section is 2; the bandwidth of the first bandwidth section is 100MHz; and the center frequency of the first bandwidth section is F1.

[0147] The network device is configured with three sets of candidate configuration information. The first set includes the following: time slot scheduling type is simultaneous time slot scheduling; search space set is set 1. The second set includes the following: time slot scheduling type is cross-time slot scheduling; search space set is set 2. The third set includes the following: time slot scheduling type is simultaneous time slot scheduling; search space set is set 3.

[0148] Assume the terminal device is currently operating in the second bandwidth section, which has a bandwidth of 20MHz. If the amount of data the terminal device needs to transmit increases, the network device can instruct the terminal device to switch to the first bandwidth section, which has a larger bandwidth. The terminal device can determine the configuration information of the first bandwidth section based on the configuration information of the second bandwidth section, without needing to store the configuration information of all parameters of the first bandwidth section, thereby saving storage overhead and improving switching efficiency.

[0149] When a terminal device is working in the first bandwidth section, if it wants to change the time slot scheduling type and search space set of the first bandwidth section, but does not want to switch the bandwidth section, it can select one set of candidate configuration information from the three sets of candidate configuration information corresponding to the first bandwidth section to take effect. This way, it can avoid switching the bandwidth section, avoid the switching delay caused by the bandwidth section switching, and improve communication efficiency.

[0150] Using the above method, when performing BWP handover, if the terminal device is instructed to switch between the first bandwidth section and the second bandwidth section, or if the terminal device is instructed to switch between N sets of candidate configuration information, the terminal device only needs to adjust the baseband and does not need to adjust the radio frequency devices, which will not cause data transmission interruption and improve communication stability.

[0151] In the embodiments provided above, the methods provided by the embodiments of this application have been described from the perspective of interaction between various devices. To implement the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, network devices or terminal devices may include hardware structures and / or software modules, implementing the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular function is executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0152] The module division in this embodiment is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division; in actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0153] Similar to the above concept, such as Figure 8 As shown, this application embodiment also provides an apparatus 800 for implementing the functions of the network device or terminal device in the above method. For example, the apparatus can be a software module or a chip system. In this application embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. The apparatus 800 may include: a processing unit 801 and a communication unit 802.

[0154] In this embodiment of the application, the communication unit may also be called a transceiver unit, which may include a sending unit and / or a receiving unit, respectively used to perform the sending and receiving steps of the network device or terminal device in the above method embodiment.

[0155] The following, combined with Figures 8 to 9 This application provides a detailed description of the communication device provided in its embodiments. It should be understood that the descriptions of the device embodiments correspond to the descriptions of the method embodiments; therefore, any content not described in detail here will be referred to the method embodiments above, and for the sake of brevity, will not be repeated here.

[0156] A communication unit can also be called a transceiver, transceiver device, or transceiver unit. A processing unit can also be called a processor, processing board, processing module, or processing device. Optionally, the device in communication unit 802 used to implement the receiving function can be considered a receiving unit, and the device in communication unit 802 used to implement the transmitting function can be considered a transmitting unit; that is, communication unit 802 includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. A communication unit can sometimes also be called a transceiver, transceiver circuit, or transceiver unit. A receiving unit can sometimes be called a receiver, receiver, or receiving circuit. A transmitting unit can sometimes be called a transmitter, transmitter, or transmitting circuit.

[0157] The communication device 800 performs the above embodiment. Figure 3 The functions of the terminal device in the process shown are as follows: A communication unit is configured to receive first information from a network device; the first information indicates distinguishing feature parameter information of a first bandwidth portion, wherein the distinguishing feature parameter information is feature parameter information of the first bandwidth portion that is different from the feature parameter information of the second bandwidth portion; a processing unit is configured to determine the feature parameter information of the first bandwidth portion based on the first information and the feature parameter information of the second bandwidth portion.

[0158] The communication device 800 performs the above embodiment. Figure 3 The function of the network device in the process shown is as follows: A processing unit is configured to determine first information; the first information indicates distinguishing feature parameter information of a first bandwidth portion, wherein the distinguishing feature parameter information is feature parameter information of the first bandwidth portion that is different from the feature parameter information of the second bandwidth portion; a communication unit is configured to send the first information to a terminal device.

[0159] The communication device 800 performs the above embodiment. Figure 6 The function of the network device in the process shown is as follows: A processing unit is used to determine N sets of candidate configuration information; N is an integer greater than 0; one set of candidate configuration information in the N sets indicates a portion of the feature parameter information in the feature parameter information of the first bandwidth portion; a communication unit is used to send the N sets of candidate configuration information to the terminal device.

[0160] The communication device 800 performs the above embodiment. Figure 6 The functions of the terminal device in the process shown are as follows: A communication unit is configured to receive N sets of candidate configuration information from a network device; N is an integer greater than 0; one set of candidate configuration information in the N sets indicates a portion of the characteristic parameter information in the characteristic parameter information of the first bandwidth portion; a processing unit is configured to determine the effective configuration information based on one set of candidate configuration information in the N sets of candidate configuration information.

[0161] The above is just an example. Processing unit 801 and communication unit 802 can also perform other functions. For a more detailed description, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figures 3 to 6 The relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown are not repeated here.

[0162] like Figure 9 The image shown is of the apparatus 900 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 9 The device shown can be Figure 8 The illustrated device represents one hardware circuit implementation. This communication device can be applied to the flowchart shown above to perform the functions of the terminal device or network device in the method embodiments described. For ease of explanation, Figure 9Only the main components of the communication device are shown.

[0163] like Figure 9 As shown, the communication device 900 includes a processor 910 and an interface circuit 920. The processor 910 and the interface circuit 920 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 920 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 900 may also include a memory 930 for storing instructions executed by the processor 910, or storing input data required by the processor 910 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 910 executes instructions.

[0164] When the communication device 900 is used to implement Figures 3 to 6 In the method shown, the processor 910 is used to implement the functions of the processing unit 801, and the interface circuit 920 is used to implement the functions of the communication unit 802.

[0165] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a terminal device, the terminal device chip implements the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The terminal device chip receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the terminal device, which is sent to the terminal device by the network device; or, the terminal device chip sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the terminal device, which is sent to the network device by the terminal device.

[0166] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a network device, the network device chip implements the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. The network device chip receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, which is information sent by the terminal device to the network device; or, the network device chip sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the network device, which is information sent by the network device to the terminal device.

[0167] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0168] In embodiments of this application, the processor may be a random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), register, hard disk, portable hard disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium may reside in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC may reside in a network device or terminal device. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium may exist as discrete components in the network device or terminal device.

[0169] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0170] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate instructions for implementing the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0171] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0172] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Determine N groups of candidate configuration information; N is an integer greater than 0; One of the N sets of candidate configuration information indicates a portion of the feature parameter information in the feature parameter information of the first bandwidth portion. Send the N sets of candidate configuration information to the terminal device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The N sets of candidate configuration information are the configuration information of L feature parameters of the first bandwidth portion, where L is an integer greater than 0.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, One set of candidate configuration information in the N sets of candidate configuration information includes one or more of the following: The maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output MIMO layers in the first bandwidth portion; The time slot scheduling type of the first bandwidth portion; The minimum scheduling offset of the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) in the first bandwidth portion; The minimum scheduling offset of the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) in the first bandwidth portion; The bandwidth of the first bandwidth portion; The center frequency of the first bandwidth portion; The search space set of the first bandwidth portion.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: A control command is sent to the terminal device, the control command instructing the effective configuration information to be determined based on the first group of candidate configuration information in the N groups of candidate configuration information.

5. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive N sets of candidate configuration information from network devices; N is an integer greater than 0; One of the N sets of candidate configuration information indicates a portion of the feature parameter information in the feature parameter information of the first bandwidth portion. Based on one set of candidate configuration information from the N sets of candidate configuration information, the effective configuration information is determined.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The N sets of candidate configuration information are the configuration information of L feature parameters of the first bandwidth portion, where L is an integer greater than 0.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, One set of candidate configuration information in the N sets of candidate configuration information includes one or more of the following: The maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output MIMO layers in the first bandwidth portion; The time slot scheduling type of the first bandwidth portion; The minimum scheduling offset of the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) in the first bandwidth portion; The minimum scheduling offset of the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) in the first bandwidth portion; The bandwidth of the first bandwidth portion; The center frequency of the first bandwidth portion; The search space set of the first bandwidth portion.

8. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: The system receives a control command from the network device, which instructs the determination of the effective configuration information based on the first group of candidate configuration information from the N groups of candidate configuration information.

9. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The processing unit is used to determine N sets of candidate configuration information; N is an integer greater than 0; One of the N sets of candidate configuration information indicates a portion of the feature parameter information in the feature parameter information of the first bandwidth portion. The communication unit is used to send the N sets of candidate configuration information to the terminal device.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that, The N sets of candidate configuration information are the configuration information of L feature parameters of the first bandwidth portion, where L is an integer greater than 0.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, One set of candidate configuration information in the N sets of candidate configuration information includes one or more of the following: The maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output MIMO layers in the first bandwidth portion; The time slot scheduling type of the first bandwidth portion; The minimum scheduling offset of the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) in the first bandwidth portion; The minimum scheduling offset of the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) in the first bandwidth portion; The bandwidth of the first bandwidth portion; The center frequency of the first bandwidth portion; The search space set of the first bandwidth portion.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that, The communication unit is also used for: A control command is sent to the terminal device, the control command instructing the determination of effective configuration information based on the first group of candidate configuration information from the N groups of candidate configuration information.

13. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The communication unit is used to receive N sets of candidate configuration information from the network device; N is an integer greater than 0; One of the N sets of candidate configuration information indicates a portion of the feature parameter information in the feature parameter information of the first bandwidth portion. The processing unit is used to determine the effective configuration information based on one set of candidate configuration information from the N sets of candidate configuration information.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that, One set of candidate configuration information in the N sets of candidate configuration information includes one or more of the following: The maximum number of multiple-input multiple-output MIMO layers in the first bandwidth portion; The time slot scheduling type of the first bandwidth portion; The minimum scheduling offset of the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) in the first bandwidth portion; The minimum scheduling offset of the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) in the first bandwidth portion; The bandwidth of the first bandwidth portion; The center frequency of the first bandwidth portion; The search space set of the first bandwidth portion.

15. The apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The communication unit is also used for: The system receives a control command from the network device, which instructs the determination of the effective configuration information based on the first group of candidate configuration information from the N groups of candidate configuration information.

16. A communication device, characterized in that, Including processor and memory: The processor is configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, wherein when the processor executes the computer program or instructions, the method described in any one of claims 1 to 15 is performed.

17. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, Includes instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15.

18. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes computer-readable instructions, which, when read and executed by the communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15.

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