Communication methods and communication devices

Abstract

This application provides a communication method and a communication device, applicable to a wider range of scenarios and suitable for use in communication systems. The method includes: a first communication device determining a target weight and sending first information indicating the target weight to a second communication device; and the first communication device sending a reference signal to the second communication device, the reference signal being determined based on the target weight. The target weight is a feature weight among at least one feature weight, the at least one feature weight including at least one of the following: a first feature weight, a second feature weight, or a Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) vector; the first feature weight is a feature weight determined based on channel information corresponding to a first time step, the second feature weight is a feature weight determined based on channel information corresponding to a second time step, and the first time step is prior to the second time step.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] When multiple terminal devices send reference signals to a network device, the reference signals sent by different terminal devices can be orthogonally multiplexed using different frequency domain weights to distinguish between them. Specifically, the feature weights used by the terminal devices to send uplink reference signals need to be calculated by the network device and then indicated to the terminal devices by the network device. However, in some scenarios, such as packet loss or decoding errors caused by poor downlink channel quality, the terminal devices may fail to receive updated feature weights. Therefore, how the terminal devices should send reference signals in such cases is a crucial technical problem that needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a communication method and a communication device that can be applied to more scenarios.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] Firstly, a communication method is provided. The communication method includes: a first communication device determining a target weight, the target weight being a feature weight among at least one feature weight, the at least one feature weight including at least one of the following: a first feature weight, a second feature weight, or a discrete Fourier transformation (DFT) vector; the first feature weight being a feature weight determined based on channel information corresponding to a first time moment, the second feature weight being a feature weight determined based on channel information corresponding to a second time moment, the first time moment being prior to the second time moment; the first communication device sending first information to a second communication device, the first information being used to indicate the target weight; and the first communication device sending a reference signal to the second communication device, the reference signal being determined based on the target weight.

[0006] Based on the method provided in the first aspect, the first communication device can determine the target weight from at least one vector and indicate the target weight to the second communication device through first information, and send a reference signal determined by the target weight to the second communication device. In this way, since the target weight of the reference signal is determined by the first communication device, if the first communication device does not receive an updated second feature weight, it can select an existing feature weight to send the reference signal, which is applicable to more scenarios.

[0007] As an example, the first communication device may be a terminal device, a communication module, a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions, a chip system, or other components or parts. This communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions, chip system, or other components or parts may be used in the terminal device.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the method provided by the first aspect further includes: a first communication device receiving third information from a second communication device, the third information indicating whether the feature weights of the channel between the first and second communication devices have been updated. On one hand, the transmission process of the first information can be triggered by the third information. On the other hand, the first communication device can determine whether the feature weights have been updated by combining whether it has received the third information and the information indicating the second feature weights, thus enabling more accurate and timely determination of feature weight updates and improving the efficiency of channel estimation.

[0009] In one possible implementation, before sending the reference signal to the second communication device, the method provided by the first aspect further includes: the first communication device receiving second information from the second communication device, the second information being used to indicate a second feature weight. The target weight is the second feature weight, and the first information is carried in a positive response corresponding to the second information, or the first information is a positive response corresponding to the second information. When the first information is carried in a positive response corresponding to the second information, the first information can be carried in the positive response corresponding to the second information, which can avoid adding new signaling and reduce signaling overhead. When the first information is a positive response corresponding to the second information, the positive response is reused to indicate the target weight. On the one hand, this avoids changing the positive response, thereby reducing implementation complexity, and on the other hand, it avoids adding new fields, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0010] Secondly, a communication method is provided. The communication method includes: a second communication device receiving first information from a first communication device, the first information indicating a target weight, the target weight being a feature weight among at least one feature weight, the at least one feature weight including at least one of the following: a first feature weight, a second feature weight, or a Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) vector; the first feature weight being a feature weight determined based on channel information corresponding to a first time moment, the second feature weight being a feature weight determined based on channel information corresponding to a second time moment, the first time moment being prior to the second time moment; and the second communication device receiving a reference signal from the first communication device, the reference signal being used for channel estimation, the reference signal being determined based on the target weight.

[0011] Based on the method provided in the second aspect, the second communication device can obtain the target weight value used by the first communication device to transmit the reference signal, and receive the reference signal transmitted by the first communication device according to the target weight value. Since the target weight value of the reference signal is determined by the first communication device, if the first communication device does not receive the updated second feature weight value, the first communication device can select the existing feature weight value to transmit the reference signal, which is applicable to more scenarios.

[0012] As an example, the second communication device may be a network device, a communication module, a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions, a chip system, or other components or parts. This communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions, chip system, or other components or parts may be used in a network device.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the method provided by the second aspect further includes: the second communication device sending third information to the first communication device, the third information being used to indicate whether the characteristic weights of the channel between the first communication device and the second communication device have been updated.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the method provided by the second aspect further includes: the second communication device sending second information to the first communication device, the second information indicating a second feature weight. The target weight is the second feature weight, and the first information is carried in the positive response corresponding to the second information, or the first information is the positive response corresponding to the second information. When the first information is carried in the positive response corresponding to the second information, the first information can be carried in the positive response corresponding to the second information, which can avoid adding new signaling and reduce signaling overhead. When the first information is the positive response corresponding to the second information, the positive response is reused to indicate the target weight. On the one hand, this avoids changing the positive response, thereby reducing implementation complexity, and on the other hand, it avoids adding new fields, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0015] In conjunction with the methods provided in the first or second aspect, one possible implementation is that, if the first communication device fails to receive the second feature weight, the target weight is the first feature weight or a DFT vector. That is, if the first communication device does not acquire updated feature weights, such as the second feature weight, the old feature weight, such as the first feature weight or a DFT vector, can be used to transmit the reference signal, making the feature weights used for transmitting the reference signal more flexible.

[0016] In one possible implementation, if the first communication device does not receive the second information sent by the second communication device, the target weight is the first feature weight or a DFT vector, and the first information is carried in the negative response corresponding to the second information, or the first information is the negative response corresponding to the second information; wherein, the second information is used to indicate the second feature weight. In this way, carrying the first information in the negative response corresponding to the second information can avoid adding new signaling and reduce signaling overhead.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the first information includes a single bit, which indicates that the target weight is the first feature weight or the DFT vector. Thus, using a single bit to indicate the target weight reduces signaling overhead.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the first information includes at least one bit.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the first information includes three bits. Each of the three bits corresponds to one of the first feature weights, the second feature weights, and the DFT vector. Different bits correspond to different vectors or weights. Each bit is used to indicate whether the corresponding vector or weight is used to transmit the reference signal. In other words, one bit corresponds to one vector, and each bit can indicate whether the corresponding vector is the target weight, resulting in low implementation complexity.

[0020] Thirdly, a communication method is provided. This communication method includes: a first communication device determining a target weight as a first feature weight when it fails to successfully receive a second feature weight. The first feature weight is a feature weight determined based on channel information corresponding to a first time moment, and the second feature weight is a feature weight determined based on channel information corresponding to a second time moment, wherein the first time moment is prior to the second time moment; the first communication device sending first information to a second communication device, the first information indicating the target weight; and the first communication device sending a reference signal to the second communication device, the reference signal being determined based on the target weight.

[0021] Based on the method provided in the third aspect, if the first communication device fails to receive the updated second feature weight, it can determine the target weight from at least one feature weight and indicate the target weight to the second communication device through the first information, and send a reference signal determined by the target weight to the second communication device. In this way, if the first communication device fails to receive the updated second feature weight, an existing feature weight, such as the first feature weight, can be selected to send the reference signal, which is applicable to more scenarios.

[0022] Fourthly, a communication method is provided. The communication method includes: a second communication device receiving first information, the first information indicating a target weight, the target weight being a first feature weight. The first feature weight is a feature weight determined based on channel information corresponding to a first time moment, and a second feature weight is a feature weight determined based on channel information corresponding to a second time moment, the first time moment being prior to the second time moment; the second communication device receiving a reference signal from a first communication device, the reference signal being used for channel estimation, the reference signal being determined based on the target weight.

[0023] Based on the method provided in the fourth aspect, the second communication device can obtain the target weight value used by the first communication device to transmit the reference signal, and receive the reference signal transmitted by the first communication device according to the target weight value. Since the target weight value of the reference signal is determined by the first communication device, if the first communication device does not receive the updated second feature weight value, the first communication device can select the existing feature weight value to transmit the reference signal, which is applicable to more scenarios.

[0024] Fifthly, a communication device is provided. This communication device is used to execute the communication method described in any one of the implementations of the first to fourth aspects.

[0025] In this application, the communication device described in the fifth aspect can be a terminal device, a communication module, a circuit with communication function, a chip, a chip system, or other components or assemblies. The communication module, the circuit with communication function, the chip, the chip system, or other components or assemblies can be applied in the terminal device. Alternatively, the communication device can be a network device (such as a radio access network (RAN) node), a communication module, a circuit with communication function, a chip, a chip system, or other components or assemblies. The communication module, the circuit with communication function, the chip, the chip system, or other components or assemblies can be applied in the network device.

[0026] It should be understood that the communication apparatus described in the fifth aspect includes modules, units, or means that implement the communication methods described in any of the first to fourth aspects. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units for performing the functions involved in the aforementioned communication methods.

[0027] A sixth aspect provides a communication device. The communication device includes a processor configured to execute the communication method described in any of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the communication device described in the sixth aspect may further include a transceiver. The transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver can be used for communication between the communication device described in the sixth aspect and other communication devices.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the communication device described in the sixth aspect may further include a memory. This memory may be integrated with the processor or disposed separately. The memory may be used to store computer programs (or code instructions or program instructions) and / or data related to the communication method described in any of the first to fourth aspects.

[0030] In this application, the communication device described in the sixth aspect can be a terminal device, a communication module, a circuit with communication function, a chip, a chip system, or other components or assemblies. The communication module, the circuit with communication function, the chip, the chip system, or other components or assemblies can be applied in a terminal device. Alternatively, the communication device can be a network device, a communication module, a circuit with communication function, a chip, a chip system, or other components or assemblies. The communication module, the circuit with communication function, the chip, the chip system, or other components or assemblies can be applied in a network device.

[0031] A seventh aspect provides a communication device. The communication device includes a processor coupled to a memory, the processor being configured to execute a computer program stored in the memory, such that the communication device performs the communication method described in any of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the communication device described in the seventh aspect may further include a transceiver. The transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver can be used for communication between the communication device described in the seventh aspect and other communication devices.

[0033] In this application, the communication device described in the seventh aspect can be a terminal device, a communication module, a circuit with communication function, a chip, a chip system, or other components or assemblies. The communication module, the circuit with communication function, the chip, the chip system, or other components or assemblies can be applied in a terminal device. Alternatively, the communication device can be a network device, a communication module, a circuit with communication function, a chip, a chip system, or other components or assemblies. The communication module, the circuit with communication function, the chip, the chip system, or other components or assemblies can be applied in a network device.

[0034] Eighthly, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory is used to store a computer program, which, when executed by the processor, causes the communication device to perform the communication method described in any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0035] In one possible implementation, the communication device described in the eighth aspect may further include a transceiver. The transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver can be used for communication between the communication device described in the eighth aspect and other communication devices.

[0036] In this application, the communication device described in the eighth aspect can be a terminal device, a communication module, a circuit with communication function, a chip, a chip system, or other components or assemblies. The communication module, the circuit with communication function, the chip, the chip system, or other components or assemblies can be applied in a terminal device. Alternatively, the communication device can be a network device, a communication module, a circuit with communication function, a chip, a chip system, or other components or assemblies. The communication module, the circuit with communication function, the chip, the chip system, or other components or assemblies can be applied in a network device.

[0037] A ninth aspect provides a communication device comprising: a processor; the processor being configured to be coupled to a memory, and after reading a computer program from the memory, to execute a communication method as described in any one of the first to fourth aspects according to the computer program.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the communication device described in the ninth aspect may further include a transceiver. The transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver can be used for communication between the communication device described in the ninth aspect and other communication devices.

[0039] In this application, the communication device described in the ninth aspect can be a terminal device, a communication module, a circuit with communication function, a chip, a chip system, or other components or assemblies. The communication module, or the circuit, chip, chip system, or other components or assemblies with communication function, can be applied in the terminal device. Alternatively, the communication device can be a network device (such as a RAN node), a communication module, a circuit, chip, chip system, or other components or assemblies with communication function. The communication module, the circuit, chip, chip system, or other components or assemblies with communication function can be applied in the network device.

[0040] In a tenth aspect, a communication system is provided. The communication system includes one or more terminal devices and one or more network devices.

[0041] Eleventhly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, comprising: a computer program or instructions; when the computer program or instructions are executed on a computer, the computer causes the computer to perform the communication method described in any one of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects.

[0042] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the communication method described in any one of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects.

[0043] Furthermore, the technical effects of the fifth to twelfth aspects mentioned above can be referred to the technical effects of the communication methods described in the first to fourth aspects, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0044] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0045] Figure 2 An application scenario diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an interactive process for channel estimation based on a probe reference signal;

[0047] Figure 4 This is a structural diagram of an orthogonal reuse method provided in related technologies;

[0048] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a code division multiplexing structure provided in related technologies;

[0049] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another interactive process for channel estimation based on a probe reference signal;

[0050] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0051] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 1 ;

[0053] Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 2 . Detailed Implementation

[0054] The technical solutions of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, 4th generation (4G) mobile communication systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) systems, 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems, such as new radio (NR) systems, and future communication systems, etc.

[0055] This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features relating to systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that individual systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these approaches are also possible.

[0056] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplarily" and "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design that is described as an "example" in this application should not be construed as being better or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of the word "example" is intended to present the concept in a specific manner.

[0057] First, in this application, "for indicating" can include both direct and indirect indication. When describing "information" for indicating A, it can include whether the information directly indicates A or indirectly indicates A, but does not necessarily mean that the information carries A.

[0058] The information indicated by a given piece of information is called the information to be indicated. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be indicated, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be indicated, such as the information to be indicated itself or its index. It can also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, where there is a relationship between the other information and the information to be indicated. It can also indicate only a part of the information to be indicated, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the indication of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement of various pieces of information, thereby reducing the indication overhead to some extent. At the same time, common parts of various pieces of information can be identified and indicated uniformly to reduce the indication overhead caused by individually indicating the same information.

[0059] Furthermore, the specific indication methods are not limited to the aforementioned indication methods and their various combinations. Specific details of various indication methods can be found in existing technologies, and will not be elaborated upon here. As described above, for example, when multiple pieces of information of the same type need to be indicated, the indication methods for different pieces of information may differ. In specific implementation, the required indication method can be selected according to specific needs. This application embodiment does not limit the selected indication method; therefore, the indication methods involved in this application embodiment should be understood to cover various methods that enable the party to be indicated to obtain the information to be indicated.

[0060] The information to be instructed can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information messages, and the sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be the same or different. This application does not limit the specific sending method. The sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be predefined, for example, according to a protocol, or configured by the transmitting device by sending configuration information to the receiving device. This configuration information can include, for example, but not limited to, one or a combination of at least two of radio resource control (RRC) signaling, medium access control (MAC) layer signaling, and physical layer signaling. MAC layer signaling includes, for example, a MAC control element (CE); physical (PHY) layer signaling includes, for example, downlink control information (DCI).

[0061] Second, in the embodiments shown below, the first, second, and various numerical designations are merely distinctions for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. For example, to distinguish different indication information.

[0062] Third, "pre-defined," "pre-configured," or "pre-specified" can be achieved by pre-saving corresponding codes, tables, or other means of indicating relevant information in the device (e.g., including terminal devices and network devices), or by pre-defining them in a protocol. This application does not limit the specific implementation method. "Saving" can refer to saving in one or more memories. These memories can be separate installations or integrated into the encoder, decoder, processor, or communication device. Alternatively, some memories can be separately installed, while others are integrated into the decoder, processor, or communication device. The type of memory can be any form of storage medium, and this application does not limit this.

[0063] Fourth, the “protocol” involved in the embodiments of this application may refer to standard protocols in the field of communications, such as LTE protocols of the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) (such as technical specification (TS) 36, i.e., the TS36 series of technical specifications), NR protocols (such as the TS38 series of technical specifications), and related protocols applied to future communication systems. This application does not limit this.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, let's first take... Figure 1 The communication system illustrated herein is used as an example to illustrate a communication system applicable to embodiments of this application. For example, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system to which the method provided in the embodiments of this application applies. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the communication system includes network equipment and terminal equipment.

[0067] like Figure 1 As shown, the communication system includes at least one network device (such as network device 110a and network device 110b) and at least one terminal device (such as terminal device 120a to terminal device 120j).

[0068] Terminal devices can connect to network devices wirelessly, and network devices can connect to the core network 130 via wired or wireless means. Network devices can connect to the Internet 140, and the core network 130 can connect to the Internet 140.

[0069] Among them, network devices and terminal devices can exchange information.

[0070] Terminal equipment can be a terminal with transceiver capabilities. This terminal equipment can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station (MS), mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user apparatus. The terminal devices in the embodiments of this application may be mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, tablets, wireless data cards, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless modems, handsets, laptop computers, machine-type communication (MTC) terminals, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminals, augmented reality (AR) terminals, smart home devices (e.g., refrigerators, televisions, air conditioners, electricity meters, etc.), intelligent robots, robotic arms, workshop equipment, wireless terminals in autonomous driving, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in telemedicine, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, vehicle-mounted terminals, and roadside units with terminal functions. The terminal device in this application can also be an onboard module, onboard unit, onboard component, onboard chip, or onboard unit, which is built into a vehicle as one or more components or units. The terminal device can also be other devices with terminal functions; for example, it can be a device that performs terminal functions in D2D communication. The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form of the terminal device. The device used to implement the function of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself; it can also be a device that supports the terminal device in implementing the function, such as a communication module, chip, chip system, other components or parts, or circuits or functional components. This device can be installed in the terminal device or used in conjunction with the terminal device. The chip system can be composed of chips or include chips and other discrete devices.Among them, the various forms of terminal devices mentioned above can also be referred to as terminal-side devices.

[0071] In this application embodiment, the network device can be a device with wireless transceiver capabilities. For example, the network device can be a device located in the access network (AN) of a communication system, which can be used to provide access services for terminals. In one possible scenario, the network device can be a RAN, such as a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmit / receive point (TRP), or a base station in a future communication system. In future mobile communication systems, the network device may also have other naming conventions, all of which are covered within the protection scope of this application embodiment, and this application does not impose any limitations on them. Alternatively, the network device may also include 5G, such as a next-generation mobile communication base station (gNB) in an NR system, or one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a 5G base station, or it may also be a network node constituting a gNB, a transmission point (TRP or transmission point, TP), or a transmission measurement function (TMF). Alternatively, the network device can be a macro base station (such as... Figure 1 110a), micro base stations or indoor stations (such as Figure 1 The network device can be a relay node or donor node (as described in section 110b), or a wireless controller in a cloud radioaccess network (CRAN) scenario. Optionally, the network device can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the access network device in V2X technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the network device 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). The network device in this application can also be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the network device functions.

[0072] In another possible scenario, multiple network devices collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, with each network device performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, network devices can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), or radio units (RUs), etc. CUs and DUs can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0073] In different systems, CU (or centralized unit control plane (CU-CP)) and centralized unit user plane (CU-UP)), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an open radioaccess network (O-RAN or ORAN) system, CU can also be called an open centralized unit (O-CU) (open CU), DU can also be called an open distributed unit (O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open centralized unit control plane (O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open centralized unit user plane (O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called an open radio unit (O-RU). For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU units in this application can be implemented through a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0074] In this embodiment, the form of the network device is not limited. The device used to implement the function of the network device can be the network device itself; it can also be any device that supports the network device in implementing that function, such as a communication module, chip, chip system, other components or parts, or circuits or functional components. This device can be installed in the network device or used in conjunction with the network device. The chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete devices. The network devices of the various forms described above can also be referred to as network-side devices.

[0075] It should be understood that Figure 1 This is a simplified diagram for ease of understanding only. The communication system may also include other network devices and / or other terminal devices. Figure 1 It was not drawn in the middle.

[0076] like Figure 2 As shown, the network device includes an RRC signaling interaction module ( Figure 2 RRC and MAC signaling interaction modules (in the middle) Figure 2 The MAC and PHY signaling and data interaction modules are located in the MAC module. Figure 2 The terminal equipment includes an RRC signaling interaction module, a MAC signaling interaction module, and a PHY signaling and data interaction module.

[0077] Network devices and terminal devices can exchange RRC signaling via the RRC signaling interaction module. They can also exchange Media Access Control-Control Element (MAC-CE) signaling via the MAC signaling interaction module. Finally, they can exchange one or more of the following via the PHY interaction module: uplink control signaling, downlink control signaling (such as DCI), uplink data, or downlink data.

[0078] The technical terms and related technical solutions in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0079] Massive multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technology can improve the spectral efficiency of a system. When using MIMO technology, the base station needs to precode the data before sending it to the terminal device. How to perform precoding relies on the channel-state information (CSI) between the terminal device and the network device. The following describes how the network device obtains CSI.

[0080] In time-division duplex (TDD) systems, the uplink and downlink channels use the same frequency band, meaning they are reciprocal. Based on this reciprocity, network devices, such as base stations, can obtain channel information through uplink reference signals, such as sounding reference signals (SRS), for precoding. The following explanation focuses on SRS. The interaction process between network devices and terminal devices for SRS estimation can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 3 As shown, the process includes:

[0081] S301, the network device sends channel sounding configuration information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the network device receives channel sounding configuration information from the terminal device.

[0082] Channel detection signal configuration information can be carried in signaling sent from network devices to terminal devices, such as RRC signaling, MAC-CE, DCI, etc. The type of signaling is not limited here.

[0083] Channel sounding signal configuration information can be used to instruct terminal equipment to transmit SRS and the resources carrying SRS, such as time domain resources, frequency domain resources, or code domain resources, at least one of them.

[0084] S302, the terminal device can send an SRS to the network device based on the channel sounding signal configuration information. Correspondingly, the network device receives the SRS from the terminal device.

[0085] S303, the network device performs channel measurement based on the received SRS, and performs SRS channel estimation based on the channel measurement results, thereby obtaining the CSI of the channel between the terminal device and the network device.

[0086] Optionally, Figure 3 The methods provided also include:

[0087] S304, the network device uses the CSI of this channel to select an appropriate precoding matrix to precode the downlink data to be transmitted, and sends the precoded downlink data to the terminal device.

[0088] The precoding matrix can be indicated by the precoding matrix indicator (PMI).

[0089] In the above Figure 3In step S302 of the illustrated process, the terminal device needs to occupy corresponding reference signal resources (including at least one of the following: time domain resources, frequency domain resources, or code domain resources) to send uplink reference signals to the network device. In scenarios where multiple terminal devices send uplink reference signals to the network device, in order to distinguish the uplink reference signals sent by different terminal devices, the terminal devices can send uplink reference signals to the network device through uplink reference signal orthogonal multiplexing (or orthogonal multiplexing method), so that the network device can distinguish the received signal corresponding to the uplink reference signal on each reference signal resource from the received signal and perform channel estimation.

[0090] For example, suppose the uplink reference signal transmitted on reference signal resource p (time-frequency code) is s. p Network devices can distinguish the received signal y on reference signal resource p from the received signal based on orthogonal multiplexing of reference signal resource p. p The channel h corresponding to the reference signal resource p p The following relationship is satisfied: (1)

[0091] y p =h p s p (1)

[0092] P represents the identifier of the reference signal resource (or its index or number). It can be understood that channel estimation can be performed according to formula (1) to obtain h. p .

[0093] Optionally, orthogonal multiplexing methods may include time division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing, or code division multiplexing.

[0094] Time division multiplexing (TDM) refers to the uplink reference signal being distributed across different time slots or different orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols within the same time slot. Correspondingly, network devices can distinguish the received signals of each uplink reference signal using different OFDM symbols (hereinafter referred to as symbols). For example, Figure 4 In the time-division multiplexing shown, the uplink reference signals sent by terminal device 0 and terminal device 1 occupy symbols 12 and 13, respectively.

[0095] Frequency division multiplexing (FDM) can include resource block (RB) FDM and comb FDM (or combing). RB FDM means that the uplink reference signal can be distributed across different RBs, allowing network devices to distinguish the received signals of each uplink reference signal using different RBs. Combing means that the uplink reference signal can be distributed across different resource elements (REs) within the same RB, allowing network devices to distinguish the received signals of each uplink reference signal using different REs. For example... Figure 4 As shown, the uplink reference signals sent by terminal device 0 and terminal device 1 occupy different REs of the same RB.

[0096] Code division multiplexing (CDM) refers to constructing orthogonal codes through cyclic shifting, enabling uplink reference signals to be orthogonal in the time delay domain. This allows terminal devices to transmit uplink reference signals to network devices on the same RE resources. The following section introduces CDM schemes for uplink reference signals, such as SRS.

[0097] 1. Code division multiplexing of the uplink reference signal in the time delay domain can also be understood as DFT transform multiplexing of the uplink reference signal in the frequency domain.

[0098] Assuming that when multiple UEs transmit uplink reference signals using code division multiplexing, the multiplexed reference signal resources are N REs, and the frequency domain channels H on the N REs satisfy the relationship shown in the following formula (2):

[0099] H = (h1, h2, ..., h n ,…,h N ) T (2)

[0100] Where n represents the nth RE among N REs, 1≤n≤N, and n is an integer, h n This represents the nth RE among N REs (when the index of the first RE is 0, it can also be said that h). n Let represent the frequency domain channel on the RE with index n-1 out of N REs, (·) T This represents the transpose of a vector.

[0101] The N-dimensional DFT matrix satisfies the relationship shown in formula (3) below:

[0102] D = (D0, D1, ..., D k ,…,D N-1 (3)

[0103] Among them, D k This represents the DFT vector at index k in the N-dimensional DFT matrix (when k is initially 0, DFT vectors are indices k and k are indices k). kIt can also be described as the (k+1)th DFT vector in an N-dimensional DFT matrix, where 0 ≤ k ≤ N-1, and k is an integer. k The following relationship is satisfied as shown in formula (4):

[0104]

[0105] The N DFT vectors in the DFT matrix are mutually orthogonal. These DFT vectors can be pre-configured, such as those defined by a protocol. For details on the implementation of the DFT vectors, please refer to section 6.4.1.4.2 of 3GPP TS 38.211, which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0106] Assume that the transform form of the frequency domain channel H in the DFT transform domain satisfies the following relationships shown in formulas (5) and (6):

[0107] H = DC; (5)

[0108] C = (c1, c2, ..., c q ,…,c K ,0,0,…,0) T (6)

[0109] Where C represents the channel coefficients in the DFT transform domain, and C has an N*1 dimension. q Let C represent the q-th non-zero element, where 1 ≤ q ≤ K, and K is the number of non-zero coefficients in C. Both q and K are positive integers. The number of non-zero coefficients in C is determined by the channel delay spread. The delay spread can refer to the difference between the maximum and minimum transmission delays. A larger delay spread results in more non-zero coefficients in C, and vice versa. The positions of the non-zero coefficients in C are shown here only as an example.

[0110] Assume the terminal device sends an uplink reference signal s on the nth RE. n At this time, in the uplink reference signal s n Multiply by weight The received signal received by the network device satisfies the relationship shown in formula (7) below:

[0111]

[0112] Among them, y n This represents the received signal received by the network device on the nth RE.

[0113] Accordingly, the terminal device transmitting uplink reference signals on N REs can be equivalent to the UE transmitting uplink reference signals on the channel. The uplink reference signal is transmitted, which is equivalent to shifting the time delay of the N REs (or channels) that transmit the uplink reference signal in the time domain (or shifting the time delay domain). Combining the above formulas (5) and (6), the equivalent channel satisfies the following relationships shown in formulas (8) and (9):

[0114]

[0115] in, Its dimension is N*1.

[0116] As described above, when a terminal device transmits an uplink reference signal, it multiplies the uplink reference signal by an additional weight, thereby shifting the channel (or the reference signal resource corresponding to the uplink reference signal) in the time delay domain. This changes the channel used to transmit the uplink reference signal, making the channels of different terminal devices transmitting uplink reference signals on the same reference signal resource orthogonal. This allows the network device to distinguish the uplink reference signals transmitted by different UEs based on the orthogonal channels, thus achieving code division multiplexing on the same reference signal resource. For example, as shown... Figure 5 As shown, when uplink reference signal A and uplink reference signal B are transmitted to the base station on the same time-frequency resource using code division multiplexing, the channels of terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 originally overlap in the time delay domain. Transmitting uplink reference signal A and uplink reference signal B on the same time-frequency resource will cause the network device to be unable to distinguish between them from the signal received on that time-frequency resource. In this case, the aforementioned method can be used to multiply uplink reference signal B by an additional weight, changing the channel corresponding to uplink reference signal B so that the channels corresponding to uplink reference signal A and uplink reference signal B are staggered in the time delay domain and orthogonal. Terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 can then use the same time-frequency resource to transmit uplink reference signal A and uplink reference signal B to the network device respectively. After receiving the signal on that time-frequency resource, the network device can determine the correct channel based on the equivalent channel corresponding to each terminal device and the channel estimation formula y. p =h p s p The received signals are processed to obtain the channels corresponding to uplink reference signal A and uplink reference signal B, where s n Equivalent to s p .

[0117] 2. Multiplexing of the uplink reference signal in the characteristic transform domain of the time and / or frequency domains.

[0118] In multiplexing within the feature transform domain, the terminal device can report the channel characteristics of the channel between the terminal device and the network device to the network device. The network device can determine feature weights based on the channel characteristics between the terminal device and the network device, and indicate these feature weights to the terminal device. The terminal device can then send a reference signal based on the feature weights received from the network device. The network device can then perform channel estimation based on the determined feature weights and the received reference signal from the terminal device.

[0119] The channel between the terminal device and the network device can be a frequency domain channel, a time domain channel, or a channel combining both. For ease of understanding, the following explanation will focus on the frequency domain channel.

[0120] The following describes the multiplexing process of the reference signal in the characteristic domain, using the frequency domain as an example. Figure 6 As shown, the process includes:

[0121] S601, the terminal device reports information #1 to the network device. Accordingly, the network device receives information #1 from the terminal device.

[0122] Information #1 is used to indicate the channel characteristics of the channel between the terminal device and the network device.

[0123] In this embodiment, based on the data transmission direction on the channel, the channel between the terminal device and the network device can include either an uplink channel or a downlink channel, without limitation. The uplink channel can refer to the channel used by the terminal device to send data to the network device, or it can be understood as the channel from the terminal device to the network device. The downlink channel can refer to the channel used by the network device to send data to the terminal device, or it can be understood as the channel from the network device to the terminal device. Due to the reciprocity of channels, the channel characteristics of the uplink and downlink channels between the same terminal device and the same network device can be the same, or they can have a certain correlation. The relevant descriptions of the channel characteristics are as described above and will not be repeated here.

[0124] Based on the domain of the channel, the channel between the terminal device and the network device can include time-domain channel, frequency-domain channel, and time-frequency-domain channel.

[0125] Based on the transmission direction and time domain of the data corresponding to the channel, the channel between the terminal device and the network device can include the time domain channel, the frequency domain channel, and the time-frequency domain channel corresponding to the uplink channel, as well as the time domain channel, the frequency domain channel, and the time-frequency domain channel corresponding to the downlink channel.

[0126] For example, suppose the frequency domain channel between the terminal device and the network device is H, and the frequency domain channel H satisfies the relationship shown in the following formula (10):

[0127] H = UC′; (10)

[0128] Where U is the statistical covariance matrix E(HH) with respect to H. H The feature basis obtained by performing singular value decomposition (SVD) is U = (U1, ..., U2). j ,…,U N U is N*N dimensional, where N represents the number of channel elements. j Let J represent j feature vectors of the terminal device, where 1 ≤ j ≤ J, and J is at least a subset of the feature vectors in U. For example, J includes feature vectors in U whose corresponding feature values ​​are greater than a first threshold. Alternatively, for example, J includes feature vectors in U corresponding to non-zero feature values. C′ represents the feature coefficients corresponding to the feature vectors, and is of N dimensions, C′=(c′1,c′2,…,c′). j ,…,c′ J ,0,0,…,0) T c′ j Let represent the characteristic coefficient corresponding to the j-th characteristic vector among the J characteristic vectors.

[0129] Based on the fact that the channel between the aforementioned terminal device and network device can include a time-domain channel, a frequency-domain channel, or a time-frequency-domain channel, the corresponding feature vector can include a frequency-domain vector, a time-domain vector, or a time-frequency-domain vector, and the aforementioned channel unit can be a channel frequency-domain unit, a channel time-domain unit, or a channel time-frequency unit.

[0130] Among them, information #1 can indicate the channel characteristics of the channel between the terminal device and the network device by indicating the feature vector in the feature basis.

[0131] Information #1 can directly or indirectly indicate a feature vector, thereby indicating the channel characteristics of the channel between the terminal device and the network device. When information #1 directly indicates a feature vector, it may include U. Alternatively, information #1 may include the J largest feature vectors U1,…,U1 from U. j ,…,U J .

[0132] In this embodiment of the application, information #1 can be used to directly or indirectly indicate the channel characteristics of the channel.

[0133] When the channel between the terminal device and the network device is an uplink channel, information #1 can indicate the feature vector of the uplink channel or a second uplink reference signal. The second uplink reference signal can be used to determine the feature vector of the uplink channel and can be predefined by the protocol.

[0134] Optionally, when information #1 includes or indicates a second uplink reference signal for the uplink channel, the terminal device may use time-division multiplexing, frequency-division multiplexing, or code-division multiplexing (CDM) techniques to transmit the second uplink reference signal to the network device. For example, when the terminal device transmits the second uplink reference signal to the network device using CDM, the terminal device can select a vector from the DFT matrix as a weight and use this weight to transform the second uplink reference signal. In this way, the second uplink reference signal can be orthogonally multiplexed in the time delay domain, allowing the second uplink reference signal to be transmitted to the network device on the same RE.

[0135] When the channel between the terminal device and the network device is a downlink channel, information #1 may include or indicate the feature vector of the downlink channel, or information #1 may directly or indirectly indicate the channel characteristics of the downlink channel.

[0136] Optionally, the network device sends a downlink reference signal to the terminal device. Based on the downlink reference signal, the terminal device determines the characteristic basis of the channel between the terminal device and the network device, and then reports information #1 to the network device based on the determined characteristic basis.

[0137] Specifically, the downlink reference signal can be described as a reference signal sent by the network device to the terminal device for measuring CSI. The downlink reference signal can specifically be channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). After receiving the CSI-RS, the terminal device can measure the CSI-RS to obtain the downlink channel H. After multiple measurements, the channel statistical covariance matrix is ​​determined based on samples of multiple channels H, thereby determining the characteristic basis of the channel between the terminal device and the network device.

[0138] In an optional implementation, before the terminal device reports information #1 on the channel characteristics of the channel between the terminal device and the network device, the terminal device may also receive a downlink reference signal from the network device and determine the characteristic basis of the channel based on the downlink reference signal.

[0139] In the above technical solution, information #1 may include or indicate the feature vector of the channel. The feature vector is the feature vector of the channel in the feature transform domain. The sparsity of the channel in the feature transform domain is sparser than that in the DFT transform domain; that is, compared to the DFT transform domain, fewer feature coefficients are used to represent the channel in the feature transform domain. For example, the same channel requires 5 DFT vectors and corresponding coefficients in the DFT transform domain, but only 3 feature vectors and corresponding coefficients are needed in the feature transform domain. Therefore, when the terminal device transforms the reference signal basis sequence based on the feature weights determined by the feature vector of the channel, the number of mutually orthogonal equivalent channels obtained will further increase, improving the code division multiplexing capability when transmitting uplink reference signals through the same reference signal resource or channel.

[0140] S602, the network device determines the characteristic weights of the channel between the terminal device and the network device based on information #1.

[0141] If information #1 includes the channel's feature vector, the network device, upon receiving information #1, can determine the channel's feature weights based on the channel's feature vector included in information #1.

[0142] In an optional implementation, the network device determines the feature weights of the channel based on the channel's feature vector. Assume that the equivalent vector is obtained by element-wise multiplication of the feature vector and the feature weights. To ensure high accuracy in channel estimation, the feature weights should minimize the inner product of different equivalent vectors and maximize the inner product of the equivalent vectors themselves. Furthermore, the feature weights must satisfy the transmit power limitations of the terminal device. Therefore, the feature weights must satisfy the relationships shown in equations (11) to (13) below:

[0143]

[0144] Where i and m represent port numbers (such as SRS port numbers, which can also be called the port numbers of terminal devices), j and n represent the eigenvector indices of the eigenvectors among the J eigenvectors, and U ij U represents the j-th feature vector corresponding to the i-th port. ij It can be the channel H corresponding to the i-th port. i Statistical covariance matrix E(H) i H i H The eigenvectors obtained after performing singular value decomposition, P i P represents the feature weight corresponding to the i-th port, ⊙ represents element-wise multiplication, and P max U represents the maximum transmit power of the terminal device. mn Let P represent the nth feature vector corresponding to the mth port, where 1 ≤ n ≤ J, and m and n are integers.m This represents the feature weight corresponding to the m-th port.

[0145] It is understood that the feature weights involved in the embodiments of this application can be represented by vectors, which will not be elaborated further.

[0146] S603, the network device sends information #2 to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives information #2 from the network device.

[0147] Information #2 is used to indicate the characteristic weights of the channel between the terminal device and the network device.

[0148] In one alternative implementation, information #2 is used to indicate feature weights, which may include, but is not limited to, the following two cases:

[0149] In case 1.1, the feature weight can be carried in information #2.

[0150] In case 1.2, information #2 can be used to indicate the equivalent vector of the channel. The equivalent vector of the channel is determined by the feature weights and the feature vector.

[0151] The two situations will be explained separately below.

[0152] In some embodiments, the network device may send information #2 carrying feature weights to the terminal device.

[0153] Specifically, after determining the characteristic weights of the channel via S602, the network device can generate information #2 containing these characteristic weights and send it to the terminal device. In the above technical solution, the terminal device can directly obtain the characteristic weights from information #2 and transform the reference signal base sequence based on these characteristic weights to obtain the reference signal sequence. This can effectively improve the efficiency of generating the reference signal sequence, thereby effectively improving the efficiency of the base station in channel estimation.

[0154] In other embodiments, after the network device determines the characteristic weights of the channel in S602, it can first determine the equivalent vector of the channel based on the characteristic weights and characteristic vectors, then generate information #2 to indicate the equivalent vector of the channel, and send information #2 to the terminal device. In the above technical solution, the characteristic weights can be determined by indicating the equivalent vector. Since the equivalent vector is determined based on the characteristic vector and characteristic weights, for example, the equivalent vector can be obtained by multiplying the characteristic vector and characteristic weights, the characteristic weights can be obtained in multiple ways, improving the diversity and flexibility of the solution implementation.

[0155] In one alternative implementation, information #2 is used to indicate the equivalent vector of the channel, and may include, but is not limited to, the following two cases:

[0156] Case 2.1: Information #2 may include the DFT decomposition matrix of the channel's equivalent vector. The DFT decomposition matrix of the equivalent vector refers to the matrix formed by the coefficients of the equivalent vector in the DFT transform domain after performing a DFT transformation on the equivalent vector.

[0157] Case 2.2: Information #2 may include the channel's equivalent vector.

[0158] The two situations will be explained separately below.

[0159] In some embodiments, after determining the characteristic weights of the channel via S602, the network device can first determine the equivalent vector of the channel based on the characteristic weights and eigenvectors, and then determine the DFT decomposition matrix of the equivalent vector based on the equivalent vector. Finally, it generates information #2 containing the DFT decomposition matrix of the equivalent vector and sends this information #2 to the terminal device. In the above technical solution, information #2 can indicate the equivalent vector of the channel through the DFT decomposition matrix of the equivalent vector. Since the number of non-zero elements in the DFT decomposition matrix is ​​less than the number of non-zero elements in the equivalent vector, the overhead of the DFT decomposition matrix of the equivalent vector is smaller than that of the equivalent vector. Therefore, by indicating the DFT decomposition matrix of the equivalent vector to further determine the characteristic weights, the signaling overhead during the interaction process can be further reduced, saving communication resources.

[0160] In other embodiments, after the network device determines the feature weight of the channel through S602, it can first determine the equivalent vector of the channel based on the feature weight and feature vector, then generate information #2 containing the equivalent vector, and send information #2 containing the equivalent vector to the terminal device.

[0161] In one alternative implementation, the feature vector may contain multiple vector feature vectors. Therefore, the process of determining the equivalent vector of the channel based on feature weights and feature vectors can include, but is not limited to, the following two methods:

[0162] Case 3.1: Determine the equivalent vector of the channel based on the pre-specified eigenvectors and eigenweights.

[0163] Case 3.2: Determine the equivalent vector of the channel based on the feature weights and the first vector, where the first vector is one of the feature vectors.

[0164] The following will use information #2, which includes the channel's equivalent vector, as an example to illustrate the two cases mentioned above.

[0165] Specifically, in some embodiments, after the network device determines the feature weights of the channel, it can first determine the equivalent vector of the channel based on the feature weights and a pre-specified feature vector, then generate information #2 to indicate the equivalent vector, and send information #2 containing the equivalent vector to the terminal device. The equivalent vector satisfies the relationship shown in the following formula (14):

[0166] D i1 =U i1 ⊙P i (14)

[0167] Among them, D i1 U represents the equivalent vector. i1 P represents the first feature vector corresponding to the i-th port, which can be used as a pre-specified feature vector. i Represents the feature weights.

[0168] The pre-specified feature vector can be a vector predefined by the protocol. For example, the protocol predefined U i1 The eigenvector with the largest corresponding eigenvalue among multiple eigenvectors; or, the protocol predefines U. i1 It is the eigenvector with the smallest corresponding eigenvalue among multiple eigenvectors.

[0169] For example, in one embodiment, assuming the pre-specified feature vector is vector #1, after the network device determines the feature weight of the channel, it can first determine the equivalent vector of the channel based on the feature weight and vector #1, then generate information #2 containing the equivalent vector, and send information #2 containing the equivalent vector to the terminal device.

[0170] In other embodiments, after determining the feature weights of the channel, the network device can first select a vector from the feature vectors as the first vector, and then determine the equivalent vector of the channel based on the feature weights and the first vector. Then, it generates information #2 to indicate the equivalent vector and the first vector, and sends information #2 containing the equivalent vector to the terminal device. The equivalent vector satisfies the relationship shown in the following formula (15):

[0171] D i1 =U ij ⊙P i (15)

[0172] Vector represents the first vector, P i Represents the feature weights.

[0173] In one optional implementation, the process by which the network device selects a vector from the feature vector as the first vector may include, but is not limited to, the following two cases:

[0174] Case 4.1: Select any one of the feature vectors as the first vector.

[0175] Case 4.2: Select the vector with the minimum cost among the equivalent vectors corresponding to the feature vectors as the first vector.

[0176] The two situations will be explained separately below.

[0177] Specifically, in some embodiments, after the network device determines the feature weights of the channel, it can first select any vector from the feature vectors as the first vector, then determine the equivalent vector of the channel based on the feature weights and the first vector, then generate information #2 to indicate the equivalent vector and the first vector, and send information #2 to the terminal device.

[0178] For example, in one embodiment, assuming the network device selects vector #2 from the feature vector, the network device can determine the equivalent vector of the channel based on the feature weight and vector #2, then generate information #2 to indicate the equivalent vector and the first vector, and send the information #2 to the terminal device.

[0179] In other embodiments, after the network device determines the feature weights of the channel, it can take the vector with the minimum overhead among the equivalent vectors corresponding to the feature vectors as the first vector, and then determine the equivalent vector of the channel based on the feature weights and the first vector. Then, it generates information #2 to indicate the equivalent vector and the first vector, and sends the information #2 to the terminal device.

[0180] For example, in one embodiment, assuming that the vector with the lowest overhead among the equivalent vectors corresponding to the feature vectors is vector #3, the network device can determine vector #B as the first vector, and determine the equivalent vector of the channel according to the feature weight and vector #3, then generate information #2 to indicate the equivalent vector and the first vector, and send the information #2 to the terminal device.

[0181] In the above technical solution, the first vector is one of the feature vectors, and this vector is the feature vector selected by the network device from multiple feature vectors so that the indication overhead of the equivalent vector is relatively small, which can further reduce the signaling overhead in the process of indicating the equivalent vector.

[0182] In one optional implementation, each of the multiple vectors included in the above feature vector has a corresponding vector number (or index, or identifier). Accordingly, information #2 is used to indicate that the first vector may include, but is not limited to, the following two cases:

[0183] Case 5.1, information #2 includes the first vector.

[0184] Case 5.2, information #2 includes the vector index of the first vector.

[0185] The following will use the example of taking the vector with the minimum cost among the equivalent vectors corresponding to the feature vectors as the first sequence to illustrate the above two cases respectively.

[0186] Specifically, in some embodiments, after the network device determines the feature weights of the channel, it can take the vector with the minimum overhead among the equivalent vectors corresponding to the feature vector as the first vector, and then determine the equivalent vector of the channel based on the feature weights and the first vector. Then, it generates information #2 containing the equivalent vector and the first vector, and sends information #2 containing the first vector to the terminal device.

[0187] In other embodiments, after the network device determines the feature weights of the channel, it can take the vector with the minimum overhead among the equivalent vectors corresponding to the feature vector as the first vector, and then determine the equivalent vector of the channel based on the feature weights and the first vector. Then, it generates information #2 containing the vector index of the equivalent vector and the first vector, and sends information #2 containing the first vector to the terminal device.

[0188] When the channel is a frequency domain channel, the feature weights can also be called frequency domain weights. It is understandable that feature weights can have other possible names, such as weight vectors, which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0189] S604, the terminal device obtains the characteristic weights of the channel between the terminal device and the network device.

[0190] Among them, the characteristic weights of the channel are determined by the network device based on the above information #1.

[0191] Specifically, after receiving information #2 from the network device, the terminal device can obtain the characteristic weights of the channel between the terminal device and the network device based on information #2.

[0192] In an optional implementation, if the information #2 carries feature weights, the terminal device can directly obtain the feature weights of the channel between the terminal device and the network device from the information #2 after receiving the information #2.

[0193] In an optional implementation, if the information #2 includes the DFT decomposition matrix of the channel's equivalent vector, after receiving the information #2, the terminal device can first determine the corresponding equivalent vector based on the DFT decomposition matrix in the information #2, and then obtain the feature weights of the channel between the terminal device and the network device based on the pre-specified feature vector and the equivalent vector.

[0194] In an optional implementation, when the equivalent vector of the channel is used to indicate the channel in the above information #2, after receiving information #2, the terminal device can obtain the feature weight of the channel between the terminal device and the network device according to the equivalent vector in information #2 and the pre-specified feature vector.

[0195] For example, in one embodiment, it is assumed that the pre-specified feature vector is U i1 The equivalent vector is D i1 , and U i1 The relationship shown in formula (16) is satisfied, D i1 The terminal device can be based on the equivalent vector D, satisfying the relationship shown in formula (17). i1 and the pre-specified eigenvector U i1 The characteristic weights P of the channel between the terminal device and the network device are determined. i Among them, P i The following relationship is satisfied: (18)

[0196]

[0197] in, This represents the nth element in the first feature vector corresponding to port i. This represents the nth element in the equivalent vector of the first eigenvector corresponding to port i. This indicates element-wise division, and N represents the number of REs.

[0198] In an optional implementation, if the information #2 includes the equivalent vector and the first vector of the channel, after receiving the information #2, the terminal device can obtain the characteristic weight of the channel between the terminal device and the network device based on the equivalent vector and the first vector in the information #2.

[0199] In an optional implementation, if the information #2 includes the equivalent vector of the channel and the vector index of the first vector, after receiving the information #2, the terminal device can first determine the first vector according to the vector index in the information #2, and then obtain the characteristic weight of the channel between the terminal device and the network device according to the equivalent vector and the first vector.

[0200] S605, the terminal device sends a first uplink reference signal to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the first uplink reference signal from the terminal device.

[0201] The first uplink reference signal is determined based on the reference signal base sequence and feature weights.

[0202] For example, the terminal device determines a reference signal sequence based on the reference signal base sequence and characteristics, constructs a first uplink reference signal from the reference signal sequence, and sends the first uplink reference signal to the network device.

[0203] Accordingly, after receiving the first uplink reference signal containing the reference signal sequence, the network device can perform channel estimation between the terminal device and the network device based on the channel's feature vector and the reference signal sequence.

[0204] After obtaining the feature weights in the manner shown in S604, the terminal device can first determine the reference signal sequence based on the reference signal base sequence and the feature weights, and then send a first uplink reference signal containing the reference signal sequence to the network device.

[0205] Specifically, after acquiring the feature weights, the terminal device can determine the reference signal sequence, where the reference signal sequence x corresponding to the i-th port is... i It satisfies the relationship shown in the following formula (19).

[0206] x i =x⊙P i (19)

[0207] Where L represents the reference signal sequence, x represents the reference signal basis sequence, and P i Represents the feature weights.

[0208] For example, suppose the terminal device obtains the feature weight P. i The reference signal base sequence x satisfies the relationship shown in formula (20), and the reference signal sequence L satisfies the relationship shown in formula (21). Combining formula (19), we can see that the reference signal sequence L satisfies the relationship shown in formula (22):

[0209]

[0210] Where, x n This represents the nth element in the reference signal base sequence. After determining the reference signal sequence in the above manner, the terminal device can send a first uplink reference signal to the network device through the corresponding port i. After receiving the first uplink reference signal, the network device can use a channel estimation algorithm to determine the characteristic coefficients corresponding to the characteristic vector, and perform channel estimation between the terminal device and the network device based on the characteristic coefficients.

[0211] For example, in one embodiment, after receiving the first uplink reference signal, the network device can use the following formulas (23) and (24) to derive formula (25), and then derive formula (26) through formula (25) to obtain the characteristic coefficients corresponding to the characteristic vector, and perform channel estimation on the channel between the terminal device and the network device based on the characteristic coefficients.

[0212] y v =∑ i H iv ⊙P i ⊙x;(23)

[0213]

[0214] y v =∑ i ∑ j c ijv U ij ⊙P i ⊙x;(25)

[0215]

[0216] Among them, y v H represents the signal received on the v-th antenna of the network device. iv This represents the channel between port i of the terminal device and the v-th antenna of the network device. ijv Let c represent the feature coefficients of port i of the terminal device and the v-th antenna of the network device corresponding to the j-th feature vector, and c ijv =(c1,c2,…,c J ,0,0,…,0) T .

[0217] Optionally, if the design of the above feature weights satisfies Under this condition, the above formula (26) can be expressed by the following formula (27).

[0218]

[0219] It is understandable that the multiplexing principle of the characteristic transform domain in the time domain, or the multiplexing principle of the characteristic transform domain in both the time and frequency domains, is similar to the multiplexing principle of the characteristic transform domain in the frequency domain, and will not be elaborated upon further.

[0220] In this embodiment, the reference signal can also be called a reference signal, the reference signal sequence can also be called a reference signal sequence, and the reference signal base sequence can also be called a reference signal base sequence. In future protocol versions, the name of the reference signal may be retained or may be changed, which will not be elaborated further.

[0221] Terminal devices support transmitting uplink reference signals to network devices via code division multiplexing (CDM). The uplink reference signal is composed of a reference signal sequence or a reference signal base sequence. It should be understood that during CDM, multiple terminal devices can simultaneously transmit uplink reference signals through the same resources or channels. Figure 6 The illustrated embodiment uses the process of a terminal device sending an uplink reference signal as an example. The process of other terminal devices sending uplink reference signals can be described in the same way.

[0222] In combination with the above Figure 6 As shown in the flowchart, the feature weights used by the terminal device to send the uplink reference signal need to be calculated by the network device and then indicated to the terminal device by the network device. However, in some scenarios, such as packet loss or decoding errors caused by poor downlink channel quality, the terminal device may fail to receive the updated feature vector. In such cases, how the terminal device should send the reference signal is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved.

[0223] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of this application provide a communication method. In this method, a first communication device can determine a target weight, indicate the target weight to a second communication device, and send a first reference signal based on the target weight. The target weight can be a first feature weight determined by channel information at a first time, a second feature weight determined by channel information at a second time, or a discrete Fourier transform vector. Thus, by having the first communication device determine the target vector and indicate the target weight to the second communication device, multiplexing of the reference signal can be achieved regardless of whether the first communication device successfully receives the second feature weight, making it applicable to more scenarios.

[0224] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0225] It should be noted that the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to... Figure 1 For any two devices shown, such as between a terminal device and a network device, the specific implementation can be referred to the following method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0226] It should be noted that the solutions in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to other communication systems, and the corresponding names can be replaced by the names of the corresponding functions in other communication systems.

[0227] The following will combine Figure 7 The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail.

[0228] For example, Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication method can be applied to a first communication device, such as... Figure 1The terminal equipment and the second communication device shown are as follows: Figure 1 The communication between the network devices shown.

[0229] like Figure 7 As shown, the communication methods include:

[0230] S701, the first communication device determines the target weight.

[0231] The target weight is a feature weight among at least one feature weight, which includes at least one of the following: a first feature weight, a second feature weight, or a Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) vector. The first feature weight is determined based on the channel information corresponding to a first time step, and the second feature weight is determined based on the channel information corresponding to a second time step, where the first time step is prior to the second time step. The target weight is the weight used by the first communication device to transmit a reference signal. The target weight can be used to weight the reference signal during the most recent transmission of the reference signal.

[0232] It is understandable that the second feature weight is an updated feature weight relative to the first feature weight.

[0233] The first feature weight can be indicated by the second communication device. The implementation principle of the first feature weight can be found in the relevant descriptions of S601 to S604 above. The second feature weight is determined by the second communication device. The implementation principle of the second communication device determining the second feature weight can be found in the relevant descriptions of S601 to S602 above, and will not be repeated here. The first feature weight can be represented by a vector, and the second feature weight can also be represented by a vector.

[0234] A DFT vector is a vector used to represent a feature weight. DFT vectors are pre-configured, such as those defined by a protocol. The implementation principle of DFT vectors can be found in the relevant introduction to uplink reference signals in the time-delay domain code division multiplexing, and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0235] In one possible implementation, if the first communication device fails to receive the second feature weight, the target weight is the first feature weight or a DFT vector. That is, if the first communication device does not acquire updated feature weights, such as the second feature weight, the old feature weights, such as the first feature weight or a DFT vector, can be used to transmit the reference signal, making the feature weights used for transmitting the reference signal more flexible.

[0236] If the first communication device successfully receives the second feature weight, the target weight is the second feature weight.

[0237] The failure of the first communication device to successfully receive the second feature weight can mean that the first communication device cannot detect the second information, such as not detecting the information sent by the second communication device within a first time duration threshold after receiving the information indicating the first feature weight. Alternatively, the first communication device cannot decode the second feature weight from the received second information, such as packet loss or decoding errors in the received second information. A decoding error in the received second information can mean that the received second information fails the cyclic redundancy check (CRC). The second information is used to indicate the second feature weight.

[0238] Successfully receiving the second feature weight by the first communication device means that the first communication device decodes the second feature weight from the received second information. The following explanation, using one of methods 1 to 3, illustrates how the first communication device determines the target weight.

[0239] Method 1: If the first communication device successfully receives the second feature weight, the second feature weight is determined as the target weight, or the target weight is the second feature weight; if the first communication device fails to receive the second feature weight, the first feature weight is determined as the target weight, or the target weight is the first feature weight.

[0240] Method 2: If the first communication device successfully receives the second feature weight, the second feature weight is determined as the target weight, or the target weight is the second feature weight; if the first communication device fails to receive the second feature weight, the DFT vector is determined as the target weight, or the target weight is the DFT vector.

[0241] Method 3: If the first communication device successfully receives the second feature weight, the second feature weight is determined as the target weight, or the target weight is the second feature weight; if the first communication device fails to receive the second feature weight, one of the first feature weight and the DFT vector is determined as the target weight, or the target weight is one of the first feature weight and the DFT vector.

[0242] Specifically, for method 3, if the first communication device fails to receive the second feature weight, then under condition 1, the first communication device can determine the first feature weight and the first feature weight in the DFT vector as the target weight; under condition 2, the first communication device can determine the first feature weight and the DFT vector in the DFT vector as the target weight. Alternatively, the first communication device can determine either the first feature weight or the DFT vector as the target weight.

[0243] Condition 1 can be understood as rapid channel change. Condition 2 can be understood as slow channel change. The rate of channel change can be determined by the correlation of the channel in the time domain. Assuming the channel is H(t) at time t1 and H(t+Δt) at time t+Δt, the correlation between H(t1) and H(t+Δt) reflects the rate of channel change. A high correlation between H(t) and H(t+Δt), greater than or equal to a correlation threshold, indicates a slow channel change. A low correlation between H(t) and H(t+Δt), less than a correlation threshold, indicates a rapid channel change.

[0244] It is understandable that methods 1 to 3 can be pre-configured, as agreed upon in the protocol. Alternatively, methods 1 to 3 can also be determined by the first communication device and the second communication device through interactive negotiation.

[0245] If the first communication device successfully receives the second feature weight, the target weight can also be pre-configured in the first and second communication devices, as agreed in the protocol.

[0246] S702, the first communication device sends first information to the second communication device. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first information from the first communication device.

[0247] The first piece of information is used to indicate the target weight.

[0248] In one possible implementation, the first information can be reused to implement information or signaling for other functions to achieve at least some of the functions.

[0249] Optionally, when the target weight is the first feature weight or the DFT vector, the first information can be implemented through a negative acknowledgement (NACK) corresponding to the second information (hereinafter referred to as negative acknowledgement). The second information indicates the second feature weight and is sent from the second communication device to the first communication device. The negative acknowledgement indicates that the first communication device failed to decode the second information.

[0250] In some examples, when the first communication device determines the target weight using method 1, if the first communication device fails to receive the second feature weight, it indicates that the target weight is the first feature weight via a negative response. The negative response is equivalent to the first information. At this point, there is a correspondence between the negative response and the first feature weight. After receiving the negative response, the second communication device can determine that the target weight is the first feature weight based on this correspondence. In this way, the target weight can be implicitly indicated via the negative response, reducing signaling overhead.

[0251] In some examples, when the first communication device determines the target weights using method 2, if the first communication device fails to receive the second feature weights, it indicates that the target weights are DFT vectors via a negative response. The negative response is equivalent to the first information. In this case, there is a correspondence between the negative response and the DFT vector. After receiving the negative response, the second communication device can determine that the target weights are DFT vectors based on this correspondence. This implicitly indicates the target weights via the negative response, reducing signaling overhead.

[0252] In some examples, when the first communication device determines the target weight using method 3, if the first communication device fails to receive the second feature weight, it indicates through a negative response that the target weight is either a DFT vector or a vector from the first feature weight. A correspondence exists between the negative response, the first feature weight, and the DFT vector. The negative response serves to partially implement the function of the first information. In this case, the negative response may also include information indicating the target weight from the first feature weight and the DFT vector. For example, based on the existing field in the negative response, an additional bit can be added to indicate whether the target weight is the first feature weight or the DFT vector. Alternatively, separate information or signaling can be used to further indicate the target weight from the first feature weight and the DFT vector. Thus, the range of the target weight can be implicitly indicated through the negative response, and the target weight can be further indicated through the added information in the negative response, such as the field, reducing signaling overhead and accurately indicating the target weight.

[0253] Optionally, the target weight is either the first feature weight or the DFT vector, and the first information is carried in the negative response corresponding to the second information. In this case, the first information can be newly added information in the second information, such as a field. Thus, carrying the first information in the negative response corresponding to the second information avoids adding new signaling and reduces signaling overhead.

[0254] When the target weight is the second feature weight, the first information can be conveyed through a positive response. The positive response is used to indicate that the first communication device has successfully decoded the second information.

[0255] Optionally, when the target weight is the second feature weight, the first information is carried in the acknowledgment (ACK) corresponding to the second information, or the first information is the acknowledgment corresponding to the second information. When the first information is carried in the acknowledgment corresponding to the second information, the first information can be carried in the acknowledgment corresponding to the second information, which can avoid adding new signaling and reduce signaling overhead. In this case, when the first information is the acknowledgment corresponding to the second information, there is a correspondence between the acknowledgment corresponding to the second information and the second feature weight. After receiving the first information, the second communication device can determine that the target weight is the second feature weight based on the correspondence between the acknowledgment corresponding to the second information and the second feature weight. Reusing the acknowledgment to indicate the target weight can, on the one hand, avoid changing the acknowledgment, thereby reducing implementation complexity, and on the other hand, avoid adding new fields, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0256] If the first information can be achieved through a negative or positive response corresponding to the second information, the second information can be RRC signaling or MAC-CE signaling, or other information or signaling that has a corresponding negative or positive response.

[0257] In one possible implementation, the first information includes at least one bit.

[0258] Optionally, the first information may include a bit (i.e., at least one bit is a single bit) that indicates the target weight.

[0259] When the first communication device determines the target weight via method 1, if the first communication device fails to receive the second feature weight, a bit is used to indicate that the target weight is the first feature weight or the DFT vector. For example, a bit in the first information that is "0" can indicate that the target weight is the first feature weight. If the first communication device fails to receive the second feature weight, a bit in the first information that is "1" can indicate that the target weight is the second feature weight.

[0260] When the first communication device determines the target weight using method 1, if the first communication device fails to receive the second feature weight, a bit in the first information being "0" can indicate that the target weight is a DFT vector. If the first communication device fails to receive the second feature weight, a bit in the first information being "1" can indicate that the target weight is the second feature weight.

[0261] Thus, using a single bit to indicate the target weight can reduce signaling overhead.

[0262] Optionally, the first information may include two bits.

[0263] For example, of the two bits included in the first information, one bit is used to indicate whether the target weight is the second feature weight, and the other bit is used to indicate whether the target weight is the first feature weight or a DFT vector if the target weight is not the second feature weight. Assuming the first communication device determines the target weight through method 3, of the two bits included in the first information, the first bit is used to indicate whether the target weight is the second feature weight. For example, if the first bit is "0", it indicates that the target weight is the second feature weight; if the first bit is "1", it indicates that the target weight is not the second feature weight. The second bit is used to indicate whether the target weight is the first feature weight or a DFT vector if the target weight is not the second feature weight. If the second bit is "0", it indicates that the target weight is the first feature weight; if the second bit is "1", it indicates that the target weight is the first feature weight. Therefore, if the two bits in the first information are "00" or "01", it means that the target weight is the second feature weight; if the two bits in the first information are "10", it means that the target weight is the first feature weight; and if the two bits in the first information are "11", it means that the target weight is the DFT vector.

[0264] When the first information carries a negative response corresponding to the second information, optionally, the first information includes one bit, which is used to indicate that the target weight is the first feature weight or the DFT vector. Alternatively, optionally, the first information may include two bits, one of which corresponds to the first feature weight, and the other bit corresponds to the DFT vector. The bit corresponding to the first feature weight is used to indicate whether the first feature weight is the target weight, and the bit corresponding to the DFT vector is used to indicate whether the DFT vector is the target weight. For example, a bit of "0" for the first feature weight indicates that the first feature weight is the target weight, and a bit of "1" for the first feature weight indicates that the first feature weight is not the target weight. A bit of "0" for the DFT vector can be used to indicate that the DFT vector is the target weight, and a bit of "1" for the DFT vector can be used to indicate that the DFT vector is not the target weight.

[0265] Optionally, the first information includes three bits, each of which corresponds to one of the first feature weights, the second feature weights, and the DFT vector. Different bits correspond to different vectors or weights. Each bit indicates whether the corresponding vector or weight is used to transmit the reference signal; that is, the first information can be implemented using a bitmap. In other words, one bit corresponds to one vector or weight, and each bit can indicate whether the corresponding vector or weight is the target weight, resulting in low implementation complexity.

[0266] It should be understood that the number of bits included in the first information above is for illustrative purposes only. In actual implementation, the first information may include more bits, for example, it may also include reserved bits. Furthermore, the content indicated by the bits mentioned above is for illustrative purposes only. In actual implementation, in the above scheme, the content represented by the same bit as "0" and "1" can be interchanged, which will not be elaborated further.

[0267] Alternatively, the initial information can indicate the target weight using binary values. For example, different binary values ​​can be used to indicate different target weights in this case.

[0268] For example, the binary value and the target weight it indicates can satisfy the following correspondence in Table 1:

[0269] Table 1

[0270] binary numbers Target weights 00 First eigenvalue 01 Second eigenvalue 10 DFT vector

[0271] It is understood that the correspondence between binary values ​​and target weights in Table 1 above is only for illustrative purposes. In actual implementation, there may be other correspondences between binary values ​​and target weights. In addition, binary values ​​may also be other values, such as "100", "101" and "111", etc., which are used to indicate that the binary values ​​of the first feature weight, the second feature weight and the DFT vector are different, and will not be elaborated further.

[0272] In one possible implementation, the first information can also be implemented using a Boolean value.

[0273] Optionally, if the first communication device determines the target weight through method 1, the first information may carry a Boolean value indicating whether the first feature weight is the target weight and a Boolean value indicating whether the second feature weight is the target weight. If the first feature weight is the target weight, the Boolean value in the first information indicating whether the first feature weight is the target weight is "true", and the Boolean value in the first information indicating whether the second feature weight is the target weight is "false".

[0274] If the first communication device determines the target weight via method 2, it can carry a Boolean value in the first information indicating whether the DFT vector is the target weight and a Boolean value in the first information indicating whether the second feature weight is the target weight. If the DFT vector is the target weight, the Boolean value in the first information indicating whether the DFT vector is the target weight is "true", and the Boolean value in the first information indicating whether the second feature weight is the target weight is "false".

[0275] If the first communication device determines the target weight via method 3, the first information carries a Boolean value indicating whether the second feature weight is the target weight, a Boolean value indicating whether the first feature weight is the target weight, and a Boolean value indicating whether the DFT vector is the target weight. If the DFT vector is the target weight, the Boolean value in the first information indicating whether the DFT vector is the target weight is "true", the Boolean value in the first information indicating whether the first feature weight is the target weight is "false", and the Boolean value in the first information indicating whether the second feature weight is the target weight is "false". If the first feature weight is the target weight, the Boolean value in the first information indicating whether the first feature weight is the target weight is "true", the Boolean value in the first information indicating whether the DFT vector is the target weight is "false", and the Boolean value in the first information indicating whether the second feature weight is the target weight is "false". If the second feature weight is the target weight, then the Boolean value in the first information used to indicate whether the second feature weight is the target weight is "true", the Boolean value in the first information used to indicate whether the DFT vector is the target weight is "false", and the Boolean value in the first information used to indicate whether the first feature weight is the target weight is "false".

[0276] The above-described implementation of the first information is for illustrative purposes. In actual implementation, the first information may have other possible implementations. For example, the first information may carry an identifier or index of the target weight, which will not be elaborated upon. It should be understood that the above-described implementations of the first information can be combined with each other if they are logically consistent.

[0277] The aforementioned positive response can also be referred to as confirmation message, confirmation response, successful reception signal, or confirmation indication, etc. In future versions of the standard, positive responses may be described using other names. The aforementioned negative response can also be referred to as non-acknowledgment response, error indication response, retransmission request signal, unacknowledged reception signal, or rejection response, etc. In future versions of the standard, negative responses may be described using other names, which will not be elaborated here.

[0278] It is understood that the first information being carried in a positive or negative response is a partial implementation of the first information. In addition, the first information may also be carried in uplink control information (UCI) or other possible uplink information or signaling.

[0279] S703, the first communication device sends a first reference signal, i.e., a reference signal, to the second communication device. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first reference signal from the first communication device.

[0280] The first reference signal is used for channel estimation and is determined based on the target weights.

[0281] For example, the first reference signal is determined based on the reference signal basis sequence and the target weights.

[0282] For example, suppose the target weight is T, T = (t1, ..., t2) n ,…,t N ), the reference signal basis sequence x=(x1,…,x n ,…,x N ) T Then the first reference signal s satisfies the relationship shown in formula (28):

[0283] s = T⊙x; (28)

[0284] It is understood that in this embodiment of the application, the execution of S703 occurs after the second time point.

[0285] based on Figure 7 The provided method allows a first communication device to determine a target weight from at least one feature weight and indicate the target weight to a second communication device via first information, as well as to send a first reference signal determined by the target weight to the second communication device. Since the target weight of the first reference signal is determined by the first communication device, if the first communication device does not receive an updated second feature weight, it can select an existing feature weight to send the reference signal, making it applicable to more scenarios.

[0286] Optionally, the second communication device can perform channel estimation based on the first reference signal and the target weights. That is... Figure 7 The provided methods may also include:

[0287] S704, the second communication device can perform channel estimation based on the first reference signal and the target weight.

[0288] For example, suppose the target weight is T, and T = (t1, ..., t2) n ,…,t N ) T The channel matrix between the first communication device and the second communication device satisfies H = (h1, ..., h2) / 2. n ,…,h N ) T The reference signal basis sequence is x = (x1, ..., x2). n ,…,x n ) T Therefore, the received signal of the second communication device satisfies the relationship shown in the following formula (29):

[0289] y = (h1t1x1,…,h n tn x n ,…,t N x N ) T (29)

[0290] Where y is the signal received by the second communication device, y n =h n t n x n This represents the signal received by the second communication device in the nth frequency domain unit. After receiving the first reference signal, the second communication device can estimate the signal based on the equivalent channel between the first and second communication devices and the channel estimation formula y. p =h p s p The received first reference signal is processed to obtain the channel estimation result, where y n Equivalent to y p , t n x n Equivalent to s p h n Equivalent to h p .

[0291] As mentioned earlier, the first feature weight and the second feature weight can be indicated by the second communication device, as explained below. Figure 7 As shown, Figure 7 The provided method also includes S700a and S700b:

[0292] S700a, the second communication device sends fourth information to the first communication device. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the fourth information from the second communication device.

[0293] The fourth piece of information is used to indicate the weight of the first feature.

[0294] The fourth information can be carried in RRC signaling, MAC-CE, downlink control information, or other possible downlink information or signaling.

[0295] S700b, the second communication device sends second information to the first communication device. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the second information from the second communication device.

[0296] The second information is used to indicate the second feature weight.

[0297] As mentioned above, when the first information is implemented through a negative or positive response corresponding to the second information, the second information can be RRC signaling or MAC-CE signaling, or other information or signaling that has a corresponding negative or positive response.

[0298] In addition, the second piece of information can also be downlink control information (DCI), which will not be elaborated further.

[0299] Optionally, Figure 7 The methods provided also include:

[0300] S700c, the second communication device sends third information to the first communication device. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the third information from the second communication device.

[0301] The third piece of information is used to indicate whether the feature weights of the channel between the first communication device and the second communication device have been updated. It can be understood that whether the feature weights have been updated here is relative to the first feature weights, i.e., whether the first feature weights have been updated.

[0302] Optionally, the third information can be implemented using bits. For example, the third information may include at least one bit. For instance, a bit "0" in the third information indicates that the feature weights of the channel between the first and second communication devices have not been updated, while a bit "1" in the third information indicates that the feature weights of the channel between the first and second communication devices have been updated.

[0303] Alternatively, the third information can be implemented using a Boolean value. For example, a Boolean value of "false" for the third information indicates that the characteristic weights of the channel between the first and second communication devices have not been updated, while a Boolean value of "true" for the third information indicates that the characteristic weights of the channel between the first and second communication devices have been updated.

[0304] It is understandable that the implementation of the third information here is for illustrative purposes. In actual implementation, the third information can also exist in other ways. For example, binary values ​​can be used to indicate whether the characteristic weights of the channel between the first communication device and the second communication device have been updated.

[0305] By using the third information to indicate whether the feature weights of the channel between the first and second communication devices have been updated, the transmission process of the first information can be triggered by the third information. Furthermore, the first communication device can determine whether the feature weights have been updated by combining whether it has received the third information with the information used to indicate the second feature weights. This allows for a more accurate and timely determination of whether the feature weights have been updated, thus improving the efficiency of channel estimation.

[0306] It is understandable that the third information can be carried in RRC signaling, DCI or MAC-CE, or other possible downlink information or signaling, which will not be elaborated here.

[0307] It is understood that in this embodiment, the order in which the second and fourth information are sent is not limited. The fourth information can be sent before, after, or together with the second information. That is, the execution order of S700b and S700c is not limited; S700b can be executed before, after, or in parallel with S700c. Further details are omitted. S703 is executed after S700a.

[0308] Among them, the above Figure 7 In the provided solution, if the first communication device determines the target weight using method 1, and the first communication device fails to successfully receive the second feature weight, then... Figure 8 As shown, the communication methods include:

[0309] S801, if the first communication device fails to receive the second feature weight, it determines the target weight as the first feature weight. The first feature weight is a feature weight determined based on the channel information corresponding to the first time moment, and the second feature weight is a feature weight determined based on the channel information corresponding to the second time moment. The first time moment is before the second time moment.

[0310] For an explanation of the implementation regarding the failure to successfully receive the second feature weight, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 7 The provided method includes a description of the "first communication device failed to receive the second feature weight" issue. For details on the implementation of the first and second feature weights, please refer to [link / reference needed]. Figure 7 The relevant descriptions in the provided methods, and the implementation of S801 can be found in the relevant descriptions of Method 1 in S701, which will not be repeated here.

[0311] S802, the first communication device sends first information to the second communication device. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first information from the first communication device.

[0312] The first piece of information is used to indicate the target weight.

[0313] For details on the implementation of the first information, please refer to the introduction related to Method 1 in S702, which will not be elaborated here.

[0314] S803, the first communication device sends a first reference signal to the second communication device. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first reference signal from the first communication device.

[0315] The first reference signal is used for channel estimation and is determined based on the target weights.

[0316] For details on the implementation principle of S803, please refer to the relevant introduction in S703, which will not be elaborated here.

[0317] Optionally, Figure 8 The provided method also includes S804. The implementation of S804 can be found above. Figure 7 The relevant information is provided in the text.

[0318] Among some possible implementation schemes, Figure 8 The provided methods also include S800a to S800c. For implementation details of S800a to S800c, please refer to the corresponding documentation. Figure 7 The relevant descriptions of S700a to S700c in the provided methods will not be repeated.

[0319] based on Figure 8 The provided method allows the first communication device to determine a target weight from at least one feature weight and indicate the target weight to the second communication device via first information when the first communication device fails to receive the updated second feature weight. It also allows the first communication device to send a first reference signal determined by the target weight. In this way, when the first communication device fails to receive the updated second feature weight, an existing feature weight, such as the first feature weight, can be selected to send the reference signal, making it applicable to more scenarios.

[0320] The above combination Figures 3-8 The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application is described in detail below. Figures 9-10 This document describes in detail the communication apparatus used to perform the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0321] For example, Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 .like Figure 9 As shown, the communication device 900 includes a processing module 901 and a transceiver module 902. For ease of explanation, Figure 9 Only the main components of the communication device are shown.

[0322] In some embodiments, the communication device 900 can be used to implement the functions of the first communication device. The processing module 901 in the communication device can be used to generate the above-mentioned... Figure 7 or Figure 8 In the provided method, the signal sent by the first communication device can be used by the transceiver module 902 to perform the above-mentioned function. Figure 7 or Figure 8 The method provided includes the receiving and sending steps of the first communication device.

[0323] In other embodiments, the communication device 900 can be used to implement the functions of the second communication device. The processing module 901 in the communication device can be used to generate the above-mentioned... Figure 7 or Figure 8 The transceiver module 902 can be used to execute the above-mentioned signal transmitted by the second communication device in the provided method. Figure 7 or Figure 8 The provided method includes the receiving and transmitting steps of the second communication device.

[0324] Optionally, the transceiver module 902 may include a receiving module and a transmitting module. Figure 9 (Not shown in the image). The transceiver module is used to implement the sending and receiving functions of the communication device 900.

[0325] Optionally, the communication device 900 may also include a storage module. Figure 9 (Not shown in the image), this storage module stores programs or instructions. When the processing module 901 executes the program or instructions, it enables the communication device 900 to perform... Figure 7 or Figure 8 The functions of the first or second communication device in the communication method shown.

[0326] It should be understood that the processing module 901 involved in the communication device 900 can be implemented by a processor or processor-related circuit components, and can be a processor or processing unit; the transceiver module 902 can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuit components, and can be a transceiver or transceiver unit.

[0327] It should be noted that the communication device 900 is used to perform... Figure 7 or Figure 8 When the communication device 900 performs the function of the first communication device in the illustrated communication method, it can be a terminal device, a communication module, a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions, a chip system, or other components or assemblies. The communication module, or the circuit or chip responsible for communication functions, or the chip system, or other components or assemblies, can be located in the terminal device. When the communication device 900 is used to perform… Figure 7 or Figure 8 In the illustrated communication method, the second communication device functions as a network device, a communication module, or a circuit or chip responsible for the communication function, or a chip system, or other component or assembly. This communication module, or the circuit or chip responsible for the communication function, or a chip system, or other component or assembly, can be located within the network device.

[0328] In addition, the technical effects of the communication device 900 can be referenced. Figure 7 or Figure 8 The technical effects of the communication method shown will not be elaborated here.

[0329] For example, Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application Figure 2 The communication device can be a terminal device or a network device, or it can be a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be installed in the terminal device or network device. For example... Figure 10As shown, the communication device 1000 may include a processor 1001. Optionally, the communication device 1000 may also include a memory 1002 and / or a transceiver 1003. The processor 1001 is coupled to the memory 1002 and the transceiver 1003, for example, they may be connected via a communication bus.

[0330] The following is combined with Figure 10 A detailed description of each component of the communication device 1000 is provided below:

[0331] The processor 1001 is the control center of the communication device 1000. It can be a single processor or a collective term for multiple processing elements. For example, the processor 1001 can be one or more central processing units (CPUs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the embodiments of this application, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0332] Optionally, the processor 1001 can perform various functions of the communication device 1000 by running or executing software programs stored in the memory 1002 and calling data stored in the memory 1002.

[0333] In a specific implementation, as one example, the processor 1001 may include one or more CPUs, for example... Figure 10 CPU0 and CPU1 are shown in the diagram.

[0334] In a specific implementation, as one example, the communication device 1000 may also include multiple processors, for example... Figure 10 The processors 1001 and 1004 are shown. Each of these processors can be a single-core processor or a multi-core processor. Here, "processor" can refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores used to process data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0335] The memory 1002 is used to store the software program that executes the solution of this application, and is controlled by the processor 1001 to execute it. The specific implementation method can be referred to the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0336] Optionally, the memory 1002 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but not limited thereto. The memory 1002 may be integrated with the processor 1001 or exist independently, and may be connected via the interface circuit of the communication device 1000. Figure 10 (Not shown in the image) is coupled to the processor 1001, and this embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0337] Furthermore, the memory may be external or internal, or it may not be included.

[0338] Transceiver 1003 is used for communication with other communication devices. For example, if communication device 1000 is a terminal device, transceiver 1003 can be used to communicate with a network device or with another terminal device. As another example, if communication device 1000 is a network device, transceiver 1003 can be used to communicate with a terminal device or with another network device.

[0339] Optionally, transceiver 1003 may include a receiver and a transmitter. Figure 10 (Not shown separately). The receiver is used to implement the receiving function, and the transmitter is used to implement the sending function.

[0340] Optionally, the transceiver 1003 can be integrated with the processor 1001, or it can exist independently and be connected via the interface circuit of the communication device 1000. Figure 10 (Not shown in the image) is coupled to the processor 1001, and this embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0341] Alternatively, the transceiver 1203 can also be implemented via an interface circuit. Figure 10 If the provided communication device 1000 is a chip, then the transceiver 1203 is the chip's input / output interface, sending corresponding outputs and receiving corresponding inputs.

[0342] It should be noted that, Figure 10 The structure of the communication device 1000 shown does not constitute a limitation on the communication device. Actual communication devices may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0343] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device 1000 can be referred to the technical effects of the communication method described in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0344] It should be understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be a CPU, but it can also be other general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc.

[0345] It should also be understood that the memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can be ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, or flash memory. Volatile memory can be RAM, which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DRRAM).

[0346] The above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, by software, hardware (such as circuits), firmware, or any other combination thereof. When implemented using software, the above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer programs are loaded or executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more sets of available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium. A semiconductor medium can be a solid-state drive.

[0347] It should be understood that the term "and / or" in this article is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. A and B can be singular or plural. Additionally, the character " / " in this article generally indicates an "or" relationship between the preceding and following related objects, but it can also represent an "and / or" relationship. Please refer to the context for a more accurate understanding.

[0348] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0349] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0350] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are 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 this application.

[0351] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0352] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0353] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0354] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0355] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0356] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a first communication device, the method includes: A target weight is determined, wherein the target weight is a feature weight among at least one feature weight, and the at least one feature weight includes at least one of the following: a first feature weight, a second feature weight, or a Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) vector; the first feature weight is a feature weight determined based on the channel information corresponding to a first time step, the second feature weight is a feature weight determined based on the channel information corresponding to a second time step, and the first time step is located before the second time step; Send first information to the second communication device, the first information being used to indicate the target weight; A reference signal is sent to the second communication device, the reference signal being determined based on the target weight.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before sending the reference signal to the second communication device, the method further includes: Receive second information from the second communication device, the second information being used to indicate the second feature weight; The target weight is the second feature weight, and the first information is carried in the positive response corresponding to the second information, or the first information is the positive response corresponding to the second information.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive third information from the second communication device, the third information being used to indicate whether the characteristic weights of the channel between the first communication device and the second communication device have been updated.

4. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a second communication device, the method includes: The system receives first information from a first communication device, the first information indicating a target weight, the target weight being a feature weight among at least one feature weight, the at least one feature weight including at least one of the following: a first feature weight, a second feature weight, or a discrete Fourier transform (DFT) vector; the first feature weight is a feature weight determined based on channel information corresponding to a first time step, the second feature weight is a feature weight determined based on channel information corresponding to a second time step, and the first time step is prior to the second time step; A reference signal is received from the first communication device, the reference signal being used for channel estimation, and the reference signal being determined based on the target weights.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second message to the first communication device, the second message being used to indicate the second feature weight; The target weight is the second feature weight, and the first information is carried in the affirmative response corresponding to the second information, or the first information is the affirmative response corresponding to the second information.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: A third message is sent to the first communication device, the third message being used to indicate whether the characteristic weights of the channel between the first communication device and the second communication device have been updated.

7. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, If the first communication device fails to receive the second feature weight, the target weight is the first feature weight or the DFT vector.

8. The method according to claim 4 or 7, characterized in that, If the first communication device does not receive the second information sent by the second communication device, the target weight is the first feature weight or the DFT vector, the first information is carried in the negative response corresponding to the second information, or the first information is the negative response corresponding to the second information; wherein, the second information is used to indicate the second feature weight.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first information includes a bit, which indicates that the target weight is the first feature weight or the DFT.

10. The method according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that, The first information includes three bits, each of which corresponds to one of the first feature weight, the second feature weight, and the DFT vector. Different bits correspond to different vectors or weights, and each bit is used to indicate whether the corresponding vector or weight is used to transmit the reference signal.

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

12. A communication device, characterized in that, include: Processor and memory; The memory is used to store computer instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-10.

13. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor and a transceiver, the transceiver being used for information exchange between the communication device and other communication devices, and the processor executing program instructions to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-10.

14. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-10.

15. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes: a computer program or instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-10.

16. A chip system, characterized in that, include: At least one processor and a communication interface, the at least one processor being coupled to a memory via the communication interface, such that when the at least one processor executes a computer program or instructions in the memory, the method of any one of claims 1-10 is performed.

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