Communication methods and communication devices

Abstract

This application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method may include: determining, in a first time unit, a first bandwidth that changes from a first frequency range to a second frequency range in a second time unit, the second time unit being after the first time unit, the first bandwidth being used to transmit or receive signals; transmitting or receiving signals in a third time unit, the third time unit being between the first and second time units. Based on this, the impact of bandwidth switching on the communication performance of terminal devices can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Technology

[0002] Current New Radio (NR) supports bandwidth part (BWP) transmission, allowing terminal devices to communicate using only a portion of the carrier's bandwidth. NR also supports BWP bandwidth switching, allowing terminal devices to switch between narrowband and wideband BWPs, with narrowband BWPs consuming less power. However, bandwidth switching can cause communication interruptions and latency for terminal devices. Therefore, minimizing the impact of bandwidth switching on terminal device communication performance is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a communication method and a communication device that can reduce the impact of bandwidth switching on the communication performance of terminal devices.

[0004] Firstly, a communication method is provided. This method can be applied to a terminal device; that is, the method can be executed by the terminal device itself, or by components of the terminal device (such as a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor). This application does not limit the scope of the method. The following description primarily uses a terminal device as an example.

[0005] The method may include: determining a first bandwidth in a first time unit, changing from a first frequency range to a second frequency range in a second time unit, the second time unit being after the first time unit, the first bandwidth being used to transmit or receive signals; transmitting or receiving signals in a third time unit, the third time unit being between the first time unit and the second time unit.

[0006] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can send or receive signals during the process of determining the first bandwidth switch and realizing the first bandwidth switch. In other words, the terminal device will not be in a state of continuous communication interruption during the bandwidth switch, thereby reducing the packet loss of the terminal device during the bandwidth switch and reducing the impact of bandwidth switch delay on the communication performance of the terminal device.

[0007] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the third time unit is any time unit between the first time unit and the second time unit, or the third time unit is any time unit between the first time unit and the fourth time unit, wherein no signal is transmitted or received in the time unit preceding the second time unit from the fourth time unit.

[0008] Based on the above technical solutions, when a bandwidth switch occurs, the terminal device can avoid the delay caused by communication interruption, or the terminal device can send or receive signals during a certain period of time between determining the bandwidth switch and realizing the bandwidth switch, thereby reducing the delay caused by communication interruption.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first bandwidth can be the BB bandwidth of the terminal device.

[0010] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can switch only the BB bandwidth while keeping the RF bandwidth unchanged. In this case, when the terminal device switches bandwidth, there is no RF delay or AGC delay, thus eliminating communication interruption delay.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the terminal device can switch between BB bandwidth and RF bandwidth.

[0012] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can send or receive signals during a certain period of time between the determined bandwidth switch and the actual bandwidth switch. Under the small communication interruption corresponding to the RF delay and AGC delay, the bandwidth of the terminal device's ADC signal processing can also be changed due to the RF bandwidth switch, thereby reducing its power consumption. In other words, the power consumption reduction effect of the terminal device is more obvious.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the transmission or reception of signals in the third time unit includes: transmitting or receiving signals in the first frequency range in the third time unit.

[0014] Based on the above technical solution, the first time unit to the second time unit may include the PDCCH decoding delay of the terminal device bandwidth switching. The terminal device can use the frequency range before the first bandwidth switching for communication in the third time unit between the first time unit and the second time unit, thereby ensuring that the terminal device does not lose packets within the PDCCH decoding delay and avoiding the impact of PDCCH decoding delay on the communication performance of the terminal device.

[0015] Secondly, a communication method is provided. This method can be applied to a terminal device; that is, the method can be executed by the terminal device itself, or by components of the terminal device (such as a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor). This application does not limit the scope of the method. The following description mainly uses a terminal device as an example.

[0016] The method may include: determining, in a first time unit, a first bandwidth changes from a first frequency range to a second frequency range in a second time unit, the second time unit being after the first time unit, the time length between the first time unit and the second time unit being less than the BWP handover delay, the first bandwidth being used to transmit or receive signals; transmitting or receiving signals in a fifth time unit, the fifth time unit being between the time unit preceding the second time unit and a sixth time unit, the time length between the sixth time unit and the first time unit being the BWP handover delay.

[0017] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can switch to the first bandwidth in a time less than the BWP handover delay. That is, the delay of the terminal device in switching bandwidth is reduced, thereby reducing the impact of bandwidth switching delay on the communication performance of the terminal device.

[0018] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the terminal device can switch between BB bandwidth and RF bandwidth.

[0019] Based on the above technical solutions, the terminal device can guarantee a shorter communication interruption time compared to BWP switching, and the ADC power consumption of the terminal device can also be reduced. In other words, the power consumption reduction effect of the terminal device is more obvious.

[0020] Thirdly, a communication method is provided. This method can be applied to a terminal device; that is, the method can be executed by the terminal device itself, or by components of the terminal device (such as a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor). This application does not limit the scope of the method. The following description mainly uses a terminal device as an example.

[0021] The method may include: determining a first bandwidth in a first time unit and changing it from a first frequency range to a second frequency range in a second time unit, wherein the second time unit is the first time unit after the first time unit, and the first bandwidth is used to transmit or receive signals.

[0022] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can perform bandwidth switching in the next time unit after determining the bandwidth switching, that is, achieve immediate bandwidth switching. Therefore, the terminal device can eliminate bandwidth switching delay, thereby reducing the impact of bandwidth switching delay on the terminal device's communication performance.

[0023] In conjunction with any one of the first to third aspects, in some implementations of any one of the first to third aspects, at least one of the following configurations is the same in the second time unit and the first time unit: the frequency range of the bandwidth portion (BWP); the time domain resources for receiving the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); the frequency domain resources for receiving the PDCCH; the period for receiving the PDCCH; the scrambling code for receiving the PDCCH; the time domain resource allocation table (TDRA) for receiving the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH); the resources for the demodulation reference signal (DMRS) for receiving the PDSCH; the channel state information (CSI) reporting configuration; and the time domain resources for receiving the channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

[0024] Based on the above technical solution, since the SW configuration can remain unchanged before and after bandwidth switching, the SW reload delay during bandwidth switching can be reduced or eliminated, thereby reducing the delay of bandwidth switching by the terminal device and reducing the impact of bandwidth switching delay on the communication performance of the terminal device.

[0025] In conjunction with any one of the first to third aspects, in some implementations of any one of the first to third aspects, at least one of the following configurations differs between the second time unit and the first time unit: the frequency range of the first bandwidth; the number of antenna ports used for transmitting or receiving signals.

[0026] In conjunction with any one of the first to third aspects, in some implementations of any one of the first to third aspects, the number of frequency domain resources in the first frequency range is less than the number of frequency domain resources in the second frequency range.

[0027] Based on the above technical solution, terminal devices can switch to a wider frequency range when needed, thereby ensuring transmission performance.

[0028] In conjunction with any one of the first to third aspects, and in some implementations of any one of the first to third aspects, the first frequency range is the default frequency range of the first bandwidth.

[0029] Based on the above technical solution, the default frequency range of the first bandwidth is a relatively narrow first frequency range. That is, the terminal device can be in a narrow bandwidth state by default, thereby making the communication of the terminal device more energy-efficient.

[0030] In conjunction with any one of the first to third aspects, in certain implementations of any one of the first to third aspects, determining that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit in the first time unit includes: receiving a first PDCCH in the first time unit and determining that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit based on the first PDCCH; or receiving first indication information in the first time unit, the first indication information indicating that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range, and determining that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit based on the first indication information.

[0031] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can be implicitly instructed to switch bandwidth upon receiving the first PDCCH, thereby reducing the signaling overhead of the network device displaying the instruction. Alternatively, the terminal device can also be explicitly instructed to switch bandwidth based on the first instruction information from the network device.

[0032] In conjunction with any one of the first to third aspects, and in some implementations of any one of the first to third aspects, the method may further include: receiving first configuration information, the first configuration information indicating the frequency domain resources of the control resource set CORESET of the first PDCCH; and determining that the first frequency range is the frequency range of the CORESET.

[0033] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can implicitly determine the first frequency range through the frequency domain resources of the CORESET of the first PDCCH. That is, the first frequency range of the first bandwidth can be configured to the terminal device directly by the network device through signaling, which can save signaling overhead.

[0034] In conjunction with any one of the first to third aspects, and in some implementations of any one of the first to third aspects, the method may further include: receiving second configuration information, the second configuration information indicating the first frequency range, the first frequency range including part or all of the frequency domain resources of the CORESET of the first PDCCH.

[0035] In conjunction with any one of the first to third aspects, in some implementations of any one of the first to third aspects, the second frequency range is configured, or the second frequency range is the frequency range of the BWP.

[0036] In combination with any one of the first to third aspects, in some implementations of any one of the first to third aspects, the number of frequency domain resources in the first frequency range is greater than the number of frequency domain resources in the second frequency range.

[0037] Based on the above technical solution, when there is a need, the terminal device can narrow the first bandwidth, which is beneficial to the energy saving of the terminal device.

[0038] In combination with any one of the first to third aspects, in some implementations of any one of the first to third aspects, the second frequency range is the default frequency range of the first bandwidth.

[0039] In conjunction with any one of the first to third aspects, in certain implementations of any one of the first to third aspects, determining that the first bandwidth changes from a first frequency range to a second frequency range in the second time unit includes: transmitting second indication information in the first time unit, the second indication information indicating that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range, and changing the first bandwidth from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit; or, receiving first indication information in the first time unit, the first indication information indicating that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range, and determining that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit based on the first indication information. The frequency range changes to the second frequency range; or, if the first PDCCH is not received before the end of the first timer, the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit, where the first time unit is the end time unit of the first timer and the start time unit of the first timer is the time unit in which the first bandwidth changes to the first frequency range; or, if the first PDCCH is not received before the end of the second timer, the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit, where the first time unit is the end time unit of the second timer and the start time unit of the second timer is the time unit in which the first PDCCH was received last time before the first time unit.

[0040] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can start a timer based on specific conditions and determine the bandwidth switching itself based on the timer, thereby eliminating the need for display instructions from the network device and reducing the signaling overhead of display instructions from the network device.

[0041] In conjunction with any one of the first to third aspects, in some implementations of any one of the first to third aspects, the step of sending the second indication information on the first time unit includes: not receiving the first PDCCH within the first time period, determining that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit, wherein the first time period is before the first time unit.

[0042] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can be implicitly instructed to switch bandwidth based on not receiving the first PDCCH within the first time period, thereby reducing the signaling overhead of the network device's explicit indication.

[0043] In conjunction with any one of the first to third aspects, and in some implementations of any one of the first to third aspects, the method may further include: receiving first configuration information, the first configuration information indicating the frequency domain resources of the control resource set CORESET of the first PDCCH; and determining that the second frequency range is the frequency range of the CORESET.

[0044] In conjunction with any one of the first to third aspects, and in some implementations of any one of the first to third aspects, the method may further include: receiving second configuration information, the second configuration information indicating a second frequency range, the second frequency range including part or all of the frequency domain resources of the control resource set CORESET of the first PDCCH.

[0045] In conjunction with any one of the first to third aspects, in some implementations of any one of the first to third aspects, the first frequency range is configured, or the first frequency range is the frequency range of the BWP.

[0046] In conjunction with any one of the first to third aspects, in some implementations of any one of the first to third aspects, the first PDCCH is at least one of the following: a PDCCH that schedules PDSCH; or a PDCCH that schedules PUSCH; or a PDCCH that schedules paging messages.

[0047] In conjunction with any one of the first to third aspects, in some implementations of any one of the first to third aspects, the first bandwidth is a portion of the BWP bandwidth.

[0048] For the beneficial effects and possible designs when the number of frequency domain resources in the first frequency range is greater than the number of frequency domain resources in the second frequency range, please refer to the relevant descriptions when the number of frequency domain resources in the first frequency range is less than the number of frequency domain resources in the second frequency range, which will not be repeated here.

[0049] Fourthly, a communication method is provided. This method can be applied to network devices; that is, it can be executed by the network device itself, or by components of the network device (such as a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor). This application does not limit the scope of the method. The following description primarily uses a network device as an example.

[0050] The method may include: determining, in a first time unit, a first bandwidth of a terminal device changes from a first frequency range to a second frequency range in a second time unit, the second time unit being after the first time unit, the first bandwidth being used to transmit or receive signals; and receiving signals from or transmitting signals to the terminal device in a third time unit, the third time unit being between the first time unit and the second time unit.

[0051] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the third time unit is any time unit between the first time unit and the second time unit, or the third time unit is any time unit between the first time unit and the fourth time unit, wherein the fourth time unit is between the first time unit and the second time unit, and no signal is transmitted or received in the time unit preceding the second time unit from the fourth time unit.

[0052] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, receiving a signal from the terminal device or sending a signal to the terminal device in the third time unit includes: receiving a signal from the terminal device or sending a signal to the terminal device in the first frequency range in the third time unit.

[0053] Fifthly, a communication method is provided. This method can be applied to network devices; that is, the method can be executed by the network device itself, or by components of the network device (such as a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor). This application does not limit the scope of the method. The following description primarily uses a network device as an example.

[0054] The method may include: determining, in a first time unit, that a first bandwidth of a terminal device changes from a first frequency range to a second frequency range in a second time unit, the second time unit being after the first time unit, the time length between the first time unit and the second time unit being less than the BWP handover delay, the first bandwidth being used to transmit or receive signals; receiving signals from the terminal device or transmitting signals to the terminal device in a fifth time unit, the fifth time unit being between the time unit preceding the second time unit and a sixth time unit, the time length between the sixth time unit and the first time unit being the BWP handover delay.

[0055] Sixthly, a communication method is provided. This method can be applied to network devices; that is, the method can be executed by the network device itself, or by components of the network device (such as a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor). This application does not limit the scope of the method. The following description primarily uses a network device as an example.

[0056] The method may include: determining, in a first time unit, a first bandwidth of a terminal device changes from a first frequency range to a second frequency range in a second time unit, wherein the second time unit is the first time unit after the first time unit, and the first bandwidth is used to transmit or receive signals.

[0057] In conjunction with any of the fourth to sixth aspects, in certain implementations of any of the fourth to sixth aspects, at least one of the following configurations is the same in the second time unit and the first time unit: the frequency range of the bandwidth portion (BWP); the time domain resources for receiving the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH); the frequency domain resources for receiving the PDCCH; the period for receiving the PDCCH; the scrambling code for receiving the PDCCH; the time domain resource allocation table (TDRA) for receiving the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH); the resources for the demodulation reference signal (DMRS) for receiving the PDSCH; the channel state information (CSI) reporting configuration; and the time domain resources for receiving the channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

[0058] In conjunction with any of the fourth to sixth aspects, in some implementations of any of the fourth to sixth aspects, at least one of the following configurations differs between the second time unit and the first time unit: the frequency range of the first bandwidth; the number of antenna ports used for transmitting or receiving signals.

[0059] In conjunction with any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, in some implementations of any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, the number of frequency domain resources in the first frequency range is less than the number of frequency domain resources in the second frequency range.

[0060] In conjunction with any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, and in some implementations of any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, the first frequency range is the default frequency range of the first bandwidth.

[0061] In conjunction with any of the fourth to sixth aspects, in certain implementations of any of the fourth to sixth aspects, determining that the first bandwidth of the terminal device changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit includes: transmitting a first PDCCH in the first time unit, the first PDCCH being used by the terminal device to determine that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit; or, transmitting first indication information in the first time unit, the first indication information instructing the terminal device to change the first bandwidth from the first frequency range to the second frequency range.

[0062] In conjunction with any of the fourth to sixth aspects, and in some implementations of any of the fourth to sixth aspects, the method may further include: sending first configuration information, the first configuration information indicating the frequency domain resources of the CORESET of the first PDCCH, the frequency range of the CORESET being used to determine the first frequency range.

[0063] In conjunction with any of the fourth to sixth aspects, and in some implementations of any of the fourth to sixth aspects, the method may further include: sending second configuration information, the second configuration information indicating the first frequency range, the first frequency range including part or all of the frequency domain resources of the CORESET of the first PDCCH.

[0064] In conjunction with any of the fourth to sixth aspects, in some implementations of any of the fourth to sixth aspects, the second frequency range is configured, or the second frequency range is the frequency range of the BWP.

[0065] In conjunction with any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, in some implementations of any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, the number of frequency domain resources in the first frequency range is greater than the number of frequency domain resources in the second frequency range.

[0066] In conjunction with any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, and in some implementations of any one of the fourth to sixth aspects, the second frequency range is the default frequency range of the first bandwidth.

[0067] In conjunction with any of the fourth to sixth aspects, in certain implementations of any of the fourth to sixth aspects, determining that the first bandwidth of the terminal device changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit in the first time unit includes: receiving second indication information in the first time unit, the second indication information indicating that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range; or, sending first indication information in the first time unit, the first indication information indicating that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range; or, if the first PDCCH is not sent before the end of the first timer, determining that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit, the first time unit being the end time unit of the first timer, and the start time unit of the first timer being the time unit in which the first bandwidth changes to the first frequency range; or, if the first PDCCH is not sent before the end of the second timer, determining that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit, the first time unit being the end time unit of the second timer, and the start time unit of the second timer being the time unit in which the first PDCCH was last received before the first time unit.

[0068] In conjunction with any of the fourth to sixth aspects, in some implementations of any of the fourth to sixth aspects, receiving the second indication information in the first time unit includes: not transmitting the first PDCCH during the first time period, determining that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit, and the first time period is before the first time unit.

[0069] In conjunction with any of the fourth to sixth aspects, and in some implementations of any of the fourth to sixth aspects, the method may further include: sending first configuration information, the first configuration information indicating the frequency domain resources of the CORESET of the first PDCCH, the frequency range of the CORESET being used to determine the second frequency range.

[0070] In conjunction with any of the fourth to sixth aspects, and in some implementations of any of the fourth to sixth aspects, the method may further include: sending second configuration information, the second configuration information indicating the second frequency range, the second frequency range including part or all of the frequency domain resources of the control resource set CORESET of the first PDCCH.

[0071] In conjunction with any of the fourth to sixth aspects, in some implementations of any of the fourth to sixth aspects, the first frequency range is configured, or the first frequency range is the frequency range of the BWP.

[0072] In conjunction with any of the fourth to sixth aspects, in some implementations of any of the fourth to sixth aspects, the first PDCCH is at least one of the following: a PDCCH that schedules PDSCH; or a PDCCH that schedules PUSCH; or a PDCCH that schedules paging messages.

[0073] In conjunction with any of the fourth to sixth aspects, in some implementations of any of the fourth to sixth aspects, the first bandwidth is a portion of the BWP bandwidth.

[0074] For the beneficial effects and possible designs of any of the fourth to sixth aspects, please refer to the relevant descriptions of any of the first to third aspects, which will not be repeated here.

[0075] In a seventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided for performing the methods of any one of the first to sixth aspects and any possible implementation thereof. Specifically, the apparatus may include units and / or modules for performing the methods of any one of the first to sixth aspects and any possible implementation thereof, such as processing units and / or communication units.

[0076] In one implementation, the device is a communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device). When the device is a communication device, the communication unit can be a transceiver or an input / output interface; the processing unit can be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0077] In another implementation, the device is a chip, chip system, circuit, or communication module for communication equipment (such as terminal equipment or network equipment). When the device is a chip, chip system, or circuit for communication equipment, the communication unit may be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip, chip system, or circuit; the processing unit may be at least one processor, processing circuit, or logic circuit.

[0078] Eighthly, a communication device is provided, the device comprising: at least one processor configured to cause the device to perform the methods of any one of the first to sixth aspects and any possible implementation thereof.

[0079] Optionally, the at least one processor is configured to execute computer programs or instructions to perform the methods of any one of the first to sixth aspects and any possible implementation thereof.

[0080] Optionally, the device further includes a memory for storing the computer program or instructions.

[0081] Optionally, the at least one processor is coupled to a memory for storing the computer program or instructions. The memory may be located externally to the device.

[0082] Optionally, the device also includes a communication interface through which the processor reads instructions from memory. This can be understood as the communication interface being coupled to the processor and used to input computer programs or instructions to the processor, or to output information from the processor.

[0083] Unless otherwise specified, or if the transmission and acquisition / reception operations involved do not contradict their actual function or internal logic in the relevant description, they can be understood as output, input, or other operations, or as transmission and reception operations performed by radio frequency circuits and antennas. This application does not limit them in this regard.

[0084] In one implementation, the device is a communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device).

[0085] In another implementation, the device is a chip, chip system, circuit, or communication module for communication equipment (such as terminal equipment or network equipment). Optionally, the chip is a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip.

[0086] A ninth aspect provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program (e.g., program code) or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the methods of any one of the first to sixth aspects and any possible implementation thereof.

[0087] In a tenth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods of any one of the first to sixth aspects and any possible implementation thereof.

[0088] Eleventhly, a communication system is provided, including a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device is used to execute the method provided in any one of the implementations of the first to third aspects, and the second communication device is used to execute the method provided in any one of the implementations of the fourth to sixth aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0089] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to embodiments of this application.

[0090] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of BWP switching delay.

[0091] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a communication method 300 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0092] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of bandwidth switching provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0093] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a first frequency range provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0094] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a terminal device determining bandwidth switching according to an embodiment of this application.

[0095] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another terminal device determining bandwidth switching according to an embodiment of this application.

[0096] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a second timer provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0097] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another second timer provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0098] Figure 10 This is another bandwidth switching diagram provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0099] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of a communication method 1100 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0100] Figure 12 This is another bandwidth switching diagram provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0101] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of a communication method 1300 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0102] Figure 14 This is another bandwidth switching diagram provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0103] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of a communication device 1500 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0104] Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device 1600 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0105] Figure 17This is a schematic diagram of a chip system 1700 provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0106] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0107] Before introducing the scheme of this application, the following points should be noted.

[0108] (1) In this application, "instruction" can include direct instruction, indirect instruction, explicit instruction, implicit instruction, etc. When describing an instruction information as indicating A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, carries the identifier of A, carries B which is associated with A, carries the identifier of B which is associated with A, etc. In other words, if the receiving side of an instruction information can determine A based on the instruction information, it can be described as the instruction information indicating A, and the specific method of determination is not limited. When it is understood that the instruction information carries A, "instruction" can be replaced with "includes". In this case, a statement such as "send / receive instruction information, the instruction information indicates A" can be replaced with "send / receive A".

[0109] In this application, the information indicated by the instruction information is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementations, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly indicate the information to be instructed by indicating other information, where there is a relationship between the other information and the information to be instructed. It can also indicate only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement of various pieces of information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent. Furthermore, the information to be instructed can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information pieces, and the sending period and / or timing of these sub-information pieces can be the same or different.

[0110] (2) In this application, the expression " / " is used to indicate that the objects before and after are in an "or" relationship; for example, A / B can mean: A or B. The expression "and / or" is used to indicate that the objects before and after are in a relationship of either "and" or "or"; for example, A and / or B can mean the following: A exists alone, B exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be single or multiple. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions are used to indicate any combination of the listed items; for example, at least one of A, B and / or C can mean the following: A exists alone, B exists alone, C exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, B and C exist simultaneously, A and C exist simultaneously, A, B and C exist simultaneously, where A, B, and C can be single or multiple.

[0111] (3) In this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which may include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission by other units or modules via the air interface. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which may include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY by other units or modules via the air interface. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between network devices and terminal devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0112] (4) In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0113] (5) In this application, "first," "second," and "#1," "#2," and "#A" are merely for descriptive convenience and are used to distinguish objects, and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. They are not used to describe the order or sequence of features. It should be understood that such described objects can be interchanged where appropriate in order to describe solutions other than those in the embodiments of this application.

[0114] (6) In this application, "predefined" can mean a standard protocol predefined, or it can mean a pre-agreed or pre-negotiated agreement between devices. Here, "protocol" can refer to a standard protocol in the field of communications, for example, it may include fourth-generation (4G) protocols. thGeneration 4G network, fifth generation (5G) network th This application does not limit the scope to network protocols such as generation (5G), new radio (NR) protocols, 5.5G network protocols, future communication network protocols, and related protocols applied in future communication systems.

[0115] (7) In this application, the words “exemplary,” “for example,” etc., are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as an “example” in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of the word “example” is intended to present the concept in a concrete manner. In the embodiments of this application, “of,” “corresponding, relevant,” and “corresponding” may sometimes be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent unless their distinction is emphasized.

[0116] First, let me introduce the communication system to which this application applies.

[0117] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as 5th generation (5G) or new radio (NR) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, and LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as future mobile communication networks. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), and Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems such as inter-satellite communication and satellite communication.

[0118] As an example, a satellite communication system includes a satellite base station and terminal equipment. The satellite base station provides communication services to the terminal equipment. Satellite base stations can also communicate with each other. A satellite can act as a base station or as a terminal device. Here, "satellite" can refer to drones, hot air balloons, low-Earth orbit satellites, medium-Earth orbit satellites, high-Earth orbit satellites, etc. "Satellite" can also refer to non-terrestrial base stations or non-terrestrial equipment.

[0119] As an example, V2X communication can include: vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication, and vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication.

[0120] In a communication system, a device can send signals to or receive signals from another device. These signals can include information, signaling, or data. The device can also be replaced by an entity, network entity, communication equipment, communication module, node, communication node, etc. This application uses a device as an example for description.

[0121] The terminal device in this application embodiment can be a device or module that accesses the aforementioned communication system and has corresponding communication functions. The terminal device can include various devices with wireless communication capabilities, which can be used to connect people, objects, machines, etc. The terminal device can be widely applied in various scenarios, such as: cellular communication, D2D, V2X, peer-to-peer (P2P), M2M, MTC, IoT, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, drones, robots, remote sensing, passive sensing, positioning, navigation and tracking, autonomous delivery, etc. The terminal device can be a terminal in any of the above scenarios, such as an MTC terminal, an IoT terminal, etc. Terminal equipment can be user equipment (UE), terminal, fixed equipment, mobile station equipment or mobile equipment, subscriber unit, handheld device, vehicle-mounted equipment, wearable device, cellular phone, smartphone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless data card, personal digital assistant (PDA), computer, tablet computer, laptop computer, wireless modem, handset, laptop computer, computer with wireless transceiver capability, smart book, vehicle, satellite, global positioning system (GPS) device, target tracking device, aircraft (e.g., drone, helicopter, multiple helicopters, four helicopters, or airplanes), ship, remote control device, smart home device, industrial equipment, transportation vehicle with wireless communication capability, communication module, or roadside unit with terminal function, all conforming to the 3GPP standard. The device may be a wireless communication unit (RSU), or a device built into the aforementioned device (e.g., a communication module, modem, or chip in the aforementioned device), or other processing devices connected to the wireless modem.

[0122] It should be understood that in certain scenarios, a UE can also be used as a base station. For example, a UE can act as a scheduling entity, providing sidelink signaling between UEs in scenarios such as V2X, D2D, or P2P.

[0123] In this embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of a terminal device, i.e., the terminal device, can be the terminal device itself, or it can be any device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system, chip, circuit, or communication module (i.e., a communication module that performs communication functions). This device can be installed in the terminal device. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices. Furthermore, the device can also be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions.

[0124] The network device in this application embodiment can be a device or module with corresponding communication functions. The network device can be a device used to communicate with terminal devices; it can also be called an access network device or a wireless access network device, such as a base station. In this application embodiment, the network device can refer to a radio access network (RAN) node (or device) that connects the terminal device to the wireless network. A base station can broadly encompass, or be replaced by, various names including: NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNB), next-generation NodeB (gNB), relay station, access point, transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitter, master station, auxiliary station, multiple standard radio (MSR) node, home base station, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (AP), transmission node, transceiver node, baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), positioning node, etc. A base station can be a macro base station, micro base station, relay node, donor node, or similar, or a combination thereof. A base station can also refer to a communication module, modem, or chip installed within the aforementioned equipment or apparatus. A base station can also be a mobile switching center, a device that performs base station functions in D2D, V2X, and M2M communications, a network-side device in future communication networks, or a device that performs base station functions in future communication systems. A base station can support networks using the same or different access technologies. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the network equipment.

[0125] Base stations can be fixed or mobile. For example, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a mobile base station, and one or more cells can move depending on the location of the mobile base station. In other examples, a helicopter or drone can be configured as a device to communicate with another base station.

[0126] In some deployments, the network devices mentioned in the embodiments of this application may be devices including CU, or DU, or devices including CU and DU, or devices with control plane CU nodes (central unit-control plane (CU-CP)) and user plane CU nodes (central unit-user plane (CU-UP)) and DU nodes.

[0127] In some deployments, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes each implementing some of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be CUs, DUs, CU-CPs, CU-UPs, or radio units (RUs). CUs and DUs can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a BBU. RUs can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as RRUs, AAUs, or RRHs.

[0128] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, a radio access network can also be an open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture. In an O-RAN system, CU can also be called an open CU (openCU, O-CU), DU can also be called an open DU (open DU, O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open CU-CP (open CU-CP, O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open CU-UP (open CU-UP, O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called an open RU (openRU, O-RU). Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0129] In this embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of a network device can be a network device itself, or a device capable of supporting the network device in implementing those functions, such as a chip system, chip, circuit, or communication module (i.e., a communication module that performs communication functions). This device can be installed within the network device. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices. Furthermore, the device can be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions. This embodiment only uses a network device as an example to illustrate the device for implementing the functions of a network device, and does not limit the solution of this embodiment.

[0130] Network devices and terminal devices can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on airplanes, balloons, and satellites. This application does not limit the scenario in which the network devices and terminal devices are located.

[0131] Combination Figure 1 The communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application is briefly described below.

[0132] See Figure 1 As an example, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to embodiments of this application. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the wireless communication system includes a wireless access network 100. The wireless access network 100 can be a next-generation (e.g., future communication networks or higher) wireless access network, or a traditional (e.g., 5G, 4G, 3G, or 2G) wireless access network. One or more terminal devices (120a-120j, collectively referred to as 120) can be interconnected or connected to one or more network devices (110a, 110b, collectively referred to as 110) within the wireless access network 100. Network elements in the wireless communication system are connected via interfaces (e.g., NG, Xn) or over-the-air interfaces.

[0133] When network devices and terminal devices communicate, the network device can manage one or more cells, and a cell can include at least one terminal device. A cell can be understood as an area within the wireless signal coverage range of the network device.

[0134] Figure 1 This is just an illustration; the wireless communication system may also include other devices, such as core network equipment, wireless relay equipment, and / or wireless backhaul equipment. Figure 1 It is not shown in the middle.

[0135] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the terms used in this application will be briefly explained.

[0136] 1. Bandwidth:

[0137] To support diverse application scenarios and services, as well as a wider range of candidate spectrum, NR has undergone a redesign in terms of parameter set, bandwidth, and latency. Specifically, NR supports multiple system bandwidth designs, with a minimum bandwidth of 5MHz and a maximum bandwidth of 100MHz (frequency range, FR1) and 400MHz (FR2) system bandwidth, aiming to provide high-speed data transmission.

[0138] 2. Bandwidth part (BWP) switching:

[0139] NR supports BWP (Bandwidth-based Wiring Module), which allows terminal devices to communicate using only a portion of the carrier's bandwidth. Furthermore, NR supports BWP handover, enabling terminal devices to switch between narrowband and wideband BWPs, with narrowband BWPs consuming less power. BWP handover results in communication interruptions, therefore a BWP handover delay is defined in the standard.

[0140] As an example, please refer to Table 1, which shows the two standardized latency implementations of NR for different terminal devices.

[0141] Table 1

[0142]

[0143]

[0144] 3. BWP handover delay:

[0145] As an example, BWP handover delay can include the following components:

[0146] 1. Radio frequency switching delay, which lasts approximately 50 to 200 µs;

[0147] 2. Automatic gain control (AGC) readjustment delay, with a duration of approximately 100 to 200 µs;

[0148] 3. The decoding delay of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) is less than 300µs;

[0149] 4. Software (SW) reconfiguration latency, for example, the latency of BWP configuration reload, typically around 1.3ms for a type 2 terminal device.

[0150] One possible implementation is that BWP handover can support handover enabled by downlink control information (DCI). The terminal device can refrain from receiving / transmitting signals from the end of the third symbol of a PDCCH slot to the start of the slot corresponding to the first value (denoted as K0) indicated by the time domain resource indication field in the DCI carried by the PDCCH.

[0151] As an example, the DCI used for BWP handover can schedule the reception of PDSCH / PUSCH, and the PDSCH / PUSCH scheduled by the DCI is transmitted on the BWP after the handover.

[0152] As an example, K0 in the previous text can be a time slot offset. Time slot n+K0 can be determined by K0 and the time slot n of the received PDCCH. Starting from time slot n+K0, the physical downlink share channel (PDSCH) or physical uplink share channel (PUSCH) scheduled by the PDCCH can be transmitted. The value of K0 is not less than the BWP handover delay.

[0153] See Figure 2 As an example, Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of BWP handover delay. The grid markings indicate the first to third symbols received by the terminal device from the PDCCH. Figure 2 Taking n=2 as an example, if K0 equals 2, then the terminal device does not send or receive signals during the time period from the end of the third symbol of the PDCCH time slot to the start of time slot n+K0=4. Figure 2 Marked with a horizontal line. Starting from time slot n+K0=4, the terminal equipment can transmit PDSCH or PUSCH scheduled by PDCCH. Figure 2 Marked with a slash. Figure 2 As shown in the example, the BWP handover delay is less than or equal to 2 time slots.

[0154] In view of the aforementioned BWP handover delay problem, this application proposes that the terminal device can send or receive signals during the BWP handover process, thereby reducing the BWP handover delay and minimizing the loss of communication performance of the terminal device during BWP handover.

[0155] The methods provided by the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments provided by this application can be applied to the scenarios shown in the above figures, and are not limited thereto.

[0156] See Figure 3 As an example, Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a communication method 300 provided in an embodiment of this application. For ease of description, a terminal device and a network device are used as examples for illustrative purposes. The terminal device can be replaced by components of a terminal device (e.g., a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor), and the network device can be replaced by components of a network device (e.g., a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor). Furthermore, the steps described below as being performed by a single execution entity can also be divided into steps performed by multiple execution entities, which can be logically and / or physically separated. Figure 3 The method 300 shown may include the following steps.

[0157] S310, the terminal device determines in the first time unit that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit. Optionally, the network device determines in the first time unit that the first bandwidth of the terminal device changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit.

[0158] The following describes some other ways of describing S310.

[0159] As an example, the terminal device determines in the first time unit that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit. This can also be understood as the terminal device determining in the first time unit that the first bandwidth is set to the second frequency range; or, the terminal device receives indication information indicating that the first bandwidth is set to the second frequency range, and this indication information is transmitted in the first time unit, or the indication information is transmitted in at least one time unit, where the first time unit is the last time unit among at least one time unit; or, the terminal device sends indication information indicating that its first bandwidth is set to the second frequency range, and this indication information is transmitted in the first time unit, or the indication information is transmitted in at least one time unit, where the first time unit is the last time unit among at least one time unit.

[0160] As an example, the terminal device may use a second frequency range to transmit or receive signals in and after the second time unit, but not use the second frequency range to receive or transmit signals before the second time unit; or, in other words, the terminal device may use a first frequency range to receive or transmit signals during the time unit before the second time unit when it can receive or transmit signals.

[0161] The technical terms and implementation methods in S310 will be further explained below.

[0162] As an example, a time unit can be understood as a time slot, symbol, or subframe, etc. For example, the terminal device can determine in time slot #1 that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in time slot #2, or the terminal device can determine in symbol #1 that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in symbol #2.

[0163] The second time unit is after the first time unit. It can also be understood as the second time unit being located after the first time unit in the time domain, or the second time unit being later than the first time unit in the time domain, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit this, as long as they can express the corresponding meaning.

[0164] For example, the terminal device determines the first bandwidth in time slot #1 and changes the frequency range from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in time slot #2. Here, time slot #2 is the K1th time slot after time slot #1, and K1 is an integer greater than 1, such as K1 equal to 2, 3, 4, etc.

[0165] For another example, the terminal device determines the first bandwidth in symbol #1 and changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in symbol #2. Here, symbol #2 is the K2th time slot after symbol #1, and K2 is an integer greater than 1, such as K2 equal to 2, 3, 4, etc.

[0166] The first bandwidth is used to send or receive signals. It can also be understood as the terminal device or network device using the first bandwidth to send or receive signals, or the terminal device or network device using the frequency range of the first bandwidth to send or receive signals, or the terminal device or network device using the first bandwidth to transmit signals, etc. The embodiments in this application are not limited, and are only required to express the corresponding meaning.

[0167] Optionally, the first bandwidth may be configured by the network device, or the terminal device may determine the first bandwidth according to specific rules, or the first bandwidth may be pre-configured or predefined, etc.

[0168] As an example, the first frequency range can be understood as the frequency range of the first bandwidth before the switch, or in other words, the first frequency range is the frequency range of the first bandwidth in the first time unit and P1 time units before the first time unit, where P1 is an integer greater than or equal to 0, for example, P1 equals 0, 1, 2, etc.

[0169] As an example, the second frequency range can be understood as the frequency range of the first bandwidth after the switch, or in other words, the second frequency range is the frequency range of the first bandwidth for P2 time units after the second time unit and the second time unit, where P2 is an integer greater than or equal to 0, for example, P2 equals 0, 1, 2, etc.

[0170] As an example, the first frequency range and the second frequency range are different frequency ranges. Here, frequency range can be understood as the range within which a terminal device or network device transmits or receives signals in the frequency domain. Frequency range can include the frequency range from the start frequency to the end frequency, and can also be called frequency domain range or frequency interval, etc. These names do not limit the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application.

[0171] It should be noted that the switching of the first bandwidth can be understood as a change in the frequency range of the first bandwidth. It can also be replaced by a change in the first bandwidth, or an adaptive first bandwidth, etc. The name does not limit the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application.

[0172] As an example, the change of the frequency range of the first bandwidth from the first frequency range to the second frequency range can be replaced by the terminal device setting the frequency range of the transmitted or received signal from the first frequency range to the second frequency range. The representation method does not limit the protection scope of the embodiments of this application, as long as the same action can be achieved.

[0173] It should be understood that, for the sake of readability, the specific method by which the terminal device or network device determines the change of the terminal device's first bandwidth in the second time unit in the first time unit will be described in process #1 to process #5 later, and will not be elaborated here.

[0174] S320, the terminal device sends or receives a signal in the third time unit. Correspondingly, the network device receives a signal from the terminal device or sends a signal to the terminal device in the third time unit.

[0175] The third time unit is located between the first and second time units. S320 can also be understood as the terminal device being able to send or receive signals between the first and second time units, or the terminal device being able to send or receive signals during the first bandwidth switching process. Correspondingly, the network device can receive signals from or send signals to the terminal device between the first and second time units, or in other words, during the first bandwidth switching process of the terminal device.

[0176] Optionally, method 300 may further include: transmitting a signal in time unit #A at a second frequency range. The time unit #A may include the aforementioned second time unit, and / or any one or more time units following the second time unit.

[0177] The following examples, 1 and 2, illustrate two different possible implementations of method 300.

[0178] Example 1:

[0179] As an example, in method 300, the third time unit can be any one or more time units between the first time unit and the second time unit. This can also be understood as the terminal device being able to send or receive signals within any one or more time units between the first and second time units, or the terminal device being able to send or receive signals within any one or more time units during the first bandwidth switching process. Correspondingly, the network device can receive signals from or send signals to the terminal device within any one or more time units between the first and second time units, or in other words, within any one or more time units during the first bandwidth switching process of the terminal device.

[0180] It is understandable that, in Example 1, the technical solution described below can ensure that there is no communication interruption delay when the terminal device switches bandwidth.

[0181] As an example, in Example 1, the first bandwidth mentioned in S310 is used to send or receive signals. Specifically, the first bandwidth is used to send or receive a first signal. It can also be understood that the portion of the BWP bandwidth other than the first bandwidth is not used to send or receive the first signal.

[0182] Specifically, the first signal can be the first PDCCH; or further, based on the first signal being the first PDCCH, the first signal can also be PDSCH and / or PUSCH; or even further, the first signal can be any signal other than the common signal (e.g., a reference signal such as a channel state information reference signal (CSI reference signal, CSI-RS)).

[0183] In this application, sending or receiving the first PDCCH can also be understood as sending or receiving signals / information on the first PDCCH; or, in other words, sending signals / information carried / mapped to the first PUCCH. For details on sending or receiving PDSCH and PUSCH, please refer to the relevant descriptions of sending or receiving the first PDCCH, which will not be repeated here.

[0184] As an example, the first bandwidth can be a portion of the BWP bandwidth. Alternatively, the first bandwidth can be a bandwidth defined within the BWP bandwidth. Here, the BWP bandwidth can be the radio frequency (RF) bandwidth of the terminal device, and the first bandwidth can be the baseband (BB) bandwidth of the terminal device. That is, in Example 1, the terminal device can switch only the BB bandwidth while keeping the RF bandwidth unchanged.

[0185] As another example, the first bandwidth can be a portion of the carrier bandwidth. Alternatively, the first bandwidth can be a bandwidth defined within the carrier bandwidth. Here, the carrier bandwidth can be the RF bandwidth of the terminal device, and the first bandwidth can be the BB bandwidth of the terminal device. That is, in Example 1, the terminal device can switch only the BB bandwidth while keeping the RF bandwidth unchanged.

[0186] It is understandable that the bandwidth other than the first bandwidth in the BWP bandwidth may not be used to send or receive the first signal.

[0187] It is understandable that, since the RF bandwidth remains unchanged, there is no RF switching delay or AGC readjustment delay during the bandwidth switching of the terminal device. The analog-to-digital converter (ADC) can still process data using the RF bandwidth. In addition, the bandwidth switching of the baseband (BB) allows modules in the BB (e.g., inverse fast fourier transform (IFFT), post fast fourier transform buffer (post FFT buffer), etc.) to benefit from reduced power consumption. For example, the post FFT buffer can only buffer the first signal within the first bandwidth range (BB bandwidth) without buffering the first signal within the BWP bandwidth range (RF bandwidth), thereby reducing the power consumption of the post FFT buffer.

[0188] Optionally, signals other than the first signal (e.g., common signals such as SSB, system information, paging messages, etc.) can be transmitted outside the first bandwidth. It should be understood that since the terminal's RF bandwidth remains unchanged, the terminal can still receive / send signals outside the first bandwidth within the RF bandwidth. Therefore, when there is a transmission demand, the terminal device can adjust the BB bandwidth to the RF bandwidth to process signals carried outside the first bandwidth.

[0189] As one possible implementation, the frequency range of the first bandwidth within BWP is switched, while most other configurations remain unchanged.

[0190] As an example, before the first bandwidth switch, the BWP configuration may include a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the content of the first configuration does not change with the frequency range of the first bandwidth, or in other words, at least one item in the first configuration is the same in the second time unit and the first time unit.

[0191] As an example, the first configuration may include at least one of the following:

[0192] 1. The frequency range of the BWP, or in other words, the frequency range of the BWP's bandwidth, or the bandwidth configuration of the BWP.

[0193] 2. The terminal device receives the time-domain resources of the PDCCH, or in other words, the time-domain resource configuration of the first PDCCH. For example, the number of OFDM symbols occupied by the control resource set (CORESET) of the first PDCCH.

[0194] 3. The terminal device receives the frequency domain resources of the PDCCH, or in other words, the frequency domain resource configuration of the first PDCCH. For example, the frequency domain resources of the CORESET of the first PDCCH.

[0195] 4. The period for the terminal device to receive the PDCCH, or in other words, the configuration of the detection period for the first PDCCH.

[0196] 5. The terminal device receives the scrambling code of the PDCCH, or in other words, the configuration related to the scrambling code of the first PDCCH.

[0197] 6. The terminal device receives the time domain resource allocation (TDRA) table of the PDSCH, or in other words, the TDRA table configuration of the PDSCH.

[0198] 7. The terminal equipment receives the demodulation reference signal (DMRS) of the PDSCH, or in other words, the resource configuration of the DMRS of the PDSCH.

[0199] 8. Channel State Information (CSI) reporting configuration. For example, CSI reporting period or CSI reporting content type.

[0200] 9. The terminal device receives the time-domain resources of CSI-RS. Or, in other words, the time-domain resource configuration of CSI-RS.

[0201] As an example, the first PDCCH can be understood as a signal transmitted on the PDCCH channel, that is, a signal sent by a network device on the PDCCH channel, or a signal received by a terminal device on the PDCCH channel resources, etc. This application embodiment does not limit it.

[0202] As an example, the content of the second configuration may vary with the frequency range of the first bandwidth, or at least one item in the second configuration may be different in the second time unit and the first time unit.

[0203] As an example, the second configuration may include at least one of the following:

[0204] 1. Frequency range of the first bandwidth.

[0205] 2. The number of antenna ports used for transmitting or receiving signals. The antenna ports may include either receiving or transmitting ports. For example, if the first frequency range is smaller than the second frequency range, the number of first receiving antenna ports may be 2 when the first bandwidth is the first frequency range; and the number of first receiving antenna ports may be 4 when the first bandwidth is the second frequency range.

[0206] 3. Maximum number of uplink transmission layers. For example, if the first frequency range is smaller than the second frequency range, the maximum number of uplink transmission layers can be 2 when the first bandwidth is the first frequency range; and the maximum number of uplink transmission layers can be 4 when the first bandwidth is the second frequency range.

[0207] 4. Maximum number of downlink transmission layers. For example, if the first frequency range is smaller than the second frequency range, the maximum number of downlink transmission layers can be 2 when the first bandwidth is the first frequency range; and the maximum number of downlink transmission layers can be 4 when the first bandwidth is the second frequency range.

[0208] It is understandable that, compared to the existing BWP switching which requires BWP configuration overload, the embodiments of this application can reduce or ensure no SW overload latency by keeping the first configuration unchanged.

[0209] As one possible implementation, S320 can specifically involve the terminal device transmitting or receiving signals within a first frequency range in a third time unit. Correspondingly, the network device can receive signals from or transmit signals to the terminal device within the first frequency range in the third time unit.

[0210] See Figure 4 As an example, Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of bandwidth switching provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0211] As an example, Figure 4 The dashed line represents the BWP bandwidth, and the solid line represents the primary bandwidth. Therefore, Figure 4 The BWP bandwidth remains unchanged. The first bandwidth is the bandwidth defined within the BWP bandwidth. The frequency range of the first bandwidth is the first frequency range before the first time unit. The terminal device determines the frequency range of the first bandwidth in the first time unit, and it changes to the second frequency range in the second time unit. Figure 4 The second frequency range is equal to the BWP bandwidth, and the terminal device is between the first and second time units ( Figure 4 The middle slash section) can transmit or receive signals within the first frequency range before the bandwidth switching, and the first bandwidth can be the second frequency range for a period of time after the second time unit and the second time unit.

[0212] As an example, the signal transmitted in the third time unit may include the first signal described above.

[0213] It is understandable that the terminal device can use the bandwidth before the handover to communicate between the first time unit and the second time unit, so that the network device uses the second frequency range to communicate while the terminal device uses the first frequency range. The terminal device will not experience packet loss and will not affect the communication performance.

[0214] For example, when a terminal device determines a bandwidth switch by receiving indication information in the first time unit, it is ensured that during the indication information parsing delay (e.g., PDCCH decoding carrying the indication information), there is no situation where the network device uses the second frequency range while the terminal device uses the first frequency range. This prevents packet loss on the terminal device and avoids the impact of indication information parsing delay on the terminal device's communication performance. It should be understood that during the PDCCH decoding delay, since the terminal device is unaware of the switch, for cases where the first frequency range is smaller than the second frequency range, the network device can be limited to scheduling signals within the first frequency range. This ensures that the bandwidth of the network device's transmitted signals does not exceed the terminal device's BB bandwidth, preventing packet loss on the terminal device.

[0215] For example, when a terminal device sends an indication message to switch its bandwidth, it is ensured that within the transmission delay of the indication message, there is no situation where the network device uses the second frequency range for communication while the terminal device uses the first frequency range for communication, so that the terminal device does not experience packet loss and the transmission delay of the indication message does not affect the communication performance of the terminal device.

[0216] The following sections will introduce two different scenarios, namely, a first frequency range that is less than the second frequency range and a first frequency range that is greater than the second frequency range, through scenarios 1 and 2, respectively.

[0217] Scenario 1:

[0218] As an example, the first frequency range can be smaller than the second frequency range, or it can be replaced by the number of frequency domain resources in the first frequency range being less than the number of frequency domain resources in the second frequency range. That is, the first bandwidth switches from a narrow frequency range to a wide frequency range.

[0219] Understandably, in scenario 1, the terminal device can switch to a wider frequency range when needed to ensure transmission performance.

[0220] Optionally, the first frequency range may include part or all of the frequency range of the frequency domain resources of the first PDCCH.

[0221] Optionally, the first frequency range can be the default frequency range of the first bandwidth. That is, the first frequency range can be the default frequency range for the terminal device to access the network device. For example, if the network device pre-configures a first frequency range and a second frequency range for the first bandwidth, since the first frequency range is the default frequency range for the first bandwidth, the terminal device will default to using the first frequency range for the first bandwidth and will not use the second frequency range. For example, if the network device configures the frequency range of the CORESET of the first PDCCH as the first frequency range and configures the frequency range of the BWP bandwidth as the second frequency range, since the first frequency range is the default frequency range for the first bandwidth, the terminal device will default to using the first frequency range for the first bandwidth and will not use the second frequency range.

[0222] It is understandable that the default frequency range of the first bandwidth is a relatively narrow first frequency range. That is, the terminal device can default to a narrow bandwidth state, thereby making the communication of the terminal device more energy-efficient.

[0223] Optionally, the second frequency range is configured. For example, the second frequency range can be configured to be a frequency range greater than the first frequency range.

[0224] Optionally, the second frequency range can be the frequency range of the BWP bandwidth.

[0225] The following describes two possible ways for terminal devices to determine the frequency range of the first bandwidth, through implementation method #1 and implementation method #2.

[0226] Implementation method #1:

[0227] In step #A1, the terminal device receives the first configuration information. Accordingly, the network device sends the first configuration information to the terminal device.

[0228] As an example, the first configuration information may indicate the frequency domain resources of the CORESET of the first PDCCH. Alternatively, the first configuration information may be the frequency domain resource configuration information of the CORESET of the first PDCCH, or the terminal device may receive the frequency domain resource configuration of the CORESET of the first PDCCH, etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0229] In step #A2, the terminal device determines that the first frequency range is the frequency range of the CORESET. Alternatively, the terminal device determines that the first frequency range is the frequency range of the frequency domain resources of the CORESET of the first PDCCH.

[0230] See Figure 5 As an example, Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of a first frequency range provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0231] As an example, Figure 5The dashed line represents the BWP bandwidth, and the solid line represents the primary bandwidth. Therefore, Figure 5 The BWP bandwidth remains unchanged. The first bandwidth is the bandwidth defined within the BWP bandwidth. The first frequency range before the first bandwidth switch is equal to the frequency range of the CORESET of the first PDCCH. Figure 5 (The middle mark is a slash).

[0232] It is understandable that in implementation method #1, the terminal device can implicitly determine the first frequency range. That is, the first frequency range of the first bandwidth can be configured directly to the terminal device by the network device through signaling, which can save signaling overhead.

[0233] It should be noted that the frequency domain resources of the CORESET of the first PDCCH can be continuous frequency resources or discrete frequency domain resources. When the frequency domain resources of the CORESET of the first PDCCH are discrete frequency domain resources, the first frequency range can include all frequency resources in the CORESET of the first PDCCH from the lowest frequency to the highest frequency.

[0234] For example, if the frequency domain resources of the CORESET of the first PDCCH include frequency resources of resource elements (RE)#1 to RE#5 and frequency resources of RE#11 to RE#15, then the first frequency range may include frequency resources of RE#1 to RE#15.

[0235] Implementation method #2:

[0236] In step #B1, the terminal device receives the second configuration information. Accordingly, the network device sends the second configuration information to the terminal device.

[0237] As an example, the second configuration information may indicate the first frequency range, or in other words, the configuration information of the first frequency range that the terminal device can receive for the first bandwidth.

[0238] As an example, the first frequency range includes part or all of the frequency domain resources of the CORESET of the first PDCCH.

[0239] Optionally, if the first frequency range includes a portion of the core set of the first PDCCH, then the terminal device will not detect the first PDCCH if the core set of the first PDCCH is not included in the first frequency range.

[0240] Optionally, if the first frequency range includes a portion of the CORESET of the first PDCCH, the first frequency range shall not allow the following situation: a portion of the frequency domain resources of the PDCCH candidate of the first PDCCH are included in the first frequency range, while another portion of the frequency domain resources are not included in the first frequency range.

[0241] As an example, the PDCCH candidate of the first PDCCH can be a possible PDCCH that the terminal device can detect / receive within the CORESET of the first PDCCH. The CORESET of the first PDCCH can include multiple PDCCH candidates. The terminal device can detect / receive PDCCH on the time-frequency resources of at least one PDCCH candidate. The time-frequency domain position of the PDCCH candidate of the first PDCCH is located within the time-frequency resources of the CORESET of the first PDCCH.

[0242] Optionally, the second configuration information may indicate the starting frequency and the frequency domain length of the first frequency range. Alternatively, the second configuration information may include the starting frequency and the frequency domain length of the first frequency range. That is, the second configuration information can indicate the first frequency range using the starting frequency and the frequency domain length of the first frequency range.

[0243] As an example, the first PDCCH can be at least one of the following: a PDCCH that schedules PDSCH; or a PDCCH that schedules PUSCH; or a PDCCH that schedules paging messages.

[0244] For example, the first PDCCH can be a PDCCH scrambled with the cell radio network temporary identity (C-RNTI). Specifically, the first PDCCH is the PDCCH for scheduling PDSCH or PUSCH.

[0245] For example, the first PDCCH can be a PDCCH scrambled with a paging radio network temporary identity (P-RNTI). Specifically, the first PDCCH can be a PDCCH for scheduling PDSCH or PUSCH, or a PDCCH for scheduling paging messages.

[0246] It is understandable that in case 1, the condition that triggers the terminal device to change from narrow to wide bandwidth is that there is a data transmission or paging requirement between the terminal device and the network device. By switching from narrow bandwidth to wide bandwidth, communication performance can be guaranteed.

[0247] The following sections, through procedures #1 and #2, introduce several possible procedures for determining bandwidth switching for terminal devices.

[0248] In process #1, the terminal device determines the bandwidth switch based on its own status. Process #1 may include the following steps.

[0249] Step #C1: The terminal device determines, based on the first condition, that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit.

[0250] As an example, the first condition could be: the terminal device receives the first PDCCH in the first time unit. Accordingly, the network device sends the first PDCCH in the first time unit.

[0251] For example, "the terminal device receives the first PDCCH" can also be replaced with "the terminal device detects the first PDCCH", or "the terminal device receives and successfully decodes the first PDCCH".

[0252] In step #C2, the terminal device determines, based on the first PDCCH, that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit. Correspondingly, the network device determines that the terminal device's first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit.

[0253] See Figure 6 As an example, Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a terminal device determining bandwidth switching according to an embodiment of this application.

[0254] As an example, Figure 6 The dashed line represents the BWP bandwidth, and the solid line represents the primary bandwidth. Therefore, Figure 6 The BWP bandwidth remains unchanged, and the first bandwidth is the bandwidth defined within the BWP bandwidth. Figure 6 In the process, the terminal device receives the first PDCCH in the first time unit. Figure 6 (Marked by a slash), this indicates that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit. In the second time unit, the bandwidth switching of the terminal device takes effect, and the frequency range of the first bandwidth changes to the second frequency range.

[0255] In process #2, the terminal device determines the bandwidth switch based on the instructions from the network device. Process #2 may include the following steps.

[0256] In step #D1, the terminal device receives the first indication information in the first time unit. Accordingly, the network device sends the first indication information in the first time unit.

[0257] As an example, the first instruction information may instruct the terminal device to change / adjust the first bandwidth from a first frequency range to a second frequency range.

[0258] Optionally, the first indication information may be carried by a PDCCH, which may be a first PDCCH or other PDCCHs.

[0259] Step #D2: The terminal device determines, based on the first indication information, that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit.

[0260] As an example, please continue to see Figure 6 When the terminal device is Figure 6 The first time unit in the process receives the first instruction information. Figure 6 This can also represent step #2 of the process, that is, the terminal device can determine in the first time unit that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit. In the second time unit, the bandwidth switching of the terminal device takes effect, and the frequency range of the first bandwidth changes to the second frequency range.

[0261] Scenario 2:

[0262] As an example, the first frequency range can be larger than the second frequency range, or it can be replaced by the number of frequency domain resources in the first frequency range being greater than the number of frequency domain resources in the second frequency range. That is, the first bandwidth switches from a wide frequency range to a narrow frequency range.

[0263] Understandably, in scenario 2, the terminal device can narrow the first bandwidth when needed, which is beneficial for energy saving.

[0264] Optionally, the second frequency range may include part or all of the frequency range of the frequency domain resources of the first PDCCH.

[0265] Optionally, the second frequency range is the default frequency range of the first bandwidth. For example, if the network device pre-configures a first frequency range and a second frequency range for the first bandwidth, and since the second frequency range is the default frequency range for the first bandwidth, the terminal device defaults to using the second frequency range for the first bandwidth instead of the first frequency range. For example, if the network device configures the frequency range of the CORESET of the first PDCCH as the second frequency range and configures the frequency range of the BWP bandwidth as the first frequency range, and since the second frequency range is the default frequency range for the first bandwidth, the terminal device defaults to using the second frequency range for the first bandwidth instead of the first frequency range.

[0266] It is understandable that the default frequency range of the first bandwidth is a narrower second frequency range. In other words, the terminal device can default to a narrow bandwidth state, thereby making the communication of the terminal device more energy-efficient.

[0267] Optionally, the first frequency range is configured. For example, the first frequency range can be configured to be a frequency range greater than the second frequency range.

[0268] Optionally, the first frequency range can be the frequency range of the BWP.

[0269] The following describes two possible ways for terminal devices to determine the frequency range of the first bandwidth, through implementation method #3 and implementation method #4.

[0270] Implementation method #3:

[0271] In step #E1, the terminal device receives the first configuration information. Accordingly, the network device sends the first configuration information to the terminal device.

[0272] As an example, the first configuration information may indicate the frequency domain resources of the CORESET of the first PDCCH. Alternatively, the first configuration information may be the frequency domain resource configuration information of the CORESET of the first PDCCH, or the terminal device may receive the frequency domain resource configuration of the CORESET of the first PDCCH, etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0273] In step #E2, the terminal device determines that the second frequency range is the frequency range of the CORESET. Alternatively, the terminal device determines that the second frequency range is the frequency range of the frequency domain resources of the CORESET of the first PDCCH.

[0274] It should be understood that further examples and technical effects of implementation method #3 can be obtained by referring to the content of implementation method #1, by replacing the first frequency range in implementation method #1 with the second frequency range. The embodiments of this application will not be repeated here.

[0275] Implementation method #4:

[0276] In step #F1, the terminal device receives the second configuration information. Correspondingly, the network device sends this second configuration information to the terminal device.

[0277] As an example, the second configuration information may indicate a second frequency range, or in other words, the terminal device may receive configuration information for a second frequency range of the first bandwidth.

[0278] As an example, the second frequency range includes part or all of the frequency domain resources of the first PDCCH's CORESET.

[0279] It should be understood that further examples and technical effects of implementation method #4 can be obtained by referring to the content of implementation method #2, which is obtained by replacing the first frequency range in implementation method #2 with the second frequency range. The embodiments of this application will not be repeated here.

[0280] The following sections, through processes #3 to #5, describe several possible processes for determining bandwidth switching for terminal devices.

[0281] In process #3, the terminal device determines the bandwidth switch based on its own status. Process #3 may include the following steps.

[0282] In step #G1, optionally, the terminal device determines that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range based on the second condition.

[0283] As an example, the second condition could be: the terminal device did not receive the first PDCCH within a first time period. Here, the first time period is before the first time unit.

[0284] As an example, the length of the first time period can be determined by the terminal device itself, or it can be pre-configured / predefined.

[0285] In step #G2, the terminal device sends second indication information in the first time unit. Correspondingly, the network device receives the second indication information in the first time unit. However, sending the second indication information can also be replaced by reporting the second indication information, etc., and this embodiment of the application does not limit the specific actions taken.

[0286] Accordingly, the network device receives the second indication information sent by the terminal device in the first time unit, and determines, based on the second indication information, that the first bandwidth of the terminal device changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit.

[0287] In step #G3, the terminal device changes the first bandwidth from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit.

[0288] Optionally, the second time unit can be indicated or determined based on the first time unit and a predefined / preconfigured interval value between the first and second time units. For example, the predefined interval value between the first and second time units is one time slot.

[0289] It should be noted that the second time unit appearing in other positions in the embodiments of this application is also subject to the above explanation, and will not be repeated in the embodiments of this application.

[0290] As an example, the second indication information indicates that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range.

[0291] See Figure 7 As an example, Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of another terminal device determining bandwidth switching according to an embodiment of this application.

[0292] For example, Figure 7The first bandwidth of the terminal device changes from narrow bandwidth to wide bandwidth in time unit #B. Assuming the first time period is the period between time unit #B and the first time unit, and the terminal device does not receive the first PDCCH during this first time period, then the terminal device can... Figure 7 The first time unit determines the first bandwidth, and the second time unit changes the frequency range from the first frequency range to the second frequency range. The terminal device can... Figure 7 In the first time unit, the aforementioned second instruction information is sent. In the second time unit, the bandwidth switching of the terminal device takes effect, and the frequency range of the first bandwidth changes to the second frequency range.

[0293] In process #4, the terminal device determines the bandwidth switch based on the instructions from the network device. Process #4 may include the following steps.

[0294] In step #H1, the terminal device receives the first indication information in the first time unit. Correspondingly, the network device sends the first indication information in the first time unit.

[0295] As an example, the first instruction information may instruct the terminal device to change the first bandwidth from a first frequency range to a second frequency range.

[0296] In step #H2, the terminal device determines, based on the first indication information, that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit.

[0297] It should be understood that the example of process #4 can be referred to the relevant content in process #2. The difference is that the first frequency range in process #4 is greater than the second frequency range, while the first frequency range in process #2 is less than the second frequency range. This application will not repeat the details in the embodiments.

[0298] In process #5, the terminal device determines the bandwidth switching based on a timer. Process #5 may include the following steps.

[0299] In step #I1, the terminal device switches the frequency range of the first bandwidth from the second frequency range to the first frequency range in time unit #C. That is, the terminal device switches the first bandwidth from narrow bandwidth to wide bandwidth in time unit #C.

[0300] Optionally, the second frequency range can be the default frequency range of the first bandwidth. In step #I2, the terminal device uses the first frequency range for the first bandwidth within the first timer.

[0301] Optionally, the starting time unit of the first timer is the time unit when the first bandwidth changes to the first frequency range, i.e., the aforementioned time unit #C. That is, the terminal device starts the first timer in time unit #C.

[0302] Optionally, the first timer can be configured by the network device. For example, the network device can configure the duration of the first timer, such as setting the duration of the first timer to 10 time slots.

[0303] Step #I3: If the first PDCCH is not received before the end of the first timer, the terminal device can determine that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit. This can also be understood as follows: If the terminal device does not receive the first PDCCH within time unit #C to the first time unit, the terminal device determines in the first time unit that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit, where the first time unit is the end time unit of the first timer.

[0304] As an example, "timer ends" can also be replaced with expressions such as "timer expires" or "timer times out". This application does not limit the specific expression, as long as it can represent the same action.

[0305] Step #I4: The terminal device changes the first bandwidth from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit.

[0306] Optionally, process #5 may also include the following steps.

[0307] In step #J1, if the terminal device receives the first PDCCH in time unit #D before the first timer ends (or if the first timer is running), the terminal device can start the second timer in time unit #D. This can also be understood as the starting time unit of the second timer being the time unit before the last reception of the first PDCCH (to distinguish it from the first time units in steps #I1 to #I4, it can be referred to as time unit #E1 below).

[0308] As an example, time unit #E1 is the end time unit of the second timer.

[0309] As an example, time unit #D can be between time unit #C and the first time unit of step #J1.

[0310] In step #J2-1, if the terminal device does not receive the first PDCCH before the second timer ends, the terminal device can determine that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit (to distinguish it from the second time unit in steps #I1 to #I4, it can be referred to as time unit #E2 below). This can also be understood as follows: if the terminal device does not receive the first PDCCH within time unit #D to the first time unit, the terminal device determines in time unit #E1 that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in time unit #E2.

[0311] As an example, the time unit at which the second timer ends is after the time unit at which the first timer ends, or the second timer ends after the first timer, or the end time of the second timer is outside the first timer, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit it.

[0312] See Figure 8 As an example, Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of a second timer provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0313] For example, Figure 8 The dashed part can represent the BWP bandwidth, and the solid part can represent the first bandwidth. Figure 8 The first PDCCH is represented by a diagonal line, and the scheduling information of the first PDCCH is represented by grid lines. It can be seen that the start time of the first timer is the time unit in which the first bandwidth changes from the second frequency range to the first frequency range; that is, the time unit in which the frequency range of the first bandwidth widens. The end time unit of the second timer is before the end time unit of the first timer. If the terminal device has not received the first PDCCH within the second timer, the terminal device can switch the frequency range of the first bandwidth back to the second frequency range within the end time unit of the first timer.

[0314] See Figure 9 As an example, Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another second timer provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0315] For example, Figure 9 The dashed part can represent the BWP bandwidth, and the solid part can represent the first bandwidth. Figure 9 The first PDCCH is represented by a diagonal line, and the scheduling information of the first PDCCH is represented by grid lines. It can be seen that the start time of the first timer is the time unit in which the first bandwidth changes from the second frequency range to the first frequency range; that is, the time unit in which the frequency range of the first bandwidth widens. The end time unit of the second timer is after the end time unit of the first timer. If the terminal device does not receive the first PDCCH within the second timer, the terminal device can switch the frequency range of the first bandwidth back to the second frequency range within the end time unit of the second timer.

[0316] In step #J2-2, if the terminal device receives the first PDCCH before the second timer ends, the terminal device can restart the second timer, or in other words, the second timer can restart the timing, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the way it is expressed.

[0317] It should be noted that after the terminal device restarts the second timer, it can repeat either step #J2-1 or step #J2-2.

[0318] Optionally, the time domain length of the second timer can be less than the time domain length of the first timer.

[0319] Optionally, the second timer can be configured for the network device. For example, the network device can configure the duration of the second timer, such as setting the duration of the second timer to 10 time slots.

[0320] Optionally, the second timer can be the first timer, that is, the second timer in steps #J2-1 and #J2-2 above can be replaced by the first timer.

[0321] Example 2:

[0322] As an example, please continue to refer to method 300 above, where the third time unit can be any one or more time units between the first and fourth time units. This can also be understood as the terminal device being able to send or receive signals within any one or more time units between the first and fourth time units. Correspondingly, the network device is able to receive signals from or send signals to the terminal device within any one or more time units between the first and fourth time units.

[0323] The fourth time unit is located between the first and second time units.

[0324] It is understood that in Example 2, the terminal device can send or receive signals between the time unit for determining the bandwidth switching (that is, the time unit in which the terminal device receives the bandwidth switching indication information (such as the first indication information) or the time unit in which the terminal device sends the bandwidth switching indication information (such as the second indication information)) and the fourth time unit, and does not send or receive signals in the time unit preceding the fourth time unit to the second time unit (that is, the time unit for implementing the bandwidth switching).

[0325] As an example, the terminal device may not send or receive any signals in the time unit preceding the second time unit from the fourth time unit.

[0326] It is understandable that, in Example 2, the technical solution described below can enable the terminal device to send or receive signals during a portion of the time between determining the bandwidth switch and implementing the bandwidth switch, thereby reducing the latency caused by communication interruption.

[0327] As an example, in Example 2, the first bandwidth described in S310 is used to send or receive signals. Specifically, the first bandwidth can be used to send or receive any signal. It can also be understood that the portion of the BWP bandwidth other than the first bandwidth is not used to send or receive any signal.

[0328] As an example, the first bandwidth can be the BWP bandwidth, or in other words, the first bandwidth can be the RF bandwidth and BB bandwidth of the terminal device. That is, in Example 2, the terminal device can switch between BB bandwidth and RF bandwidth.

[0329] As an example, the time length from the fourth time unit to the previous time unit of the second time unit is less than the BWP handover delay. For example, if the fourth time unit is symbol 0 and the second time unit is symbol 10, the time length from the fourth time unit to the previous time unit of the second time unit is equal to 10 symbols. The time length from the fourth time unit to the previous time unit of the second time unit is less than the BWP handover delay, for example, the next time slot (14 symbols) of type 1 with μ = 1.

[0330] It should be understood that the explanation of BWP handover delay can be found in the relevant content in Table 1 of the embodiments of this application, and will not be repeated here.

[0331] As one possible implementation, the frequency range of the first bandwidth within BWP is switched, while most other configurations remain unchanged.

[0332] As an example, before the first bandwidth switch, the BWP configuration may include a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the content of the first configuration does not change with the frequency range of the first bandwidth, or in other words, at least one item in the first configuration is the same in the second time unit and the first time unit. The content of the second configuration may change with the frequency range of the first bandwidth, or in other words, at least one item in the second configuration is different in the second time unit and the first time unit.

[0333] It should be understood that for specific descriptions of the first and second configurations, as well as the beneficial effects of this possible implementation, please refer to the relevant content in Example 1 above. The embodiments of this application will not be repeated here.

[0334] As one possible implementation, S320 can specifically involve the terminal device transmitting or receiving signals within a first frequency range in a third time unit. Correspondingly, the network device can receive signals from or transmit signals to the terminal device within the first frequency range in the third time unit.

[0335] It should be understood that in Example 2, the terminal device can send or receive signals between the time unit determining the bandwidth switching (i.e., the time unit when the terminal device receives the bandwidth switching indication information, or the time unit when the terminal device sends the bandwidth switching indication information) and the fourth time unit. For example, if the terminal device receives the bandwidth switching indication information in the first time unit, the terminal device needs to parse the indication information. Before successfully parsing the indication information, the terminal device cannot use the switched bandwidth for communication, but it can use the bandwidth before the switch for communication. The fourth time unit can be understood as the time unit in which the terminal device has parsed the indication information. Therefore, in the fourth time unit, the terminal device begins bandwidth switching (including RF and BB bandwidth switching), resulting in communication interruption. In this approach, compared to existing BWP switching, the terminal device can still communicate within the indication information parsing time, reducing the communication interruption delay caused by bandwidth switching. For example, in the first time unit, the terminal device sends a bandwidth switching indication. The network device needs to parse this indication. Before the network device successfully parses the indication, the terminal device cannot use the switched bandwidth for communication, but it can use the bandwidth before the switch. The fourth time unit can be understood as the time unit in which the network device has already parsed the indication. Therefore, in the fourth time unit, the terminal device begins bandwidth switching (including RF and BB bandwidth switching), resulting in communication interruption. In this method, compared to existing BWP handover, communication can still occur within the indication parsing time of the network device, reducing the communication interruption delay caused by bandwidth switching.

[0336] See Figure 10 As an example, Figure 10 This is another bandwidth switching diagram provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0337] As an example, Figure 10 The dashed line represents the BWP bandwidth, and the solid line represents the first bandwidth. It can be seen that the frequency range of the first bandwidth before the first time unit is the first frequency range, and the frequency range of the first bandwidth determined by the terminal device in the first time unit becomes the second frequency range in the second time unit. Figure 4 The second frequency range is equal to the BWP bandwidth), and the terminal device is between the first and fourth time units ( Figure 4 The middle slashed section) can transmit or receive signals within the first frequency range before the bandwidth switch, and the terminal device is in the fourth time unit and the second time unit ( Figure 4 The middle grid section does not transmit or receive signals, and the first bandwidth can be the second frequency range for a period of time after the second time unit.

[0338] It is understood that the first to fourth time units may include the indication information parsing delay for the terminal device bandwidth switching (e.g., PDCCH decoding delay). The terminal device can use the bandwidth before the switching to communicate between the first and fourth time units, thereby ensuring that the terminal device does not lose packets during the indication information parsing delay (e.g., PDCCH decoding delay) and avoiding the impact of PDCCH decoding delay on the communication performance of the terminal device.

[0339] It can be understood that the period from the fourth time unit to the second time unit, that is, the time period during which the terminal device does not send or receive signals, may include the RF delay and AGC delay of the terminal device bandwidth switching.

[0340] It should be noted that for other explanations regarding Example 2, such as how the terminal device determines the frequency range of the first bandwidth when the first frequency range is less than or greater than the second frequency range, and how the terminal device determines the bandwidth switching process, please refer to the relevant content in Example 1. This application embodiment will not repeat the explanation here.

[0341] It is understandable that in Example 2, the terminal device can switch between RF bandwidth and BB bandwidth. While ensuring minimal communication interruption (i.e., RF delay and AGC delay), the ADC power consumption of the terminal device can also be reduced compared to Example 1, meaning that the power consumption reduction effect of the terminal device is more significant.

[0342] See Figure 11 As an example, Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of a communication method 1100 provided in an embodiment of this application. For ease of description, a terminal device and a network device are used as examples for illustrative purposes. The terminal device can be replaced by components of a terminal device (e.g., a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor), and the network device can be replaced by components of a network device (e.g., a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor). Furthermore, the steps described below as being performed by a single execution entity can also be divided into steps performed by multiple execution entities, which can be logically and / or physically separated. Figure 11 The method 1100 shown may include the following steps.

[0343] S1110, the terminal device determines in the first time unit that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit. Optionally, the network device determines in the first time unit that the first bandwidth of the terminal device changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit.

[0344] In this context, the second time unit is after the first time unit. This can also be understood as the second time unit being located after the first time unit in the time domain, or as the second time unit being later than the first time unit in the time domain, etc. This application's embodiments do not impose such limitations; any meaning that is sufficient is acceptable.

[0345] It should be understood that the description of the first and second time units can be found in the relevant content of method 300, and will not be repeated here in the embodiments of this application.

[0346] The time interval between the first and second time units is less than the BWP handover delay.

[0347] It should be understood that the explanation of BWP handover delay can be found in the relevant content in Table 1 of the embodiments of this application, and will not be repeated here.

[0348] As one possible implementation, the frequency range of the first bandwidth within BWP is switched, while most other configurations remain unchanged.

[0349] As an example, before the first bandwidth switch, the BWP configuration may include a first configuration and a second configuration, wherein the content of the first configuration does not change with the frequency range of the first bandwidth, or in other words, at least one item in the first configuration is the same in the second time unit and the first time unit. The content of the second configuration may change with the frequency range of the first bandwidth, or in other words, at least one item in the second configuration is different in the second time unit and the first time unit.

[0350] It should be understood that for specific descriptions of the first and second configurations, as well as the beneficial effects of this possible implementation, please refer to the relevant content in Example 1 above. The embodiments of this application will not be repeated here.

[0351] It is understandable that, compared to the existing BWP handover which requires BWP configuration overload, the embodiments of this application can ensure no BWP SW overload delay by keeping the first configuration unchanged, so that the time length between the first time unit and the second time unit can be less than the BWP handover delay.

[0352] It can also be understood that the time length between the first time unit and the second time unit in S1110 may include PDCCH decoding delay, RF switching delay and PDCCH decoding delay.

[0353] The first bandwidth is used to send or receive signals. Specifically, the first bandwidth can be used to send or receive any signal, or it can be understood as the portion of the BWP bandwidth other than the first bandwidth not being used to send or receive any signal.

[0354] It should be noted that for other descriptions of S1110, such as the introduction of the first frequency range and the second frequency range, please refer to the relevant content in S310 above. This application embodiment will not repeat the description here.

[0355] S1120, the terminal device sends or receives a signal in the fifth time unit. Correspondingly, the network device receives a signal from the terminal device or sends a signal to the terminal device in the fifth time unit.

[0356] The fifth time unit is between the time unit preceding the second time unit and the sixth time unit, and the time length between the sixth time unit and the first time unit is the BWP handover delay.

[0357] See Figure 12 As an example, Figure 12 This is another bandwidth switching diagram provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0358] As an example, Figure 12 The dashed line represents the BWP bandwidth, and the solid line represents the primary bandwidth. Therefore, Figure 12 The frequency range of the first bandwidth is defined as the first frequency range before the first time unit. The terminal device determines the frequency range of the first bandwidth in the first time unit, and it changes to the second frequency range in the second time unit. Figure 4 The second frequency range is equal to the BWP bandwidth, and the terminal device is between the first and second time units ( Figure 12 The middle grid line section does not send or receive signals.

[0359] It is understood that the terminal device performs bandwidth switching in the second time unit, meaning that the terminal device can send or receive signals in the switched second frequency range. Furthermore, based on the implementation method described above, the time length between the first and second time units may not include the SW overload delay; that is, the time length between the first and second time units may be less than the BWP delay.

[0360] Furthermore, as an example, Figure 12 The terminal device can send or receive signals in any one or more time units within the second time unit or a period of time after the second time unit. For example, the terminal device can... Figure 12 The fifth time unit in the process is used to send or receive signals. Conversely, if the terminal device does not send or receive signals for a duration equal to the BWP delay, then the terminal device... Figure 12 Signals can only be sent or received after the sixth time unit or the first time unit. The time length between the sixth time unit and the first time unit is the BWP handover delay. For example, the terminal device in Figure 12The fifth time unit in the process cannot send or receive signals.

[0361] It is understandable that in method 1100, the terminal device can switch both RF bandwidth and BB bandwidth. While ensuring minimal communication interruptions (i.e., RF delay, AGC delay, and PDCCH decoding delay), the ADC power consumption of the terminal device can also be reduced compared to Example 1 above, meaning that the power consumption reduction effect of the terminal device is more significant.

[0362] See Figure 13 As an example, Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of a communication method 1300 provided in an embodiment of this application. For ease of description, a terminal device and a network device are used as examples for illustrative purposes. The terminal device can be replaced by components of a terminal device (e.g., a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor), and the network device can be replaced by components of a network device (e.g., a chip, chip system, circuit, communication module, or processor). Furthermore, the steps described below as being performed by a single execution entity can also be divided into steps performed by multiple execution entities, which can be logically and / or physically separated. Figure 11 The method 1100 shown may include the following steps.

[0363] S1310, the terminal device determines in the first time unit that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit. Optionally, the network device determines in the first time unit that the first bandwidth of the terminal device changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit.

[0364] The second time unit is the first time unit after the first time unit. It can also be replaced by the second time unit being after the first time unit, and the second time unit being adjacent to the first time unit, etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0365] The first bandwidth is used for transmitting or receiving signals. It should be understood that a description of the first bandwidth can be found in Example 1 above, and will not be repeated in this embodiment. See also... Figure 14 As an example, Figure 14 This is another bandwidth switching diagram provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0366] For example, Figure 14 The dashed line represents the BWP bandwidth, and the solid line represents the primary bandwidth. Therefore, Figure 14 The BWP bandwidth remains unchanged. The first bandwidth is the bandwidth defined within the BWP bandwidth, and the frequency range of the first bandwidth is in the first time unit ( Figure 14The time unit before the resource block marked by the slash (in the middle) is the first frequency range. The terminal device determines the frequency range of the first bandwidth in the first time unit and the second time unit (in the second time unit). Figure 14 The time unit where the resource block marked by the vertical line is located becomes the second frequency range. Figure 4 The second frequency range is equal to the BWP bandwidth. Figure 14 As can be seen, the second time unit is the first time unit after the first time unit.

[0367] It should be understood that for other descriptions in S1310 besides the time domain position of the second time unit mentioned above, such as the process of the terminal device determining the bandwidth switching, please refer to the relevant content in Example 1 above. This application embodiment will not repeat the description here.

[0368] S1320, the terminal device changes the first bandwidth from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit.

[0369] S1330, the terminal device transmits or receives signals in time unit #F at a second frequency range. Correspondingly, the network device transmits or receives signals from the terminal device in time unit #F at a second frequency range. Alternatively, the terminal device transmits or receives signals in time unit #F with a first bandwidth after the switch. Correspondingly, the network device transmits or receives signals from the terminal device in time unit #F with a first bandwidth after the switch, etc. This application embodiment does not limit the scope of the implementation.

[0370] As an example, time unit #F can be a second time unit or one or more time units within a period of time after the second time unit.

[0371] It should be understood that for other descriptions of method 1300, such as the explanation of the first or second time unit, please refer to the relevant content in Example 1 above. The embodiments of this application will not be repeated here.

[0372] The above, combined with Figures 3 to 14 The methods provided in the embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Figures 15 to 17 The apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application is described in detail. It should be understood that the description of the apparatus embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, for content not described in detail, please refer to the method embodiments above. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0373] See Figure 15 As an example, Figure 15This is a schematic diagram of a communication device 1500 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1500 includes a transceiver unit 1510 and a processing unit 1520. The transceiver unit 1510 can be used to implement corresponding communication functions. The transceiver unit 1510 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit. The processing unit 1520 can be used to perform processing, such as determining information bits.

[0374] Optionally, the device 1500 may further include a storage unit for storing instructions and / or data, and the processing unit 1520 may read the instructions and / or data from the storage unit to enable the device to implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0375] In a first possible design, the device 1500 can be the terminal device in the foregoing embodiments, which can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those executed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments. Specifically, the transceiver unit 1510 can be used to perform transceiver-related operations (such as sending and / or receiving data or messages) of the terminal device in the above method embodiments, and the processing unit 1520 can be used to perform processing-related operations of the terminal device in the above method embodiments, or operations other than transceiver (such as operations other than sending and / or receiving data or messages).

[0376] One possible implementation is a processing unit 1520, configured to determine in a first time unit that a first bandwidth changes from a first frequency range to a second frequency range in a second time unit, the second time unit being after the first time unit, the first bandwidth being used to transmit or receive signals; and a transceiver unit 1510, configured to transmit or receive signals in a third time unit, the third time unit being between the first time unit and the second time unit.

[0377] Another possible implementation is a processing unit 1520, which is used to determine in a first time unit that the first bandwidth changes from a first frequency range to a second frequency range in a second time unit, the second time unit being after the first time unit, and the time length between the first time unit and the second time unit being less than the BWP handover delay, the first bandwidth being used to transmit or receive signals; and a transceiver unit 1510, which is used to transmit or receive signals in a fifth time unit, the fifth time unit being between the time unit preceding the second time unit and a sixth time unit, the time length between the sixth time unit and the first time unit being the BWP handover delay.

[0378] In a second possible design, the device 1500 can be a network device as described in the foregoing embodiments. This device 1500 can implement the steps or processes performed by the network device corresponding to those described in the method embodiments above. Specifically, the transceiver unit 1510 can be used to perform transceiver-related operations (such as sending and / or receiving data or messages) of the network device described in the method embodiments above, and the processing unit 1520 can be used to perform processing-related operations of the network device described in the method embodiments above, or operations other than transceiver operations (such as operations other than sending and / or receiving data or messages).

[0379] In one possible implementation, a processing unit 1520 is configured to determine, in a first time unit, that a first bandwidth of the terminal device changes from a first frequency range to a second frequency range in a second time unit, the second time unit being after the first time unit, and the first bandwidth being used to transmit or receive signals; and a transceiver unit 1510 is configured to receive signals from the terminal device or transmit signals to the terminal device in a third time unit, the third time unit being between the first time unit and the second time unit.

[0380] Another possible implementation is as follows: Processing unit 1520 is configured to determine, in a first time unit, that the first bandwidth of the terminal device changes from a first frequency range to a second frequency range in a second time unit, the second time unit being after the first time unit, and the time length between the first time unit and the second time unit being less than the BWP handover delay, the first bandwidth being used to send or receive signals; Transceiver unit 1510 is configured to receive signals from the terminal device or send signals to the terminal device in a fifth time unit, the fifth time unit being between the time unit preceding the second time unit and a sixth time unit, the time length between the sixth time unit and the first time unit being the BWP handover delay.

[0381] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above-mentioned corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0382] It should also be understood that the device 1500 here is embodied in the form of a functional unit. The term "unit" here can refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), electronic circuitry, a processor (e.g., a shared processor, a proprietary processor, or a group processor, etc.) and memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuitry, and / or other suitable components supporting the described functions. In an alternative example, those skilled in the art will understand that the device 1500 can be specifically the communication device in the above embodiments, and can be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the communication device in the above method embodiments; to avoid repetition, these will not be described again here.

[0383] The apparatus 1500 of each of the above-described schemes has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device) in the above-described methods. The function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions; for example, the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transceiver (e.g., the transmitting unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a receiver), and other units, such as processing units, can be replaced by processors, each performing the transceiver operations and related processing operations in the respective method embodiments.

[0384] In addition, the transceiver unit 1510 may also be a transceiver circuit (for example, it may include a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing unit may be a processing circuit.

[0385] It should be pointed out that, Figure 15 The device mentioned can be the communication equipment (such as a terminal device or a network device) in the foregoing embodiments, or it can be a chip or a chip system, such as a system on a chip (SoC). The transceiver unit can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processing unit is a processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit integrated on the chip. No limitations are imposed here.

[0386] See Figure 16 As an example, Figure 16 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device 1600 provided in an embodiment of this application. The device 1600 includes a processor 1610, which is coupled to a memory 1620. The memory 1620 is used to store computer programs or instructions and / or data. The processor 1610 is used to execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 1620, or to read the data stored in the memory 1620, in order to execute the methods in the above method embodiments.

[0387] Optionally, there may be one or more processors 1610.

[0388] Optionally, the memory 1620 may be one or more.

[0389] Alternatively, the memory 1620 can be integrated with the processor 1610, or it can be set separately.

[0390] Optionally, such as Figure 16 As shown, the device 1600 also includes a transceiver 1630 for receiving and / or transmitting signals. For example, a processor 1610 is used to control the transceiver 1630 to receive and / or transmit signals.

[0391] As an example, processor 1610 may have Figure 15 The processing unit 1520 shown has the function of a storage unit, the memory 1620 can have the function of a storage unit, and the transceiver 1630 can have... Figure 15 The function of the transceiver unit 1510 shown is illustrated.

[0392] As one option, the device 1600 is used to implement the operations performed by a communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device) in the various method embodiments described above.

[0393] For example, processor 1610 is used to execute computer programs or instructions stored in memory 1620 to implement the relevant operations of the communication device in the various method embodiments described above.

[0394] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0395] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM can be used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, RAM includes the following forms: static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0396] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated into the processor.

[0397] It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0398] See Figure 17 As an example, Figure 17 This is a schematic diagram of a chip system 1700 provided in an embodiment of this application. The chip system 1700 (or may also be referred to as a processing system) includes logic circuitry 1710 and an input / output interface 1720.

[0399] The logic circuit 1710 can be a processing circuit in the chip system 1700. The logic circuit 1710 can be coupled to a memory unit, calling instructions from the memory unit, enabling the chip system 1700 to implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application. The input / output interface 1720 can be an input / output circuit in the chip system 1700, outputting processed information from the chip system 1700, or inputting data or signaling information to be processed into the chip system 1700 for processing.

[0400] As one approach, the chip system 1700 is used to implement operations performed by communication devices (such as terminal devices or network devices) in the various method embodiments described above.

[0401] For example, logic circuit 1710 is used to implement processing-related operations performed by a communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device) in the above method embodiments; input / output interface 1720 is used to implement sending and / or receiving-related operations performed by a communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device) in the above method embodiments.

[0402] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions for implementing the methods executed by a communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device) in the above-described method embodiments. For example, when the computer program or instructions are run on the communication device, the communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device) performs the above-described methods (such as method 300 or method 1100).

[0403] This application also provides a computer program product comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, implement the methods described above as performed by a communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device). For example, when the computer program or instructions are run on the communication device, the communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device) performs the methods described above (such as method 300 or method 1100).

[0404] This application also provides a communication system, which includes the terminal devices and / or network devices described in the above embodiments. For example, the system includes... Figure 3 or Figure 11 The terminal device and network device in the embodiments.

[0405] The explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant contents in any of the devices provided above can be found in the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0406] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus 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 mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection of apparatus or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0407] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and 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. For example, the computer can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc. 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., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (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 integrates one or more available media. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks, SSDs). For example, the aforementioned available media include, but are not limited to, USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks, and other media capable of storing program code.

[0408] 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, include: In the first time unit, the first bandwidth is determined to change from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit, which is after the first time unit. The first bandwidth is used to transmit or receive signals. Signals are sent or received in a third time unit, which is between the first time unit and the second time unit.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The third time unit is any time unit between the first time unit and the second time unit, or the third time unit is any time unit between the first time unit and the fourth time unit, wherein the fourth time unit is between the first time unit and the second time unit, and no signal is sent or received in the time unit preceding the second time unit.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The sending or receiving of signals in the third time unit includes: In the third time unit, a signal is transmitted or received within the first frequency range.

4. A communication method, characterized in that, include: In the first time unit, the first bandwidth is determined to change from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit. The second time unit is after the first time unit. The time length between the first time unit and the second time unit is less than the BWP handover delay. The first bandwidth is used to transmit or receive signals. The signal is sent or received in the fifth time unit, which is between the time unit preceding the second time unit and the sixth time unit. The time length between the sixth time unit and the first time unit is the BWP handover delay.

5. A communication method, characterized in that, include: In the first time unit, a first bandwidth is determined, and in the second time unit, the bandwidth changes from a first frequency range to a second frequency range. The second time unit is the first time unit after the first time unit, and the first bandwidth is used to transmit or receive signals.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, At least one of the following configurations is the same in the second time unit and the first time unit: The frequency range of the BWP bandwidth section; Time-domain resources for receiving the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH); Frequency domain resources for receiving PDCCH; The period for receiving PDCCH; Receive the scrambling code for the PDCCH; Time-domain resource allocation table (TDRA) for receiving the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH); Resources for receiving the demodulation reference signal DMRS from the PDSCH; Channel Status Information (CSI) reporting configuration; Time-domain resources for receiving Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS).

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, At least one of the following configurations differs between the second time unit and the first time unit: The frequency range of the first bandwidth; The number of antenna ports, which are used to transmit or receive signals; Maximum number of uplink transmission layers; Maximum number of downlink transmission layers.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The number of frequency domain resources in the first frequency range is less than the number of frequency domain resources in the second frequency range.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first frequency range is the default frequency range of the first bandwidth.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The step of determining that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit in the first time unit includes: Upon receiving the first PDCCH in the first time unit, the system determines, based on the first PDCCH, that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit; or... In the first time unit, a first indication information is received, which indicates that the first bandwidth is changed from the first frequency range to the second frequency range. Based on the first indication information, it is determined that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive first configuration information, the first configuration information indicating the frequency domain resources of the control resource set CORESET of the first PDCCH; The first frequency range is determined to be the frequency range of the CORESET.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive second configuration information, the second configuration information indicating the first frequency range, the first frequency range including part or all of the frequency domain resources of the CORESET of the first PDCCH.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that, The second frequency range is configured, or the second frequency range is the frequency range of the BWP.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The number of frequency domain resources in the first frequency range is greater than the number of frequency domain resources in the second frequency range.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The second frequency range is the default frequency range of the first bandwidth.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that, The step of determining that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit in the first time unit includes: In the first time unit, a second indication message is sent, indicating that the first bandwidth changes from a first frequency range to a second frequency range; in the second time unit, the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range; or... In the first time unit, a first indication information is received, indicating that the first bandwidth should be changed from the first frequency range to the second frequency range. Based on the first indication information, it is determined that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit; or... If the first PDCCH is not received before the first timer ends, it is determined that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit, where the first time unit is the end time unit of the first timer, and the start time unit of the first timer is the time unit in which the first bandwidth changes to the first frequency range; or... If the first PDCCH is not received before the end of the second timer, it is determined that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit. The first time unit is the end time unit of the second timer, and the start time unit of the second timer is the time unit before the first time unit when the first PDCCH was received.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, Sending the second indication information on the first time unit includes: If the first PDCCH is not received within the first time period, it is determined that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit, and the first time period is before the first time unit.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive first configuration information, the first configuration information indicating the frequency domain resources of the control resource set CORESET of the first PDCCH; The second frequency range is determined to be the frequency range of the CORESET.

19. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive second configuration information, the second configuration information indicating the second frequency range, the second frequency range including part or all of the frequency domain resources of the control resource set CORESET of the first PDCCH.

20. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that, The first frequency range is configured, or the first frequency range is the frequency range of the BWP.

21. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12 or 16 to 19, characterized in that, The first PDCCH is at least one of the following: The PDCCH that schedules PDSCH; or, The PDCCH that schedules PUSCH; or, The PDCCH for scheduling paging messages.

22. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that, The first bandwidth is a portion of the BWP bandwidth.

23. A communication method, characterized in that, include: In the first time unit, the first bandwidth of the terminal device is determined to change from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit. The second time unit is after the first time unit, and the first bandwidth is used to transmit or receive signals. The third time unit is between the first time unit and the second time unit.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that, The third time unit is any time unit between the first time unit and the second time unit, or the third time unit is any time unit between the first time unit and the fourth time unit, wherein the fourth time unit is between the first time unit and the second time unit, and no signal is sent or received in the time unit preceding the second time unit.

25. The method according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that, Receiving a signal from the terminal device or sending a signal to the terminal device in the third time unit includes: The third time unit receives signals from the terminal device or sends signals to the terminal device within the first frequency range.

26. A communication method, characterized in that, include: In the first time unit, the first bandwidth of the terminal device is determined to change from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit. The second time unit is after the first time unit. The time length between the first time unit and the second time unit is less than the BWP handover delay. The first bandwidth is used to transmit or receive signals. The fifth time unit receives a signal from the terminal device or sends a signal to the terminal device. The fifth time unit is between the time unit preceding the second time unit and the sixth time unit. The time length between the sixth time unit and the first time unit is the BWP handover delay.

27. A communication method, characterized in that, include: In the first time unit, the first bandwidth of the terminal device is determined to change from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit. The second time unit is the first time unit after the first time unit, and the first bandwidth is used to transmit or receive signals.

28. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 26, characterized in that, At least one of the following configurations is the same in the second time unit and the first time unit: The frequency range of the BWP bandwidth section; Time-domain resources for receiving the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH); Frequency domain resources for receiving PDCCH; The period for receiving PDCCH; Receive the scrambling code for the PDCCH; Time-domain resource allocation table (TDRA) for receiving the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH); Resources for receiving the demodulation reference signal DMRS from the PDSCH; Channel Status Information (CSI) reporting configuration; Time-domain resources for receiving Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS).

29. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 28, characterized in that, At least one of the following configurations differs between the second time unit and the first time unit: The frequency range of the first bandwidth; The number of antenna ports, which are used to transmit or receive signals; Maximum number of uplink transmission layers; Maximum number of downlink transmission layers.

30. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 29, characterized in that, The number of frequency domain resources in the first frequency range is less than the number of frequency domain resources in the second frequency range.

31. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that, The first frequency range is the default frequency range of the first bandwidth.

32. The method according to claim 30 or 31, characterized in that, The step of determining that the first bandwidth of the terminal device changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit includes: In the first time unit, a first PDCCH is transmitted. This first PDCCH is used by the terminal device to determine that the first bandwidth changes from a first frequency range to a second frequency range in the second time unit; or... In the first time unit, a first indication message is sent, which instructs the terminal device to change the first bandwidth from the first frequency range to the second frequency range.

33. The method according to any one of claims 30 to 32, characterized in that, Also includes: Send first configuration information, which indicates the frequency domain resources of the CORESET of the first PDCCH, and the frequency range of the CORESET is used to determine the first frequency range.

34. The method according to any one of claims 30 to 32, characterized in that, Also includes: Send second configuration information, the second configuration information indicating the first frequency range, the first frequency range including part or all of the frequency domain resources of the CORESET of the first PDCCH.

35. The method according to any one of claims 30 to 34, characterized in that, The second frequency range is configured, or the second frequency range is the frequency range of the BWP.

36. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 29, characterized in that, The number of frequency domain resources in the first frequency range is greater than the number of frequency domain resources in the second frequency range.

37. The method according to claim 36, characterized in that, The second frequency range is the default frequency range of the first bandwidth.

38. The method according to claim 36 or 37, characterized in that, The step of determining that the first bandwidth of the terminal device changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit includes: Receive second indication information in the first time unit, the second indication information indicating that the first bandwidth changes from a first frequency range to a second frequency range; or... In the first time unit, a first indication message is sent, indicating that the first bandwidth be changed from the first frequency range to the second frequency range; or... If the first PDCCH is not sent before the first timer ends, it is determined that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit, where the first time unit is the end time unit of the first timer, and the start time unit of the first timer is the time unit in which the first bandwidth changes to the first frequency range; or... If the first PDCCH is not sent before the end of the second timer, it is determined that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit. The first time unit is the end time unit of the second timer, and the start time unit of the second timer is the time unit before the first time unit when the first PDCCH was received.

39. The method according to claim 38, characterized in that, Receiving the second indication information in the first time unit includes: If no first PDCCH is transmitted during the first time period, it is determined that the first bandwidth changes from the first frequency range to the second frequency range in the second time unit, and the first time period is before the first time unit.

40. The method according to any one of claims 36 to 39, characterized in that, Also includes: Send first configuration information, which indicates the frequency domain resources of the CORESET of the first PDCCH, and the frequency range of the CORESET is used to determine the second frequency range.

41. The method according to any one of claims 36 to 39, characterized in that, Also includes: Send second configuration information, which indicates the second frequency range, which includes part or all of the frequency domain resources of the control resource set CORESET of the first PDCCH.

42. The method according to any one of claims 36 to 41, characterized in that, The first frequency range is configured, or the first frequency range is the frequency range of the BWP.

43. The method according to any one of claims 32 to 36 or 38 to 41, characterized in that, The first PDCCH is at least one of the following: The PDCCH that schedules PDSCH; or, The PDCCH that schedules PUSCH; or, The PDCCH for scheduling paging messages.

44. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 43, characterized in that, The first bandwidth is a portion of the BWP bandwidth.

45. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes modules or units for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 44.

46. ​​A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processor, the processor being configured to cause the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 44.

47. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 44.

48. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 44.

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