Apparatus in a communication system and method performed thereby

Abstract

An apparatus in a communication system and a method performed by the apparatus are provided. The method includes receiving first information configuring a first carrier for uplink and second information configuring a second carrier for downlink, receiving information of uplink-downlink configuration indicating one or more time units configured as uplink and / or one or more time units configured as downlink, and transmitting an uplink channel or signal on the first carrier in at least one time unit indicated as uplink by the uplink-downlink configuration or receiving a downlink channel or signal on the second carrier in at least one time unit indicated as downlink by the uplink-downlink configuration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to communication technology, and more specifically, to apparatus in a communication system and methods for performing the same. Background Technology

[0002] Given the successive generations of wireless communication development, these technologies have primarily been developed for human-oriented services such as voice calls, multimedia services, and data services. With the commercialization of 5th-generation (5G) communication systems, the number of connected devices is expected to grow exponentially. These will increasingly connect to communication networks. Examples of the Internet of Things (IoT) can include vehicles, robots, drones, home appliances, displays, smart sensors connected to various infrastructures, construction machinery, and factory equipment. Mobile devices are expected to evolve in various forms, such as augmented reality glasses, virtual reality headsets, and holographic devices. Efforts are underway to develop improved 6G communication systems to provide a wide range of services by connecting hundreds of billions of devices and things in the sixth-generation (6G) era.

[0003] The 6G communication system, expected to be commercially available around 2030, will offer significant improvements in all aspects compared to existing 5G systems. Its peak speed will reach at least 50 Gbit / s, user experience speed will reach at least 300 Mbit / s, air interface latency will be less than 1 ms, and air interface reliability will reach 10... -5 In addition to the basic communication indicators mentioned above, 6G communication systems will also have sensing capabilities, AI-related capabilities, and better security, interoperability, and sustainability.

[0004] To achieve the aforementioned performance indicators for 6G communication systems, more advanced air interface and network technologies are needed. Currently, the evolution of extreme multiple input multiple output (MIMO) is being considered, including the use of very large-scale antenna arrays, the development and evolution of distributed antenna systems, and the design of MIMO air interface algorithms assisted by artificial intelligence (AI). This technology can achieve higher spectral efficiency, greater coverage, and more precise positioning and sensing capabilities. Furthermore, technologies that contribute to improving high-frequency coverage, including metamaterial-based lenses and antennas, novel antenna architectures, and reconfigurable intelligence surfaces (RIS), also require further evolution and development.

[0005] To meet the new functions added to the 6G communication system, it is necessary to develop new technologies in areas such as network energy saving, air interface security, and network security, and at the same time, it is necessary to study the feasibility of converged technologies such as communication and sensing integration.

[0006] In addition, to improve spectrum efficiency and overall network performance, the following technologies have been developed for 6G communication systems: full-duplex technology to enable uplink and downlink transmissions to use the same frequency resources simultaneously; network technologies that utilize satellites, high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), etc., in a comprehensive manner; improved network architecture to support mobile base stations, etc., and to enable network operation optimization and automation; dynamic spectrum sharing technology based on spectrum usage prediction and conflict avoidance; the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in wireless communication to improve overall network operation by utilizing AI from the design phase of 6G development and internalizing end-to-end AI support functions; and next-generation distributed computing technologies that overcome the computing power limitations of user equipment (UE) by leveraging ultra-high-performance communication and computing resources (such as mobile edge computing (MEC), cloud, etc.) achievable on the network. Furthermore, efforts are continuing to enhance connectivity between devices, optimize networks, promote the software-defined networking of network entities, and increase the openness of wireless communications by designing new protocols to be used in 6G communication systems, developing mechanisms for achieving hardware-based secure environments and secure data use, and developing technologies for maintaining privacy.

[0007] The research and development of 6G communication systems, encompassing hyper-connectivity for both person-to-machine (P2M) and machine-to-machine (M2M) interactions, is expected to deliver the next wave of hyper-connected experiences. Specifically, services such as truly immersive extended reality (XR), high-fidelity mobile holograms, and digital replicas are anticipated to be provided through 6G communication systems. Furthermore, services such as remote surgery for enhanced security and reliability, industrial automation, and emergency response will be available via 6G communication systems, enabling the technology to be applied across a wide range of sectors including industry, healthcare, automotive, and home appliances. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to some aspects of this disclosure, a method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a communication system is provided. The method includes: receiving first information and second information, the first information configuring a first carrier for uplink and the second information configuring a second carrier for downlink; receiving uplink / downlink configuration information, the uplink / downlink configuration indicating one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink; and transmitting an uplink channel or signal on the first carrier in at least one time unit indicated by the uplink / downlink configuration as uplink, or receiving a downlink channel or signal on the second carrier in at least one time unit indicated by the uplink / downlink configuration as downlink.

[0009] In conjunction with one or more aspects of the method performed by the UE as described above, for example, the uplink and downlink configurations are commonly used for the first carrier and the second carrier.

[0010] In conjunction with one or more aspects of the method performed by the UE described above, for example, the uplink / downlink configuration indicates one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink based on the time unit of the first carrier; the uplink / downlink configuration indicates one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink based on the time unit of the second carrier; the uplink / downlink configuration indicates one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink based on the longer time unit of the first carrier and the time unit of the second carrier; or, the uplink / downlink configuration indicates one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink based on the shorter time unit of the first carrier and the time unit of the second carrier.

[0011] In conjunction with one or more aspects of the method performed by the UE described above, for example, the uplink / downlink configuration includes a first uplink / downlink configuration for the first carrier and a second uplink / downlink configuration for the second carrier, wherein the first uplink / downlink configuration indicates one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink, and the second uplink / downlink configuration indicates one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink, wherein the uplink channel or signal is transmitted in at least one time unit indicated as uplink by the first uplink / downlink configuration, or the downlink channel or signal is received in at least one time unit indicated as downlink by the second uplink / downlink configuration.

[0012] In conjunction with one or more aspects of the method performed by the UE described above, for example, the uplink channel or signal is not transmitted in a time unit that is indicated as downlink by the first uplink / downlink configuration and as uplink by the second uplink / downlink configuration; and / or the downlink channel or signal is not received in a time unit that is indicated as downlink by the first uplink / downlink configuration and as uplink by the second uplink / downlink configuration; and / or the uplink channel or signal is transmitted in at least one time unit that is indicated as uplink by both the first uplink / downlink configuration and the second uplink / downlink configuration, or the downlink channel or signal is received in at least one time unit that is indicated as downlink by both the first uplink / downlink configuration and the second uplink / downlink configuration; and / or the first uplink / downlink configuration does not indicate a time unit that is indicated as uplink by the second uplink / downlink configuration as downlink, or the second uplink / downlink configuration does not indicate a time unit that is indicated as downlink by the first uplink / downlink configuration as downlink; and / or in a time unit that is indicated as uplink by the first uplink / downlink configuration and as downlink by the second uplink / downlink configuration, the uplink channel or signal is not transmitted in a time unit that is indicated as uplink by the first uplink / downlink configuration and as downlink by the second uplink / downlink configuration. The transmission of the uplink channel or signal and the reception of the downlink channel or signal are not scheduled simultaneously; and / or the time unit in which the first uplink / downlink configuration indication is uplink and the second uplink / downlink configuration indication is downlink is used only for the transmission of the uplink channel or signal, or the time unit in which the first uplink / downlink configuration indication is uplink and the second uplink / downlink configuration indication is downlink is used only for the reception of the downlink channel or signal; and / or when the transmission of the uplink channel or signal and the reception of the downlink channel or signal are scheduled simultaneously in the time unit in which the first uplink / downlink configuration indication is uplink and the second uplink / downlink configuration indication is downlink, the uplink channel or signal is transmitted or the downlink channel or signal is received based on the priority of the uplink channel or signal and the downlink channel or signal; and / or when the transmission of the uplink channel or signal and the reception of the downlink channel or signal are scheduled simultaneously in the time unit in which the first uplink / downlink configuration indication is uplink and the second uplink / downlink configuration indication is downlink, the time unit is used only for the transmission of the uplink channel or signal, or the time unit is used only for the reception of the downlink channel or signal.

[0013] In conjunction with one or more aspects of the methods performed by the UE as described above, for example, the time unit includes at least one of the following: a symbol or a time slot.

[0014] In conjunction with one or more aspects of the method performed by the UE as described above, for example, the first information and the second information are configured for the serving cell.

[0015] In conjunction with one or more aspects of the method performed by the UE as described above, for example, the frequency of the first carrier is less than the frequency of the second carrier.

[0016] According to some aspects of this disclosure, a method performed by a base station in a communication system is provided. The method includes: sending first information and second information to a user equipment (UE), the first information configuring a first carrier for uplink and the second information configuring a second carrier for downlink; sending uplink / downlink configuration information to the UE, the uplink / downlink configuration indicating one or more time units configured for uplink and / or configured for downlink; and receiving an uplink channel or signal from the UE on the first carrier in at least one time unit indicated by the uplink / downlink configuration as uplink, or sending a downlink channel or signal to the UE on the second carrier in at least one time unit indicated by the uplink / downlink configuration as downlink.

[0017] In conjunction with one or more aspects of the method performed by the base station as described above, for example, the uplink and downlink configurations are commonly used for the first carrier and the second carrier.

[0018] In conjunction with one or more aspects of the method performed by the base station described above, for example, the uplink / downlink configuration indicates one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink based on the time unit of the first carrier; the uplink / downlink configuration indicates one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink based on the time unit of the second carrier; the uplink / downlink configuration indicates one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink based on the longer of the time unit of the first carrier and the time unit of the second carrier; or the uplink / downlink configuration indicates one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink based on the shorter of the time unit of the first carrier and the time unit of the second carrier.

[0019] In conjunction with one or more aspects of the method performed by the base station as described above, for example, the uplink / downlink configuration includes a first uplink / downlink configuration for the first carrier and a second uplink / downlink configuration for the second carrier, wherein the first uplink / downlink configuration indicates one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink, and the second uplink / downlink configuration indicates one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink, wherein the uplink channel or signal is received in at least one time unit indicated as uplink by the first uplink / downlink configuration, or the downlink channel or signal is transmitted in at least one time unit indicated as downlink by the second uplink / downlink configuration.

[0020] In conjunction with one or more aspects of the method performed by the base station described above, for example, the uplink channel or signal is not received in a time unit that is indicated as downlink by the first uplink / downlink configuration and as uplink by the second uplink / downlink configuration; and / or

[0021] The downlink channel or signal is not transmitted in a time unit that is indicated as downlink by the first uplink / downlink configuration and as uplink by the second uplink / downlink configuration; and / or the uplink channel or signal is received in at least one time unit that is indicated as uplink by both the first uplink / downlink configuration and the second uplink / downlink configuration, or the downlink channel or signal is transmitted in at least one time unit that is indicated as downlink by both the first uplink / downlink configuration and the second uplink / downlink configuration; and / or the first uplink / downlink configuration does not indicate a time unit that is indicated as uplink by the second uplink / downlink configuration as downlink, or the second uplink / downlink configuration does not indicate a time unit that is indicated as downlink by the first uplink / downlink configuration as downlink; and / or in a time unit that is indicated as uplink by the first uplink / downlink configuration and as downlink by the second uplink / downlink configuration, the transmission of the uplink channel or signal and the reception of the downlink channel or signal are not simultaneously scheduled; and / or the first uplink / downlink configuration indicates as The time unit in which the uplink and the second uplink / downlink configuration indication is downlink is used only for receiving uplink channels or signals, or the time unit in which the first uplink / downlink configuration indication is uplink and the second uplink / downlink configuration indication is downlink is used only for transmitting downlink channels or signals; and / or when, in the time unit in which the first uplink / downlink configuration indication is uplink and the second uplink / downlink configuration indication is downlink, the reception of the uplink channel or signal and the transmission of the downlink channel or signal are simultaneously scheduled, the uplink channel or signal is received or the downlink channel or signal is transmitted based on the priority of the uplink channel or signal and the downlink channel or signal; and / or when, in the time unit in which the first uplink / downlink configuration indication is uplink and the second uplink / downlink configuration indication is downlink, the reception of the uplink channel or signal and the transmission of the downlink channel or signal are simultaneously scheduled, the time unit is used only for receiving the uplink channel or signal, or the time unit is used only for transmitting the downlink channel or signal.

[0022] In conjunction with one or more aspects of the method performed by the base station as described above, for example, the time unit includes at least one of the following: a symbol or a time slot.

[0023] In conjunction with one or more aspects of the method performed by the base station as described above, for example, the first information and the second information are configured for the serving cell.

[0024] In conjunction with one or more aspects of the method performed by the base station as described above, for example, the frequency of the first carrier is less than the frequency of the second carrier.

[0025] According to some aspects of this disclosure, a user equipment (UE) in a communication system is also provided. The UE includes: a transceiver; and one or more processors coupled to the transceiver and configured to perform one or more aspects of the methods performed by the UE described above.

[0026] According to some aspects of this disclosure, a base station in a communication system is also provided. The base station includes: a transceiver; and one or more processors coupled to the transceiver and configured to perform one or more aspects of the methods described above performed by the base station.

[0027] According to some aspects of this disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is also provided, on which one or more computer programs are stored, wherein when the one or more computer programs are executed by one or more processors, one or more aspects of the methods described above for execution by the UE can be implemented.

[0028] According to some aspects of this disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is also provided, on which one or more computer programs are stored, wherein when the one or more computer programs are executed by one or more processors, one or more aspects of the methods performed by the base station described above can be implemented. Attached Figure Description

[0029] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of this disclosure will be briefly described below. Clearly, the drawings described below only relate to some embodiments of this disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. In the drawings:

[0030] Figure 1 An example wireless network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0031] Figure 2 Example base stations according to some embodiments of this disclosure are shown;

[0032] Figure 3 Example user equipment according to some embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0033] Figure 4 A flowchart of a method performed by a UE according to some example embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0034] Figure 5 Examples of uplink and downlink carrier configurations according to some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are shown;

[0035] Figure 6Examples of uplink carrier uplink / downlink configurations (first uplink / downlink configuration) and downlink carrier uplink / downlink configurations (second uplink / downlink configuration) according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure are shown;

[0036] Figure 7 Example methods for determining time units available for uplink channel / signal transmission and time units available for downlink channel / signal reception, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, are shown.

[0037] Figure 8 Example methods for determining time units available for uplink channel / signal transmission and time units available for downlink channel / signal reception, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, are shown.

[0038] Figure 9 An example of uplink and downlink configuration of a first conflicting time unit according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0039] Figure 10 Example methods for determining time units available for uplink channel / signal transmission and time units available for downlink channel / signal reception, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, are shown.

[0040] Figure 11 Example methods for determining time units available for uplink channel / signal transmission and time units available for downlink channel / signal reception, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, are shown.

[0041] Figure 12 A flowchart of a method performed by a UE according to some example embodiments of this disclosure is shown;

[0042] Figure 13 A flowchart is shown illustrating a method performed by a base station according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0043] Figure 14 A block diagram illustrating the configuration of a UE according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0044] Figure 15 A block diagram illustrating the configuration of a base station according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0045] Before proceeding with the following detailed description, it may be advantageous to define certain words and phrases used throughout the patent literature. The term “connection” and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, regardless of whether those elements are physically in contact with each other. The terms “transmit,” “receive,” and “transmit,” and their derivatives encompass both direct and indirect communication. The terms “comprise” and “include,” and their derivatives mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is concurrent, meaning both and / or. The phrase “associated with,” and its derivatives mean including, being included in, interconnected with, containing, being contained within, connected to or connected with, coupled to or coupled with, able to communicate with, cooperate with, intertwine, juxtapose, proximate, bound to or bound with, having, possessing attributes, having a relationship with, or having a relationship with, etc. The term “controller” means any device, system, or part thereof that controls at least one operation. Such a controller may be implemented in hardware or in a combination of hardware and software and / or firmware. The functionality associated with any particular controller, whether local or remote, can be centralized or distributed. The phrase "at least one" when used to list items means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items can be used, and it is possible that only one item in the list is needed. For example, "at least one of A, B, and C" includes any of the following combinations: A, B, C; A and B; A and C; B and C; and only A, only B, and only C. Similarly, the term "set" means one or more. Therefore, a set of items can be a single item or a set of two or more items.

[0046] Furthermore, the various functions described below can be implemented or supported by one or more computer programs, each function being formed by computer-readable program code and embodied in a computer-readable medium. The terms "application" and "program" refer to one or more computer programs, software components, instruction sets, procedures, functions, objects, classes, instances, associated data, or portions thereof suitable for implementation in appropriate computer-readable program code. The phrase "computer-readable program code" includes any type of computer code, including source code, object code, and executable code. The phrase "computer-readable medium" includes any type of medium accessible by a computer, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), hard disk drive, compact disc (CD), digital video disc (DVD), or any other type of storage. "Non-transitory" computer-readable media excludes wired, wireless, optical, or other communication links that transmit transient electrical or other signals. Non-transitory computer-readable media includes media in which data can be permanently stored and media such as rewritable optical discs or erasable memory devices in which data can be stored and later rewritten.

[0047] Definitions for certain other words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document. Those skilled in the art will understand that, in many, if not the most, instances, such definitions apply to both prior and future use of the words and phrases defined in this way.

[0048] The figures and various embodiments included herein, used to illustrate the principles of this disclosure, are merely illustrative and should not be construed in any way as limiting the scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of this disclosure can be implemented in any suitably arranged wireless communication system.

[0049] The following Figures 1 to 3 Various embodiments of this disclosure implemented in wireless communication systems are described. Figures 1 to 3 The description does not imply any physical or architectural limitations on the ways in which different embodiments can be implemented. Different embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented in any suitably arranged communication system.

[0050] Figure 1 An example wireless network according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown. Figure 1 The embodiments of the wireless network shown are for illustrative purposes only. Other embodiments of the wireless network 100 may be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0051] like Figure 1As shown, the wireless network includes a base station (next generation nodeB, gNB or gNodeB) 101, gNB 102, and gNB 103. gNB 101 communicates with gNB 102 and gNB 103. gNB 101 also communicates with at least one network 130 such as the Internet, Internet Protocol (IP) networks, or other data networks.

[0052] gNB 102 provides wireless broadband access to network 130 to multiple first user equipments (UEs) within coverage area 120 of gNB 102. The multiple first UEs include UE 111, which may be located in a small business (SB); UE 112, which may be located in an enterprise (E); UE 113, which may be located in a WiFi hotspot (HS); UE 114, which may be located in a first residence (R1); UE 115, which may be located in a second residence (R2); and UE 116, which may be a mobile device (M) such as a cellular phone, wireless laptop, or wireless personal digital assistant (PDA). gNB 103 provides wireless broadband access to network 130 to multiple second UEs within coverage area 125 of gNB 103. The multiple second UEs include UE 115 and UE 116, and subscriber stations (SS, such as UEs) 117, 118, and 119. In some embodiments, one or more of gNBs 101 and 103 may communicate with each other and UE 111116 using existing wireless communication technologies, and one or more of UEs 111 and 119 may communicate directly with each other (e.g., UE 117 and 119) using other existing or proposed wireless communication technologies.

[0053] Depending on the network type, the term "base station" or "BS" can refer to any component (or set of components) configured to provide wireless access to a network, such as a transmit point (TP), transmit-receive point (TRP), enhanced (or "evolved") base station (eNodeB or eNB), 5G base station (gNB), macro cell, femtocell, wireless fidelity (WiFi) access point (AP), or other wireless-capable devices. A base station can provide wireless access according to one or more wireless communication protocols, such as 3GPP 5G new radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE A), high-speed packet access (HSPA), WiFi 802.11a / b / g / n / ac, etc. For convenience, various names for base station type devices and functions may be used interchangeably in this patent document to refer to network infrastructure components that provide wireless access to remote terminals. Furthermore, depending on the network type, the term "User Equipment" (UE) can refer to any component such as a mobile station (MS), user station (SS), remote terminal, wireless terminal, receiving point, or user device. For convenience, various names for user equipment type devices and functions may be used interchangeably in this patent document to refer to remote wireless devices that wirelessly access the BS regardless of whether the UE is a mobile device (such as a mobile phone or smartphone) or is generally considered a fixed device (such as a desktop computer or vending machine).

[0054] The dashed lines indicate the approximate extent of coverage areas 120 and 125, which are shown as roughly circular for illustrative and explanatory purposes only. It should be clearly understood that coverage areas such as 120 and 125 associated with the gNB can have other shapes, including irregular shapes, depending on the configuration of the gNB and variations in the wireless environment associated with natural and man-made obstacles.

[0055] As described in more detail below, one or more of UEs 111 and 119 include circuitry, programming, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, one or more of gNBs 101 and 103 include circuitry, programming, or a combination thereof.

[0056] although Figure 1 An example of a wireless network is shown, but more can be found on... Figure 1Various modifications can be made. For example, wireless network 100 can include any number of gNBs and any number of UEs in any suitable arrangement. Furthermore, gNB 101 can communicate directly with any number of UEs and provide those UEs with wireless broadband access to network 130. Similarly, each gNB 102 or 103 can communicate directly with network 130 and provide UEs with direct wireless broadband access to network 130. Additionally, gNBs 101, 102, and / or 103 can provide access to other or additional external networks, such as external telephone networks or other types of data networks.

[0057] Figure 2 An example base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 2 The embodiment of gNB 102 shown is for illustrative purposes only, and Figure 1 gNBs 101 and 103 can have the same or similar configurations. However, gNBs come in a variety of configurations, and Figure 2 This disclosure is not intended to limit the scope to any particular implementation of gNB.

[0058] like Figure 2 As shown, gNB 102 includes multiple antennas 200a 200n, multiple radio frequency (RF) transceivers 201a 201n, transmit (TX) processing circuitry 203, and receive (RX) processing circuitry 204. gNB 102 also includes a controller / processor 205, a memory 206, and a backhaul or network interface 207.

[0059] RF transceivers 201a and 201n receive incoming RF signals, such as signals transmitted by the UE in network 100, from antennas 200a and 200n. RF transceivers 201a and 201n down-convert the incoming RF signals to generate intermediate frequency (IF) or baseband signals. The IF or baseband signal is sent to RX processing circuitry 204, which generates a processed baseband signal by filtering, decoding, and / or digitizing the baseband or IF signal. RX processing circuitry 204 sends the processed baseband signal to controller / processor 205 for further processing.

[0060] TX processing circuit 203 receives analog or digital data (such as voice data, web data, email, or interactive video game data) from controller / processor 205. TX processing circuit 203 encodes, multiplexes, and / or digitizes the outgoing baseband data to generate a processed baseband or IF signal. RF transceivers 201a and 201n receive the processed baseband or IF signal from TX processing circuit 203 and up-convert the baseband or IF signal into an RF signal transmitted via antennas 201a and 201n.

[0061] The controller / processor 205 may include one or more processors or other processing devices that control the overall operation of the gNB 102. For example, the controller / processor 205 may control the reception of forward channel signals and the transmission of reverse channel signals by the RF transceivers 201a 201n, the RX processing circuit 204, and the TX processing circuit 203, according to known principles. The controller / processor 205 may also support additional functions, such as more advanced wireless communication capabilities.

[0062] For example, the controller / processor 205 can support beamforming or directional routing operations, where outgoing signals from multiple antennas 200a 200n are weighted differently to effectively redirect the outgoing signals in the desired direction. Any of a variety of other functions can be supported in the gNB 102 via the controller / processor 205.

[0063] The controller / processor 205 is also capable of executing programs and other processes located in the memory 206, such as the operating system (OS). The controller / processor 205 can move data into or out of the memory 206 as needed by the executing process.

[0064] The controller / processor 205 is also connected to a backhaul or network interface 207. The backhaul or network interface 207 allows the gNB 102 to communicate with other devices or systems via a backhaul connection or over a network. Interface 207 can support communication via any suitable wired or wireless connection(s). For example, when the gNB 102 is implemented as part of a cellular communication system (such as a cellular communication system supporting 5G, LTE, or LTE A), interface 207 can allow the gNB 102 to communicate with other gNBs via a wired or wireless backhaul connection. When the gNB 102 is implemented as an access point, interface 207 can allow the gNB 102 to communicate via a wired or wireless local area network or via a wired or wireless connection to a larger network (such as the Internet). Interface 207 includes any suitable structure that supports communication via wired or wireless connections such as Ethernet or RF transceivers.

[0065] Memory 206 is connected to controller / processor 205. A portion of memory 206 may include random access memory (RAM), and another portion of memory 206 may include flash memory or other read-only memory (ROM).

[0066] although Figure 2 An example of gNB 102 is shown, but it is possible to see more. Figure 2 Various changes can be made. For example, gNB 102 can include any number of Figure 2 Each component is shown in the diagram. As a specific example, an access point may include multiple interfaces 207, and the controller / processor 205 may support routing functionality to route data between different network addresses. As another specific example, although shown as a single instance of TX processing circuitry 203 and a single instance of RX processing circuitry 204, gNB102 may include multiple instances of each (such as one per RF transceiver). For example, Figure 2 The various components can be combined, further subdivided, or omitted, and additional components can be added as needed.

[0067] Figure 3 An example user equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 3 The embodiment of UE 116 shown is for illustrative purposes only, and Figure 1 UEs 111, 115, 117, and 119 can have the same or similar configurations. However, UEs appear in multiple configurations, and Figure 3 This disclosure is not intended to limit the scope to any particular implementation of the UE.

[0068] like Figure 3 As shown, UE 116 includes an antenna 301, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver 302, a TX processing circuit 303, a microphone 304, and a receive (RX) processing circuit 305. UE 116 also includes a speaker 306, a controller or processor 307, an input / output (I / O) interface (IF) 308, an input device 309, a touchscreen display 310, and memory 311. Memory 311 includes an OS 312 and one or more applications 313.

[0069] RF transceiver 302 receives incoming RF signals transmitted by gNB of network 100 from antenna 301. RF transceiver 302 down-converts the incoming RF signals to generate IF or baseband signals. The IF or baseband signals are sent to RX processing circuitry 305, which generates processed baseband signals by filtering, decoding, and / or digitizing the baseband or IF signals. RX processing circuitry 305 sends the processed baseband signals to speaker 306 (e.g., for voice data) or processor 307 for further processing (e.g., for web browsing data).

[0070] TX processing circuit 303 receives analog or digital voice data from microphone 304 or other outgoing baseband data (such as web data, email, or interactive video game data) from processor 307. TX processing circuit 303 encodes, multiplexes, and / or digitizes the outgoing baseband data to generate a processed baseband or IF signal. RF transceiver 302 receives the processed baseband or IF signal from TX processing circuit 303 and up-converts the baseband or IF signal into an RF signal transmitted via antenna 301.

[0071] Processor 307 may include one or more processors or other processing devices and executes OS 312 stored in memory 311 to control the overall operation of UE 116. For example, processor 307 may control the reception of forward channel signals and the transmission of reverse channel signals by RF transceiver 302, RX processing circuitry 305, and TX processing circuitry 303 according to known principles. In some embodiments, processor 307 includes at least one microprocessor or microcontroller.

[0072] Processor 307 is also capable of executing other processes and programs located in memory 311, such as processes for CSI reporting on the uplink channel. Processor 307 can move data into or out of memory 311 as needed for executing processes. In some embodiments, processor 307 is configured to execute application 313 based on OS 312 or in response to signals received from gNB or operator. Processor 307 is also coupled to I / O interface 308, which provides UE 116 with the ability to connect to other devices such as laptops and laptops. I / O interface 308 is the communication path between these accessories and processor 307.

[0073] The processor 307 is also connected to the touchscreen display 310. The user of the UE 116 can use the touchscreen display 310 to input data into the UE 116. The touchscreen display 310 can be a liquid crystal display, a light-emitting diode display, or other display capable of rendering text and / or at least limited graphics such as those from a website.

[0074] Memory 311 is connected to processor 307. A portion of memory 311 may include RAM, and another portion of memory 311 may include flash memory or other ROM.

[0075] although Figure 3 An example of UE 116 is shown, but it is possible to modify it. Figure 3 Make various changes. For example, Figure 3 The various components can be combined, further subdivided, or omitted, and additional components can be added as needed. As a specific example, processor 307 can be divided into multiple processors, such as one or more central processing units (CPUs) and one or more graphics processing units (GPUs). Moreover, although... Figure 3 The UE 116 is shown configured as a mobile phone or smartphone, but the UE can be configured to operate as other types of mobile or fixed devices.

[0076] It should be understood that the terms “first,” “second,” and similar words used in this disclosure do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “one,” or “the,” and similar words do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the presence of at least one. For example, a reference to “component surface” includes a reference to one or more such surfaces.

[0077] As used herein, any reference to “an example” or “example,” “an embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The phrases “in one embodiment” or “in one example” appearing in different places in the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

[0078] As used in this article, “a part” of something means “at least some” of that thing, and therefore may mean less than or all of that thing. Thus, “a part” of something includes the whole thing as a special case, that is, an example where the whole thing is a part of something.

[0079] In this disclosure, expressions such as “greater than” or “less than” are used as examples to determine whether a particular condition is met, and expressions such as “greater than or equal to” or “less than or equal to” are also applicable and not excluded. For example, a condition defined with “greater than or equal to” can be replaced with “greater than” (or vice versa), a condition defined with “less than or equal to” can be replaced with “less than” (or vice versa), and so on.

[0080] To further understand, the terms "including" or "contains," and similar words, mean that the element or object preceding the word covers the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects. Terms such as "connected" or "linked" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections, but can include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect. "Above," "below," "left," and "right," etc., are used only to indicate relative positional relationships; when the absolute position of the described objects changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly.

[0081] It should be noted that the multiple methods described in the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure cannot be combined in any order. In a combination, a method can be executed once or multiple times.

[0082] It should be noted that the steps in the method described in the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented in any order.

[0083] It should be noted that in the description of the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, "satisfying the predefined conditions" can be understood as at least satisfying the predefined conditions. For example, "performing operation A under the predefined conditions" can be understood as "performing operation A under the predefined conditions at least satisfying".

[0084] It should be noted that in the description of the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, "if the predefined conditions are met, execute the predefined method (or steps)" and "if the predefined conditions are not met, do not execute the predefined method (or steps)" can be used interchangeably.

[0085] In the description of exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, resources (also referred to as physical resources) may include time-domain resources (or time resources) and / or frequency-domain resources (or frequency resources).

[0086] In the description of exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, "temporal resource" or "time resource" may refer to at least one of the following or be used interchangeably with at least one of the following: (a plurality of) symbols (e.g., OFDM symbols), (a plurality of) time slots, (a plurality of) sub-time slots, (a plurality of) micro-time slots, or (a plurality of) subframes.

[0087] In the description of exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, "frequency domain resource" or "frequency resource" may refer to at least one of the following or be used interchangeably with at least one of the following: (multiple) channels, (multiple) subchannels, (multiple) carriers, (multiple) subcarriers, (multiple) resource blocks (RBs), (multiple) resource elements / resource particles (REs), (multiple) physical resource blocks (PRBs), or (multiple) physical resource block groups (RBGs).

[0088] In describing wireless communication systems and in this disclosure described below, a method (or configuration method) for transmitting higher-layer signaling or higher-layer signals can be a signaling method for transmitting information from a base station to a terminal via a downlink data channel of the physical layer or from a terminal to a base station via an uplink data channel of the physical layer. Examples of signaling methods can include signaling methods for transmitting information via radio resource control (RRC) signaling, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) signaling, or medium access control (MAC) control element (CE).

[0089] In the description of exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, higher-layer signaling may be signaling corresponding to at least one or a combination of one or more of the following signaling.

[0090] -MIB (Master Information Block)

[0091] -SIB (System Information Block) or SIB X (X = 1, 2, ...)

[0092] -RRC signaling

[0093] -MAC CE

[0094] Physical layer (Layer 1 (L1)) signaling can be signaling corresponding to at least one or a combination of one or more of the following signaling.

[0095] -PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel)

[0096] -DCI (Downlink Control Information)

[0097] -UE-specific DCI

[0098] -Group Public DCI

[0099] - Public DCI (e.g., multicast DCI)

[0100] - Scheduling DCI (e.g., DCI used to schedule downlink or uplink data)

[0101] - Non-scheduled DCI (e.g., DCI other than the DCI used to schedule downlink or uplink data)

[0102] -PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel)

[0103] -UCI (Uplink Control Information)

[0104] -Paging

[0105] -PRACH (Physical Random Access Channel)

[0106] -RAR (Random Access Response)

[0107] In the description of exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, uplink control signaling may include physical layer signaling and / or higher layer signaling. As described above, physical layer signaling may include UCI and / or PUCCH and / or PRACH, and higher layer signaling may include RRC signaling and / or MAC CE. In some embodiments, RRC signaling is an example of higher layer signaling; therefore, RRC signaling may be replaced with other higher layer signaling.

[0108] In the description of exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, downlink control signaling may include physical layer signaling and / or higher layer signaling. As described above, physical layer signaling may include one or more of PDCCH, DCI, UE-specific DCI, group common DCI, common DCI, scheduling DCI (e.g., DCI for scheduling downlink or uplink data), unscheduled DCI, paging, and RAR. Higher layer signaling may include one or more of MIB, SIB, or SIB X (X = 1, 2, ...), RRC signaling, or MAC CE. Therefore, "configure or indicate Y by downlink control signaling" will be understood as configuring or indicating Y by physical layer signaling, or by higher layer signaling, or by a combination of higher layer signaling and physical layer signaling. In the description of exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, RRC signaling may be an example of higher layer signaling; therefore, RRC signaling may also be replaced by other higher layer signaling (e.g., MAC CE).

[0109] Typically, the duplex modes of a communication system can include Time Division Duplexing (TDD), Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD), Supplementary Downlink (SDL), and Supplementary Uplink (SUL). For example, a carrier operating in TDD mode can be called a TDD carrier. A carrier operating in FDD mode can be called an FDD carrier. A carrier operating in SDL mode (e.g., performing only downlink transmission) can be called an SDL carrier. A carrier operating in SUL mode (e.g., performing only uplink transmission) can be called an SUL carrier.

[0110] In a communication system, the transmission from the base station to the UE can be called the downlink, which corresponds to downlink transmission (also called downlink transmission or downlink transmit, etc.). Downlink transmission can include at least one of downlink channel transmission and downlink signal transmission. For example, the downlink channel can include at least one of the following: PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel), PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel), and Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH). Downlink signals may include, but are not limited to, synchronization signals (e.g., primary synchronization signal, secondary synchronization signal, SSB (Synchronization Signal Block or Synchronization Signal Physical Broadcast Channel Block)) and downlink reference signals (e.g., demodulation reference signal (DM-RS) for downlink transmission (e.g., PDSCH and / or PDCCH and / or PBCH), channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), phase tracking reference signal (PT-RS) (e.g., for PDSCH), downlink positioning reference signal (PRS)). Transmission from the UE to the base station may be referred to as the uplink. The uplink may correspond to uplink transmission (also referred to as uplink transmission or uplink transmit, etc.). Uplink transmission may include at least one of the transmission of uplink channels and the transmission of uplink signals. For example, the uplink channel may include at least one of the following: PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel), PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel), and PRACH (Physical Random Access Channel). Uplink signals may include, but are not limited to, uplink reference signals (e.g., sounding reference signals (SRS), DM-RS for uplink transmission (e.g., PUSCH and / or PUCCH), PT-RS (e.g., for PUSCH)).

[0111] As used in this disclosure, semi-static signaling can be higher-layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling or MAC CE). Dynamic signaling can be group-common downlink control information (DCI) that does not schedule the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) and Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH). Dynamic signaling can also be DCI that schedules the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) and Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH).

[0112] A serving cell may include a TDD carrier (e.g., configured with a TDD carrier), where the UE performs uplink transmission and downlink reception on the TDD carrier at different times (e.g., uplink transmission on the TDD carrier at a first time (e.g., a first timeslot) and downlink reception at a second time (e.g., a second timeslot) different from the first time). Therefore, the TDD carrier can also be referred to as a bidirectional carrier. Alternatively, a serving cell may include an FDD carrier (e.g., configured with an FDD carrier), which may include an uplink carrier and a downlink carrier (uplink / downlink carrier pair) (e.g., the UE may be configured with an uplink / downlink carrier pair), where the UE performs uplink transmission and downlink reception on the uplink carrier and downlink carrier simultaneously (e.g., uplink transmission on the uplink carrier and downlink reception on the downlink carrier at a first time (e.g., a first timeslot)). Alternatively, a serving cell may include an SDL carrier (e.g., configured with an SDL carrier), where the UE performs only downlink transmission on the SDL carrier. Alternatively, a serving cell may include a single-ultra-low (SUL) carrier (e.g., configured with an SUL carrier), where the UE performs only uplink transmissions on the SUL carrier. In embodiments of this disclosure, the terms "cell" and "serving cell" may be used interchangeably.

[0113] Current carrier configuration schemes are inflexible and cannot utilize the resources of different carriers. Therefore, an enhanced carrier configuration scheme is needed.

[0114] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a carrier configuration scheme is provided in which one carrier (e.g., a low-frequency carrier) is configured for uplink transmission and another carrier (e.g., a high-frequency carrier) is configured for downlink transmission. For example, by using one carrier (e.g., a low-frequency carrier) for uplink transmission and another carrier (e.g., a high-frequency carrier) for downlink transmission, the uplink coverage performance of a serving cell can be guaranteed to be comparable to its downlink coverage performance. For example, the low-frequency carrier can be a TDD carrier (e.g., a TDD carrier with a lower frequency, such as a carrier located in a lower frequency band), an SUL carrier, etc. The high-frequency carrier can be a TDD carrier (e.g., a TDD carrier with a higher frequency, such as a TDD carrier located in a higher frequency band), an SDL carrier, etc.

[0115] By adopting the scheme according to the example embodiments of this disclosure, it is possible to make fuller and more flexible use of the resources of different carriers according to the needs of uplink and downlink services, while ensuring that the uplink coverage performance of a serving cell is comparable to that of the downlink coverage performance, thereby improving communication performance.

[0116] The technical solutions of this application and how they solve the aforementioned technical problems will be described in detail below with exemplary embodiments. These exemplary embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be repeated in some embodiments. Exemplary embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The text and drawings in the following description are provided as examples only to help the reader understand this disclosure. They are not intended and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure in any way. Although some embodiments and examples have been provided, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, based on the content disclosed herein, that changes can be made to the illustrated embodiments and examples without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0117] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating a method performed by a UE in a communication system according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Note that... Figure 4 The order of operations shown is merely an example, and the order of these operations can be changed. Figure 4 One or more operations shown can be combined or omitted. Figure 4 The steps shown may be one or more, or additional operations may be added.

[0118] refer to Figure 4 During operation S410, the UE can receive configuration information. For example, the UE can receive configuration information from the base station. This configuration information may relate to the transmission of uplink channels / signals and / or the reception of downlink signals / signals.

[0119] In operation S420, the UE can determine the carrier used to transmit uplink channels / signals and / or receive downlink channels / signals based on configuration information.

[0120] In operation S430, the UE may transmit uplink channels / signals on a determined carrier for transmitting uplink channels / signals and / or receive downlink channels / signals on a determined carrier for receiving downlink channels / signals. For example, the uplink channels / signals may include at least one of the following: PUSCH, PUCCH, PRACH, reference signals (e.g., SRS, DM-RS for uplink transmission (e.g., PUSCH and / or PUCCH), PT-RS (e.g., for PUSCH)). For example, the downlink channels / signals may include at least one of the following: PDSCH, PDCCH, PBCH, synchronization signals (e.g., primary synchronization signal, secondary synchronization signal, SSB), downlink reference signals (e.g., DM-RS, CSI-RS, PT-RS (e.g., for PDSCH), PRS for downlink transmission (e.g., PDSCH and / or PDCCH and / or PBCH)).

[0121] In some implementations, the configuration information may be received via system information (e.g., System Information Block (SIB)) or via higher-level signaling (e.g., RRC signaling or MAC CE).

[0122] In some implementations, the configuration information may include first information configuring or indicating two or more carriers. For example, the first information may be configured per serving cell. For example, the UE may be configured with two carriers through this first information, one carrier for uplink (i.e., the carrier is an uplink carrier) (referred to as the first carrier in embodiments of this disclosure), and the other carrier for downlink (i.e., the carrier is a downlink carrier) (referred to as the second carrier in embodiments of this disclosure). For example, on the configured or indicated uplink carrier, the UE only performs uplink transmission. For example, on the configured or indicated downlink carrier, the UE only performs downlink reception. For ease of description, the example of the UE being configured or indicated with two carriers is used. It is understood that the implementations of this disclosure can be applied to scenarios where the UE is configured with more than two carriers. For example, the UE may be configured or indicated with a first carrier set for uplink and a second carrier set for downlink, the first carrier set may include one or more uplink carriers, and the second carrier set may include one or more downlink carriers. The UE may select the uplink carrier to use and / or the downlink carrier to use from the first carrier set. Alternatively, the UE may be instructed by downlink control signaling to use an uplink carrier in a first carrier set and / or a downlink carrier in a second carrier set.

[0123] For example, the uplink carrier (first carrier) may include at least one of the following: a first TDD carrier, an SUL carrier, or a first predetermined carrier. For example, the downlink carrier (second carrier) may include at least one of the following: a second TDD carrier, an SDL carrier, or a second predetermined carrier. For example, the frequency of the first TDD carrier may be lower than that of the second TDD carrier, or the frequency band in which the first TDD carrier operates may be lower than that of the second TDD carrier. For example, the frequency of the first predetermined carrier may be lower than that of the second predetermined carrier, or the frequency band in which the first predetermined carrier operates may be lower than that of the second predetermined carrier.

[0124] In some implementations, the configuration information may further include information for determining the time units in which the UE transmits on a configured uplink carrier and / or receives on a configured downlink carrier. For example, the configuration information may include uplink / downlink configuration information, wherein the uplink / downlink configuration may indicate one or more time units (e.g., time slots) configured for uplink and / or one or more time units (e.g., time slots) configured for downlink.

[0125] In the description of the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, the granularity of a time unit in the time domain can be a time slot, a symbol (e.g., an OFDM symbol), another time granularity (e.g., milliseconds (ms)), or a combination of two or more of a time slot, a symbol (e.g., an OFDM symbol), and other time granularities. For example, the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of a configured carrier (e.g., an uplink carrier and / or a downlink carrier) can be 15 kHz. The SCS of the configured carrier (e.g., an uplink carrier and / or a downlink carrier) can also be other configurations.

[0126] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with some exemplary embodiments. It should be noted that although the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are described separately, one or more of these embodiments, or one or more methods or operations in these embodiments, can be combined.

[0127] Example 1

[0128] According to some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, the UE can determine the configuration of the uplink carrier (first carrier) and the downlink carrier (second carrier). For example, the UE can obtain the configuration of the two carriers (e.g., the configuration of the first carrier and the configuration of the second carrier) by receiving signaling (e.g., by receiving the configuration information in operation S410 above), whereby the first carrier can be used as the uplink carrier and the second carrier can be used as the downlink carrier. The UE can transmit only the uplink channel and / or the uplink reference signal on the uplink carrier, and / or the UE can not receive the downlink channel / signal on the uplink carrier. The UE can receive only the downlink channel / signal on the downlink carrier, and / or the UE can not transmit the uplink channel / signal on the downlink carrier.

[0129] The UE can determine the uplink / downlink configuration. For example, the UE can obtain the uplink / downlink configuration by receiving signaling (e.g., higher-layer signaling). The uplink / downlink configuration can indicate one or more time units configured for uplink (e.g., time units can be time slots and OFDM symbols, time units can also be time slots, time units can also be OFDM symbols, time units can also be milliseconds) and / or one or more time units configured for downlink (e.g., time slots). For example, the uplink / downlink configuration can be commonly used for both the uplink and downlink carriers. The time unit indicated by the uplink / downlink configuration for uplink can be a time unit available for uplink. The time unit indicated by the uplink / downlink configuration for downlink can be a time unit available for downlink. For example, on at least one of the time units where the uplink / downlink configuration indicates uplink, the UE can transmit uplink channels / signals on the uplink carrier. For example, on at least one of the time units where the uplink / downlink configuration indicates downlink, the UE can receive downlink channels / signals on the downlink carrier. For example, the UE may not transmit on the uplink carrier in a time unit when the uplink / downlink configuration is indicated as downlink, and / or the UE may not receive on the downlink carrier in a time unit when the uplink / downlink configuration is indicated as uplink. Figure 5 Examples of uplink and downlink carrier configurations according to some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are shown. Figure 5As shown, the uplink / downlink configuration within one cycle (e.g., 10 time units) can be “DDUUUDDUUU”, where 'D' indicates a time unit indicated as downlink (i.e., a time unit available for downlink), and 'U' indicates a time unit indicated as uplink (i.e., a time unit available for uplink). Specifically, time units #0, #1, #5, and #6 are time units indicated as downlink (available for downlink) (also called downlink time units), and time units #2, #3, #4, #7, #8, and #9 are time units indicated as uplink (available for uplink) (also called uplink time units). In time units #0, #1, #5, and #6, the UE can receive downlink channels / signals on the downlink carrier. In time units #2, #3, #4, #7, #8, and #9, the UE can transmit uplink channels / signals on the uplink carrier.

[0130] In some implementations, the uplink carrier configuration can be included in uplink configuration information (e.g., higher-layer signaling UplinkConfigCommon). For example, the uplink configuration information can provide common uplink parameters for a cell. For instance, the uplink configuration information can include the configuration of the uplink carrier, such as its frequency domain configuration information (e.g., frequency information). Table 1 shows example pseudocode for the uplink carrier configuration. In Table 1, frequencyInfoUL represents the frequency domain configuration information of the uplink carrier.

[0131] [Table 1]

[0132]

[0133] In some implementations, the downlink carrier configuration can be included in downlink configuration information (e.g., higher-layer signaling DownlinkConfigCommon). For example, the downlink configuration information can provide common downlink parameters for a cell. For instance, the downlink configuration information may include the configuration of the downlink carrier, which may include frequency domain configuration information (e.g., frequency information). Table 2 shows example pseudocode for the downlink carrier configuration. In Table 2, frequencyInfoDL represents the frequency domain configuration information for the downlink carrier.

[0134] [Table 2]

[0135]

[0136] When uplink and downlink configurations are commonly used for both uplink and downlink carriers, the reference time unit for the indication used for uplink and downlink configuration needs to be specified.

[0137] In some implementations, the reference time unit can be determined using at least one of the following reference time unit determination methods one through four. The uplink / downlink configuration can indicate whether one or more time units are uplink or downlink based on the reference time unit (e.g., slot length and / or symbol length), i.e., the length of each of these time units is the length of the determined reference time unit.

[0138] Reference Time Unit Determination Method 1

[0139] The reference time unit for uplink / downlink configuration indication can be a timeslot or symbol of the uplink carrier (e.g., an OFDM symbol). In Method 1, the reference time unit can be determined without considering the length of the downlink carrier's timeslot or symbol. For example, even if the timeslot length or symbol length of the uplink carrier differs from that of the downlink carrier, the uplink / downlink configuration indicates whether one or more time units are used for uplink or downlink solely based on the timeslot length or symbol length of the uplink carrier.

[0140] Reference Time Unit Determination Method Two

[0141] The reference time unit for uplink / downlink configuration indication can be a downlink carrier slot or symbol (e.g., an OFDM symbol). In Method 2, the reference time unit can be determined without considering the length of the uplink carrier slot or symbol. For example, even if the downlink carrier slot length or symbol length differs from the uplink carrier slot length or symbol length, the uplink / downlink configuration indicates whether one or more time units are used for uplink or downlink solely based on the downlink carrier slot length or symbol length.

[0142] Reference Time Unit Determination Method 3

[0143] The reference time unit for uplink / downlink configuration indication can be the longer of the uplink and downlink time slots, and / or the reference time unit can be the longer of the uplink symbol (e.g., OFDM symbol) and the downlink symbol (e.g., OFDM symbol). For example, when the uplink time slot length is greater than the downlink time slot length, the uplink time slot can be determined as the reference time unit, i.e., the length of the reference time unit is the uplink time slot length; when the uplink time slot length is less than the downlink time slot length, the downlink time slot can be determined as the reference time unit, i.e., the length of the reference time unit is the downlink time slot length. For example, when the symbol length of the uplink carrier is greater than the symbol length of the downlink carrier, the uplink carrier symbol can be used as the reference time unit, meaning the length of the reference time unit is the uplink carrier symbol length. Conversely, when the symbol length of the uplink carrier is less than the symbol length of the downlink carrier, the downlink carrier symbol can be used as the reference time unit, meaning the length of the reference time unit is the uplink carrier symbol length. Typically, a time slot includes a predetermined number of symbols (e.g., a fixed number; for example, 14 in NR (for normal cyclic prefix (CP)) or 12 in NR (for extended CP)). In this case, the condition "the uplink carrier time slot length is greater than the downlink carrier time slot length" is equivalent to the condition "the uplink carrier symbol length is greater than the downlink carrier symbol length," and vice versa. Therefore, when the uplink carrier's time slot length is greater than the downlink carrier's time slot length, the uplink / downlink configuration can indicate whether one or more time units are used for uplink or downlink based on the uplink carrier's time slot length or symbol length; when the uplink carrier's time slot length is less than the downlink carrier's time slot length, the uplink / downlink configuration can indicate whether one or more time units are used for uplink or downlink based on the downlink carrier's time slot length or symbol length.

[0144] Reference Time Unit Determination Method Four

[0145] The reference time unit for uplink / downlink configuration indication can be the shorter of the uplink and downlink time slots, and / or the reference time unit can be the shorter of the uplink symbol (e.g., OFDM symbol) and the downlink symbol (e.g., OFDM symbol). For example, when the uplink time slot length is less than the downlink time slot length, the uplink time slot can be determined as the reference time unit, i.e., the length of the reference time unit is the uplink time slot length; when the uplink time slot length is greater than the downlink time slot length, the downlink time slot can be determined as the reference time unit, i.e., the length of the reference time unit is the downlink time slot length. For example, when the symbol length of the uplink carrier is less than the symbol length of the downlink carrier, the uplink carrier symbol can be used as the reference time unit, meaning the length of the reference time unit is the uplink carrier symbol length. Conversely, when the symbol length of the uplink carrier is greater than the symbol length of the downlink carrier, the downlink carrier symbol can be used as the reference time unit, meaning the length of the reference time unit is the uplink carrier symbol length. Typically, a time slot includes a predetermined number of symbols (e.g., a fixed number; for example, 14 (for normal CP) or 12 (for extended CP) in NR). In this case, the condition "the time slot length of the uplink carrier is less than the time slot length of the downlink carrier" is equivalent to the condition "the symbol length of the uplink carrier is less than the symbol length of the downlink carrier," and vice versa. Therefore, when the uplink carrier's time slot length is less than the downlink carrier's time slot length, the uplink / downlink configuration can indicate whether one or more time units are used for uplink or downlink based on the uplink carrier's time slot length or symbol length; when the uplink carrier's time slot length is greater than the downlink carrier's time slot length, the uplink / downlink configuration can indicate whether one or more time units are used for uplink or downlink based on the downlink carrier's time slot length or symbol length.

[0146] In some implementations, for example, the uplink / downlink configuration may indicate that a portion of the time units within a period are uplink time units and a portion are downlink time units. As another example, the uplink / downlink configuration may indicate that all time units within a period are uplink time units. Yet another example, the uplink / downlink configuration may indicate that all time units within a period are downlink time units.

[0147] Table 3 shows examples of pseudocode for uplink / downlink configurations (e.g., UL-DL-Config) according to some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. For example, the uplink / downlink configuration can be UE- and cell-specific. Referring to Table 3, the uplink / downlink configuration may include referenced SCS parameters and UL-DL style parameters (e.g., pattern1). The UL-DL style parameters (e.g., pattern1) may indicate (e.g., within a period) one or more uplink time units (e.g., slots and / or symbols), and / or one or more downlink time units (e.g., slots and / or symbols). As a specific example, refer to... Figure 5 The UL-DL style parameter (e.g., pattern1) can indicate a "DDUUUDDUUU" pattern over a period of 10 time units, where 'D' indicates a downlink time unit and 'U' indicates an uplink time unit. For example, for a time unit within a period, the UL-DL style parameter (e.g., pattern1) can indicate at least one uplink time unit and the remaining time units as downlink. Alternatively, for a time unit within a period, the UL-DL style parameter (e.g., pattern1) can indicate all time units within the time unit as uplink. Or, for a time unit within a period, the UL-DL style parameter (e.g., pattern1) can indicate all time units within the time unit as downlink. For example, UL-DL style parameters (e.g., pattern1) may include at least one of the following: period parameter (e.g., dl-UL-TransmissionPeriodicity); downlink slot quantity parameter (e.g., nrofDownlinkSlots); downlink symbol quantity parameter (e.g., nrofDownlinkSymbols); uplink slot quantity parameter (e.g., nrofUplinkSlots); uplink symbol quantity parameter (e.g., nrofUplinkSymbols).

[0148] [Table 3]

[0149]

[0150] For example, a reference SCS parameter (e.g., referenceSubcarrierSpacing) can indicate the reference SCS used to determine the time-domain boundaries in the UL-DL pattern parameters (e.g., pattern1). This reference SCS can be common across all subcarrier-specific carriers, i.e., independent of the actual SCS used for data transmission. For example, only values ​​of 15, 30, or 60 kHz (Frequency Range (FR)1) and 60 or 120 kHz (FR2) are applicable. The base station can configure a reference SCS for any SCS not greater than the number of configured BWPs (Best Power Plans) of the serving cell(s). A transmission period parameter (e.g., dl-UL-TransmissionPeriodicity) can indicate the periodicity of the UL-DL pattern. A downlink slot quantity parameter (e.g., nrofDownlinkSlots) can indicate the number of consecutive full downlink slots at the start of each DL-UL pattern. The downlink symbol count parameter (e.g., nrofDownlinkSymbols) can indicate the number of consecutive downlink symbols at the beginning of the slot following the last complete downlink slot (e.g., derived from nrofDownlinkSlots). The downlink symbol count parameter (e.g., nrofDownlinkSymbols) can indicate no partial downlink slots (e.g., when the value is 0). The uplink slot count parameter (e.g., nrofUplinkSlots) can indicate the number of consecutive full uplink slots at the end of each DL-UL mode. The uplink symbol count parameter (e.g., nrofUplinkSymbols) can indicate the number of consecutive uplink symbols at the end of the slot preceding the first complete UL slot (e.g., derived from nrofUplinkSlots). The uplink symbol count parameter (e.g., nrofUplinkSymbols) can indicate no partial uplink slots (e.g., when the value is 0).

[0151] The above configuration method can clearly define the carriers used for uplink and downlink, as well as the corresponding time units available for uplink and downlink, thereby ensuring that the UE and the base station have a consistent understanding of the carriers and time units used.

[0152] It should be noted that although an implementation of configuring uplink and downlink carriers in different signaling is described, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto, and uplink and downlink carriers may also be configured in the same signaling (existing signaling or new signaling).

[0153] Example 2

[0154] According to some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, the UE can determine the configuration of the uplink carrier (first carrier) and the downlink carrier (second carrier). For example, the UE can obtain the configuration of the two carriers (e.g., the configuration of the first carrier and the configuration of the second carrier) by receiving signaling (e.g., by receiving the configuration information in operation S410 above), where the first carrier can be used as the uplink carrier and the second carrier can be used as the downlink carrier. The UE can transmit only the uplink channel / signal on the uplink carrier, and / or the UE can not receive the downlink channel / signal on the uplink carrier. The UE can receive only the downlink channel / signal on the downlink carrier and / or the UE can not transmit the uplink channel / signal on the downlink carrier.

[0155] The UE can determine the uplink / downlink configuration for the uplink carrier (referred to as the first uplink / downlink configuration in the embodiments of this disclosure) and the uplink / downlink configuration for the downlink carrier (referred to as the second uplink / downlink configuration in the embodiments of this disclosure). For example, the UE can obtain the uplink / downlink configuration (e.g., the first uplink / downlink configuration and the second uplink / downlink configuration) of two carriers (the embodiments of this disclosure can also be applied to cases with more than two carriers, where a portion of the carriers are used as uplink carriers and another portion as downlink carriers) by receiving signaling (e.g., higher-layer signaling). The first uplink / downlink configuration and the second uplink / downlink configuration can be the same or different. In some implementations, each of the first uplink / downlink configuration and the second uplink / downlink configuration can be an SDL, SUL, or TDD uplink / downlink configuration (a portion of the time units are uplink time units and a portion of the time units are downlink time units). For example, the uplink / downlink configuration of each carrier can be SDL (e.g., both the first uplink / downlink configuration and the second uplink / downlink configuration are SDL), that is, all time units within a period are downlink time units. For example, the uplink / downlink configuration for each carrier can be SUL (e.g., both the first and second uplink / downlink configurations are SUL), meaning that all time units within a period are uplink time units. Alternatively, each of the first or second uplink / downlink configurations can indicate that a portion of time units within a period are uplink time units and a portion are downlink transmission time units; that is, a TDD uplink / downlink configuration. Figure 6 Examples of uplink carrier uplink / downlink configurations (first uplink / downlink configuration) and downlink carrier uplink / downlink configurations (second uplink / downlink configuration) according to some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are shown. Figure 6As shown, for an uplink carrier, the uplink / downlink configuration within one period (e.g., 10 time units) is “DUUUUDDUUU”, where 'D' indicates a downlink time unit (i.e., a time unit available for downlink), and 'U' indicates an uplink time unit (i.e., a time unit available for uplink). That is, in the uplink / downlink configuration (first uplink / downlink configuration) of the uplink carrier, time units #0, #5, and #6 are time units indicated as downlink (available for downlink) (also referred to as downlink time units), and time units #1, #2, #3, #4, #7, #8, and #9 are time units indicated as uplink (available for uplink) (also referred to as uplink time units). Continue to refer to... Figure 6 For a downlink carrier, the uplink / downlink configuration within one period (e.g., 10 time units) is "DDUUDDDDUU". That is, in the uplink / downlink configuration (second uplink / downlink configuration) of the downlink carrier, time units #0, #1, #4, #5, #6, and #7 are indicated as downlink time units (which can be used for downlink), and time units #2, #3, #8, and #9 are indicated as uplink time units (which can be used for uplink).

[0156] In some implementations, time units designated as uplink by the uplink / downlink configuration of the uplink carrier can be used for uplink transmission, and / or time units designated as downlink by the uplink / downlink configuration of the downlink carrier can be used for downlink reception. For example, refer to Figure 6 In at least one of time unit #1, time unit #2, time unit #3, time unit #4, time unit #7, time unit #8, and time unit #9, the UE may transmit an uplink channel / signal on the uplink carrier. For example, in at least one of time unit #0, time unit #1, time unit #4, time unit #5, time unit #6, and time unit #7, the UE may receive a downlink channel / signal on the downlink carrier.

[0157] In some cases, the transmission direction (e.g., uplink or downlink) of a time unit indicated by the uplink / downlink configuration of the uplink carrier (first uplink / downlink configuration) and the uplink / downlink configuration of the downlink carrier (second uplink / downlink configuration) may conflict. For example, a time unit may be indicated as uplink by the uplink / downlink configuration of the uplink carrier and as downlink by the uplink / downlink configuration of the downlink carrier; or a time unit may be indicated as downlink by the uplink / downlink configuration of the uplink carrier and as uplink by the uplink / downlink configuration of the downlink carrier. As an example, such as Figure 6As shown, the conflict occurs in time units #1, #4, and #7. In this case, it is necessary to specify which time units are available for uplink or downlink. One or more of the following methods can be used.

[0158] In some implementations, time units where both the uplink / downlink configuration of the uplink carrier and the uplink / downlink configuration of the downlink carrier are indicated as uplink are available for uplink transmission. For example, in at least one time unit where both the uplink / downlink configuration of the uplink carrier and the uplink / downlink configuration of the downlink carrier are indicated as uplink, the UE can transmit uplink channels / signals on the uplink carrier. For example, as... Figure 7 As shown, time units #2, #3, #7, and #8 are all indicated as uplink by both the uplink and downlink configurations of the uplink carrier and the downlink carrier. The UE can transmit an uplink channel / signal on the uplink carrier in at least one of time units #2, #3, #7, and #8.

[0159] In some implementations, at least one time unit where both the uplink and downlink configurations of the uplink carrier and the downlink carrier are indicated as downlink is available for downlink reception. For example, in at least one time unit where both the uplink and downlink configurations of the uplink carrier and the downlink carrier are indicated as downlink, the UE can receive downlink channels / signals on the downlink carrier. For example, as... Figure 8 As shown, time units #0, #1, #5, and #6 are all indicated as downlink by both the uplink and downlink configurations of the uplink carrier and the downlink carrier. The UE can receive downlink channels / signals on the downlink carrier in at least one of time units #0, #1, #5, and #6.

[0160] In some implementations, time units where the uplink / downlink configuration of the uplink carrier is indicated as downlink and the uplink / downlink configuration of the downlink carrier is indicated as uplink may not be used for uplink transmission and / or downlink reception. For example, in time units where the uplink / downlink configuration of the uplink carrier is indicated as downlink and the uplink / downlink configuration of the downlink carrier is indicated as uplink, the UE may not transmit uplink channels / signals on the uplink carrier, and / or the UE may not receive downlink channels / signals on the downlink carrier.

[0161] In the time unit where the uplink / downlink configuration of the uplink carrier is indicated as uplink and the uplink / downlink configuration of the downlink carrier is indicated as downlink (for convenience of description, referred to as the first conflict time unit), whether the UE transmits uplink channels / signals on the uplink carrier or receives downlink channels / signals on the downlink carrier can be determined based on at least one of the following methods.

[0162] Method 1

[0163] In some implementations, the UE can determine the uplink / downlink configuration of each time unit (first conflicting time unit) within a time unit where the uplink / downlink configuration of the uplink carrier indicates downlink and the uplink / downlink configuration of the downlink carrier indicates uplink. For example, the UE can obtain these uplink / downlink configurations of the first conflicting time units by receiving signaling. As an example, the UE can determine the uplink / downlink configuration of the uplink carrier (first uplink / downlink configuration), the uplink / downlink configuration of the downlink carrier (second uplink / downlink configuration), and the uplink / downlink configuration of the first conflicting time units (which may be referred to as the third uplink / downlink configuration in embodiments of this disclosure). The third uplink / downlink configuration can indicate whether each first conflicting time unit is used for uplink or downlink. The UE can determine whether a time unit is used for uplink or downlink based on the uplink / downlink configuration of each first conflicting time unit. For example, the UE can determine whether it transmits an uplink channel / signal on the uplink carrier or receives a downlink channel / signal on the downlink carrier in that time unit based on the uplink / downlink configuration of each time unit. For example, for a first conflict time unit, when the third uplink / downlink configuration designates the first conflict time unit as an uplink time unit, the UE can transmit uplink channels / signals on the uplink carrier in the first conflict time unit; when the uplink / downlink configuration designates the first conflict time unit as a downlink time unit, the UE can receive downlink channels / signals on the downlink carrier in the first conflict time unit. Figure 9 The uplink and downlink configurations of a first conflicting time unit according to some example embodiments of this disclosure are shown. For example... Figure 9 As shown, in the uplink and downlink configuration of the first conflicting time unit, time unit #4 is indicated as uplink and time unit #9 is indicated as downlink.

[0164] In some implementations, for method one, in a time unit where the uplink / downlink configuration of the uplink carrier indicates uplink but the downlink configuration of the downlink carrier indicates downlink (the first conflicting time unit), the UE may not be simultaneously scheduled for both uplink transmission and downlink reception. For example, the UE does not expect to be scheduled for both uplink transmission and downlink reception in a time unit where the uplink / downlink configuration of the uplink carrier indicates uplink but the downlink configuration of the downlink carrier indicates downlink (the first conflicting time unit).

[0165] This method clearly defines the carriers used for uplink and downlink, as well as the corresponding time units available for uplink and downlink, thereby ensuring that the UE and base station have a consistent understanding of the carriers and time units used. By indicating the uplink / downlink configuration for the first conflicting time unit, this method saves signaling overhead compared to indicating the uplink / downlink configuration for all time units.

[0166] Method 2

[0167] In some implementations, for a time unit where the uplink / downlink configuration of the uplink carrier is indicated as uplink and the uplink / downlink configuration of the downlink carrier is indicated as downlink (a first conflicting time unit), the UE can be configured or indicated (e.g., via higher-layer signaling and / or physical-layer signaling) for uplink transmission in that time unit. In this time unit, the UE can transmit uplink channels / signals on the uplink carrier.

[0168] For example, a UE can be configured or instructed to have an uplink channel / signal to transmit in a first conflict time unit, and no downlink channel / signal to receive in that first conflict time unit, by receiving scheduling information (which may include dynamic or semi-static scheduling) or configuration information. In this time unit, the UE can transmit uplink channels / signals on the uplink carrier. For example, refer to... Figure 8 The UE can be configured or instructed to transmit uplink data in time unit #4 or time unit #9. The UE can transmit uplink channels / signals in time unit #4 or time unit #9.

[0169] In some implementations, for a time unit (first conflicting time unit) where the uplink / downlink configuration of the uplink carrier indicates uplink and the downlink configuration of the downlink carrier indicates downlink, the UE can be configured or indicated (e.g., via higher-layer signaling and / or physical-layer signaling) for downlink reception in that time unit. In this time unit, the UE can receive downlink channels / signals on the downlink carrier.

[0170] For example, a UE can be configured or instructed to receive scheduling information (which may include dynamic or semi-static scheduling) or configuration information to receive or be instructed that there is a downlink channel / signal to receive in a first conflict time unit, and no uplink channel / signal to transmit in this time unit. In this first conflict time unit, the UE can receive the downlink channel / signal on the downlink carrier. For example, refer to... Figure 8 The UE can be configured or instructed to receive downlink signals in time unit #4 or time unit #9. The UE can receive downlink channels / signals in time unit #4 or time unit #9.

[0171] In some implementations, for a time unit (a first conflicting time unit) where the uplink / downlink configuration of an uplink carrier indicates uplink and the downlink configuration of a downlink carrier indicates downlink, the UE may be configured or indicated (e.g., via higher-layer signaling and / or physical-layer signaling) for both uplink transmission and downlink reception within that time unit. For example, the UE may receive scheduling information (which may include dynamic or semi-static scheduling) or configuration information to be configured or indicated that both uplink channels / signals need to be transmitted and downlink channels / signals need to be received simultaneously within a first conflicting time unit. In these cases, the UE can determine whether the first conflicting time unit is for uplink or downlink according to at least one of methods 2-1 to 2-3, i.e., whether the UE transmits uplink channels / signals on the uplink carrier or receives downlink channels / signals on the downlink carrier within that first conflicting time unit.

[0172] Method 2-1

[0173] In some implementations, during a time unit where the uplink / downlink configuration of the uplink carrier is indicated as uplink and the uplink / downlink configuration of the downlink carrier is indicated as downlink (a first conflicting time unit), the UE is not configured or instructed to both transmit uplink channels / signals and receive downlink channels / signals. For example, the UE does not expect to be configured or instructed to both transmit uplink channels / signals and receive downlink channels / signals during the first conflicting time unit. In this way, the simultaneous configuration or instruction of uplink channels / signals and downlink channels / signals can be avoided by the base station implementation.

[0174] Method 2-2

[0175] In some implementations, a time unit (the first conflicting time unit) in which the uplink carrier's uplink / downlink configuration indication is set to uplink and the downlink carrier's uplink / downlink configuration indication is set to downlink can be predefined or configured via higher-layer signaling for uplink transmission and / or not for downlink reception. For example, in the first conflicting time unit, the UE can transmit uplink channels / signals on the uplink carrier, either predefined or configured via higher-layer signaling. Alternatively, a time unit (the first conflicting time unit) in which the uplink carrier's uplink / downlink configuration indication is set to uplink and the downlink carrier's uplink / downlink configuration indication is set to downlink can be predefined or configured via higher-layer signaling for downlink reception and / or not for uplink transmission. For example, in the first conflicting time unit, the UE can receive downlink channels / signals on the downlink carrier, either predefined or configured via higher-layer signaling.

[0176] Method 2-3

[0177] In some implementations, for a time unit where the uplink / downlink configuration indication of the uplink carrier is uplink and the uplink / downlink configuration indication of the downlink carrier is downlink (the first conflicting time unit), the time unit can be determined to be used for uplink transmission or downlink reception based on the priority of uplink channel / signal transmission on the uplink carrier and the priority of downlink channel / signal reception on the downlink carrier. In some examples, the first conflicting time unit can be used for the higher priority of uplink channel / signal transmission on the uplink carrier and downlink channel / signal reception on the downlink carrier. For example, in this first conflicting time unit, when the priority of uplink channel / signal transmission on the uplink carrier is higher than the priority of downlink channel / signal reception on the downlink carrier, the UE can transmit uplink channel / signal on the uplink carrier. In this first conflicting time unit, when the priority of downlink channel / signal reception on the downlink carrier is higher than the priority of uplink channel / signal transmission on the uplink carrier, the UE can receive downlink channel / signal on the downlink carrier. In the first conflict time unit, when the priority of receiving downlink channels / signals on the downlink carrier is the same as the priority of transmitting uplink channels / signals on the uplink carrier, the time unit can be used for uplink transmission or downlink reception by at least one of the above methods 2-1 or 2-2.

[0178] Method 3

[0179] In some implementations, a time unit (first conflict time unit) indicated as uplink by the uplink / downlink configuration of the uplink carrier and as downlink by the uplink / downlink configuration of the downlink carrier can be predefined or configured via higher-layer signaling for uplink transmission. For example, in the first conflict time unit, the UE can transmit uplink channels / signals on the uplink carrier, either predefined or configured via higher-layer signaling. Figure 10 Example methods for determining time units available for uplink channel / signal transmission and time units available for downlink channel / signal reception, according to some example embodiments of this disclosure, are shown. Figure 10 As shown, time unit #4 or time unit #9 can be predefined or configured via higher-layer signaling for uplink transmission. The UE can transmit uplink channels / signals in time unit #4 or time unit #9.

[0180] Alternatively, a time unit (the first conflict time unit) designated as uplink by the uplink / downlink configuration of the uplink carrier and as downlink by the uplink / downlink configuration of the downlink carrier can be configured or preset via higher-layer signaling for downlink reception. For example, the UE can receive downlink channels / signals on the downlink carrier in the first conflict time unit by predefining or configuring via higher-layer signaling. Figure 11 Example methods for determining time units available for uplink channel / signal transmission and time units available for downlink channel / signal reception, according to some example embodiments of this disclosure, are shown. Figure 11As shown, time unit #4 or time unit #9 can be predefined or configured via higher-layer signaling for downlink reception. The UE can receive downlink channels / signals in time unit #4 or time unit #9.

[0181] This method clearly defines the carriers used for uplink and downlink, as well as the corresponding time units available for uplink and downlink, ensuring that the UE and base station have a consistent understanding of the carriers and time units used. Signaling overhead can be saved by predefining or configuring the use of the first conflicting time unit (whether for uplink or downlink) through higher-layer signaling.

[0182] Figure 12 A flowchart of a method 1200 performed by a UE according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0183] refer to Figure 12 In operation S1210, the UE receives first information and second information. The first information configures a first carrier for uplink and the second information configures a second carrier for downlink.

[0184] In operation S1220, the UE receives uplink and downlink configuration information, indicating that the uplink and downlink configuration is configured for one or more time units for uplink and / or configured for one or more time units for downlink.

[0185] In operation S1230, the UE transmits an uplink channel or signal on a first carrier in at least one time unit that is indicated as uplink by the uplink / downlink configuration, or receives a downlink channel or signal on a second carrier in at least one time unit that is indicated as downlink by the uplink / downlink configuration.

[0186] In some implementations, one or more of operations S1210 to S1230 may be performed based on the methods described in various embodiments of this disclosure (e.g., embodiments described in conjunction with the figures above).

[0187] In some implementations, method 1200 may omit one or more of operations S1210 to S1230, or may include additional operations, such as operations that can be performed by the UE as described in various embodiments of this disclosure (e.g., embodiments described in conjunction with the figures above).

[0188] Figure 13 A flowchart of a method 1300 performed by a base station according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0189] refer to Figure 13 In operation S1310, the base station sends first information and second information to the UE. The first information configures a first carrier for uplink and the second information configures a second carrier for downlink.

[0190] In operation S1320, the base station sends uplink and downlink configuration information to the UE, indicating one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink.

[0191] In operation S1330, an uplink channel or signal is received from the UE on the first carrier in at least one time unit indicated as uplink by the uplink / downlink configuration, or a downlink channel or signal is transmitted to the UE on the second carrier in at least one time unit indicated as downlink by the uplink / downlink configuration.

[0192] In some implementations, one or more of operations S1310 to S1330 may be performed based on the methods described in various embodiments of this disclosure (e.g., embodiments described in conjunction with the figures above).

[0193] In some implementations, method 1300 may omit one or more of operations S1310 to S1330, or may include additional operations, such as operations that can be performed by a base station as described in various embodiments of this disclosure (e.g., embodiments described in conjunction with the figures above).

[0194] Figure 14 A block diagram illustrating the configuration of a UE according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0195] refer to Figure 14 The UE includes a transceiver 1410, a controller 1420, and a memory 1430. The controller 1420 may refer to circuitry, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or at least one processor. The transceiver 1410, controller 1420, and memory 1430 are configured to perform the functions described above (e.g., in conjunction with...). Figure 1-12 The operations described can be performed by the terminal or UE. Although the transceiver 1410, controller 1420, and memory 1430 are shown as separate entities, they can be implemented as a single entity, such as a single chip. Alternatively, the transceiver 1410, controller 1420, and memory 1430 can be electrically connected or coupled to each other.

[0196] Transceiver 1410 can send signals to other network entities (e.g., base stations) and receive signals from other network entities.

[0197] The controller 1420 can control the UE to perform a function according to one of the various exemplary embodiments described above, such as at least one of the operations that can be performed by the UE.

[0198] In some exemplary embodiments, the operation of the UE can be implemented using a memory 1430 that stores corresponding program code. Specifically, the UE may be equipped with a memory 1430 to store program code that implements the desired operation. In order to perform the desired operation, the controller 1420 may read and execute the program code stored in the memory 1430 using at least one processor or central processing unit (CPU).

[0199] Figure 15 A block diagram illustrating the configuration of a base station according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0200] refer to Figure 15 The base station includes a transceiver 1510, a controller 1520, and a memory 1530. The controller 1520 may refer to a circuit, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or at least one processor. The transceiver 1510, controller 1520, and memory 1530 are configured to perform the functions described above (e.g., in conjunction with...). Figure 1-12 The operations described are those that can be performed by the base station. Although the transceiver 1510, controller 1520, and memory 1530 are shown as separate entities, they can be implemented as a single entity, such as a single chip. Alternatively, the transceiver 1510, controller 1520, and memory 1530 can be electrically connected or coupled to each other.

[0201] Transceiver 1510 can send signals to and receive signals from other network entities (e.g., terminals or core network).

[0202] The controller 1520 can control the base station to perform a function according to one of the various exemplary embodiments described above, such as at least one of the operations that can be performed by the base station.

[0203] In some exemplary embodiments, the operation of the base station can be implemented using a memory 1530 that stores corresponding program code. Specifically, the base station may be equipped with a memory 1530 to store program code that implements the desired operation. In order to perform the desired operation, the controller 1520 may read and execute the program code stored in the memory 1530 using at least one processor or central processing unit (CPU).

[0204] Those skilled in the art will understand that the illustrative embodiments described above are not intended to be limiting. It should be understood that any two or more of the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in any combination. Furthermore, other embodiments may be utilized and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that aspects of the invention disclosed herein, as generally described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated herein.

[0205] Those skilled in the art will understand that the various illustrative logic blocks, modules, circuits, and steps described herein can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability between hardware and software, the various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are described above in the form of sets of functions. Whether such sets of functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art may implement the described sets of functions in different ways for each specific application, but such design decisions should not be construed as departing from the scope of this application.

[0206] The various illustrative logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in this application may be implemented or performed using a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in alternatives, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors cooperating with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0207] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in this application may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of both. The software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, removable disk, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor so that the processor can read and write information to / from the storage medium. In an alternative, the storage medium may be integrated into the processor. The processor and storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a communication device (e.g., a terminal or base station). In an alternative, the processor and storage medium may reside as discrete components in the communication device (e.g., a terminal or base station).

[0208] In one or more exemplary designs, the functionality may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functionality may be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media, the latter including any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one location to another. Storage media may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0209] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention, which is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a communication system, comprising: Receive first information and second information, wherein the first information is configured for an uplink first carrier and the second information is configured for a downlink second carrier; Receive uplink and downlink configuration information, wherein the uplink and downlink configuration indicates that one or more time units are configured for uplink and / or one or more time units are configured for downlink; as well as In at least one time unit indicated as uplink by the uplink / downlink configuration, an uplink channel or signal is transmitted on the first carrier, or in at least one time unit indicated as downlink by the uplink / downlink configuration, a downlink channel or signal is received on the second carrier.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the uplink and downlink configurations are commonly used for the first carrier and the second carrier.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The uplink and downlink configurations are based on the time units of the first carrier to indicate one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink. The uplink and downlink configurations are based on the time units of the second carrier to indicate one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink. The uplink / downlink configuration indicates one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink, based on the longer time unit of the first carrier and the time unit of the second carrier; or The uplink and downlink configurations indicate one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink, based on the shorter time unit between the time units of the first carrier and the time units of the second carrier.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The uplink / downlink configuration includes a first uplink / downlink configuration for the first carrier and a second uplink / downlink configuration for the second carrier. The first uplink / downlink configuration indicates one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink. The second uplink / downlink configuration indicates one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink. The uplink channel or signal is transmitted in at least one time unit indicated as uplink by the first uplink / downlink configuration, or the downlink channel or signal is received in at least one time unit indicated as downlink by the second uplink / downlink configuration.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein: The uplink channel or signal is not transmitted in the time unit that is indicated as downlink by the first uplink / downlink configuration and as uplink by the second uplink / downlink configuration; and / or The downlink channel or signal is not received in the time unit indicated as downlink by the first uplink-downlink configuration and as uplink by the second uplink-downlink configuration; and / or The uplink channel or signal is transmitted in at least one time unit indicated as uplink by both the first uplink / downlink configuration and the second uplink / downlink configuration, or the downlink channel or signal is received in at least one time unit indicated as downlink by both the first uplink / downlink configuration and the second uplink / downlink configuration; and / or The first uplink / downlink configuration does not indicate a time unit that the second uplink / downlink configuration indicates as uplink as downlink, or the second uplink / downlink configuration does not indicate a time unit that the first uplink / downlink configuration indicates as downlink as uplink; and / or In the time unit where the first uplink / downlink configuration indication is uplink and the second uplink / downlink configuration indication is downlink, the transmission of the uplink channel or signal and the reception of the downlink channel or signal are not scheduled simultaneously; and / or The time unit in which the first uplink / downlink configuration indication is uplink and the second uplink / downlink configuration indication is downlink is used only for transmitting uplink channels or signals, or the time unit in which the first uplink / downlink configuration indication is uplink and the second uplink / downlink configuration indication is downlink is used only for receiving downlink channels or signals; and / or When, within a time unit where the first uplink / downlink configuration indication is uplink and the second uplink / downlink configuration indication is downlink, the transmission of the uplink channel or signal and the reception of the downlink channel or signal are simultaneously scheduled, the uplink channel or signal is transmitted or the downlink channel or signal is received based on the priorities of the uplink channel or signal and the downlink channel or signal; and / or When the transmission of the uplink channel or signal and the reception of the downlink channel or signal are simultaneously scheduled in a time unit where the first uplink / downlink configuration indication is uplink and the second uplink / downlink configuration indication is downlink, the time unit is used only for the transmission of the uplink channel or signal, or the time unit is used only for the reception of the downlink channel or signal.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein, The time unit includes at least one of the following: a symbol or a time slot.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first and second information are configured for the serving cell.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The frequency of the first carrier is less than the frequency of the second carrier.

9. A method performed by a base station in a communication system, comprising: Send first information and second information to user equipment (UE), wherein the first information is configured for an uplink first carrier and the second information is configured for a downlink second carrier; Send uplink and downlink configuration information to the UE, wherein the uplink and downlink configuration indicates one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink; as well as In at least one time unit indicated as uplink by the uplink / downlink configuration, an uplink channel or signal is received from the UE on the first carrier, or in at least one time unit indicated as downlink by the uplink / downlink configuration, a downlink channel or signal is transmitted to the UE on the second carrier.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the uplink and downlink configurations are commonly used for the first carrier and the second carrier.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein: The uplink and downlink configurations are based on the time units of the first carrier to indicate one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink. The uplink and downlink configurations are based on the time units of the second carrier to indicate one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink. The uplink and downlink configurations indicate one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink based on the longer time unit of the first carrier and the time unit of the second carrier. or The uplink and downlink configurations indicate one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink, based on the shorter time unit between the time units of the first carrier and the time units of the second carrier.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The uplink / downlink configuration includes a first uplink / downlink configuration for the first carrier and a second uplink / downlink configuration for the second carrier. The first uplink / downlink configuration indicates one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink. The second uplink / downlink configuration indicates one or more time units configured for uplink and / or one or more time units configured for downlink. The uplink channel or signal is received in at least one time unit indicated as uplink by the first uplink / downlink configuration, or the downlink channel or signal is transmitted in at least one time unit indicated as downlink by the second uplink / downlink configuration.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The uplink channel or signal is not received in the time unit indicated as downlink by the first uplink / downlink configuration and as uplink by the second uplink / downlink configuration; and / or The downlink channel or signal is not transmitted in the time unit that is indicated as downlink by the first uplink-downlink configuration and as uplink by the second uplink-downlink configuration; and / or The uplink channel or signal is received in at least one time unit in which both the first uplink / downlink configuration and the second uplink / downlink configuration are indicated as uplink, or the downlink channel or signal is transmitted in at least one time unit in which both the first uplink / downlink configuration and the second uplink / downlink configuration are indicated as downlink; and / or The first uplink / downlink configuration does not indicate a time unit that the second uplink / downlink configuration indicates as uplink as downlink, or the second uplink / downlink configuration does not indicate a time unit that the first uplink / downlink configuration indicates as downlink as uplink; and / or In the time unit where the first uplink / downlink configuration indication is uplink and the second uplink / downlink configuration indication is downlink, the transmission of the uplink channel or signal and the reception of the downlink channel or signal are not scheduled simultaneously; and / or The time unit in which the first uplink / downlink configuration indication is uplink and the second uplink / downlink configuration indication is downlink is used only for receiving uplink channels or signals, or the time unit in which the first uplink / downlink configuration indication is uplink and the second uplink / downlink configuration indication is downlink is used only for transmitting downlink channels or signals; and / or When, within a time unit where the first uplink / downlink configuration indication is uplink and the second uplink / downlink configuration indication is downlink, the reception of the uplink channel or signal and the transmission of the downlink channel or signal are simultaneously scheduled, the uplink channel or signal is received or the downlink channel or signal is transmitted based on their priorities; and / or When the reception of the uplink channel or signal and the transmission of the downlink channel or signal are simultaneously scheduled in a time unit where the first uplink / downlink configuration indication is uplink and the second uplink / downlink configuration indication is downlink, the time unit is used only for the reception of the uplink channel or signal, or the time unit is used only for the transmission of the downlink channel or signal.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9-13, wherein, The time unit includes at least one of the following: a symbol or a time slot.

15. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The first and second information are configured for the serving cell.

16. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The frequency of the first carrier is less than the frequency of the second carrier.

17. A user equipment (UE) in a communication system, comprising: transceiver; and One or more processors, coupled to the transceiver, are configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-8.

18. A base station in a communication system, comprising: transceiver; and One or more processors, coupled to the transceiver, are configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 9-15.

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