A communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and device, applied to the technical field of communication, the method comprising: obtaining a first pattern, the first pattern comprising information of M frequency domain resources associated with N terminal devices in a terminal device group; receiving information of first frequency domain resources used to carry first data; determining H information according to the first pattern and the first frequency domain resources, the H information corresponding to H terminal devices in the N terminal devices one by one, the H information comprising first information associated with a second terminal device in the H terminal devices, the first information being used to indicate first sub-data to be transmitted by the second terminal device and first sub-frequency domain resources used to transmit the first sub-data, the first sub-frequency domain resources belonging to the first frequency domain resources, and the sub-data to be transmitted by the H terminal devices belonging to the first data. In the method, multiple terminal devices cooperatively complete uplink transmission, the frequency domain resources occupied by the uplink transmission are frequency-divided among the multiple terminal devices, uplink power aggregation can be performed, and uplink transmission quality is improved.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Satellite communication, as a typical scenario of non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), features long communication distances, large coverage areas, and flexible networking. It can provide services to both fixed and various mobile terminal devices. When satellite communication is introduced into traditional communication systems (such as 5G systems), with base stations or parts of their functions deployed on satellites, it not only provides seamless coverage for terminal devices but also avoids the impact of natural disasters and ensures the reliability of the communication system.

[0003] In satellite communication scenarios, the distance between the satellite and the ground is relatively large, and the transmission capacity of terminal equipment is limited, resulting in poor uplink transmission quality. Therefore, how to improve uplink transmission quality requires further research. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for improving uplink transmission quality.

[0005] Firstly, this application provides a communication method applicable to a first terminal device. The first terminal device is, for example, a terminal equipment, or a component of a terminal equipment, such as a communication module, circuits or chips responsible for communication functions (e.g., modem chips (also known as baseband chips), or system-on-chip (SoC) chips or system-in-package (SIP) chips containing modem cores, chip systems, or processors, etc.) or other functional modules that can be applied within the terminal equipment. This chip (or chip system) or other functional module can implement the functions of the terminal equipment. For example, if the chip (or chip system) or other functional module is disposed within the terminal equipment, it can also be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal equipment.

[0006] The method includes: acquiring a first pattern, wherein the first pattern includes information on M frequency domain resources associated with N terminal devices in a terminal device group, where N is an integer greater than 1 and M is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to N; receiving information on a first frequency domain resource, wherein the first frequency domain resource is used to carry first data; determining H pieces of information based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resource, wherein the H pieces of information correspond one-to-one with H terminal devices in the N terminal devices, and H is a positive integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to M; wherein the H pieces of information include first information, which corresponds to a second terminal device in the H terminal devices, the first information being used to indicate first sub-data to be transmitted by the second terminal device and to indicate a first sub-frequency domain resource used to carry the first sub-data, wherein the first sub-frequency domain resource belongs to the first frequency domain resource, and the sub-data to be transmitted by the H terminal devices belongs to the first data.

[0007] In this method, H terminal devices in a terminal device group cooperate to transmit first data. The frequency domain resources used by each of the H terminal devices when cooperating to transmit the first data can be determined by the first frequency domain resources occupied by the first data and the first pattern. The first pattern includes information on M frequency domain resources associated with N terminal devices. The H terminal devices can be associated with H frequency domain resources from the M frequency domain resources. That is, the H terminal devices can correspond one-to-one with the H frequency domain resources in the first pattern, so that the first frequency domain resources occupied by the first data can be frequency-divided among the H terminal devices, and the gain of uplink power aggregation can be obtained, thereby improving the uplink transmission quality.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the number of frequency domain units included in the first sub-frequency domain resource is less than or equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the frequency domain resource associated with the second terminal device. Optionally, a frequency domain unit may include a resource block and / or a resource element.

[0009] With the above implementation, in a scenario of collaborative uplink transmission, the number of frequency domain units occupied by any one of the N terminal devices can be less than or equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the frequency domain resources associated with that terminal device. This means that the first pattern can reasonably limit the maximum number of frequency domain units occupied by each of the N terminal devices in a scenario of collaborative uplink transmission.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the method may further include sending the first information to the second terminal device. In this way, the second terminal device can send first sub-data to the network device based on the first information, the first sub-data being carried by first sub-frequency domain resources.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the H pieces of information may further include second information, which corresponds to the first terminal device, and the first terminal device belongs to the H terminal devices. The method may further include: sending second sub-data according to the second information, wherein the second information indicates the second sub-data and indicates a second sub-frequency domain resource for carrying the second sub-data, wherein the second sub-frequency domain resource belongs to the first frequency domain resource, and the second sub-data is the remaining data in the first data excluding the sub-data transmitted by (H-1) terminal devices, and the (H-1) terminal devices are the terminal devices other than the first terminal device among the H terminal devices. Optionally, the number of frequency domain units included in the second sub-frequency domain resource is less than or equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the frequency domain resource associated with the first terminal device.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the method may further include: sending information about the terminal device group, the information of which is used to determine the first pattern.

[0013] Through the above implementation method, the network device can obtain information about the terminal device group and design a first pattern reasonably based on the information about the terminal device group, such as designing a first pattern that meets the uplink transmission requirements based on the information about the terminal device group.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the number of frequency domain units included in each of the M frequency domain resources is determined by information from the terminal device group; and / or, the total number of frequency domain units included in the M frequency domain resources is determined by information from the terminal device group.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the positions of the M frequency domain resources in the first pattern are determined by the frequency domain resource priorities. For example, a higher-priority frequency domain resource is positioned to the left (or right, in front, or behind, etc.) of a lower-priority frequency domain resource in the first pattern.

[0016] Through the above implementation, the first pattern can indicate the priority of M frequency domain resources, which is beneficial for subsequent selection of terminal devices associated with several high-priority frequency domain resources to cooperate in transmitting the first data.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the frequency domain resource priority can be determined by the information of the terminal device group, or the frequency domain resource priority can be predefined and is not limited.

[0018] In one possible implementation, H is less than M, and the priority of the H frequency domain resources associated with the H terminal devices is higher than the priority of the frequency domain resources other than the H frequency domain resources in the M frequency domain resources.

[0019] Through the above implementation, the first terminal device can select multiple terminal devices associated with higher-priority frequency domain resources to cooperate in transmitting the first data. Generally, the higher the priority of a frequency domain resource, the better the uplink transmission quality of the terminal device associated with that frequency domain resource. By selecting multiple terminal devices associated with higher-priority frequency domain resources for cooperative transmission, the first terminal device can ensure that the uplink transmission requirements can be met after power aggregation.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the above method may further include: receiving priority information of the M frequency domain resources; determining H pieces of information based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resources, which may include: determining the H pieces of information based on the priority of the M frequency domain resources, the first pattern, and the first frequency domain resources.

[0021] In one possible implementation, determining the H pieces of information based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resources may include: determining a portion of the content in the first pattern based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resources, wherein the portion of the content belongs to the H frequency domain resources associated with the H terminal devices, and the number of frequency domain units included in the portion of the content is equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the first frequency domain resources; and determining the H pieces of information based on the portion of the content; wherein the first frequency domain unit included in the first frequency domain resource in the portion of the content differs from the first frequency domain unit included in the first frequency domain resource in the first pattern by a first offset value, or the last frequency domain unit included in the last frequency domain resource in the portion of the content differs from the last frequency domain unit included in the last frequency domain resource in the first pattern by a first offset value.

[0022] Through the above implementation, the first terminal device can determine a portion of the content in the first pattern, and there is a first offset value between the portion of the content and the first pattern, so that the network device and the first terminal device have a consistent understanding of the portion of the content in the first pattern.

[0023] In one possible implementation, before determining a portion of the content in the first pattern, the method may further include receiving information about the first offset value. Alternatively, the first offset value may be predefined, default, or preconfigured, etc.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the above method may further include: receiving information of K patterns, wherein the K patterns include the first pattern, and K is a positive integer; receiving third information, wherein the third information is used to indicate the first pattern among the K patterns; and obtaining the first pattern may include: obtaining the first pattern according to the third information.

[0025] In one possible implementation, before receiving information on the K patterns, the method may further include: sending information on G patterns, wherein the G patterns are used to determine the K patterns, and G is a positive integer.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the above method may further include: sending information on G patterns, wherein the G patterns include the first pattern, and G is a positive integer; receiving fourth information, wherein the fourth information is used to indicate the first pattern among the G patterns; and obtaining the first pattern may include: obtaining the first pattern according to the fourth information.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the G patterns are determined by information from the terminal device group.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the information of the terminal device group may include at least one of the following: the number of terminal devices included in the terminal device group, the maximum transmit power of the terminal device group, the maximum transmit power of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the maximum number of frequency domain units supported by the terminal devices in the terminal device group, information on the frequency domain units available to the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the path loss corresponding to the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the remaining power of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the type of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, or the priority information of the terminal devices in the terminal device group.

[0029] Through the above implementation method, the information of the terminal device group may include at least one parameter, which enables the power aggregation to meet the uplink transmission requirements.

[0030] In one possible implementation, obtaining the first pattern may include receiving information about the first pattern. For example, the first pattern may be determined by a network device and directly sent to a first terminal device.

[0031] In one possible implementation, before acquiring the first pattern, the method may further include sending fifth information, which is used to request the first pattern. For example, the network device may actively determine the first pattern, or it may determine the first pattern in response to the fifth information. This flexible implementation is applicable to different communication scenarios.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the method may further include: sending information about the first pattern. For example, the first pattern may be determined by a first terminal device and indicated to a network device.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the above method may further include: receiving information from a third terminal device, the third terminal device belonging to the terminal device group, the information of the third terminal device including at least one of the following: the maximum transmit power of the third terminal device, the maximum number of frequency domain units supported by the third terminal device, information on the available frequency domain units of the third terminal device, the path loss corresponding to the third terminal device, the remaining power of the third terminal device, or the type of the third terminal device.

[0034] Through the above implementation method, the first terminal device can obtain information about other terminal devices in the terminal device group, thereby obtaining information about the terminal device group.

[0035] Secondly, this application provides a communication method applicable to a network device. The network device is, for example, a network equipment, or a component of a network equipment, such as a communication module, circuitry or chip responsible for communication functions (e.g., a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, a system-in-package (SIP) chip, a chip system, or a processor, etc.) or other functional module that can be applied within the network equipment. The chip (or chip system) or other functional module, for example, may be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the network equipment's functions, if disposed within the network equipment. The network equipment includes core network equipment and / or access network equipment. Optionally, the access network equipment may be an open radio access network (ORAN) architecture or an ORAN architecture; or, the access network equipment may be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU) under an ORAN architecture. The access network device may be located on the ground, or it may be a non-ground device such as a satellite or an airborne aircraft.

[0036] The method includes: acquiring a first pattern, wherein the first pattern includes information on M frequency domain resources associated with N terminal devices in a terminal device group, wherein N is an integer greater than 1, and M is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to N; sending information on a first frequency domain resource, wherein the first frequency domain resource is used to carry first data; and receiving sub-data from H terminal devices according to the first pattern and the first frequency domain resource, wherein the sub-data from the H terminal devices belongs to the first data, and the H terminal devices belong to the N terminal devices.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the H terminal devices include a second terminal device, the sub-data of the second terminal device occupies a first sub-frequency domain resource in the first frequency domain resource, and the number of frequency domain units included in the first sub-frequency domain resource is less than or equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the frequency domain resource associated with the second terminal device.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the number of frequency domain units included in each of the M frequency domain resources is determined by information from the terminal device group; and / or, the total number of frequency domain units included in the M frequency domain resources is determined by information from the terminal device group.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the positions of the M frequency domain resources in the first pattern are determined by the frequency domain resource priority.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the frequency domain resource priority is determined by information from the terminal device group.

[0041] In one possible implementation, H is less than M, and the priority of the H frequency domain resources associated with the H terminal devices is higher than the priority of the frequency domain resources other than the H frequency domain resources in the M frequency domain resources.

[0042] In one possible implementation, the method may further include sending priority information of M frequency domain resources to the first terminal device.

[0043] In one possible implementation, receiving sub-data from H terminal devices based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resources may include: determining a portion of the first pattern based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resources, wherein the portion of the content belongs to H frequency domain resources associated with the H terminal devices, and the number of frequency domain units included in the portion of the content is equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the first frequency domain resources; receiving sub-data from the H terminal devices based on the portion of the content; wherein the first frequency domain unit included in the first frequency domain resource in the portion of the content differs from the first frequency domain unit included in the first frequency domain resource in the first pattern by a first offset value, or the last frequency domain unit included in the last frequency domain resource in the portion of the content differs from the last frequency domain unit included in the last frequency domain resource in the first pattern by a first offset value.

[0044] In one possible implementation, the above method may further include: sending information about the first offset value.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the above method may further include: receiving information from the terminal device group; obtaining the first pattern includes: determining the first pattern based on the information from the terminal device group.

[0046] In one possible implementation, determining the first pattern based on the information of the terminal device group may include: determining K patterns based on the information of the terminal device group, wherein the K patterns include the first pattern, and K is a positive integer; and determining the first pattern from the K patterns.

[0047] In one possible implementation, the above method may further include: sending information about the K patterns, and sending third information, the third information being used to indicate the first pattern among the K patterns.

[0048] In one possible implementation, before determining the K patterns, the method may further include: receiving information on G patterns, wherein the G patterns are used to determine the K patterns, and G is a positive integer.

[0049] In one possible implementation, the above method may further include: receiving information on G patterns, where G is a positive integer; obtaining the first pattern may include: determining the first pattern from the G patterns.

[0050] In one possible implementation, the above method may further include: sending fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate the first pattern among the G patterns.

[0051] In one possible implementation, the G patterns are determined by information from the terminal device group.

[0052] In one possible implementation, the information of the terminal device group may include at least one of the following: the number of terminal devices included in the terminal device group, the maximum transmit power of the terminal device group, the maximum transmit power of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the maximum number of frequency domain units supported by the terminal devices in the terminal device group, information on the frequency domain units available to the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the path loss corresponding to the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the remaining power of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the type of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, or the priority information of the terminal devices in the terminal device group.

[0053] In one possible implementation, the method may further include: sending information about the first pattern.

[0054] In one possible implementation, the above method may further include: receiving fifth information, the fifth information being used to request the first pattern.

[0055] In one possible implementation, obtaining the first pattern may include receiving information about the first pattern.

[0056] Thirdly, this application provides a communication device that can be used to execute the methods described in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The communication device may, for example, be a first terminal device. The communication device may include modules, units, or means corresponding to the methods described in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof. These modules, units, or means may be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the aforementioned functions.

[0057] In one possible implementation, the communication device may include a baseband device and a radio frequency device.

[0058] In another possible implementation, the communication device may include a processing module (sometimes also called a processing unit) and a transceiver module (sometimes also called a transceiver unit). The transceiver module is capable of both sending and receiving functions. When the transceiver module performs the sending function, it may be called a sending module (sometimes also called a sending unit), and when it performs the receiving function, it may be called a receiving module (sometimes also called a receiving unit). The sending module and the receiving module may be the same functional module, referred to as the transceiver module, which performs both sending and receiving functions; or, the sending module and the receiving module may be different functional modules, with "transceiver module" being a collective term for these functional modules.

[0059] Fourthly, this application provides a communication device that can be used to perform the methods described in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The communication device may be, for example, a network device. The communication device may include modules, units, or means corresponding to the methods described in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof. These modules, units, or means may be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the aforementioned functions.

[0060] In one possible implementation, the communication device may include a baseband device and a radio frequency device.

[0061] In another possible implementation, the communication device may include a processing module (sometimes also called a processing unit) and a transceiver module (sometimes also called a transceiver unit). The transceiver module is capable of both sending and receiving functions. When the transceiver module performs the sending function, it may be called a sending module (sometimes also called a sending unit), and when it performs the receiving function, it may be called a receiving module (sometimes also called a receiving unit). The sending module and the receiving module may be the same functional module, referred to as the transceiver module, which performs both sending and receiving functions; or, the sending module and the receiving module may be different functional modules, with "transceiver module" being a collective term for these functional modules.

[0062] Fifthly, this application provides a communication system that may include at least one of the following: a first terminal device or a network device. The first terminal device may implement the first aspect described above and any possible implementation thereof. The network device may implement the second aspect described above and any possible implementation thereof.

[0063] In one possible implementation, the system may further include a second terminal device, which can be used to receive first information from the first terminal device, the first information being used to indicate first sub-data and a first sub-frequency domain resource for carrying the first sub-data; and to send the first sub-data according to the first information, the first sub-data being carried by the first sub-frequency domain resource.

[0064] Sixthly, this application also provides a communication device. The communication device may include one or more processors. Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory. The memory is used to store one or more computer programs or instructions. The one or more processors are used to execute the one or more computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, causing the communication device to perform the methods described in the first or second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0065] In a seventh aspect, this application also provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit; the interface circuit is configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor is configured to implement the methods described in the first or second aspect and any possible implementation thereof through logic circuits or by executing computer programs or instructions.

[0066] In some possible designs, when the device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips or contain chips and other discrete components.

[0067] Eighthly, this application also provides a chip system comprising at least one chip and a memory, wherein the at least one chip is configured to read and execute a program stored in the memory to implement the method described in the first or second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0068] Ninthly, this application also provides a chip, the chip including a processor configured to perform the methods described in the first or second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0069] In a tenth aspect, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the methods described in the first or second aspect and any possible implementation thereof to be implemented.

[0070] Eleventhly, this application also provides a computer program product, the computer program product comprising a computer program or instructions that, when the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, cause the methods described in the first or second aspect and any possible implementation thereof to be implemented.

[0071] The technical effects achievable by the second to eleventh aspects and any of their possible implementations are described in the same manner as the technical effects achievable by the first aspect and any of its possible implementations, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0072] Figures 1A to 1B Architecture diagrams of several communication systems provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0073] Figure 2 An architecture diagram of an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN) device provided for embodiments of this application;

[0074] Figure 3This application provides an architecture diagram of another communication system.

[0075] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating the collaborative transmission of multiple terminal devices in a terminal device group, provided as an embodiment of this application;

[0076] Figure 5 A flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0077] Figure 6 Schematic diagrams of several first patterns provided for embodiments of this application;

[0078] Figure 7 Schematic diagrams of several first patterns provided for embodiments of this application;

[0079] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a portion of the contents of several first drawings provided for embodiments of this application;

[0080] Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating yet another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0081] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0082] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0083] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0084] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0085] The relevant terms used in the embodiments of this application will be explained below. It should be noted that these explanations are for the purpose of making the embodiments of this application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0086] 1. Resources may include at least one of the following: time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, code-domain resources, spatial-domain resources, or sequence resources, etc. In the embodiments of this application, resources may include two dimensions: time domain and frequency domain.

[0087] The unit of time-domain resources can be called a time-domain unit or a time unit, etc. A time unit can be, for example, at least one symbol, at least one orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, at least one slot, at least one sensing slot, at least one mini-slot, at least one partial slot, at least one sub-frame, at least one frame, or at least one radio frame, etc.

[0088] The unit of a frequency domain resource can be called a frequency domain unit or frequency cell. A frequency domain unit can be, for example, a resource element (RE), a resource block (RB), an RB set, a channel, a sub-channel, a control channel element (CCE), an interlace, a comb, a resource pool, a bandwidth part (BWP), a bandwidth part group (BWPG), a carrier, a carrier group, or a band. Optionally, a resource block can include a physical resource block (PRB) and / or a virtual resource block (VRB).

[0089] The time and frequency domain units mentioned above can be combined arbitrarily. For example, a resource unit can be a time-frequency resource unit where the time unit is a symbol and the frequency domain unit is a resource element. As another example, a resource unit can be a time-frequency resource unit where the time unit is a symbol and the frequency domain unit is a resource block.

[0090] 2. In this application, "multiple" can refer to two or more. Therefore, "multiple" can also be understood as "at least two" in this application. "At least one" can be understood as one or more, such as one, two, or more. For example, "including at least one" means including one, two, or more. For example, including at least one of A, B, and C, then it can include A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A, B, and C. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects. Specifically, there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. In addition, the character " / ", unless otherwise specified, generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0091] 3. The terms "system" and "network" in this application are used interchangeably, as are "according to" and "based on". The ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in this application are generally used to distinguish different objects and are not used to limit the order, timing, priority, or importance of multiple objects. For example, the terms "first terminal device" and "second terminal device" in this application are used to distinguish different terminal devices and do not limit the order, timing, priority, or importance of these terminal devices.

[0092] 4. In this application, the terms “comprising” and “having” and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, for example, a process, method, system, product or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to such process, method, product or device.

[0093] 5. In this application, "predefined" may include predefined terms, such as protocol definitions. "Predefined" can be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means of indicating relevant information in the device (e.g., including various network elements). This application does not limit the specific implementation method.

[0094] 6. The term "storage" or "preservation" in this application can refer to storage in one or more memory devices. These memory devices can be separately configured or integrated into an encoder, decoder, processor, or communication device. Alternatively, some memory devices can be separately configured, while others can be integrated into a decoder, processor, or communication device. The type of memory can be any form of storage medium, and this is not limited.

[0095] 7. The arrows or boxes indicated by dashed lines in the schematic diagrams in the accompanying drawings of this application represent optional steps or optional modules.

[0096] 8. In this application, "instruction" can include direct instruction, indirect instruction, explicit instruction, and implicit instruction. When describing a certain instruction information to indicate A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A. In this application, the information indicated by the instruction information is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementation, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly indicate the information to be instructed by indicating other information, where there is a correlation between the other information and the information to be instructed. It can also indicate only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement order of various information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent. Furthermore, the information to be instructed can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information to be sent separately, and the sending period and / or timing of these sub-information can be the same or different.

[0097] 9. In this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which may include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission by other units or modules via the air interface. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which may include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY by other units or modules via the air interface. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between access network devices and access and mobility management function network elements, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via buses, wiring, or interfaces.

[0098] 10. In this application, the words “exemplarily,” “such as,” “for example,” etc., are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as an “example” in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of the word “example” is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. In this application, “of,” “corresponding, relevant,” and “corresponding” may sometimes be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent unless the distinction is emphasized. In this application, any two of “program,” “instruction,” and “code” can be used interchangeably.

[0099] 11. In this application, "greater than or equal to" and "greater than" are interchangeable. "less than or equal to" and "less than" are interchangeable.

[0100] The preceding text introduced some of the terms used in the embodiments of this application. The following text introduces the communication system to which the embodiments of this application are applicable.

[0101] The technical solutions in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as wireless local area networks (WLANs), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi or WiFi) systems, fourth-generation (4G) mobile communication systems (such as long-term evolution (LTE) systems), fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication systems (such as new radio (NR) systems), or future communication systems. The methods provided in this application can be applied to terrestrial network communication systems or non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication systems. NTN communication systems can be, for example, satellite communication systems, and may also include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), and other aerial access network equipment; this application does not limit these applications.

[0102] This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features relating to systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that individual systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these approaches are also possible.

[0103] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application is shown as an example. Figure 1A As shown, the communication system 10 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. Optionally, the communication system 10 may also include an Internet 300.

[0104] RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (such as...) Figure 1A 110a and 110b, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (such as Figure 1ARAN 100, denoted as RAN 120a-120j, is collectively referred to as RAN 120. RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay equipment and / or wireless backhaul equipment. Figure 1A (Not shown in the image). Terminal 120 is connected to RAN node 110 wirelessly. RAN node 110 is connected to core network 200 wirelessly or via wired connection. The core network equipment in core network 200 and RAN node 110 in RAN 100 can be different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions.

[0105] RAN 100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 4G, 5G mobile communication systems, or future-oriented evolution systems. RAN 100 can also be ORAN, cloud radio access network (CRAN), or WiFi system. RAN 100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0106] RAN node 110, sometimes also referred to as RAN entity, access network equipment, or access node, constitutes part of the communication system and assists terminals in achieving wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 110 in communication system 10 can be of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of RAN node 110 and terminal 120 are relative, for example... Figure 1A Network element 120i can be a helicopter or a drone, and it can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120j that access RAN 100 through network element 120i, network element 120i is a base station; however, for base station 110a, network element 120i is a terminal. RAN node 110 and terminal 120 are sometimes referred to as communication devices, for example... Figure 1A Network elements 110a and 110b can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, while network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0107] RAN nodes can also be described in different ways, and this application does not limit this. Unless otherwise specified, this application will use the term "access network device" to refer to them. Additionally, access network devices and / or core network devices can also be called network devices, and network devices may include access network devices and / or core network devices. In this application, unless otherwise specified, network devices can be understood as access network devices.

[0108] Access network equipment can be devices or modules located on the network side of the aforementioned communication system and possessing corresponding communication functions. Access network equipment typically contains communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform the corresponding communication functions. Access network equipment may also be configured with programs or instructions for performing the corresponding communication functions, as well as the corresponding programs or instructions themselves.

[0109] In one possible scenario, access network equipment can be a base station (BS), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission point (TP), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a mobile switching center, a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a next-generation base station in a future communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc. Access network equipment can also be a macro base station (such as...). Figure 1A 110a), micro base stations or indoor stations (such as Figure 1A The access network equipment can be categorized as follows: 110b), relay nodes or donor nodes, wireless controllers in CRAN scenarios, satellites, drones, balloons, or aircraft, etc. Optionally, the access network equipment can also be servers, wearable devices, vehicles, or in-vehicle equipment, etc. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the access network equipment in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0110] In another possible scenario, multiple access network devices collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, with each device performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, the access network devices can be a central unit (CU or control unit), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and DU can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0111] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called an open CU (O-CU), DU can also be called an open DU (O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called an open RU (O-RU). Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0112] A terminal is a device or module that connects to the aforementioned communication system and possesses corresponding communication functions. A terminal can also be called a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, wireless terminal device, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, remote station, user terminal, user agent, or user device, etc. A terminal typically contains communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform the corresponding communication functions. The terminal can also be configured with programs or instructions for performing these communication functions.

[0113] Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, and smart cities. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc. Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices or smart wearable devices, are a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables. Terminals used in vehicles are called in-vehicle terminal devices, which include, for example, transportation vehicles with wireless communication capabilities, communication modules, or on-board units (OBUs).

[0114] For example, a terminal may include a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone), a computer with a mobile terminal device, or a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, or computer-embedded mobile device. For instance, a terminal may be a Personal Communication Service (PCS) phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or other similar devices. A terminal may also include restricted devices, such as devices with limited power consumption, limited storage capacity, or limited computing power. For example, a terminal may be an information sensing device such as a barcode scanner, radio frequency identification (RFID), a sensor, a global positioning system (GPS), or a laser scanner. The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form of the terminal.

[0115] In this application, core network equipment refers to equipment in the core network that provides service support to terminals. For example, in the case where CN200 is the core network of a future communication system, a 5G core network, or an evolved 5G core network, some examples of core network equipment include: access and mobility management function (AMF) entities, session management function (SMF) entities, user plane function (UPF) entities, policy control function (PCF) entities, etc., which are not listed here. Among them, the AMF entity can be responsible for terminal access management and mobility management; the SMF entity can be responsible for session management, such as user session establishment; the UPF entity can be a user plane functional entity, mainly responsible for connecting to external networks. For example, in the case of CN200 as the 4G core network, some core network devices include: Mobility Management Entity (MME), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Serving Gateway (S-GW), Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), Public Data Network Gateway (PDN Gateway, P-GW), etc., which will not be listed here. It should be noted that in this application, entities can also be referred to as network elements or functional entities. For example, an AMF entity can also be called an AMF network element or AMF functional entity, and an SMF entity can also be called an SMF network element or SMF functional entity, etc. The above-mentioned core network devices can work independently or be combined to implement certain control functions. For example, AMF, SMF, and PCF can be combined into a single core network device.

[0116] Figure 1B An exemplary schematic diagram of an ORAN system architecture provided in an embodiment of this application is shown. The ORAN system in this embodiment may include... Figure 1B Other components besides those shown. For example... Figure 1BAs shown, access network devices can communicate with the core network (CN) via a backhaul link and with terminals via an air interface. For example, a BBU in an access network device communicates with the core network via a backhaul link, and an RU in an access network device communicates with at least one terminal via an air interface. A BBU communicates with at least one RU via a fronthaul link; the BBU and RU may or may not be co-located. A BBU includes at least one CU and at least one DU, which can communicate via at least one midhaul link.

[0117] Figure 2 An exemplary diagram of the network element function division and protocol layer structure of an ORAN device provided in an embodiment of this application is shown.

[0118] In some possible implementations, the CU is a logical node that carries the radio resource control (RRC) layer, service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and other control functions of the access network equipment. The CU can connect to network nodes such as the core network through interfaces (e.g., E2 interfaces). Optionally, the CU can have some of the core network's functions. The CU (e.g., the PDCP layer and higher layers of the CU) connects to the DU (e.g., the radio link control (RLC) layer and lower layers of the DU) through interfaces (e.g., the F1 interface). Exemplarily, the F1 interface can provide control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane) functions (e.g., interface management, system information management, UE context management, RRC message transmission, etc.). F1AP is the application protocol of the F1 interface, and in some examples, it defines the signaling procedures of F1. The F1 interface supports both the F1 control plane (F1-C) and the F1 user plane (F1-U).

[0119] In some examples, a CU may include CU-CP and CU-UP. CU-CP is a logical node carrying the control plane (PDCP-C) layer, which carries the RRC layer and the Packet Data Convergence Protocol layer, and is used to implement the CU's control plane functions. CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement control plane functions. These network elements in the core network can be Access and Mobility Function (AMF) network elements, such as the AMF in a 5G system. CU-UP is a logical node carrying the user plane (PDCP-U) layer, which carries the SDAP layer and the Packet Data Convergence Protocol layer, and is used to implement the CU's user plane functions. CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement user plane functions. These network elements in the core network are, for example, the UPF in a 5G system.

[0120] In some possible implementations, the DU is a logical node that carries the RLC layer, medium access control (MAC) layer, higher physical layer (Higher PHY) layer, and other functions. In some examples, the DU can control at least one RU. The DU connects to the RU through some interface (e.g., a fronthaul interface). In some examples, the Higher PHY layer includes the physical layer (PHY) processing, such as forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation, and demodulation.

[0121] The above configurations of CU and DU are merely examples; the functions of CU and / or DU can be configured as needed. For instance, CU or DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or to have only some protocol layer processing functions. For example, some RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions above the RLC layer can be placed in the CU, while the remaining RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions below the RLC layer can be placed in the DU. Furthermore, the functions of CU or DU can be divided according to service type or other system requirements, such as by latency, placing functions that need to meet low latency requirements in the DU and functions that do not need to meet such latency requirements in the CU.

[0122] In some possible implementations, the RU is a logical node that carries both the lower physical layer (Lower PHY) and radio frequency (RF) processing. In some examples, the RU may be a 3GPP TRP or RRH, or other similar functional entities. In some examples, the Low-PHY includes PHY processing functions such as Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT), digital beamforming, and filtering. The RU communicates with one or more terminals via a wireless link.

[0123] The DU and RU can be co-located or not. The DU and RU exchange control plane and user plane information via a fronthaul link through a Lower-Layer Split CUS-Plane (LLS-CUS or LLS-C / U / S) interface. LLS-CUS may include a Lower-Layer Split C-Plane (LLS-C) interface providing the control plane (C-Plane) and a Lower-Layer Split U-Plane (LLS-U) interface providing the user plane (U-Plane). In some examples, the control plane refers to real-time control between the DU and RU. The DU and RU exchange management information via a Lower-Layer Split management (LLS-M) interface on the fronthaul link. The management plane (M-Plane) refers to non-real-time management operations between the DU and RU.

[0124] DU and RU can cooperate to implement the functions of the PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, a DU can be configured to implement baseband functions, and an RU can be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Another example is that a DU can be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and an RU can be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer can include a portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the MAC layer, while lower-level functions in the physical layer can include another portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the mid-RF side.

[0125] The communication systems and service scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0126] In satellite communication scenarios, the distance between the satellite and the ground is relatively large, and the transmission capability of terminal equipment is limited, resulting in poor uplink transmission quality. Therefore, how to improve uplink transmission quality requires further research. Based on this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method and apparatus for improving uplink transmission quality. The method and apparatus described in this application are based on the same technical concept. Since the principles by which the method and apparatus solve the problem are similar, the implementation of the apparatus and method can be referred to each other, and repeated details will not be repeated.

[0127] The various communication methods provided in the embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These methods can be applied to... Figure 1A or Figure 1B The communication system shown is not limited to this. This application describes the interaction between a terminal device and a network device as an example. The terminal device can be a terminal equipment, or a component applied in a terminal equipment (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), chip system, or processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal functions. The network device can be a network equipment, or a component applied in a network equipment (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), chip system, or processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the network equipment functions. Please refer to the preceding text for the definitions of terminal equipment and network equipment.

[0128] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, the terminal device and / or network device may execute some or all of the steps in the embodiments of this application. These steps or operations are merely examples, and the embodiments of this application may also perform other operations or variations thereof. Furthermore, the steps may be executed in different orders as presented in the embodiments of this application, and it is not necessarily necessary to execute all the operations in the embodiments of this application.

[0129] In this embodiment, multiple terminal devices in a terminal device group can cooperate to complete uplink transmission. The frequency domain resources occupied by this uplink transmission are frequency-divided among the multiple terminal devices, thereby achieving uplink power aggregation gain and improving uplink transmission quality. The terminal device group can also be referred to as a virtual UE (VUE), virtual terminal device, virtual terminal, or a collection of terminal devices, etc. This application does not limit the naming of the terminal device group. A terminal device group may include multiple terminal devices, or a terminal device group may consist of multiple terminal devices. In this application, some or all of the terminal devices in the terminal device group can cooperate to perform uplink transmission. It is understood that this application does not limit the number of terminal devices included in a terminal device group.

[0130] In one alternative implementation, the terminal device group may include at least one source terminal device and at least one cooperating terminal device, such as... Figure 3 As shown. The source terminal device can also be called a source UE (SUE), signal source terminal device, main terminal device, or remote terminal device, etc. This application does not limit the naming of the source terminal device. The cooperating terminal device can also be called a cooperating UE (CUE), cooperative terminal device, auxiliary terminal device, slave terminal device, or relay terminal device, etc. This application does not limit the naming of the cooperative terminal device. The source terminal device is relative to the cooperative terminal device. The source terminal device can be understood as the terminal device that needs to send uplink data. The cooperative terminal device can be understood as the terminal device that cooperates with the source terminal device to send uplink data. Figure 3 In this application, the terminal device group includes one SUE and three CUEs (denoted as CUE#1, CUE#2, and CUE#3, respectively). It is understood that this application does not limit the implementation form of the source terminal device or the cooperative terminal device.

[0131] In one alternative implementation, multiple terminal devices in the terminal device group can cooperate at layer 1 (L1) to respectively transmit a portion of the data in the transmission block (TB), such as... Figure 4 As shown. In Figure 4 In this process, CUE#1 cooperates with SUE to transmit SUE's Transport Block Part (TBP). SUE can divide the TBP into two parts, denoted as Transmission Block Part (TBP)#1 and TBP#2. SUE can indicate TBP#2 to CUE#1 or send TBP#2 to CUE#1; correspondingly, CUE#1 can obtain TBP#2. SUE can send TBP#1 to gNB, and CUE#1 can send TBP#2 to gNB, thus SUE and CUE#1 cooperate in L1 to complete the transmission of the TBP.

[0132] The following is combined with Figure 5 The above describes the process by which multiple terminal devices in a terminal device group work together to complete uplink transmission.

[0133] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 5 As shown, the method may include the following.

[0134] S501: The network device acquires the first pattern.

[0135] The first pattern includes information about multiple frequency domain resources (e.g., M frequency domain resources, where M is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to N) associated with multiple terminal devices (e.g., N terminal devices, where N is an integer greater than 1) in the terminal device group. Optionally, the first pattern may also include information about the N terminal devices in the terminal device group; that is, the first pattern may include information about the N terminal devices in the terminal device group and information about the M frequency domain resources associated with the N terminal devices. For ease of understanding, the following explanation uses an example where M is an integer greater than 1.

[0136] Optionally, the first pattern includes information about M frequency domain resources associated with N terminal devices in the terminal device group, which can be replaced by: the first pattern being used to indicate (or determine, or represent, or characterize) the M frequency domain resources associated with the N terminal devices in the terminal device group; or replaced by: the first pattern including information about the number of frequency domain units associated with each of the N terminal devices in the terminal device group; or replaced by: the first pattern being used to indicate (or determine, or represent, or characterize) the number of frequency domain units associated with each of the N terminal devices in the terminal device group.

[0137] Optionally, the first pattern includes information about N terminal devices in the terminal device group, which can be replaced by: the first pattern being used to indicate (or determine, or represent, or characterize) the N terminal devices in the terminal device group.

[0138] In this application, the number of frequency domain units occupied by any one of the N terminal devices (i.e., the actual number of frequency domain units occupied) is less than or equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the frequency domain resources associated with that terminal device in the first drawing. In other words, the first drawing can limit the maximum number of frequency domain units occupied by each of the N terminal devices in the terminal device group. The N terminal devices are some or all of the terminal devices in the terminal device group.

[0139] Optionally, the first pattern may also be called a frequency domain pattern, a pre-configuration pattern, a frequency domain pre-configuration pattern, a resource pre-configuration pattern, or an uplink resource pre-configuration pattern, etc. This application does not limit the naming of the first pattern. Furthermore, the information of the M frequency domain resources associated with the N terminal devices in the terminal device group can be represented in the form of a pattern, or in the form of a list, or in the form of text, or in the form of a formula; this application does not limit this.

[0140] Optionally, associating N terminal devices with M frequency domain resources in the terminal device group can include: one terminal device among the N terminal devices can be associated with one frequency domain resource among the M frequency domain resources, and one frequency domain resource among the M frequency domain resources can be associated with at least one terminal device among the N terminal devices. For example, if N and M are equal, one terminal device among the N terminal devices can be associated with one frequency domain resource among the M frequency domain resources; or one frequency domain resource among the M frequency domain resources can be associated with one terminal device among the N terminal devices, meaning there is a one-to-one correspondence between the N terminal devices and the M frequency domain resources. As another example, if N is greater than M, one terminal device among the N terminal devices can be associated with one frequency domain resource among the M frequency domain resources; or one frequency domain resource among the M frequency domain resources can be associated with at least one terminal device among the N terminal devices.

[0141] For example, N terminal devices include SUE, CUE#1 and CUE#2. If N equals M, SUE can be associated with frequency domain resource #1, CUE#1 can be associated with frequency domain resource #2, and CUE#3 can be associated with frequency domain resource #3; or, if N is greater than M, SUE can be associated with frequency domain resource #1, and CUE#1 and CUE#2 are all associated with frequency domain resource #2.

[0142] The number of frequency domain units included in each of the M frequency domain resources can be the same or different. For example, the number of frequency domain units included in each of the M frequency domain resources can be obtained by equally distributing them among the number of terminal devices in the terminal device group. Alternatively, the number of frequency domain units included in each of the M frequency domain resources can be obtained by on-demand allocation.

[0143] The frequency domain unit can be referred to above. In an optional implementation, the frequency domain unit may include RE and / or RB. In other words, the frequency domain granularity of the M frequency domain resources in the first pattern may include RE and / or RB. For example, if the frequency domain unit is RB, then the frequency domain granularity of each of the M frequency domain resources in the first pattern is RB, such as... Figure 6 As shown in (1) of the diagram. For example, if the frequency domain unit is RE, then the frequency domain granularity of each of the M frequency domain resources in the first pattern is RE, as shown in (1). Figure 6As shown in (2) of the diagram. For example, if the frequency domain unit includes RB and RE, then the frequency domain granularity of some of the M frequency domain resources in the first pattern is RB, and the frequency domain granularity of the remaining frequency domain resources is RE, as shown in (2). Figure 6 As shown in (3) of the text. Figure 6 In this context, N terminal devices include SUE, CUE#1, and CUE#2.

[0144] In this application, the frequency domain resources associated with the terminal device refer to the frequency domain resources associated with the terminal device indicated (or included) by the first drawing. Optionally, the term "frequency domain resources associated with the terminal device" and the term "frequency domain resources associated with the terminal device in the first drawing" are interchangeable. Similarly, in this application, the number of frequency domain units associated with the terminal device refers to the number of frequency domain units associated with the terminal device indicated (or included) by the first drawing, or the number of frequency domain units included in the frequency domain resources associated with the terminal device indicated (or included) by the first drawing. Optionally, the term "number of frequency domain units associated with the terminal device" and the terms "number of frequency domain units associated with the terminal device in the first drawing" and "number of frequency domain units included in the frequency domain resources associated with the terminal device in the first drawing" are interchangeable.

[0145] S502: The first terminal device acquires the first pattern.

[0146] It is understood that the execution order of S501 and S502 is merely an example, and this application does not limit it. For example, the first terminal device may also acquire the first pattern before the network device acquires the first pattern. As another example, the first terminal device may also acquire the first pattern during the process of the network device acquiring the first pattern.

[0147] The first terminal device belongs to a terminal device group, meaning the terminal device group includes the first terminal device. For example, the first terminal device could be a source terminal device within the terminal device group. Furthermore, for a detailed description of the first drawing, please refer to section S501; it will not be repeated here.

[0148] In S501 and S502, the network device acquires the first pattern, and the first terminal device acquires the first pattern. In one example, the network device may determine the first pattern and send information about the first pattern to the first terminal device. The information about the first pattern may include the first pattern itself, or the information may be used to indicate the first pattern. In another example, the first terminal device may determine the first pattern and send information about the first pattern to the network device. In yet another example, the network device and the first terminal device may each determine the first pattern, such as by determining the first pattern according to the same rules, to ensure that the first pattern determined by the network device is consistent with the first pattern determined by the first terminal device. In other words, the first pattern may be determined by the network device, or it may be determined by the first terminal device, or it may be determined by both the network device and the first terminal device.

[0149] The following sections will describe the scenarios where the first pattern is determined by the network device and the first pattern is determined by the first terminal device.

[0150] I. The first drawing is determined by the network device:

[0151] The network device can determine the first pattern. Optionally, after determining the first pattern, the network device can also send information about the first pattern; the first terminal device can receive the information about the first pattern. For example, the network device can send information about the first pattern to the first terminal device; correspondingly, the first terminal device can receive information about the first pattern from the network device. For example, the network device can send information about the first pattern to the first terminal device statically or semi-statically. The information about the first pattern can be carried, for example, by RRC signaling and / or MAC-CE signaling, etc., and this application does not limit the transmission method of the information about the first pattern. For example, the information about the first pattern can also be dynamically configured, such as being carried by downlink control information (DCI), without limitation.

[0152] In one alternative implementation, the network device may determine the first pattern based on information from the terminal device group. For example, the network device may obtain information about the terminal device group and determine the first pattern based on that information. As an example, the information about the terminal device group may come from a first terminal device. That is, the first terminal device sends the information about the terminal device group, and the network device may receive that information. For example, the first terminal device may send the information about the terminal device group to the network device; correspondingly, the network device receives the information about the terminal device group from the first terminal device. It should be understood that this application does not limit the implementation method of the network device obtaining the information about the terminal device group. For example, the network device may also obtain the information about the terminal device group through subscription information, etc.

[0153] In the above embodiments, the first pattern can be determined by information from the terminal device group. Optionally, determining the first pattern by information from the terminal device group may include at least one of the following: the number of frequency domain units included in each of the M frequency domain resources is determined by information from the terminal device group; the total number of frequency domain units included in the M frequency domain resources (e.g., denoted as the second frequency domain resource) is determined by information from the terminal device group; or the N terminal devices in the terminal device group are determined by information from the terminal device group (i.e., determining which terminal devices are allowed to cooperate in uplink transmission based on information from the terminal device group).

[0154] Optionally, the information of the terminal device group can also be called the capability information of the terminal device group. This application does not limit the naming of the information of the terminal device group.

[0155] For example, the information of the terminal device group may include at least one of the following:

[0156] 1) The number of terminal devices included in the terminal device group, such as the total number of terminal devices included in the terminal device group.

[0157] 2) The maximum transmit power of a terminal device group can be understood as the aggregated transmit power of the maximum transmit power of multiple terminal devices in the group. For example, if a terminal device group includes SUE, CUE#1, and CUE#2, and the maximum transmit power of SUE is denoted as power #1, the maximum transmit power of CUE#1 as power #2, and the maximum transmit power of CUE#2 as power #3, then the maximum transmit power of the terminal device group can be the sum of power #1, power #2, and power #3.

[0158] 3) The maximum transmit power of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, such as the maximum transmit power of each terminal device in some or all of the terminal devices in the terminal device group.

[0159] 4) The maximum number of frequency domain units supported by the terminal devices in the terminal device group, such as the maximum number of frequency domain units supported by each terminal device in some or all of the terminal devices in the terminal device group. For example, N terminal devices include terminal device #1, and the number of frequency domain units included in the frequency domain resources associated with terminal device #1 is less than or equal to the maximum number of frequency domain units supported by terminal device #1. Among them, the frequency domain resources associated with terminal device #1 belong to M frequency domain resources, that is, the frequency domain resources associated with terminal device #1 in the first drawing.

[0160] 5) Information on frequency domain units available to the terminal devices in the terminal device group, such as information on frequency domain units available to each terminal device in some or all of the terminal devices in the terminal device group. The information on frequency domain units available to the terminal devices can be used to indicate at least one quantity, which is the number of candidate frequency domain units. That is, the information on frequency domain units available to the terminal devices can be used to indicate at least one quantity of frequency domain units available (or selectable) to the terminal devices. Accordingly, the number of frequency domain units included in the frequency domain resources associated with the terminal device can be one of these at least one quantities. Optionally, the information on frequency domain units available to the terminal devices can be replaced by: information on candidate frequency domain units of the terminal devices, information on selectable frequency domain units of the terminal devices, or a set of the number of frequency domain units available to the terminal devices, without limitation. For example, there are N terminal devices, including terminal device #1. The set of available REs for terminal device #1 is {1, 2, 3, 6, 12}. The frequency domain resources associated with terminal device #1 can include any one of the REs in {1, 2, 3, 6, 12}. For example, the frequency domain resources associated with terminal device #1 include 6 REs. Please refer to the previous text for the frequency domain resources associated with terminal device #1.

[0161] 6) Path loss corresponding to each terminal device in a terminal device group, such as the path loss corresponding to each terminal device in some or all of the terminal devices in the terminal device group. The path loss corresponding to a terminal device can be understood as the path loss between the terminal device and the network device.

[0162] 7) The remaining power of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, such as the remaining power of each terminal device in some or all of the terminal devices in the terminal device group.

[0163] 8) The types of terminal devices in the terminal device group, such as the type of each terminal device in some or all of the terminal devices in the terminal device group. The types of terminal devices may include, for example, at least one of the following: new radio (NR) device, reduced capability (RedCap) device, WiFi device, Bluetooth device, Starflash device, or IoT device, etc.

[0164] 9) Priority information of terminal devices in the terminal device group, such as priority information of some or all terminal devices in the terminal device group. Optionally, the priorities of multiple terminal devices in the terminal device group can be predefined, configured by the network device, or determined based on the information of the terminal devices, without limitation. The information of the terminal devices may include, for example, at least one of the following: maximum transmit power, maximum number of supported frequency domain elements, information on available frequency domain elements, path loss, or type, etc. Optionally, the information of the terminal devices may also be referred to as the capability information of the terminal devices; this application does not limit the naming of the information of the terminal devices.

[0165] It is understood that the information of the terminal device group may also include other information, and this application does not limit this.

[0166] As an example, the network device can determine a first pattern based on the number of terminal devices included in the terminal device group. For instance, if the number of terminal devices in the terminal device group is N, the network device can obtain the first pattern by equally allocating the second frequency domain resources according to N, where M equals N, such as... Figure 7 As shown in (1) above. For example, if the terminal device group includes N terminal devices with similar capabilities, the network device can obtain a first pattern by evenly allocating the second frequency domain resources according to N, where M equals N. In Figure 7 In the middle, the terminal device group includes SUE, CUE#1 and CUE#2. SUE and CUE#1 are mobile phones, and CUE#2 is a tablet computer. The second frequency domain resources include 15 RBs, and SUE, CUE#1 and CUE#2 are each associated with 5 RBs.

[0167] For details regarding the second frequency domain resources, please refer to the preceding text. The similarity of capabilities among N terminal devices can include, for example, at least one of the following: similar maximum transmit power, similar maximum number of frequency domain units supported by the N terminal devices, similar number of available frequency domain units for the N terminal devices, similar path loss for the N terminal devices, similar remaining battery power for the N terminal devices, or the N terminal devices being of the same type. Optionally, similarity among multiple parameters can be achieved by ensuring that the difference between these parameters is less than or equal to a certain threshold. For example, similar maximum transmit power for two UEs can be understood as: the difference between the maximum transmit power of the two UEs is less than or equal to threshold #1. Other parameters are similar and will not be listed individually.

[0168] As an example, the network device can determine a first pattern based on the maximum transmit power of the terminal device group. For instance, if the maximum transmit power of the terminal device group needs to meet the quality requirements of uplink transmission, the network device can determine the first pattern. For example, if the maximum transmit power of the terminal device group and the second frequency domain resources need to meet the quality requirements of uplink transmission, that is, the maximum transmit power of the terminal device group is allocated to each frequency domain unit of the second frequency domain resources such that the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) received by the network device from these frequency domain units exceeds a certain threshold (such as a predefined or pre-configured threshold, which is not limited), thereby determining the total number of frequency domain units included in the second frequency domain resources.

[0169] For example, let P be the maximum transmit power of the terminal device group. P will be evenly distributed across X REs, and the transmit power on each RE will be P / X. Here, X is the total number of REs included in the second frequency domain resource. Considering that the transmit power minus path loss equals the receive power, and the transmit power and path loss are known, the receive power on each RE can be obtained. X is controllable; by controlling the value of X (i.e., controlling the number of REs), the SINR measured at the receiver can be greater than a certain threshold, thus ensuring the signal reception quality at the receiver. The smaller X is, the larger P / X is, the greater the transmit power on each RE, and the greater the receive power on each RE, resulting in a higher SINR, which means better signal quality and thus improved uplink transmission quality.

[0170] As an example, the network device can determine a first pattern based on the maximum transmit power of the terminal devices in the terminal device group. For instance, the network device can determine, based on the maximum transmit power of the terminal devices, that N terminal devices in the terminal device group are allowed to cooperate in uplink transmission to ensure that the uplink transmission quality requirements are met after power aggregation. For instance, if the maximum transmit power of a terminal device is low (e.g., less than or equal to threshold #2, which can be predefined or pre-configured and not restricted), the terminal device may not cooperate in uplink transmission. For instance, the higher the maximum transmit power of a terminal device, the more frequency domain units the frequency domain resources associated with that terminal device can include.

[0171] Where the terminal device does not cooperate in uplink transmission, it can be understood that the first pattern does not include information about the terminal device and the frequency domain resources associated with the terminal device.

[0172] As an example, the network device can determine a first pattern based on the maximum number of frequency domain elements supported by the terminal devices in the terminal device group. The frequency domain resources associated with a terminal device include a number of frequency domain elements less than or equal to the maximum number of frequency domain elements supported by that terminal device. Optionally, if the maximum number of frequency domain elements supported by a terminal device is small (e.g., less than or equal to threshold #3, which can be predefined or pre-configured and is not limited), the terminal device may not cooperate with uplink transmission. For example, if the maximum number of RBs supported by the SUE is 20 and the maximum number of RBs supported by the CUE is 100, then the frequency domain resources associated with the SUE may include 5 RBs, and the frequency domain resources associated with the CUE may include 50 RBs. Figure 7 As shown in (2) of the text. Figure 7 In (2), SUE stands for mobile phone and CUE stands for car.

[0173] As an example, a network device may determine a first pattern based on information about the frequency domain units available to the terminal devices in a group of terminal devices. The number of frequency domain units included in the frequency domain resources associated with the terminal device belongs to the set of the number of frequency domain units available to that terminal device. Optionally, if the number of each frequency domain unit available to the terminal device is small (e.g., less than or equal to a threshold #4, which may be predefined or pre-configured and unrestricted), the terminal device may not cooperate with uplink transmission. For example, if the set of available RBs for SUE is {1, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40}, the set of available RBs for CUE#1 is {2, 3, 5, 10, 20}, the set of available REs for CUE#2 is {5, 6, 12}, and the set of available REs for CUE#3 is {1, 2}, then the frequency domain resources associated with SUE can include 5 RBs, the frequency domain resources associated with CUE#1 can include 2 RBs, the frequency domain resources associated with CUE#2 can include 6 REs, and CUE#3 does not cooperate with uplink transmission. Figure 7 As shown in (3) of the text. Figure 7 In (3), SUE is a drone, CUE#1 is a mobile phone, and CUE#2 is a VR glasses.

[0174] As an example, the network device can determine a first pattern based on the path loss corresponding to the terminal devices in the terminal device group. For instance, if the path loss corresponding to a terminal device is high (e.g., greater than or equal to threshold #5, which can be predefined or pre-configured and is not restricted), the terminal device may not cooperate with uplink transmission to reduce the impact on uplink transmission quality due to high path loss. Conversely, the lower the path loss corresponding to a terminal device, the more frequency domain units can be included in the frequency domain resources associated with that terminal device.

[0175] As an example, the network device can determine a first pattern based on the remaining battery power of the terminal devices in the terminal device group. For instance, if a terminal device has low remaining battery power (e.g., less than or equal to threshold #6, which can be predefined or pre-configured and is not limited), the terminal device may not cooperate with uplink transmission to avoid data transmission interruption due to battery depletion during cooperative uplink transmission. For example, the more battery power a terminal device has, the more frequency domain elements can be included in the frequency domain resources associated with that terminal device.

[0176] As an example, the network device can determine the first pattern based on the type of terminal devices in the terminal device group. For example, multiple terminal devices of the same type can be associated with the same frequency domain resource, or the frequency domain resources associated with multiple terminal devices of the same type include the same number of frequency domain elements. For example, if the maximum number of RBs supported by SUE is 20, the maximum number of RBs supported by CUE#1 is 10, the maximum number of REs supported by CUE#2 is 160, the maximum number of REs supported by CUE#3 is 6, and the maximum number of REs supported by CUE#4 is 6, then the frequency domain resource associated with SUE can include 5 RBs, the frequency domain resource associated with CUE#1 can include 3 RBs, the frequency domain resource associated with CUE#2 can include 100 REs, and a frequency domain resource associated with CUE#3 and CUE#4 includes 6 REs. Figure 7 As shown in (4) of the diagram. Figure 7 In (4), SUE is a drone, CUE#1 is a mobile phone, CUE#2 is a VR glasses, CUE#3 is a headset, and CUE#4 is a watch.

[0177] As an example, the network device may determine a first pattern based on priority information of the terminal devices in the terminal device group. For instance, the network device may determine which terminal devices are allowed to cooperate in uplink transmission based on the priority information of the terminal devices in the terminal device group. For instance, the network device may determine the positions of M frequency domain resources in the first pattern based on the priority information of the terminal devices in the terminal device group.

[0178] Understandably, the implementation of the first pattern determined by the network device based on multiple parameters, including the number of terminal devices in the terminal device group, the maximum transmit power of the terminal device group, the maximum transmit power of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the maximum number of frequency domain units supported by the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the information of the available frequency domain units of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the path loss corresponding to the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the remaining power of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the type of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, or the priority information of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, can be referred to the aforementioned example and will not be repeated here.

[0179] In the above embodiments, the network device can determine the first pattern based on information from the terminal device group. Optionally, the network device can also determine the first pattern based on other information. For example, the network device can determine the first pattern based on at least one pattern (e.g., denoted as G patterns, where G is a positive integer) from the first terminal device. Specifically, the first terminal device can send information about G patterns to the network device; correspondingly, the network device receives information about G patterns and determines the first pattern based on the G patterns, such as selecting one pattern (i.e., the first pattern) from the G patterns.

[0180] The information of the G patterns may include the G patterns themselves, or the information of the G patterns may be used to indicate the G patterns. The information of the G patterns may be carried, for example, in RRC signaling and / or MAC-CE signaling. This application does not limit the transmission method of the information of the G patterns. The G patterns can be understood as: G patterns recommended by the first terminal device. The G patterns may be determined, for example, by at least one of the following: information of the terminal device group, uplink transmission quality requirements, or network environment. For example, the first terminal device may determine the G patterns based on at least one of the following: information of the terminal device group, uplink transmission quality requirements, or network environment.

[0181] The G patterns may or may not include the first pattern (e.g., the network device can determine that the G patterns will not be used). Optionally, the G patterns include the first pattern. The network device sending information about the first pattern to the first terminal device may include: the network device sending fourth information to the first terminal device, the fourth information being used to indicate the first pattern among the G patterns. For example, the fourth information may include an index of the first pattern, without limitation. The first terminal device receives the fourth information from the network device and obtains the first pattern based on the fourth information. Optionally, the fourth information may be DCI, or the fourth information may be carried by at least one of DCI, MAC-CE signaling, or RRC signaling. This application does not limit the transmission method of the fourth information.

[0182] A network device may determine one pattern (i.e., the first pattern), or it may determine multiple patterns, including the first pattern. For example, a network device may determine multiple patterns and select one from them. Alternatively, a network device may determine multiple patterns and then select one from them based on the actual network environment and / or uplink transmission quality requirements. For example, a network device may determine multiple patterns based on information about the terminal device group, uplink transmission quality requirements, or at least one of the network environment conditions. Specific implementation details can be found in the description of how a network device determines the first pattern, and will not be repeated here. In other words, a network device may determine at least one pattern (e.g., K patterns, where K is a positive integer), which includes the first pattern; that is, the K patterns include the first pattern. For example, a network device may determine K patterns and select one pattern (i.e., the first pattern) from the K patterns.

[0183] Optionally, the network device may send information about K patterns to the first terminal device; correspondingly, the first terminal device receives information about K patterns from the network device. The information about the K patterns may include the K patterns themselves, or the information about the K patterns may be used to indicate the K patterns. For example, the network device may send the information about the K patterns to the first terminal device statically or semi-statically. The information about the K patterns may be carried, for example, by RRC signaling and / or MAC-CE signaling; this application does not limit the transmission method of the information about the K patterns. Optionally, the network device sending information about the first pattern to the first terminal device may include: the network device sending third information to the first terminal device, the third information being used to indicate the first pattern among the K patterns. For example, the third information may include an index of the first pattern, without limitation. The first terminal device receives the third information from the network device and obtains the first pattern based on the third information. Optionally, the third information may be DCI, or the third information may be carried by at least one of DCI, MAC-CE signaling, or RRC signaling; this application does not limit the transmission method of the third information. That is, the network device can pre-configure K patterns for the first terminal device, and then activate (or instruct) one of the K patterns, namely the first pattern, through third information.

[0184] Optionally, the network device may determine K patterns based on G patterns. The G patterns are as described above. That is, when determining the K patterns, the network device may consider the G patterns recommended by the first terminal device. Optionally, the K patterns may be the same as, or partially the same as, the G patterns may be some of the G patterns, or the G patterns may be some of the K patterns, or some of the K patterns may be the same as some of the G patterns, or the K patterns may be different from the G patterns (e.g., the network device determines not to use the G patterns).

[0185] Understandably, the network device can proactively determine K patterns (or determine the first pattern), or the network device can determine K patterns (or determine the first pattern) in response to a request from the first terminal device. For example, the first terminal device can send fifth information; the network device can receive the fifth information. Further, after receiving the fifth information, the network device can determine K patterns (or determine the first pattern). The fifth information can be used to request the first pattern; or the fifth information can be used to request uplink transmission based on the pattern; or the fifth information can be used to request a pre-configured resource pattern for uplink transmission; or the fifth information can be used to request uplink transmission using a first transmission method. The first transmission method can also be called transmission block processing over multi-device (TBOMD), RB aggregation, or RE aggregation, etc., and this application does not limit the naming of the first transmission method. Optionally, the fifth information and the information of the terminal device group can be included in the same message, or they can be included in different messages, and this application does not limit the transmission method of the fifth information.

[0186] II. The first drawing is determined by the first terminal device:

[0187] The first terminal device can determine the first pattern. Optionally, after determining the first pattern, the first terminal device can also send information about the first pattern; the network device can receive the information about the first pattern. For example, the first terminal device can send information about the first pattern to the network device; correspondingly, the network device can receive information about the first pattern from the first terminal device. For example, the first terminal device can send information about the first pattern to the network device statically or semi-statically. The information about the first pattern can be carried by, for example, RRC signaling and / or MAC-CE signaling, etc., and this application does not limit the transmission method of the information about the first pattern. For example, the information about the first pattern can also be dynamically configured, such as being carried by uplink control information (UCI), without limitation.

[0188] In one optional implementation, the first terminal device may determine the first pattern based on information about the terminal device group. For example, the first terminal device may determine the first pattern based on the number of terminal devices included in the terminal device group. For example, the first terminal device may determine the first pattern based on the maximum transmit power of the terminal device group. For example, the first terminal device may determine the first pattern based on the maximum transmit power of the terminal devices in the terminal device group. For example, the first terminal device may determine the first pattern based on the maximum number of frequency domain units supported by the terminal devices in the terminal device group. For example, the first terminal device may determine the first pattern based on information about the available frequency domain units of the terminal devices in the terminal device group. For example, the first terminal device may determine the first pattern based on the path loss corresponding to the terminal devices in the terminal device group. For example, the first terminal device may determine the first pattern based on the remaining battery power of the terminal devices in the terminal device group. For example, the first terminal device may determine the first pattern based on the type of the terminal devices in the terminal device group. For example, the first terminal device may determine the first pattern based on the priority information of the terminal devices in the terminal device group. For example, the first terminal device may determine the first pattern based on multiple parameters, including the number of terminal devices in the terminal device group, the maximum transmit power of the terminal device group, the maximum transmit power of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the maximum number of frequency domain units supported by the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the information on the available frequency domain units of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the path loss corresponding to the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the remaining power of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the type of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, or the priority information of the terminal devices in the terminal device group. For specific implementation details, please refer to the implementation method of the network device determining the first pattern based on the information of the terminal device group; further details will not be elaborated here.

[0189] In the above embodiments, the first terminal device can determine the first pattern based on information from the terminal device group. Optionally, the first terminal device can also determine the first pattern based on other information. For example, the first terminal device can determine the first pattern based on uplink transmission quality requirements and / or network environment, etc.

[0190] Optionally, the first terminal device may collect (or acquire) information from the terminal devices in the terminal device group to obtain information about the terminal device group. For example, the terminal device group includes a third terminal device, which may send its own information to the first terminal device; correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the information from the third terminal device. The information of the third terminal device may include at least one of the following: the maximum transmit power of the third terminal device, the maximum number of frequency domain units supported by the third terminal device, information about the available frequency domain units of the third terminal device, the path loss corresponding to the third terminal device, the remaining battery power of the third terminal device, or the type of the third terminal device. It is understood that this application does not limit the implementation method of the first terminal device collecting information from the terminal devices in the terminal device group.

[0191] The foregoing described the implementation methods of the first pattern being determined by a network device and the first pattern being determined by a first terminal device, respectively. It is understood that this application does not limit the device used to determine the first pattern. For example, the first pattern can also be determined by a device other than the first terminal device and the network device, and then sent to the first terminal device and the network device. For example, the first pattern can also be predefined or user-defined, etc.

[0192] In the preceding text, the first pattern includes information about M frequency domain resources associated with N terminal devices in the terminal device group. In an optional implementation, the first pattern may further include priority information for the M frequency domain resources, or it may be used to indicate the priority of the M frequency domain resources. As an example, the first pattern may include priority identifiers for the M frequency domain resources. For example, "1" indicates the highest priority, and the priority decreases as the number increases. Alternatively, "1" indicates the lowest priority, and the priority increases as the number increases.

[0193] As another example, the positions of the M frequency domain resources in the first pattern can be used to indicate the priority of those M frequency domain resources. In other words, the positions of the M frequency domain resources in the first pattern can be determined by the frequency domain resource priorities; or, the positions of the M frequency domain resources in the first pattern can be determined by the order of their priorities. For example, a network device (and / or a first terminal device) can determine the positions of the M frequency domain resources in the first pattern based on their priorities. For example, defaulting or predefining the positions of the M frequency domain resources in the first pattern can be used to determine their priorities. For example, in the first pattern, the frequency domain resources corresponding to the positions from left to right (or from front to back) have a priority from high to low, that is, the position of the frequency domain resource with higher priority in the first pattern is to the left (or in front) of the position of the frequency domain resource with lower priority in the first pattern; or, in the first pattern, the frequency domain resources corresponding to the positions from left to right (or from front to back) have a priority from low to high, that is, the position of the frequency domain resource with higher priority in the first pattern is to the right (or behind) of the position of the frequency domain resource with lower priority in the first pattern.

[0194] For example, in the first pattern, the frequency domain resources corresponding to the positions from left to right have priorities from high to low. Figure 7 In (1), the frequency domain resources associated with SUE have a higher priority than the frequency domain resources associated with CUE#1, and the frequency domain resources associated with CUE#1 have a higher priority than the frequency domain resources associated with CUE#2.

[0195] Optionally, the frequency domain resource priority can be predefined, pre-configured, or determined based on information from the terminal device group, without restriction.

[0196] As an example, the network device (and / or the first terminal device) can determine the priority of M frequency domain resources based on information from the terminal device group. For example, the higher the maximum transmit power of the terminal device, the higher the priority of the frequency domain resources associated with that terminal device. For example, the more frequency domain units the terminal device supports, the higher the priority of the frequency domain resources associated with that terminal device. For example, the more frequency domain units the terminal device has available, the higher the priority of the frequency domain resources associated with that terminal device. For example, the lower the path loss corresponding to the terminal device, the higher the priority of the frequency domain resources associated with that terminal device. For example, the more remaining power the terminal device has, the higher the priority of the frequency domain resources associated with that terminal device. For example, the more terminal devices of the same type in the terminal device group, the higher the priority of a frequency domain resource associated with a terminal device of the same type. For example, the higher the priority of the terminal device, the higher the priority of the frequency domain resources associated with that terminal device. It is understood that this application does not limit the implementation method of the priority of the M frequency domain resources. For example, the more frequency domain units included in the frequency domain resources associated with a terminal device, the higher the priority of the frequency domain resources associated with that terminal device. For example, the frequency domain resources associated with SUE have a higher priority than those associated with CUE.

[0197] S503: The network device sends information about the first frequency domain resources; the first terminal device receives information about the first frequency domain resources.

[0198] For example, the network device may send information about the first frequency domain resources to the first terminal device; correspondingly, the first terminal device may receive information about the first frequency domain resources from the network device.

[0199] The information of the first frequency domain resource may include the first frequency domain resource itself, or the information of the first frequency domain resource may be used to indicate the first frequency domain resource. The information of the first frequency domain resource may be a DCI, or the information of the first frequency domain resource may be included in the DCI. This application does not limit the transmission method of the information of the first frequency domain resource.

[0200] The first frequency domain resources can be used to carry the first data. For example, a network device can configure resources for transmitting the first data, as described above. In this application, the resources for transmitting the first data include the first frequency domain resources in the frequency domain. For example, a network device can send a DCI to a first terminal device, which can be used to indicate the resources for transmitting the first data, and these resources include the first frequency domain resources in the frequency domain; correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the DCI from the network device.

[0201] In this application, the number of frequency domain units included in the first frequency domain resource may be less than or equal to the total number of frequency domain units included in the M frequency domain resources; or, the number of frequency domain units included in the first frequency domain resource may be less than or equal to the total number of frequency domain units indicated by the first pattern.

[0202] S504: The first terminal device determines H pieces of information based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resources.

[0203] In this system, H pieces of information correspond one-to-one with H terminal devices out of N terminal devices, where H is a positive integer less than or equal to M. For example, one piece of information in the H pieces of information corresponds to one terminal device out of the H terminal devices, and one terminal device out of the H terminal devices corresponds to one piece of information in the H pieces of information.

[0204] Alternatively, the H pieces of information may also be referred to as H pieces of configuration information, etc. This application does not limit the naming of the H pieces of information.

[0205] One of the H pieces of information (referred to as the first piece of information) can correspond to one of the H terminal devices (referred to as the second terminal device). That is, the H pieces of information include the first piece of information, which can correspond to the second terminal device among the H terminal devices. The first piece of information can be used to indicate the first sub-data to be transmitted by the second terminal device and the information required to transmit the first sub-data. The information required to transmit the first sub-data can be used to indicate the resources used to carry (or transmit) the first sub-data; or, the information required to transmit the first sub-data can be used to indicate the resources occupied by the first sub-data, the resources of which are described above.

[0206] In this application, the resource used to carry the first sub-data includes a first sub-frequency domain resource in the frequency domain. For example, the first information can be used to indicate the first sub-data and to indicate the first sub-frequency domain resource used to carry (or transmit) the first sub-data. Alternatively, the first sub-data occupies the first sub-frequency domain resource in the frequency domain. For example, the first information can be used to indicate the first sub-data and to indicate the first sub-frequency domain resource occupied by the first sub-data.

[0207] Wherein, the first sub-frequency domain resource belongs to the first frequency domain resource, such as the first frequency domain resource including the first sub-frequency domain resource. The first sub-data belongs to the first data, such as the first data including the first sub-data. Accordingly, the sub-data to be transmitted by the H terminal devices belongs to the first data, or the first data may be composed of the sub-data to be transmitted by the H terminal devices, or the first data is divided into the sub-data to be transmitted by the H terminal devices.

[0208] Optionally, the number of frequency domain units included in the first sub-frequency domain resource is less than or equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the frequency domain resource associated with the second terminal device. That is, the number of frequency domain units included in the first sub-frequency domain resource is less than or equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the frequency domain resource associated with the second terminal device in the first pattern. For example, the frequency domain resource associated with the second terminal device includes 10 RBs, and the number of RBs included in the first sub-frequency domain resource is less than or equal to 10.

[0209] Optionally, the information required for transmitting the first sub-data may also be used to indicate at least one of the following: frame structure, subcarrier spacing, modulation scheme, waveform, transmit power, or reference signal, etc. This application does not limit the implementation of the information required for transmitting the first sub-data.

[0210] It is understandable that the second terminal device and the first terminal device can be the same terminal device, or they can be two different terminal devices. The following explanation will use the example of the second terminal device and the first terminal device being two different terminal devices.

[0211] As an example, the H terminal devices may further include a first terminal device, and the H pieces of information may further include second information, which corresponds to the first terminal device. This second information can be used to indicate second sub-data and information required for transmitting the second sub-data. The second sub-data belongs to the first data; that is, the first data includes the second sub-data. For example, the second sub-data is the remaining data in the first data besides the sub-data transmitted by (H-1) terminal devices, where (H-1) terminal devices are the terminal devices other than the first terminal device among the H terminal devices.

[0212] The information required for transmitting the second sub-data includes the frequency domain resources occupied by the second sub-data (e.g., denoted as the second sub-frequency domain resource). For example, the second information can be used to indicate the second sub-data and the second sub-frequency domain resource used to transmit the second sub-data, or the second information can be used to indicate the second sub-data and the second sub-frequency domain resource occupied by the second sub-data. This second sub-frequency domain resource belongs to the first frequency domain resource, meaning the first frequency domain resource includes the second sub-frequency domain resource. Optionally, the number of frequency domain units included in the second sub-frequency domain resource is less than or equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the frequency domain resource associated with the first terminal device.

[0213] The second information, the information required for transmitting the second sub-data, and the second sub-frequency domain resources can be referred to the first information, the information required for transmitting the first sub-data, and the first sub-frequency domain resources, respectively, and will not be elaborated further.

[0214] In other words, any one of the H pieces of information can be used to indicate which part of the first data the corresponding terminal device needs to transmit and to indicate the information required to transmit that part of the data. Please refer to the description of the first or second information for details, which will not be repeated here.

[0215] In this application, the first data can be transmitted collaboratively by multiple terminal devices out of N terminal devices, i.e., H is greater than 1. The number of frequency domain units included in the first frequency domain resource is less than or equal to the total number of frequency domain units included in the frequency domain resources associated with the multiple terminal devices. For example, the first terminal device can determine multiple terminal devices out of the N terminal devices to collaboratively transmit the first data. That is, the first terminal device can select (or determine) multiple terminal devices from the N terminal devices for collaborative transmission of the first data. For example, the first terminal device can determine H terminal devices out of the N terminal devices to transmit the first data. For example, the first terminal device can determine H terminal devices out of the N terminal devices to transmit the first data based on a first pattern and the first frequency domain resource.

[0216] Understandably, the first data can also be transmitted by one of the N terminal devices (such as the fourth terminal device), i.e., H is 1. For example, if the number of frequency domain units included in the first frequency domain resource is less than or equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the frequency domain resource associated with the fourth terminal device, the first terminal device can determine that the first data will be transmitted by the fourth terminal device. Optionally, the fourth terminal device can be the first terminal device, or it can be another terminal device different from the first terminal device. Optionally, the fourth terminal device can be the second terminal device, or it can be another terminal device different from the second terminal device.

[0217] For ease of understanding, the following explanation will use H as an example of a positive integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to M.

[0218] In this application, H terminal devices can be associated with H frequency domain resources out of M frequency domain resources. That is, H terminal devices can be associated with H frequency domain resources in the first drawing. Specifically, one terminal device among the H terminal devices is associated with one frequency domain resource among the H frequency domain resources, and one frequency domain resource among the H frequency domain resources is associated with one terminal device among the H terminal devices. In other words, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the H terminal devices and the H frequency domain resources. Optionally, the total number of frequency domain units included in the H frequency domain resources associated with the H terminal devices can be greater than or equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the first frequency domain resource. For example, the number of frequency domain units included in the sub-frequency domain resource corresponding to any of the H terminal devices is less than or equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the frequency domain resource associated with that terminal device.

[0219] In S504, the first terminal device determines H pieces of information based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resources. In an optional embodiment, the first terminal device determining H pieces of information based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resources may include: the first terminal device determining H terminal devices out of N terminal devices based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resources, and determining H pieces of information corresponding to the H terminal devices; or it may include: the first terminal device determining a portion of the content in the first pattern based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resources, and determining H pieces of information based on that portion of the content; or it may include: the first terminal device determining a portion of the content in the first pattern based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resources, and determining H terminal devices and H pieces of information corresponding to the H terminal devices based on that portion of the content.

[0220] This portion of content belongs to the H frequency domain resources associated with the H terminal devices; that is, the H frequency domain resources associated with the H terminal devices in the first pattern include this portion of content. The number of frequency domain units included in this portion of content is equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the first frequency domain resources. Optionally, this portion of content may also be referred to as the second pattern, or a partial pattern, etc., and this application does not limit the naming of the partial content.

[0221] Optionally, this portion of the content may be continuous in the first drawing, or it may not be continuous. This portion of the content may, for example, be content obtained by the first terminal device truncating (or cutting, or dividing) the first drawing.

[0222] As an example, the first terminal device can determine a portion of the first pattern based on the first frequency domain resource, the first pattern, and rule #1, wherein the total number of frequency domain units included in this portion is equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the first frequency domain resource. For example, the first terminal device can truncate the first pattern according to rule #1 based on the number of frequency domain units included in the first frequency domain resource to obtain a portion of the content. Optionally, rule #1 can be used to indicate truncation from left to right, from front to back, from right to left, or from back to front, etc. This application does not limit the implementation form of rule #1. Rule #1 can be, for example, predefined, default, or preconfigured, and is not limited.

[0223] For example, the first frequency domain resource includes 6 RBs, and the first pattern is as follows: Figure 7 As shown in (4), if rule #1 is used to indicate truncation from left to right, then truncating the first pattern according to rule #1 to obtain part of the content can be referred to. Figure 8 (1) in; or, if rule #1 is used to indicate truncation from right to left, then truncate the first pattern according to rule #1 to obtain a partial content, which can be referred to. Figure 8 (2) in. Figure 8 In the text, a bold dashed black box indicates a defined portion of the content. Figure 8 In (1), part of the content includes a portion of the frequency domain resources associated with CUE#1 and the frequency domain resources associated with SUE, and the H terminal devices include SUE and CUE#1. Figure 8 In (2), part of the content includes part of the frequency domain resources associated with SUE, frequency domain resources associated with CUE#3 and CUE#4, frequency domain resources associated with CUE#2, and frequency domain resources associated with CUE#1. The H terminal devices include SUE, CUE#1, CUE#2 and CUE#3 (or CUE#4).

[0224] As another example, the first terminal device can determine a portion of the content in the first pattern based on the first frequency domain resource, the first pattern, rule #2, and the first offset value. The total number of frequency domain units included in this portion is equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the first frequency domain resource. Specifically, the first frequency domain unit included in the first frequency domain resource in the portion differs from the first frequency domain unit included in the first frequency domain resource in the first pattern by the first offset value; or the last frequency domain unit included in the last frequency domain resource in the portion differs from the last frequency domain unit included in the last frequency domain resource in the first pattern by the first offset value. It is understood that the first frequency domain resource in the portion and the first frequency domain resource in the first pattern can be frequency domain resources associated with the same terminal device, or they can be frequency domain resources associated with two different terminal devices. Similarly, the last frequency domain resource in the portion and the last frequency domain resource in the first pattern can be frequency domain resources associated with the same terminal device, or they can be frequency domain resources associated with two different terminal devices.

[0225] The first offset value can be predefined, default, or preconfigured, and is not limited thereto. Optionally, the first offset value can be configured by the network device. For example, the network device can send the first offset value information to the first terminal device; correspondingly, the first terminal device can receive the first offset value information from the network device. The first offset value information may include the first offset value itself, or the first offset value information may be used to indicate the first offset value.

[0226] Optionally, the first terminal device can obtain the content by truncating the first pattern according to rule #2 and the first offset value based on the number of frequency domain units included in the first frequency domain resource. Optionally, rule #2 can be used to indicate truncation from left to right after offsetting to the left side of the first pattern, or to indicate truncation from front to back after offsetting to the front of the first pattern, or to indicate truncation from right to left after offsetting to the right side of the first pattern, or to indicate truncation from back to front after offsetting to the back of the first pattern, etc. This application does not limit the implementation form of rule #2. Rule #2 can be, for example, predefined, default, or preconfigured, and is not limited.

[0227] For example, the first offset value is 1 RB, the first frequency domain resource includes 6 RBs, and the first pattern is as follows: Figure 7 As shown in (4), if rule #2 is used to indicate that the first frequency domain resource in the first pattern is offset and then truncated from left to right, then the first pattern is truncated according to rule #2 and the first offset value to obtain the partial content, which can be referred to. Figure 8 (3) in the middle; or, if rule #2 is used to indicate that the last frequency domain resource in the first pattern is offset and then truncated from right to left, then the first pattern is truncated according to rule #2 and the first offset value to obtain the partial content, which can be referred to. Figure 8 (4) in the middle. Figure 8 In (3), part of the content includes a portion of the frequency domain resources associated with CUE#1 and a portion of the frequency domain resources associated with SUE, and the H terminal devices include SUE and CUE#1. Figure 8 In (4), some of the contents include part of the frequency domain resources associated with SUE, part of the frequency domain resources associated with CUE#2, and frequency domain resources associated with CUE#1. The H terminal devices include SUE, CUE#1 and CUE#2.

[0228] In another optional implementation, the first terminal device determines H pieces of information based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resources. This can include: the first terminal device determining H pieces of information based on the priority information of M frequency domain resources, the first pattern, and the first frequency domain resources; or it can include: the first terminal device determining H terminal devices out of N terminal devices based on the priority information of M frequency domain resources, the first pattern, and the first frequency domain resources, and determining H pieces of information corresponding to the H terminal devices; or it can include: the first terminal device determining a portion of the content in the first pattern based on the priority information of M frequency domain resources, the first pattern, and the first frequency domain resources, and determining H pieces of information based on that portion of the content; or it can include: the first terminal device determining a portion of the content in the first pattern based on the priority information of M frequency domain resources, the first pattern, and the first frequency domain resources, and determining H terminal devices and H pieces of information corresponding to the H terminal devices based on that portion of the content.

[0229] Among them, the H frequency domain resources associated with the H terminal devices have a higher priority than the frequency domain resources other than the H frequency domain resources in the M frequency domain resources. Correspondingly, the frequency domain resources included in the partial content have a priority no lower than the frequency domain resources included in the remaining content, which is the remaining content in the first pattern excluding the partial content.

[0230] Optionally, the priority information of the M frequency domain resources can be predefined, default, included in the first pattern, or preconfigured, without restriction. For example, the priority of the frequency domain resources in the first pattern can be predefined (or defaulted) from high to low, as detailed above. Alternatively, the priority information of the M frequency domain resources can be included in the first pattern, as detailed above. Or, the priority information of the M frequency domain resources can be configured by the network device. For example, the network device can send the priority information of the M frequency domain resources to the first terminal device; correspondingly, the first terminal device can receive the priority information of the M frequency domain resources from the network device.

[0231] As an example, the first terminal device can determine a portion of the content in the first pattern based on the priority information of the first frequency domain resources, the first pattern, and the M frequency domain resources. The total number of frequency domain units included in this portion is equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the first frequency domain resources. For example, the first terminal device can obtain the portion by truncating (or splicing) the first pattern according to the priority order of the M frequency domain resources based on the number of frequency domain units included in the first frequency domain resources.

[0232] For example, the first frequency domain resource includes 6 RBs, and the first pattern is as follows: Figure 7As shown in (4), the priority of the frequency domain resources associated with SUE is denoted as priority #1, the priority of the frequency domain resources associated with CUE#3 and CUE#4 is denoted as priority #2, the priority of the frequency domain resources associated with CUE#2 is denoted as priority #3, and the priority of the frequency domain resources associated with CUE#1 is denoted as priority #4. If priority #1 is higher than priority #2, priority #2 is higher than priority #3, and priority #3 is higher than priority #4, then the priority order of the M frequency domain resources can be used to stitch together the first pattern to obtain some content for reference. Figure 8 (5) in the middle. Figure 8 In (5), part of the content includes part of the frequency domain resources associated with CUE#2, the frequency domain resources associated with SUE, and the frequency domain resources associated with CUE#3 and CUE#4. The H terminal devices include SUE, CUE#1 and CUE#3 (or CUE#4).

[0233] As another example, the first terminal device can determine a portion of the first pattern based on the first frequency domain resources, the first pattern, the priority information of the M frequency domain resources, and the first offset value. The total number of frequency domain units included in this portion is equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the first frequency domain resources. For example, the first terminal device can obtain a portion of the content by truncating the first pattern according to the priority order of the M frequency domain resources and the first offset value, based on the number of frequency domain units included in the first frequency domain resources. See [reference needed] for details. Figure 8 (3) or (4) in the example. Figure 8 In (3), the priority of the M frequency domain resources in the default or predefined first pattern decreases from left to right. For example, in Figure 8 In (4), the priority of the M frequency domain resources in the default or predefined first pattern decreases from right to left.

[0234] After the first terminal device determines H pieces of information, the H terminal devices corresponding to these H pieces of information can cooperate to transmit first data. As an example, the H terminal devices may not include the first terminal device. For example, the first data may be transmitted collaboratively by multiple CUEs. For example, the first terminal device may also send its corresponding information to each of the H terminal devices. As another example, the H terminal devices include the first terminal device. For example, the first data may be transmitted collaboratively by the first terminal device and at least one CUE. For example, the first terminal device may also send its corresponding information to each of (H-1) terminal devices, where (H-1) terminal devices are the remaining terminal devices among the H terminal devices excluding the first terminal device.

[0235] S505: The first terminal device sends the first information; the second terminal device receives the first information.

[0236] For example, the first terminal device can send first information to the second terminal device; correspondingly, the second terminal device can receive first information from the first terminal device. The first information is described above.

[0237] S506: The second terminal device sends the first sub-data; the network device receives the first sub-data.

[0238] For example, the second terminal device can send first sub-data to the network device; correspondingly, the network device can receive the first sub-data from the second terminal device. For example, the second terminal device can send the first sub-data to the network device according to first information. Here, the first sub-data is part of the first data. The first sub-data is carried by a first sub-frequency domain resource. The first sub-frequency domain resource is part of the first frequency domain resource. For details regarding first information, first sub-data, first data, first sub-frequency domain resource, and first frequency domain resource, please refer to the preceding text; further elaboration is not required here.

[0239] S507: The first terminal device sends the second sub-data; the network device receives the second sub-data.

[0240] For example, the first terminal device can send second sub-data to the network device; correspondingly, the network device can receive the second sub-data from the first terminal device. For example, the first terminal device can send the second sub-data to the network device according to second information. The second sub-data is part of the first data. The second sub-data is carried by second sub-frequency domain resources. The second sub-frequency domain resources belong to the first frequency domain resources. For details regarding the second information, second sub-data, first data, second sub-frequency domain resources, and first frequency domain resources, please refer to the preceding text; further elaboration is omitted here. Additionally, step S507 is optional. Figure 5 The middle part is indicated by a dashed line.

[0241] It is understood that the execution order of S506 and S507 is merely an example, and this application does not limit it. For example, the first terminal device may send the second sub-data before the second terminal device sends the first sub-data. As another example, the first terminal device may also send the second sub-data during the process of the second terminal device sending the first sub-data.

[0242] Optionally, the H terminal devices may also include other terminal devices besides the first terminal device and the second terminal device. These other terminal devices may refer to the execution flow of the second terminal device, namely S505 and S506, which will not be described in detail here.

[0243] In one optional implementation, the network device may receive sub-data from H terminal devices based on a first pattern and first frequency domain resources. The sub-data from the H terminal devices belongs to first data, or the sub-data from the H terminal devices can be composed of (or spliced ​​together) the first data. For example, the network device may determine a portion of the first pattern based on the first pattern and first frequency domain resources, and receive the sub-data from the H terminal devices based on that portion. The determination of the portion and the part within the portion is described in the relevant description of S504 and will not be repeated here. That is, the first terminal device and the network device determine the portion of the first pattern according to the same logic to ensure that the terminal device side and the network device side have a consistent understanding of the frequency domain resources occupied by the sub-data. For example, the network device may determine a portion of the first pattern based on the first pattern and first frequency domain resources, determine (or judge) a channel estimation window and a waveform decoupling window based on that portion, and receive the sub-data from the H terminal devices through the channel estimation window and the waveform decoupling window. Understandably, this application does not limit the specific implementation method by which the network device determines (or judges) the channel estimation window and the waveform decoupling window based on this part.

[0244] In one optional implementation, the uplink signals transmitted by the second terminal device (such as the uplink signal carrying the first sub-data) and the uplink signals transmitted by the first terminal device (such as the uplink signal carrying the second sub-data) can be synchronized on the network device side, including time synchronization and / or frequency synchronization. Through this implementation, time synchronization of the first sub-data transmitted by the second terminal device and the second sub-data transmitted by the first terminal device can reduce inter-symbol interference, and / or frequency synchronization of the first sub-data transmitted by the second terminal device and the second sub-data transmitted by the first terminal device can reduce inter-subcarrier interference.

[0245] In one example, the second terminal device supports receiving downlink synchronization signals from the network device (e.g., both the first and second terminal devices are NR devices). The second terminal device can receive the downlink synchronization signals from the network device and perform downlink synchronization with the network device based on these signals. Alternatively, the first terminal device can send information about resource #2 to the second terminal device, where resource #2 is used to receive broadcast signals from the network device. The second terminal device receives the information about resource #2, can receive the broadcast signals from the network device based on resource #2, and perform downlink synchronization with the network device based on these broadcast signals. Further, the second terminal device can perform uplink transmission time synchronization and / or frequency synchronization with the first terminal device. For example, the second terminal device can calculate timing advance (TA) and / or frequency offset related information (such as first derivatives, higher derivatives, etc.) based on satellite ephemeris and its own position information, and perform time synchronization based on TA and / or frequency synchronization based on frequency offset related information. Optionally, the satellite ephemeris can come from the first terminal device, such as when the first terminal device sends satellite ephemeris to the second terminal device. This satellite ephemeris can be carried in the system messages of the network device, and the second terminal device receives the satellite ephemeris accordingly. For example, the first terminal device can send information #1 to the second terminal device. Information #1 can be used to indicate uplink resources (e.g., denoted as resource #3), and information #1 can also be used to indicate TA and / or frequency offset related information. The second terminal device receives information #1 and performs time synchronization based on TA and resource #3 and / or frequency synchronization based on frequency offset related information and resource #3. For example, the second terminal device performs TA compensation based on TA and resource #3 to achieve time synchronization. For example, the second terminal device performs frequency offset pre-compensation based on frequency offset related information and resource #3 to achieve frequency synchronization.

[0246] In another example, the second terminal device does not support receiving downlink synchronization signals from network devices (e.g., the second terminal device is an IoT device, a WiFi device, a Bluetooth device, or a satellite sync device, etc.). The second terminal device and the first terminal device can perform time synchronization and / or frequency synchronization. For example, the first terminal device can send information #2 to the second terminal device; the second terminal device receives information #2 and performs time synchronization and / or frequency synchronization with the first terminal device based on information #2. Information #2 can be used to indicate at least one of the following: the time of uplink transmission, frequency, time offset (i.e., the time offset relative to a reference time, such as the time when information #2 was received), and frequency offset (i.e., the frequency offset relative to a reference frequency, such as the frequency at which information #2 was received). For example, the second terminal device performs TA compensation based on information #2 to achieve time synchronization. For example, the second terminal device performs frequency offset pre-compensation based on information #2 to achieve frequency synchronization.

[0247] Understandably, this application does not limit the implementation method of time synchronization and / or frequency synchronization between the second terminal device and the first terminal device.

[0248] In the above embodiments of this application, H terminal devices in a terminal device group cooperate to transmit first data. The frequency domain resources used by each of the H terminal devices when cooperating to transmit the first data can be determined by the first frequency domain resources occupied by the first data and the first pattern. The first pattern includes information on M frequency domain resources associated with N terminal devices. The H terminal devices can be associated with H frequency domain resources among the M frequency domain resources. That is, the H terminal devices can correspond one-to-one with the H frequency domain resources in the first pattern, so that the first frequency domain resources occupied by the first data can be frequency-divided among the H terminal devices, and the gain of uplink power aggregation can be obtained, thereby improving the uplink transmission quality.

[0249] In the above embodiments, the configuration of the first pattern can be varied. The following describes the configuration methods in conjunction with... Figure 9 Let me introduce it.

[0250] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating yet another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 9 In this context, the first terminal device is denoted as SUE, and the second terminal device is denoted as CUE#1. For example... Figure 9 As shown, the method may include the following.

[0251] S901: CUE#1 sends CUE#1 information to SUE; correspondingly, SUE receives CUE#1 information.

[0252] S901 is an optional step. Figure 9 The information for CUE#1 is indicated by dashed lines. The information for CUE#1 may include, for example, at least one of the following: the maximum transmit power of CUE#1, the maximum number of frequency domain elements supported by CUE#1, information on the available frequency domain elements for CUE#1, the path loss corresponding to CUE#1, the remaining battery power of CUE#1, or the type of CUE#1. Please refer to the information for the third terminal device for details, which will not be elaborated further.

[0253] S902: The SUE sends information about the terminal device group to the network device; correspondingly, the network device receives information about the terminal device group from the SUE.

[0254] S902 is an optional step. Figure 9The information for the terminal device group may include, for example, at least one of the following: the number of terminal devices included in the terminal device group, the maximum transmit power of the terminal device group, the maximum transmit power of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the maximum number of frequency domain units supported by the terminal devices in the terminal device group, information on the available frequency domain units of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the path loss corresponding to the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the remaining power of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the type of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, or the priority information of the terminal devices in the terminal device group. Please refer to the relevant description in S502 for details, which will not be repeated here.

[0255] Next, the SUE and the network device can determine the first pattern in several ways. These methods are referred to as Method 1, Method 2, Method 3, Method 4, and Method 5. Method 1 corresponds to S903 and S904, Method 2 corresponds to S905 and S906, Method 3 corresponds to S907 and S908, Method 4 corresponds to S909 to S912, and Method 5 corresponds to S913 to S916. In other words, S903 and S904, S905 and S906, S907 and S908, S909 to S912, and S913 to S916 are parallel steps. Figure 9 The middle part is represented by a dashed box.

[0256] S903: SUE determines the first drawing.

[0257] For example, the SUE can determine a first pattern based on information about the terminal device group. The first pattern may include information about M frequency domain resources associated with N terminal devices in the terminal device group. For details on this first pattern and how the SUE determines it, please refer to the relevant content in S502, which will not be repeated here.

[0258] S904: The network device determines the first pattern.

[0259] For example, the network device can determine a first pattern based on information from the terminal device group. The first pattern may include information about M frequency domain resources associated with N terminal devices in the terminal device group. For details on this first pattern and the implementation method of the network device determining the first pattern, please refer to the relevant content in S502, which will not be repeated here.

[0260] In Method 1, the SUE and the network device can independently determine the first pattern, such as by following the same logic, to ensure that the SUE and the network device have a consistent understanding of the first pattern. Optionally, in Method 1, the SUE can also send information on G patterns to the network device, such as for determining the first pattern. For details on the G patterns, please refer to the relevant content in S502; further details will not be provided here.

[0261] S905: The network device determines the first pattern.

[0262] For example, the network device can determine the first pattern based on the information of the terminal device group. For the specific implementation method, please refer to the relevant content of S502, which will not be repeated here.

[0263] S906: The network device sends information about the first pattern to the SUE; correspondingly, the SUE receives information about the first pattern from the network device.

[0264] In method two, the network device determines a first pattern and configures the first pattern to the SUE. Optionally, in method two, the SUE may also send fifth information to the network device, which can be used to request the first pattern. Optionally, in method two, the SUE may also send information on G patterns to the network device, such as information used to determine the first pattern.

[0265] S907: SUE determines the first drawing.

[0266] For example, SUE can determine the first pattern based on the information of the terminal device group. For the specific implementation method, please refer to the relevant content of S502, which will not be repeated here.

[0267] S908: The SUE sends information about the first pattern to the network device; correspondingly, the network device receives information about the first pattern from the SUE.

[0268] In method three, the SUE determines the first pattern and reports the first pattern to the network device.

[0269] S909: The network device determines K patterns.

[0270] For example, the network device can determine K patterns based on the information of the terminal device group. For specific implementation details, please refer to the relevant description in S502, which will not be repeated here.

[0271] S910: The network device sends K pattern information to the SUE; correspondingly, the SUE receives K pattern information from the network device.

[0272] S911: The network device determines one pattern (i.e., the first pattern) from K patterns.

[0273] This application does not limit the implementation method of the network device determining a pattern from K patterns.

[0274] S912: The network device sends third information to the SUE; correspondingly, the SUE receives the third information from the network device.

[0275] The third information can be used to indicate the first pattern among the K patterns. For example, SUE can determine the first pattern from the K patterns based on the third information. Please refer to the relevant description in S502 for the third information, which will not be repeated here.

[0276] In method four, the network device may pre-configure K patterns, and subsequently indicate (or activate) the first pattern among the K patterns via third information. Optionally, in method four, the SUE may also send fifth information to the network device, which can be used to request the first pattern. Optionally, in method four, the SUE may also send information on G patterns to the network device, such as for determining the K patterns.

[0277] S913: SUE determines G patterns.

[0278] For example, SUE can determine G patterns based on the information of the terminal device group. For the specific implementation method, please refer to the relevant description in S502, which will not be repeated here.

[0279] S914: SUE sends G pattern information to the network device; correspondingly, the network device receives G pattern information from SUE.

[0280] S915: The network device determines a pattern (i.e., the first pattern) from G patterns.

[0281] This application does not limit the implementation method of the network device determining a pattern from G patterns.

[0282] S916: The network device sends fourth information to the SUE; correspondingly, the SUE receives the fourth information from the network device.

[0283] The fourth information can be used to indicate the first pattern among the G patterns. For example, SUE can determine the first pattern from the G patterns based on the fourth information. Please refer to the relevant description in S502 for the fourth information; it will not be repeated here.

[0284] In method five, the SUE can determine G recommended patterns and report the G patterns to the network device; the network device can determine one pattern (i.e., the first pattern) from the G patterns and indicate the first pattern among the G patterns through the fourth information. Optionally, in method five, the SUE can also send a fifth information to the network device, which can be used to request the first pattern.

[0285] Alternatively, in another optional implementation, the SUE may determine G recommended patterns and report these G patterns to the network device; further, the SUE may determine one pattern from the G patterns and send sixth information to the network device, which can be used to indicate the first pattern among the G patterns. After receiving the sixth information, the network device can determine the first pattern from the G patterns based on the sixth information. The implementation method of the sixth information can refer to the implementation method of the fourth information, and will not be described again.

[0286] S917: The network device sends information about the first frequency domain resources to the SUE; correspondingly, the SUE receives information about the first frequency domain resources from the network device.

[0287] The first frequency domain resource is used to carry the first data. Please refer to the description in S503 for details, which will not be repeated here.

[0288] S918: SUE determines H pieces of information based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resources.

[0289] Among them, H pieces of information correspond one-to-one with H terminal devices out of N terminal devices. Any one of these H pieces of information can be used to indicate the sub-data to be transmitted by its corresponding terminal device and the sub-frequency domain resources occupied by the sub-data. The implementation of S918 is described in S504 and will not be repeated here.

[0290] S919: SUE sends first information to CUE#1; correspondingly, CUE#1 receives first information from SUE.

[0291] The first information can be used to indicate the first sub-data and the first frequency domain resource used to carry the first sub-data. The first information belongs to H pieces of information. For the implementation of S919, please refer to S505, which will not be repeated here.

[0292] S920: CUE#1 sends the first sub-data to the network device; correspondingly, the network device receives the first sub-data from CUE#1.

[0293] For example, CUE#1 can send first sub-data to the network device based on first information. The first sub-data is part of the first data and is carried by a first sub-frequency domain resource. This first sub-frequency domain resource belongs to the first frequency domain resource. The implementation of S920 is described in S506 and will not be repeated here.

[0294] S921: The SUE sends the second sub-data to the network device; correspondingly, the network device receives the second sub-data from the SUE.

[0295] S921 is an optional step. Figure 9 The text is represented by dashed lines. For example, the SUE can send second sub-data to the network device based on the second information. The second sub-data belongs to the first data and is carried by a second sub-frequency domain resource. This second sub-frequency domain resource belongs to the first frequency domain resource. The implementation of S921 is detailed in S507 and will not be repeated here.

[0296] Understandable. Figure 9The execution order of each step is merely an example and is not limited to this. For example, the network device may determine the first pattern before the SUE determines the first pattern, that is, execute S904 first and then S903. As another example, the SUE may also send the second sub-data before CUE#1 sends the first sub-data, that is, execute S921 first and then S920.

[0297] Based on the same technical concept as the above-described method embodiments, the embodiments of this application can be applied to an ORAN system. The network device in the above-described method embodiments can be replaced with at least one of the following: CU (CU-CP or CU-UP), DU, or RU. As an example, the DU can be used to implement communication with a first terminal device. For example, the DU can receive information from a group of terminal devices of the first terminal device. For example, the DU can send information about a first frequency domain resource to the first terminal device. As another example, the DU can implement communication with the first terminal device through the RU. For example, the RU receives information from a group of terminal devices of the first terminal device and transmits the information of the terminal device group to the DU. Optionally, the DU and / or the CU can acquire a first pattern. Optionally, if the acquisition of the first pattern is performed by the CU, the DU can receive information from a group of terminal devices of the first terminal device, or receive information from a group of terminal devices of the first terminal device through the RU and transmit the information of the terminal device group to the CU, and the CU then acquires the first pattern based on the information of the terminal device group.

[0298] Based on the same technical concept as the above-described method embodiments, this application provides a corresponding communication device that can be used to perform the functions of the relevant steps in the above-described method embodiments. This function can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. The communication device can be a terminal or network device, or a device within the terminal or network device (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), chip system, or processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal or network device.

[0299] In one possible implementation, the communication device provided in this application embodiment has the following structure: Figure 10 As shown, the communication device includes a processing unit 1002. Optionally, the communication device may also include an interface unit 1001. The functions of each unit in the communication device 1000 are described below.

[0300] Interface unit 1001 is used for inputting and / or outputting information. Input information can be replaced by received information, and output information can be replaced by transmitted information. When outputting information, interface unit 1001 can output information to other devices outside of communication device 1000, or to other units within communication device 1000. In some embodiments, interface unit 1001 can be implemented using at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, and an input / output interface. In other embodiments, interface unit 1001 can be implemented using an interface circuit, such as a mobile communication module. The mobile communication module may include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, a low-noise amplifier (LNA), etc. Interface unit 1001 is used to perform the receiving and transmitting operations in the above method embodiments.

[0301] In this application, the interface unit 1001 may also have other names, such as a transceiver unit or a communication unit. Optionally, the interface unit 1001 may include a receiving unit and / or a sending unit, used for inputting information and outputting information, respectively. The receiving unit is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments. The sending unit is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments.

[0302] The processing unit 1002 can be used to support the communication device 1000 in performing the processing actions in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 1002 can be implemented using one or more processors. For example, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), microprocessors (MCUs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The processing unit 1002 is used to perform processing-related operations in the above method embodiments, for example, to instruct operations other than receiving and sending operations in the above method embodiments.

[0303] In one embodiment, the communication device 1000 is applied to the first terminal device in the above method embodiment. The specific functions of the interface unit 1001 and the processing unit 1002 in this embodiment will be described below.

[0304] Processing unit 1002 is configured to: acquire a first pattern, wherein the first pattern includes information on M frequency domain resources associated with N terminal devices in the terminal device group, where N is an integer greater than 1 and M is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to N; interface unit 1001 is configured to: receive information on a first frequency domain resource, wherein the first frequency domain resource is used to carry first data; processing unit 1002 is further configured to: determine H pieces of information based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resource, wherein the H pieces of information correspond one-to-one with H terminal devices in the N terminal devices, and H is a positive integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to M; wherein the H pieces of information include first information, which corresponds to a second terminal device in the H terminal devices, the first information being used to indicate the first sub-data to be transmitted by the second terminal device and to indicate the first sub-frequency domain resource used to carry the first sub-data, the first sub-frequency domain resource belonging to the first frequency domain resource, and the sub-data to be transmitted by the H terminal devices belonging to the first data.

[0305] In one possible implementation, the number of frequency domain units included in the first sub-frequency domain resource is less than or equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the frequency domain resource associated with the second terminal device.

[0306] In one possible implementation, the interface unit 1001 is further configured to: send the first information to the second terminal device.

[0307] In one possible implementation, the H pieces of information may further include second information, which corresponds to the first terminal device. The first terminal device belongs to the H terminal devices. The interface unit 1001 is further configured to: send second sub-data according to the second information, wherein the second information is used to indicate the second sub-data and to indicate a second sub-frequency domain resource for carrying the second sub-data, wherein the second sub-frequency domain resource belongs to the first frequency domain resource, and the second sub-data is the remaining data in the first data other than the sub-data transmitted by (H-1) terminal devices. The (H-1) terminal devices are the terminal devices other than the first terminal device among the H terminal devices.

[0308] In one possible implementation, the interface unit 1001 is further configured to: send information about the terminal device group, the information of the terminal device group being used to determine the first pattern.

[0309] In one possible implementation, the number of frequency domain units included in each of the M frequency domain resources is determined by information from the terminal device group; and / or, the total number of frequency domain units included in the M frequency domain resources is determined by information from the terminal device group.

[0310] In one possible implementation, the positions of the M frequency domain resources in the first pattern are determined by the frequency domain resource priority.

[0311] In one possible implementation, the frequency domain resource priority is determined by information from the terminal device group.

[0312] In one possible implementation, H is less than M, and the priority of the H frequency domain resources associated with the H terminal devices is higher than the priority of the frequency domain resources other than the H frequency domain resources in the M frequency domain resources.

[0313] In one possible implementation, the interface unit 1001 is further configured to: receive priority information of the M frequency domain resources; and when determining H pieces of information based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resources, the processing unit 1002 is configured to: determine the H pieces of information based on the priority of the M frequency domain resources, the first pattern, and the first frequency domain resources.

[0314] In one possible implementation, when determining H pieces of information based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resources, the processing unit 1002 is configured to: determine a portion of the content in the first pattern based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resources, wherein the portion of the content belongs to the H frequency domain resources associated with the H terminal devices, and the number of frequency domain units included in the portion of the content is equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the first frequency domain resources; and determine the H pieces of information based on the portion of the content; wherein the first frequency domain unit included in the first frequency domain resource in the portion of the content differs from the first frequency domain unit included in the first frequency domain resource in the first pattern by a first offset value, or the last frequency domain unit included in the last frequency domain resource in the portion of the content differs from the last frequency domain unit included in the last frequency domain resource in the first pattern by a first offset value.

[0315] In one possible implementation, before determining a portion of the content in the first pattern, the interface unit 1001 is further configured to: receive information about the first offset value.

[0316] In one possible implementation, the interface unit 1001 is further configured to: receive information of K patterns, the K patterns including the first pattern, where K is a positive integer; receive third information, the third information indicating the first pattern among the K patterns; and when acquiring the first pattern, the processing unit 1002 is configured to: acquire the first pattern according to the third information.

[0317] In one possible implementation, before receiving information about K patterns, the interface unit 1001 is further configured to: send information about G patterns, wherein the G patterns are used to determine the K patterns, and G is a positive integer.

[0318] In one possible implementation, the interface unit 1001 is further configured to: send information of G patterns, the G patterns including the first pattern, where G is a positive integer; receive fourth information, the fourth information indicating the first pattern among the G patterns; and when acquiring the first pattern, the processing unit 1002 is configured to: acquire the first pattern according to the fourth information.

[0319] In one possible implementation, the G patterns are determined by information from the terminal device group.

[0320] In one possible implementation, the information of the terminal device group includes at least one of the following: the number of terminal devices included in the terminal device group, the maximum transmit power of the terminal device group, the maximum transmit power of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the maximum number of frequency domain units supported by the terminal devices in the terminal device group, information on the frequency domain units available to the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the path loss corresponding to the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the remaining power of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the type of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, or the priority information of the terminal devices in the terminal device group.

[0321] In one possible implementation, when acquiring the first pattern, the interface unit 1001 is used to: receive information about the first pattern.

[0322] In one possible implementation, before acquiring the first pattern, the interface unit 1001 is further configured to: send fifth information, the fifth information being used to request the first pattern.

[0323] In one possible implementation, the interface unit 1001 is further configured to: send information about the first pattern.

[0324] In one possible implementation, the interface unit 1001 is further configured to: receive information from a third terminal device, the third terminal device belonging to the terminal device group, the information of the third terminal device including at least one of the following: the maximum transmit power of the third terminal device, the maximum number of frequency domain units supported by the third terminal device, information on the frequency domain units available to the third terminal device, the path loss corresponding to the third terminal device, the remaining power of the third terminal device, or the type of the third terminal device.

[0325] In another embodiment, the communication device 1000 is applied to the network device in the above method embodiment. The specific functions of the interface unit 1001 and the processing unit 1002 in this embodiment will be described below.

[0326] Processing unit 1002 is configured to: acquire a first pattern, wherein the first pattern includes information on M frequency domain resources associated with N terminal devices in the terminal device group, wherein N is an integer greater than 1 and M is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to N; interface unit 1001 is configured to: send information on the first frequency domain resources, wherein the first frequency domain resources are used to carry first data; and receive sub-data from H terminal devices according to the first pattern and the first frequency domain resources, wherein the sub-data from the H terminal devices belongs to the first data and the H terminal devices belong to the N terminal devices.

[0327] In one possible implementation, the H terminal devices include a second terminal device, the sub-data of the second terminal device occupies a first sub-frequency domain resource in the first frequency domain resource, and the number of frequency domain units included in the first sub-frequency domain resource is less than or equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the frequency domain resource associated with the second terminal device.

[0328] In one possible implementation, the number of frequency domain units included in each of the M frequency domain resources is determined by information from the terminal device group; and / or, the total number of frequency domain units included in the M frequency domain resources is determined by information from the terminal device group.

[0329] In one possible implementation, the positions of the M frequency domain resources in the first pattern are determined by the frequency domain resource priority.

[0330] In one possible implementation, the frequency domain resource priority is determined by information from the terminal device group.

[0331] In one possible implementation, H is less than M, and the priority of the H frequency domain resources associated with the H terminal devices is higher than the priority of the frequency domain resources other than the H frequency domain resources in the M frequency domain resources.

[0332] In one possible implementation, the interface unit 1001 is further configured to: send priority information of M frequency domain resources to the first terminal device.

[0333] In one possible implementation, when receiving sub-data from H terminal devices based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resources, the processing unit 1002 is configured to: determine a portion of the content in the first pattern based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resources, wherein the portion of the content belongs to H frequency domain resources associated with the H terminal devices, and the number of frequency domain units included in the portion of the content is equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the first frequency domain resources; the interface unit 1001 is configured to: receive sub-data from the H terminal devices based on the portion of the content; wherein the first frequency domain unit included in the first frequency domain resource in the portion of the content differs from the first frequency domain unit included in the first frequency domain resource in the first pattern by a first offset value, or the last frequency domain unit included in the last frequency domain resource in the portion of the content differs from the last frequency domain unit included in the last frequency domain resource in the first pattern by a first offset value.

[0334] In one possible implementation, the interface unit 1001 is also used to: send information about the first offset value.

[0335] In one possible implementation, the interface unit 1001 is further configured to: receive information from the terminal device group; and when acquiring the first pattern, the processing unit 1002 is configured to: determine the first pattern based on the information from the terminal device group.

[0336] In one possible implementation, when determining the first pattern based on the information of the terminal device group, the processing unit 1002 is configured to: determine K patterns based on the information of the terminal device group, the K patterns including the first pattern, where K is a positive integer; and determine the first pattern from the K patterns.

[0337] In one possible implementation, the interface unit 1001 is further configured to: send information about the K patterns, and send third information, the third information being used to indicate the first pattern among the K patterns.

[0338] In one possible implementation, before determining the K patterns, the interface unit 1001 is further configured to: receive information about G patterns, wherein the G patterns are used to determine the K patterns, and G is a positive integer.

[0339] In one possible implementation, the interface unit 1001 is further configured to: receive information of G patterns, where G is a positive integer; and when acquiring the first pattern, the processing unit 1002 is configured to: determine the first pattern from the G patterns.

[0340] In one possible implementation, the interface unit 1001 is further configured to: send fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate the first pattern among the G patterns.

[0341] In one possible implementation, the G patterns are determined by information from the terminal device group.

[0342] In one possible implementation, the information of the terminal device group may include at least one of the following: the number of terminal devices included in the terminal device group, the maximum transmit power of the terminal device group, the maximum transmit power of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the maximum number of frequency domain units supported by the terminal devices in the terminal device group, information on the frequency domain units available to the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the path loss corresponding to the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the remaining power of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the type of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, or the priority information of the terminal devices in the terminal device group.

[0343] In one possible implementation, the interface unit 1001 is further configured to: send information about the first pattern.

[0344] In one possible implementation, the interface unit 1001 is further configured to: receive fifth information, the fifth information being used to request the first pattern.

[0345] In one possible implementation, when acquiring the first pattern, the interface unit 1001 is used to: receive information about the first pattern.

[0346] In one possible design, when the communication device 1000 is a communication equipment or a communication module within a communication equipment, the functionality of the processing unit 1002 can be implemented by one or more processors. For example, the processor may include a modem chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a modem core. The functionality of the interface unit 1001 can be implemented by transceiver circuitry.

[0347] In one possible design, when the communication device 1000 is a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in a communication device, such as a modem chip or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a modem core, the function of the processing unit 1002 can be implemented by a circuit system in the aforementioned chip that includes one or more processors or processor cores. The function of the interface unit 1001 can be implemented by the interface circuit or data transceiver circuit on the aforementioned chip.

[0348] The communication device can be a terminal or a network device.

[0349] A more detailed description of the processing unit 1002 and the interface unit 1001 can be obtained directly from the relevant descriptions in the preceding method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0350] It should be noted that the module division in the above embodiments of this application is illustrative and only represents a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, exist as separate physical units, or have two or more units integrated into one unit. The integrated units can be implemented in hardware, as software functional units, or in a combination of hardware and software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0351] For example, the functional unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as one or more ASICs, one or more CPUs, one or more MCUs, one or more DSPs, or one or more FPGAs, or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0352] If the integrated units described above are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0353] In one possible implementation, the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application is described below. Figure 11 As shown, the communication device 1100 includes a processor 1102. Optionally, the communication device 1100 may also include an interface circuit 1101 and a memory 1103. The interface circuit 1101, the processor 1102, and the memory 1103 are coupled to each other.

[0354] Optionally, the interface circuit 1101, processor 1102, and memory 1103 are coupled to each other via bus 1104. Bus 1104 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Figure 11 The bus is represented by a single thick line, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0355] Interface circuit 1101 is used for inputting and / or outputting information. Input information can be replaced with received information, and output information can be replaced with transmitted information. When outputting information, interface circuit 1101 can output information to other devices outside of communication device 1100, or to other units within communication device 1100. For example, interface circuit 1101 can be implemented through at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, an input / output interface, and a mobile communication module. The mobile communication module may include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, an LNA, etc. Interface circuit 1101 is used to perform the receiving and transmitting operations in the above method embodiments.

[0356] Interface circuit 1101 may be one of the following: a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, a communication circuit, an interface, a communication interface, or an input / output interface (e.g., a chip's input / output interface). Interface circuit 1101 may include an input interface circuit and an output interface circuit, used for inputting information and outputting information, respectively. The input interface circuit is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments. The output interface circuit is used to perform the transmitting operation in the above method embodiments.

[0357] The transceiver can be used for communication with other communication devices. For example, if communication device 1100 is a terminal device (such as a first terminal device), the transceiver can be used to communicate with a network device. Alternatively, if communication device 1100 is a network device, the transceiver can be used to communicate with a terminal device (such as the first terminal device).

[0358] Optionally, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter. The receiver is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments. The transmitter is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments.

[0359] Optionally, the transceiver can be integrated with the processor 1102 or exist independently and be coupled to the processor 1102 through the interface circuit of the communication device 1100. This application embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0360] Processor 1102 can be used to support communication device 1100 in performing the processing actions in the above method embodiments. When communication device 1100 is used to implement the above method embodiments, processor 1102 can also be used to implement the functions of processing unit 1002. Processor 1102 can be a CPU, or other general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. General-purpose processors can be microprocessors or any conventional processor. Processor 1102 is used to perform processing-related operations in the above method embodiments, for example, to instruct operations other than receiving and sending operations in the above method embodiments.

[0361] In one embodiment, the communication device 1100 is applied to the first terminal device in the above method embodiment. The specific functions of the processor 1102 in this embodiment are described below.

[0362] Processor 1102 is configured to: acquire a first pattern, wherein the first pattern includes information on M frequency domain resources associated with N terminal devices in a terminal device group, where N is an integer greater than 1 and M is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to N; interface circuit 1101 is configured to: receive information on a first frequency domain resource, wherein the first frequency domain resource is used to carry first data; processor 1102 is further configured to: determine H pieces of information based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resource, wherein the H pieces of information correspond one-to-one with H terminal devices in the N terminal devices, and H is a positive integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to M; wherein the H pieces of information include first information, which corresponds to a second terminal device in the H terminal devices, the first information being used to indicate first sub-data to be transmitted by the second terminal device and to indicate a first sub-frequency domain resource used to carry the first sub-data, wherein the first sub-frequency domain resource belongs to the first frequency domain resource, and the sub-data to be transmitted by the H terminal devices belongs to the first data.

[0363] In another embodiment, the communication device 1100 is applied to the network device in the above method embodiment. The specific functions of the processor 1102 in this embodiment are described below.

[0364] Processor 1102 is configured to: acquire a first pattern, wherein the first pattern includes information on M frequency domain resources associated with N terminal devices in a terminal device group, wherein N is an integer greater than 1 and M is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to N; interface circuit 1101 is configured to: transmit information on the first frequency domain resources, wherein the first frequency domain resources are used to carry first data; processor 1102 is further configured to: receive sub-data from H terminal devices through interface circuit 1101 according to the first pattern and the first frequency domain resources, wherein the sub-data from the H terminal devices belongs to the first data and the H terminal devices belong to the N terminal devices.

[0365] The specific functions of processor 1102 can be found in the descriptions of the communication methods provided in the embodiments and examples of this application above. Figure 10 The specific functional description of the communication device 1000 shown in the embodiments of this application will not be repeated here.

[0366] Memory 1103 is used to store program instructions and / or data. Specifically, program instructions may include program code, which includes computer operation instructions. Memory 1103 may include RAM and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device. Processor 1102 executes the program instructions stored in memory 1103 and uses the data stored in memory 1103 to implement the above-mentioned functions, thereby realizing the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. Memory 1103 may be integrated with processor 1102 or may be a memory outside the communication device.

[0367] It is understood that this application Figure 11The memory 1103 can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both. The non-volatile memory can be ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be RAM, which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0368] This application also provides a communication device 1200, which can be a terminal, a processor in the terminal, or a chip. The communication device 1200 can be used to perform the operations performed by the terminal device (such as the first terminal device) in the above method embodiments.

[0369] When the communication device 1200 is a terminal Figure 12 A schematic diagram of a terminal structure is shown. For example... Figure 12 As shown, the terminal includes a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The memory can store computer program code, and the transceiver includes a transmitter 1231, a receiver 1232, radio frequency circuitry (not shown in the figure), an antenna 1233, and input / output devices (not shown in the figure).

[0370] The processor is mainly used to process communication protocols and communication data; control terminals; execute software programs; and process data from software programs.

[0371] Memory is mainly used to store software programs and data.

[0372] Radio frequency (RF) circuits are mainly used for the conversion between baseband signals and RF signals, as well as for the processing of RF signals.

[0373] Antennas are primarily used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves.

[0374] Input / output devices can include touchscreens, displays, or keyboards. They are primarily used to receive user input and output data to the user. It should be noted that some types of terminals may not have input / output devices.

[0375] When data needs to be transmitted, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs a baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit then processes the baseband signal and transmits it outwards as electromagnetic waves via an antenna. When data is sent to the terminal, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna. The RF circuit converts the RF signal back into a baseband signal and outputs it to the processor. The processor converts the baseband signal back into data and processes that data.

[0376] For ease of explanation, Figure 12 Only one memory, processor, and transceiver are shown in the illustration. In actual terminal products, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories. Memory may also be referred to as storage medium or storage device, etc. Memory may be set up independently of the processor or integrated with the processor; this application does not impose any limitations on this.

[0377] In the embodiments of this application, the antenna and radio frequency circuit with transceiver function can be regarded as the interface unit of the terminal, and the processor with processing function can be regarded as the processing unit of the terminal.

[0378] like Figure 12 As shown, the terminal includes a processor 1210, a memory 1220, and a transceiver 1230. The processor 1210 may also be referred to as a processing board, processing module, or processing device. The transceiver 1230 may also be referred to as an interface circuit, transceiver, or transceiver device. The processor 1210 is used to execute the processing operations on the first terminal device side in the above method embodiments. The transceiver 1230 is used to execute the transmit and receive operations on the first terminal device side in the above method embodiments.

[0379] Optionally, the device in transceiver 1230 used for receiving functions can be considered a receiver, and the device in transceiver 1230 used for transmitting functions can be considered a transmitter; that is, transceiver 1230 includes receiver 1232 and transmitter 1231. A receiver may also be called a receiver module or receiving circuit, etc. A transmitter may also be called a transmitter, transmitting module, or transmitting circuit, etc. The receiver is used to perform the receiving operation on the first terminal device side in the above method embodiments. The transmitter is used to perform the transmitting operation on the first terminal device side in the above method embodiments.

[0380] It should be understood that Figure 12 This is for illustrative purposes only and not a limitation; the terminal may not depend on it. Figure 12 The structure shown.

[0381] When the communication device 1200 is a chip, the chip includes a processor and a transceiver. The transceiver can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processor can be a processing module integrated on the chip, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit. In the above method embodiments, the sending operation of the first terminal device can be understood as the output of the chip, and the receiving operation of the first terminal device in the above method embodiments can be understood as the input of the chip.

[0382] The communication device 1200 may also include a memory, which may be a memory built into the chip or an external memory.

[0383] This application also provides a communication device 1300, which can be a network device or a chip. The communication device 1300 can be used to perform the operations performed by the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0384] When the communication device 1300 is a network device, such as a base station. Figure 13 A schematic diagram of a network device is shown. The network device includes part 1310, part 1320, and part 1330.

[0385] The 1310 section is mainly used for baseband processing and controlling the base station; the 1310 section is usually the control center of the base station, which can be called the processor, and is used to control the base station to perform the processing operations on the network device side in the above method embodiments.

[0386] Section 1320 is primarily used to store computer program code and data.

[0387] Section 1330 is primarily used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals, as well as converting RF signals to baseband signals. Section 1330 is commonly referred to as a transceiver module, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, or transceiver unit. Section 1330 may include antenna 1333 and RF circuitry (not shown in the figure), where the RF circuitry is mainly used for RF processing. Section 1330 can be used to perform transmit and receive operations on the network device side in the above method embodiments.

[0388] Optionally, the device used to implement the receiving function in part 1330 can be regarded as a receiver, and the device used to implement the transmitting function can be regarded as a transmitter. That is, part 1330 includes receiver 1332 and transmitter 1331. The receiver can also be called a receiving module, receiver circuit, etc., and the transmitter can be called a transmitting module, transmitter, or transmitting circuit, etc. The receiver is used to perform the receiving operation on the network device side in the above method embodiments. The transmitter is used to perform the transmitting operation on the network device side in the above method embodiments.

[0389] Sections 1310 and 1320 may include one or more circuit boards, each of which may include one or more processors and one or more memories. The processors are used to read and execute programs from the memories to implement baseband processing functions and control the base station. If multiple circuit boards exist, they can be interconnected to enhance processing capabilities. As an alternative implementation, multiple circuit boards may share one or more processors, multiple circuit boards may share one or more memories, or multiple circuit boards may simultaneously share one or more processors.

[0390] It should be understood that Figure 13 This is for illustrative purposes only and not a limitation; network devices may not rely on this. Figure 13 The structure shown.

[0391] When the communication device 1300 is a chip, the chip includes a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processor can be a processor integrated on the chip, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit. In the above method embodiments, the transmitting operation of the network device can be understood as the output of the chip, and the receiving operation of the network device in the above method embodiments can be understood as the input of the chip.

[0392] The communication device 1300 may also include a memory, which may be a memory built into the chip or an external memory.

[0393] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a computer program product including computer-executable instructions, which, when run, causes the methods provided in the above embodiments to be executed.

[0394] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods provided in the above embodiments.

[0395] The storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access. For example, but not limited to, a computer-readable medium can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

[0396] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a chip for reading a computer program stored in a memory and implementing the method provided in the above embodiments.

[0397] Based on the above embodiments, this application provides a chip system including a processor for supporting a computer device in implementing the functions involved in the devices in the above embodiments. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing necessary programs and data of the computer device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete components.

[0398] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0399] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or one or more blocks of the block diagrams.

[0400] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0401] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0402] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

[0403] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method applied to a first terminal device, characterized in that, include: Obtain a first pattern, wherein the first pattern includes information on M frequency domain resources associated with N terminal devices in the terminal device group, where N is an integer greater than 1 and M is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to N; Receive information about a first frequency domain resource, which is used to carry first data; H pieces of information are determined based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resources. The H pieces of information correspond one-to-one with the H terminal devices among the N terminal devices. H is a positive integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to M. The H pieces of information include first information, which corresponds to the second terminal device among the H terminal devices. The first information is used to indicate the first sub-data to be transmitted by the second terminal device and to indicate the first sub-frequency domain resource used to carry the first sub-data. The first sub-frequency domain resource belongs to the first frequency domain resource, and the sub-data to be transmitted by the H terminal devices belongs to the first data.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of frequency domain units included in the first sub-frequency domain resource is less than or equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the frequency domain resource associated with the second terminal device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first information is sent to the second terminal device.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The H pieces of information further include second information, which corresponds to the first terminal device, and the first terminal device belongs to the H terminal devices. The method further includes: According to the second information, a second sub-data is sent. The second information is used to indicate the second sub-data and to indicate a second sub-frequency domain resource for carrying the second sub-data. The second sub-frequency domain resource belongs to the first frequency domain resource. The second sub-data is the remaining data in the first data excluding the sub-data transmitted by (H-1) terminal devices. The (H-1) terminal devices are the terminal devices other than the first terminal device among the H terminal devices.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: The information of the terminal device group is sent, and the information of the terminal device group is used to determine the first pattern.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The number of frequency domain units included in each of the M frequency domain resources is determined by the information of the terminal device group; and / or, The total number of frequency domain units included in the M frequency domain resources is determined by the information of the terminal device group.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The positions of the M frequency domain resources in the first pattern are determined by the frequency domain resource priority.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The frequency domain resource priority is determined by the information of the terminal device group.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, H is less than M, and the priority of the H frequency domain resources associated with the H terminal devices is higher than the priority of the frequency domain resources other than the H frequency domain resources in the M frequency domain resources.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive priority information for the M frequency domain resources; Based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resource, H pieces of information are determined, including: The H pieces of information are determined based on the priorities of the M frequency domain resources, the first pattern, and the first frequency domain resources.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The step of determining H pieces of information based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resource includes: Based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resource, a portion of the content in the first pattern is determined, wherein the portion of the content belongs to the H frequency domain resources associated with the H terminal devices, and the number of frequency domain units included in the portion of the content is equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the first frequency domain resource; Based on the aforementioned partial content, determine the H pieces of information; Wherein, the first frequency domain unit included in the first frequency domain resource in the partial content differs from the first frequency domain unit included in the first frequency domain resource in the first pattern by a first offset value, or the last frequency domain unit included in the last frequency domain resource in the partial content differs from the last frequency domain unit included in the last frequency domain resource in the first pattern by a first offset value.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, Before determining a portion of the content in the first drawing, the method further includes: Receive information about the first offset value.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive information on K patterns, wherein the K patterns include the first pattern, and K is a positive integer; Receive third information, the third information being used to indicate the first pattern among the K patterns; Obtaining the first pattern includes: The first pattern is obtained based on the third information.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, Before receiving information from K patterns, the method further includes: Send information for G patterns, wherein the G patterns are used to determine the K patterns, and G is a positive integer.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send information for G patterns, wherein the G patterns include the first pattern, and G is a positive integer; Receive fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate the first pattern among the G patterns; Obtaining the first pattern includes: The first pattern is obtained based on the fourth information.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that, The G patterns are determined by the information from the terminal device group.

17. The method according to any one of claims 5, 6, 8 and 16, characterized in that, The information of the terminal device group includes at least one of the following: The terminal device group includes the number of terminal devices, the maximum transmit power of the terminal device group, the maximum transmit power of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the maximum number of frequency domain units supported by the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the information on the available frequency domain units of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the path loss corresponding to the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the remaining power of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, the type of the terminal devices in the terminal device group, or the priority information of the terminal devices in the terminal device group.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The process of obtaining the first pattern includes: Receive information from the first pattern.

19. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that, Before obtaining the first pattern, the method further includes: Send a fifth message, which is used to request the first pattern.

20. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send the information of the first pattern.

21. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that, The method further includes: The system receives information from a third terminal device, which belongs to the terminal device group. The information of the third terminal device includes at least one of the following: the maximum transmit power of the third terminal device, the maximum number of frequency domain units supported by the third terminal device, information on the available frequency domain units of the third terminal device, the path loss corresponding to the third terminal device, the remaining power of the third terminal device, or the type of the third terminal device.

22. A communication method applied to a network device, characterized in that, include: Obtain a first pattern, wherein the first pattern includes information on M frequency domain resources associated with N terminal devices in the terminal device group, where N is an integer greater than 1 and M is an integer greater than 1 and less than or equal to N; Send information about the first frequency domain resource, which is used to carry the first data; Based on the first pattern and the first frequency domain resources, sub-data from H terminal devices is received, wherein the sub-data from the H terminal devices belongs to the first data, and the H terminal devices belong to the N terminal devices.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The H terminal devices include a second terminal device. The sub-data of the second terminal device occupies a first sub-frequency domain resource in the first frequency domain resource. The number of frequency domain units included in the first sub-frequency domain resource is less than or equal to the number of frequency domain units included in the frequency domain resource associated with the second terminal device.

24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive information from the terminal device group; The process of obtaining the first pattern includes: The first pattern is determined based on the information from the terminal device group.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send the information of the first pattern.

26. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that, H is less than M, and the priority of the H frequency domain resources associated with the H terminal devices is higher than the priority of the frequency domain resources other than the H frequency domain resources in the M frequency domain resources.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes modules or units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 21, or modules or units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 22 to 26.

28. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes at least one processor and interface circuitry; The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the at least one processor, or to send signals from the at least one processor to other communication devices. The at least one processor is configured to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 21, or the method as described in any one of claims 22 to 26, through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a communication device, cause the method described in any one of claims 1 to 21 to be implemented, or cause the method described in any one of claims 22 to 26 to be implemented.

30. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the method described in any one of claims 1 to 21 to be implemented, or cause the method described in any one of claims 22 to 26 to be implemented.

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