Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and apparatus. The method includes: a terminal device receiving first configuration information, the first configuration information indicating first frequency domain resources, the first frequency domain resources including M second frequency domain resources; and the terminal device transmitting or receiving N signals on the M second frequency domain resources, the N signals being located within N time units, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2 and N is a positive integer. According to the communication method and apparatus provided in the present application, when the communication method and apparatus are used in a positioning scenario, positioning latency can be reduced and positioning accuracy can be improved.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202210968993.6, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on August 12, 2023, entitled "Communication Method and Apparatus," and Chinese Patent Application No. 202310305158.9, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on March 24, 2022, entitled "Communication Method and Apparatus," both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to communications methods and apparatus. [Background technology]

[0003] With the development of 5G Internet of Things services (such as wearable devices, industrial sensors, and video surveillance), research on reduced capability (RedCap) devices is attracting increasing attention. 5G RedCap devices have advantages such as low terminal complexity. In terms of bandwidth, power consumption, antenna design, and cost, 5G RedCap devices can effectively balance the large bandwidth, high data rates, wide connections, and low latency of 5G to meet differentiated industry networking requirements and support the larger Internet of Things market.

[0004] However, due to the simplified functionality, the bandwidth capability of RedCap devices is reduced from 100 MHz of typical 5G terminal devices to 20 MHz. This change limits the positioning accuracy of RedCap devices. Because positioning accuracy is highly dependent on the bandwidth of the positioning signal, a frequency hopping-based positioning method can effectively improve the positioning accuracy of RedCap devices. However, current frequency hopping-based positioning methods require positioning results to be obtained based on the measurement results of multiple frequency hopping signals. This also increases positioning latency. Therefore, how to reduce positioning latency and improve system performance is an important issue that needs to be addressed urgently. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus, which can reduce positioning latency and improve positioning accuracy.

[0006] According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which may be performed by a terminal device or a chip configured in the terminal device, which is not limited in the present application.

[0007] Specifically, the method includes: a terminal device receiving first configuration information, the first configuration information indicating first frequency domain resources, the first frequency domain resources including M second frequency domain resources; and the terminal device transmitting or receiving N signals in the M second frequency domain resources, the N signals being located within N time units, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and N is a positive integer.

[0008] It should be understood that in this embodiment of the present application, N and M may be the same or different. When N is equal to M, M second frequency domain resources are used to transmit M signals, and the M signals may correspond one-to-one to the M second frequency domain resources. In other words, each of the M second frequency domain resources is used to transmit one signal. When N is not equal to M, no signal may be transmitted on some of the M second frequency domain resources, or multiple signals may be transmitted on some of the M second frequency domain resources.

[0009] In addition, in this embodiment of the present application, a "frequency domain resource" is a segment of contiguous frequency domain resources or a frequency point in the frequency domain. Multiple resource granularities may exist. For example, a frequency domain resource may be one of a subcarrier, a resource block (RB), a bandwidth part (BWP), a component carrier (CC), a band, a frequency band, a frequency layer, a frequency point, or a frequency range (FR).

[0010] Based on the above-mentioned solution, the communication method provided in this embodiment of the present application can realize fast frequency hopping transmission or frequency hopping reception, effectively reduce the power consumption and complexity of the terminal device, and improve the positioning accuracy while reducing the positioning latency.

[0011]

[0013] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the N signals are N first-type reference signals. The method further includes the terminal device receiving second configuration information, the second configuration information indicating third frequency domain resources, the third frequency domain resources being used to transmit or receive at least one of data signals, control information, and the second-type reference signals. The bandwidth of the third frequency domain resources is equal to or less than the bandwidth of the first frequency domain resources.

[0012] It is noted that in this embodiment of the present application, the first type of reference signal may be one of a positioning reference signal (PRS), a sounding reference signal (SRS), a positioning-sounding reference signal (pos-SRS), a tracking reference signal (TRS), a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS), a demodulation reference signal (DM-RS), a phase noise tracking reference signal (PT-RS), a sidelink reference signal, and a random access preamble.

[0013] The second type of reference signal may be one of a PRS, an SRS, a pos-SRS, a TRS, a CSI-RS, a DM-RS, a PT-RS, a sidelink reference signal, and a random access preamble.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the first type of reference signal is a reference signal used for positioning, e.g., one of PRS, SRS, pos-SRS, a sidelink reference signal, and a random access preamble, and the second type of reference signal is another reference signal (not a conventional positioning reference signal), e.g., one of TRS, CSI-RS, DM-RS, and PT-RS.

[0015] It should be noted that the first configuration information and the second configuration information may be independent of each other, i.e., in a possible implementation, the first frequency domain resource and the third frequency domain resource may be configured independently to improve the flexibility of network resource configuration.

[0016] It should be noted that the terminal device may receive the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information from a network device, or may receive the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information from a network unit. The network device may be a base station, a transmission reception point (TRP), etc. The network unit may be a core network device, such as a location management function (LMF) network element.

[0017] Based on the above solution, the bandwidth of the third frequency domain resource is equal to or less than the bandwidth of the first frequency domain resource. Therefore, when the bandwidth of the first frequency domain resource is greater than the bandwidth of the third frequency domain resource, the first frequency domain resource having the larger bandwidth is defined to be used to realize fast frequency hopping transmission and reception of signals, thereby avoiding frequent resource switching, improving communication efficiency, and reducing communication complexity.

[0018] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the N signals include an I-th signal and an (I+1)-th signal, the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal being located within adjacent time units, the first time interval is the time interval between the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal, the second time interval is the sum of a time for switching from the first frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource and a time for switching from the third frequency domain resource to the first frequency domain resource, and the first time interval is less than or equal to the second time interval.

[0019] It may also be understood that the second time interval is the sum of a radio frequency (RF) switching time required to switch from the first frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource and a radio frequency switching time required to switch back from the third frequency domain resource to the first frequency domain resource. The first time interval is less than or equal to the second time interval.

[0020] Optionally, the priority of transmitting or receiving the N signals, or other signals, data, or control information, in the third frequency domain resource is not higher than the priority of transmitting or receiving the N signals in the first frequency domain resource.

[0021] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the N signals include an I-th signal and an (I+1)-th signal, the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal being located within adjacent time units, the first time interval being the time interval between the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal, and the second time interval being a preset or predefined time interval. The preset or predefined time interval may be obtained by the terminal device from a network device or network unit, may be preset, or may be agreed upon by the terminal device and the network. This is not limited in the present application. Alternatively, the second time interval is a time for switching from the first frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource, the second time interval is the sum of the time for switching from the first frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource and the third time interval, the second time interval is the sum of the third time interval and the time for switching from the third frequency domain resource to the first frequency domain resource, or the second time interval is the sum of the time for switching from the first frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource, the time for switching from the third frequency domain resource to the first frequency domain resource, and the third time interval. The third time interval is a preset or predefined time interval or threshold. The first time interval is less than or equal to the second time interval.

[0022] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, a terminal device transmits or receives an I-th signal in an L-th second frequency domain resource and transmits or receives an (I+1)-th signal in an (L+1)-th second frequency domain resource, where the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal belong to N signals, the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal are located within adjacent time units, and the first time interval is the time interval between the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal.

[0023] The second time interval is the sum of the time for switching from the Lth second frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource and the time for switching from the third frequency domain resource to the (L+1)th second frequency domain resource, and the first time interval is less than or equal to the second time interval.

[0024] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, a terminal device transmits or receives an Ith signal in an Lth second frequency domain resource and an (I+1)th signal in an (L+1)th second frequency domain resource, where the Ith signal and the (I+1)th signal belong to N signals, the Ith signal and the (I+1)th signal are located within adjacent time units, the first time interval is the time interval between the Ith signal and the (I+1)th signal, and the second time interval is a preset or predefined time interval. The preset or predefined time interval may be obtained by the terminal device from a network device or network unit, may be preset, or may be agreed upon by the terminal device and the network. This is not limited in the present application. Alternatively, the second time interval is a time for switching from the Lth second frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource, the second time interval is a sum of a time for switching from the (L+1)th frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource and the third time interval, the second time interval is a sum of the third time interval and a time for switching from the third frequency domain resource to the Lth second frequency domain resource, or the second time interval is a sum of a time for switching from the (L+1)th second frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource, a time for switching from the third frequency domain resource to the Lth second frequency domain resource, and the third time interval. The third time interval is a preset or predefined time interval or threshold. The first time interval is less than or equal to the second time interval.

[0025] It should be noted that the Lth second frequency domain resource and the (L+1)th second frequency domain resource belong to M second frequency domain resources. The Lth second frequency domain resource and the (L+1)th second frequency domain resource may be adjacent or non-adjacent in the frequency domain, may completely overlap in the frequency domain, or may partially overlap in the frequency domain. This is not limited in the present application. Alternatively, the Lth second frequency domain resource and the (L+1)th second frequency domain resource may be the same second frequency domain resource.

[0026] Based on this solution, frequent switching between the first frequency domain resource / second frequency domain resource and the third frequency domain resource can be avoided, and the terminal device can realize fast frequency hopping transmission or reception, thereby reducing positioning latency, reducing the complexity and power consumption of the terminal, and improving positioning performance.

[0027] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the terminal device transmitting or receiving N signals on M second frequency domain resources includes the terminal device transmitting or receiving N signals on M second frequency domain resources when a first condition is satisfied, the first condition being that a first time interval is less than or equal to a second time interval, the time interval between an I-th signal and an (I+1)-th signal is the first time interval, the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal belong to the N signals, the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal are located within adjacent time units, and a sum of a time for switching from the first frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource and a time for switching from the third frequency domain resource to the first frequency domain resource is the second time interval.

[0028] Optionally, the first condition further includes that a priority of transmitting or receiving the N signals, or other signals, data, or control information, on the third frequency domain resource is not higher than a priority of transmitting or receiving the N signals on the first frequency domain resource.

[0029] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, transmitting or receiving N signals in M second frequency domain resources by a terminal device includes transmitting or receiving N signals in M second frequency domain resources by the terminal device when a first condition is satisfied, the first condition being that a first time interval is less than or equal to a second time interval, the first time interval being a time interval between an I-th signal and an (I+1)-th signal, and the terminal device transmitting or receiving N signals in L-th second frequency domain resources. transmit or receive an (I+1)th signal on the (L+1)th second frequency domain resource, where the Ith signal and the (I+1)th signal belong to N signals, and the Ith signal and the (I+1)th signal are located within adjacent time units, and the second time interval is the sum of a time for the terminal device to switch from the Lth second frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource and a time for the terminal device to switch from the third frequency domain resource to the (L+1)th second frequency domain resource.

[0030] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the method further includes, when the first condition is not satisfied, the terminal device transmitting or receiving at least one of a data signal, control information, and a second type reference signal in a third frequency domain resource.

[0031] Optionally, when the first condition is not satisfied, the terminal device transmits or receives at least one of a data signal, control information, a first type reference signal, and a second type reference signal in a third frequency domain resource.

[0032] Based on the above solution, a first condition is defined, so that frequent switching between the first frequency domain resource / second frequency domain resource and the third frequency domain resource can be avoided, and the terminal device can realize fast frequency hopping transmission or reception to reduce positioning latency, reduce the complexity and power consumption of the terminal, and improve positioning performance.

[0033] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, a new capability item (or function) may be defined, which indicates that frequency domain resources are not switched when the first time interval is equal to or shorter than the second time interval. In this case, the terminal device completes transmission or reception of N signals on the first frequency domain resource in the Ith time unit, and transmits or receives N signals on the first frequency domain resource in the (I+1)th time unit. Alternatively, it may be understood that the terminal device completes transmission or reception of the Ith signal on the Lth second frequency domain resource, and transmits or receives the (I+1)th signal on the (L+1)th second frequency domain resource.

[0034] When the first time interval is greater than the second time interval, the frequency domain resource is switched, which may also be understood as the terminal device completing transmission or reception of N signals on the first frequency domain resource in the I-th time unit, and transmitting or receiving N signals, or other signals, data, or control information, on the third frequency domain resource in the (I+1)-th time unit.

[0035] Optionally, the capability item indicates that if the first time interval is equal to or shorter than the second time interval and no signal, data, or control information with a priority higher than the priority of the N signals is scheduled on the third frequency domain resource within the duration of the first time interval, the frequency domain resource is not switched. This may also be understood as the terminal device completing transmission or reception of N signals on the first frequency domain resource in the I time unit and transmitting or receiving N signals on the first frequency domain resource in the (I+1) time unit. Alternatively, it may be understood as the terminal device completing transmission or reception of the I signal on the L second frequency domain resource and transmitting or receiving the (I+1) signal on the (L+1) second frequency domain resource.

[0036] If the first time interval is greater than the second time interval, or if signals, data, or control information with a higher priority than the priorities of the N signals are scheduled on the third frequency domain resource (network) during the time period of the first time interval, the frequency domain resource is switched, which may be understood as the terminal device completing transmission or reception of the N signals on the first frequency domain resource in the I-th time unit, and transmitting or receiving the N signals or other signals, data, or control information with a higher priority on the third frequency domain resource in the (I+1)-th time unit.

[0037] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, a terminal device transmits indication information, and the indication information indicates that the terminal device supports a first condition or capability item (function).

[0038] Based on the above solution, the network can perform appropriate resource configuration based on the first condition or capability reported and supported by the terminal device to realize fast frequency hopping transmission or reception. For example, a small first time interval is configured so that the terminal device can complete the transmission or reception of N signals in the first frequency domain resource without performing frequency domain resource switching during the process to reduce positioning latency.

[0039] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, a terminal device transmits first indication information, and the first indication information indicates that the terminal device transmits or receives N signals in M second frequency domain resources when the terminal device satisfies a first condition.

[0040] Regarding the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the terminal device transmits second indication information, and the second indication information indicates that when the terminal device does not satisfy the first condition, the terminal device transmits or receives at least one of a data signal, control information, and a second type of reference signal in a third frequency domain resource.

[0041] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, a terminal device transmits third instruction information, where the third instruction information indicates that, when the terminal device satisfies a first condition, the terminal device transmits or receives N signals in M second frequency domain resources, and when the instruction information indicates that the terminal device does not satisfy the first condition, the terminal device transmits or receives at least one of a data signal, control information, and a second type reference signal in the third frequency domain resource.

[0042] Optionally, the instruction information (e.g., the first instruction information, the second instruction information, or the third instruction information) sent by the terminal device may be capability information of the terminal device, one of the capability information of the terminal device, or other information.

[0043] Based on this solution, the network can perform appropriate resource configuration based on the indication information reported by the terminal device to perform fast frequency hopping transmission or reception. For example, a small first time interval is configured to reduce positioning latency. Alternatively, a large first time interval is configured, so that the terminal device transmits a signal in the third frequency domain resource to avoid resource waste caused by the network device configuring an inappropriate first resource.

[0044] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the method further includes, when the terminal device determines that the first condition is satisfied, the terminal device transmitting or receiving N signals in M second frequency domain resources.

[0045] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the method further includes, when the terminal device determines that the first condition is not satisfied, the terminal device transmitting or receiving at least one of a data signal, control information, and a second type reference signal in a third frequency domain resource.

[0046] Based on the above solution, when the terminal device determines that the first condition is not met, the impact on the transmission and reception of data signals, control information, or second type of reference signals can be minimized, thereby improving network resource utilization.

[0047] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the method further includes the terminal device receiving third configuration information, where the third configuration information includes frequency domain configuration information and time domain configuration information, and / or frequency hopping configuration information, of at least one of the N signals.

[0048] In one implementation, the third configuration information includes configuration information and frequency hopping configuration information for the N signals. The configuration information for the N signals includes time-domain configuration information for the N signals and / or frequency-domain configuration information for the N signals. The frequency hopping configuration information includes one or more of information such as a frequency hopping period, supported intra-slot frequency hopping, a frequency-domain starting position of a frequency hop, a frequency hopping duration, and a quantity of frequency hops. Optionally, when the third configuration information includes configuration information and frequency hopping configuration information for the N signals, the frequency hopping configuration information includes one or more of information such as a frequency hopping period, supported intra-slot frequency hopping, a frequency-domain starting position of a frequency hop, a frequency hopping duration, and a quantity of frequency hops.

[0049] In other implementations, the third configuration information may include configuration information for at least one signal and frequency hopping configuration information. The at least one signal may be fewer than N signals, i.e., one or more signals. If there is one signal, the third configuration information includes configuration information for the single signal. If there are two or more signals, the third configuration information includes configuration information for two or more signals. The configuration information for at least one signal includes frequency domain configuration information for at least one signal and / or time domain configuration information for at least one signal. The frequency hopping configuration information may include a frequency hopping pattern, a frequency hopping period, supported intra-slot frequency hopping, frequency domain starting positions of frequency hops, frequency domain interval information of frequency hops, time domain interval information of frequency hops, etc.

[0050] In another implementation, the third configuration information includes only configuration information of the N signals, and the configuration information of the N signals includes time-domain configuration information of the N signals and / or frequency-domain configuration information of the N signals. Optionally, the N signals are transmitted or received periodically.

[0051] In another implementation, the third configuration information includes only frequency hopping configuration information. Optionally, the terminal device can obtain the configuration information of at least one of the N signals based on other configuration information or other information.

[0052] In addition, the third configuration information may further include other configuration information, for example, one or more of the following: scrambling code information, density information, reservation time information, retuning time information, and non-simultaneous transmission information.

[0053] The scrambling code information includes at least one of the following: a scrambling code range and a scrambling code value set of the m signals.

[0054] The density information is the number of times that m signals are transmitted within a specific time range.

[0055] The reservation time information is the length of time that needs to be reserved before m signals are transmitted, the length of time that needs to be reserved after m signals are transmitted, or the length of time that needs to be reserved between two adjacent time units.

[0056] The retuning time information is the time occupied by frequency retuning (radio frequency retuning, RF retuning).

[0057] Non-simultaneous transmission information means that when transmitting m signals, the terminal device does not support transmission of information other than the m signals.

[0058] It should be noted that the frequency domain configuration information of the N signals and the time domain configuration information of the N signals include N frequency domain configuration information and N time domain configuration information. Each of the N frequency domain configuration information includes frequency domain information, e.g., frequency domain position information, of the corresponding signal. Each of the N time domain configuration information includes time domain information, e.g., time domain position information, of the corresponding signal. In addition, each of the N frequency domain configuration information and each of the N time domain configuration information may further include other information, which may be the same or different.

[0059] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the frequency hopping configuration information includes at least one of the following: a frequency hopping period, a frequency hopping pattern, supported intra-slot frequency hopping, a frequency domain start position of the frequency hop, a time domain start position of the frequency hop, frequency domain interval information of the frequency hop, a quantity of periodic frequency hops, a frequency hopping duration, and a quantity of frequency hops.

[0060] The frequency hopping period is the duration of a frequency hopping pattern. The frequency hopping pattern indicates the order and position of receiving or transmitting signals in the frequency domain and / or the time domain in a single frequency hopping period. Optionally, the frequency hopping pattern may be repeated periodically. Supported intra-slot frequency hopping indicates that frequency hopping is supported within a single slot. The frequency domain start position of the frequency hop indicates the frequency domain start position of the signal corresponding to the frequency hopping configuration information, i.e., the start frequency of the bandwidth occupied by the signal corresponding to the frequency hopping configuration information. The time domain start position of the frequency hop indicates time information for starting frequency hopping transmission of the signal corresponding to the frequency hopping configuration information. The frequency domain interval information of the frequency hop indicates the interval between two adjacent times of frequency hopping transmission or reception in the frequency domain. The time domain interval information of the frequency hop indicates the time interval between two adjacent times of frequency hopping transmission or reception. The number of periodic frequency hops indicates the number of frequency hops in one frequency hopping period. The frequency hopping duration indicates the duration of a frequency hop and may be, for example, a transmission duration, a reception duration, or a number of frequency hopping periods. The number of frequency hops indicates the total number of frequency hops of a signal corresponding to the frequency hopping configuration information or the number of repetitions of a frequency hopping pattern.

[0061] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the frequency hopping pattern indicates frequency domain information and / or time domain information in a single frequency hopping period, where the frequency domain information includes at least one of the following: a first frequency domain start position, bandwidth information or a quantity of resource blocks of the frequency hop, and a first frequency domain interval information; and the time domain information includes at least one of the first time domain start position, time domain information or a quantity of symbols of the frequency hop, a frequency hopping repetition factor, the first time domain interval information, and information indicating that time domain discontinuous frequency hopping is supported.

[0062] The first frequency-domain start position is a frequency-domain start position in a single frequency-hopping period. Similarly, the bandwidth information or number of resource blocks of frequency hops and the first frequency-domain interval information are, respectively, bandwidth information or number of resource blocks of frequency hops in a single frequency-hopping period and frequency-domain interval information in a single frequency-hopping period. Correspondingly, the first time-domain start position, the number of time-domain information or symbols of frequency hops, the frequency-hopping repetition factor, the first time-domain interval information, and the information indicating that time-domain discontinuous frequency hopping is supported are, respectively, the time-domain start position, the number of time-domain information or symbols of frequency hops, the frequency-hopping repetition factor, the time-domain interval information, and the information indicating that time-domain discontinuous frequency hopping is supported in a single frequency-hopping period.

[0063] In the solution of the present application, a single frequency hopping period can be one or more radio frames, one or more sub-frames, one or more slots, one or more symbols, etc. This is not limited in the present application.

[0064] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, at least two of the M second frequency domain resources overlap in the frequency domain.

[0065] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, two second frequency domain resources that are within the M second frequency domain resources and are located within adjacent time units overlap in the frequency domain.

[0066] Based on the above solution, signal estimation can be performed based on overlapping parts in frequency domain to realize coherent reception at the receiving end and improve positioning accuracy.

[0067] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the method further includes the terminal device transmitting request information, where the request information is used to request the first configuration information.

[0068] The request information may indicate first configuration information recommended or expected by the terminal device, for example, frequency domain configuration information, time domain configuration information, or frequency hopping configuration information.

[0069] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first type of signal is a positioning reference signal.

[0070] According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which may be performed by a terminal device or a chip configured in the terminal device, which is not limited in the present application.

[0071] Specifically, the method includes: a terminal device receiving first configuration information, where the first configuration information indicates M first frequency domain resources; and the terminal device transmitting or receiving N signals in the M first frequency domain resources, where the N signals are located within N time units, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and N is a positive integer.

[0072] It should be understood that N and M may be the same or different. When N is equal to M, M first frequency domain resources are used to transmit M signals, and the M signals may correspond one-to-one to the M first frequency domain resources. In other words, each of the M first frequency domain resources is used to transmit one signal. When N is not equal to M, no signal may be transmitted on some of the M first frequency domain resources, or multiple signals may be transmitted on some of the M first frequency domain resources.

[0073] In addition, in this embodiment of the present application, a "frequency domain resource" is a segment of a contiguous frequency domain resource or a frequency point in the frequency domain. Multiple resource granularities may exist. For example, a frequency domain resource may be one of a subcarrier, a RB, a BWP, a CC, a band, a frequency band, a frequency layer, a frequency point, or a frequency range.

[0074] Based on the above solution, in a possible implementation, the M first frequency domain resources may be indicated to the terminal device at one time via the first configuration information to avoid excessively long latency caused by multiple indications, which can improve network efficiency and reduce complexity.

[0075] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the N signals are N reference signals of a first type.

[0076] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, a terminal device transmits or receives an I-th signal in an L-th first frequency domain resource and transmits or receives an (I+1)-th signal in an (L+1)-th first frequency domain resource, the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal belong to N signals, the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal are located within adjacent time units, the first time interval is the time interval between the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal, the second time interval is a time for switching from the L-th first frequency domain resource to the (L+1)-th first frequency domain resource, and the first time interval is less than or equal to the second time interval.

[0077] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the N signals include an I-th signal and an (I+1)-th signal, the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal being located within adjacent time units, the first time interval is the time interval between the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal, the second time interval is the sum of a time for switching from the L-th first frequency-domain resource to the second frequency-domain resource and a time for switching from the second frequency-domain resource to the (L+1)-th first frequency-domain resource, the L-th first frequency-domain resource being used to transmit or receive the I-th signal, the (L+1)-th first frequency-domain resource being used to transmit or receive the (I+1)-th signal, and the second frequency-domain resource being used to transmit or receive at least one of a data signal, control information, and a second type reference signal, and the first time interval is less than or equal to the second time interval.

[0078] Optionally, the second time interval is the sum of a radio frequency switching time required to switch from the Lth first frequency domain resource to the second frequency domain resource and a radio frequency switching time required to switch again from the second frequency domain resource to the (L+1)th first frequency domain resource.

[0079] Optionally, the second time interval is a preset or predefined time interval. The preset or predefined time interval may be obtained by the terminal device from a network device or a network unit, may be preset, or may be agreed upon by the terminal device and the network. This is not limited in the present application. Alternatively, the second time interval is the sum of the time for switching from the Lth first frequency domain resource to the second frequency domain resource and the third time interval, the second time interval is the sum of the third time interval and the time for switching from the second frequency domain resource to the (L+1)th first frequency domain resource, or the second time interval is the sum of the time for switching from the Lth first frequency domain resource to the second frequency domain resource, the time for switching from the second frequency domain resource to the (L+1)th first frequency domain resource, and the third time interval. The third time interval is a preset or predefined time interval or threshold.

[0080] Optionally, the priority of transmitting or receiving the N signals, or other signals, data, or control information, in the second frequency domain resource is not higher than the priority of transmitting or receiving the N signals in the first frequency domain resource.

[0081] It should be noted that the Lth first frequency domain resource and the (L+1)th first frequency domain resource belong to the M first frequency domain resources. The Lth first frequency domain resource and the (L+1)th first frequency domain resource may be adjacent or non-adjacent in the frequency domain, may completely overlap in the frequency domain, or may partially overlap in the frequency domain. This is not limited in the present application.

[0082] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the method further includes the terminal device receiving second configuration information, where the second configuration information indicates a second frequency domain resource.

[0083] It should be noted that the first type of reference signal may be one of a PRS, an SRS, a pos-SRS, a TRS, a CSI-RS, a DM-RS, a PT-RS, a sidelink reference signal, and a random access preamble.

[0084] The second type of reference signal may be one of a PRS, an SRS, a pos-SRS, a TRS, a CSI-RS, a DM-RS, a PT-RS, a sidelink reference signal, and a random access preamble.

[0085] In a possible implementation, the first type of reference signal is a reference signal used for positioning, e.g., one of PRS, SRS, pos-SRS, a sidelink reference signal, and a random access preamble, and the second type of reference signal is another reference signal (not a conventional positioning reference signal), e.g., one of TRS, CSI-RS, DM-RS, and PT-RS.

[0086] It should be noted that the first configuration information and the second configuration information may be independent of each other, i.e., in a possible implementation, the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource may be configured independently to improve the flexibility of network resource configuration.

[0087] It should be noted that the terminal device may receive the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information from a network device, or may receive the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information from a network unit. The network device may be a base station, a TRP, etc. The network unit may be a core network device, such as an LMF.

[0088] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, transmitting or receiving N signals in M first frequency domain resources by a terminal device includes transmitting or receiving N signals in M first frequency domain resources by the terminal device when a first condition is satisfied, the first condition being that a first time interval is less than or equal to a second time interval, the time interval between an I-th signal and an (I+1)-th signal is the first time interval, the N signals include an I-th signal and an (I+1)-th signal, and the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal are located within adjacent time units. wherein the sum of the time for switching from the Lth first frequency-domain resource to the second frequency-domain resource and the time for switching from the second frequency-domain resource to the (L+1)th first frequency-domain resource is a second time interval, the Lth second frequency-domain resource is used to transmit or receive the Ith signal, the (L+1)th second frequency-domain resource is used to transmit or receive the (I+1)th signal, and the second frequency-domain resource is used to transmit or receive at least one of a data signal, control information, and a second type reference signal.

[0089] Optionally, the first condition further includes that a priority of transmitting or receiving the N signals, or other signals, data, or control information, in the second frequency domain resource is not higher than a priority of transmitting or receiving the N signals in the first frequency domain resource.

[0090] If the first time interval is shorter than the second time interval and no signal, data, or control information with a priority higher than the priority of the N signals is scheduled (transmitted or received) on the second frequency domain resource within the first time interval, the terminal device transmits or receives the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal. Otherwise, the terminal device switches to the second frequency domain resource after transmitting each signal. If the terminal device does not display the capability, the terminal device performs scheduling on the second frequency domain resource.

[0091] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, transmitting or receiving N signals in M first frequency domain resources by a terminal device includes transmitting or receiving N signals in M first frequency domain resources by the terminal device when a first condition is satisfied, the first condition being that a first time interval is less than or equal to a second time interval, the first time interval being a time interval between an I-th signal and an (I+1)-th signal, and the terminal device transmitting or receiving N signals in L-th first frequency domain resources. transmit or receive an (I+1)th signal on the (L+1)th first frequency domain resource, where the Ith signal and the (I+1)th signal belong to N signals, and the Ith signal and the (I+1)th signal are located within adjacent time units, and the second time interval is the sum of a time for the terminal device to switch from the Lth first frequency domain resource to the second frequency domain resource and a time for the terminal device to switch from the second frequency domain resource to the (L+1)th first frequency domain resource.

[0092] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the method further includes, when the first condition is not satisfied, the terminal device transmitting or receiving at least one of a data signal, control information, and a second type of reference signal in a second frequency domain resource.

[0093] Optionally, when the first condition is not satisfied, the terminal device transmits or receives at least one of a data signal, control information, a first type reference signal, and a second type reference signal in a second frequency domain resource.

[0094] Based on the above solution, a first condition is defined, so that frequent switching between the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource can be avoided, and the terminal device can realize fast frequency hopping transmission or reception to reduce positioning latency, reduce the complexity and power consumption of the terminal, and improve positioning performance.

[0095] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, a new capability (or function) may be introduced to a terminal device, and the capability item indicates that frequency domain resources are not switched when the first time interval is equal to or shorter than the second time interval. In this case, the terminal device completes transmission or reception of N signals on M first frequency domain resources in the I time unit, and transmits or receives N signals on M first frequency domain resources in the (I+1) time unit. Alternatively, it may be understood that the terminal device completes transmission or reception of the I signal on the L first frequency domain resource, and transmits or receives the (I+1) signal on the (L+1) first frequency domain resource.

[0096] If the first time interval is greater than the second time interval, the frequency domain resources are switched, which may be understood as the terminal device completing transmission or reception of N signals on M first frequency domain resources in the I-th time unit, and transmitting or receiving N signals, or other signals, data, or control information, on the second frequency domain resource in the (I+1)-th time unit.

[0097] Optionally, the capability item indicates that if the first time interval is equal to or shorter than the second time interval and no signal, data, or control information with a priority higher than the priority of the N signals is scheduled on the second frequency domain resource within the duration of the first time interval, the frequency domain resource is not switched. This may be understood as the terminal device completing transmission or reception of N signals on M first frequency domain resources in the I time unit and transmitting or receiving N signals on M first frequency domain resources in the (I+1) time unit. Alternatively, the terminal device may be understood as completing transmission or reception of the I signal on the L first frequency domain resource and transmitting or receiving the (I+1) signal on the (L+1) first frequency domain resource.

[0098] If the first time interval is greater than the second time interval, or if signals, data, or control information with a higher priority than the priorities of the N signals are scheduled on the second frequency domain resource (network) during the time period of the first time interval, the frequency domain resource is switched, which may also be understood as the terminal device completing transmission or reception of N signals on M first frequency domain resources in the I-th time unit, and transmitting or receiving N signals or other signals, data, or control information with a higher priority on the second frequency domain resource in the (I+1)-th time unit.

[0099] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the terminal device transmits indication information, and the indication information indicates that the terminal device supports a first condition or capability item (function). For specific implementation forms, please refer to the first aspect. Details will not be described again.

[0100] In some implementations of the second aspect, the first configuration information includes a first frequency and bandwidth of at least one of the M first frequency domain resources, and / or frequency shift information, and the first frequency is a start frequency, a center frequency, or an end frequency of the first frequency resource.

[0101] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the frequency shift information includes at least one of the following: a frequency shift period, a frequency shift pattern, supported intra-slot frequency shifts, a frequency domain start position of the frequency shift, a time domain start position of the frequency shift, frequency domain interval information of the frequency shift, a quantity of periodic frequency shifts, a frequency shift duration, and a quantity of frequency shifts.

[0102] The frequency shift period is the duration of a frequency shift pattern (sometimes referred to as a frequency shift pattern). The frequency shift pattern indicates the order and position of receiving or transmitting signals in the frequency domain and / or the time domain in a single frequency shift period. The frequency shift pattern may be repeated periodically. A frequency shift pattern that supports intra-slot frequency shifting indicates that frequency shifting is supported within a single slot. The frequency domain start position of the frequency shift indicates the frequency domain start position of the signal corresponding to the frequency shift information, i.e., the start frequency of the bandwidth occupied by the signal corresponding to the frequency shift information. The time domain start position of the frequency shift indicates time information for starting frequency-shifted transmission of the signal corresponding to the frequency shift information. The frequency domain interval information of the frequency shift indicates the interval between two adjacent times of frequency-shifted transmission or reception in the frequency domain. The time domain interval information of the frequency shift indicates the time interval between two adjacent times of frequency-shifted transmission or reception. The quantity of periodic frequency shifts indicates the quantity of frequency shifts in a frequency shift period. The frequency shift duration indicates the duration of the frequency shift, and may be, for example, a transmission duration, a reception duration, or a number of frequency shift periods. The frequency shift quantity indicates the total number of frequency shifts of the signal corresponding to the frequency shift information.

[0103] It should be noted that the frequency shift means that other configuration information of the first frequency domain resource does not change except for the frequency domain location, and fast switching of frequency domain resources can be realized. For example, when the first frequency domain resource is a BWP, the frequency shift can be BWP retuning or BWP switching.

[0104] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the pattern of frequency shift indicates frequency domain information and / or time domain information in a single frequency shift period, where the frequency domain information includes at least one of the following: a first frequency domain start position, bandwidth information or a quantity of resource blocks of the frequency shift, and a first frequency domain interval information; and the time domain information includes at least one of a first time domain start position, time domain information or a quantity of symbols of the frequency shift, a frequency shift repetition factor, and a first time domain interval information.

[0105] The first frequency-domain start position is the frequency-domain start position in a single frequency shift period. Similarly, the frequency-shift bandwidth information or the number of resource blocks and the first frequency-domain interval information are the frequency-shift bandwidth information or the number of resource blocks in a single frequency shift period and the frequency-domain interval information in a single frequency shift period, respectively. Correspondingly, the first time-domain start position, the frequency-shift time-domain information or the number of symbols, the frequency-shift repetition factor, and the first time-domain interval information are the time-domain start position, the frequency-shift time-domain information or the number of symbols, the frequency-shift repetition factor, and the time-domain interval information in a single frequency shift period, respectively.

[0106] In the solution of the present application, a single frequency shift period can be one or more radio frames, one or more subframes, one or more slots, one or more symbols, etc. This is not limited in the present application.

[0107] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the first configuration information includes association information, and the association information indicates that a Kth first frequency domain resource is associated with P first frequency domain resources, the P first frequency domain resources being P of the M first frequency domain resources, and the Kth first frequency domain resource being one of the M first frequency domain resources.

[0108] Optionally, the association information may further indicate an association relationship between at least one first frequency resource and other first frequency domain resources. For example, the association information may indicate an association relationship between each of K first frequency domain resources and multiple other first frequency domain resources, where K = {n1, n2, ..., n k}. For example, the association information may indicate that the n1-th first frequency domain resource is associated with P1 first frequency domain resources, the n2-th first frequency domain resource is associated with P2 first frequency domain resources, ..., the n k-th first frequency domain resource is associated with Pk first frequency domain resources, where P1, P2, ..., and Pk first frequency domain resources are P1, P2, ..., and Pk of the M first frequency domain resources.

[0109] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the method further includes the terminal device receiving indication information, wherein the indication information indicates one or more of the following: activation of the Kth first frequency domain resource, activation of some or all of the M first frequency domain resources, and an activation order of some or all of the M first frequency domain resources.

[0110] Optionally, when the indication information indicates to activate the Kth first frequency domain resource, the indication information includes an identifier of the Kth first frequency domain resource.

[0111] Optionally, when the indication information indicates to activate some or all of the M first frequency domain resources, the indication information includes identifiers of some or all of the M first frequency domain resources.

[0112] In one implementation, when the indication information includes identifiers of some or all of the M first frequency domain resources, the terminal device can determine an activation order of some or all of the M first frequency domain resources based on the order of the identifiers.

[0113] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, at least two of the M first frequency domain resources overlap in the frequency domain.

[0114] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, two first frequency domain resources that are within the M first frequency domain resources and are located within adjacent time units overlap in the frequency domain.

[0115] Based on the above solution, signal estimation can be performed based on overlapping parts in frequency domain to realize coherent reception at the receiving end and improve positioning accuracy.

[0116] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementation forms of the second aspect, the method further includes the terminal device transmitting request information, where the request information is used to request the first configuration information.

[0117] The request information may indicate first configuration information recommended or expected by the terminal device, for example, first frequency, bandwidth, and frequency shift information.

[0118] Optionally, the request information may indicate one or more first frequency domain resources that are recommended / expected to be activated by the terminal device and / or an activation order of the plurality of first frequency domain resources.

[0119] Referring to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first type of signal is a positioning reference signal.

[0120] According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which may be performed by a network device or a chip configured in a terminal device, which is not limited in the present application.

[0121] Specifically, the method includes: a network device transmitting first configuration information, the first configuration information indicating first frequency domain resources, the first frequency domain resources including M second frequency domain resources; and a network device transmitting or receiving N signals in the M second frequency domain resources, the N signals being located within N time units, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and N is a positive integer.

[0122] It should be understood that in this embodiment of the present application, N and M may be the same or different. When N is equal to M, M second frequency domain resources are used to transmit M signals, and the M signals may correspond one-to-one to the M second frequency domain resources. In other words, each of the M second frequency domain resources is used to transmit one signal. When N is not equal to M, no signal may be transmitted on some of the M second frequency domain resources, or multiple signals may be transmitted on some of the M second frequency domain resources.

[0123] In addition, in this embodiment of the present application, a "frequency domain resource" is a segment of contiguous frequency domain resources or a frequency point in the frequency domain. Multiple resource granularities may exist. For example, a frequency domain resource may be one of a subcarrier, a RB, a BWP, a CC, a band, a frequency band, a frequency layer, a frequency point, or a FR.

[0124]

[0013] Referring to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the N signals are N reference signals of a first type, and the method further includes the network device transmitting second configuration information, the second configuration information indicating third frequency domain resources to be used for transmitting or receiving at least one of data signals, control information, and the second type reference signals, wherein the bandwidth of the third frequency domain resources is equal to or less than the bandwidth of the first frequency domain resources.

[0125] It should be noted that in this embodiment of the present application, the first type of reference signal may be one of a PRS, an SRS, a pos-SRS, a TRS, a CSI-RS, a DM-RS, a PT-RS, a sidelink reference signal, and a random access preamble.

[0126] The second type of reference signal may be one of a PRS, an SRS, a pos-SRS, a TRS, a CSI-RS, a DM-RS, a PT-RS, a sidelink reference signal, and a random access preamble.

[0127] In a possible implementation, the first type of reference signal is a reference signal used for positioning, e.g., one of PRS, SRS, pos-SRS, a sidelink reference signal, and a random access preamble, and the second type of reference signal is another reference signal (not a conventional positioning reference signal), e.g., one of TRS, CSI-RS, DM-RS, and PT-RS.

[0128] It should be noted that the first configuration information and the second configuration information may be independent of each other, i.e., in a possible implementation, the first frequency domain resource and the third frequency domain resource may be configured independently to improve the flexibility of network resource configuration.

[0129] It should be noted that the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information may be configured by a network device or by a network unit. The network device may be a base station, a TRP, etc. The network unit may be a core network device such as an LMF.

[0130] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementation forms of the third aspect, the N signals include an I-th signal and an (I+1)-th signal, the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal being located within adjacent time units, the first time interval is the time interval between the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal, the second time interval is the sum of a time for switching from the first frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource and a time for switching from the third frequency domain resource to the first frequency domain resource, and the first time interval is less than or equal to the second time interval.

[0131] It may also be understood that the second time interval is the sum of the radio frequency switching time required to switch from the first frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource and the radio frequency switching time required to switch back from the third frequency domain resource to the first frequency domain resource.

[0132] Optionally, the priority of transmitting or receiving the N signals, or other signals, data, or control information, in the third frequency domain resource is not higher than the priority of transmitting or receiving the N signals in the first frequency domain resource.

[0133] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementation forms of the third aspect, the N signals include an I-th signal and an (I+1)-th signal, the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal being located within adjacent time units, the first time interval being the time interval between the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal, and the second time interval being a preset or predefined time interval. The preset or predefined time interval may be obtained by the terminal device from a network device or network unit, may be preset, or may be agreed upon by the terminal device and the network. This is not limited in the present application. Alternatively, the second time interval is a time for switching from the first frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource, the second time interval is the sum of the time for switching from the first frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource and the third time interval, the second time interval is the sum of the third time interval and the time for switching from the third frequency domain resource to the first frequency domain resource, or the second time interval is the sum of the time for switching from the first frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource, the time for switching from the third frequency domain resource to the first frequency domain resource, and the third time interval. The third time interval is a preset or predefined time interval or threshold. The first time interval is less than or equal to the second time interval.

[0134] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementation forms of the third aspect, a network device transmits or receives an Ith signal in an Lth second frequency domain resource and an (I+1)th signal in an (L+1)th second frequency domain resource, the Ith signal and the (I+1)th signal belonging to N signals, the Ith signal and the (I+1)th signal being located within adjacent time units, the first time interval being the time interval between the Ith signal and the (I+1)th signal, and the second time interval being a preset or predefined time interval. The preset or predefined time interval may be configured by a network device or a network unit so that the terminal device obtains the time interval from the network device or a network unit, or the preset or predefined time interval may be set in advance, or the preset or predefined time interval may be agreed upon by the terminal device and the network. This is not limited in the present application. Alternatively, the second time interval is a time for switching from the Lth second frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource, the second time interval is a sum of a time for switching from the (L+1)th frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource and the third time interval, the second time interval is a sum of the third time interval and a time for switching from the third frequency domain resource to the Lth second frequency domain resource, or the second time interval is a sum of a time for switching from the (L+1)th second frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource, a time for switching from the third frequency domain resource to the Lth second frequency domain resource, and the third time interval. The third time interval is a preset or predefined time interval or threshold. The first time interval is less than or equal to the second time interval.

[0135] It should be noted that the Lth second frequency domain resource and the (L+1)th second frequency domain resource belong to M second frequency domain resources. The Lth second frequency domain resource and the (L+1)th second frequency domain resource may be adjacent or non-adjacent in the frequency domain, may completely overlap in the frequency domain, or may partially overlap in the frequency domain. This is not limited in the present application. Alternatively, the Lth second frequency domain resource and the (L+1)th second frequency domain resource may be the same second frequency domain resource.

[0136] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the network device transmitting or receiving N signals on M second frequency domain resources includes the network device transmitting or receiving N signals on M second frequency domain resources when a first condition is satisfied, the first condition being that a first time interval is less than or equal to a second time interval, the time interval between an I-th signal and an (I+1)-th signal is the first time interval, the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal belong to the N signals, the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal are located within adjacent time units, and a sum of a time for switching from the first frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource and a time for switching from the third frequency domain resource to the first frequency domain resource is the second time interval.

[0137] Optionally, the first condition further includes that a priority of transmitting or receiving the N signals, or other signals, data, or control information, on the third frequency domain resource is not higher than a priority of transmitting or receiving the N signals on the first frequency domain resource.

[0138] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementation forms of the third aspect, the network device transmitting or receiving N signals in M second frequency domain resources includes the network device transmitting or receiving N signals in M second frequency domain resources when a first condition is satisfied, the first condition being that a first time interval is less than or equal to a second time interval, the first time interval being a time interval between an I-th signal and an (I+1)-th signal, and the terminal device transmitting or receiving N signals in an L-th second frequency domain resource. transmit or receive an (I+1)th signal on the (L+1)th second frequency domain resource, where the Ith signal and the (I+1)th signal belong to N signals, and the Ith signal and the (I+1)th signal are located within adjacent time units, and the second time interval is the sum of a time for the terminal device to switch from the Lth second frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource and a time for the terminal device to switch from the third frequency domain resource to the (L+1)th second frequency domain resource.

[0139] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes, when the first condition is not satisfied, the network device transmitting or receiving at least one of a data signal, control information, and a second type reference signal in a third frequency domain resource.

[0140] Optionally, when the first condition is not satisfied, the network device transmits or receives at least one of a data signal, control information, a first type reference signal, and a second type reference signal in a third frequency domain resource.

[0141] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementation forms of the third aspect, a new capability item (or function) may be defined, which indicates that frequency domain resources are not switched when the first time interval is equal to or shorter than the second time interval. In this case, the terminal device completes transmission or reception of N signals on the first frequency domain resource in the Ith time unit, and transmits or receives N signals on the first frequency domain resource in the (I+1)th time unit. Alternatively, it may be understood that the terminal device completes transmission or reception of the Ith signal on the Lth second frequency domain resource, and transmits or receives the (I+1)th signal on the (L+1)th second frequency domain resource.

[0142] When the first time interval is greater than the second time interval, the frequency domain resource is switched, which may also be understood as the terminal device completing transmission or reception of N signals on the first frequency domain resource in the I-th time unit, and transmitting or receiving N signals, or other signals, data, or control information, on the third frequency domain resource in the (I+1)-th time unit.

[0143] Optionally, the capability item indicates that if the first time interval is equal to or shorter than the second time interval and no signal, data, or control information with a priority higher than the priority of the N signals is scheduled on the third frequency domain resource within the duration of the first time interval, the frequency domain resource is not switched. This may also be understood as the terminal device completing transmission or reception of N signals on the first frequency domain resource in the I time unit and transmitting or receiving N signals on the first frequency domain resource in the (I+1) time unit. Alternatively, it may be understood as the terminal device completing transmission or reception of the I signal on the L second frequency domain resource and transmitting or receiving the (I+1) signal on the (L+1) second frequency domain resource.

[0144] When the first time interval is greater than the second time interval, or when signals, data, or control information having a higher priority than the priorities of the N signals are scheduled on the third frequency domain resource (network) during the time period of the first time interval, the frequency domain resource is switched. This may be understood as the terminal device completing transmission or reception of the N signals on the first frequency domain resource in the I-th time unit, and transmitting or receiving the N signals or other signals, data, or control information having a higher priority on the third frequency domain resource in the (I+1)-th time unit. With reference to the third aspect, in some implementation forms of the third aspect, the method further includes the network device receiving indication information, where the indication information indicates that the terminal device supports the first condition or capability item (function).

[0145] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementation forms of the third aspect, a network device receives first indication information, and the first indication information indicates that when the terminal device satisfies a first condition, the terminal device transmits or receives N signals in M second frequency domain resources.

[0146] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the network device receives second indication information, and the second indication information indicates that when the terminal device does not satisfy the first condition, the terminal device transmits or receives at least one of a data signal, control information, and a second type of reference signal in a third frequency domain resource.

[0147] Referring to the first aspect, in some implementation forms of the first aspect, the network device receives third instruction information, where the third instruction information indicates that when the terminal device satisfies a first condition, the terminal device transmits or receives N signals in M second frequency domain resources, and when the instruction information indicates that the terminal device does not satisfy the first condition, the terminal device transmits or receives at least one of a data signal, control information, and a second type reference signal in the third frequency domain resource.

[0148] Optionally, the instruction information received by the network device (e.g., the first instruction information, the second instruction information, or the third instruction information) may be capability information of the terminal device, one of the capability information of the terminal device, or other information.

[0149] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes the network device transmitting third configuration information, where the third configuration information includes frequency domain configuration information and time domain configuration information, and / or frequency hopping configuration information, of at least one of the N signals.

[0150] In one implementation, the third configuration information includes configuration information and frequency hopping configuration information for the N signals. The configuration information for the N signals includes time-domain configuration information for the N signals and / or frequency-domain configuration information for the N signals. The frequency hopping configuration information includes one or more of information such as a frequency hopping period, supported intra-slot frequency hopping, a frequency-domain starting position of a frequency hop, a frequency hopping duration, and a quantity of frequency hops. Optionally, when the third configuration information includes configuration information and frequency hopping configuration information for the N signals, the frequency hopping configuration information includes one or more of information such as a frequency hopping period, supported intra-slot frequency hopping, a frequency-domain starting position of a frequency hop, a frequency hopping duration, and a quantity of frequency hops.

[0151] In other implementations, the third configuration information may include configuration information for at least one signal and frequency hopping configuration information. The at least one signal may be fewer than N signals, i.e., one or more signals. If there is one signal, the third configuration information includes configuration information for the single signal. If there are two or more signals, the third configuration information includes configuration information for two or more signals. The configuration information for at least one signal includes frequency domain configuration information for at least one signal and / or time domain configuration information for at least one signal. The frequency hopping configuration information may include a frequency hopping pattern, a frequency hopping period, supported intra-slot frequency hopping, frequency domain starting positions of frequency hops, frequency domain interval information of frequency hops, time domain interval information of frequency hops, etc.

[0152] In another implementation, the third configuration information includes only configuration information of the N signals, and the configuration information of the N signals includes time-domain configuration information of the N signals and / or frequency-domain configuration information of the N signals. Optionally, the N signals are transmitted or received periodically.

[0153] In another implementation, the third configuration information includes only frequency hopping configuration information. Optionally, the terminal device can obtain the configuration information of at least one of the N signals based on other configuration information or other information.

[0154] In addition, the third configuration information may further include other configuration information, for example, one or more of the following: scrambling code information, density information, reservation time information, retuning time information, and non-simultaneous transmission information.

[0155] The scrambling code information includes at least one of the following: a scrambling code range and a scrambling code value set of the m signals.

[0156] The density information is the number of times that m signals are transmitted within a specific time range.

[0157] The reservation time information is the length of time that needs to be reserved before m signals are transmitted, the length of time that needs to be reserved after m signals are transmitted, or the length of time that needs to be reserved between two adjacent time units.

[0158] The retuning time information is the time occupied by frequency retuning (radio frequency retuning, RF retuning).

[0159] Non-simultaneous transmission information means that when transmitting m signals, the terminal device does not support transmission of information other than the m signals.

[0160] It should be noted that the frequency domain configuration information of the N signals and the time domain configuration information of the N signals include N frequency domain configuration information and N time domain configuration information. Each of the N frequency domain configuration information includes frequency domain information, e.g., frequency domain position information, of the corresponding signal. Each of the N time domain configuration information includes time domain information, e.g., time domain position information, of the corresponding signal. In addition, each of the N frequency domain configuration information and each of the N time domain configuration information may further include other information, which may be the same or different.

[0161] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the frequency hopping configuration information includes at least one of the following: a frequency hopping period, a frequency hopping pattern, supported intra-slot frequency hopping, a frequency domain start position of the frequency hop, a time domain start position of the frequency hop, frequency domain interval information of the frequency hop, time domain interval information of the frequency hop, a quantity of periodic frequency hops, a frequency hopping duration, and a quantity of frequency hops.

[0162] The frequency hopping period is the duration of the frequency hopping pattern. The frequency hopping pattern indicates the order and position of receiving or transmitting signals in the frequency domain and / or the time domain in a single frequency hopping period. Optionally, the frequency hopping pattern may be repeated periodically. Supported intra-slot frequency hopping indicates that frequency hopping is supported within a single slot. The frequency domain start position of the frequency hop indicates the frequency domain start position of the signal corresponding to the frequency hopping configuration information, i.e., the start frequency of the bandwidth occupied by the signal corresponding to the frequency hopping configuration information. The time domain start position of the frequency hop indicates time information for starting frequency hopping transmission of the signal corresponding to the frequency hopping configuration information. The frequency domain interval information of the frequency hop indicates the interval between two adjacent times of frequency hopping transmission or reception in the frequency domain. The time domain interval information of the frequency hop indicates the time interval between two adjacent times of frequency hopping transmission or reception. The number of periodic frequency hops indicates the number of frequency hops in one frequency hopping period. The frequency hopping duration indicates the duration of a frequency hop and may be, for example, a transmission duration, a reception duration, or a number of frequency hopping periods. The number of frequency hops indicates the total number of frequency hops of a signal corresponding to the frequency hopping configuration information or the number of repetitions of a frequency hopping pattern.

[0163] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementation forms of the third aspect, the frequency hopping pattern indicates frequency domain information and / or time domain information in a single frequency hopping period, where the frequency domain information includes at least one of the following: a first frequency domain starting position, bandwidth information or a quantity of resource blocks of the frequency hop, and a first frequency domain interval information; and the time domain information includes at least one of the first time domain starting position, time domain information or a quantity of symbols of the frequency hop, a frequency hopping repetition factor, the first time domain interval information, and information indicating that time domain discontinuous frequency hopping is supported.

[0164] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, at least two of the M second frequency domain resources overlap in the frequency domain.

[0165] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementation forms of the third aspect, two second frequency domain resources that are within the M second frequency domain resources and are located within adjacent time units overlap in the frequency domain.

[0166] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes the network device receiving request information, wherein the request information is used to request the first configuration information.

[0167] The request information may indicate first configuration information recommended or expected by the terminal device, such as frequency domain configuration information, time domain configuration information, or frequency hopping configuration information. With reference to the third aspect, in some implementation forms of the third aspect, the first type signal is a positioning reference signal.

[0168] According to a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which may be performed by a network device or a chip configured in a terminal device, which is not limited in the present application.

[0169] Specifically, the method includes: a network device receiving first configuration information, the first configuration information indicating M first frequency domain resources; and the network device transmitting or receiving N signals in the M first frequency domain resources, the N signals being located within N time units, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2 and N is a positive integer.

[0170] It should be understood that N and M may be the same or different. When N is equal to M, M first frequency domain resources are used to transmit M signals, and the M signals may correspond one-to-one to the M first frequency domain resources. In other words, each of the M first frequency domain resources is used to transmit one signal. When N is not equal to M, no signal may be transmitted on some of the M first frequency domain resources, or multiple signals may be transmitted on some of the M first frequency domain resources.

[0171] In addition, in this embodiment of the present application, a "frequency domain resource" is a segment of a contiguous frequency domain resource or a frequency point in the frequency domain. Multiple resource granularities may exist. For example, a frequency domain resource may be one of a subcarrier, a RB, a BWP, a CC, a band, a frequency band, a frequency layer, a frequency point, or a frequency range.

[0172] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the N signals are N reference signals of a first type.

[0173] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, a network device transmits or receives an I-th signal in an L-th first frequency domain resource and transmits or receives an (I+1)-th signal in an (L+1)-th first frequency domain resource, wherein the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal belong to N signals, the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal are located within adjacent time units, the first time interval is the time interval between the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal, the second time interval is a time for switching from the L-th first frequency domain resource to the (L+1)-th first frequency domain resource, and the first time interval is less than or equal to the second time interval.

[0174] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the N signals include an I-th signal and an (I+1)-th signal, the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal being located within adjacent time units, the first time interval is the time interval between the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal, the second time interval is the sum of a time for switching from the L-th first frequency-domain resource to the second frequency-domain resource and a time for switching from the second frequency-domain resource to the (L+1)-th first frequency-domain resource, the L-th first frequency-domain resource being used to transmit or receive the I-th signal, the (L+1)-th first frequency-domain resource being used to transmit or receive the (I+1)-th signal, and the second frequency-domain resource being used to transmit or receive at least one of a data signal, control information, and a second type reference signal, and the first time interval is less than or equal to the second time interval.

[0175] Optionally, the second time interval is the sum of a radio frequency switching time required to switch from the Lth first frequency domain resource to the second frequency domain resource and a radio frequency switching time required to switch again from the second frequency domain resource to the (L+1)th first frequency domain resource.

[0176] Optionally, the second time interval is a preset or predefined time interval. The preset or predefined time interval may be preset in a network device or network unit so that the terminal device obtains the time interval from the network device or network unit, or the preset or predefined time interval may be preset, or the preset or predefined time interval may be agreed upon by the terminal device and the network. This is not limited in the present application. Alternatively, the second time interval is the sum of the time for switching from the Lth first frequency domain resource to the second frequency domain resource and the third time interval, the second time interval is the sum of the third time interval and the time for switching from the second frequency domain resource to the (L+1)th first frequency domain resource, or the second time interval is the sum of the time for switching from the Lth first frequency domain resource to the second frequency domain resource, the time for switching from the second frequency domain resource to the (L+1)th first frequency domain resource, and the third time interval. The third time interval is a preset or predefined time interval or threshold.

[0177] Optionally, the priority of transmitting or receiving the N signals, or other signals, data, or control information, in the second frequency domain resource is not higher than the priority of transmitting or receiving the N signals in the first frequency domain resource.

[0178] It should be noted that the Lth first frequency domain resource and the (L+1)th first frequency domain resource belong to the M first frequency domain resources. The Lth first frequency domain resource and the (L+1)th first frequency domain resource may be adjacent or non-adjacent in the frequency domain, may completely overlap in the frequency domain, or may partially overlap in the frequency domain. This is not limited in the present application.

[0179] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the method further includes the network device transmitting second configuration information, where the second configuration information indicates a second frequency domain resource.

[0180] It should be noted that the first type of reference signal may be one of a PRS, an SRS, a pos-SRS, a TRS, a CSI-RS, a DM-RS, a PT-RS, a sidelink reference signal, and a random access preamble.

[0181] The second type of reference signal may be one of a PRS, an SRS, a pos-SRS, a TRS, a CSI-RS, a DM-RS, a PT-RS, a sidelink reference signal, and a random access preamble.

[0182] In a possible implementation, the first type of reference signal is a reference signal used for positioning, e.g., one of PRS, SRS, pos-SRS, a sidelink reference signal, and a random access preamble, and the second type of reference signal is another reference signal (not a conventional positioning reference signal), e.g., one of TRS, CSI-RS, DM-RS, and PT-RS.

[0183] It should be noted that the first configuration information and the second configuration information may be independent of each other, i.e., in a possible implementation, the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource may be configured independently to improve the flexibility of network resource configuration.

[0184] It should be noted that the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information may be configured by a network device or a network unit, so that the terminal device may obtain the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information from the network device or the network unit. The network device may be a base station, a TRP, etc. The network unit may be a core network device such as an LMF.

[0185] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, transmitting or receiving N signals in M first frequency domain resources by the network device includes transmitting or receiving N signals in the M first frequency domain resources when a first condition is satisfied, the first condition being that a first time interval is less than or equal to a second time interval, the time interval between an I-th signal and an (I+1)-th signal is the first time interval, the N signals include an I-th signal and an (I+1)-th signal, and the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal are adjacent time units. wherein the sum of a time for switching from the Lth first frequency-domain resource to the second frequency-domain resource and a time for switching from the second frequency-domain resource to the (L+1)th first frequency-domain resource is a second time interval, wherein the Lth second frequency-domain resource is used to transmit or receive the Ith signal, the (L+1)th second frequency-domain resource is used to transmit or receive the (I+1)th signal, and the second frequency-domain resource is used to transmit or receive at least one of a data signal, control information, and a second-type reference signal.

[0186] Optionally, the first condition further includes that a priority of transmitting or receiving the N signals, or other signals, data, or control information, in the second frequency domain resource is not higher than a priority of transmitting or receiving the N signals in the first frequency domain resource.

[0187] If the first time interval is shorter than the second time interval and no signal, data, or control information with a priority higher than the priority of the N signals is scheduled (transmitted or received) on the second frequency domain resource within the first time interval, the terminal device transmits or receives the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal. Otherwise, the terminal device switches to the second frequency domain resource after transmitting each signal. If the terminal device does not display the capability, the terminal device performs scheduling on the second frequency domain resource.

[0188] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the network device transmitting or receiving N signals in M first frequency domain resources includes the network device transmitting or receiving N signals in M first frequency domain resources when a first condition is satisfied, wherein the first condition is that a first time interval is less than or equal to a second time interval, the first time interval being a time interval between an I-th signal and an (I+1)-th signal, and the network device transmitting or receiving N signals in L-th first frequency domain resources. transmit or receive an I-th signal on an (L+1)-th first frequency domain resource, transmit or receive an (I+1)-th signal on an (L+1)-th first frequency domain resource, where the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal belong to N signals, and the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal are located within adjacent time units, and the second time interval is the sum of a time for the terminal device to switch from the L-th first frequency domain resource to the second frequency domain resource and a time for the terminal device to switch from the second frequency domain resource to the (L+1)-th first frequency domain resource.

[0189] Regarding the fourth aspect, in some implementation forms of the fourth aspect, the method further includes, when the first condition is not satisfied, the terminal device transmitting or receiving at least one of a data signal, control information, and a second type of reference signal in a second frequency domain resource.

[0190] Optionally, when the first condition is not satisfied, the terminal device transmits or receives at least one of a data signal, control information, a first type reference signal, and a second type reference signal on the second frequency domain resource. With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementation forms of the fourth aspect, a new capability (or function) may be introduced to the terminal device, where the capability item indicates that the frequency domain resource is not switched when the first time interval is equal to or shorter than the second time interval. In this case, the terminal device completes transmission or reception of N signals on M first frequency domain resources in the I time unit, and transmits or receives N signals on M first frequency domain resources in the (I+1) time unit. Alternatively, it may be understood that the terminal device completes transmission or reception of the I signal on the L first frequency domain resource, and transmits or receives the (I+1) signal on the (L+1) first frequency domain resource.

[0191] If the first time interval is greater than the second time interval, the frequency domain resources are switched, which may be understood as the terminal device completing transmission or reception of N signals on M first frequency domain resources in the I-th time unit, and transmitting or receiving N signals, or other signals, data, or control information, on the second frequency domain resource in the (I+1)-th time unit.

[0192] Optionally, the capability item indicates that if the first time interval is equal to or shorter than the second time interval and no signal, data, or control information with a priority higher than the priority of the N signals is scheduled on the second frequency domain resource within the duration of the first time interval, the frequency domain resource is not switched. This may be understood as the terminal device completing transmission or reception of N signals on M first frequency domain resources in the I time unit and transmitting or receiving N signals on M first frequency domain resources in the (I+1) time unit. Alternatively, the terminal device may be understood as completing transmission or reception of the I signal on the L first frequency domain resource and transmitting or receiving the (I+1) signal on the (L+1) first frequency domain resource.

[0193] If the first time interval is greater than the second time interval, or if signals, data, or control information with a higher priority than the priorities of the N signals are scheduled on the second frequency domain resource (network) during the time period of the first time interval, the frequency domain resource is switched, which may also be understood as the terminal device completing transmission or reception of N signals on M first frequency domain resources in the I-th time unit, and transmitting or receiving N signals or other signals, data, or control information with a higher priority on the second frequency domain resource in the (I+1)-th time unit.

[0194] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementation forms of the fourth aspect, the terminal device transmits indication information, and the indication information indicates that the terminal device supports a first condition or capability item (function). For specific implementation forms, please refer to the third aspect. Details will not be described again.

[0195] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first configuration information includes a first frequency and bandwidth of at least one of the M first frequency domain resources, and / or frequency shift information of the M first frequency domain resources, and the first frequency is a start frequency, a center frequency, or an end frequency of the first frequency resource.

[0196] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the frequency shift information includes at least one of the following: a frequency shift period, a frequency shift pattern, supported intra-slot frequency shifts, a frequency domain start position of the frequency shift, a time domain start position of the frequency shift, frequency domain interval information of the frequency shift, a quantity of periodic frequency shifts, a frequency shift duration, and a quantity of frequency shifts.

[0197] The frequency shift period is the duration of a frequency shift pattern (sometimes referred to as a frequency shift pattern). The frequency shift pattern indicates the order and position of receiving or transmitting signals in the frequency domain and / or the time domain in a single frequency shift period. The frequency shift pattern may be repeated periodically. A frequency shift pattern that supports intra-slot frequency shifting indicates that frequency shifting is supported within a single slot. The frequency domain start position of the frequency shift indicates the frequency domain start position of the signal corresponding to the frequency shift information, i.e., the start frequency of the bandwidth occupied by the signal corresponding to the frequency shift information. The time domain start position of the frequency shift indicates time information for starting frequency-shifted transmission of the signal corresponding to the frequency shift information. The frequency domain interval information of the frequency shift indicates the interval between two adjacent times of frequency-shifted transmission or reception in the frequency domain. The time domain interval information of the frequency shift indicates the time interval between two adjacent times of frequency-shifted transmission or reception. The quantity of periodic frequency shifts indicates the quantity of frequency shifts in a frequency shift period. The frequency shift duration indicates the duration of the frequency shift, and may be, for example, a transmission duration, a reception duration, or a number of frequency shift periods. The frequency shift quantity indicates the total number of frequency shifts of the signal corresponding to the frequency shift information.

[0198] Note that the frequency shift means that other configuration information of the first frequency domain resource does not change except for the frequency domain location, and fast switching of frequency domain resources can be realized. For example, when the first frequency domain resource is a BWP, the frequency shift can be BWP retuning or BWP switching.

[0199] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementation forms of the fourth aspect, the pattern of frequency shift indicates frequency domain information and / or time domain information in a single frequency shift period, where the frequency domain information includes at least one of the following: a first frequency domain start position, bandwidth information or a quantity of resource blocks of the frequency shift, and a first frequency domain interval information; and the time domain information includes at least one of a first time domain start position, time domain information or a quantity of symbols of the frequency shift, a frequency shift repetition factor, and a first time domain interval information.

[0200] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementation forms of the fourth aspect, the first configuration information includes association information, and the association information indicates that a Kth first frequency domain resource is associated with P first frequency domain resources, the P first frequency domain resources being P of the M first frequency domain resources, and the Kth first frequency domain resource being one of the M first frequency domain resources.

[0201] Optionally, the association information may further indicate an association relationship between at least one first frequency resource and other first frequency domain resources. For example, the association information may indicate an association relationship between each of K first frequency domain resources and multiple other first frequency domain resources, where K = {n1, n2, ..., n k}. For example, the association information may indicate that the n1-th first frequency domain resource is associated with P1 first frequency domain resources, the n2-th first frequency domain resource is associated with P2 first frequency domain resources, ..., the n k-th first frequency domain resource is associated with Pk first frequency domain resources, where P1, P2, ..., and Pk first frequency domain resources are P1, P2, ..., and Pk of the M first frequency domain resources.

[0202] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the method further includes the network device transmitting instruction information, wherein the instruction information indicates one or more of the following: activation of the Kth first frequency domain resource, activation of some or all of the M first frequency domain resources, and an activation order of some or all of the M first frequency domain resources.

[0203] Optionally, when the indication information indicates to activate the Kth first frequency domain resource, the indication information includes an identifier of the Kth first frequency domain resource.

[0204] Optionally, when the indication information indicates to activate some or all of the M first frequency domain resources, the indication information includes identifiers of some or all of the M first frequency domain resources.

[0205] In one implementation, when the indication information includes identifiers of some or all of the M first frequency domain resources, the terminal device can determine an activation order of some or all of the M first frequency domain resources based on the order of the identifiers.

[0206] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, at least two of the M first frequency domain resources overlap in the frequency domain.

[0207] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementation forms of the fourth aspect, two first frequency domain resources that are within the M first frequency domain resources and are located within adjacent time units overlap in the frequency domain.

[0208] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the method further includes the network device receiving request information, wherein the request information is used to request the first configuration information.

[0209] The request information may indicate first configuration information recommended or expected by the terminal device, for example, first frequency, bandwidth, and frequency shift information.

[0210] Optionally, the request information may indicate one or more first frequency domain resources that are recommended / expected to be activated by the terminal device and / or an activation order of the plurality of first frequency domain resources.

[0211] Referring to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first type of signal is a positioning reference signal.

[0212] According to a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device is configured to perform the method provided in the first aspect or the second aspect. Specifically, the communication device may include units and / or modules, such as a processing unit and an acquisition unit, configured to perform the method provided in the first aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementation forms of the first aspect. Alternatively, the communication device may include units and / or modules, such as a processing unit and an acquisition unit, configured to perform the method provided in the second aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementation forms of the second aspect.

[0213] In one implementation, the communication device is a terminal device. The acquisition unit may be a transceiver or an input / output interface, and the processing unit may be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0214] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip, a chip system, or a circuit in a terminal device, the acquisition unit may be an input / output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin, an associated circuit, etc. in the chip, the chip system, or the circuit, and the processing unit may be at least one processor, a processing circuit, a logic circuit, etc.

[0215] According to a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided. The device is configured to perform the method provided in the third aspect or the fourth aspect. Specifically, the communication device may include units and / or modules, such as a processing unit and an acquisition unit, configured to perform the method provided in the third aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementation forms of the third aspect. Alternatively, the communication device may include units and / or modules, such as a processing unit and an acquisition unit, configured to perform the method provided in the fourth aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementation forms of the fourth aspect.

[0216] In one implementation, the communication device is a terminal device. The acquisition unit may be a transceiver or an input / output interface, and the processing unit may be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface may be an input / output circuit.

[0217] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip, a chip system, or a circuit in a terminal device, the acquisition unit may be an input / output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin, an associated circuit, etc. in the chip, the chip system, or the circuit, and the processing unit may be at least one processor, a processing circuit, a logic circuit, etc.

[0218] According to a seventh aspect, the present application provides a processor including an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit configured to receive a signal via the input circuit and send a signal via the output circuit to enable the processor to perform a method according to any one of the first to fourth aspects and possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects.

[0219] In a particular implementation process, the processor may be a chip, the input circuit may be an input pin, the output circuit may be an output pin, and the processing circuit may be a transistor, a gate circuit, a trigger, any logic circuit, etc. An input signal received by the input circuit may be, for example, but not limited to, received and input by a receiver, and a signal output by the output circuit may be, for example, but not limited to, output to a transmitter and transmitted by the transmitter, and the input circuit and the output circuit may be the same circuit, or a circuit may be used as an input circuit and an output circuit at different times. The specific implementation forms of the processor and various circuits are not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0220] Operations such as transmitting and acquiring / receiving related to a processor may be understood as operations such as outputting, receiving, and inputting performed by a processor, or operations such as transmitting and receiving performed by a radio frequency circuit and an antenna, unless otherwise specified or unless the operations are inconsistent with the actual function or internal logic of the operations in the relevant description, which is not limited in this application.

[0221] According to an eighth aspect, there is provided a processing device including a processor and a memory, wherein the processor is configured to read instructions stored in the memory, receive a signal via the receiver, and transmit a signal via the transmitter to perform a method according to any one of the first to fourth aspects and possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects.

[0222] Optionally, there are one or more processors and one or more memories.

[0223] Optionally, the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory and processor are separately located.

[0224] In a particular implementation process, the memory may be a non-transitory memory such as a read only memory (ROM), and the memory and the processor may be integrated into one chip or separately located on different chips. The type of memory and the manner of arranging the memory and the processor are not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0225] It should be understood that a related data exchange process, such as transmitting instruction information, may be a process of outputting instruction information from a processor, and receiving capability information may be a process of receiving capability information input by a processor. Specifically, data output by a processor may be output to a transmitter, and input data received by a processor may come from a receiver. The transmitter and receiver may be collectively referred to as a transceiver.

[0226] The processing device in the eighth aspect may be a chip. The processor may be implemented using hardware or software. When the processor is implemented using hardware, the processor may be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, or the like. When the processor is implemented using software, the processor may be a general-purpose processor or may be implemented by reading software code stored in memory. The memory may be integrated into the processor or may be located outside the processor and exist independently.

[0227] According to a ninth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium storing program code to be executed by a device, the program code being used to perform the method provided in any implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0228] According to a tenth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium storing program code to be executed by a device, the program code being used to perform the method provided in any implementation of the third or fourth aspect.

[0229] According to an eleventh aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, enable the computer to perform the method provided in any implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0230] According to a twelfth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, enable the computer to perform the method provided in any implementation of the third or fourth aspect.

[0231] According to a thirteenth aspect, there is provided a communication system including a communication device according to the fifth aspect and a communication device according to the sixth aspect.

[0232] For specific beneficial effects brought about by the third to thirteenth aspects, please refer to the description of the beneficial effects in the first or second aspect, and the details will not be described again in this specification. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0233] [Figure 1] 1 shows a diagram of a network architecture to which an embodiment of the present application is applicable; [Figure 2] A diagram of conventional BWP switching technology is shown. [Figure 3] 3 shows a schematic flow chart of a communication method 300 according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] 4 shows a schematic flow chart of a communication method 400 according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 5] 1 illustrates a diagram of a frequency hopping pattern according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6] 3 shows a diagram of a BWP switching technique corresponding to a communication method 300 according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7] 7 shows a schematic flow chart of a communication method 700 according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 8] 7 shows a diagram of a BWP switching technique corresponding to a communication method 700 according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9] 9 shows a schematic flow chart of a communication method 900 according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 10] 9 shows a diagram of a BWP switching technique corresponding to a communication method 900 according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 11] 1 shows a diagram of a frequency shift pattern according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 12] 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 13] 1 shows a diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0234] The following describes the technical solutions of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0235] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application may be applicable to various communication systems, such as a global system for mobile communications (GSM), a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, a general packet radio service (GPRS), a long term evolution (LTE) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, an LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, a fifth generation (5G) system, a new radio (NR) system, a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, a third generation partnership (3GPP) system, a third generation partnership (3GPP) system, a third generation partnership (3GPP) system, a third generation partnership (3GPP) system, a fourth generation partnership (4GPP) system, a fifth ... The present invention may be applied to a communication system related to the 3GPP (registered trademark) project, another communication system that may appear in the future, or a plurality of integrated communication systems.

[0236] New radio (NR) supports three radio resource control (RRC) states, including an idle (also referred to as RRC_IDLE) state, an inactive (also referred to as RRC_INACTIVE) state, and a connected (also referred to as RRC_CONNECTED) state.

[0237] A terminal device, such as a user equipment (UE), has different characteristics when the terminal device is in different states.

[0238] When a UE is in the RRC_IDLE state, the core network does not reserve the UE's RRC context (i.e., RRC Context). The RRC context is an important parameter for establishing communication between the UE and the network, and specifically includes security context, UE capability information, etc. This also means that the UE has not established a connection to the core network (CN), i.e., is in the CN_IDLE state. In this case, the UE does not require data to be transmitted and enters a sleep state, disabling its transceiver unit to reduce power consumption.

[0239] When a UE is in the RRC_CONNECTED state, the UE has established an RRC context, all parameters required to establish communication between the UE and the network are known to both the UE and the network, the network has allocated a C-RNTI to the accessed UE, and the UE and the core network are in the CN_CONNECTED state. In this case, if the UE is transmitting data, the UE is in the continuous reception state. When the data transmission is completed and the UE enters the standby state, the UE switches to the connected discontinuous reception (DRX) state to reduce power consumption. When there is next data to transmit, the UE returns to the continuous reception state again.

[0240] When a UE is in RRC_INACTIVE state, an RRC context is reserved between the UE and the network. From the core network's point of view, the UE is also in CN_CONNECTED state. In this case, the procedure to switch to a connected state to receive data is fast and does not generate additional core network signaling overhead.

[0241] The technical solution of the present application is applicable to terminal devices in all three RRC states mentioned above.

[0242] A terminal device in an embodiment of the present application is a device having wireless transceiver functionality, and may include, for example, a handheld device with wireless connectivity or a processing device connected to a wireless modem. The terminal device communicates with a core network via a radio access network (RAN) and can exchange voice and / or data with the RAN. The terminal device may be a user equipment (UE), a wireless terminal device, a mobile terminal device, a device-to-device (D2D) terminal device, a V2X terminal device, a machine-to-machine / machine-type communications (M2M / MTC) terminal device, an internet of things (IoT) terminal device, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a remote station, an access point (AP), a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a user device, etc. In addition, terminal devices may further include devices such as mobile phones (also referred to as "cellular" phones), computers with mobile terminal devices, portable, pocket-sized, handheld, or computer-embedded mobile devices, e.g., personal communication service (PCS) phones, etc. In addition, terminal devices may alternatively be limited devices, e.g., devices with low power consumption, devices with limited storage capabilities, or devices with limited computing capabilities.For example, the terminal device includes an information sensing device such as a barcode, a radio frequency identification (RFID), a sensor, a global positioning system (GPS), or a laser scanner, etc. The terminal device may be fixed or mobile.

[0243] It should be noted that in the present application, an apparatus configured to implement the functions of a terminal device may be the terminal device itself, or may be an apparatus capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the functions of the terminal device, such as a chip system, and the apparatus may be installed in the terminal device. In the present application, a chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and another individual component.

[0244] The network device in the embodiment of this application is an access device for a terminal device to access a mobile communication system in a wireless manner, and includes an access network (AN) device, for example, a base station. Alternatively, the network device may be a device that communicates with a terminal device via an air interface. The network device may include an evolutionary Node B in a long term evolution (LTE) system or a long term evolution-advanced (LTE-A) system, where the evolutionary Node B may be abbreviated as eNB or e-Node B. The eNB is a device deployed in a radio access network, meets the fourth generation (4G) mobile communication technology standard, and provides wireless communication functions to terminal devices. Alternatively, the network device may be a new radio controller (NR controller), a gNodeB (gNode B, gNB) in a 5G system, a centralized unit, a new radio base station, a remote radio unit, a micro base station (also referred to as a small cell), a relay, a distributed unit, various forms of macro base stations, a transmission reception point (TRP), a reception point (RP), a transmission measurement function (TMF), a transmission point (TP), or any other radio access device. The embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.The network device may alternatively include a radio network controller (RNC), a Node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (e.g., a home evolved Node B or home Node B (HNB)), a baseband unit (BBU), a wireless fidelity (Wifi) access point (AP), etc. The specific technology and the specific device form used by the network device are not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The network device may correspond to an eNB in a 4G system or a gNB in a 5G system.

[0245] A base station in an embodiment of this application may include a centralized unit (CU) and distributed units (DUs), and multiple DUs may be centrally controlled by one CU. The CU and DU may be obtained through division based on protocol layer functions of a wireless network. For example, the PDCP layer and protocol layer functions above the PDCP layer are configured on the CU, and protocol layer functions below the PDCP layer, such as the RLC layer and MAC layer, are configured on the DU. It should be noted that such protocol layer division is merely an example, and division may alternatively be performed on another protocol layer. A radio frequency device may be deployed remotely and not located within the DU, or may be integrated into the DU, or may be partially located remotely and partially integrated into the DU. This is not limited to the embodiments of this application. In addition, in some embodiments, the control plane (CP) and user plane (UP) of the CU may be separated into different entities for implementation, and the entities are a control plane CU entity (CU-CP entity) and a user plane CU entity (CU-UP entity), respectively. In this network architecture, signaling generated by a CU can be transmitted to a terminal device via a DU, or signaling generated by a UE can be transmitted to a CU via a DU. The DU can directly encapsulate the signaling at a protocol layer and then transparently transmit the signaling to a UE or a CU without analyzing the signaling. In this network architecture, the CU is classified as a network device on the radio access network (RAN) side. In addition, the CU can alternatively be classified as a network device on the core network (CN) side. This is not a limitation in this application.

[0246] In the embodiments of this application, a terminal device is connected to a radio access network (RAN) device in a wireless manner, and the radio access network element is connected to a core network device in a wired / wireless manner. The core network device and the radio access network element may be different independent physical devices, and the functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the radio access network element may be integrated into the same physical device, or some functions of the core network device and some functions of the radio access network element may be integrated into one physical device. The terminal may be located at a fixed location or may be mobile.

[0247] In addition, the network device in the embodiments of the present application may alternatively be a core network device, such as a location management function (LMF) network element, a mobility management entity (MME), or a broadcast multicast service center (BMSC), or may include a corresponding functional entity in a 5G system, such as a core network control plane (CP) or user plane (UP) network function, such as an SMF or an access and mobility management function (AMF). The core network control plane may alternatively be understood as a core network control plane function (CPF) entity.

[0248] Due to the low cost and low complexity requirements of Internet of Things services (such as wearables, industrial sensors, and video surveillance), the 5G Rel-17 REDCAP subject focuses on research on reduced capability UE. This type of UE is called RedCap UE. Compared with common types of UE, such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) UE, REDCAP UE mainly has the following features:

[0249] First, RedCap UE has lower device complexity. Compared with high-end eMBB and ultra-reliable and low latency communications (URLLC) devices in Rel-15 / Rel-16, REDCAP UE is mainly used to reduce device cost and complexity, especially for industrial sensor scenarios.

[0250] Second, the REDCAP UE has a smaller device size. In most application scenarios, the device design of the REDCAP UE needs to be compact.

[0251] In addition, the deployment solution requires that the system should support all FR1 / FR2 frequency bands for FDD and TDD.

[0252] Note that the bandwidth capability of a REDCAP UE is reduced from 100 MHz (common for general UEs with unlimited bandwidth) to 20 MHz. However, the positioning accuracy depends heavily on the bandwidth of the positioning signal. A high-end eMBB UE has a 100 MHz capability, i.e., it can transmit or receive a positioning reference signal with a maximum bandwidth of 100 MHz, which can be used to achieve submeter-level positioning. Obviously, a 20 MHz positioning signal cannot be used to achieve submeter-level positioning accuracy. Therefore, a 20 MHz positioning signal cannot meet the high-precision positioning requirements. To improve the positioning accuracy of a terminal device (e.g., a REDCAP UE) with limited bandwidth capability, there are currently several technical solutions:

[0253] In the first conventional solution, positioning is performed by using a method in which reference signals are overlapped due to frequency hopping. Specifically, at different frequency hopping times, the UE transmits multiple "narrowband" reference signals (e.g., 20 MHz SRS), and the base station (receiving side) superimposes the signals received at multiple consecutive frequency hopping times to obtain a virtual wideband signal (e.g., SRS with a bandwidth close to 100 MHz), and then performs positioning. Regarding the problem of random phase differences between reference signals at different frequency hopping times, the receiving side estimates the random phase differences between reference signals at different frequency hopping times based on the partial overlap between reference signals at adjacent frequency hopping times in the frequency domain, and can achieve positioning accuracy close to 100 MHz (i.e., submeter-level positioning accuracy) after compensation. In the second solution, partial overlap between reference signals at adjacent frequency hopping times in the frequency domain may not be required. In this case, the random phase difference between the reference signals at different frequency hopping times is estimated by using some optimization algorithms (e.g., extrapolation) used by the receiving end to improve positioning accuracy. There is also a third solution. The base station transmits a large-bandwidth signal (e.g., a 100 MHz positioning reference signal), and the UE can only receive a small-bandwidth signal (e.g., a 20 MHz positioning reference signal) each time due to limited capabilities. Therefore, the core concept of the above solution is that accumulating signals received by the UE at multiple frequency hopping times is equivalent to receiving the entire wide-bandwidth signal. In addition, some optimization algorithms (e.g., extrapolation) are used to estimate the random phase difference between the reference signals at different frequency hopping times to improve positioning accuracy.

[0254] However, regardless of which of the above-mentioned frequency hopping solutions is used, the UE can improve positioning accuracy through frequency hopping transmission or reception. Because the UE can only activate one frequency resource each time during transmission (hereinafter, BWP is used as an example for explanation), BWP switching needs to be performed to realize frequency hopping. A diagram of the BWP switching process is shown in Figure 2. Specifically, it is assumed that the BWP in which the UE is currently operating or the BWP currently activated by the UE is BWP0. The UE must first switch to BWP1, and then transmit the first positioning reference signal SRS1 (which can only be transmitted within the frequency domain range of BWP1) in BWP1. To transmit the second positioning reference signal SRS2, the UE must switch to BWP2. The rest can be deduced by analogy. Currently, there are three mainstream BWP switching solutions: a radio resource control (RRC)-based BWP switching solution, a timer-based BWP switching solution, and a downlink control information (DCI)-based BWP switching solution. However, due to frequent BWP switching, these solutions have the following drawbacks:

[0255] 1. The latency of BWP switching between two adjacent frequency hops is greater than 1 ms. As a result, the channel estimation error is large, and the receiving end cannot perform accurate phase estimation and compensation. As a result, the positioning accuracy is affected.

[0256] 2. In the conventional BWP switching technology, the schedulable frequency domain range is limited to the UE capability range (20 MHz), and the frequency hopping pattern cannot be realized at high speed, resulting in large positioning latency.

[0257] 3. Frequent BWP switching causes high power consumption and high complexity of the terminal device.

[0258] Therefore, traditional positioning solutions cannot meet the requirements of low latency and high accuracy positioning.

[0259] In view of this, embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and a communication device, in which a frequency hopping transmission pattern or a frequency hopping reception pattern is implemented based on a frequency hopping indication method, and when the frequency hopping transmission pattern or the frequency hopping reception pattern is used for positioning, the positioning latency can be effectively reduced, the complexity and power consumption of the terminal can be reduced, and a low-latency and high-precision positioning solution can be provided.

[0260] The solution in the embodiments of the present application is applied to a scenario in which a device to be located is located, and can be further applied to a scenario in which sensing and positioning are integrated. In other words, "positioning" in the embodiments of the present application can alternatively be "sensing".

[0261] In order to better understand the technical solutions provided in the present application, the following will first explain in detail the terms in the embodiments of the present application.

[0262] 1. Positioning Reference Signal. In the embodiment of the present application, the positioning reference signal may include one or more of a downlink positioning reference signal (DL-PRS), an uplink sounding reference signal (UL-SRS), a PRS, or an S-PRS. In addition, one or more of other reference signals such as a CSI-RS, a synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block (SSB), and a TRS may also be used for positioning. The positioning reference signal in the present application is a reference signal that can be used for positioning information, and the specific form of the positioning reference signal is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0263] The DL-PRS is used in downlink positioning methods and uplink and downlink joint positioning methods. In a broad sense, the UL-SRS can include an uplink reference signal used for multiple input multiple output (MIMO) (i.e., MIMO-SRS) and an uplink positioning reference signal dedicated to positioning (i.e., positioning sounding reference signal (pos-SRS)). Both MIMO-SRS and pos-SRS can be used in uplink positioning methods and uplink and downlink joint positioning methods. Furthermore, when the UL-SRS is used for positioning, it is sometimes referred to as an uplink positioning reference signal. The PRS can include the DL-PRS and / or the UL-SRS. The S-PRS can be transmitted in the sidelink (SL) and is a reference signal dedicated to positioning in SL scenarios. The sidelink can also be translated as a secondary link, sidelink, or side-link.

[0264] 2. Transmission point (TP) A transmission point, also referred to as a transmitting node or a transmitting node, represents a group of transmitting antennas geographically located at the same location. This concept is applicable to a cell, part of a cell, or TP that supports only DL-PRS. A transmitting node may include an antenna of a base station (ng-eNB or gNB), a remote radio unit (RRH), a remote antenna of a base station, an antenna of a TP that supports only DL-PRS, etc. A cell may include one or more transmission points.

[0265] 3. Reception point (RP) A receiving point, also referred to as a receiving node, represents a group of receiving antennas in the same geographical location. This concept is applicable to a cell, part of a cell, or RP that supports only UL-SRS. A transmitting node can include an antenna of a base station (ng-eNB or gNB), a remote radio unit, a remote antenna of a base station, an antenna of an RP that supports only UL-SRS, etc. A cell may include one or more receiving points.

[0266] 4. Transmission-reception point (TRP) A transmitting / receiving point refers to a group of antennas geographically located at the same location and supporting TP and / or RP functions. In this application, an antenna may also be understood as an antenna array, and one antenna array may include one or more antenna elements.

[0267] 5. Physical resource block (PRB) In the frequency domain, 12 consecutive subcarriers can be defined as one PRB, regardless of the subcarrier spacing. A larger subcarrier spacing indicates a larger actual bandwidth corresponding to the PRB. This definition simplifies the design of reference signals. Specifically, the reference signal pattern defined in a PRB is applicable to all subcarrier spacings, eliminating the need to design a separate reference signal pattern for each subcarrier spacing. In addition, a PRB is the basic unit for resource allocation in the frequency domain. A PRB fixed at 12 subcarriers also makes it easier to realize frequency-division multiplexing and time-division multiplexing of data on different subcarriers.

[0268] When time-frequency domain multiplexing of data with different subcarrier spacings occurs within a single carrier, the PRB grids formed by the PRBs with different subcarrier spacings are independent of each other. In other words, the PRBs for each subcarrier spacing are numbered independently from the lowest frequency to the highest frequency. The subcarrier spacing is used to allocate resources to UEs, and the UE can determine the resources without knowing the resource allocation status of other subcarrier spacings. There is a nesting relationship between PRB grids with different subcarrier spacings, i.e., there is a superset or subset relationship between PRB grids with different subcarrier spacings.

[0269] 6. Carrier component (CC) and bandwidth part (BWP) The carrier bandwidth is the operating bandwidth of the system, and a BWP is a subset of the carrier bandwidth. A UE operates with only one BWP. From the UE's perspective, only PRBs within the BWP need to be defined and numbered. However, from the perspective of the entire system, BWPs configured for different UEs may be different or even partially overlap, and the numbers of the same PRBs within the BWP ranges of different UEs may be different. To realize configuration and management in the BWP, PRBs need to be uniformly indexed across the entire bandwidth. Therefore, NR defines common resource blocks (CRBs) in the system bandwidth. CRBs are numbered from a reference point within the system bandwidth, referred to as Point A. Within the system bandwidth, CRB grids containing CRBs with different subcarrier spacings are independent of each other. In other words, subcarrier 0 of CRB 0 in each subcarrier spacing is aligned with Point A. That is, Point A is the lowest subcarrier of CRB 0 and the actual start of the allocated resource blocks. For a UE, not all CRBs can be used. Point A can be read from two parameters: offsetToPointA and absoluteFrequencyPointA. offsetToPointA defines the frequency offset between Point A and the lowest frequency region point. absoluteFrequencyPointA directly defines the frequency of Point A in units of absolute radio frequency channel number (ARFCN).

[0270] After a UE accesses the network through the initial access process, the network can configure an operating BWP for the UE through dedicated signaling. Up to four BWPs can be configured for each UE, but only one BWP is active at any given time. In addition to radio resource management (RRM) measurements, the UE receives and transmits data only on the active BWP. The number of BWPs and BWP bandwidths supported by the UE are reported to the network as UE capabilities, and the network configures the BWPs based on the UE capabilities. Supporting multiple BWPs provides flexibility, allowing the UE to switch between different transmission bandwidths as needed. Frequency division multiplexing between transmissions with different subcarrier spacings can also be supported, i.e., different subcarrier spacings can be configured for different BWPs. In addition, in some special scenarios where the system bandwidth is discontinuous, multiple BWPs can be configured to better accommodate this frequency domain allocation scheme.

[0271] 1 shows a diagram of a network architecture according to one embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1, the network architecture may include a terminal device, an access management network element, a location management network element, a (wireless) access network device, and some network elements not shown, such as a session management network element, a network repository network element, etc.

[0272] It should be understood that the network architecture in this embodiment of the present application may be a 5th generation system (5GS), and the network elements in 5GS may also be referred to as 5G core network elements.

[0273] The following describes the functions of network elements or devices in the network architecture.

[0274] 1. A terminal device, also referred to as user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc., is a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user. For example, a terminal device may include a handheld device or an in-vehicle device with wireless connectivity. Currently, terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablet computers, notebook computers, palmtop computers, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, etc. In FIG. 1, the terminal device is represented by the use of a UE. This is used merely as an example and does not constitute a limitation on the terminal device.

[0275] 2. The access management network element is mainly used for mobility management, access management, etc. In a 5G communication system, the access management network element may be an access and mobility management function (AMF). For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the AMF mainly performs functions such as mobility management and access authentication / authorization. In addition, the AMF is also responsible for transferring user policies between the terminal and the policy control function (PCF) network element. The AMF may receive non-access stratum (NAS) signaling (including mobility management (MM) signaling and session management (SM) signaling) of the terminal device and related signaling of the access network device (e.g., base station granularity N2 (next generation (NG)2 interface) signaling exchanged with the AMF) to complete user registration procedures, SM signaling transfer, and mobility management. Specifically, the AMF network element may receive a location service request related to the target UE from a 5G core network (5GC) location services (LCS) entity, or the AMF network element may initiate some location services on behalf of a specific target UE. The AMF network element then forwards the location service request to a location management network element, obtains the location information returned by the UE, and then returns the related location information to the 5GC LCS entity. In future communications, for example, in 6G, the access management network element may still be an AMF network element or may have another name. This is not limited in the present application.

[0276] 3. The location management network element is primarily responsible for positioning management, such as receiving positioning requests from another network element (e.g., an AMF network element), collecting user positioning data, and obtaining user positions through positioning calculations. The location management network element may further manage and configure base stations or positioning management units to achieve configuration for positioning reference signals, etc. The location management network element may be a location management function (LMF) network element, a local location management function (local LMF) network element, or another network element with similar functionality. In a positioning architecture based on a 5G core network, the LMF network element may be responsible for supporting different types of location services related to a target UE, including locating the UE and sending assistance data to the UE. The control plane and user plane of the LMF network element are the evolved serving mobile location center (E-SMLC) and the service location protocol (SLP), respectively. The LMF network element can exchange the following information with the ng-eNB / gNB and the UE: exchange information with the ng-eNB / gNB via NRPPa messages, for example, to obtain PRS, SRS configuration information, cell timing, cell location information, etc.; and exchange information with the UE via LPP messages, for example, to transfer UE capability information, assistance information, and measurement information.

[0277] 4. A (radio) access network ((R)AN) device may also be referred to as an access device. The (R)AN manages radio resources, provides access services to user equipment, and can complete the transfer of user equipment data between the user equipment and the core network. The (R)AN may be understood as a base station in the network.

[0278] For example, the access network device in the embodiments of the present application may be any communication device that has a wireless transceiver function and is used to communicate with user equipment, including, but not limited to, an evolved Node B (eNB), a radio network controller (RNC), a Node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (HeNB or home Node B (HNB)), a baseband unit (BBU), an access point (AP) in a wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, a transmission point (TP), a transmission and reception point (TRP), etc. Alternatively, the access network device may be a gNB or transmission point (TRP or TP) in a 5G system such as an NR system, or one antenna panel or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system, or a network node constituting a gNB or transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU) or a distributed unit (DU). In a positioning architecture based on a 5G core network, the gNB / ng-eNB can provide measurement information to the target UE and forward the information to the LMF.

[0279] In some deployments, a gNB may include a centralized unit (CU) and a DU. The gNB may further include an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU implements some functions of the gNB, and the DU implements some functions of the gNB. For example, the CU is responsible for processing non-real-time protocols and services and for implementing functions of the radio resource control (RRC) layer and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer. The DU is responsible for processing physical layer protocols and real-time services and for implementing functions of the radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer, and physical (PHY) layer. The AAU implements some physical layer processing functions, radio frequency processing, and functions related to active antennas. Information at the RRC layer is generated by the CU and ultimately encapsulated into or converted from information at the PHY layer in the DU's PHY layer. Therefore, in this architecture, higher layer signaling, for example, RRC layer signaling, may be considered to be transmitted by the DU or by the DU and the AAU. It may be understood that an access network device may be a device including one or more of a CU node, a DU node, or an AAU node. In addition, a CU may be classified as an access network device in an access network (radio access network, RAN), or a CU may be classified as an access network device in a core network (CN). The access network device may be a next-generation radio access network (NG-RAN). This is not a limitation in the present application.

[0280] 5. The session management network element is mainly used for session management, allocation and management of internet protocol (IP) addresses of user equipment, selection and management of interface endpoints for user plane functions, policy control functions, and charging functions, downlink data notification, etc. For example, the session management network element may be a session management function (SMF) network element, which is responsible for session management functions and completes procedures such as establishment, release, and update related to protocol data unit (PDU) sessions.

[0281] 6. The network repository network element provides the function of storing and selecting network function entity information for another core network element. In a 5G communication system, the network element may be a network function repository function (NRF) network element, which mainly includes the following functions: service discovery function and maintaining NF text of available network function (NF) instances and services supported by the NF instances.

[0282] A functional network element may be a network element in a hardware device, a software function running on dedicated hardware, or a virtualized function instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). One or more services may be obtained through the division based on the functional network element described above. There may also be services that are independent of network functions. In this application, an instance of a functional network element, an instance of a service included in a functional network element, and an instance of a service independent of a network function may all be referred to as a service instance.

[0283] It should be understood that a unified description is provided herein. When the above-mentioned network elements appear in the following architectures, the above-mentioned descriptions of the functions included in the network elements are also applicable. For the sake of brevity, when the network elements appear next, the details will not be described again.

[0284] Those skilled in the art can see from Figure 1 that a user equipment (UE) may be connected to an AMF network element via an NG-RAN, which in turn is connected to an LMF network element, which in turn is connected to an E-SMLC network element and an SLP network element separately. The interfaces and connections within the architecture may include LTE-Uu, NR-Uu, NG-C, and NL1. NG-C is the control plane connection between the NG-RAN and the AMF network element, LTE-Uu is the protocol interface between the ng-eNB and the UE, NR-Uu is the protocol interface between the UE and the gNB, and NL1 is the protocol interface between the LMF network element and the AMF network element.

[0285] Indeed, the system architecture of Figure 1 may further include another network element or device, such as, but not limited to, an SMF network element, a network slice selection function (NSSF), a unified data repository (UDR), or a network repository function (NRF).

[0286] It should be understood that the interfaces or service-based interfaces between network elements shown in Figure 1 are merely examples. In 5G networks and other future networks, the interfaces or service-based interfaces between network elements may alternatively not be the interfaces shown in the figure. This is not a limitation of the present application.

[0287] It should be understood that the names of each network element shown in FIG. 1 are merely names, and the names do not constitute limitations on the functions of the network elements. In 5G networks and other future networks, the above-mentioned network elements may alternatively have other names. This is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application. For example, in a 6G network, some or all of the above-mentioned network elements may still use 5G terminology or may have other names. A general description is provided herein. Details will not be described again below.

[0288] It should be further understood that embodiments of the present application are not limited to the system architecture shown in Figure 1. For example, a communication system to which the present application is applicable may include more or fewer network elements or devices. The devices or network elements of Figure 1 may be hardware or software obtained through functional division or a combination of hardware and software. The devices or network elements of Figure 1 may communicate with each other via another device or network element.

[0289] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the following description is provided.

[0290] First, in the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified, the quantity of a noun refers to "singular or plural nouns," i.e., "one or more." "At least one" means one or more, and "plural" means two or more. "And / or" describes an association relationship between associated objects and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can indicate the following three cases: when only A exists, when both A and B exist, and when only B exists, and A and B may be singular or plural. The character " / " usually indicates an "or" relationship between associated objects. For example, A / B indicates A or B. "At least one of the following items (elements)" or similar expressions means any combination of these items, including any combination of a single item (element) or multiple items (elements). For example, at least one item (portion) of a, b, or c may represent a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c, where a, b, and c may be singular or plural.

[0291] Second, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" used in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish between multiple objects and are not intended to limit the size, content, order, time order, priority, importance, etc. of the multiple objects. For example, the first signaling and the second signaling may be the same signaling or different signaling. Furthermore, these names do not indicate that the content, amount of information, transmission order, transmitting end / receiving end, priority, importance, etc. of the two signalings are different. In addition, the step numbers in the embodiments described in the present application are used only to distinguish between different steps and are not used to limit the order of the steps, for example, to distinguish between different configuration information.

[0292] Third, in the embodiments described below, "pre-obtained" may include being indicated by a network device through signaling or being pre-defined, for example, defined in a protocol. "Pre-defined" may be realized by pre-storing a corresponding code or a corresponding table in a device (including, for example, a terminal device and a network device), or may be realized in another manner indicating related information. The specific implementation of "pre-defined" is not limited in this application.

[0293] Fourth, "stored" in the embodiments of the present application may mean stored in one or more memories. The one or more memories may be located separately or integrated into an encoder or decoder, a processor, or a communication device. Alternatively, some of the one or more memories may be located separately, and some of the one or more memories may be integrated into a translator, a processor, or a communication device. The type of memory may be any form of storage medium. This is not limited in the present application.

[0294] The following describes in detail the embodiments provided in the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0295] 3 shows a schematic flowchart of a communication method 300 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 3, the network device may be a base station, or may be a component (such as a chip or a chip system) within the network device. The terminal device may be a UE, or may be a component (such as a chip or a chip system) within the terminal device. Specifically, the method includes the following steps:

[0296] S301: A network device sends first configuration information to a terminal device.

[0297] The first configuration information indicates a first frequency domain resource, and the first frequency domain resource includes M second frequency domain resources.

[0298] Specifically, the first configuration information may include a frequency domain location, a bandwidth, and a subcarrier spacing of the first frequency domain resource. Optionally, the first configuration information may further include indication information indicating whether an extended cyclic prefix is used for the first frequency domain resource.

[0299] S302: The terminal device transmits or receives N signals in M second frequency domain resources, where the N signals are located within N time units, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and N is a positive integer.

[0300] In one implementation, the M second frequency domain resources are used by the terminal device to transmit N signals. In other words, the terminal device transmits N signals on the M second frequency domain resources, and the network device receives the N signals on the M second frequency domain resources.

[0301] In another implementation, the M second frequency domain resources are used by the terminal device to receive N signals. In other words, the network device transmits N signals on the M second frequency domain resources, and the terminal device receives the N signals on the M second frequency domain resources.

[0302] In another implementation, some of the M second frequency domain resources are used by the terminal device to transmit N signals, and the remaining second frequency domain resources are used by the terminal device to receive the N signals.

[0303] It should be understood that in this embodiment of the present application, N and M may be the same or different. When N is equal to M, M second frequency domain resources are used to transmit M signals, and the M signals may correspond one-to-one to the M second frequency domain resources. In other words, each of the M second frequency domain resources is used to transmit one signal. When N is not equal to M, no signal may be transmitted on some of the M second frequency domain resources, or multiple signals may be transmitted on each of some of the M second frequency domain resources.

[0304] It should be noted that in this embodiment of the present application, the N signals are reference signals of a first type. For example, the N signals may be PRS, SRS (e.g., DL-SRS), pos-SRS, TRS, CSI-RS, DM-RS, PT-RS, or sidelink reference signals, respectively. Alternatively, the N signals may be random access preambles. Alternatively, the N signals may be other reference signals or data. This is not a limitation in the present application.

[0305] In one implementation, the bandwidth of each of the M second frequency domain resources is smaller than the bandwidth of the first frequency domain resource.

[0306] Optionally, the total frequency range of the M second frequency domain resources completely occupies or is close to the frequency range of the first frequency domain resource, to obtain a large bandwidth positioning performance (larger than the bandwidth of the second frequency domain resource).

[0307] Optionally, at least two of the M second frequency domain resources overlap in the frequency domain. Alternatively, two second frequency domain resources within the M second frequency domain resources and located in adjacent time units overlap in the frequency domain. In this way, signal estimation can be performed based on the overlapping portions in the frequency domain to implement coherent reception at the receiving end and improve positioning accuracy.

[0308] It should be understood that in order to reduce the positioning latency, the terminal device needs to complete the transmission or reception of the N first type reference signals within a minimum time.

[0309] In a first possible implementation, the terminal device completes transmission or reception of N first-type reference signals in N consecutive time units. In other words, when transmitting a first-type reference signal in N time units, the terminal device or network device transmits the first-type reference signal in consecutive time units. To ensure the continuity of transmitting the N signals by the terminal device or network device, the first time interval needs to be less than or equal to the second time interval.

[0310] The following describes the first time interval and the second time interval in detail.

[0311] In one implementation, the first time interval is defined as the time interval between the Ith signal and the (I+1)th signal. The Ith signal and the (I+1)th signal belong to N signals, and the Ith signal and the (I+1)th signal are located within adjacent time units. In other words, the Ith signal and the (I+1)th signal are two consecutively transmitted or received signals among the N signals.

[0312] Optionally, the terminal device transmits or receives the I-th signal on the L-th second frequency domain resource, and transmits or receives the (I+1)-th signal on the (L+1)-th second frequency domain resource. It should be understood that the L-th second frequency domain resource and the (L+1)-th second frequency domain resource belong to M second frequency domain resources. The L-th second frequency domain resource and the (L+1)-th second frequency domain resource may be adjacent or non-adjacent in the frequency domain, may completely overlap in the frequency domain, or may partially overlap in the frequency domain. Alternatively, the L-th second frequency domain resource and the (L+1)-th second frequency domain resource may be the same second frequency domain resource. This is not limited in the present application.

[0313] In one implementation, the second time interval is defined as the sum of the time for switching from the first frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource and the time for switching from the third frequency domain resource to the first frequency domain resource.

[0314] Alternatively, the second time interval is the sum of a radio frequency switching time required to switch from the first frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource and a radio frequency switching time required to switch back from the third frequency domain resource to the first frequency domain resource.

[0315] Alternatively, the second time interval is a preset or predefined time interval. The preset or predefined time interval may be preset by the network device or may be agreed upon by the terminal device and the network. This is not a limitation in the present application.

[0316] Alternatively, the second time interval is a time for switching from the first frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource.

[0317] Alternatively, the second time interval is the sum of the time for switching from the first frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource and the third time interval.

[0318] Alternatively, the second time interval is the sum of the third time interval and the time for switching from the third frequency domain resource to the first frequency domain resource.

[0319] Alternatively, the second time interval is the sum of a time for switching from the first frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource, a time for switching from the third frequency domain resource to the first frequency domain resource, and the third time interval.

[0320] The third time interval is a preset or predefined time interval.

[0321] Optionally, the second time interval is a sum of a time for switching from the Lth second frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource and a time for switching from the third frequency domain resource to the (L+1)th second frequency domain resource.

[0322] Alternatively, the second time interval is a time for switching from the Lth second frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource.

[0323] Alternatively, the second time interval is the sum of the time for switching from the (L+1)th frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource and the third time interval.

[0324] Alternatively, the second time interval is the sum of the third time interval and the time for switching from the third frequency domain resource to the Lth second frequency domain resource.

[0325] Alternatively, the second time interval is the sum of a time for switching from the (L+1)th second frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource, a time for switching from the third frequency domain resource to the Lth second frequency domain resource, and the third time interval.

[0326] It should be noted that the third frequency domain resource appears in the above definitions of the first time interval and the second time interval. In the method 300 provided in this embodiment of the present application, the third frequency domain resource is a frequency domain resource different from the first frequency domain resource or the M second frequency domain resources.

[0327] In one implementation, the first frequency domain resource and the M second frequency domain resources are dedicated to transmitting or receiving a first type of reference signal, and the third frequency domain resource is used to transmit or receive at least one of a data signal, control information, and a second type of reference signal. In other words, the information carried in the third frequency domain resource is different from the information carried in the first frequency domain resource or the second frequency domain resource. For example, when a terminal device transmits a data signal in the third frequency domain resource, if the terminal device needs to transmit or receive a first type of reference signal, the terminal device needs to switch from the third frequency domain resource to the first frequency domain resource to transmit the reference signal. Similarly, when a terminal device transmits a first type of reference signal in the M second frequency domain resources of the first frequency domain resource, if the terminal device needs to transmit a data signal, the terminal device needs to switch to the third frequency domain resource and transmit the data signal in the third frequency domain resource.

[0328] In another implementation, the first frequency domain resource and the M second frequency domain resources are dedicated to transmitting or receiving a first type of reference signal, and the third frequency domain resource is used to transmit or receive at least one of a data signal, control information, the first type of reference signal, and the second type of reference signal. For example, when a terminal device transmits or receives a first type of reference signal on the first frequency domain resource, if a positioning service requirement changes (e.g., a positioning accuracy requirement decreases), the terminal device may switch the process of transmitting or receiving the first type of reference signal from the first frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource to save energy. Similarly, if a positioning service requirement changes (e.g., a positioning accuracy requirement improves), the terminal device needs to switch the process of transmitting the first type of reference signal on the third frequency domain resource to the first frequency domain resource, i.e., switch the process of transmitting or receiving the first type of reference signal from the third frequency domain resource to the first frequency domain resource.

[0329] In addition, the bandwidth of the third frequency domain resource is less than or equal to the bandwidth of the first frequency domain resource.

[0330] In the above description, the data signal may alternatively be service data, communication data, etc., for example, a data stream transmitted between a terminal device and a network device in a service communication process.

[0331] It should be noted that the third frequency domain resource may be configured by using second configuration information transmitted by the network device to the terminal device. The second configuration information may include a frequency domain location and a bandwidth of the third frequency domain resource. That is, optionally, the method 300 further includes S303. The network device transmits the second configuration information to the terminal device, and the second configuration information indicates the third frequency domain resource.

[0332] The first time interval and the second time interval are described by using an example in which the first frequency domain resource, the second frequency domain resource, and the third frequency domain resource are BWPs, and the terminal device transmits a first type of reference signal.

[0333] As shown in Figure 6, the second frequency domain resource may be BWP2, which is in the frequency hopping pattern and is used to transmit SRSs 1 to 5. When each second frequency domain resource is used to transmit one SRS, the second frequency domain resource may include BWP2-1 to BWP2-5, the third frequency domain resource may be BWP3-1 or BWP3-2, and the first frequency domain resource may be the frequency domain in which BWP2-1 to BWP2-5 are located, i.e., a large-bandwidth BWP resource including BWP1. Note that BWP3-1 and BWP3-2 may be the same or different.

[0334] For example, the first time interval may be defined as the time interval for transmitting SRS 1 and SRS 2, or the first time interval may be defined as the time interval for transmitting SRS 2 and SRS 3.

[0335] The second time interval may be the sum of the time to switch from BWP1 to BWP3-1 and the time to switch from BWP3-1 to BWP1.

[0336] Alternatively, the second time interval may be the sum of the radio frequency switching time for switching from BWP3-1 to BWP1 and the radio frequency switching time for switching from BWP1 to BWP3-1.

[0337] Alternatively, the second time interval may be the time for switching from BWP1 to BWP3-1.

[0338] Alternatively, the second time interval may be the sum of the time for switching from BWP1 to BWP3-1 and the third time interval.

[0339] Alternatively, the second time interval may be the sum of the third time interval and the time for switching from BWP3-1 to BWP1.

[0340] Alternatively, the second time interval may be the sum of the time for switching from BWP1 to BWP3-1, the time for switching from BWP3-1 to BWP1, and the third time interval.

[0341] Alternatively, the second time interval may be the sum of the time for switching from BWP2-1 to BWP3-1 and the time for switching from BWP3-1 to BWP2-2 (or any other second frequency domain resource).

[0342] Alternatively, the second time interval may be a time for switching from BWP2-1 (or any other second frequency domain resource) to BWP3-1.

[0343] Alternatively, the second time interval may be the sum of the time for switching from BWP2-1 (or any other second frequency domain resource) to BWP3-1 and the third time interval.

[0344] Alternatively, the second time interval may be the sum of the third time interval and the time for switching from BWP3-1 to BWP2-2 (or any other second frequency domain resource).

[0345] Alternatively, the second time interval may be the sum of the time for switching from BWP2-1 to BWP3-1, the time for switching from BWP3-1 to BWP2-2, and the third time interval.

[0346] Alternatively, the second time interval may be a time for switching from BWP2-1 to BWP2-2 (or any other second frequency domain resource).

[0347] It should be understood that the above examples are merely illustrative descriptions of the first and second time intervals in FIG. 6 and are not exhaustive, and other resource configurations that comply with the definitions of time intervals in this application shall fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0348] In a second possible implementation, in order to ensure continuity of transmitting the N signals by the terminal device or the network device, the first condition needs to be met when the terminal device transmits or receives the N signals.

[0349] In one implementation, the first condition is that any two signals within the N signals that are located within adjacent time units satisfy the following condition: the first time interval is less than or equal to the second time interval.

[0350] In another implementation, the first condition is that there are two signals among the N signals, located within adjacent time units, that satisfy the following condition: the first time interval is less than or equal to the second time interval. For example, if a first signal and a second signal (the first signal and the second signal are located within adjacent time units) among the N signals transmitted or received by a terminal device satisfy the following condition: the first time interval is less than or equal to the second time interval, the terminal device may be considered to satisfy the first condition. In other words, the terminal device needs to determine only once whether the first condition is satisfied when the terminal device transmits or receives N signals.

[0351] It should be understood that for the second time interval under the first condition, please refer to the relevant description in the first implementation, and the details will not be described again in this specification.

[0352] It should be noted that in this embodiment of the present application, when the first condition is met, the terminal device transmits or receives N signals in M second frequency domain resources, and when the first condition is not met, the terminal device transmits or receives at least one of a data signal, control information, and a second type reference signal in a third frequency domain resource.

[0353] In addition, the network device may configure the third frequency domain resource for the terminal device before or after configuring the first frequency domain resource, or may configure the third frequency domain resource and the first frequency domain resource simultaneously. This is not limited in the present application. When the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource are configured simultaneously, the first configuration information and the second configuration information may be transmitted simultaneously. In this case, the first configuration information and the second configuration information may be transmitted in the same message or in different messages.

[0354] Based on the above solution, the communication method provided in the present application allows a terminal device to transmit or receive N signals in M second frequency domain resources within a first frequency domain resource configured by a network device, so that the network device does not need to configure configuration information for the M second frequency domain resources, thereby improving network efficiency and reducing complexity. In addition, continuous frequency hopping transmission of N signals is realized based on the criterion of the first condition, thereby reducing latency.

[0355] In a first implementation, the communication method 300 provided in the present application may further include another step.

[0356] S304: The terminal device determines that a first condition is met.

[0357] The first condition may be preset in the terminal device and the network device. If the terminal device determines that the first condition is met, the terminal device executes S302.

[0358] Specifically, the terminal device may determine that the first condition is met before S301, i.e., after the terminal device determines that the first condition is met, the terminal device executes S301 to S303. Alternatively, the terminal device may determine that the first condition is met after S301, i.e., after the terminal device receives the first configuration information and determines that the first condition is met, the terminal device executes S302.

[0359] It should be understood that "pre-set" may include being pre-defined, for example, defined in a protocol. "Pre-defined" may be realized by pre-storing a corresponding code or a corresponding table in a device, or by another method of indicating related information. The specific implementation of "pre-defined" is not limited in this application.

[0360] Optionally, the method may further include S305, in which the terminal device sends first indication information to the network device, the first indication information indicating that the first condition is met when the terminal device sends or receives a signal.

[0361] S306: The network device sends second instruction information to the terminal device.

[0362] Specifically, the network device sends second instruction information to the terminal device to instruct it to switch from the second frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource.

[0363] It should be understood that after the terminal device receives the second instruction information, the terminal device switches from transmitting or receiving N signals in the M second frequency domain resources to transmitting or receiving N signals in the third frequency domain resource, or transmitting or receiving another signal in the third frequency domain resource.

[0364] For example, the network device sends the second indication information to the terminal device when one or more of the following conditions are met, for example, after the terminal device completes the transmission or reception of N signals, after the network device determines that the terminal device does not satisfy the first condition, or after the positioning procedure or the positioning service is terminated. The above-mentioned conditions can be understood as a scenario in which the network device sends the second indication information to the terminal device being a scenario in which the terminal device no longer needs to transmit N signals in the second frequency domain resource or does not satisfy the condition for transmitting N signals.

[0365] It should be noted that S306 does not depend on S305 and may be executed independently.

[0366] In another possible implementation, the method 300 includes the following steps.

[0367] S307: The network device sends first indication information to the terminal device.

[0368] Specifically, the network device may send first indication information to the terminal device, to indicate to the terminal device not to perform frequency domain resource switching when the terminal device transmits or receives N signals in the M second frequency domain resources, that is, the first indication information directly indicates that the terminal device does not need to switch from the second frequency domain resource (or the first frequency domain resource) to a third frequency domain resource or another frequency domain resource when transmitting or receiving the N first signals.

[0369] S308: The network device sends second instruction information to the terminal device.

[0370] Specifically, the network device sends second instruction information to the terminal device to instruct it to switch from the second frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource.

[0371] For example, the network device sends the second indication information to the terminal device when one or more of the following conditions are met, for example, after the terminal device completes the transmission or reception of N signals, after the network device determines that the terminal device does not satisfy the first condition, or after the positioning procedure or the positioning service is terminated. The above-mentioned conditions can be understood as a scenario in which the network device sends the second indication information to the terminal device being a scenario in which the terminal device no longer needs to transmit N signals in the second frequency domain resource or does not satisfy the condition for transmitting N signals.

[0372] In addition, the communication method 300 provided in the present application may further include S309 to S311.

[0373] S309: The terminal device sends request information to the network device, where the request information is used to request the first configuration information.

[0374] It should be understood that in some scenarios, the frequency domain resources currently configured by the network cannot meet the requirements of the terminal device, such as the positioning performance requirements. In this case, the terminal device requests first configuration information from the network device to meet the service requirements of the terminal. In addition, the network device transmits the first configuration information to the terminal device only after receiving the requested information of the terminal device. This can also improve the reliability of network system communication and avoid wasting communication resources.

[0375] The request information may indicate first configuration information recommended or expected by the terminal device, for example, frequency domain configuration information, time domain configuration information, or frequency hopping configuration information.

[0376] Optionally, the request information may indicate the first frequency domain resource or M second frequency domain resources recommended / expected by the terminal device.

[0377] In this embodiment of the present application, after the network device receives N first signals, for example, N SRSs, transmitted by the terminal device at N frequency hopping time points, optionally, the method 300 further includes:

[0378] S310: The network device estimates a phase difference between two frequency hopping signals in two adjacent time units based on the channel estimation result of the overlapping part in the frequency domain, and then performs phase compensation.

[0379] S311: The network device superimposes SRS signals received at multiple frequency hopping times in the time domain to recover a large bandwidth signal for positioning.

[0380] It should be understood that the network device may perform at least one of S310 and S311 based on an application scenario.

[0381] Additionally, in another implementation, the method 300 may further include step S312.

[0382] S312: The terminal device reports the third indication information to the network device.

[0383] Specifically, the terminal device reports third indication information to the network device to indicate that the terminal device supports the first condition or capability item.

[0384] The capability item indicates that frequency domain resources are not switched when the first time interval is equal to or shorter than the second time interval. In this case, the terminal device completes transmission or reception of N signals on the first frequency domain resource in the I time unit, and transmits or receives N signals on the first frequency domain resource in the (I+1) time unit. Alternatively, the terminal device may be understood to complete transmission or reception of the I signal on the L second frequency domain resource, and transmit or receive the (I+1) signal on the (L+1) second frequency domain resource.

[0385] When the first time interval is greater than the second time interval, the frequency domain resource is switched, which may also be understood as the terminal device completing transmission or reception of N signals on the first frequency domain resource in the I-th time unit, and transmitting or receiving N signals, or other signals, data, or control information, on the third frequency domain resource in the (I+1)-th time unit.

[0386] Optionally, the capability item indicates that if the first time interval is equal to or shorter than the second time interval and no signal, data, or control information with a priority higher than the priority of the N signals is scheduled on the third frequency domain resource within the duration of the first time interval, the frequency domain resource is not switched. This may also be understood as the terminal device completing transmission or reception of N signals on the first frequency domain resource in the I time unit and transmitting or receiving N signals on the first frequency domain resource in the (I+1) time unit. Alternatively, this may be understood as the terminal device completing transmission or reception of the I signal on the L second frequency domain resource and transmitting or receiving the (I+1) signal on the (L+1) second frequency domain resource.

[0387] When the first time interval is greater than the second time interval or signals, data, or control information with a higher priority than the priorities of the N signals are scheduled on the third frequency domain resource (network) during the time period of the first time interval, the frequency domain resource is switched, which may also be understood as the terminal device completing transmission or reception of the N signals on the first frequency domain resource in the I-th time unit, and transmitting or receiving the N signals or other signals, data, or control information with a higher priority on the third frequency domain resource in the (I+1)-th time unit.

[0388] In one implementation, the third indication information may indicate that the terminal device supports the first condition when the terminal device transmits or receives the N signals before step S301. Alternatively, the third indication information and the first indication information may be transmitted simultaneously, for example, both transmitted in S305, S312, or another step. This is not limited in the present application.

[0389] For example, the third indication information may be included in the capability information reported by the terminal device to indicate that the terminal device supports the first condition or capability item.

[0390] The network device can timely know the capability information of the terminal device based on the third indication information, and can configure corresponding resources for the terminal device based on the capability information, so that the reliability of resource configuration by the network can be improved.

[0391] It should be noted that the operations performed by the network device in the communication method 300 provided in this embodiment of the present application may alternatively be performed by another terminal device, for example, in a scenario where sidelink positioning is supported. In other words, the above-mentioned interaction procedure between the network device and the terminal device may be completed by exchanging information between the two terminal devices.

[0392] The following describes in detail the method for configuring N signals. Specifically, Figure 4 shows a schematic flowchart of a method 400 for configuring N signals according to an embodiment of the present application. Specifically, the method includes the following steps:

[0393] S401: The network device sends third configuration information to the terminal device.

[0394] Specifically, the third configuration information includes frequency domain configuration information and time domain configuration information, and / or frequency hopping configuration information of at least one of the N signals.

[0395] In one implementation, the third configuration information includes configuration information and frequency hopping configuration information for the N signals. The configuration information for the N signals includes time-domain configuration information for the N signals and / or frequency-domain configuration information for the N signals. The frequency hopping configuration information includes one or more of information such as a frequency hopping period, supported intra-slot frequency hopping, a frequency-domain starting position of a frequency hop, a frequency hopping duration, and a quantity of frequency hops. Optionally, when the third configuration information includes configuration information and frequency hopping configuration information for the N signals, the frequency hopping configuration information includes one or more of information such as a frequency hopping period, supported intra-slot frequency hopping, a frequency-domain starting position of a frequency hop, a frequency hopping duration, and a quantity of frequency hops.

[0396] In other implementations, the third configuration information may include configuration information for at least one signal and frequency hopping configuration information. The at least one signal may be fewer than N signals, i.e., one or more signals. If there is one signal, the third configuration information includes configuration information for the single signal. If there are two or more signals, the third configuration information includes configuration information for two or more signals. The configuration information for at least one signal includes frequency domain configuration information for at least one signal and / or time domain configuration information for at least one signal. The frequency hopping configuration information may include a frequency hopping pattern, a frequency hopping period, supported intra-slot frequency hopping, frequency domain starting positions of frequency hops, frequency domain interval information of frequency hops, time domain interval information of frequency hops, etc.

[0397] In another implementation, the third configuration information includes only configuration information of the N signals, and the configuration information of the N signals includes time-domain configuration information of the N signals and / or frequency-domain configuration information of the N signals. Optionally, the N signals are transmitted or received periodically.

[0398] In another implementation, the third configuration information includes only frequency hopping configuration information, in which case the terminal device can obtain the configuration information of at least one of the N signals based on other configuration information or other information.

[0399] In addition, the third configuration information may further include other configuration information, such as one or more of the following: scrambling code information, density information, reservation time information, retuning time information, and non-simultaneous transmission information. The scrambling code information includes at least one of the following: a scrambling code range and a scrambling code value set for m signals. The density information is the number of times m signals are transmitted within a specific time range. The reservation time information is the length of time that needs to be reserved before m signals are transmitted, the length of time that needs to be reserved after m signals are transmitted, or the length of time that needs to be reserved between two adjacent time units. The retuning time information is the time occupied by frequency retuning (radio frequency retuning, RF retuning). The non-simultaneous transmission information means that when transmitting m signals, the terminal device does not support transmission of information other than m signals.

[0400] It should be noted that the frequency domain configuration information and / or the time domain configuration information correspond to signals. For example, the frequency domain configuration information of N signals and the time domain configuration information of N signals include N frequency domain configuration information and N time domain configuration information. In other words, each of the N frequency domain configuration information includes frequency domain information, e.g., frequency domain position information, of the corresponding signal, and each of the N time domain configuration information includes time domain information, e.g., time domain position information, of the corresponding signal. In addition, each of the N frequency domain configuration information and each of the N time domain configuration information may further include other information, which may be the same or different.

[0401] The frequency hopping configuration information includes at least one of the following: frequency hopping period, frequency hopping pattern, supported intra-slot frequency hopping, frequency domain start position of the frequency hop, time domain start position of the frequency hop, frequency domain interval information of the frequency hop, number of periodic frequency hops, frequency hopping duration, and number of frequency hops.

[0402] The frequency hopping period is the duration of a frequency hopping pattern. The frequency hopping pattern indicates the order and position of receiving or transmitting signals in the frequency domain and / or the time domain in a single frequency hopping period, as shown in FIG. 5 . Optionally, the frequency hopping pattern may be repeated periodically. Supported intra-slot frequency hopping indicates that frequency hopping is supported within a single slot. The frequency-domain start position of the frequency hop indicates the frequency-domain start position of the signal corresponding to the frequency hopping configuration information, i.e., the start frequency of the bandwidth occupied by the signal corresponding to the frequency hopping configuration information. The time-domain start position of the frequency hop indicates time information for starting frequency hopping transmission of the signal corresponding to the frequency hopping configuration information. The frequency-domain interval information of the frequency hop indicates the interval between two adjacent times of frequency hopping transmission or reception in the frequency domain. The time-domain interval information of the frequency hop indicates the time interval between two adjacent times of frequency hopping transmission or reception. The number of periodic frequency hops indicates the number of frequency hops in one frequency hopping period. The frequency hopping duration indicates the duration of a frequency hop, and may be, for example, a transmission duration, a reception duration, or a number of frequency hopping periods. The number of frequency hops indicates the total number of frequency hops of a signal corresponding to the frequency hopping configuration information or the number of repetitions of a frequency hopping pattern. For example, when transmission is performed in m periods, the number of frequency hops is equal to m * the number of periodic frequency hops.

[0403] In some embodiments, the frequency hopping pattern indicates frequency domain information and / or time domain information in a single frequency hopping period. A single frequency hopping period may be one or more radio frames, one or more subframes, one or more slots, one or more symbols, etc. In this embodiment of the application, an example in which a single frequency hopping period is one slot is used for illustration purposes.

[0404] First, the frequency domain information for a single frequency hopping period is described.

[0405] Specifically, the frequency domain configuration information in a single frequency hopping period includes at least one of the following: a first frequency domain starting position, bandwidth information or the number of resource blocks (RB / PRB) of the frequency hop, and a first frequency domain spacing information.

[0406] The first frequency domain starting position is the frequency domain position of the first frequency hop in a single frequency hopping period, or the position of the starting RB / PRB of the frequency hop. The frequency hop bandwidth information is the total bandwidth occupied by the frequency hops in a single frequency hopping period, or the bandwidth occupied by a single frequency hop. The bandwidth may be in units of RB, PRB, RE, or MHz, or may be in another unit. In this embodiment of the present application, RB / PRB is used as the unit for description. The first frequency domain interval information is frequency hopping bandwidth information of the interval between two adjacent frequency hops in a single frequency hopping period, frequency hopping bandwidth information between the frequency domain position of the Nth frequency hop and the frequency domain starting position, or frequency domain interval information between the frequency domain position of the Nth frequency hop and the frequency domain reference point.

[0407] Specifically, the first frequency-domain spacing information is bandwidth information of the spacing between two adjacent frequency hops in a single frequency hopping period. For example, the first frequency-domain spacing information may be the number of RBs / PRBs between the end frequency-domain position of the Nth frequency hop and the start frequency-domain position of the (N+1)th frequency hop. In another example, the first frequency-domain spacing information may be the number of RBs / PRBs between the start frequency-domain position of the Nth frequency hop and the start frequency-domain position of the (N+1)th frequency hop. In another example, the first frequency-domain spacing information may be the number of RBs / PRBs between the end frequency-domain position of the Nth frequency hop and the end frequency-domain position of the (N+1)th frequency hop. In another example, the first frequency-domain spacing information is the number of RBs / PRBs between the first RB / PRB of the (N+1)th frequency hop and the last RB / PRB of the Nth frequency hop.

[0408] In some embodiments, the first frequency domain spacing information may be M RBs / PRBs, where M may be a positive integer, 0, or a negative integer. For example, a positive integer may indicate that the (N+1)th frequency hop and the Nth frequency hop are spaced apart or do not overlap in the frequency domain, or that the starting frequency of the (N+1)th frequency hop is higher than the starting frequency of the Nth frequency hop; 0 may indicate that there is no spacing between the (N+1)th frequency hop and the Nth frequency hop in the frequency domain, or that the spacing is 0 RBs / 0 PRBs; and a negative integer indicates that the (N+1)th frequency hop and the Nth frequency hop overlap in the frequency domain, or that the starting frequency of the (N+1)th frequency hop is lower than the starting frequency of the Nth frequency hop. Optionally, M is an integer multiple of 4.

[0409] When the first frequency domain interval information indicates frequency hopping bandwidth information between the frequency domain position of the Nth frequency hop and the frequency domain start position in a single frequency hopping period, for example, the first frequency domain interval information is the number of RBs / PRBs between the start frequency domain position of the Nth frequency hop and the frequency domain start position, or the first frequency domain interval information is the number of RBs / PRBs between the first RB / PRB of the Nth frequency hop and the start RB / PRB of the frequency hop.

[0410] In some embodiments, the first frequency-domain spacing information may be M RBs / PRBs, where M may be a positive integer, 0, or a negative integer. For example, a positive integer may indicate that the frequency of the Nth frequency hop is higher than the frequency of the frequency-domain starting location, 0 indicates that the frequency of the Nth frequency hop is the frequency of the frequency-domain starting location or that the spacing between the frequency of the Nth frequency hop and the frequency-domain starting location is 0 RBs / PRBs, and a negative integer indicates that the frequency of the Nth frequency hop is lower than the frequency of the frequency-domain starting location. Optionally, M is an integer multiple of 4.

[0411] When the frequency hopping pattern indicates frequency domain information for a single frequency hopping period, in some embodiments, the frequency domain information for the single frequency hopping period includes a frequency domain starting position, a number of RBs / PRBs occupied by the single frequency hop, and a number of RBs / PRBs in the interval between two adjacent frequency hops within the single frequency hopping period. In some other embodiments, the frequency domain information for the single frequency hopping period includes a frequency domain starting position, a number of RBs / PRBs occupied by the frequency hop, and a number of RBs / PRBs in the interval between two adjacent frequency hops within the single frequency hopping period. In still some other embodiments, the frequency domain information for the single frequency hopping period includes a frequency domain starting position, a number of RBs / PRBs occupied by the single frequency hop, and a number of RBs / PRBs between the frequency domain position of the Nth frequency hop and the frequency domain starting position within the single frequency hopping period. In some other embodiments, the frequency domain information for a single frequency hopping period includes a frequency domain starting position, a number of RBs / PRBs occupied by the frequency hop, and a number of RBs / PRBs between the frequency domain position of the Nth frequency hop within the single frequency hopping period and the frequency domain starting position.

[0412] It should be noted that the frequency-domain starting position in the single frequency hopping period included in the frequency-domain information in the single frequency hopping period is optional. For example, when the frequency hopping configuration information already includes information about the frequency-domain starting position (the frequency-domain position where the initial frequency hop is enabled), the frequency-domain information in the single frequency hopping period does not need to include the frequency-domain starting position in the single frequency hopping period.

[0413] In addition, please note that the content included in the frequency domain information in a single frequency hopping period in the above-mentioned embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the scope of protection of the solution of the present application. In other words, in the solution of the present application, the content included in the frequency domain information in a single frequency hopping period may further include another unlisted combination of the first frequency domain start position, frequency hop bandwidth information or the number of resource blocks, and first frequency domain interval information.

[0414] Next, the time domain information for a single frequency hopping period is described.

[0415] Specifically, the frequency domain configuration information in a single frequency hopping period includes at least one of the following: a first time domain starting position, time domain information or number of symbols of the frequency hop, a frequency hopping repetition factor, a first time domain interval information, and information indicating that time domain discontinuous frequency hopping is supported.

[0416] The first time-domain start location is the time-domain location of the first frequency hop in a single frequency hopping period or the start orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol. The time-domain information / symbol quantity of the frequency hop is the total duration occupied by the frequency hop in a single frequency hopping period (e.g., the total number of symbols occupied by the frequency hop in a single slot (excluding symbols occupied by the frequency hopping interval) or the total number of symbols occupied by the frequency hop in a single slot (including symbols occupied by the frequency hopping interval)) or the duration or quantity of symbols occupied by a single frequency hop (e.g., the quantity of symbols occupied by a single frequency hop). The frequency hopping repetition factor is the quantity of frequency hops in a single frequency hopping period. The first time-domain interval information is the duration or quantity of symbols of the interval between two adjacent frequency hops in a single frequency hopping period or the duration or quantity of symbols between the time-domain start location of the Nth frequency hop and the time-domain start location. The information indicating that time domain discontinuous frequency hopping is supported means that there is a gap in the time domain between at least two adjacent frequency hops in a single frequency hopping period.

[0417] Specifically, when the time domain information of a frequency hop is the duration or the number of symbols occupied by a single frequency hop (e.g., K1 symbols), the frequency hopping repetition factor L can indicate that a total of L frequency hops occur in a single frequency hopping period, with each frequency hop occupying K1 symbols in the time domain.

[0418] When the time-domain information of a frequency hop is the total duration or total number of symbols occupied by the frequency hops in a single frequency hopping period (e.g., a total of K symbols excluding the number of symbols occupied by the frequency hopping interval), the ratio of the time-domain information of the frequency hop to the frequency hopping repetition factor L (K / L) can indicate that a total of L frequency hops occur in a single frequency hopping period, with each frequency hop occupying K / L symbols in the time domain.

[0419] When the frequency hopping pattern indicates time-domain information for a single frequency hopping period, in some embodiments, the time-domain information for the single frequency hopping period includes a time-domain starting position, time-domain information for the frequency hops (the total number of symbols occupied by frequency hops in a single slot or the quantity of symbols occupied by a single frequency hop), a frequency hopping repetition factor, and time-domain interval information for the frequency hops in the single frequency hopping period. In some other embodiments, the time-domain information for the single frequency hopping period includes a time-domain starting position, time-domain information for the frequency hops (the total number of symbols occupied by frequency hops in a single slot), and a frequency hopping repetition factor for the single frequency hopping period. In this case, if the time-domain information for the frequency hops is the total number of symbols occupied by frequency hops in a single slot and equal-spaced frequency hopping is performed, the terminal device can estimate the time-domain pattern of the frequency hops. In some other embodiments, the time-domain information for the single frequency hopping period includes a time-domain starting position, time-domain information for the frequency hops (the total number of symbols occupied by frequency hops in a single slot), and time-domain interval information for the frequency hops in the single frequency hopping period.

[0420] It should be noted that the time-domain start position for a single frequency hopping period included in the time-domain information for a single frequency hopping period is optional. For example, when the frequency hopping configuration information already includes information regarding the time-domain start position (the time-domain position at which the initial frequency hop is enabled), the time-domain information for a single frequency hopping period may not include the time-domain start position for a single frequency hopping period.

[0421] In addition, the contents included in the time domain information for a single frequency hopping period in the above-described embodiments are merely examples and do not limit the scope of protection of the solution of the present application. In other words, in the solution of the present application, the contents included in the time domain information for a single frequency hopping period may further include other unlisted combinations of the first time domain start position, the number of time domain information or symbols of frequency hops, the frequency hopping repetition factor, the first time domain interval information, and information indicating that time domain discontinuous frequency hopping is supported.

[0422] It should be further noted that the above-described embodiments only enumerate the cases where the frequency hopping pattern indicates frequency domain information in a single frequency hopping period or the case where the frequency hopping pattern indicates frequency domain information in a single frequency hopping period. It should be understood that in the solution of the present application, the frequency hopping pattern may alternatively indicate both frequency domain information in a single frequency hopping period and frequency domain information in a single frequency hopping period. In this case, the content included in the frequency domain information in a single frequency hopping period and the time domain information in a single frequency hopping period may be any combination of information based on a usage scenario. The details will not be described again in this specification.

[0423] In one implementation, the frequency hopping configuration information may include a frequency hopping pattern shown in Figure 5. Specifically, a frequency domain location of a particular frequency hop in the frequency hopping pattern, for example, a frequency domain location of an initial frequency hop or an end of a frequency hop, may be indicated in the third configuration information, and then, for example, one of {0,1,2,3,4}, {4,3,2,1,0}, {0,3,1,4,2}, or {2,0,1,3,4} is indicated in the configuration of the frequency hopping pattern, where {0,1,2,3,4}, {4,3,2,1,0}, {0,3,1,4,2}, and {2,0,1,3,4} correspond to (a) to (d) in Figure 5, respectively.

[0424] For example, if the third configuration information indicates that the frequency domain position of the first signal among the N signals is 0 and the frequency hopping pattern is {0, 1, 2, 3, 4}, the frequency hopping configuration in one period is shown in (a) of Figure 5. In the frequency hopping process, the terminal device can periodically transmit or receive N signals based on the frequency hopping pattern.

[0425] It should be understood that FIG. 5 only shows the frequency hopping pattern of one period, and in the frequency hopping process, the frequency hopping pattern of all periods is the same.

[0426] It should be noted that the third configuration information may be included in the first configuration information, or if the N signals are SRSs, the third configuration information may be carried in an RRC message, for example, an information element (IE) IE SRS-Config, an LPP message, or another message.

[0427] In a specific implementation, the communication method 300 provided in this embodiment of the present application will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6 by using an example in which the first frequency domain resource, the second frequency domain resource, and the third frequency domain resource in this embodiment of the present application are BWP, the terminal device is a REDCAP terminal device, and the N signals are N signals transmitted by the terminal device to the network device.

[0428] The communication bandwidth of the REDCAP terminal device is 20 MHz. Specifically, when the REDCAP terminal device transmits N signals with the network device, the maximum bandwidth is 20 MHz. In other words, for the REDCAP terminal device, the bandwidth corresponding to the second frequency domain resource or the third frequency domain resource is 20 MHz.

[0429] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, the first frequency domain resource indicated by the first configuration information configured by the network device for the terminal device is a 100 MHz BWP1, and the first frequency domain resource may include five second frequency domain resources BWP2 (including BWP2-1 to BWP2-5), where the second frequency domain resource is 20 MHz. In addition, the third frequency domain resource BWP3 (e.g., BWP3-1 or BWP3-2) is also 20 MHz. Optionally, the first frequency domain resource is dedicated to transmitting or receiving a positioning reference signal. After the terminal device receives the first configuration information, the terminal device can determine information about the five BWP2s, such as frequency domain start positions and frequency domain end positions, obtain the resources of the BWP2s, and transmit N SRSs in the five BWP2s. In FIG. 6, one SRS is transmitted in one BWP2, and the number of periodic frequency hops is five. Therefore, a total of five SRSs are transmitted in each period. In one implementation, when the terminal device satisfies the first condition, the terminal device may report first indication information to the network device to indicate that the terminal device currently satisfies the first condition. Alternatively, the terminal device may report indication information to the network device to indicate that the terminal device supports the first condition. Optionally, the terminal device may further transmit request information to the network device to request first configuration information. When the terminal device transmits the SRS, if the currently operating BWP is BWP3-1, after indicating that the network device will switch from the current BWP3-1 to BWP1, the terminal device transmits five SRSs in five BWP2s, and performs transmission in one or more cycles until the transmission is completed. After the transmission is completed, the network device may instruct the network device to switch from the last BWP2 to BWP3-2 via the indication information.

[0430] It should be understood that the above description is merely an example and not a limitation. Specifically, there may be other interactions or execution processes between the network device and the terminal device. For example, the terminal device determines that the first condition is met. For details, please refer to the related description of FIG. 3. The example will not be described again in this specification.

[0431] 7 shows a schematic flowchart of a communication method 700 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 7, the network device may be a base station, or may be a component (such as a chip or a chip system) within the network device. The terminal device may be a UE, or may be a component (such as a chip or a chip system) within the terminal device. Specifically, the method includes the following steps:

[0432] S701: A network device sends first configuration information to a terminal device.

[0433] The first configuration information indicates M first frequency domain resources. A "frequency domain resource" is a segment of contiguous frequency domain resources or a frequency point in the frequency domain. Multiple resource granularities may exist. For example, the frequency domain resource may be one of a subcarrier, a RB, a BWP, a CC, a band, a frequency band, a frequency layer, a frequency point, or a frequency range.

[0434] In one implementation, the first configuration information may include M first frequencies and bandwidths and / or frequency shift information.

[0435] In another implementation, the first configuration information may include a first frequency and bandwidth and / or frequency shift information of at least one of the M first frequency domain resources.

[0436] The first frequency is the start frequency, center frequency, or end frequency of the first frequency resource.

[0437] Note that the first frequencies correspond to signals. For example, the first frequencies of N signals include N first frequencies. In other words, each of the N first frequencies is the first frequency of the corresponding signal.

[0438] The frequency shift information includes at least one of the following: frequency shift period, frequency shift pattern, supported intra-slot frequency shift, frequency domain start position of frequency shift, time domain start position of frequency shift, frequency domain interval information of frequency shift, number of periodic frequency shifts, duration of frequency shift, and number of frequency shifts.

[0439] The frequency shift period is the duration of a frequency shift pattern (sometimes referred to as a frequency shift pattern). The frequency shift pattern indicates the order and position of receiving or transmitting signals in the frequency domain and / or the time domain in a single frequency shift period. For the frequency shift pattern, see the frequency shift pattern shown in FIG. 11. Similarly, the frequency shift pattern may be repeated periodically. A frequency shift pattern that supports intra-slot frequency shifting indicates that frequency shifting is supported within a single slot. The frequency domain start position of the frequency shift indicates the frequency domain start position of the signal corresponding to the frequency shift information, i.e., the start frequency of the bandwidth occupied by the signal corresponding to the frequency shift information. The time domain start position of the frequency shift indicates time information for starting frequency-shifted transmission of the signal corresponding to the frequency shift information. The frequency domain interval information of the frequency shift indicates the interval between two adjacent times of frequency-shifted transmission or reception in the frequency domain. The time domain interval information of the frequency shift indicates the time interval between two adjacent times of frequency-shifted transmission or reception. The quantity of periodic frequency shifts indicates the quantity of frequency shifts in a frequency shift period. The frequency shift duration indicates the duration of the frequency shift, and may be, for example, the transmission duration, the reception duration, or the number of frequency shift periods. The number of frequency shifts indicates the total number of frequency shifts of the signal corresponding to the frequency shift information or the number of repetitions of the frequency shift pattern. When the frequency shift duration includes m periods, the number of frequency shifts is equal to m * the number of periodic frequency shifts.

[0440] Note that the frequency shift means that other configuration information of the first frequency domain resource does not change except for the frequency domain location, and fast switching of frequency domain resources can be realized. For example, when the first frequency domain resource is a BWP, the frequency shift can be BWP retuning or BWP switching.

[0441] In addition, the first configuration information may further include indication information indicating a subcarrier spacing of the M first frequency domain resources and / or whether an extended cyclic prefix is used for the M first frequency domain resources.

[0442] In one implementation, the frequency shift information may be configured by using a frequency shift pattern shown in Figure 11. Specifically, a frequency domain position of a frequency shift in the frequency shift pattern, for example, a frequency domain position of an initial frequency shift or an end of a frequency shift, may be indicated in the first configuration information, and then, for example, one of {0,1,2,3,4}, {4,3,2,1,0}, {0,3,1,4,2}, or {2,0,1,3,4} is indicated in the configuration of the frequency shift pattern, where {0,1,2,3,4}, {4,3,2,1,0}, {0,3,1,4,2}, and {2,0,1,3,4} correspond to (a) to (d) in Figure 11, respectively.

[0443] For example, if the first frequency (e.g., start frequency) of a first frequency domain resource among the M first frequency domain resources in the first configuration information is 0, and the first configuration information indicates that the frequency shift pattern is {0, 1, 2, 3, 4}, the frequency shift configuration in one period is shown in (a) of Figure 5.

[0444] It should be understood that FIG. 11 shows the frequency shift pattern of only one period, and the frequency shift pattern of all periods is the same in frequency shift duration.

[0445] It should be noted that when the N signals are SRS, the first configuration information is carried in the IE SRS-Config.

[0446] S702: The terminal device transmits or receives N signals in M first frequency domain resources, where the N signals are located within N time units, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and N is a positive integer.

[0447] It should be understood that N and M may be the same or different. When N is equal to M, M first frequency domain resources are used to transmit M signals, and the M signals may correspond one-to-one to the M first frequency domain resources. In other words, each of the M first frequency domain resources is used to transmit one signal. When N is not equal to M, no signal may be transmitted on some of the M first frequency domain resources, or multiple signals may be transmitted on some of the M first frequency domain resources.

[0448] In a possible implementation, when the terminal device completes transmitting or receiving N first type reference signals in N consecutive time units, the first time interval is less than or equal to the second time interval.

[0449] The following describes the first time interval and the second time interval in detail.

[0450] In a possible implementation, the first time interval is defined as the time interval between the Ith signal and the (I+1)th signal. The Ith signal and the (I+1)th signal belong to N signals, and the Ith signal and the (I+1)th signal are located within adjacent time units. In other words, the Ith signal and the (I+1)th signal are two consecutively transmitted or received signals among the N signals.

[0451] Optionally, the terminal device transmits or receives the I-th signal in the L-th first frequency-domain resource, and transmits or receives the (I+1)-th signal in the (L+1)-th first frequency-domain resource. It should be understood that the L-th first frequency-domain resource and the (L+1)-th first frequency-domain resource belong to the M first frequency-domain resources. The L-th first frequency-domain resource and the (L+1)-th first frequency-domain resource may be adjacent or non-adjacent in the frequency domain, may completely overlap in the frequency domain, or may partially overlap in the frequency domain. This is not limited in the present application.

[0452] In a possible implementation, the second time interval is a pre-set or pre-defined time interval. The pre-set or pre-defined time interval may be pre-set by the network device or may be agreed upon by the terminal device and the network. This is not a limitation in the present application.

[0453] Optionally, the second time interval is a time for switching from the Lth first frequency domain resource to the (L+1)th first frequency domain resource.

[0454] Alternatively, the second time interval is the sum of a time for switching from the Lth first frequency domain resource to the second frequency domain resource and a time for switching from the second frequency domain resource to the (L+1)th first frequency domain resource.

[0455] Alternatively, the second time interval is the sum of a radio frequency switching time required to switch from the Lth first frequency domain resource to the second frequency domain resource and a radio frequency switching time required to switch from the second frequency domain resource back to the (L+1)th first frequency domain resource.

[0456] Alternatively, the second time interval is the sum of the time for switching from the Lth first frequency domain resource to the second frequency domain resource and the third time interval.

[0457] Alternatively, the second time interval is the sum of the third time interval and the time for switching from the second frequency domain resource to the (L+1)th first frequency domain resource.

[0458] Alternatively, the second time interval is the sum of a time for switching from the Lth first frequency domain resource to the second frequency domain resource, a time for switching from the second frequency domain resource to the (L+1)th first frequency domain resource, and a third time interval.

[0459] It should be noted that the third time interval is a preset or predefined time interval.

[0460] In addition, the priority of transmitting or receiving the N signals, or other signals, data, or control information, in the second frequency domain resource is not higher than the priority of transmitting or receiving the N signals in the first frequency domain resource.

[0461] It should be understood that the Lth first frequency domain resource and the (L+1)th first frequency domain resource belong to the M first frequency domain resources. The Lth first frequency domain resource and the (L+1)th first frequency domain resource may be adjacent or non-adjacent in the frequency domain, may completely overlap in the frequency domain, or may partially overlap in the frequency domain. This is not limited in the present application.

[0462] The first time interval and the second time interval are explained by using an example in which the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource are BWPs and the terminal device transmits a first type of reference signal.

[0463] As shown in FIG. 8, the first frequency domain resource may be BWP1 (e.g., any one of BWP1-1 to BWP1-5) in the frequency shift pattern and used to transmit SRS 1 to SRS 5, each first frequency domain resource is used to transmit one SRS, and the second frequency domain resource is BWP2-1 or BWP2-2.

[0464] For example, the first time interval may be defined as the time interval for transmitting SRS 1 and SRS 2, or the first time interval may be defined as the time interval for transmitting SRS 2 and SRS 3.

[0465] The second time interval may be the time for switching from BWP1-1 to BWP1-2.

[0466] Alternatively, the second time interval may be the sum of the time for switching from BWP1-1 (or another first frequency domain resource) to BWP2-1 and the time for switching from BWP2-1 to BWP1-2.

[0467] Alternatively, the second time interval may be the sum of the radio frequency switching time for switching from BWP1-1 to BWP2-1 and the radio frequency switching time for switching from BWP2-1 to BWP1-2.

[0468] Alternatively, the second time interval may be the sum of the time for switching from BWP1-1 to BWP2-1 and the third time interval.

[0469] Alternatively, the second time interval may be the sum of the third time interval and the time for switching from BWP2-1 to BWP1-2.

[0470] Alternatively, the second time interval may be the sum of the time for switching from BWP1-1 to BWP2-1, the time for switching from BWP2-1 to BWP1-2, and the third time interval.

[0471] Alternatively, the second time interval may be the sum of the time for switching from BWP1-1 to BWP2-1 and the time for switching from BWP2-1 to BWP1-1.

[0472] It should be understood that the above examples are merely illustrative descriptions of the first and second time intervals in FIG. 8 and are not exhaustive, and other resource configurations that comply with the definitions of time intervals in this application shall fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0473] In a second possible implementation, the terminal device satisfies the first condition when the terminal device completes transmitting or receiving N first type reference signals in N consecutive time units.

[0474] In one implementation, the first condition is that any two signals within the N signals that are located within adjacent time units satisfy the following condition: the first time interval is less than or equal to the second time interval.

[0475] In another implementation, the first condition is that there are two signals among the N signals, located within adjacent time units, that satisfy the following condition: the first time interval is less than or equal to the second time interval. For example, if a first signal and a second signal (the first signal and the second signal are located within adjacent time units) among the N signals transmitted or received by a terminal device satisfy the following condition: the first time interval is less than or equal to the second time interval, the terminal device may be considered to satisfy the first condition. In other words, the terminal device needs to determine only once whether the first condition is satisfied when the terminal device transmits or receives N signals.

[0476] It should be understood that for the second time interval in the first condition, please refer to the relevant description in the first implementation of S702, and the details will not be described again in this specification.

[0477] It should be noted that in this embodiment of the present application, when the first condition is met, the terminal device transmits or receives N signals in the M first frequency domain resources, and when the first condition is not met, the terminal device transmits or receives at least one of a data signal, control information, and a second type reference signal in the second frequency domain resource.

[0478] Based on the above solution, in the communication method provided in the present application, a terminal device can transmit or receive N signals in M first frequency domain resources configured by a network device, so that the network device does not need to configure configuration information of the M first frequency domain resources, thereby improving network efficiency and reducing complexity. In addition, continuous frequency hopping transmission of N signals is realized based on the criterion of the first condition, thereby reducing latency.

[0479] Additionally, the method 700 may further include S703 to S706.

[0480] S703: The network device sends second configuration information to the terminal device, where the second configuration information indicates a second frequency domain resource.

[0481] Similarly, in a possible implementation, the M first frequency domain resources are used to transmit N signals, where the N signals may be reference signals of a first type, and the second frequency domain resources are used to transmit at least one of data signals, control information, and reference signals of a second type.

[0482] In another possible implementation, the M first frequency domain resources are used to transmit N signals, where the N signals may be reference signals of a first type, and the second frequency domain resources are used to transmit at least one of data signals, control information, reference signals of the first type, and reference signals of a second type.

[0483] For the first type reference signal and the second type reference signal, please refer to the relevant description above, and the details will not be described again in this specification.

[0484] It should be noted that the first configuration information and the second configuration information may be independent of each other, i.e., in a possible implementation, the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource may be configured independently to improve the flexibility of network resource configuration.

[0485] In other words, the network device may configure the second frequency domain resource for the terminal device before or after configuring the first frequency domain resource, or may configure the second frequency domain resource and the first frequency domain resource simultaneously. This is not limited in the present application. When the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource are configured simultaneously, the first configuration information and the second configuration information may be transmitted simultaneously. In this case, the first configuration information and the second configuration information may be carried in the same message or in different messages.

[0486] It should be noted that the terminal device may receive the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information from a network device, or may receive the first configuration information and / or the second configuration information from a network unit. The network device may be a base station, a TRP, etc. The network unit may be a core network device, such as an LMF.

[0487] S704: The terminal device determines that a first condition is met.

[0488] The first condition may be preset in the terminal device and the network device. If the terminal device determines that the first condition is met, the terminal device executes S302.

[0489] Specifically, the terminal device may determine that the first condition is met before S701, i.e., after the terminal device determines that the first condition is met, the terminal device executes S701 to S703. Alternatively, the terminal device may determine that the first condition is met after S701, i.e., after the terminal device receives the first configuration information and determines that the first condition is met, the terminal device executes S702.

[0490] It should be understood that "pre-set" may include being pre-defined, for example, defined in a protocol. "Pre-defined" may be realized by pre-storing a corresponding code or a corresponding table in a device, or by another method of indicating related information. The specific implementation of "pre-defined" is not limited in this application.

[0491] Optionally, the method may further include S705, in which the terminal device sends first indication information to the network device, the first indication information indicating that the terminal device supports the first condition when the terminal device sends or receives a signal.

[0492] S706: The network device sends second indication information to the terminal device.

[0493] Specifically, the network device sends second indication information to the terminal device to indicate switching from the first frequency domain resource to the second frequency domain resource.

[0494] It should be understood that after the terminal device receives the second instruction information, the terminal device switches from transmitting or receiving N signals in the M first frequency domain resources to transmitting or receiving N signals in the second frequency domain resources, or transmitting or receiving another signal in the third frequency domain resource.

[0495] For example, the network device sends the second indication information to the terminal device when one or more of the following conditions are met, for example, after the terminal device completes transmitting or receiving N signals, or after the network device determines that the terminal device does not satisfy the first condition, or after the positioning procedure or the positioning service is terminated. The above-mentioned conditions can be understood as a scenario in which the network device sends the second indication information to the terminal device being a scenario in which the terminal device no longer needs to transmit N signals in the first frequency domain resource or does not satisfy the condition for transmitting N signals.

[0496] In another possible implementation, the method 700 includes the following steps.

[0497] S707: The network device sends first indication information to the terminal device.

[0498] Specifically, the network device may send first indication information to the terminal device, to indicate to the terminal device not to perform frequency domain resource switching when the terminal device transmits or receives N signals in the M first frequency domain resources, that is, the first indication information directly indicates that the terminal device does not need to switch from the first frequency domain resource to the second frequency domain resource or another frequency domain resource when transmitting or receiving the N first signals.

[0499] S708: The network device sends second indication information to the terminal device.

[0500] Specifically, the network device sends second indication information to the terminal device to indicate switching from the first frequency domain resource to the second frequency domain resource.

[0501] For example, the network device sends the second indication information to the terminal device when one or more of the following conditions are met, for example, after the terminal device completes transmitting or receiving N signals, or after the network device determines that the terminal device does not satisfy the first condition, or after the positioning procedure or the positioning service is terminated. The above-mentioned conditions can be understood as a scenario in which the network device sends the second indication information to the terminal device being a scenario in which the terminal device no longer needs to transmit N signals in the first frequency domain resource or does not satisfy the condition for transmitting N signals.

[0502] In addition, the communication method 700 provided in the present application may further include S709 to S711.

[0503] S709: The terminal device sends request information to the network device, where the request information is used to request the first configuration information.

[0504] It should be understood that in some scenarios, the frequency domain resources currently configured by the network cannot meet the requirements of the terminal device, such as the positioning performance requirements. In this case, the terminal device requests first configuration information from the network device to meet the service requirements of the terminal. In addition, the network device transmits the first configuration information to the terminal device only after receiving the requested information of the terminal device. This can also improve the reliability of network system communication and avoid wasting communication resources.

[0505] The request information may indicate first configuration information recommended or expected by the terminal device, such as frequency domain configuration information, time domain configuration information, and frequency hopping configuration information. For frequency hopping configuration information, please refer to the related description of Figure 4. The details will not be described again in this specification.

[0506] In a possible implementation, S709 may be executed before S701.

[0507] In this embodiment of the present application, after the network device receives N first signals, for example, N SRSs, transmitted by the terminal device at N frequency hopping time points, optionally, the method 700 further includes:

[0508] S710: The network device estimates a phase difference between two frequency hopping signals in two adjacent time units based on the channel estimation result of the overlapping part in the frequency domain, and then performs phase compensation.

[0509] S711: The network device superimposes SRS signals received at multiple frequency hopping times in the time domain to recover a large bandwidth signal for positioning.

[0510] It should be understood that the network device may perform at least one of S710 and S711 based on an application scenario.

[0511] Additionally, in another implementation, the method 700 may further include step S712.

[0512] S712: The terminal device reports the third indication information to the network device.

[0513] Specifically, the terminal device reports third indication information to the network device to indicate that the terminal device supports the first condition.

[0514] In one implementation, the third indication information may indicate, before step S701, that the terminal device supports the first condition when the terminal device transmits or receives the N signals.

[0515] For example, the third indication information may be included in the capability information reported by the terminal device to indicate that the terminal device supports the first condition.

[0516] The network device can timely know the capability information of the terminal device based on the third indication information, and can configure corresponding resources for the terminal device based on the capability information, so that the reliability of resource configuration by the network can be improved.

[0517] It should be noted that the operations performed by the network device in the communication method 700 provided in this embodiment of the present application may alternatively be performed by another terminal device, for example, in a sidelink positioning scenario. In other words, the above-mentioned interaction procedure between the network device and the terminal device may be accomplished by exchanging information between the two terminal devices.

[0518] In a specific implementation, the communication method 700 provided in this embodiment of the present application will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8 by using an example in which the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource in this embodiment of the present application are BWP, the terminal device is a RedCap terminal device, and the N signals are N signals transmitted by the terminal device to a network device.

[0519] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, when the second manner of configuring M first frequency domain resources is used, one first frequency domain resource configured by the network device for the terminal device is 20 MHz BWP1-1, and the second frequency domain resource BWP2 (e.g., BWP2-1 or BWP2-2) is also 20 MHz. Note that BWP2-1 and BWP2-2 may be the same frequency domain resource or different frequency domain resources. Optionally, the first frequency domain resource may be a frequency domain resource dedicated to receiving or transmitting positioning reference signals. In this implementation, the network device may configure only one first frequency domain resource (e.g., BWP1-1) for the terminal device. The terminal device may determine information about multiple other frequency domain resources (including BWP1-2 to BWP1-5) based on information in the first configuration information, obtain the resource of BWP1, and transmit N SRSs in the five frequency domain resources. In FIG. 8, one SRS is transmitted in one BWP1, and the number of periodic frequency hops is five. Therefore, a total of five SRSs are transmitted in each period. In one implementation, when the terminal device satisfies a first condition, the terminal device may report first indication information to the network device to indicate that the terminal device currently satisfies the first condition. Alternatively, the terminal device may report indication information to the network device to indicate that the terminal device supports the first condition. When the terminal device transmits an SRS to the network device, if the currently operating BWP is BWP2-1, the network device indicates that the currently operating BWP resource BWP2-1 should be switched to BWP1-1. The terminal device transmits five SRSs in five BWP1s and performs transmission in one or more periods until the transmission ends. After the transmission ends, the network device may instruct the network device to switch from the last BWP1-5 to BWP2-1 or BWP2-2 via the indication information.Optionally, before receiving the first configuration information, the terminal device may further send request information to the network device to request the first configuration information.

[0520] It should be understood that the above description is merely an example and not a limitation. Specifically, there may be other interactions or execution processes between the network device and the terminal device. For example, the terminal device determines that the first condition is met. For details, please refer to the related description of FIG. 3. The example will not be described again in this specification.

[0521] 9 shows a schematic flowchart of a communication method 900 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 9, the network device may be a base station, or may be a component (such as a chip or a chip system) within the network device. The terminal device may be a UE, or may be a component (such as a chip or a chip system) within the terminal device. Specifically, the method includes the following steps:

[0522] S901: A network device sends first configuration information to a terminal device, where the first configuration information indicates M first frequency domain resources.

[0523] The first configuration information includes association information, where the association information indicates that a Kth first frequency domain resource is associated with P first frequency domain resources, where the P first frequency domain resources are P of the M first frequency domain resources, and the Kth first frequency domain resource is one of the M first frequency domain resources.

[0524] Optionally, the association information may further indicate an association relationship between at least one first frequency resource and other first frequency domain resources. For example, the association information may indicate an association relationship between each of K first frequency domain resources and multiple other first frequency domain resources, where K = {n1, n2, ..., n k}. For example, the association information may indicate that the n1-th first frequency domain resource is associated with P1 first frequency domain resources, the n2-th first frequency domain resource is associated with P2 first frequency domain resources, ..., the n k-th first frequency domain resource is associated with Pk first frequency domain resources, where P1, P2, ..., and Pk first frequency domain resources are P1, P2, ..., and Pk of the M first frequency domain resources.

[0525] Furthermore, in one implementation, the first configuration information may include M first frequencies and bandwidths and / or frequency shift information. Alternatively, the first configuration information may include at least one first frequency and bandwidth and / or frequency shift information of the M first frequency domain resources. The first frequency is the start frequency, center frequency, or end frequency of the first frequency resource. For the first frequency, frequency shift information, etc., please refer to the related description in S701 of FIG. 7. Details will not be described again in this specification.

[0526] S902: The terminal device transmits or receives N signals in M second frequency domain resources, where the N signals are located within N time units, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and N is a positive integer.

[0527] For this step, please refer to the relevant description of S702 in Figure 7. The details will not be described again in this specification.

[0528] Optionally, the method 900 further includes the following steps:

[0529] S903: The network device sends instruction information to the terminal device, where the instruction information indicates one or more of the following: activation of the Kth first frequency domain resource, activation of some or all of the M first frequency domain resources, and an activation order of some or all of the M first frequency domain resources.

[0530] Optionally, when the indication information indicates to activate the Kth first frequency domain resource, the indication information includes an identifier of the Kth first frequency domain resource.

[0531] Optionally, when the indication information indicates to activate some or all of the M first frequency domain resources, the indication information includes identifiers of some or all of the M first frequency domain resources.

[0532] In one implementation, when the indication information includes identifiers of some or all of the M first frequency domain resources, the terminal device can determine an activation order of some or all of the M first frequency domain resources based on the order of the identifiers.

[0533] In one implementation, the indication information may be carried in a DCI, a MAC CE (Medium Access Control Element), an RRC message, or another message, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. The indication information may be delivered in one message / information or in multiple messages / information.

[0534] It should be noted that the communication method 900 further includes a process of configuring N signals, which can be seen in the method 400 of Figure 4. The details will not be described again herein.

[0535] Alternatively, the communication method 900 may further include: the terminal device sending request information to the network device, where the request information is used to request the first configuration information.

[0536] It should be understood that in some scenarios, the frequency domain resources currently configured by the network cannot meet the requirements of the terminal device, such as the positioning performance requirements. In this case, the terminal device requests first configuration information from the network device to meet the service requirements of the terminal. In addition, the network device transmits the first configuration information to the terminal device only after receiving the requested information of the terminal device. This can also improve the reliability of network system communication and avoid wasting communication resources.

[0537] The request information may indicate first configuration information recommended or expected by the terminal device, such as frequency domain configuration information, time domain configuration information, and frequency hopping configuration information. For frequency hopping configuration information, please refer to the related description of Figure 4. The details will not be described again in this specification.

[0538] In addition, the request information may further indicate first configuration information recommended or expected by the terminal device, for example, first frequency, bandwidth, and frequency shift information.

[0539] Optionally, the request information may indicate one or more first frequency domain resources that are recommended / expected to be activated by the terminal device and / or an activation order of the plurality of first frequency domain resources.

[0540] In a specific implementation, the communication method 900 provided in this embodiment of the present application will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 10 by using an example in which the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource in this embodiment of the present application are BWP, the terminal device is a REDCAP terminal device, and the N signals are N signals transmitted by the terminal device to a network device.

[0541] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the network device configures five first frequency domain resources, BWP1 to BWP5, for the terminal device. For example, the bandwidths of BWP1 to BWP5 are all 20 MHz. After the terminal device receives the first configuration information, the terminal device acquires the configuration information of BWP1 to BWP5 and transmits N SRSs in the five BWPs. In FIG. 10, for example, one SRS is transmitted in each BWP1, and the number of periodic frequency hops is 5. Therefore, a total of five SRSs are transmitted in each period. Optionally, the network device may carry association information in one or more of the first configuration information of BWP1 to BWP5. For example, association information between BWP1 and BWP2 (e.g., an identifier ID of BWP2 is carried) is indicated in the configuration information of BWP1, or association information between BWP2 and BWP3 (e.g., an identifier ID of BWP3 is carried) is indicated in the configuration information of BWP2. Alternatively, the network device may indicate association information between BWP1 to BWP5 and multiple other BWPs in one or more first configuration information of BWP1 to BWP5. For example, identifiers of BWP2 to BWP5 may be carried in the configuration information of BWP1, or identifiers of BWP1, BWP3, and BWP5 may be carried in the configuration information of BWP2. When the terminal device transmits an SRS, if the currently operating BWP is BWP1, the terminal device may transmit five SRSs in the five BWP1s after indicating that the network device will switch from the current BWP0-1 to BWP1, and perform transmission in one or more cycles until the transmission is completed. After the transmission is completed, the network device may instruct the terminal device to switch from the last BWP5 to BWP0-2 via instruction information. BWP0-1 and BWP0-2 are BWPs configured by the network device for the terminal device and used to transmit communication data. Optionally, BWP0-1 and BWP0-2 may be the same frequency domain resource or different frequency domain resources.

[0542] According to the communication method provided in this embodiment of the application, the network device may indicate a first group of frequency domain resources to the terminal device, so that the terminal device can realize fast resource switching of the terminal device, thereby effectively reducing latency.

[0543] It should be noted that in the above-described embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may transmit information to the access network device through radio resource control (RRC) signaling. Alternatively, the terminal device may transmit the information to be transmitted to the LMF (e.g., the terminal device transmits the information to the LMF through an LTE positioning protocol (LPP) message), and then the LMF transmits part or all of the content of the information to the access network device (e.g., the LMF transmits the information to the access network device through an NR positioning protocol annex (NRPPa) message). The access network device can transmit information to the terminal device via a broadcast message or a unicast message. The broadcast message is, for example, a system information block (SIB) or a positioning system information block (posSIB), and the unicast message is, for example, RRC signaling. Alternatively, the access network device may send part or all of the content of the information to be sent to the LMF (e.g., the access network device sends the information to the LMF through an NRPPa message), and then the LMF sends the information to the terminal device (e.g., the LMF sends the information to the terminal device through an LPP message). It should be understood that for the information sending process in the above embodiment, please refer to the description in this paragraph.

[0544] When the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application are applied to a positioning scenario, the positioning process provided in the embodiments of the present application may be an uplink positioning process, a downlink positioning process, a joint uplink and downlink positioning process, or a ranging / angle measurement / phase measurement (uplink and downlink are not distinguished) process. The following uses an uplink positioning process as an example for explanation. For example, the second device is a terminal device, and the first device is an access network device. Alternatively, the positioning process provided in the embodiments of the present application may be a downlink positioning process. For example, the second device is an access network device, and the first device is a terminal device. Alternatively, the positioning process provided in the embodiments of the present application may be an uplink and downlink positioning process. For example, in the uplink and downlink positioning process, the method in the embodiments of the present application may be executed twice. In one execution process, the second device is a terminal device, and the first device is an access network device; in the other execution process, the second device is an access network device, and the first device is a terminal device. In addition, multiple access network devices may be involved in the positioning. In the embodiment of the present application, the behavior of one of the access network devices is described. Optionally, the access network device is, for example, a serving access network device of a terminal device.

[0545] It should be understood that the embodiments of Figures 3, 7, and 9 in the present application are merely examples for explanation, and the examples in the figures do not limit the execution order. Those skilled in the art can flexibly adjust the order of steps based on the examples in the figures. In addition, the order numbers of the above-described processes do not imply the order of execution, and the order of execution of the processes should be determined based on the functions and internal logic of the processes. In addition, the above-described steps are not required steps. If one or more of the steps are missing, the problem to be solved in the present application can also be solved, and the technical solutions corresponding to the steps also fall within the scope disclosed in the present application. The various numerical values or order numbers in the above-described processes are merely distinguished for ease of explanation and should not constitute any limitations on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0546] It can be understood that in some scenarios, some optional features in the embodiments of the present application can be independently realized to solve corresponding technical problems and achieve corresponding effects, without relying on other features, for example, on the solutions on which the optional features are currently based. Alternatively, in some scenarios, optional features are combined with other features based on requirements. Correspondingly, the devices provided in the embodiments of the present application can also implement these features or functions accordingly. Details will not be described herein.

[0547] Furthermore, the solutions in the embodiments of the present application may be appropriately combined for use, and the explanations or descriptions of terms in the embodiments may be cross-referenced or explained in the embodiments. This is not limited thereto.

[0548] In the above-described embodiments provided in the present application, various solutions of the communication methods provided in the embodiments of the present application are separately described in terms of devices / network elements and interactions between devices / network elements. It can be understood that to implement the above-described functions, the network elements and devices include corresponding hardware structures and / or corresponding software modules for performing the functions. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the present application can be realized by hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software, in combination with the example units and algorithm steps described in the embodiments disclosed herein. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or by hardware driven by computer software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to exceed the scope of the present application.

[0549] 12 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1200 according to an embodiment of the present application. The device 1200 includes a receiving module 1201, which may be configured to implement corresponding receiving functions. The receiving module 1201 may also be referred to as a receiving unit.

[0550] The apparatus 1200 further includes a processing module 1202, which may be configured to implement corresponding processing functions.

[0551] The apparatus 1200 further includes a transmitting module 1203, which may be configured to implement a corresponding transmitting function, and the transmitting module 1203 may also be referred to as a transmitting unit.

[0552] Optionally, the apparatus 1200 further includes a storage unit, which may be configured to store instructions and / or data, and the processing unit 1202 may read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit to enable the apparatus to realize the operations of the associated apparatus in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0553] The apparatus 1200 may be configured to perform the operations performed by the terminal device or the network device in the above-mentioned method embodiments. In this case, the apparatus 1200 may be a component of the terminal device or the network device, the receiving module 1201 is configured to perform the receiving-related operations of the terminal device or the network device in the above-mentioned method embodiments, the processing module 1202 is configured to perform the processing-related operations of the terminal device or the network device in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and the transmitting module 1203 is configured to perform the transmitting-related operations of the terminal device or the network device in the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0554] In one design, apparatus 1200 is configured to perform operations performed by any network element or any device in the above-described method embodiments. In one embodiment, the communications apparatus may be configured to perform operations of the terminal device in Figures 3, 7, and 9. For example, receiving module 1201 is configured to receive first configuration information, the first configuration information indicating first frequency domain resources, the first frequency domain resources including M second frequency domain resources, and receive N signals in the M second frequency domain resources, the N signals being located within N time units, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2 and N is a positive integer.

[0555] The N signals are N first type reference signals, and the first type reference signals include positioning reference signals.

[0556] When the terminal device transmits or receives one first type reference signal in each frequency resource, M is equal to N, or when the terminal device transmits or receives two or more first signals in at least one frequency resource, M is greater than N.

[0557] The processing module 1202 is configured to determine M second frequency domain resources based on the first configuration information.

[0558] The transmitting module 1203 is configured to transmit N signals in M second frequency domain resources, where the N signals are located within N time units, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and N is a positive integer.

[0559] It should be understood that the specific processes by which the modules perform the corresponding steps described above have been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and for the sake of brevity, the details will not be described again herein.

[0560] In addition, the receiving module 1201, the processing module 1202, and the sending module 1203 in the communication device can further realize other operations or functions of the terminal device in the above-mentioned method, the details of which will not be described again in this specification.

[0561] In another embodiment, the communication apparatus may be configured to perform the operations of the network devices of Figures 3, 7, and 9. For example, the receiving module 1201 is configured to receive N signals in M second frequency domain resources, where the N signals are located within N time units, M is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and N is a positive integer.

[0562] The transmitting module 1203 is configured to transmit first configuration information, the first configuration information indicating first frequency domain resources, the first frequency domain resources including M second frequency domain resources, and to transmit N signals in the M second frequency domain resources, the N signals being located within N time units, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and N is a positive integer.

[0563] In addition, the receiving module 1201, the processing module 1202, and the sending module 1203 in the communication device may further implement other operations or functions of the network device in the above-mentioned method, the details of which will not be described again in this specification.

[0564] It should be understood that the specific processes by which the modules perform the corresponding steps described above have been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and for the sake of brevity, the details will not be described again herein.

[0565] FIG. 13 shows another possible structure of the communication device in the above-described embodiment. The communication device includes a processor 1301. As shown in FIG. 13, the communication device may further include at least one memory 1302 configured to store program instructions and / or data. The memory 1302 is coupled to the processor 1301. The coupling in this embodiment of the present application may be an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, and may be in an electrical, mechanical, or other form, used for information exchange between the devices, units, or modules. The processor 1301 can cooperate with the memory 1302. The processor 1301 can execute program instructions stored in the memory 1302. At least one of the at least one memory may be included in the processor.

[0566] The communication device may further include a transceiver 1303 configured to communicate with another device over a transmission medium such that the device can communicate with the other device. Optionally, the transceiver 1303 may be an interface, bus, circuit, or device capable of implementing receiving and transmitting functions. Optionally, the transceiver 1303 may include a receiver and a transmitter.

[0567] The specific connection medium between the processor 1301, the memory 1302, and the transceiver 1303 is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. In this embodiment of the present application, the processor 1301, the memory 1302, and the transceiver 1303 are connected via the bus 1304 in FIG. 13. The bus is represented by using thick lines in FIG. 13. The connection scheme between other components is merely an example for explanation and is not limited thereto. The bus may be classified as an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, only one thick line represents a bus in FIG. 13, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0568] For example, in one embodiment, the processor 1301 is configured to perform other operations or functions of a terminal device. The transceiver 1303 is configured to facilitate communication between the communication device and another network element / device (e.g., a gNB / LMF).

[0569] In another embodiment, the processor 1301 is configured to perform other operations or functions of a network device. The transceiver 1303 is configured to implement communications between the communication device and another network element / device (e.g., a UE / gNB).

[0570] One or more of the above-described modules or units may be implemented using software, hardware, or a combination thereof. When any one of the above-described modules or units is implemented using software, the software exists in the form of computer program instructions and is stored in a memory, and a processor may be configured to execute the program instructions to realize the steps of the above-described method. The processor may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following computing devices that execute various types of software: a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), an artificial intelligence processor, etc. Each computing device may include one or more cores configured to execute software instructions to perform operations or processes. The processor may be integrated into a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or may be a separate semiconductor chip. In addition to cores configured to execute software instructions to perform operations or processes, a processor may further include necessary hardware accelerators such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device (PLD), or logic circuits that implement specialized logical operations.

[0571] When the above-mentioned modules or units are implemented by hardware, the hardware may be any one or any combination of a CPU, microprocessor, DSP, MCU, artificial intelligence processor, ASIC, SoC, FPGA, PLD, dedicated digital circuit, hardware accelerator, or non-integrated discrete device. The hardware may run software required to execute the steps of the above-mentioned method, or may execute the steps of the above-mentioned method without software.

[0572] When the above-described modules or units are implemented by software, all or some of the modules or units may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded into a computer and executed, the procedures or functions according to the embodiments of the present application are generated in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or another programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from a computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, radio, or microwave) method. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device, such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The usable media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, or magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs (DVDs)), semiconductor media (e.g., solid state disks (SSDs)), and the like.

[0573] In the above-mentioned specific implementation forms, the objectives, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present application are further described in detail. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific implementation form of the present application and is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made based on the technical solutions of the present application shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

[0574] According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the present application further provides a computer program product, which includes computer program code, and when the computer program code is executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the terminal device-side method in the above-mentioned embodiment of the method.

[0575] According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the present application further provides a computer program product, which includes computer program code, and when the computer program code is executed on a computer, enables the computer to perform the network device-side method in the above-mentioned embodiment of the method.

[0576] According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the present application further provides a computer-readable medium, which stores program code, and when the program code is executed in a computer, enables the computer to perform the terminal device-side method in the above-mentioned embodiment of the method.

[0577] According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the present application further provides a computer-readable medium, which stores program code, and when the program code is executed in a computer, enables the computer to perform the network device-side method in the above-mentioned embodiment of the method.

[0578] An embodiment of the present application further provides a processing device including a processor and an interface, wherein the processor is configured to perform the communication method in any one of the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0579] Those skilled in the art may recognize that, in combination with the examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the units and algorithm steps may be implemented by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether a function is performed by hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but the implementation form should not be considered to go beyond the scope of this application.

[0580] For the sake of convenient and concise description, it can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that for the detailed operation processes of the above-mentioned systems, devices and units, please refer to the corresponding processes in the above-mentioned method embodiments, and the details will not be described again in this specification.

[0581] In the embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices, and methods may be implemented in other manners. For example, the described device embodiments are merely examples. For example, the division into units is merely a logical division of function, and other divisions may be used in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not implemented. In addition, the shown or described mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be realized using some interfaces, and indirect couplings or communication connections between devices or units may be realized in electronic, mechanical, or other forms.

[0582] The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and the parts shown as units may or may not be physical units, and may be located in one place or distributed over multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected based on actual requirements to achieve the objectives of the solutions of the embodiments.

[0583] In addition, the functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, and each of the units may exist physically alone, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0584] When a function is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, the function may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application may essentially, or a portion of the technical solution, be implemented in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes a plurality of instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in the embodiments of the present application. The above-mentioned storage medium includes any medium capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0585] The above description is merely a specific implementation form of the present application and does not limit the protection scope of the present application. Any variations or replacements that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present application shall fall within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0586] 300 Communication Methods 400 Communication Method 700 Communication Methods 900 Communication Methods 1200 Communication Equipment 1201 Receiver Module 1202 Processing Module 1203 Transmitting Module 1301 processor 1302 memory 1303 Transceiver 1304 Bus

Claims

1. 1. A communication method comprising: receiving, by a terminal device, first configuration information, the first configuration information indicating first frequency domain resources, the first frequency domain resources including M second frequency domain resources; transmitting or receiving, by the terminal device, N signals on the M second frequency domain resources, the N signals being located within N time units, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2 and N is a positive integer; A method comprising:

2. The N signals are N reference signals of a first type, and the method comprises: receiving, by the terminal device, second configuration information, the second configuration information indicating third frequency domain resources, the third frequency domain resources being used to transmit or receive at least one of data signals, control information, and a second type of reference signal; The method of claim 1 , further comprising: a bandwidth of the third frequency domain resource being equal to or less than a bandwidth of the first frequency domain resource.

3. the N signals include an I-th signal and an (I+1)-th signal, the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal being located within adjacent time units; a first time interval is a time interval between the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal; a second time interval is a sum of a time for switching from the first frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource and a time for switching from the third frequency domain resource to the first frequency domain resource; The method of claim 2 , wherein the first time interval is less than or equal to the second time interval.

4. The step of transmitting or receiving, by the terminal device, N signals on the M second frequency domain resources includes: transmitting or receiving, by the terminal device, the N signals on the M second frequency domain resources when a first condition is satisfied, wherein the first condition is that a first time interval is less than or equal to a second time interval; a time interval between the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal is the first time interval, the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal belong to the N signals, and the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal are located within adjacent time units; 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: a step in which a sum of a time for switching from the first frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource and a time for switching from the third frequency domain resource to the first frequency domain resource is the second time interval.

5. The method comprises: receiving, by the terminal device, third configuration information; The third configuration information is Frequency domain configuration information and time domain configuration information of at least one of the N signals; and / or Frequency hopping configuration information 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

6. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the frequency hopping configuration information includes at least one of the following: a frequency hopping period, a frequency hopping pattern, supported intra-slot frequency hopping, a frequency domain start position of a frequency hop, a time domain start position of the frequency hop, frequency domain interval information of the frequency hop, time domain interval information of the frequency hop, a number of periodic frequency hops, a frequency hopping duration, and a number of frequency hops.

7. the frequency hopping pattern indicates frequency domain information and / or time domain information for a single frequency hopping period; the frequency domain information includes at least one of the following: a first frequency domain starting position, bandwidth information or a quantity of resource blocks of the frequency hop, and first frequency domain spacing information; 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the time domain information includes at least one of the following: a first time domain starting position, a quantity of time domain information or symbols of the frequency hop, a frequency hopping repetition factor, a first time domain interval information, and information indicating that time domain discontinuous frequency hopping is supported.

8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first type of reference signal is a positioning reference signal.

9. 1. A communication method comprising: receiving, by a terminal device, first configuration information, the first configuration information indicating M first frequency domain resources; transmitting or receiving, by the terminal device, N signals in the M first frequency domain resources, the N signals being located within N time units, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2 and N is a positive integer; A method comprising:

10. the N signals include an I-th signal and an (I+1)-th signal, the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal being located within adjacent time units; a first time interval is a time interval between the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal; the second time interval is a sum of a time for switching from an L-th first frequency domain resource to a second frequency domain resource and a time for switching from the second frequency domain resource to an (L+1)-th first frequency domain resource, wherein the L-th first frequency domain resource is used to transmit or receive the I-th signal, the (L+1)-th first frequency domain resource is used to transmit or receive the (I+1)-th signal, and the second frequency domain resource is used to transmit or receive at least one of a data signal, control information, and a second type reference signal; The method of claim 9 , wherein the first time interval is less than or equal to the second time interval.

11. The first configuration information is a first frequency and bandwidth of at least one of the M first frequency domain resources; and / or Frequency Shift Information Including, The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein the first frequency is a start frequency, a center frequency, or an end frequency of the first frequency resource.

12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the frequency shift information includes at least one of the following: a period of frequency shift, a pattern of frequency shift, supported intra-slot frequency shifts, a frequency domain start position of the frequency shift, a time domain start position of the frequency shift, frequency domain interval information of the frequency shift, time domain interval information of the frequency shift, a quantity of periodic frequency shifts, a duration of the frequency shifts, and a quantity of frequency shifts.

13. the pattern of frequency shifts indicates frequency domain information and / or time domain information for a single frequency shift period; the frequency domain information includes at least one of the following: a first frequency domain starting position, bandwidth information or a quantity of resource blocks of the frequency shift, and first frequency domain spacing information; 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the time domain information includes at least one of the following: a first time domain starting position, a quantity of time domain information or symbols of the frequency shift, a frequency shift repetition factor, and a first time domain interval information.

14. the first configuration information further includes association information; 14. The method of claim 9, wherein the association information indicates that a K-th first frequency domain resource is associated with P first frequency domain resources, the P first frequency domain resources being P of the M first frequency domain resources, and the K-th first frequency domain resource being one of the M first frequency domain resources.

15. The method comprises: receiving, by the terminal device, indication information, the indication information comprising: activating the Kth first frequency domain resource; activating some or all of the M first frequency domain resources; and an activation order for some or all of the M first frequency domain resources; 15. The method of claim 9, further comprising one or more of the steps:

16. 16. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the first type of reference signal is a positioning reference signal.

17. 1. A communication method comprising: transmitting, by a network device, first configuration information, the first configuration information indicating first frequency domain resources, the first frequency domain resources including M second frequency domain resources; transmitting or receiving, by the network device, N signals in the M second frequency domain resources, the N signals being located within N time units, M being an integer greater than or equal to 2, and N being a positive integer; A method comprising:

18. The N signals are N reference signals of a first type, and the method comprises: transmitting, by the network device, second configuration information, the second configuration information indicating third frequency domain resources, the third frequency domain resources being used to transmit or receive at least one of data signals, control information, and a second type of reference signal; 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: a bandwidth of the third frequency domain resource being equal to or less than a bandwidth of the first frequency domain resource.

19. the N signals include an I-th signal and an (I+1)-th signal, the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal being located within adjacent time units; a first time interval is a time interval between the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal; a second time interval is a sum of a time for switching from the first frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource and a time for switching from the third frequency domain resource to the first frequency domain resource; 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the first time interval is less than or equal to the second time interval.

20. The step of transmitting or receiving, by the network device, N signals on the M second frequency domain resources includes: transmitting or receiving, by the network device, the N signals on the M second frequency domain resources when a first condition is satisfied, wherein the first condition is that a first time interval is less than or equal to a second time interval; a time interval between the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal is the first time interval, the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal belong to the N signals, and the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal are located within adjacent time units; 20. The method of claim 18, comprising: a step in which a sum of a time for switching from the first frequency domain resource to the third frequency domain resource and a time for switching from the third frequency domain resource to the first frequency domain resource is the second time interval.

21. The method comprises: transmitting, by the network device, third configuration information; The third configuration information is Frequency domain configuration information and time domain configuration information of at least one of the N signals; and / or Frequency hopping configuration information 21. The method of any one of claims 17 to 20, further comprising the steps of:

22. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the frequency hopping configuration information includes at least one of the following: a frequency hopping period, a frequency hopping pattern, supported intra-slot frequency hopping, a frequency domain start position of a frequency hop, a time domain start position of the frequency hop, frequency domain interval information of the frequency hop, time domain interval information of the frequency hop, a number of periodic frequency hops, a frequency hopping duration, and a number of frequency hops.

23. the frequency hopping pattern indicates frequency domain information and / or time domain information for a single frequency hopping period; the frequency domain information includes at least one of the following: a first frequency domain starting position, bandwidth information or a quantity of resource blocks of the frequency hop, and first frequency domain spacing information; 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the time domain information includes at least one of the following: a first time domain starting position, a quantity of time domain information or symbols of the frequency hop, a frequency hopping repetition factor, a first time domain interval information, and information indicating that time domain discontinuous frequency hopping is supported.

24. 24. The method of any one of claims 17 to 23, wherein the first type of reference signal is a positioning reference signal.

25. 1. A communication method comprising: receiving, by a network device, first configuration information, the first configuration information indicating M first frequency domain resources; transmitting or receiving, by the network device, N signals in the M first frequency domain resources, the N signals being located within N time units, M being an integer greater than or equal to 2, and N being a positive integer; A method comprising:

26. the N signals include an I-th signal and an (I+1)-th signal, the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal being located within adjacent time units; a first time interval is a time interval between the I-th signal and the (I+1)-th signal; the second time interval is a sum of a time for switching from an L-th first frequency domain resource to a second frequency domain resource and a time for switching from the second frequency domain resource to an (L+1)-th first frequency domain resource, wherein the L-th first frequency domain resource is used to transmit or receive the I-th signal, the (L+1)-th first frequency domain resource is used to transmit or receive the (I+1)-th signal, and the second frequency domain resource is used to transmit or receive at least one of a data signal, control information, and a second type reference signal; 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the first time interval is less than or equal to the second time interval.

27. The first configuration information is a first frequency and bandwidth of at least one of the M first frequency domain resources; and / or Frequency Shift Information Including, 27. The method of claim 25 or 26, wherein the first frequency is a start frequency, a center frequency, or an end frequency of the first frequency resource.

28. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the frequency shift information includes at least one of the following: a period of frequency shift, a pattern of the frequency shift, supported intra-slot frequency shifts, a frequency domain start position of the frequency shift, a time domain start position of the frequency shift, frequency domain interval information of the frequency shift, time domain interval information of the frequency shift, a quantity of periodic frequency shifts, a duration of the frequency shifts, and a quantity of frequency shifts.

29. the pattern of frequency shifts indicates frequency domain information and / or time domain information for a single frequency shift period; the frequency domain information includes at least one of the following: a first frequency domain starting position, bandwidth information or a quantity of resource blocks of the frequency shift, and first frequency domain spacing information; 29. The method of claim 28, wherein the time domain information includes at least one of the following: a first time domain starting position, a quantity of time domain information or symbols of the frequency shift, a frequency shift repetition factor, and a first time domain interval information.

30. the first configuration information further includes association information; 30. The method of claim 25, wherein the association information indicates that a K-th first frequency domain resource is associated with P first frequency domain resources, the P first frequency domain resources being P of the M first frequency domain resources, and the K-th first frequency domain resource being one of the M first frequency domain resources.

31. The method comprises: transmitting, by the network device, indication information, the indication information comprising: activating the Kth first frequency domain resource; activating some or all of the M first frequency domain resources; and an activation order for some or all of the M first frequency domain resources; 31. The method of any one of claims 25 to 30, comprising the steps of:

32. 32. The method of any one of claims 25 to 31, wherein the first type of reference signal is a positioning reference signal.

33. 10. A communications device comprising at least one processor, the at least one processor coupled to at least one memory, the at least one processor configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in the at least one memory to enable the communications device to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, a method according to any one of claims 9 to 16, a method according to any one of claims 17 to 24, or a method according to any one of claims 25 to 32.

34. 10. A computer program product comprising computer program code which, when run on a computer, performs the method of any one of claims 1 to 8, the method of any one of claims 9 to 16, the method of any one of claims 17 to 24, or the method of any one of claims 25 to 32.

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