Communication method and communication device

Abstract

The present invention provides a communication method and a communication device for reducing CSI feedback overhead for multiple frequency bands, comprising: inputting channel information for a first frequency band and channel information for K second frequency bands into a first encoder to determine a first channel condition indication corresponding to the first frequency band, where the channel information for the K second frequency bands is correlated with the channel information for the first frequency band, and K is a positive integer; and transmitting the first channel condition indication.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technologies, and more particularly to communication methods and devices. [Background technology]

[0002] [CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202211036042.1, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on August 27, 2022, and entitled "Communication Method and Communication Apparatus," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0003] [background] In wireless communication networks, e.g., mobile communication networks, the services supported by the network are becoming increasingly diverse, resulting in increasingly diverse requirements to be met. For example, networks must be capable of supporting ultra-high speeds, ultra-low latency, and / or extremely large connections. These characteristics make network planning, network configuration, and / or resource scheduling increasingly complex. Furthermore, as networks become increasingly powerful, supporting new technologies such as higher spectrum and higher-order multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology, beamforming, and / or beam management, network power saving has become a hot research topic. These new requirements, scenarios, and characteristics pose unprecedented challenges to network planning, operation and maintenance, and efficient operation. To address these challenges, artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can be introduced into wireless communication networks to implement network intelligence. From this perspective, how to effectively implement AI in networks is a worthy issue to consider. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides a communication method and apparatus to reduce channel state information (CSI) feedback overhead for multiple frequency bands through artificial intelligence.

[0005] According to a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is applied to a terminal device. The communication method includes: the terminal device inputs channel information of a first frequency band and channel information of K second frequency bands to a first encoder to determine first channel condition indication information corresponding to the first frequency band, where the channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated with the channel information of the first frequency band, and K is a positive integer; and the terminal device transmits the first channel condition indication information to a network device.

[0006] In such a design, channel correlation among multiple frequency bands can be utilized to reduce resource waste caused by repeated transmission of the same information among multiple frequency bands and to lower CSI feedback overhead for a single frequency band. For example, it can be understood that a sequence length corresponding to the first channel condition indication information is less than a sequence length corresponding to the second channel condition indication information, and the second channel condition indication information indicates compressed information of the channel information of the first frequency band.

[0007] In a possible design, the terminal device may further receive first information from the network device, where the first information indicates one or more of the following: that the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to determine the first channel condition indication information, that the channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated with the channel information of the first frequency band, and that the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to recover the channel information of the first frequency band. Optionally, the first information includes identifiers of the K second frequency bands and an identifier of the first frequency band.

[0008] Based on this design, the terminal device can quickly determine K second frequency bands that have channel correlation with the first frequency band based on the instruction of the network device, thereby improving CSI feedback efficiency.

[0009] In a possible design, the terminal device may further compress channel information of the K second frequency bands to determine channel state indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands. Furthermore, the terminal device may transmit the channel state indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands to the network device. In such a design, when the CSI feedback overhead of the first frequency band is reduced, the complete compressed CSI is fed back on the K second frequency bands, thereby ensuring that the network device restores the complete CSI of the first frequency band based on the channel correlation among the multiple frequency bands.

[0010] In a possible design, the terminal device inputs downlink reference signals received on the K second frequency bands to the first model to obtain channel information of the K second frequency bands. In such a design, channel estimation is performed by using an AI model, which can add nonlinear conversion processing to make the channel closer to the actual channel, thereby improving the channel estimation effect.

[0011] In one possible design, channel information for the K second frequency bands is correlated with channel information for a third frequency band used for uplink transmission, and the terminal device may further transmit an uplink reference signal on the third frequency band based on the channel information for the K second frequency bands. In such a design, a transmission mode for the uplink reference signal on a single frequency band may be determined based on channel correlation among the multiple frequency bands. For example, the number of transmitted uplink reference signals may be reduced, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0012] In a possible design, the terminal device may further receive second information from the network device, where the second information indicates one or more of the following: the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to determine a transmission mode of an uplink reference signal on a third frequency band; the channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated with the channel information of the third frequency band; and the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to estimate the channel information of the third frequency band. Based on this design, the terminal device can quickly determine the K second frequency bands having channel correlation with the third frequency band based on the instruction of the network device, thereby improving the efficiency of transmitting the uplink reference signal on the third frequency band.

[0013] According to a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication method, which is applied to a network device. The communication method includes: the network device receives first channel condition indication information from a terminal device, where the first channel condition indication information corresponds to a first frequency band, and channel information of the first frequency band is correlated with channel information of K second frequency bands, where K is a positive integer; and the network device inputs the first channel condition indication information and the channel information of the K second frequency bands to a first decoder to restore the channel information of the first frequency band.

[0014] A sequence length corresponding to the first channel condition indication information is less than a sequence length corresponding to the second channel condition indication information, and the second channel condition indication information indicates compressed information of the channel information of the first frequency band.

[0015] In a possible design, the network equipment may further transmit first information to the terminal equipment, where the first information indicates one or more of the following: that the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to determine the first channel condition indication information, that the channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated with the channel information of the first frequency band, and that the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to recover the channel information of the first frequency band. Optionally, the first information includes identifiers of the K second frequency bands and an identifier of the first frequency band.

[0016] In a possible design, the network equipment may further receive channel state indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands from the terminal equipment, and input the channel state indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands into the second model to obtain channel information of the K second frequency bands. The channel restoration is performed by using the AI ​​model, which can add nonlinear conversion processing so that the channel is closer to the actual channel, thereby improving the channel restoration effect.

[0017] In one possible design, the network device may further transmit a downlink reference signal on the first frequency band based on channel information for the K second frequency bands. In such a design, a transmission mode of a downlink reference signal corresponding to a single frequency band may be determined based on channel correlation among the multiple frequency bands. For example, the number of transmitted downlink reference signals may be reduced, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0018] In a possible design, the network device may further receive an uplink reference signal from the terminal device on a third frequency band, where channel information of the third frequency band is correlated with channel information of the K second frequency bands, and the network device may estimate the channel information of the third frequency band based on the uplink reference signal and the channel information of the K second frequency bands.

[0019] In a possible design, the network equipment may further send second information to the terminal equipment, where the second information indicates one or more of the following: the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to determine a transmission mode of an uplink reference signal on a third frequency band; the channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated with the channel information of the third frequency band; and the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to estimate the channel information of the third frequency band.

[0020] According to a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication device. The communication device may be a terminal device, or a device, module, chip, or the like within the terminal device, or a device usable with the terminal device. In design, the communication device may include modules that correspond one-to-one to the methods / operations / steps / actions according to the first aspect. The modules may be implemented by hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software. In design, the communication device may include a processing module and a communication module. An example is shown below.

[0021] The processing module is configured to input the channel information of the first frequency band and the channel information of the K second frequency bands to a first encoder to determine a first channel condition indication corresponding to the first frequency band, where the channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated to the channel information of the first frequency band, and K is a positive integer, and the communication module is configured to transmit the first channel condition indication.

[0022] A sequence length corresponding to the first channel condition indication information is less than a sequence length corresponding to the second channel condition indication information, and the second channel condition indication information indicates compressed information of the channel information of the first frequency band.

[0023] In a possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive first information from the network device, where the first information indicates one or more of the following: channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to determine the first channel condition indication; the channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated to the channel information of the first frequency band; and the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to recover the channel information of the first frequency band. Optionally, the first information includes identifiers of the K second frequency bands and an identifier of the first frequency band.

[0024] In a possible design, the processing module is further configured to compress the channel information of the K second frequency bands to determine channel condition indications corresponding to the K second frequency bands, and the communication module is further configured to transmit the channel condition indications corresponding to the K second frequency bands.

[0025] In a possible design, the processing module is further configured to input downlink reference signals received on the K second frequency bands to the first model to obtain channel information for the K second frequency bands.

[0026] In a possible design, the channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated to channel information of a third frequency band used for uplink transmission, and the processing module is further configured to transmit an uplink reference signal on the third frequency band based on the channel information of the K second frequency bands.

[0027] In a possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive second information from the network device, where the second information indicates one or more of the following: the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to determine a transmission mode of an uplink reference signal on a third frequency band; the channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated with the channel information of the third frequency band; and the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to estimate the channel information of the third frequency band.

[0028] According to a fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication device. The communication device may be a network device, or a device, module, chip, or the like within the network device, or a device usable with the network device. In design, the communication device may include modules that correspond one-to-one to the methods / operations / steps / actions according to the second aspect. The modules may be implemented by hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software. In design, the communication device may include a processing module and a communication module. An example is shown below.

[0029] The communication module is configured to receive a first channel condition indication from a terminal device, where the first channel condition indication corresponds to a first frequency band and the channel information of the first frequency band is correlated to the channel information of K second frequency bands, where K is a positive integer, and the processing module is configured to input the first channel condition indication and the channel information of the K second frequency bands to a first decoder to recover the channel information of the first frequency band.

[0030] A sequence length corresponding to the first channel condition indication information is less than a sequence length corresponding to the second channel condition indication information, and the second channel condition indication information indicates compressed information of the channel information of the first frequency band.

[0031] In a possible design, the communication module is further configured to transmit first information, where the first information indicates one or more of the following: channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to determine the first channel condition indication; the channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated to the channel information of the first frequency band; and the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to recover the channel information of the first frequency band. Optionally, the first information includes identifiers of the K second frequency bands and an identifier of the first frequency band.

[0032] In a possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive, from the terminal device, channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands, and the processing module is further configured to input the channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands to the second model to obtain channel information of the K second frequency bands.

[0033] In a possible design, the processing module is further configured to transmit a downlink reference signal on the first frequency band based on the channel information of the K second frequency bands.

[0034] In one possible design, the communication module is further configured to receive an uplink reference signal from the terminal device on a third frequency band, where channel information of the third frequency band is correlated to channel information of the K second frequency bands, and the processing module is further configured to estimate the channel information of the third frequency band based on the uplink reference signal and the channel information of the K second frequency bands.

[0035] In a possible design, the communication module is further configured to transmit second information, where the second information indicates one or more of the following: the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to determine a transmission mode of an uplink reference signal on a third frequency band; the channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated to the channel information of the third frequency band; and the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to estimate the channel information of the third frequency band.

[0036] According to a fifth aspect, the present disclosure provides a communications device. The communications device includes a processor configured to implement the method according to the first aspect. The processor is coupled to a memory. The memory is configured to store instructions and data. When the processor executes the instructions stored in the memory, the method according to the first aspect can be implemented. Optionally, the communications device may further include a memory. The communications device may further include a communications interface. The communications interface is used by the device to communicate with another device. For example, the communications interface may be a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module, a pin, or another type of communications interface.

[0037] In a possible design, the communication device comprises: a memory for storing instructions; a processor configured to input channel information of a first frequency band and channel information of K second frequency bands to a first encoder to determine a first channel condition indication corresponding to the first frequency band, wherein the channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated to the channel information of the first frequency band, and K is a positive integer; a communication interface configured to transmit a first channel condition indication; Includes.

[0038] According to a sixth aspect, the present disclosure provides a communications device. The communications device includes a processor configured to implement the method according to the second aspect. The processor is coupled to a memory. The memory is configured to store instructions and data. When the processor executes the instructions stored in the memory, the method according to the second aspect can be implemented. Optionally, the communications device may further include a memory. The communications device may further include a communications interface. The communications interface is used by the device to communicate with another device. For example, the communications interface may be a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module, a pin, or another type of communications interface.

[0039] In a possible design, the communication device comprises: a memory for storing instructions; a communication interface configured to receive a first channel condition indication from a terminal device, the first channel condition indication corresponding to a first frequency band, and channel information of the first frequency band being correlated to channel information of K second frequency bands, K being a positive integer; a processor configured to input the first channel condition indication and the channel information of the K second frequency bands to a first decoder to recover the channel information of the first frequency band; Includes.

[0040] According to a seventh aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication system including a terminal device capable of implementing the method according to the first aspect and a network device capable of implementing the method according to the second aspect.

[0041] According to an eighth aspect, the present disclosure further provides a computer program product, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to perform the method according to either the first or second aspect. For example, the computer may be a terminal device or a network device.

[0042] According to a ninth aspect, the present disclosure further provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to carry out a method according to either the first or second aspect.

[0043] According to a tenth aspect, the present disclosure further provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to carry out a method according to either the first or second aspect.

[0044] According to an eleventh aspect, the present disclosure further provides a chip configured to read a computer program stored in a memory to perform a method according to either the first or second aspect, or the chip includes circuitry configured to perform a method according to either the first or second aspect.

[0045] According to a twelfth aspect, the present disclosure further provides a chip system. The chip system includes a processor configured to support an apparatus in implementing a method according to either the first or second aspect. In a possible design, the chip system further includes a memory configured to store programs and data required for the apparatus. The chip system may include the chip or may include a separate component apart from the chip.

[0046] For the effects of the solutions provided in any one of the second to twelfth aspects, please refer to the corresponding explanation in the first aspect. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0047] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system. [Figure 2A] FIG. 1 illustrates a neuron configuration. [Figure 2B] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the layer relationship of a neural network. [Figure 2C] FIG. 1 illustrates an AI application framework according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of another communication system. [Figure 4A] 1 illustrates several network architectures. [Figure 4B] 1 illustrates several network architectures. [Figure 4C] 1 illustrates several network architectures. [Figure 4D] 1 illustrates several network architectures. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic flow chart illustrating a communication method according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a model application according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic flow chart illustrating a communication method according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a model application according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic flow chart illustrating a communication method according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a model application according to the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication device according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present disclosure clearer, the present disclosure will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0049] As described below in this disclosure, "at least one part (item)" refers to one part (item) or more parts (items). A plurality of (items) refers to two or more (items). The term "and / or" describes an association relationship between related objects and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may indicate the following three cases: when only A exists, when both A and B exist, and when only B exists. The character " / " typically indicates an "or" relationship between related objects. Furthermore, although terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe objects in this disclosure, it should be understood that these objects are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish objects from one another.

[0050] The terms "comprise" and "have," as well as any variations thereof mentioned in the following description of the present disclosure, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device comprising a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally further include other unlisted steps or units, or may optionally further include other inherent steps or units of the process, method, product, or device. It should be noted that in the present disclosure, terms such as "example" or "for example" indicate providing an example, illustration, or explanation. Any method or design solution described in the present disclosure as an "example" or "for example" should not be described as being preferred or having more advantages than another method or design solution. Rather, the use of terms such as "example" or "for example" is intended to present a relative concept in a particular manner.

[0051] The techniques provided in this disclosure may be applied to various communication systems. For example, the communication system may be a third-generation (3G) communication system (e.g., universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS)), a fourth-generation (4G) communication system (e.g., long-term evolution (LTE) system), a fifth-generation (5G) communication system, a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) or wireless local area network (WLAN) system, a system integrating multiple systems, or a future communication system, such as a 6G communication system. A 5G communication system may also be referred to as a new radio (NR) system.

[0052] A network element in a communication system may transmit a signal to another network element or receive a signal from another network element. The signal may include information, signaling, data, or the like. Alternatively, a network element may be replaced with an entity, a network entity, a device, a terminal equipment, a communication module, a node, a communication node, or the like. In this disclosure, a network element is used as an example for explanation. For example, a communication system may include at least one terminal equipment and at least one network equipment. The network equipment may transmit a downlink signal to the terminal equipment, and / or the terminal equipment may transmit an uplink signal to the network equipment. Furthermore, if a communication system includes multiple terminal equipment, it may be understood that the multiple terminal equipment may also transmit signals to each other. In other words, both the signal-transmitting network element and the signal-receiving network element may be terminal equipment.

[0053] The communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application may be applied to a wireless communication system such as 5G, 6G, or satellite communication. FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram illustrating a wireless communication system according to one embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication system includes a radio access network 100. The radio access network 100 may be a next-generation (e.g., 6G or higher) radio access network or a conventional (e.g., 5G, 4G, 3G, or 2G) radio access network. One or more terminal devices (120a to 120j, collectively referred to as 120) may be interconnected or connected to one or more network devices (110a and 110b, collectively referred to as 110) in the radio access network 100. Optionally, FIG. 1 is merely a diagram. The wireless communication system may include other devices, such as core network equipment, radio relay equipment, and / or radio backhaul equipment, which are not shown in FIG. 1.

[0054] Optionally, in practical applications, a wireless communication system may simultaneously include multiple network devices (also referred to as access network devices) or multiple terminal devices. One network device may simultaneously serve one or more terminal devices. Also, one terminal device may simultaneously access one or more network devices. The number of terminal devices and network devices included in a wireless communication system is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0055] The network equipment may be an entity configured to transmit or receive signals on the network side. The network equipment may be an access equipment through which a terminal device accesses a wireless communication system in a wireless manner. For example, the network equipment may be a base station. In a broad sense, the term base station may encompass or be replaced with the following names: For example, a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNB), a next generation Node B (gNB), a network device in an open radio access network (O-RAN), a relay station, an access point, a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a master station MeNB, a secondary station SeNB, a multi-standard radio (MSR) node, a home base station, a network controller, an access node, a radio node, an access point (AP), a transmitting node, a transceiver node, a baseband unit (BBU), a radio remote unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), a radio frequency head (RRH), a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a radio unit (RU), a central unit control plane (CU-CP) node, a central unit user plane (CU-UP) node, and a positioning node. The base station may be a macro base station, a micro base station, a relay node, a donor node, or the like, or a combination thereof. Alternatively, the network equipment may be a communication module, modem, or chip located within the above-mentioned device or apparatus.Alternatively, the network equipment may be a mobile switching center, a device performing base station functions in device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, network side equipment in a 6G network, a device performing base station functions in a future communication system, or the like. The network equipment may support networks using the same access technology or may support networks using different access technologies. The specific technology and the specific device form used by the network equipment are not limited to the embodiments of the present application.

[0056] The network equipment may be fixed or mobile. For example, base stations 110a and 110b are fixed and responsible for radio transmission and reception in one or more cells from terminal equipment 120. A helicopter or unmanned aerial vehicle 120i shown in FIG. 1 may be configured to function as a mobile base station, and one or more cells may move based on the location of mobile base station 120i. In another example, helicopter or unmanned aerial vehicle 120i may be configured to function as a terminal equipment communicating with base station 110b.

[0057] In the present disclosure, a communication device configured to implement the functions of the above-described access network may be a network device, or may be a network device having some functions of the access network, or may be a device capable of supporting the implementation of the functions of the access network, such as a chip system, a hardware circuit, a software module, or a combination of a hardware circuit and a software module. The device may be mounted on the network device or used together with the network device. In the method of the present disclosure, an example is described in which the communication device configured to implement the functions of the network device is a network device.

[0058] The terminal device 120 may be an entity configured to receive or transmit signals at a user's end, such as a mobile phone. The terminal device may be configured to connect to people, objects, and machines. The terminal device may communicate with one or more core networks via network equipment. The terminal device may include a handheld device with wireless connectivity, another processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, or the like. The terminal device may be a portable device, a pocket-sized device, a handheld device, a computer-integrated device, or a vehicle-mounted mobile device. The terminal device 120 may be widely used in various scenarios, such as cellular communications, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-vehicle / vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X), peer-to-peer (P2P), machine-to-machine (M2M), machine-to-machine (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, autonomous driving, remote medical care, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, unmanned aerial vehicles, robots, remote sensing, passive sensing, positioning, navigation and tracking, and autonomous delivery and mobility.Some examples of terminal devices 120 include 3GPP user equipment (UE), fixed devices, mobile devices, handheld devices, wearable devices, mobile phones, smartphones, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phones, notebook computers, personal computers, smartbooks, vehicles, satellites, Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, target tracking devices, unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters, aircraft, ships, remote control devices, smart home devices, industrial devices, personal communication service (PCS) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless network cameras, tablet computers, palmtop computers, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices such as smart watches, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, terminals in vehicular internet systems, wireless terminals in self-driving systems, smart grids, and the like. Examples of the terminal equipment 120 include wireless terminals in a smart grid, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals such as smart fuel pumps in a smart city, terminal equipment on high-speed trains, and wireless terminals such as smart speakers, smart coffee machines, and smart printers in a smart home. The terminal equipment 120 may be a wireless device in the various scenarios described above, or may be a device disposed within a wireless device, such as a communication module, modem, or chip within the device described above. The terminal equipment may also be referred to as a terminal, terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), or the like. Alternatively, the terminal equipment may be a terminal equipment in a future wireless communication system.The terminal equipment may be dedicated network equipment, general-purpose equipment, or the like. The specific technology and specific equipment form used by the terminal equipment are not limited to the embodiments of the present application.

[0059] Optionally, the terminal device may be configured to function as a base station. For example, the UE may function as a scheduling entity providing sidelink signals between UEs in V2X, D2D, P2P, or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile phone 120a and the vehicle 120b communicate with each other by using sidelink signals. The mobile phone 120a communicates with the smart home device 120e without relaying the communication signals through the base station 110b.

[0060] In the present disclosure, a communication device configured to implement functions of a terminal device may be a terminal device, or may be a terminal device having some functions of a terminal device, or may be a device capable of supporting the implementation of functions of a terminal device, such as a chip system. The device may be mounted on a terminal device or used together with a terminal device. In the present disclosure, the chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and another individual component. The technical solutions provided in the present disclosure will be described using an example in which the communication device is a terminal device or a UE.

[0061] Optionally, a wireless communication system typically includes cells, and a base station provides cell management, providing communication services to multiple mobile stations (MSs) within the cell. The base station includes a baseband unit (BBU) and a remote radio unit (RRU). The BBU and the RRU may be deployed in different locations. For example, the RRU may be remotely deployed in a high-traffic area, and the BBU may be deployed in a central equipment room. Alternatively, the BBU and the RRU may be deployed in the same equipment room. Alternatively, the BBU and the RRU may be different components in the same rack. Optionally, one cell may correspond to one carrier or component carriers.

[0062] It may be understood that the present disclosure may be applied between a network device and a terminal device, between network devices, or between terminal devices, i.e., between a primary device and a secondary device. The primary device may be a network device or a terminal device. If the primary device is a network device, the secondary device may be another network device or a terminal device. If the primary device is a terminal device, the secondary device may be another terminal device.

[0063] The solution is described below by using an example in which the primary device is a network device and the secondary device is a terminal device: the communication direction corresponding to the downlink is transmission from the primary device to the secondary device, and the communication direction corresponding to the uplink is transmission from the secondary device to the primary device.

[0064] Protocol layer configuration between network devices and terminal devices

[0065] Communications between the network equipment and the terminal equipment conform to a specified protocol layer configuration. The protocol layer configuration may include a control plane protocol layer configuration and a user plane protocol layer configuration. For example, the control plane protocol layer configuration may include protocol layer functions such as a radio resource control (RRC) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, a media access control (MAC) layer, and a physical layer. For example, the user plane protocol layer configuration may include protocol layer functions such as a PDCP layer, an RLC layer, a MAC layer, and a physical layer. In a possible implementation, a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer may further exist above the PDCP layer.

[0066] Optionally, the protocol layer configuration between the network equipment and the terminal may further include an artificial intelligence (AI) layer used to transmit data related to AI functions.

[0067] Data transmission between network equipment and terminal equipment is used as an example. Data transmission must pass through user plane protocol layers, such as the SDAP layer, PDCP layer, RLC layer, MAC layer, and physical layer. The SDAP layer, PDCP layer, RLC layer, MAC layer, and physical layer are sometimes collectively referred to as the access layer. Because the data transmission direction includes transmission and reception, each layer is further divided into a transmission portion and a reception portion. Downlink data transmission is used as an example. After receiving data from a higher layer, the PDCP layer transmits the data to the RLC layer and MAC layer. The MAC layer generates a transport block, and then radio transmission is performed through the physical layer. Data is encapsulated accordingly at each layer. For example, data received by a layer from its higher layer is considered as a service data unit (SDU) for that layer, encapsulated by that layer into a protocol data unit (PDU), and then forwarded to the next layer.

[0068] For example, a terminal device may further include an application layer and a non-access layer. The application layer may be used to provide services to an application installed in the terminal device. For example, downlink data received by the terminal device may be sequentially transmitted from the physical layer to the application layer, and then provided to the application by the application layer. As another example, the application layer may obtain data generated by an application, sequentially transmit the data to the physical layer, and then transmit the data to another communication device. The non-access layer may be used to transfer user data. For example, the non-access layer may transfer uplink data received from the application layer to the SDAP layer, or transfer downlink data received from the SDAP layer to the application layer.

[0069] Network device configuration

[0070] A network device may include a central unit (CU) and distributed units (DUs). Multiple DUs may be controlled by one CU in a centralized manner. For example, the interface between the CU and the DU may be referred to as an F1 interface. The control plane (CP) interface may be F1-C, and the user plane (UP) interface may be F1-U. The CU and DU may be divided based on the protocol layer of the wireless network. For example, the functions of the PDCP layer and the protocol layers above the PDCP layer are configured on the CU, and the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (e.g., the RLC layer and the MAC layer) are configured on the DU. As another example, the functions of the protocol layers above the PDCP layer are configured on the CU, and the functions of the PDCP layer and the protocol layers below the PDCP layer are configured on the DU.

[0071] The division of the CU and DU into processing functions based on protocol layers is merely an example, and it may be understood that other division schemes may exist. For example, the CU or DU may be divided into functions with more protocol layers. As another example, the CU or DU may be further divided into several processing functions with protocol layers. In one design, some functions of the RLC layer and functions of protocol layers above the RLC layer are configured on the CU, and the remaining functions of the RLC layer and functions of protocol layers below the RLC layer are configured on the DU. In another design, the division of the CU or DU into functions may alternatively be performed based on service type or other system requirements. For example, the division may be performed based on delay. Functions whose processing time must meet delay requirements are configured on the DU, and functions whose processing time does not need to meet delay requirements are configured on the CU. In another design, the CU may alternatively have one or more functions of a core network. For example, the CU may be located on the network side to facilitate centralized management. In another design, the RU of the DU is remotely located. The RU has radio frequency functionality.

[0072] Optionally, the DU and RU may be distinguished at the physical layer (PHY). For example, the DU may implement upper layer functions of the PHY layer, and the RU may implement lower layer functions of the PHY layer. When used for transmission, the PHY layer functions may include cyclic redundancy check (CRC) code addition, channel coding, rate matching, scrambling, modulation, layer mapping, precoding, resource mapping, physical antenna mapping, and / or radio frequency transmission functions. When used for reception, the PHY layer functions may include CRC, channel decoding, rate dematching, descrambling, demodulation, layer demapping, channel detection, resource demapping, physical antenna demapping, and / or radio frequency reception functions. The upper layer functions of the PHY layer may include some functions of the PHY layer. For example, these functions are closer to the MAC layer. The lower layer functions of the PHY layer may include some other functions of the PHY layer. For example, these functions are closer to the radio frequency functions. For example, the upper layer functions of the PHY layer may include CRC code addition, channel coding, rate matching, scrambling, modulation, and layer mapping, and the lower layer functions of the PHY layer may include precoding, resource mapping, physical antenna mapping, and radio frequency transmission functions. Alternatively, the upper layer functions of the PHY layer may include CRC code addition, channel coding, rate matching, scrambling, modulation, layer mapping, and precoding, and the lower layer functions of the PHY layer may include resource mapping, physical antenna mapping, and radio frequency transmission functions.

[0073] For example, the functions of the CU may be implemented by one entity or by different entities. For example, the functions of the CU may be further divided. Specifically, the control plane and the user plane are separated and implemented by different entities, such as a control plane CU entity (i.e., a CU-CP entity) and a user plane CU entity (i.e., a CU-UP entity). The CU-CP entity and the CU-UP entity may be coupled to the DU to jointly complete the functions of the network device.

[0074] In the above-described architecture, signaling generated by the CU may be transmitted to the terminal device via the DU, or signaling generated by the terminal device may be transmitted to the CU via the DU. For example, signaling in the RRC layer or the PDCP layer is ultimately processed into signaling in the physical layer and transmitted to the terminal device, or converted from signaling received from the physical layer. In this architecture, signaling in the RRC layer or the PDCP layer may be considered to be transmitted via the DU or via the DU and the RU.

[0075] Optionally, any one of the DU, CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, and RU may be a software module, a hardware configuration, or a combination of a software module and a hardware configuration. This is not limited thereto. Different entities may exist in different forms. This is not limited thereto. For example, the DU, CU, CU-CP, and CU-UP are software modules, and the RU is a hardware configuration. In addition, both the modules and the methods performed by the modules are included within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0076] It should be understood that the number and type of each device in the communication system shown in Figure 1 are used merely as an example, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In an actual application, the communication system may further include more terminal equipment and more network equipment, and may further include other network elements, for example, core network equipment and / or network elements configured to implement artificial intelligence functions.

[0077] The method provided in the present disclosure may be used for communication between a network device and a terminal device, and may also be used for communication between other terminal devices, for example, but not limited to, communication between a macro base station and a micro base station in a wireless backhaul link, or communication between two terminal devices in a sidelink (SL).

[0078] The CSI feedback technique in the present disclosure is described below. With the development of wireless communication technology, the number of services supported by a communication system is continuously increasing, imposing higher requirements on the communication system in terms of indicators such as system capacity and communication delay. In the above-mentioned communication system (e.g., LTE or NR system), expanding the bandwidth available for use by a terminal device can effectively improve the communication rate. To enable the terminal device to use a wider available bandwidth, the network equipment may allocate multiple contiguous frequency bands or multiple discontinuous frequency bands to the terminal device for communication. To support effective communication on each frequency band, the network equipment needs to obtain channel state information (CSI) for each frequency band. For example, for a frequency band used for downlink communication or transmission, the network equipment may determine configurations such as resources, modulation and coding scheme (MCS), and precoding of the terminal device's scheduled downlink data channel based on the CSI of the frequency band. As another example, for a frequency band used for uplink communication or transmission, a network device may determine a configuration such as resources and precoding of an uplink data channel of a terminal device based on the CSI of the frequency band. CSI may be understood to be channel information that can reflect channel characteristics and channel quality. Channel information may also be referred to as a channel response. For example, the CSI may be represented by using a channel matrix. For example, the CSI may include a channel matrix, or the CSI may include an eigenvector of the channel.

[0079] In a frequency division duplex (FDD) communication scenario, the uplink channel and the downlink channel do not have reciprocity; in other words, the reciprocity between the uplink channel and the downlink channel cannot be guaranteed. In downlink communication, a network device typically transmits a downlink reference signal to a terminal device. The terminal device performs channel measurement and interference measurement based on the received downlink reference signal to estimate downlink channel information. Here, the downlink channel information includes downlink CSI. The terminal device may feed back the downlink CSI to the network device. In uplink communication, the terminal device typically transmits an uplink reference signal to the network device. The network device performs channel measurement and interference measurement based on the received uplink reference signal to estimate uplink channel information. Here, the uplink channel information includes uplink CSI.

[0080] Downlink CSI feedback is used as an example. In a conventional downlink CSI feedback scheme, a terminal device may generate a downlink CSI report based on downlink CSI estimated in a predefined manner or a manner configured by a network device. The terminal device may feed back the downlink CSI report to the network device. The downlink reference signal includes a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) or a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB). The CSI report includes feedback quantities, such as a rank indicator (RI), a channel quality indicator (CQI), and a precoding matrix indicator (PMI). The RI indicates the quantity of downlink transport layers recommended by the terminal device, the CQI indicates the modulation and coding schemes that can be supported by the current channel conditions determined by the terminal device, and the PMI indicates the precoding recommended by the terminal device.

[0081] As the size of the antenna array in a system increases, the number of antenna ports that can be supported by the communication system increases, and the size of the complete channel matrix is ​​directly proportional to the number of antenna ports. In a massive MIMO system, when a terminal device uses a conventional CSI feedback method to feed back the complete channel matrix to network equipment based on CSI, huge feedback overhead occurs. When a terminal device performs communication on multiple frequency bands, the feedback overhead further increases. The huge feedback overhead reduces the resources available for data transmission and reduces the system capacity. Therefore, to improve system capacity, how to reduce the CSI feedback overhead becomes a worthwhile issue to consider.

[0082] Artificial intelligence (AI) is introduced into wireless communication networks to form an AI-based downlink CSI feedback scheme. A terminal device uses an AI model to compress and feed back downlink CSI, and a network device uses the AI ​​model to restore the compressed downlink CSI. In the AI-based downlink CSI feedback, a sequence (e.g., a bit sequence) is transmitted between the terminal device and the access network device. The overhead of CSI feedback in this scheme is lower than that of conventional downlink CSI report feedback.

[0083] Currently, when a terminal device feeds back downlink CSI of multiple frequency bands, the terminal device typically compresses and feeds back the downlink CSI of each frequency band separately based on AI, allowing the network device to individually restore the compressed downlink CSI of the multiple frequency bands. Correspondingly, to support the compression and feedback of the downlink CSI of each frequency band, the network device needs to transmit sufficient downlink reference signals on each frequency band for channel estimation by the terminal device. Thus, the design of independent compression and feedback of the downlink CSI of multiple frequency bands results in some identical information being repeatedly transmitted between the downlink CSI of the multiple frequency bands, resulting in wasted resources.

[0084] In consideration of this, the present disclosure provides a communication method that takes into account channel correlation between multiple frequency bands in compressing and feeding back CSI for multiple frequency bands based on AI. In the present disclosure, some frequency bands are selected as primary frequency bands from multiple frequency bands with channel correlation, and the remaining frequency bands are used as secondary frequency bands. Channel information for the primary frequency bands can be used for channel estimation or reconstruction for the secondary frequency bands. For example, a terminal device performs independent compression and feedback on downlink CSI for the primary frequency band, and feeds back only downlink CSI corresponding to a portion of the secondary frequency band that is different from the primary frequency band. In this way, resource waste caused by repeatedly transmitting the same information across multiple frequency bands can be reduced, thereby lowering downlink CSI feedback overhead. The present communication method can be applied to the above-mentioned communication systems, such as FDD communication scenarios. Optionally, the present communication method can also be applied to time division duplex (TDD) communication scenarios, which is not a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0085] Alternatively, in the present disclosure, the existence of channel correlation among multiple frequency bands may be described as the channel information of the multiple frequency bands being correlated. In a specific implementation, the correlation may be indicated by an overlapping portion between the channel characteristics of the multiple frequency bands. Here, the overlapping portion may alternatively be described as an identical portion. Alternatively, the correlation may be described as follows: The correlation indicates that the same channel characteristics exist between the primary frequency band and the secondary frequency band in the multiple frequency bands.

[0086] Optionally, both the primary frequency band and the secondary frequency band in the present disclosure may be used for downlink communication or uplink communication, or the primary frequency band and the secondary frequency band in the present disclosure may correspond to different transmission directions. For example, the primary frequency band is used for downlink communication, and the secondary frequency band is used for uplink communication. As another example, the primary frequency band is used for uplink communication, and the secondary frequency band is used for downlink communication. In the present disclosure, it may be understood that there may be channel correlation between frequency bands in the same transmission direction, and that there may be channel correlation between frequency bands in different transmission directions. This is not a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0087] For ease of understanding, the AI ​​technology in the present disclosure will be first described below, which may not be understood to limit the present disclosure.

[0088] (1) AI model

[0089] An AI model is a specific implementation of an AI technology function. An AI model describes the mapping relationship between the model's inputs and outputs. The type of AI model can be a neural network, a linear regression model, a decision tree model, a support vector machine (SVM), a Bayesian network, a Q-learning model, or another machine learning (ML) model.

[0090] The present disclosure relates to an encoder configured to compress CSI and a decoder configured to restore the compressed CSI. The encoder and decoder need to be used together. The encoder and decoder may be understood to be matching AI models.

[0091] In a possible design, the set of encoder and decoder used together may specifically be two parts of the same autoencoder (AE). An autoencoder is an unsupervised learning neural network characterized by using input data as label data. Therefore, an autoencoder may also be understood as a self-supervised learning neural network. An autoencoder may be configured to compress and decompress data. For example, the encoder in an autoencoder may compress (encode) data A to obtain data B, and the decoder in the autoencoder may decompress (decode) data B to restore data A. Furthermore, a decoder may also be understood as the inverse operation of an encoder.

[0092] (2) Neural Networks

[0093] A neural network is a specific implementation of AI or machine learning techniques. According to the universal approximation theorem, a neural network can theoretically approximate any continuous function, giving it the ability to learn any mapping.

[0094] The idea of ​​neural networks comes from the neuron structure of the brain. For example, each neuron performs a weighted summation operation on the neuron's input values ​​and outputs the operation result through an activation function. Figure 2A shows the neuron structure. The neuron's inputs are x = [x0, x1, ..., x n ], and the weights corresponding to the inputs are w=[w, w1,..., w n ], where w i is x i is used as the weight of x i The offset for performing weighted addition of input values ​​based on the weights is, for example, b. There can be multiple forms of activation functions. The activation function of a neuron is y = f(z) = max(0,z), and the output of the neuron is

[0095]

number

[0096] As another example, if the activation function of a neuron is y=f(z)=z, then the output of the neuron is

[0097]

number

[0098] b, w i , and x i can have a variety of possible values, such as a decimal number, an integer (e.g., 0, a positive integer, or a negative integer), or a complex number. The activation functions of different neurons in a neural network may be the same or different.

[0099] A neural network typically includes multiple layers, each of which may include one or more neurons. Increasing the depth and / or width of a neural network can improve the neural network's representational capabilities and provide more powerful information extraction and abstract modeling capabilities for complex systems. The depth of a neural network can be the number of layers included in the neural network, and the number of neurons included in each layer may be referred to as the layer width. In one implementation, a neural network includes an input layer and an output layer. The input layer of a neural network performs neuronal processing on received input information and forwards the processing results to the output layer. The output layer obtains the neural network's output results. In another implementation, a neural network includes an input layer, a hidden layer, and an output layer. See FIG. 2B. The input layer of a neural network performs neuronal processing on received input information and forwards the processing results to intermediate hidden layers. The hidden layers perform calculations on the received processing results to obtain calculation results. The hidden layers forward the calculation results to the output layer or adjacent hidden layers. Finally, the output layer obtains the neural network's output results. A neural network may include one hidden layer or multiple hidden layers connected in series, but is not limited to this.

[0100] For example, the type of the AI ​​model is a neural network. The AI ​​model in the present disclosure may be a deep neural network (DNN). According to the network construction method, the DNN may include a feedforward neural network (FNN), a convolutional neural network (CNN), and a recurrent neural network (RNN).

[0101] (3) Training dataset and inference data

[0102] A training dataset is used to train an AI model. The training dataset may include the input of the AI ​​model, or may include the input and target output of the AI ​​model. The training dataset includes one or more portions of training data. The training data may be training sample inputs to the AI ​​model, or the target output of the AI ​​model. The target output is sometimes called a label or a label sample. The training dataset is one of the important parts of machine learning. Essentially, model training is learning some features from the training data so that the output of the AI ​​model is as close as possible to the target output, e.g., the difference between the output of the AI ​​model and the target output is minimized. The composition and selection of the training dataset can determine to some extent the performance of the trained AI model.

[0103] Furthermore, a loss function may be defined in the training process of an AI model (e.g., a neural network). The loss function describes the gap or difference between the output value of the AI ​​model and the target output value. The specific form of the loss function is not limited in this application. The training process of the AI ​​model is a process of adjusting the model parameters of the AI ​​model so that the value of the loss function is less than a threshold or the value of the loss function meets the target requirement. For example, the AI ​​model is a neural network, and adjusting the model parameters of the neural network includes adjusting at least one of the following parameters: the number and width of layers in the neural network, the weights of neurons, or parameters in the activation functions of neurons.

[0104] The inference data may be used as an input of the trained AI model for AI model inference. During model inference, the inference data is input to the AI ​​model to obtain a corresponding output, i.e., an inference result.

[0105] (4) AI model design

[0106] AI model design mainly includes a data collection phase (e.g., collecting training data and / or inference data), a model training phase, and a model inference phase. An inference result application phase may also be included. FIG. 2C illustrates an AI application framework. In the above-mentioned data collection phase, a data source is used to provide a training dataset and inference data. In the model training phase, the training data provided by the data source is analyzed or trained to obtain an AI model. The AI ​​model indicates a mapping relationship between the model's input and output. Obtaining an AI model through learning by using a model training node is equivalent to obtaining a mapping relationship between the model's input and output through learning based on the training data. In the model inference phase, the AI ​​model obtained through training in the model training phase is used to perform inference based on the inference data provided by the data source to obtain an inference result. This phase can also be understood as follows: the inference data is input to the AI ​​model to obtain an output through the AI ​​model. The output is the inference result. The inference result may indicate the configuration parameters used (acted upon) by the execution object and / or the operation performed by the execution object. The inference results are released in the inference result application phase. For example, the inference results may be planned in a unified manner by an execution (actor) entity. For example, the execution entity may send the inference results to one or more execution objects (e.g., core network equipment, network equipment, or terminal equipment) for execution. As another example, the execution entity may further feed back the model performance to a data source to facilitate subsequent model update training.

[0107] It may be understood that a communication system may include network elements with artificial intelligence functions. The above-mentioned phases related to AI model design may be performed by one or more network elements with artificial intelligence functions. In a possible design, AI functions may be configured in existing network elements (e.g., AI modules or AI entities) in the communication system to implement AI-related operations, such as AI model training and / or inference. For example, the existing network elements may be network equipment (e.g., gNBs), terminal equipment, core network equipment, network management systems, or the like. Based on the operator's actual requirements for network operation, the network management system may classify network management tasks into three types: operation, administration, and maintenance. The network management system may also be referred to as an operation administration and maintenance (OAM) network element, or OAM for short. Operation mainly refers to routine analysis, prediction, planning, and configuration for networks and services. Maintenance mainly refers to routine operational activities, such as network and service testing and fault management. The network management system can detect the network's running status, optimize network connectivity and performance, improve network running stability, and reduce network maintenance costs. In another possible design, an independent network element may alternatively be introduced into the communication system to perform AI-related operations, such as AI model training. The independent network element may be referred to as an AI network element, an AI node, or the like. The name is not limited in this disclosure. The AI ​​network element may be directly connected to network equipment in the communication system or indirectly connected to the network equipment via a third-party network element.The third-party network element may be a core network element, such as an authentication management function (AMF) network element or a user plane function (UPF) network element, an OAM, a cloud server, or another network element. This is not limited to this. For example, FIG. 3 shows a communication system. The communication system includes a network device 110, a terminal device 120, and a terminal device 130. An AI network element 140 is also introduced into the communication system shown in FIG. 3.

[0108] In the present disclosure, one parameter or multiple parameters may be obtained through inference using one model. Training processes for different models may be deployed on different devices or different nodes, or on the same device or the same node. Inference processes for different models may be deployed on different devices or nodes, or on the same device or node. For example, after a terminal device completes a model training phase and trains an encoder and a decoder that can be trained together, the terminal device may send the model parameters of the decoder to a network device. For example, after a network device completes a model training phase and trains an encoder and a decoder that can be trained together, the network device may instruct the terminal device on the model parameters of the encoder. For example, after an independent AI network element completes a model training phase and trains an encoder and a decoder that can be trained together, the AI ​​network element may send the model parameters of the encoder to a terminal device and the model parameters of the decoder to a network device. The terminal device executes a model inference phase corresponding to the encoder, and the network device executes a model inference phase corresponding to the decoder.

[0109] The model parameters may include one or more of the following: configuration parameters of the model (e.g., the number and / or weights of layers in the model), input parameters of the model (e.g., the input dimensions and the number of input ports), and output parameters of the model (e.g., the output dimensions and the number of output ports). It may be understood that the input dimensions may be the size of a portion of the input data. For example, if the input data is a sequence, the input dimensions corresponding to the sequence may indicate the length of the sequence. The quantity of input ports may be the quantity of portions of the input data. Similarly, the output dimensions may be the size of a portion of the output data. For example, if the output data is a sequence, the output dimensions corresponding to the sequence may indicate the length of the sequence. The quantity of output ports may be the quantity of portions of the output data.

[0110] 4A to 4D, for example, in the network equipment, model training and / or inference is performed, and in the network equipment, partitioning is performed to obtain functional modules for model training and / or inference.

[0111] As shown in (a) in FIG. 4A , in a first possible implementation, the network equipment includes a near-real-time radio access network intelligent controller (RAN intelligent controller, RIC) module configured to perform model training and / or inference. For example, the near-real-time RIC may acquire network-side and / or terminal-side information from at least one of a CU, a DU, or a RU. Here, the information may include training data or inference data. For example, the near-real-time RIC may be configured to perform model training and further perform inference by using the trained model. Further, optionally, the near-real-time RIC may submit inference results to at least one of the CU, the DU, and the RU. Optionally, the CU and the DU may exchange the inference results. Optionally, the DU and the RU may exchange the inference results. For example, the near-real-time RIC submits the inference results to the DU, and the DU submits the inference results to the RU.

[0112] As shown in (b) in FIG. 4A , in a second possible implementation, in a communication system, a non-real-time RIC may be included outside the network equipment. Optionally, the non-real-time RIC may be located in the OAM or in the core network equipment. The non-real-time RIC is configured to perform model learning and inference. For example, the non-real-time RIC may acquire network-side and / or terminal-side information from at least one of the CU, DU, and RU. Here, the information may include training data or inference data. For example, the non-real-time RIC may be configured to perform model training and further perform inference by using the trained model. Furthermore, optionally, the non-real-time RIC may submit inference results to at least one of the CU, DU, and RU. Optionally, the CU and the DU may exchange the inference results. Optionally, the DU and the RU may exchange the inference results. For example, the non-real-time RIC submits the inference results to the DU, and the DU submits the inference results to the RU.

[0113] As shown in (c) in FIG. 4A , in a third possible implementation, the network equipment includes a near-real-time RIC, and a non-real-time RIC is further included outside the network equipment. Optionally, the non-real-time RIC may be located in the OAM or in the core network equipment. In a first possible design, the non-real-time RIC may be configured to perform model training. The near-real-time RIC may acquire model parameters of the trained AI model from the non-real-time RIC, acquire network-side and / or terminal-side information from at least one of the CU, DU, and RU, and acquire an inference result by using the trained AI model based on the information. The near-real-time RIC may further submit the inference result to at least one of the CU, DU, and RU. Optionally, the CU and DU may exchange the inference result, and the DU and RU may exchange the inference result. For example, the near-real-time RIC may submit the inference result to the DU, and the DU may submit the inference result to the RU. In a second possible design, the near-real-time RIC is configured to perform model training and perform inference by using the trained model, and the non-real-time RIC does not participate in the model training or inference. Alternatively, the non-real-time RIC is configured to perform model training and perform inference by using the trained model, and the near-real-time RIC does not participate in model training or inference. In a third possible design, the near-real-time RIC is configured to perform model training and send model parameters of the trained AI model to the non-real-time RIC, and the non-real-time RIC performs inference by using the trained model.

[0114] 4B is an exemplary diagram of a network architecture to which the method provided in the present disclosure can be applied. Compared with (c) in FIG. 4A, in FIG. 4B, the CU is separated into a CU-CP and a CU-UP.

[0115] FIG. 4C is an exemplary diagram of a network architecture to which the methods provided in the present disclosure can be applied. As shown in FIG. 4C, optionally, the network equipment includes one or more AI entities, and the functions of the AI ​​entities are similar to those of the near-real-time RIC. Optionally, the OAM includes one or more AI entities, and the functions of the AI ​​entities are similar to those of the non-real-time RIC. Optionally, the core network equipment includes one or more AI entities, and the functions of the AI ​​entities are similar to those of the non-real-time RIC. When the OAM and the core network equipment each include an AI entity, the models obtained through training by the AI ​​entities of the OAM and the core network equipment are different, and / or the models for inference are different. In the present disclosure, different models include at least one of the following: different configuration parameters of the models (e.g., the number and / or weights of layers in the models), different input parameters of the models, or different output parameters of the models.

[0116] FIG. 4D is an exemplary diagram of a network architecture to which the methods provided in the present disclosure can be applied. Compared with FIG. 4C, the network equipment in FIG. 4D is separated into a CU and a DU. Optionally, the CU may include an AI entity, whose function is similar to that of a near-real-time RIC. Optionally, the DU may include an AI entity, whose function is similar to that of a near-real-time RIC. If the CU and the DU each include an AI entity, the models obtained through training by the AI ​​entities of the CU and the DU are different, and / or the models for inference are different. Optionally, the CU in FIG. 4D may be further divided into a CU-CP and a CU-UP. Optionally, one or more AI models may be deployed in the CU-CP, and / or one or more AI models may be deployed in the CU-UP. Optionally, in FIG. 4C or FIG. 4D, the OAM of the network equipment and the OAM of the core network equipment may be deployed separately and independently.

[0117] Furthermore, by using Solution 1 to Solution 3, the communication methods provided in this disclosure are described in detail below.

[0118] Solution 1

[0119] 5 shows a communication method, which includes the following steps:

[0120] S501: A network device transmits a downlink reference signal to a terminal device.

[0121] In a specific implementation, the network equipment may separately transmit downlink reference signals to the terminal equipment on multiple frequency bands. The downlink reference signals are used by the terminal equipment to estimate channel information of the corresponding frequency bands. In response, the terminal equipment may receive downlink reference signals from the network equipment on the multiple frequency bands.

[0122] S502: The terminal device determines channel information of a first frequency band and channel information of K second frequency bands.

[0123] In a specific implementation, corresponding to S501, the terminal device may acquire channel information of the first frequency band through estimation based on a downlink reference signal received on the first frequency band. The channel information may be referred to as downlink channel information. The channel information of the first frequency band indicates all channel characteristics of the first frequency band estimated based on the downlink reference signal, and the channel information of the first frequency band includes downlink CSI corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0124] The first frequency band may be a secondary frequency band, and the primary frequency band corresponding to the secondary frequency band includes K second frequency bands. Channel correlation exists between the K second frequency bands and the first frequency band, i.e., channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated with channel information of the first frequency band, where K is a positive integer. Furthermore, the channel information reflects channel characteristics, and the channel correlation existing between the K second frequency bands and the first frequency band may also be understood or explained as an overlapping portion existing between all channel characteristics of the K second frequency bands and all channel characteristics of the first frequency band.

[0125] The manner in which the terminal device determines the K second frequency bands will be described in detail below.

[0126] In an optional implementation, the K second frequency bands having channel correlation with the first frequency band are pre-configured, and the terminal device may determine the K second frequency bands based on the pre-configuration.

[0127] In another optional implementation, the network equipment may indicate to the terminal equipment K second frequency bands that have channel correlation with the first frequency band, and the terminal equipment determines the K second frequency bands based on the instructions of the network equipment.

[0128] In a specific implementation, the network device may transmit first information to the terminal device. Here, the first information may indicate an association relationship between multiple frequency bands. The association relationship between the multiple frequency bands may include one or more of the following: Channel information of any frequency band among the multiple frequency bands may be used to determine channel state indication information corresponding to at least one frequency band among the multiple frequency bands; Channel state indication information corresponding to any frequency band may be used to restore channel information of at least one frequency band among the multiple frequency bands; and frequency bands having channel correlation exist in the multiple frequency bands. The channel state indication information corresponds to channel information and may be compressed information obtained after the channel information is compressed, or quantized information obtained after the channel information is compressed and quantized. In a scenario where the channel information includes downlink CSI, the channel state indication information may be compressed downlink CSI or compressed and quantized downlink CSI.

[0129] The multiple frequency bands include a first frequency band and K second frequency bands. Accordingly, from the perspective of the first frequency band, the first information may indicate one or more of the following, or the terminal device may determine one or more of the following based on the first information: That is, the channel information of the K second frequency bands can be used to determine first channel condition indication information; The channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated with the channel information of the first frequency band; And, the channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands or the channel information of the K second frequency bands can be used to restore the channel information of the first frequency band.

[0130] Optionally, the network device may further indicate to the terminal device the specified conditions of the primary frequency band. For example, channel condition indication information corresponding to one frequency band among the multiple frequency bands can be used to restore channel information of another frequency band, but the channel information of the frequency band can only be restored based on the channel condition indication information corresponding to the frequency band. In this case, the frequency band may be set as a primary frequency band. As another example, channel condition indication information corresponding to one frequency band among the multiple frequency bands can be used to restore channel information of another frequency band, and if the load on the frequency band is less than a set load threshold or less than the load of the other frequency band, the frequency band may be set as a primary frequency band. Based on this, the terminal device may further determine a primary frequency band corresponding to the first frequency band, i.e., K second frequency bands, based on the specified conditions of the primary frequency band.

[0131] By using M to indicate the quantity of frequency bands, the content contained in the first information will be described in detail below.

[0132] In one implementation, the first information may include attribute information of an i-th frequency band among the M frequency bands, where M is a large integer greater than 1 and i is a partial or complete integer between 1 and M. The attribute information of the i-th frequency band may indicate that information of the i-th frequency band is available for a plurality of frequency bands. The information of the i-th frequency band may be channel information, and the availability of the information of the i-th frequency band for a plurality of frequency bands means that the channel information of the i-th frequency band can be used to determine channel state indication information corresponding to a plurality of frequency bands among the M frequency bands. Alternatively, the information of the i-th frequency band may be channel state indication information, and the availability of the information of the i-th frequency band for a plurality of frequency bands means that the channel state indication information corresponding to the i-th frequency band can be used to restore channel information of a plurality of frequency bands among the M frequency bands. Alternatively, the availability of the information of the i-th frequency band for a plurality of frequency bands means that the channel information of the i-th frequency band is correlated with a plurality of frequency bands among the M frequency bands.

[0133] Furthermore, it may be understood that when i is a part of an integer from 1 to M, information on a frequency band other than the i-th frequency band among the M frequency bands may be set to be unavailable for multiple frequency bands, that is, information on the other frequency bands may be used only for that frequency band or may be available for a single frequency band. The first information does not need to include attribute information of the other frequency bands.

[0134] In a specific implementation, the attribute information of the i-th frequency band may include an identifier of the i-th frequency band and an available frequency band list corresponding to the i-th frequency band, where the available frequency band list includes information of the i-th frequency band in the order of N i For example, the channel information for the i-th frequency band is imay be used to determine channel state indications for N frequency bands, where the channel state indication for the i-th frequency band is i The channel information of the i-th frequency band can be used to recover the channel information of N i It is correlated with the channel information of the frequency bands. <N i ≦M and N i is an integer. Optionally, different values ​​of i correspond to different N i correspond to frequency bands.

[0135] In one example, the available frequency band list corresponding to the i-th frequency band may be a binary vector having a length of M, i.e., the binary vector includes M elements, and the M elements correspond one-to-one to the M frequency bands. When an element among the M elements is set to a first value, it indicates that information for the i-th frequency band is available for the frequency band corresponding to that element. When an element among the M elements is set to a second value, it indicates that information for the i-th frequency band is not available for the frequency band corresponding to that element. Optionally, in this example, one element may be replaced with or understood as one bit. Optionally, the first value is 0 and the second value is 1. Or, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0.

[0136] For example, M is 3 and i is 1 and 2. The first information may indicate the following: that a first frequency band and a second frequency band among the three frequency bands are available for a plurality of frequency bands. The available frequency band list corresponding to the first frequency band is a 3-bit binary vector 101, indicating that the information on the first frequency band is available for a first frequency band and a third frequency band among the three frequency bands. The available frequency band list corresponding to the second frequency band is a 3-bit binary vector 111, indicating that the information on the second frequency band is available for a first frequency band, a second frequency band, and a third frequency band among the three frequency bands. The third frequency band among the three frequency bands is not available for a plurality of frequency bands, i.e., the information on the third frequency band is only available for the third frequency band. In this way, for example, the first frequency band corresponds to the first frequency band among the three frequency bands. Based on the received first information, the terminal device may determine that the K second frequency bands corresponding to the first frequency band include the second frequency band. For example, the first frequency band corresponds to a third frequency band among the three frequency bands. The terminal device may determine, based on the received first information, that the K second frequency bands corresponding to the first frequency band include the first frequency band and the second frequency band. For the second frequency band, only information of the second frequency band may be available for the second frequency band, and the terminal device may independently perform CSI compressed feedback for the second frequency band based on the single frequency band.

[0137] In another example, the available frequency band list corresponding to the ith frequency band is N i Optionally, if the available frequency band list corresponding to one frequency band in the M frequency bands is null, it indicates that frequency band information may be available for all frequency bands in the M frequency bands. For example, the available frequency band list corresponding to the ith frequency band may have a length of Ni That is, this sequence is a sequence in which N i contains N elements, i The elements are N i N frequency bands, i The value of an element in the elements is an identifier of the frequency band corresponding to the element. Optionally, the identifier of the frequency band may be indicated by a sequence number of the frequency band among the M frequency bands. Accordingly, for a first frequency band, the terminal device may analyze the first information to determine that the available frequency band list corresponding to the K second frequency bands includes the identifier of the first frequency band.

[0138] For example, M is 3 and i is 1 and 2. In the first information, the available frequency band list corresponding to the first frequency band includes 1 and 3, indicating that the information on the first frequency band is available for the first frequency band and the third frequency band of the three frequency bands. The available frequency band list corresponding to the second frequency band is null, indicating that the information on the second frequency band is available for the first, second, and third frequency bands of the three frequency bands. The third frequency band of the three frequency bands is not available for multiple frequency bands, i.e., the information on the third frequency band is only available for the third frequency band. In this way, for example, the first frequency band corresponds to the first frequency band of the three frequency bands. The terminal device may determine that the K second frequency bands corresponding to the first frequency band include the second frequency band. For example, the first frequency band corresponds to the third frequency band of the three frequency bands. The terminal device may determine, based on the received first information, that the K second frequency bands corresponding to the first frequency band include the first frequency band and the second frequency band, for which only information of the second frequency band may be available for the second frequency band, and the terminal device may independently perform CSI compressed feedback for the second frequency band based on the single frequency band.

[0139] Furthermore, in the frequency domain, it may be understood that the positions of the first frequency band and the K second frequency bands may be contiguous or discontinuous. Alternatively, it may be described that the frequency range corresponding to the first frequency band and the frequency range corresponding to the K second frequency bands may be contiguous or discontinuous. When K is greater than 1, the positions of the K second frequency bands may be contiguous, or the positions of at least two second frequency bands in the K second frequency bands are discontinuous. Alternatively, when K is greater than 1, the frequency ranges corresponding to the K second frequency bands may be contiguous, or the frequency ranges corresponding to at least two second frequency bands in the K second frequency bands are discontinuous. This is not limited to the embodiments of the present application.

[0140] Furthermore, the terminal device may determine channel information for the K second frequency bands based on downlink reference signals received on the K second frequency bands.

[0141] In an optional implementation, the terminal device may acquire channel information for the K second frequency bands through estimation based on downlink reference signals received on the K second frequency bands, or may be described as downlink channel information for the K second frequency bands. The channel information for the K second frequency bands includes downlink CSI corresponding to the K second frequency bands. The channel information for the K second frequency bands may be understood to include channel information for each second frequency band in the K second frequency bands, and the downlink CSI corresponding to the K second frequency bands may be understood to include downlink CSI corresponding to each second frequency band in the K frequency bands. In this way, the channel information for the K second frequency bands indicates all channel characteristics of the K second frequency bands estimated based on the downlink reference signals.

[0142] In another optional implementation, the terminal device may use AI technology to process downlink reference signals received on the K second frequency bands to obtain channel information for the K second frequency bands. For example, a first model may be designed, where the input of the first model includes the downlink reference signals received on the K second frequency bands, and the output of the first model includes channel information for the K second frequency bands. Channel estimation is performed using the AI ​​model, which can add nonlinear conversion processing, making the channel closer to the actual channel and thereby improving the channel estimation effect.

[0143] In this way, the channel information of the K second frequency bands output by the first model indicates the channel characteristics of all of the K second frequency bands, or the channel information of the K second frequency bands output by the first model indicates the channel characteristics of the overlapping portion between the K second frequency bands and the first frequency band.

[0144] For ease of understanding, the process of obtaining or training the first model is described in detail below. The model training node may train the first model by using a designated training dataset, where the training dataset includes a plurality of data groups, and each data group in the plurality of data groups includes downlink reference signals received by a terminal device on K second frequency bands, actual channel information for the K second frequency bands, and actual channel information for the first frequency band.

[0145] For example, the channel information of the K second frequency bands output by the first model indicates all channel characteristics of the K second frequency bands. The training process of the first model is as follows: The model training node inputs downlink reference signals corresponding to the K second frequency bands in one data group of the multiple data groups to the first model to obtain channel information of the K second frequency bands, and the model training node calculates a difference between the channel information of the K second frequency bands output by the first model and the actual channel information of the K second frequency bands. The model training node uses the difference as a loss function in the training process. If the loss function is less than a preset threshold, the training is stopped. Otherwise, the first model is updated to reduce the loss function. For example, the channel information of the K second frequency bands output by the first model indicates channel characteristics of an overlapping portion between the K second frequency bands and the first frequency band. The training process of the first model is as follows. That is, the model training node inputs downlink reference signals corresponding to K second frequency bands in one data group of the multiple data groups to the first model to obtain channel information of the K second frequency bands, and calculates a difference between the channel information of the K second frequency bands output by the first model and the actual channel information of the first frequency band. The model training node uses the difference as a loss function in the training process. If the loss function is less than a preset threshold, training is stopped. Otherwise, the first model is updated to reduce the loss function.

[0146] It may further be understood that the downlink reference signals used to determine the channel information of the K second frequency bands include downlink reference signals received by the terminal equipment on the K second frequency bands in S501, or the downlink reference signals used to determine the channel information of the K second frequency bands include downlink reference signals previously received by the terminal equipment on the K second frequency bands before S501 and received by the terminal equipment on the K second frequency bands in S501, or S501 may be regarded as an optional step, and if S501 is not performed, the downlink reference signals used to determine the channel information of the K second frequency bands include downlink reference signals received on the K second frequency bands and stored in the terminal equipment.

[0147] S503: The terminal device inputs the channel information of the first frequency band and the channel information of the K second frequency bands into a first encoder to determine first channel state indication information corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0148] The first channel condition indication corresponds to a part of channel information belonging to the channel information of the first frequency band and not related to the channel information of the K second frequency bands. The first channel condition indication may be understood as information obtained after the part of the channel information is compressed and quantized. For example, the first channel condition indication may be a bit sequence.

[0149] In an optional implementation, the first encoder has compression and quantization functions and may compress and quantize the channel information to obtain corresponding compressed and quantized information. In this case, the terminal device inputs the channel information of the first frequency band and the channel information of the K second frequency bands to the first encoder to obtain first channel condition indication information corresponding to the first frequency band. In another optional implementation, the first encoder has compression functions but does not have quantization functions and compresses only the channel information to obtain corresponding compressed information. In this case, the terminal device inputs the channel information of the first frequency band and the channel information of the K second frequency bands to the first encoder to obtain third channel condition indication information corresponding to the first frequency band. The third channel condition indication information may specifically be a floating-point number sequence. In this way, the terminal device may quantize the third channel condition indication information by using a quantizer to obtain the first channel condition indication information.

[0150] The second channel condition indication information may be understood to indicate information obtained after the channel information of the first frequency band is compressed and quantized, and the sequence length corresponding to the first channel condition indication information is less than the sequence length corresponding to the second channel condition indication information.

[0151] S504: The terminal device sends a first channel condition indication to the network device, and in response, the network device receives the first channel condition indication.

[0152] Optionally, corresponding to the description of S502, if the downlink reference signals used to determine the channel information of the K second frequency bands include downlink reference signals received on the K second frequency bands by the terminal equipment in S501, the terminal equipment may further perform the following step S505.

[0153] S505: The terminal device sends channel state indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands to the network device.

[0154] In a specific implementation, the terminal device may acquire channel information for the K second frequency bands through estimation based on downlink reference signals received on the K second frequency bands. At S505, the channel information for the K second frequency bands indicates all channel characteristics of the K second frequency bands estimated based on the downlink reference signals. The terminal device may compress the channel information for the K second frequency bands to determine channel state indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands. Here, the channel state indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands indicates compressed information of the channel information for the K second frequency bands. Optionally, the channel state indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands includes compressed information of the channel information for the K second frequency bands or includes compressed and quantized information of the channel information for the K second frequency bands.

[0155] For example, a second encoder having compression and quantization functions may be configured in a terminal device, and a network device may input channel information of K second frequency bands to the second encoder to obtain channel state indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands.

[0156] S506: The network device inputs the first channel condition indication information and the channel information of the K second frequency bands into a first decoder to recover the channel information of the first frequency band.

[0157] The recovered channel information for the first frequency band indicates all channel characteristics for the first frequency band.

[0158] In a specific implementation, the first encoder and the first decoder belong to the same autoencoder and can be trained and used together. The first decoder has inverse quantization and decompression functions. The network device inputs the first channel condition indication information and the channel information of the K second frequency bands to the first decoder, and the output of the first decoder includes the restored channel information of the first frequency band.

[0159] Further, optionally, the first decoder may also have a decompression function but no inverse quantization function. In this case, the network device may first inverse quantize the first channel condition indication information by using an inverse quantizer to restore the third channel condition indication information described in S503. Then, the network device inputs the third channel condition indication information and the channel information of the K second frequency bands into the first decoder to restore the channel information of the first frequency band.

[0160] The channel information of the K second frequency bands can be understood as auxiliary information used by the network equipment to restore the channel information of the first frequency band. The channel information of the K second frequency bands input to the first decoder will be described in detail below.

[0161] In an optional implementation, the network equipment may dequantize and decompress the channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands received in S505 to restore the channel information of the K second frequency bands.

[0162] For example, a second decoder having inverse quantization and decompression functions may be configured in a network device, and the network device may input channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands to a second encoder to obtain restored channel information of the K second frequency bands. It may be understood that the second decoder is an inverse process of the second encoder described in S505, and the second encoder and the second decoder belong to the same autoencoder and can be trained and used together.

[0163] The network device may input the first channel condition indication and the recovered channel information of the K second frequency bands to a first decoder.

[0164] In another optional implementation, a second model may be configured in the network device, where the input of the second model includes channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands, and the output of the second model includes channel information of the K second frequency bands.

[0165] Optionally, the channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands inputted into the second model includes the channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands received by the network device in S505. Or, the channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands inputted into the second model includes the channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands received by the network device in S505 and historically received before S505. Or, if S505 is used as an optional step and S505 is not performed, the channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands inputted into the second model includes the channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands stored in the network device.

[0166] Optionally, the second model and the first model may be trained together, and the output of the second model is the same as the output of the first model. Or, the difference between the output of the second model and the output of the first model satisfies a specified threshold. Optionally, the input of the second model and the input of the first model satisfy a specific relationship. For example, if the input of the first model includes downlink reference signals of K second frequency bands received by the terminal equipment in S501, the input of the second model includes channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands received by the network equipment in S505. For example, if the input of the first model includes downlink reference signals of K second frequency bands received by the terminal equipment in S501 and historically received before S501, the input of the second model includes channel condition indication information received by the network equipment in S505 and corresponding to the K second frequency bands historically received before S505. As another example, if the input of the first model includes downlink reference signals of K second frequency bands stored in the terminal equipment, the input of the second model includes channel state indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands stored in the network equipment.

[0167] Furthermore, the network device may input the first channel condition indication information and the channel information of the K second frequency bands output by the second model to the first decoder.

[0168] In Solution 1, the terminal device uses channel correlation between multiple frequency bands to reduce the need to indicate the same channel characteristics between multiple frequency bands in CSI compression and feedback processing for a single frequency band, thereby reducing CSI feedback overhead. The network device uses channel correlation between multiple frequency bands to assist in recovering the CSI of a single frequency band, thereby improving the channel recovery accuracy of the single frequency band. Solution 1 can be applied to downlink CSI feedback scenarios.

[0169] Based on Solution 1, please refer to Figure 6. Furthermore, one embodiment of the present application provides a diagram illustrating a model application example. Figure 6 shows a second encoder, a first model, and the input and output of the first encoder in a terminal device, and a second decoder, a second model, and the input and output of the first decoder in a network device.

[0170] Solution 2

[0171] Please refer to Figure 7. An embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which mainly includes the following steps:

[0172] S701: A network device transmits a downlink reference signal on a first frequency band based on channel information of K second frequency bands.

[0173] In a specific implementation, a channel correlation exists between K second frequency bands and the first frequency band, where K is a positive integer. The network equipment may determine a transmission mode of a downlink reference signal corresponding to the first frequency band based on the channel information of the K second frequency bands. For example, the channel information of the K second frequency bands can be used to restore the channel information of the first frequency band, thereby allowing the network equipment to reduce the number of downlink reference signals transmitted on the first frequency band, thereby lowering transmission overhead. As another example, the network equipment may determine time-frequency resources, antenna ports, and the like, occupied for transmitting the downlink reference signal on the first frequency band, based on the channel information of the K second frequency bands. The network equipment may transmit the downlink reference signal on the first frequency band in the transmission mode of the downlink reference signal corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0174] In a specific implementation, the network device may determine K second frequency bands having a channel correlation with the first frequency band by referring to the description in S502. Details will not be described in this embodiment of the present application. Furthermore, the network device may determine channel information for the K second frequency bands based on channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands recently and / or historically transmitted by the terminal device. For a specific manner of determining the channel information for the K second frequency bands, please refer to the description in S506 for understanding. For example, the network device may input the channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands into a second model to determine the channel information for the K second frequency bands. Details will not be described in this embodiment of the present application.

[0175] S702: The terminal device estimates channel information of the first frequency band based on a downlink reference signal received on the first frequency band.

[0176] Corresponding to the description of S701, when the network equipment reduces the downlink reference signal transmitted on the first frequency band, the channel information of the first frequency band estimated by the terminal equipment may indicate some channel characteristics of the first frequency band.

[0177] In a specific implementation, the terminal device may perform channel measurement and interference measurement on a downlink reference signal received on a first frequency band to estimate channel information of the first frequency band, which may be understood to include downlink CSI of the first frequency band.

[0178] S703: The terminal device compresses and quantizes channel information of a first frequency band to obtain first channel condition indication information corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0179] The first channel condition indication information may be understood as compressed and quantized information of the channel information of the first frequency band, for example, the compressed and quantized information may be a bit sequence.

[0180] In a specific implementation, the third encoder may be configured in a terminal device. In an optional implementation, the third encoder may have compression and quantization functions and be configured to compress and quantize the channel information to obtain corresponding compressed and quantized information. The terminal device may input the channel information of the first frequency band estimated in S702 to the third encoder, and the output of the third encoder includes first channel condition indication information corresponding to the first frequency band. In another optional implementation, the third encoder may have a compression function but no quantization function and is configured to compress the channel information to obtain corresponding compressed information. The terminal device may input the channel information of the first frequency band estimated in S702 to the third encoder, and the output of the third encoder includes compressed information of the channel information of the first frequency band. In this way, the terminal device may quantize the compressed information by using a quantizer to obtain first channel condition indication information corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0181] S704: The terminal device sends first channel condition indication information to the network device.

[0182] S705: The network device inputs the first channel condition indication information and the channel information of the K second frequency bands into a first decoder to recover the channel information of the first frequency band.

[0183] For the implementation of this step, please refer to S506, and the details will not be described again in this embodiment of the present application.

[0184] In Solution 2, the network equipment determines a mode of transmitting downlink reference signals on a single frequency band by utilizing channel correlation between multiple frequency bands, for example, to reduce the number of downlink reference signals transmitted on the single frequency band and reduce transmission overhead. The terminal equipment performs estimation based on a small number of downlink reference signals, thereby reducing CSI feedback overhead in CSI compression and feedback processing. In CSI recovery processing, the network equipment uses channel correlation between multiple frequency bands to assist in recovery of CSI for a single frequency band, thereby avoiding the impact on CSI recovery caused by an insufficient number of downlink reference signals used for channel estimation and improving CSI recovery accuracy. Solution 2 can be applied to downlink CSI feedback scenarios.

[0185] Based on Solution 2, please refer to Figure 8. Furthermore, one embodiment of the present application provides a diagram illustrating a model application example. Figure 8 shows the input and output of the second encoder and the third encoder in the terminal device, and the input and output of the second model and the first decoder in the network device.

[0186] Solution 3

[0187] Please refer to Figure 9. An embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which mainly includes the following steps:

[0188] S901: A terminal device transmits an uplink reference signal on a third frequency band based on channel information of K second frequency bands.

[0189] The existence of channel correlation between the K second frequency bands and the third frequency band may also be described as channel information of the K second frequency bands being correlated with channel information of the third frequency band, where K is a positive integer. The third frequency band is used for uplink communication, and the channel information of the third frequency band may also be described as uplink channel information.

[0190] Optionally, channel correlations between the K second frequency bands and the third frequency band may be pre-configured, and the terminal device may determine the K second frequency bands that have channel correlations with the third frequency band based on the configuration. Alternatively, the network device may indicate to the terminal device that the K second frequency bands have channel correlations with the third frequency band. For example, the network device transmits second information to the terminal device. For the second information, see the first information in S502. For example, the second information may indicate an association relationship between the multiple frequency bands. The association relationship between the multiple frequency bands may include one or more of the following: Channel information of any frequency band in the multiple frequency bands may be used to determine a transmission mode of an uplink reference signal corresponding to at least one frequency band in the multiple frequency bands; The channel state indication information or channel information corresponding to any frequency band may be used to estimate uplink channel information of at least one frequency band in the multiple frequency bands; and the frequency bands having channel correlations exist in the multiple frequency bands.

[0191] The multiple frequency bands include a third frequency band and K second frequency bands. Accordingly, from the perspective of the third frequency band, the second information indicates one or more of the following: the channel information of the K second frequency bands can be used to determine a transmission mode of an uplink reference signal on the third frequency band; the channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated with the channel information of the third frequency band; and the channel state indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands or the channel information of the K second frequency bands can be used to estimate the channel information of the third frequency band. The terminal device determines the K second frequency bands based on the second information.

[0192] Similarly, M indicates the number of frequency bands, and the second information may also include attribute information of some or all of the M frequency bands, thereby indicating whether each frequency band in the multiple frequency bands is available for the multiple frequency bands. The second information indicates that a frequency band is available for the multiple frequency bands, and may indicate one or more of the following: Channel information of a frequency band may be used to determine channel state indication information corresponding to the multiple frequency bands in the M frequency bands; The channel information of a frequency band or the channel state indication information corresponding to a frequency band may be used to estimate channel information corresponding to the multiple frequency bands in the M frequency bands; and the channel information of the i-th frequency band is correlated with the multiple frequency bands in the M frequency bands. The second information may also include an available frequency band list corresponding to some or all of the M frequency bands. For understanding the available frequency band list, please refer to the description in S502. In this embodiment of the present application, details will not be described again.

[0193] Furthermore, optionally, the first information and the second information may also be combined into one signaling, which may indicate the association relationship between the multiple frequency bands applied to the downlink CSI feedback scenario, which is the association relationship between the multiple frequency bands described in S502, and may indicate the association relationship between the multiple frequency bands applied to the uplink CSI estimation scenario, which is the association relationship between the multiple frequency bands described in S901.

[0194] Furthermore, after determining the K second frequency bands having channel correlation with the third frequency band, the terminal device may determine channel information of the K second frequency bands based on downlink reference signals received on the K second frequency bands. For the manner of determining the information of the K second frequency bands, please refer to the description in S502. For example, the terminal device inputs the downlink reference signals received on the K second frequency bands into the first model to obtain the channel information of the K second frequency bands. In this embodiment of the present application, details will not be described again.

[0195] Finally, the terminal device may determine a transmission mode of an uplink reference signal corresponding to a third frequency band based on the channel information of the K second frequency bands. For example, the channel information of the K second frequency bands can be used to estimate channel information of the third frequency band, allowing the terminal device to reduce the number of uplink reference signals transmitted on the third frequency band, thereby lowering transmission overhead. As another example, the terminal device may determine time-frequency resources, antenna ports, and the like, to be occupied for transmitting the uplink reference signal on the third frequency band based on the channel information of the K second frequency bands. The terminal device may transmit the uplink reference signal on the third frequency band in the transmission mode of the uplink reference signal corresponding to the third frequency band.

[0196] S902: The network device estimates channel information of a third frequency band based on an uplink reference signal received on the third frequency band and the channel information of the K second frequency bands.

[0197] In a specific implementation, the channel information of the K second frequency bands can be understood as auxiliary information used by the network device to estimate channel information of the third frequency band. For the channel information of the K second frequency bands in step S902, please refer to the channel information of the K second frequency bands in S506 for understanding. For example, the network device may input the received channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands into a second model to obtain the channel information of the K second frequency bands. In this embodiment of the present application, details will not be described again.

[0198] In Solution 3, the terminal device determines a mode of transmitting uplink reference signals on a single frequency band by using channel correlation between multiple frequency bands, for example, to reduce the number of uplink reference signals transmitted on the single frequency band and lower transmission overhead. In the uplink CSI estimation process, the network device estimates the uplink CSI of the single frequency band by referring to the channel correlation between the multiple frequency bands and the received uplink reference signals, thereby avoiding the impact on uplink CSI estimation due to an insufficient number of transmitted uplink reference signals and improving the accuracy of uplink CSI estimation. Solution 3 can be applied to uplink CSI estimation scenarios.

[0199] Based on Solution 3, please refer to Figure 10. Furthermore, an embodiment of the present application provides a diagram illustrating a model application example. Figure 8 shows the input and output of the second encoder and the first model in the terminal device, and the input and output of the second decoder and the second model in the network device.

[0200] Based on the same concept, please refer to Figure 11. The present disclosure provides a communication device 1100. The communication device 1100 includes a processing module 1101 and a transmitting module 1102. The communication device 1100 may be a terminal device, or a communication device used in or together with a terminal device, capable of implementing a communication method executed on the terminal device side. Alternatively, the communication device 1100 may be a network device, or a communication device used in or together with a network device, capable of implementing a communication method executed on the network device side.

[0201] The communication module may also be referred to as a transceiver module, a transceiver, a transceiver machine, a transceiver device, or the like. The processing module may also be referred to as a processor, a processing board, a processing unit, a processing device, or the like. Optionally, the communication module is configured to perform transmitting and receiving operations on the terminal equipment side or the network equipment side in the above-described manner. A component configured to implement a receiving function in the communication module may be considered a receiving unit, and a component configured to implement a transmitting function in the communication module may be considered a transmitting unit. In other words, the communication module includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit.

[0202] When the communication device 1100 is used in a terminal device, the processing module 1101 may be configured to implement the processing function of the terminal device in the examples of Figures 5 to 10, and the communication module 1102 may be configured to implement the transmitting and receiving function of the terminal device in the examples of Figures 5 to 10. Optionally, for the communication device, please refer to the third aspect in the overview and possible designs in the third aspect.

[0203] When the communication device 1100 is used in a network device, the processing module 1101 may be configured to implement a processing function of the network device in the examples of Figures 5 to 10, and the communication module 1102 may be configured to implement a transmitting and receiving function of the network device in the examples of Figures 5 to 10. Optionally, for the communication device, see the fourth aspect in the overview and possible designs in the fourth aspect.

[0204] Furthermore, it should be noted that in a possible design, the communication module and / or the processing module may be implemented by using virtual modules. For example, the processing module may be implemented by using a software functional unit or a virtual device, and the communication module may be implemented by using a software function or a virtual device. In another possible design, the processing module or the communication module may be implemented by using a physical device. For example, if the device is implemented by using a chip / chip circuit, the communication module may be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, performing input operations (corresponding to receiving operations) and output operations (corresponding to transmitting operations). The processing module is an integrated processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit.

[0205] The division into modules in this disclosure is merely an example and is merely a logical division of functions, and other divisions may be used in actual implementation. Furthermore, the functional modules in the examples of this disclosure may be integrated into a single processor or may exist physically alone, or two or more modules may be integrated into a single module. The integrated module may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module.

[0206] Based on the same technical concept, the present disclosure further provides a computer device 1200. For example, the computer device 1200 may be a chip or a chip system. Optionally, in the present disclosure, the chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and another individual component.

[0207] The communications device 1200 may be configured to implement the functionality of any network element in the communications system described in the above examples. The communications device 1200 may include at least one processor 1210. Optionally, the processor 1210 is coupled to a memory. The memory may be located within the device, or the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory may be located external to the device. For example, the communications device 1200 may further include at least one memory 1220. The memory 1220 stores computer programs, computer programs or instructions, and / or data required to implement any one of the above examples. The processor 1210 may execute the computer programs stored in the memory 1220 to complete the method in any one of the above examples.

[0208] Further, the communication device 1200 may include a communication interface 1230 through which the communication device 1200 may exchange information with another device. For example, the communication interface 1230 may be a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module, a pin, or another type of communication interface. Alternatively, if the communication device 1200 is a chip-type device or circuit, the communication interface 1230 in the device 1200 may be an input / output circuit that inputs information (also referred to as received information) and outputs information (also referred to as transmitted information). The processor may be an integrated processor, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, or a logic circuit. The processor may determine output information based on the input information.

[0209] A coupling in this disclosure refers to an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which may be in an electrical, mechanical, or other form and is used to exchange information between the devices, units, and modules. The processor 1210 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1220 and the communication interface 1230. The specific connection medium between the processor 1210, the memory 1220, and the communication interface 1230 is not limited by this disclosure.

[0210] Optionally, see Figure 12. The processor 1210, memory 1220, and communication interface 1230 are interconnected through a bus 1240. The bus 1240 may be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus, an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, or the like. The bus may be categorized as an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and the like. For ease of instruction, Figure 12 shows only one bold line as a bus, but this does not imply that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0211] In this disclosure, a processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, which may implement or perform the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in this disclosure. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, any conventional processor, or the like. The steps of the methods disclosed with reference to this disclosure may be implemented directly by a hardware processor, or may be performed by a combination of hardware and software modules within a processor.

[0212] In the present disclosure, memory may be a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or a volatile memory, such as a random access memory (RAM). Memory is any other medium that can be used to carry and store expected program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to such. Alternatively, memory in the present disclosure may be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing a storage function and configured to store program instructions and / or data.

[0213] When communication device 1200 can be used in a terminal device, communication device 1200 may be a terminal device, or the terminal device may be a device capable of supporting implementation of the functions of the terminal device in any one of the above-mentioned examples. Memory 1220 stores computer programs (or instructions) and / or data for implementing the functions of the terminal device in any one of the above-mentioned examples. Processor 1210 may execute computer programs stored in memory 1220 to complete the method performed by the terminal device in any one of the above-mentioned examples. When communication device 1200 is used in a terminal device, a communication interface within communication device 1200 may be configured to: perform integrated functions with network devices; and transmit information to or receive information from network devices.

[0214] In a specific implementation, the processor 1210 is configured to input the channel information of the first frequency band and the channel information of K second frequency bands to a first encoder to determine a first channel condition indication corresponding to the first frequency band, where the channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated to the channel information of the first frequency band, and K is a positive integer.

[0215] The communication interface 1230 is configured to transmit the first channel condition indication.

[0216] A sequence length corresponding to the first channel condition indication information is less than a sequence length corresponding to the second channel condition indication information, and the second channel condition indication information indicates compressed information of the channel information of the first frequency band.

[0217] In an optional implementation, the communication interface 1230 is further configured to receive first information from the network device, where the first information indicates one or more of the following: that the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to determine the first channel condition indication; that the channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated with the channel information of the first frequency band; and that the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to recover the channel information of the first frequency band. Optionally, the first information includes identifiers of the K second frequency bands and an identifier of the first frequency band.

[0218] In an optional implementation, the processor 1210 is further configured to compress the channel information of the K second frequency bands to determine channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands, and the communication module is further configured to transmit the channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands.

[0219] In an optional implementation, the processor 1210 is further configured to input downlink reference signals received on the K second frequency bands to the first model to obtain channel information of the K second frequency bands.

[0220] In an optional implementation, the channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated to channel information of a third frequency band used for uplink transmission, and the processor 1210 is further configured to transmit an uplink reference signal on the third frequency band based on the channel information of the K second frequency bands.

[0221] In an optional implementation, the communication interface 1230 is further configured to receive second information from the network device, where the second information indicates one or more of the following: the channel information of the K second frequency bands can be used to determine a transmission mode of an uplink reference signal on a third frequency band; the channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated with the channel information of the third frequency band; and the channel information of the K second frequency bands can be used to estimate the channel information of the third frequency band.

[0222] When communication device 1200 may be used in a network device, communication device 1200 may be the network device, or the network device may be a device capable of supporting implementation of the network device's functions in any one of the above-mentioned examples. Memory 1220 stores computer programs (or instructions) and / or data for implementing the network device's functions in any one of the above-mentioned examples. Processor 1210 may execute computer programs stored in memory 1220 to complete the method performed by the network device in any one of the above-mentioned examples. When communication device 1200 is used in a network device, a communication interface within communication device 1200 may be configured to: interact with terminal devices; and transmit information to or receive information from terminal devices.

[0223] In a specific implementation, the communication interface 1230 is configured to receive first channel condition indication information from a terminal device, where the first channel condition indication information corresponds to a first frequency band, and the channel information of the first frequency band is correlated with the channel information of K second frequency bands, where K is a positive integer.

[0224] The processor 1210 is configured to input the first channel condition indication and the channel information of the K second frequency bands to a first decoder to recover the channel information of the first frequency band.

[0225] A sequence length corresponding to the first channel condition indication information is less than a sequence length corresponding to the second channel condition indication information, and the second channel condition indication information indicates compressed information of the channel information of the first frequency band.

[0226] In an optional implementation, the communication interface 1230 is further configured to transmit first information, where the first information indicates one or more of the following: that the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to determine the first channel condition indication; that the channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated with the channel information of the first frequency band; and that the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to recover the channel information of the first frequency band. Optionally, the first information includes identifiers of the K second frequency bands and an identifier of the first frequency band.

[0227] In an optional implementation, the communication interface 1230 is further configured to receive channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands from the terminal device, and the processor 1210 is further configured to input the channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands into the second model to obtain channel information of the K second frequency bands.

[0228] In an optional implementation, the processor 1210 is further configured to transmit a downlink reference signal on the first frequency band based on the channel information of the K second frequency bands.

[0229] In an optional implementation, the communication interface 1230 is further configured to receive an uplink reference signal from a terminal device on a third frequency band, where channel information of the third frequency band is correlated with channel information of the K second frequency bands, and the processor 1210 is further configured to estimate channel information of the third frequency band based on the uplink reference signal and the channel information of the K second frequency bands.

[0230] In an optional implementation, the communication interface 1230 is further configured to transmit second information, where the second information indicates one or more of the following: the channel information of the K second frequency bands can be used to determine a transmission mode of an uplink reference signal on a third frequency band; the channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated with the channel information of the third frequency band; and the channel information of the K second frequency bands can be used to estimate the channel information of the third frequency band.

[0231] The communication device 1200 provided in this example may be used in a network device to complete a method performed by the network device, or may be used in a terminal device to complete a method performed by a terminal device. Therefore, for technical effects that can be achieved by the communication device 1200, please refer to the above-mentioned method examples. Details will not be described again in this specification.

[0232] Based on the above examples, the present disclosure provides a communication system including a network device and a terminal device, which can implement the communication methods provided in the examples shown in Figures 5 to 10.

[0233] All or part of the technical solutions provided in this disclosure may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement the technical solutions, all or part of the technical solutions 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 and executed on a computer, the procedures or functions according to the present disclosure are generated in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a terminal device, a network device, or another programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via a wired connection (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) or a wireless connection (e.g., infrared, radio, or microwave). A computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that is accessible by a computer or data storage device, such as a server or data center, that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (such as a floppy disk, hard disk drive, or magnetic tape), optical media (such as a digital video disc (DVD)), semiconductor media, or the like.

[0234] In this disclosure, cross-references may be made between examples without logical contradiction, for example, cross-references may be made between methods and / or terms in method embodiments, cross-references may be made between functions and / or terms in apparatus embodiments, and cross-references may be made between functions and / or terms in apparatus examples and method examples.

[0235] It is apparent that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure intends to cover these modifications and variations as long as they fall within the scope of protection defined by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method applied to a terminal device, comprising: inputting channel information of a first frequency band and channel information of K second frequency bands into a first encoder to determine a first channel condition indication corresponding to the first frequency band, wherein the channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated to the channel information of the first frequency band, and K is a positive integer; transmitting the first channel condition indication; A method comprising:

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein a sequence length corresponding to the first channel condition indication information is less than a sequence length corresponding to a second channel condition indication information, and the second channel condition indication information indicates compressed information of the channel information of the first frequency band.

3. receiving first information from a network device, the first information comprising: the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to determine the first channel condition indication; The channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated with the channel information of the first frequency band; The channel information of the K second frequency bands can be used to recover the channel information of the first frequency band. Steps indicating one or more of The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the first information includes identifiers of the K second frequency bands and an identifier of the first frequency band.

5. compressing channel information of the K second frequency bands to determine channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands; transmitting the channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands; The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

6. inputting downlink reference signals received on the K second frequency bands into a first model to obtain the channel information for the K second frequency bands; The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising:

7. the channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated with channel information of a third frequency band used for uplink transmission; transmitting an uplink reference signal on the third frequency band based on the channel information of the K second frequency bands. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:

8. receiving second information from the network device, the second information comprising: the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to determine a transmission mode of the uplink reference signal in the third frequency band; and The channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated with the channel information of the third frequency band; and The channel information of the K second frequency bands can be used to estimate the channel information of the third frequency band. Steps indicating one or more of The method of claim 7 further comprising:

9. A communication method applied to a network device, receiving a first channel condition indication from a terminal device, the first channel condition indication corresponding to a first frequency band, and channel information of the first frequency band being correlated to channel information of the K second frequency bands, where K is a positive integer; inputting the first channel condition indication and the channel information of the K second frequency bands to a first decoder to recover the channel information of the first frequency band; A method comprising:

10. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein a sequence length corresponding to the first channel condition indication is less than a sequence length corresponding to a second channel condition indication, and the second channel condition indication indicates compressed information of the channel information of the first frequency band.

11. A step of transmitting first information, the first information comprising: the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to determine the first channel condition indication; The channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated with the channel information of the first frequency band; The channel information of the K second frequency bands can be used to recover the channel information of the first frequency band. Steps indicating one or more of The method of claim 9 or 10, further comprising:

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the first information includes identifiers of the K second frequency bands and an identifier of the first frequency band.

13. receiving, from the terminal device, channel state indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands; inputting the channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands into a second model to obtain the channel information of the K second frequency bands; 13. The method of any one of claims 9 to 12, further comprising:

14. transmitting a downlink reference signal on the first frequency band based on the channel information of the K second frequency bands.

14. The method of any one of claims 9 to 13, further comprising:

15. receiving an uplink reference signal from the terminal device on a third frequency band, wherein channel information of the third frequency band is correlated to the channel information of the K second frequency bands; estimating the channel information of the third frequency band based on the uplink reference signal and the channel information of the K second frequency bands; 15. The method of any one of claims 9 to 14, further comprising:

16. transmitting second information, the second information comprising: the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to determine a transmission mode of the uplink reference signal in the third frequency band; and The channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated with the channel information of the third frequency band; and The channel information of the K second frequency bands can be used to estimate the channel information of the third frequency band. Steps indicating one or more of The method of claim 15 further comprising:

17. A communication device comprising a processing module and a communication module, the processing module is configured to input channel information of a first frequency band and channel information of K second frequency bands to a first encoder to determine a first channel condition indication corresponding to the first frequency band, wherein the channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated to the channel information of the first frequency band, where K is a positive integer; the communication module is configured to transmit the first channel condition indication; Device.

18. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein a sequence length corresponding to the first channel condition indication is less than a sequence length corresponding to a second channel condition indication, the second channel condition indication indicating compressed information of the channel information of the first frequency band.

19. The communication module is further configured to receive first information from a network device, the first information comprising: the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to determine the first channel condition indication; The channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated with the channel information of the first frequency band; The channel information of the K second frequency bands can be used to recover the channel information of the first frequency band.

19. The device of claim 17 or 18, exhibiting one or more of:

20. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first information includes identifiers of the K second frequency bands and an identifier of the first frequency band.

21. the processing module is further configured to compress the channel information of the K second frequency bands to determine channel condition indications corresponding to the K second frequency bands; the communication module is further configured to transmit channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands.

21. Apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 20.

22. 22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processing module is further configured to input downlink reference signals received on the K second frequency bands into the first model to obtain the channel information for the K second frequency bands.

23. 23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated to channel information of a third frequency band used for uplink transmission, and the processing module is further configured to transmit an uplink reference signal on the third frequency band based on the channel information of the K second frequency bands.

24. The communication module is further configured to receive second information from the network device, the second information comprising: the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to determine a transmission mode of the uplink reference signal in the third frequency band; and The channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated with the channel information of the third frequency band; and The channel information of the K second frequency bands can be used to estimate the channel information of the third frequency band.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the apparatus exhibits one or more of:

25. A communication device comprising a processing module and a communication module, the communication module is configured to receive a first channel condition indication from a terminal device, the first channel condition indication corresponding to a first frequency band, and channel information of the first frequency band being correlated to channel information of the K second frequency bands, where K is a positive integer; the processing module is configured to input the first channel condition indication information and the channel information of the K second frequency bands to a first decoder to recover the channel information of the first frequency band. Device.

26. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein a sequence length corresponding to the first channel condition indication is less than a sequence length corresponding to a second channel condition indication, the second channel condition indication indicating compressed information of the channel information of the first frequency band.

27. The communication module is further configured to transmit first information, the first information comprising: the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to determine the first channel condition indication; The channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated with the channel information of the first frequency band; The channel information of the K second frequency bands can be used to recover the channel information of the first frequency band.

27. The device of claim 25 or 26, exhibiting one or more of:

28. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the first information includes identifiers of the K second frequency bands and an identifier of the first frequency band.

29. the communication module is further configured to receive channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands from the terminal device; the processing module is further configured to input the channel condition indication information corresponding to the K second frequency bands into a second model to obtain the channel information of the K second frequency bands.

29. Apparatus according to any one of claims 25 to 28.

30. 30. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the processing module is further configured to transmit a downlink reference signal on the first frequency band based on the channel information of the K second frequency bands.

31. the communication module is further configured to receive an uplink reference signal on a third frequency band from the terminal device, wherein the channel information of the third frequency band is correlated to the channel information of the K second frequency bands; the processing module is further configured to estimate the channel information of the third frequency band based on the uplink reference signal and the channel information of the K second frequency bands.

31. Apparatus according to any one of claims 25 to 30.

32. The communication module is further configured to transmit second information, the second information comprising: the channel information of the K second frequency bands is usable to determine a transmission mode of the uplink reference signal in the third frequency band; and The channel information of the K second frequency bands is correlated with the channel information of the third frequency band; and The channel information of the K second frequency bands can be used to estimate the channel information of the third frequency band.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the apparatus exhibits one or more of:

33. 1. A communication device comprising a processor, The processor is configured to execute computer program instructions stored in a memory, thereby causing the device to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 8. Communication equipment.

34. 1. A communication device comprising a processor, The processor is configured to execute computer program instructions stored in a memory, thereby causing the device to perform a method according to any one of claims 9 to 16. Communication equipment.

35. A communication system comprising a communication device according to any one of claims 17 to 24 and claim 33 and a communication device according to any one of claims 25 to 32 and claim 34.

36. 17. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to perform a method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or any one of claims 9 to 16.

37. A computer program product comprising instructions, which when executed on a computer, enable the computer to carry out the method of any one of claims 1 to 8 or any one of claims 9 to 16.

38. A chip, the chip being configured to read a computer program stored in a memory for carrying out the method of any one of claims 1 to 8 or the method of any one of claims 9 to 16.

39. A communication device comprising a module configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or a module configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 9 to 16.

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