Signal transmission method, signal reception method, apparatus, and computer program

Abstract

The present invention provides a signal transmission method, a signal reception method, and an apparatus. [Solution] The method includes the steps of a terminal device generating M signals (201) and transmitting M signals on M time-frequency resource elements (202). Here, the M signals have a one-to-one correspondence with the M time-frequency resource elements, at least two of the M time-frequency resource elements partially overlap in the frequency domain, any two of the M time-frequency resource elements do not overlap in the time domain, and M is an integer greater than 1.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and particularly to signal transmission methods, signal reception methods, and devices.

Background Art

[0002] In a new radio (NR) system, a base station can perform positioning or channel estimation by measuring an uplink sounding reference signal (SRS) transmitted by a terminal device. The SRS used for positioning is also referred to as positioning SRS (pos-SRS). Currently, through research, it is known that when SRS is used for positioning, the positioning accuracy largely depends on the bandwidth of the SRS. A higher bandwidth indicates higher positioning accuracy.

[0003] To improve positioning accuracy, one solution is to separately transmit multiple positioning signals in multiple narrow bands (e.g., sub-carriers) at different frequencies in a frequency hopping manner. The base station can process the multiple positioning signals transmitted in multiple narrow bands at different frequencies as a whole, so that the multiple positioning signals are regarded as signals transmitted in a "large-scale broadband" including multiple narrow bands. In this method, one "large-scale broadband" signal is obtained based on multiple "small-scale broadband" signals and can improve positioning accuracy.

[0004] However, when multiple positioning signals are transmitted in a frequency hopping manner, each time frequency hopping is performed, the radio frequency transmission channel of the terminal device needs to be readjusted to adapt to the frequencies used during frequency hopping transmission. Due to the readjustment of the radio frequency transmission channel, there is a difference between the positioning signals transmitted in different narrow bands. This difference affects the positioning accuracy.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of implementing this invention is to solve the problem of how to reduce the difference between signals transmitted through frequency hopping by providing a signal transmission method, a signal reception method, and an apparatus.

[0006] According to a first aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a signal transmission method. The method is performed by a terminal device or module within a terminal device. In this specification, an example in which a terminal device performs the method is used for illustrative purposes. The method is: The step of generating M signals; and A step of transmitting M signals on M time-frequency resource elements, where the M signals have a one-to-one correspondence with the M time-frequency resource elements, at least two of the M time-frequency resource elements partially overlap in the frequency domain, any two of the M time-frequency resource elements do not overlap in the time domain, and M is an integer greater than 1. Includes.

[0007] In a possible implementation of the first embodiment, the at least two time-frequency resource elements include a first time-frequency resource element and a second time-frequency resource element; The frequency domain resource of the first time-frequency resource element includes a first frequency domain resource and a second frequency domain resource, wherein the first frequency domain resource is the overlapping portion in the frequency domain of the first time-frequency resource element and the second time-frequency resource element, and the second frequency domain resource is the portion of the frequency domain resource of the first time-frequency resource element other than the first frequency domain resource.

[0008] In a possible implementation of the first embodiment, the at least two time-frequency resource elements further include a third time-frequency resource element; The second frequency domain resource includes a third frequency domain resource and a fourth frequency domain resource, wherein the third frequency domain resource is the overlapping portion in the frequency domain of the first time-frequency resource element and the third time-frequency resource element, and the fourth frequency domain resource is the portion of the second frequency domain resource other than the third frequency domain resource.

[0009] In a possible implementation of the first embodiment, the M signals include a first signal and a second signal, the first signal corresponding to the first time-frequency resource element and the second signal corresponding to the second time-frequency resource element; The bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the first signal mapped to the first frequency domain resource, and the bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the second signal mapped to the first frequency domain resource, have the same value and opposite symbols.

[0010] In a possible implementation of the first embodiment, the M signals further include the first signal and the second signal, and the third signal corresponds to the third time-frequency resource element; The bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the first signal mapped to the third frequency domain resource, and the bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the third signal mapped to the third frequency domain resource, have the same value and opposite symbols.

[0011] In a possible implementation of the first embodiment, the M signals are positioning reference signals; The portion of the M signals mapped to overlapping frequency domain resources is a phase tracking reference signal, and the portion of the M signals mapped to frequency domain resources other than the overlapping frequency domain resources is a positioning reference signal.

[0012] In a possible implementation of the first embodiment, the method further includes the step of transmitting capability information to a network device, wherein the capability information indicates the frequency division capability of a phase-locked loop.

[0013] According to a second aspect, the present application provides a signal receiving method. The method is performed by a network device or module in a network device. In this specification, an example in which a network device performs the method is used for illustrative purposes. The method is: The step of determining M time-frequency resource elements; and The step of receiving M signals on the M time-frequency resource elements. This includes, here The M signals have a one-to-one correspondence with the M time-frequency resource elements, at least two of the M time-frequency resource elements partially overlap in the frequency domain, any two of the M time-frequency resource elements do not overlap in the time domain, and M is an integer greater than 1.

[0014] In a possible implementation of the second embodiment, the M signals include at least two signals, the at least two signals corresponding to the at least two time-frequency resource elements.

[0015] This method further, A step of estimating the phase difference between the at least two signals based on portions of the at least two signals mapped to overlapping frequency domain resources; and A step of performing phase compensation on the at least two signals based on the phase difference between the at least two signals. Includes.

[0016] In a possible implementation of the second embodiment, at least two time-frequency resource elements include a first time-frequency resource element and a second time-frequency resource element; The frequency domain resources of the first time-frequency resource element include the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources, where the first frequency domain resources are the overlapping portion in the frequency domain of the first time-frequency resource element and the second time-frequency resource element, and the second frequency domain resources are the portion of the frequency domain resources of the first time-frequency resource element other than the first frequency domain resources.

[0017] In a possible implementation of the second embodiment, at least two time-frequency resource elements further include a third time-frequency resource element; The second frequency domain resource includes the third frequency domain resource and the fourth frequency domain resource, the third frequency domain resource being the overlapping portion in the frequency domain of the first time-frequency resource element and the third time-frequency resource element, and the fourth frequency domain resource being the portion of the second frequency domain resource other than the third frequency domain resource.

[0018] In a possible implementation of the second embodiment, the M signals include a first signal and a second signal, the first signal corresponding to a first time-frequency resource element and the second signal corresponding to a second time-frequency resource element; The bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the first signal mapped to the first frequency domain resource, and the bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the second signal mapped to the first frequency domain resource, have the same value and opposite symbols.

[0019] In a possible implementation of the second embodiment, the M signals further include a first signal and a second signal, and the third signal corresponds to a third time-frequency resource element; The bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the first signal mapped to the third frequency domain resource, and the bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the third signal mapped to the third frequency domain resource, have the same value and opposite symbols.

[0020] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the M signals are positioning reference signals; or For the M signals, the part mapped to the overlapping frequency domain resources is a phase tracking reference signal, and the part mapped to the frequency domain resources other than the overlapping frequency domain resources of the M signals is a positioning reference signal.

[0021] According to the third aspect, the present application further provides a communication device. The communication device has a function of implementing any method provided in the first aspect. The communication device may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware that executes corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the communication device includes a processor. The processor is configured to support the communication device in executing the corresponding functions of the terminal device by the method described above. The communication device may further include a memory. The memory may be coupled to the processor, and the memory stores program instructions and data required by the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface, and the communication interface is configured to support communication between the communication device and devices such as network devices.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the communication device includes corresponding functional modules, and is configured to implement the steps in the method described above. This function may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware that executes corresponding software. This hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the structure of the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit. These units can execute corresponding functions in the above method example. For details, please refer to the description of the method provided in the first aspect. Details will not be described again here.

[0025] According to a fourth aspect, the present invention further provides a communication device having the function of implementing any method provided in the second aspect. The communication device may be implemented in hardware, or in hardware running corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions described above.

[0026] In possible implementations, the communication device includes a processor. The processor is configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions of the network device in the manner described above. The communication device may further include memory. The memory may be coupled to the processor and stores the program instructions and data required by the communication device. Optionally, the communication device may further include a communication interface. The communication interface is configured to support communication between the communication device and devices such as terminal devices.

[0027] In possible implementations, the communication device includes a corresponding functional module and is configured to implement the steps in the method described above. This functional module may be implemented in hardware or by running corresponding software in hardware. This hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functional module described above.

[0028] In possible implementations, the structure of the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit. These units can perform the corresponding functions in the method examples described above. For details, please refer to the description of the method provided in the first embodiment. Details will not be described again here.

[0029] According to the fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is configured to receive signals from a communication device other than the communication device and transmit such signals to the processor, or to transmit signals from the processor to a communication device other than the communication device. The processor is configured to implement the method provided in the first aspect by using logic circuits or by executing code instructions.

[0030] According to the sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, which includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is configured to receive signals from a communication device other than the communication device and transmit such signals to the processor, or to transmit signals from the processor to a communication device other than the communication device. The processor is configured to implement the method provided in the second aspect by using logic circuits or by executing code instructions.

[0031] According to the seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instruction, and when the computer program or instruction is executed by a processor, the method provided in the first or second aspect is implemented.

[0032] According to the eighth aspect, a computer program product including instructions is provided. When the instructions are executed by a processor, the method provided in the first or second aspect is implemented.

[0033] According to the ninth aspect, a chip system is provided. The chip system includes a processor and may further include memory in order to implement the method provided in the first or second aspect. The chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete components.

[0034] According to the tenth aspect, a communication system is provided. The system includes devices according to the third aspect (e.g., terminal devices) and devices according to the fourth aspect (e.g., network devices). [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0035] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a 5G core network-based positioning architecture to which the embodiments of this application can be applied.

[0036] [Figure 2] This is a schematic flowchart of the signal transmission method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of the signal position distribution in the frequency domain according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0038] [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of the signal position distribution in the frequency domain according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0039] [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram of the signal position distribution in the frequency domain according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0040] [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram of the signal position distribution in the frequency domain according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0041] [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram of the signal position distribution in the frequency domain according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0042] [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram of the signal position distribution in the frequency domain according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0043] [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram of the signal position distribution in the frequency domain according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0044] [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram of the signal position distribution in the frequency domain according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0045] [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram of the signal position distribution in the frequency domain according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0046] [Figure 12] This is a schematic diagram of the signal position distribution in the frequency domain according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0047] [Figure 13] This is a schematic diagram of the positioning procedure according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0048] [Figure 14] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0049] [Figure 15] This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0050] The embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0051] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as NR systems and long-term evolution (LTE) systems, but are not limited to those described herein.

[0052] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a 5G core network-based positioning architecture to which embodiments of the present invention can be applied. In the network shown in Figure 1, the functions of the functional entities may be as follows:

[0053] Terminal device: A terminal device transmits a reference signal, such as pos-SRS, which allows a next-generation NodeB (gNB) or other device on the network to position the terminal device based on pos-SRS.

[0054] gNB: A gNB can measure a reference signal from a terminal device, acquire measurement information, and transfer that measurement information to a location management function (LMF) network element. The gNB may also provide other functions, such as providing wireless connectivity to the terminal device.

[0055] LMF Network Elements: LMF network elements may be responsible for supporting different types of location services related to target terminal devices, including positioning terminal devices and transferring auxiliary data to terminal devices. The control plane and user plane of an LMF network element are the enhanced serving mobile location center (E-SMLC) network element and the secure user plane location platform (SLP) network element, respectively.

[0056] AMF Network Element: An AMF network element may receive location service requests regarding terminal devices, or it may perform location services and forward location service requests to the LMF. After obtaining location information returned by the terminal device, the AMF network element returns the relevant location information to the location service (LCS) entity.

[0057] In embodiments of the present application, a terminal device may be a device having wireless transceiver functionality or a chip that can be placed in any device, or may be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile console, mobile device, user terminal, wireless communication device, or user equipment. In embodiments of the present application, a terminal device may be a mobile phone, tablet computer (Pad), computer having wireless transceiver functionality, virtual reality (VR) terminal, augmented reality (AR) terminal, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in self-driving, wireless terminal in remote medical, or wireless terminal in a smart grid, etc.

[0058] A terminal device may be a Reduced Capability (REDCAP) terminal device, or a Legacy Capability, Normal Capability, or High Capability terminal device, or may be referred to as a Legacy terminal device or a Normal terminal device. REDCAP terminal devices and Legacy terminal devices differ at least in terms of bandwidth capability. For example, the maximum bandwidth supported by a REDCAP terminal device is low, for example, 50 MHz, 40 MHz, 20 MHz, 15 MHz, 10 MHz, or 5 MHz, while the maximum bandwidth supported by a Legacy terminal device is high, for example, 100 MHz.

[0059] Network device: A network device may be a gNB in ​​an NR system, or an evolved node B (eNB) in an LTE system. When the network device is a gNB, it may include a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU).

[0060] It should be noted that the network architectures and service scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application and do not constitute limitations on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. Those skilled in the art will recognize that, with the evolution of network architectures and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0061] In embodiments of the present application, the interaction between a terminal device and a network device is used as an example for illustrative purposes. The methods provided in embodiments of the present application may further be applied to interactions between other entities, for example, between a chip or module in a terminal device and a chip or module in a network device. When a chip or module performs the methods, references to the descriptions in embodiments of the present application may be made. Details are not described herein.

[0062] Referring to the above description, Figure 2 is a schematic flowchart of a signal transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application. Please refer to Figure 2. This method includes the following steps.

[0063] Step 201: The terminal device generates M signals.

[0064] M is an integer greater than 1.

[0065] It should be noted that the specific way in which the terminal device generates M signals is not limited to this embodiment of the present application. Details will not be explained here.

[0066] Stage 202: The terminal device transmits M signals on M time-frequency resource elements.

[0067] Of the M time-frequency resource elements, at least two partially overlap in the frequency domain, and any two of the M time-frequency resource elements do not overlap in the time domain.

[0068] In this specification, when more than two time-frequency resource elements partially overlap in the frequency domain, the time-frequency resource elements may overlap with each other in pairs. In other words, there may be no frequency domain resources belonging to three time-frequency resource elements. For example, time-frequency resource element #1 and time-frequency resource element #2 overlap in the frequency domain, time-frequency resource element #1 and time-frequency resource element #3 overlap in the frequency domain, but time-frequency resource element #2 and time-frequency resource element #3 do not overlap in the frequency domain. In addition, partial overlap in the frequency domain can be understood as follows: for every two time-frequency resource elements that partially overlap in the frequency domain, the overlapping frequency domain resources are only a part of the respective frequency domain resources of the two time-frequency resource elements. For example, time-frequency resource element #1 and time-frequency resource element #2 partially overlap, and the overlapping frequency domain resources are only a part of time-frequency resource element #1 and only a part of time-frequency resource element #2.

[0069] Step 203: The network device determines M time-frequency resource elements.

[0070] Stage 204: The network device receives M signals on M time-frequency resource elements.

[0071] The network device estimates the phase difference between at least two signals based on partially overlapping signals of at least two signals in the frequency domain, and performs phase compensation for at least two phases based on the phase difference.

[0072] In this embodiment of the present application, M signals have a one-to-one correspondence with M time-frequency resource elements. Specifically, one of the M time-frequency resource elements is used to carry one of the M signals. One of the M signals may correspond to one transmission opportunity, and the M transmission opportunities corresponding to the M signals may be M consecutive transmission opportunities.

[0073] In this embodiment of the present application, the M time-frequency resource elements may have at least one of the following features: 1. The M time-frequency resource elements are M consecutive time-frequency resource elements.

[0074] 2. In a system of M time-frequency resource elements, a time interval exists between adjacent time-frequency resource elements in the time domain. See Figure 3 for details. In Figure 3, signals S1 and S2 are carried by time-frequency resource elements X1 and X2, respectively. The time interval is contained between two adjacent time-frequency resource elements X1 and X2. The time interval contains at least one or more orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols or slots, and the time interval may be greater than or equal to the time required for the radio frequency transmission channel of the terminal device to perform radio frequency readjustment.

[0075] 3. M time-frequency resource elements may correspond to M bandwidth units in the frequency domain, with one time-frequency resource element corresponding to one bandwidth unit. A bandwidth unit may contain at least one subcarrier or at least one bandwidth part (BWP). Alternatively, a bandwidth unit may be a predetermined fixed bandwidth. For example, a bandwidth unit may be a 20 MHz bandwidth. Accordingly, one of the M time-frequency resource elements may contain at least one OFDM symbol in the time domain.

[0076] In this embodiment of the present application, it should be noted that for any one of the M signals, the bandwidth of the signal is equal to the bandwidth of the time-frequency resource element carrying the signal; that is, the signal may occupy the entire frequency domain range of the time-frequency resource element in the frequency domain.

[0077] For example, as shown in Figure 3, the duration of a time-frequency resource element in the time domain is assumed to be T OFDM symbols, where T is a number greater than 0, and the bandwidth in the frequency domain is assumed to be 20 MHz. The signal carried by the time-frequency resource element may occupy several OFDM symbols in the time domain and 20 MHz in the frequency domain, i.e., occupy the entire bandwidth of the time-frequency resource element.

[0078] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the present application, there may be multiple implementations of the positional relationships between M time-frequency resource elements or M signals in the frequency domain, which are described separately below.

[0079] Implementation 1: In the frequency domain, frequency domain resources occupied by at least two of the M signals partially overlap, while in the time domain, time domain resources occupied by any two of the M signals do not overlap.

[0080] Since the signal carried in a time-frequency resource element occupies the entire bandwidth of the time-frequency resource element, it should be noted that this implementation can also be understood as follows: at least two of the M time-frequency resource elements partially overlap in the frequency domain, and any two of the M time-frequency resource elements do not overlap in the time domain.

[0081] Note that when one of M time-frequency resource elements partially overlaps with another time-frequency resource element in the frequency domain, that time-frequency resource element may partially overlap with multiple time-frequency resource elements in the frequency domain. Similarly, when one of M signals partially overlaps with another signal in the frequency domain, that signal may partially overlap with multiple signals in the frequency domain. In the following explanation, examples where one time-frequency resource element partially overlaps with one or two time-frequency resource elements in the frequency domain, or where one signal partially overlaps with one or two signals in the frequency domain, will be used for illustrative purposes. Other cases will not be enumerated using examples.

[0082] In the first possible scenario, for M signals, two signals are adjacent in the time domain when the frequency domain resources occupied by the two signals partially overlap. Specifically, when the frequency domain resources occupied by the m-th signal and the n-th signal partially overlap for M signals, the transmission opportunities corresponding to the m-th signal and the transmission opportunities corresponding to the n-th signal are two consecutive transmission opportunities, where mn=1, m=1,2,..., and M, and n=1,2,..., and M.

[0083] In other words, in this scenario, when two of the M time-frequency resource elements partially overlap in the frequency domain, the transmission opportunities corresponding to the signals carried by those two time-frequency resource elements are adjacent in the time domain. Specifically, when the m-th and n-th time-frequency resource elements among the M time-frequency resource elements partially overlap in the frequency domain, the transmission opportunities corresponding to the signals carried by the m-th time-frequency resource element and the transmission opportunities corresponding to the signals carried by the n-th time-frequency resource element are two consecutive transmission opportunities, where mn=1, m=1,2,..., and M, and n=1,2,..., and M.

[0084] For example, assume M=5. An example is used for illustration in which each of the M time-frequency resource elements partially overlaps with one or two other time-frequency resource elements in the frequency domain. As shown in Figure 4, signals S1 to S5 are carried in time-frequency resource elements X1 to X5, respectively, and adjacent time-frequency resource elements partially overlap in the frequency domain. Either the maximum frequency value (or minimum frequency value) corresponding to time-frequency resource elements X1 to X5 increases continuously, or the center frequencies of the M time-frequency resource elements increase continuously.

[0085] In other words, in Figure 4, for signals S1 to S5, the frequency domain resources occupied by the two adjacent signals in the frequency domain partially overlap, and the maximum (or minimum) frequency occupied by the two adjacent signals in the frequency domain increases continuously.

[0086] In another example, it is assumed that M=5. An example is used for illustration in which each of the M time-frequency resource elements partially overlaps with one or two other time-frequency resource elements in the time domain. As shown in Figure 5, signals S1 to S5 are carried in time-frequency resource elements X1 to X5, respectively, and adjacent time-frequency resource elements partially overlap in the frequency domain. Either the maximum frequency value (or minimum frequency value) corresponding to time-frequency resource elements X1 to X5 decreases continuously, or the center frequencies of the M time-frequency resource elements decrease continuously.

[0087] In other words, in Figure 5, for signals S1 to S5, the frequency domain resources occupied in the frequency domain by the two adjacent signals for the corresponding transmission opportunities partially overlap, and the maximum (or minimum) frequency occupied in the frequency domain by the two signals decreases continuously.

[0088] Referring to the example above, it can be seen that when adjacent time-frequency resource elements in the time domain partially overlap in the frequency domain, the center frequencies of the M time-frequency resource elements continuously increase or decrease. Accordingly, the frequencies occupied by the M signals in the frequency domain continuously increase or decrease.

[0089] In the second possible scenario, for M signals, when the frequency domain resources occupied by two signals partially overlap, the transmission opportunities corresponding to those two signals may or may not be adjacent in the time domain. Specifically, when the frequency domain resources occupied by the m-th signal and the n-th signal partially overlap for M signals, the transmission opportunity corresponding to the m-th signal and the transmission opportunity corresponding to the n-th signal are either two consecutive transmission opportunities, or there is at least one additional transmission opportunity between the transmission opportunity corresponding to the m-th signal and the transmission opportunity corresponding to the n-th signal, where mn ≥ 1, m = 1, 2, ..., and M, and n = 1, 2, ..., and M.

[0090] In other words, in this scenario, when two of the M time-frequency resource elements partially overlap in the frequency domain, the transmission opportunities corresponding to the signals carried by those two time-frequency resource elements may or may not be adjacent in the time domain. Specifically, when the m-th and n-th time-frequency resource elements among the M time-frequency resource elements partially overlap in the frequency domain, the transmission opportunity corresponding to the signal carried by the m-th time-frequency resource element and the transmission opportunity corresponding to the signal carried by the n-th time-frequency resource element are either two consecutive transmission opportunities, or there is at least one additional transmission opportunity between the transmission opportunity corresponding to the signal carried by the m-th time-frequency resource element and the transmission opportunity corresponding to the signal carried by the n-th time-frequency resource element, where mn≧1, m=1,2,..., and M, and n=1,2,..., and M.

[0091] For example, assume M=5. As shown in Figure 6, signals S1 to S5 are transmitted in five consecutive transmission opportunities in the time domain, and the five time-frequency resource elements corresponding to the five transmission opportunities are time-frequency resource elements X1 to X5. Time-frequency resource element X1 partially overlaps with time-frequency resource element X3 in the frequency domain; time-frequency resource element X2 partially overlaps with time-frequency resource elements X4 and X5 in the frequency domain; time-frequency resource element X3 partially overlaps with time-frequency resource elements X1 and X5 in the frequency domain; time-frequency resource element X4 partially overlaps with time-frequency resource element X2 in the frequency domain; and time-frequency resource element X5 partially overlaps with time-frequency resource elements X2 and X3 in the frequency domain.

[0092] In other words, signal S1 partially overlaps with signal S3 in the frequency domain; signal S2 partially overlaps with signals S4 and S5 in the frequency domain; signal S3 partially overlaps with signals S1 and S5 in the frequency domain; signal S4 partially overlaps with signal S2 in the frequency domain; and signal S5 partially overlaps with signals S2 and S3 in the frequency domain.

[0093] In another example, it is assumed that M=5. As shown in Figure 7, signals S1 to S5 are transmitted in five consecutive transmission opportunities in the time domain, and the five time-frequency resource elements corresponding to the five transmission opportunities are time-frequency resource elements X1 to X5. Time-frequency resource element X1 partially overlaps with time-frequency resource elements X3 and X4 in the frequency domain; time-frequency resource element X2 partially overlaps with time-frequency resource element X3 in the frequency domain; time-frequency resource element X3 partially overlaps with time-frequency resource elements X1 and X2 in the frequency domain; time-frequency resource element X4 partially overlaps with time-frequency resource elements X1 and X5 in the frequency domain; and time-frequency resource element X5 partially overlaps with time-frequency resource element X4 in the frequency domain.

[0094] In other words, signal S1 partially overlaps with signals S3 and S4 in the frequency domain; signal S2 partially overlaps with signal S3 in the frequency domain; signal S3 partially overlaps with signals S1 and S2 in the frequency domain; signal S4 partially overlaps with signals S1 and S5 in the frequency domain; and signal S5 partially overlaps with signal S4 in the frequency domain.

[0095] Implementation 2: In the frequency domain, any two of the M signals occupying the frequency domain resources do not overlap, and in the time domain, any two of the M signals occupying the time domain resources do not overlap.

[0096] It should be noted that this implementation can also be understood as follows: any two of the M time-frequency resource elements do not overlap in the frequency domain, and any two of the M time-frequency resource elements do not overlap in the time domain.

[0097] For example, it is assumed that M = 5. As shown in Figure 8, signals S1 to S5 are each transmitted in five consecutive transmission opportunities in the time domain, and the five time-frequency resource elements corresponding to the five transmission opportunities are time-frequency resource elements X1 to X5. Any two of the time-frequency resource elements X1 to X5 do not overlap in the frequency domain; that is, the frequency domain resources occupied by any two of the signals S1 to S5 do not overlap. In Figure 8, an example is used for illustrative purposes in which the center frequencies of time-frequency resource elements X1 to X5 increase continuously (or in ascending order in the frequency domain). The M time-frequency resource elements can be distributed in the frequency domain in other forms. For example, Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the location of another time-frequency resource element according to the present invention. In Figure 9, time-frequency resource elements X1 to X5 are not distributed in descending or ascending order in the frequency domain, but are distributed in no particular order without any specific rule.

[0098] Referring to the above explanation, for any one of the M signals, for example, the first signal, the frequency domain resources occupied by that first signal may include two parts: a first frequency domain resource and a second frequency domain resource. Optionally, the second frequency domain resource may further include two more parts: a third frequency domain resource and a fourth frequency domain resource.

[0099] It should be noted that the third frequency domain resource may be positioned between the first and fourth frequency domain resources. The sum of the bandwidths corresponding to the first and second frequency domain resources is less than or equal to the bandwidth of the first signal. The specific values ​​of the bandwidths corresponding to the first and second frequency domain resources are not limited to this embodiment of the application. In addition, the sum of the bandwidths corresponding to the third and fourth frequency domain resources is less than or equal to the bandwidth corresponding to the second frequency domain resource. The specific values ​​of the bandwidths corresponding to the third and fourth frequency domain resources are not limited to this embodiment of the application.

[0100] When the first signal optionally partially overlaps with the second signal in the frequency domain among M signals, the first frequency domain resource is the overlapping portion of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first signal and the frequency domain resources occupied by the second signal, and the second frequency domain resource is the portion of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first signal other than the first frequency domain resource.

[0101] When the first signal further partially overlaps with the third signal in the M signals in the frequency domain, the fourth frequency domain resource is the overlapping portion in the frequency domain of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first signal and the frequency domain resources occupied by the third signal, and the third frequency domain resource is the portion of the second frequency domain resource other than the fourth frequency domain resource.

[0102] For example, as shown in Figure 10, it is assumed that M=3, that is, that there are three signals S1, S2 and S3. Signal S2 is used as an example for illustrative purposes. The frequency domain resources occupied by signal S2 may include a first frequency domain resource F1 and a second frequency domain resource F2. The second frequency domain resource F2 may further include a third frequency domain resource F3 and a fourth frequency domain resource F4.

[0103] If signal S2 partially overlaps with another signal in the frequency domain, as shown in Figure 10, for example, then signal S2 partially overlaps with signals S1 and S3 in the frequency domain, and the first frequency domain resource F1 occupied by signal S2 may be the portion of the frequency domain resource occupied by signal S2 that overlaps with the frequency domain resource occupied by signal S3; the fourth frequency domain resource F4 occupied by signal S2 may be the portion of the frequency domain resource occupied by signal S2 that overlaps with the frequency domain resource occupied by signal S1; and the third frequency domain resource F3 occupied by signal S2 may be the portion of the frequency domain resource occupied by signal S2 other than the first frequency domain resource F1 and the third frequency domain resource F3.

[0104] In another example, as shown in Figure 11, signals S1 and S3 are used as illustrative examples. The frequency domain resources occupied by signal S1 may include a first frequency domain resource F1 and a second frequency domain resource F2. The frequency domain resources occupied by signal S3 may also include a first frequency domain resource F1 and a second frequency domain resource F2.

[0105] The first frequency domain resource F1 occupied by signal S1 may be the portion of the frequency domain resource occupied by signal S1 that overlaps with the frequency domain resource occupied by signal S2; the second frequency domain resource F2 occupied by signal S2 may be the portion of the frequency domain resource other than the first frequency domain resource F1 that is occupied by signal S2. Accordingly, the first frequency domain resource F1 occupied by signal S3 may be the portion of the frequency domain resource occupied by signal S3 that overlaps with the frequency domain resource occupied by signal S2; the second frequency domain resource F2 occupied by signal S3 may be the portion of the frequency domain resource other than the first frequency domain resource F1 that is occupied by signal S3.

[0106] It should be noted that a single signal occupies the entire bandwidth or a portion of the bandwidth of the time-frequency resource element carrying that signal. Therefore, the above description is also applicable to M time-frequency resource elements. Specifically, in the case of any one of the M time-frequency resource elements, the frequency domain resources occupied by the time-frequency resource element may include two parts, such as a first frequency domain resource and a second frequency domain resource. Optionally, the second frequency domain resource may further include two parts, such as a third frequency domain resource and a fourth frequency domain resource. For the sake of clarity, the following description is provided in terms of signals. "Signal" can be replaced with "time-frequency resource element," and similar technical solutions can be obtained. Details are not described again in this specification.

[0107] Referring to the above description, if the first and second signals partially overlap in the frequency domain, in one implementation, the bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the first signal mapped to the first frequency domain resource and the bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the second signal mapped to the first frequency domain resource have the same value. In another implementation, the bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the first signal mapped to the first frequency domain resource and the bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the second signal mapped to the first frequency domain resource have the same value and opposite symbols, where “sign” as herein means positive or negative.

[0108] In this method, the phase difference between the phase of the signal corresponding to the bit sequence mapped to the first frequency domain resource of the first signal, and the phase of the signal corresponding to the bit sequence mapped to the first frequency domain resource of the second signal, can be 180° + N × 360°, where N is an integer.

[0109] If, optionally, the first signal partially overlaps with the third signal in the frequency domain, then in one implementation, the bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the first signal mapped to the fourth frequency domain resource and the bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the third signal mapped to the fourth frequency domain resource have the same value. In another implementation, the bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the first signal mapped to the fourth frequency domain resource and the bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the third signal mapped to the fourth frequency domain resource have the same value and opposite symbols.

[0110] In this method, the phase difference between the phase of the signal corresponding to the bit sequence mapped to the fourth frequency domain resource of the first signal and the phase of the signal corresponding to the bit sequence mapped to the fourth frequency domain resource of the third signal can be 180° + N × 360°, where N is an integer.

[0111] In any possible implementation, each of the M signals may be a positioning reference signal, and the positioning reference signal may include, but is not limited to, pos-SRS.

[0112] Optionally, in another possible implementation, the portion of M signals mapped to overlapping frequency domain resources is a phase tracking reference signal or an arbitrary signal, and the portion of M signals mapped to frequency domain resources other than the overlapping frequency domain resources is a positioning reference signal. Specifically, for example, the first and second signals partially overlap in the frequency domain, and the overlapping frequency domain resource is the first frequency domain resource. The signal of the first signal mapped to the first frequency domain resource is a phase tracking reference signal or an arbitrary signal, and the signal of the first signal mapped to the second frequency domain resource is a positioning reference signal. Accordingly, the signal of the second signal mapped to the first frequency domain resource is a phase tracking reference signal, and the signal of the second signal mapped to the second frequency domain resource is a positioning reference signal.

[0113] If the first signal further overlaps with the third signal in the frequency domain, and the overlapping frequency domain resource is the fourth frequency domain resource, then the signal of the first signal mapped to the fourth frequency domain resource is a phase tracking reference signal or an arbitrary signal, and the signal of the first signal mapped to the third frequency domain resource is a positioning reference signal. Accordingly, the signal of the third signal mapped to the fourth frequency domain resource is a phase tracking reference signal, and the signal of the third signal mapped to the third frequency domain resource is a positioning reference signal.

[0114] When each of the M signals optionally includes a positioning reference signal, the positioning reference signals included in two adjacent signals with corresponding transmission opportunities are orthogonal to each other.

[0115] When a terminal device transmits M signals over different frequency domain resources, it should be noted that a phase difference exists between the signals transmitted over different frequency domain resources because the phases of the signals on the different frequency domain resources jump in the time domain, and this phase jump is caused when the terminal device's phase-locking loop relocks the signal phases. When each of the M signals includes a positioning reference signal, it is assumed that the M signals can be used for positioning. The positioning principle is primarily to estimate the signal arrival delay by correlating the local signal with a high-bandwidth signal obtained after the M signals recovered from the receiver have been combined, and searching for the peak value. When a phase difference exists between signals transmitted over different frequency domain resources, the high-bandwidth signal recovered from the receiver contains many interferences, and the result obtained through correlation with the local signal may have multiple correlation peaks, thereby affecting positioning accuracy. In embodiments of the present application, the network device may estimate the phase difference between two signals based on the overlapping portion of the two signals in the frequency domain and compensate for the phase. Details are described below.

[0116] Referring to the above explanation, the explanation is provided by using an example in which a terminal device transmits a 20MHz signal sequence each time, continuously transmitting M signals in M ​​time-frequency resource elements, and an example in which a network device superimposes the M signals received in M ​​time-frequency resource elements to reconstruct a high-bandwidth signal.

[0117] When the frequency domain resources occupied by two of the M signals transmitted by a terminal device partially overlap in M ​​time-frequency resource elements, the transmission opportunities corresponding to the two signals are assumed to be adjacent. For example, as shown in Figure 12, M=5, and the center frequencies of the frequency domain resources occupied by signals S1 to S5 are continuously increasing, with each of signals S1 to S5 corresponding to a frequency f i The signals are transmitted over a time-frequency resource element where i = 1, 2, ..., 5. The phases of signals S1 to S5 can be Φ1 to Φ5, respectively. The bandwidth occupied by each signal is assumed to be 20 MHz. When the frequency domain resources occupied by two signals partially overlap, the bandwidth of the overlapping portion can be 2 MHz.

[0118] In the case of two signals that partially overlap in the frequency domain, a network device can align the two signals to the same phase by estimating the phase difference between the two signals based on the channel estimation results of the overlapping portion in the frequency domain, and then performing phase compensation in the time domain. Signals S1 and S2 are used below as examples for illustrative purposes.

[0119] First, the network device performs channel estimation based on the overlapping signals of signals S1 and S2 in the frequency domain. Assuming that the channel gain corresponding to signal S2 is h(t_1), the amplitude is a(t_1), and the phase is Φ1, the following relationship may be satisfied.

number

[0120] Assuming that the channel gain corresponding to signal S2 is h(t_2), the amplitude is a(t_2), and the phase is Φ2, the following relationship may be satisfied.

number

[0121] If the difference between a(t_2) and a(t_1) is small, and assuming that the difference is equal to 0, the phase difference ΔΦ1 estimated based on the ratio of h(t_2) and h(t_1) may satisfy the following relationship.

number

number

[0122] After determining the phase difference between signals S1 and S2, the network device may set the phases of signals S1 and S2 to be the same. For example, the network device compensates for the phase of signal S2 based on the above phase difference and obtains Φ1 by compensating for the phase of signal S2.

[0123] According to the same method, a network device can set the phases of M signals to the same phase, for example, the phase of the first transmitted signal among the M signals. Based on the process described above, the network device compensates for the phases of the M signals, thereby eliminating the effects of random phase jumps between signals transmitted in different time-frequency resource elements, and thereby implementing high-precision positioning.

[0124] Optionally, in possible implementations, the terminal device may further transmit capability information to the network device, where the capability information indicates the frequency division capability of the terminal device's phase-locked loop. For example, the frequency division capability may be in the order of 4 division or 8 division. The network device may adjust the estimated phase difference based on the frequency division capability of the terminal device's phase-locked loop.

[0125] For example, when the frequency division capability is 4 division, the phase difference between signals in different time-frequency resource elements is any value within {0, π / 2, π, 3π / 2}. When the frequency division capability is 8 division, the phase difference between signals in different time-frequency resource elements is any value within {0, π / 4, π / 2, 3π / 4, π, 5π / 4, 3π / 2, 7π / 4}.

[0126] For example, the frequency division capability is 4 division. Since the random phase error generated by the relocking of the phase-locked loop is any one of four values ​​{0, π / 2, π, 3π / 2}, if the phase difference between two signals estimated by the network device is 86°, the network device can correct the above phase difference to π / 2 based on its frequency division capability.

[0127] Optionally, in a possible implementation, when the first signal in M ​​signals and the second signal in M ​​signals partially overlap in the frequency domain, and when the bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the first signal mapped to the first frequency domain resource and the bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the second signal mapped to the first frequency domain resource have the same value and opposite symbols, the network device can superimpose the portions of the first signal mapped to the first frequency domain resource and the portions of the second signal mapped to the first frequency domain resource to obtain bit sequence 0, thereby eliminating interference caused by the bit sequences in the first frequency domain resource and improving phase difference estimation.

[0128] If the first signal partially overlaps with the third signal in the frequency domain, and the bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the first signal mapped to the fourth frequency domain resource and the bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the third signal mapped to the fourth frequency domain resource have the same value and opposite symbol, the network device can superimpose the portions of the first signal mapped to the fourth frequency domain resource and the third signal mapped to the fourth frequency domain resource to obtain bit sequence 0, thereby eliminating interference caused by the bit sequence in the fourth frequency domain resource and improving the phase difference estimation accuracy.

[0129] For example, as shown in Figure 12, signals S1 to S5 are transmitted over different time-frequency resource elements. The bit sequences corresponding to the overlapping portions of the two signals mapped in the frequency domain have the same value and opposite symbols. When the network device finally combines signals S1 to S5 into a high-bandwidth signal, the value obtained after the bit sequences corresponding to the overlapping portions in the frequency domain are superimposed is 0.

[0130] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a positioning procedure to which embodiments of the present invention can be applied. Figure 13 lists only some of the steps in the positioning procedure. The detailed steps in the positioning procedure vary depending on the various positioning scenarios and methods, and are not listed one by one in this specification.

[0131] Stage 1301: The AMF network element receives a positioning service request, which is used to obtain information such as the positioning location of the terminal device.

[0132] Positioning service requests may be transmitted by an LCS entity or by a terminal device. This is not limited to the present embodiment of the Application.

[0133] Stage 1302: The AMF network element forwards the positioning service request to the LMF network element.

[0134] Stage 1303a: The LMF network element sends a positioning capability request message to the terminal device, where the positioning message is used to request the terminal device's positioning capability.

[0135] For example, positioning messages can be transmitted using LTE positioning protocol (LPP) messages.

[0136] Step 1303b: The terminal device sends a positioning capability response message to the LMF network element, where the positioning capability response message includes the positioning capability of the terminal device.

[0137] Positioning capability refers to the positioning technology supported by the terminal device, such as the ability to support Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) based positioning, the ability to support Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) based positioning technology, and the ability to support sensor-based positioning.

[0138] Stage 1304: The LMF network element sends a request message to the network device to request information about the relevant positioning signal, such as the configuration information of the positioning signal.

[0139] The positioning signal may be a signal transmitted by a terminal device using the M time-frequency resource elements in the embodiment described above.

[0140] Stage 1305: The network device transmits positioning signal configuration information to the terminal device.

[0141] Configuration information is, The position of the time-frequency resource element occupied by the positioning signal, and a number N, etc.; The number of frequency hopping times in a time-frequency resource element, for example, the number of frequency hopping times, may be equal to N; Comb size The number of (code domain) orthogonalized dimensions that can be achieved via cyclic shifts; and A reference sequence, or a parameter for generating a reference sequence. This may indicate one or more of the following:

[0142] The configuration information may also include other details. Further details will not be explained here.

[0143] Step 1306: The network device transmits the positioning signal configuration information to the LMF network element.

[0144] Optionally, step 1307 is performed, namely, the network device triggers the terminal device to transmit a positioning signal.

[0145] Stage 1308: The terminal device transmits a positioning signal.

[0146] The positioning signal may consist of the M signals described above. For details, please refer to the explanations in steps 201 and 202.

[0147] Stage 1309: The network device receives a positioning signal, measures the positioning signal, and obtains measurement information.

[0148] The measurement information may include, but is not limited to, the Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD), Round Trip Time (RTT), Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), and Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ).

[0149] Step 1310: The network device transmits measurement information to the LMF network element.

[0150] Stage 1311: The LMF network element performs a position calculation based on the measurement information, obtains the position information, and transmits the position information to the AMF network element.

[0151] How the LMF network element specifically determines positional information based on measurement information is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0152] The LMF network element can further transmit location information to a terminal device or network device, etc.

[0153] The above explanation is merely an example. The positioning procedure may include further steps. Details are not described here.

[0154] In the embodiments provided in this application, each method provided in the embodiments of this application is described separately in terms of interaction between devices. To implement the functions in the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, a network device or terminal device may include a hardware structure and / or software module, and implement the above functions in the form of a hardware structure, a software module, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software module. Whether a particular function among the above functions is performed using a hardware structure, a software module, or a combination of a hardware structure and a software module depends on the specific application of the technical solution and the design constraints.

[0155] In the embodiments of this application, the division into modules is merely an example and represents only a logical functional division; other divisions are possible in actual implementations. In addition, the functional modules in the embodiments of this application may be integrated into a single processor, or may exist physically independently, or two or more modules may be integrated into a single module. The integrated module may be implemented in hardware form or in the form of a software functional module.

[0156] Similar to the concepts described above, as shown in Figure 14, embodiments of the present application further provide a device 1400 configured to implement the functions of a network device or terminal device in the method described above. For example, the device may be a software module or a chip system. In these embodiments of the present application, the chip system may include a chip or include a chip and other discrete components. The device 1400 may include a processing unit 1401 and a communication unit 1402.

[0157] In this embodiment of the present application, the communication unit may also be referred to as a transceiver unit and may include a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit configured to perform the transmission and reception of the network device or terminal device stages in the embodiments of the method described above.

[0158] The communication device provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 14 and 15. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, for details not described in detail, please refer to the method embodiments described above. For brevity, further details will not be explained in this specification.

[0159] The communication unit may also be referred to as a transceiver, transceiver machine, or transceiver device. The processing unit may also be referred to as a processor, processing board, processing module, or processing unit. Optionally, a component within the communication unit 1402 configured to implement a receiving function may be considered a receiving unit, and a component within the communication unit 1402 configured to implement a transmitting function may be considered a transmitting unit. That is, the communication unit 1402 includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The communication unit may also be referred to as a transceiver machine, transceiver, or transceiver circuit, depending on the circumstances. The receiving unit may also be referred to as a receiver, receiver machine, or receiver circuit, depending on the circumstances. The transmitting unit may also be referred to as a transmitter, transmitter machine, or transmitter circuit, depending on the circumstances.

[0160] When the communication device 1400 performs the functions of the terminal device in the procedure shown in Figure 2 in the embodiment described above, The processing unit is configured to generate M signals; The communication unit is configured to transmit M signals on M time-frequency resource elements. Here, M signals have a one-to-one correspondence with M time-frequency resource elements, at least two of the M time-frequency resource elements partially overlap in the frequency domain, any two of the M time-frequency resource elements do not overlap in the time domain, and M is an integer greater than 1.

[0161] When the communication device 1400 performs the network device function in the procedure shown in Figure 2 in the embodiment described above, The processing unit is configured to determine M time-frequency resource elements; The communication unit is configured to receive M signals on M time-frequency resource elements. Here, M signals have a one-to-one correspondence with M time-frequency resource elements, at least two of the M time-frequency resource elements partially overlap in the frequency domain, any two of the M time-frequency resource elements do not overlap in the time domain, and M is an integer greater than 1.

[0162] The above description is merely an example. The processing unit 1401 and the communication unit 1402 may perform other functions. For a more detailed explanation, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the embodiments of the method shown in Figures 2 to 13. Further details will not be described again in this specification.

[0163] Figure 15 shows a device 1500 according to an embodiment of the present application. The device shown in Figure 15 may be one implementation of the hardware circuit of the device shown in Figure 14. The communication device is applicable to the flowchart shown above and performs the functions of a terminal device or network device in the embodiments of the method described above. For ease of explanation, only the main components of the communication device are shown in Figure 15.

[0164] As shown in Figure 15, the communication device 1500 includes a processor 1510 and a communication interface 1520. The processor 1510 and the communication interface 1520 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the communication interface 1520 may be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1500 may further include a memory 1530 configured to store instructions executed by the processor 1510, or input data requested by the processor 1510 to execute an instruction, or data generated after the processor 1510 has executed an instruction.

[0165] When the communication device 1500 is configured to implement the methods shown in Figures 2 to 6, the processor 1510 is configured to implement the functions of the processing unit 1401, and the communication interface 1520 is configured to implement the functions of the communication unit 1402.

[0166] When the communication device is a chip applied to a terminal device, the chip in the terminal device implements the functions of the terminal device in the embodiments of the method described above. The chip in the terminal device receives information from another module in the terminal device (e.g., a radio frequency module or an antenna), and this information is transmitted to the terminal device by a network device. Alternatively, the chip in the terminal device transmits information to another module in the terminal device (e.g., a radio frequency module or an antenna), and this information is transmitted to the network device by the terminal device.

[0167] When the communication device is a chip applied to a network device, the chip in the network device implements the functions of the network device in the embodiments of the method described above. The chip in the network device receives information from another module in the network device (e.g., a radio frequency module or an antenna), where the information is transmitted to the network device by a terminal device. Alternatively, the chip in the network device transmits information to another module in the network device (e.g., a radio frequency module or an antenna), where the information is transmitted to a terminal device by the network device.

[0168] The processor in the embodiments of this application may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or it may be another general-purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), another programmable logic device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc.

[0169] In embodiments of the present application, the processor may be random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (Erasable PROM, EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (Electrically EPROM, EEPROM), registers, hard disks, removable hard disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. For example, the storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from or write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium may be located within an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC may be located in a network device or terminal device. Naturally, the processor and storage medium may exist as discrete components in the network device or terminal device.

[0170] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of the present invention may be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Accordingly, the present invention may be provided in the form of a hardware-only embodiment, a software-only embodiment, or a combination of software and hardware. In addition, the present invention may be provided in the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-available storage media (including, but not limited to, disk memory and optical memory) containing computer-available program code.

[0171] This application is described with reference to flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that computer program instructions may be used to implement each step and / or block of the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, as well as combinations of steps and / or blocks of the flowcharts and / or block diagrams. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, an embedded processor, or another programmable data processing device to generate a machine, thereby generating a device for implementing a specified function in one or more steps in one or more blocks of the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, as executed by the computer or the processor of the other programmable data processing device.

[0172] Computer program instructions may be stored alternatively in computer-readable memory that can guide a computer or another programmable data processing device to operate in a particular manner, thereby generating artifacts that include an instruction unit. The instruction unit implements a specified function in one or more steps in one or more blocks in a flowchart and / or block diagram.

[0173] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to this application without departing from its scope. Thus, this application intends to include these modifications and variations insofar as they fall within the scope of the claims and the equivalent art of this application. [Item 1] The step of generating M signals; and The step of transmitting the M signals on M time-frequency resource elements. Equipped with, here The first signal includes the M signals, each of which has a one-to-one correspondence with the M time-frequency resource elements, at least two of the M time-frequency resource elements partially overlap in the frequency domain, and any two of the M time-frequency resource elements do not overlap in the time domain, where M is an integer greater than 1. Signal transmission method. [Item 2] The at least two time-frequency resource elements include a first time-frequency resource element and a second time-frequency resource element; The frequency domain resource of the first time-frequency resource element includes a first frequency domain resource and a second frequency domain resource, wherein the first frequency domain resource is the overlapping portion in the frequency domain of the first time-frequency resource element and the second time-frequency resource element, and the second frequency domain resource is the portion of the frequency domain resource of the first time-frequency resource element other than the first frequency domain resource. The method described in item 1. [Item 3] The aforementioned at least two time-frequency resource elements further include a third time-frequency resource element; The second frequency domain resource includes a third frequency domain resource and a fourth frequency domain resource, wherein the third frequency domain resource is the overlapping portion in the frequency domain of the first time-frequency resource element and the third time-frequency resource element, and the fourth frequency domain resource is the portion of the second frequency domain resource other than the third frequency domain resource. The method described in item 2. [Item 4] The M signals include a first signal and a second signal, the first signal corresponding to the first time-frequency resource element and the second signal corresponding to the second time-frequency resource element; The bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the first signal mapped to the first frequency domain resource, and the bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the second signal mapped to the first frequency domain resource, have the same value and opposite symbols. The method described in item 2 or 3. [Item 5] The M signals further include the first signal and the second signal, and the third signal corresponds to the third time-frequency resource element; The bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the first signal mapped to the third frequency domain resource, and the bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the third signal mapped to the third frequency domain resource, have the same value and opposite symbols. The method described in item 4. [Item 6] The M signals mentioned above are positioning reference signals; or The portion of the M signals mapped to overlapping frequency domain resources is a phase tracking reference signal, and the portion of the M signals mapped to frequency domain resources other than the overlapping frequency domain resources is a positioning reference signal. The method described in any one of items 1 through 5. [Item 7] The above method further, The step includes transmitting capability information to a network device, wherein the capability information indicates the frequency division capability of the phase-locked loop. The method described in any one of items 1 through 6. [Item 8] The step of determining M time-frequency resource elements; and The step of receiving M signals on the M time-frequency resource elements. Equipped with, here The M signals have a one-to-one correspondence with the M time-frequency resource elements, at least two of the M time-frequency resource elements partially overlap in the frequency domain, any two of the M time-frequency resource elements do not overlap in the time domain, and M is an integer greater than 1. Signal reception method. [Item 9] The M signals include at least two signals, and the at least two signals correspond to the at least two time-frequency resource elements; The above method further, A step of estimating the phase difference between the at least two signals based on portions of the at least two signals mapped to overlapping frequency domain resources; and A step of performing phase compensation on the at least two signals based on the phase difference between the at least two signals. The method described in item 8, comprising: [Item 10] The at least two time-frequency resource elements include a first time-frequency resource element and a second time-frequency resource element; The frequency domain resource of the first time-frequency resource element includes a first frequency domain resource and a second frequency domain resource, wherein the first frequency domain resource is the overlapping portion in the frequency domain of the first time-frequency resource element and the second time-frequency resource element, and the second frequency domain resource is the portion of the frequency domain resource of the first time-frequency resource element other than the first frequency domain resource. The method described in item 8. [Item 11] The aforementioned at least two time-frequency resource elements further include a third time-frequency resource element; The second frequency domain resource includes a third frequency domain resource and a fourth frequency domain resource, wherein the third frequency domain resource is the overlapping portion in the frequency domain of the first time-frequency resource element and the third time-frequency resource element, and the fourth frequency domain resource is the portion of the second frequency domain resource other than the third frequency domain resource. The method described in item 10. [Item 12] The M signals include a first signal and a second signal, the first signal corresponding to the first time-frequency resource element and the second signal corresponding to the second time-frequency resource element; The bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the first signal mapped to the first frequency domain resource, and the bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the second signal mapped to the first frequency domain resource, have the same value and opposite symbols. The method described in item 10 or 11. [Item 13] The M signals further include the first signal and the second signal, and the third signal corresponds to the third time-frequency resource element; The bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the first signal mapped to the third frequency domain resource, and the bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the third signal mapped to the third frequency domain resource, have the same value and opposite symbols. The method described in item 12. [Item 14] The M signals mentioned above are positioning reference signals; or The portion of the M signals mapped to overlapping frequency domain resources is a phase tracking reference signal, and the portion of the M signals mapped to frequency domain resources other than the overlapping frequency domain resources is a positioning reference signal. The method described in any one of items 8 through 13. [Item 15] A processing unit configured to generate M signals; and A communication unit configured to transmit the M signals on M time-frequency resource elements. Equipped with, here The first signal includes the M signals, each of which has a one-to-one correspondence with the M time-frequency resource elements, at least two of the M time-frequency resource elements partially overlap in the frequency domain, and any two of the M time-frequency resource elements do not overlap in the time domain, where M is an integer greater than 1. Communication device. [Item 16] The at least two time-frequency resource elements include a first time-frequency resource element and a second time-frequency resource element; The frequency domain resource of the first time-frequency resource element includes a first frequency domain resource and a second frequency domain resource, wherein the first frequency domain resource is the overlapping portion in the frequency domain of the first time-frequency resource element and the second time-frequency resource element, and the second frequency domain resource is the portion of the frequency domain resource of the first time-frequency resource element other than the first frequency domain resource. The device described in item 15. [Item 17] The aforementioned at least two time-frequency resource elements further include a third time-frequency resource element; The second frequency domain resource includes a third frequency domain resource and a fourth frequency domain resource, wherein the third frequency domain resource is the overlapping portion in the frequency domain of the first time-frequency resource element and the third time-frequency resource element, and the fourth frequency domain resource is the portion of the second frequency domain resource other than the third frequency domain resource. The device described in item 16. [Item 18] The M signals include a first signal and a second signal, the first signal corresponding to the first time-frequency resource element and the second signal corresponding to the second time-frequency resource element; The bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the first signal mapped to the first frequency domain resource, and the bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the second signal mapped to the first frequency domain resource, have the same value and opposite symbols. The apparatus described in item 16 or 17. [Item 19] The M signals further include the first signal and the second signal, and the third signal corresponds to the third time-frequency resource element; The bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the first signal mapped to the third frequency domain resource, and the bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the third signal mapped to the third frequency domain resource, have the same value and opposite symbols. The device described in item 18. [Item 20] The M signals mentioned above are positioning reference signals; or The portion of the M signals mapped to overlapping frequency domain resources is a phase tracking reference signal, and the portion of the M signals mapped to frequency domain resources other than the overlapping frequency domain resources is a positioning reference signal. The apparatus described in any one of items 15 to 19. [Item 21] The aforementioned communication unit further, Transmitting capability information to a network device, where the capability information indicates the frequency division capability of the phase-locked loop. The apparatus described in any one of items 15 to 20, configured as such. [Item 22] A processing unit configured to determine M time-frequency resource elements; and A communication unit configured to receive M signals on the M time-frequency resource elements. Equipped with, here The M signals have a one-to-one correspondence with the M time-frequency resource elements, at least two of the M time-frequency resource elements partially overlap in the frequency domain, any two of the M time-frequency resource elements do not overlap in the time domain, and M is an integer greater than 1. Communication device. [Item 23] The M signals include at least two signals, and the at least two signals correspond to the at least two time-frequency resource elements; The processing unit further, Estimating the phase difference between the at least two signals based on the portions of the at least two signals mapped to overlapping frequency domain resources; and Performing phase compensation on the at least two signals based on the phase difference between the at least two signals. The apparatus described in item 22, configured to perform the following actions. [Item 24] The at least two time-frequency resource elements include a first time-frequency resource element and a second time-frequency resource element; The frequency domain resource of the first time-frequency resource element includes a first frequency domain resource and a second frequency domain resource, wherein the first frequency domain resource is the overlapping portion in the frequency domain of the first time-frequency resource element and the second time-frequency resource element, and the second frequency domain resource is the portion of the frequency domain resource of the first time-frequency resource element other than the first frequency domain resource. The device described in item 23. [Item 25] The aforementioned at least two time-frequency resource elements further include a third time-frequency resource element; The second frequency domain resource includes a third frequency domain resource and a fourth frequency domain resource, wherein the third frequency domain resource is the overlapping portion in the frequency domain of the first time-frequency resource element and the third time-frequency resource element, and the fourth frequency domain resource is the portion of the second frequency domain resource other than the third frequency domain resource. The device described in item 24. [Item 26] The M signals include a first signal and a second signal, the first signal corresponding to the first time-frequency resource element and the second signal corresponding to the second time-frequency resource element; The bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the first signal mapped to the first frequency domain resource, and the bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the second signal mapped to the first frequency domain resource, have the same value and opposite symbols. The apparatus described in item 24 or 25. [Item 27] The M signals further include the first signal and the second signal, and the third signal corresponds to the third time-frequency resource element; The bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the first signal mapped to the third frequency domain resource, and the bit sequence corresponding to the portion of the third signal mapped to the third frequency domain resource, have the same value and opposite symbols. The device described in item 26. [Item 28] The M signals mentioned above are positioning reference signals; or The portion of the M signals mapped to overlapping frequency domain resources is a phase tracking reference signal, and the portion of the M signals mapped to frequency domain resources other than the overlapping frequency domain resources is a positioning reference signal. The apparatus described in any one of items 22 to 27. [Item 29] A chip comprising a processor, wherein the processor is coupled to a memory and configured to execute a computer program or instruction stored in the memory, and when the processor executes the computer program or instruction, the processor is capable of performing the method described in any one of items 1 to 14. [Item 30] A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is able to perform the method described in any one of items 1 to 14. [Item 31] A computer program product comprising computer-readable instructions, wherein when a computer reads and executes the computer-readable instructions, the computer becomes capable of performing the method described in any one of items 1 to 14.

Claims

1. A method of transmitting signals, The step of generating M signals; and The step of transmitting the M signals on M time-frequency resource elements. Equipped with, here The M signals have a one-to-one correspondence with the M time-frequency resource elements, at least two of the M time-frequency resource elements partially overlap in the frequency domain, any two of the M time-frequency resource elements do not overlap in the time domain, and M is an integer greater than 1. method.

2. The M signals are combined into a first signal, and the bandwidth of the first signal is greater than the bandwidth of each of the M signals. The method according to claim 1.

3. The method described above is performed by a REDCAP terminal device or a chip within a REDCAP terminal device. The method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The bandwidth occupied by the M signals is greater than the maximum bandwidth supported by the REDCAP terminal device. The method according to claim 3.

5. The M signals mentioned above are positioning reference signals; or The portion of the M signals mapped to overlapping frequency domain resources is a phase tracking reference signal, and the portion of the M signals mapped to frequency domain resources other than the overlapping frequency domain resources is a positioning reference signal. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The at least two time-frequency resource elements include a first time-frequency resource element and a second time-frequency resource element; The first time-frequency resource element and the second time-frequency resource element are adjacent in the time domain; or The first time-frequency resource element and the second time-frequency resource element are not adjacent in the time domain. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Step of receiving the configuration information of the M signals. Furthermore, The configuration information indicates at least one of the following: the positions of the M time-frequency resource elements and the number of frequency hops within the M time-frequency resource elements. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A method for receiving signals, The step of determining M time-frequency resource elements; and The step of receiving M signals on the M time-frequency resource elements. Equipped with, here The M signals have a one-to-one correspondence with the M time-frequency resource elements, at least two of the M time-frequency resource elements partially overlap in the frequency domain, any two of the M time-frequency resource elements do not overlap in the time domain, and M is an integer greater than 1. method.

9. The M signals are combined into a first signal, and the bandwidth of the first signal is greater than the bandwidth of each of the M signals. The method according to claim 8.

10. The method described above is performed by a REDCAP terminal device or a chip within a REDCAP terminal device. The method according to claim 8 or 9.

11. The bandwidth occupied by the M signals is greater than the maximum bandwidth supported by the REDCAP terminal device. The method according to claim 10.

12. The M signals mentioned above are positioning reference signals; or The portion of the M signals mapped to overlapping frequency domain resources is a phase tracking reference signal, and the portion of the M signals mapped to frequency domain resources other than the overlapping frequency domain resources is a positioning reference signal. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11.

13. The at least two time-frequency resource elements include a first time-frequency resource element and a second time-frequency resource element; The first time-frequency resource element and the second time-frequency resource element are adjacent in the time domain; or The first time-frequency resource element and the second time-frequency resource element are not adjacent in the time domain. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12.

14. The step of transmitting the configuration information of the M signals. Furthermore, The configuration information indicates at least one of the following: the positions of the M time-frequency resource elements and the number of frequency hops within the M time-frequency resource elements. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 13.

15. An apparatus configured to perform the method described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

16. An apparatus configured to perform the method described in any one of claims 8 to 14.

17. A computer program comprising, when executed by the processor of the device, an instruction causing the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

18. A computer program comprising, when executed by the processor of the device, instructions causing the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

19. A device comprising a processor and a storage medium that stores instructions to be executed by the processor, and which is configured to cause the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 when the instructions are executed as a result.

20. A device comprising a processor and a storage medium that stores instructions to be executed by the processor, and which is configured to cause the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14 when the instructions are executed as a result.

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