Method for configuring reference signal resources and related apparatus

Abstract

This application provides a method for configuring reference signal resources and an associated apparatus. The method includes the steps of: reporting capability information of a terminal device to a network device, wherein the capability information includes the capability of the terminal device to transmit a carrier aggregation CA SRS in an inactive state; and receiving configuration information transmitted by the network device, wherein the configuration information is used to configure resources for the terminal device to transmit a CA SRS in an inactive state, and the configuration information is determined based on the capability information. According to the technical solution provided in this application, resource configuration for an inactive CA SRS is implemented.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the priority of Chinese Patent Application No. 202310388059.1, titled "REFERENCE SIGNAL RESOURCE CONFIGURATION METHOD AND RELATED APPARATUS", filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on April 7, 2023, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, and in particular, to a method for configuring reference signal resources and related apparatuses.

Background Art

[0003] Similar to Long Term Evolution (LTE), in order to support a wider bandwidth and the corresponding higher data transmission rate, multiple New Radio (NR) carriers are aggregated and can be transmitted in parallel to the same device or from the same device. In the NR system, the carrier aggregation (CA) sounding reference signal (SRS) is configured and transmitted when the terminal device is in the connected state. When the terminal device is in the inactive state, since there is only one camped cell, the CA SRS cannot be set or transmitted via the CA SRS setting procedure in the connected state. Therefore, it is necessary to urgently address the problem of how to configure the CA SRS in the inactive state.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of this application provide a method for configuring reference signal resources and related apparatuses to implement resource configuration for CA SRS in the inactive state.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to a first aspect, the present application provides a method for configuring reference signal resources. The method may be applied to a terminal device, an apparatus within the terminal device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit), or an apparatus that may be used with the terminal device. Hereinafter, an example in which the method is applied to a terminal device will be used for illustrative purposes. The method includes the step of the terminal device reporting capability information of the terminal device to a network device, the capability information may include the capability of the terminal device to transmit CA SRS in an inactive state, the terminal device receiving configuration information transmitted by the network device, the configuration information being used to configure resources for the terminal device to transmit CA SRS in an inactive state, and the configuration information being determined based on the capability information.

[0006] Unlike the case in which a terminal device cannot configure resources for transmitting CA SRS in an inactive state, in this embodiment of the present application, the terminal device can configure resources for transmitting CA SRS in an inactive state based on configuration information transmitted by a network device. The configuration information is configuration information CACA, which is a resource for the terminal device to transmit CA SRS in an inactive state and is newly added by the network device.

[0007] In possible implementations, CA SRS is used for positioning.

[0008] In possible implementations, configuration information is carried in radio resource control (RRC) release messages.

[0009] In possible implementations, the configuration information includes first configuration information and second configuration information, the first configuration information is used to configure the carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS, and the second configuration information is used to configure the resources for the CA SRS, the resources for the CA SRS correspond to the carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS. The method further includes the step of transmitting the CA SRS at the carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS based on the configuration information.

[0010] In possible implementations, there are at least two carrier frequencies for carrying CA SRS, and the different carrier frequencies for carrying CA SRS correspond to different resources of CA SRS.

[0011] In possible implementations, the carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS includes at least two uplink carrier frequencies, and these at least two uplink carrier frequencies belong to the same frequency band.

[0012] In possible implementations, at least two uplink carrier frequencies within the same frequency band are contiguous in the frequency domain.

[0013] In possible implementations, at least two uplink carrier frequencies are used for CA SRS for positioning.

[0014] In possible implementations, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carrier frequencies, at least one of which is the frequency corresponding to the uplink carrier of the cell where the terminal device is camped, and at least one of which is used for data transmission.

[0015] In possible implementations, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carrier frequencies, the at least two of which are frequencies corresponding to positioning-dedicated uplink carriers.

[0016] In possible implementations, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carrier frequencies, the at least two of which are used for the physical random access channel (PRACH).

[0017] In possible implementations, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carrier frequencies, at least one of which is used for CA SRS for positioning, and at least one of which is used for PRACH.

[0018] In possible implementations, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carrier frequencies, at least one of which is used for CA SRS for positioning, and at least one of which is used for data transmission.

[0019] In possible implementations, the configuration information includes first configuration information and second configuration information, the first configuration information is used to configure a carrier that carries the CA SRS, and the second configuration information is used to configure resources for the CA SRS, the resources for the CA SRS correspond to a carrier that carries the CA SRS. The method further includes the step of transmitting the CA SRS on a carrier that carries the CA SRS based on the configuration information.

[0020] In the solution provided by this application, the network device configures the related information of the carrier and the related information of the resources for CA SRS, the carrier is used to carry CA SRS, and the terminal device transmits CA SRS in the non-active state. To do this, the terminal device transmits CA SRS to the network device on the carrier as indicated by the configuration information.

[0021] In a possible implementation form, there are at least two carriers for carrying CA SRS, and different carriers for carrying CA SRS correspond to different resources of CA SRS.

[0022] In a possible implementation form, the second configuration information is carried within the first configuration information.

[0023] In a possible implementation form, the first configuration information and the second configuration information are carried in parallel within the configuration information.

[0024] In a possible implementation form, the carrier for carrying CA SRS includes at least two uplink carriers, and the at least two uplink carriers belong to the same frequency band.

[0025] In a possible implementation form, at least two uplink carriers within the same frequency band are continuous in the frequency domain.

[0026] In a possible implementation form, at least two uplink carriers are used for the CA SRS for positioning.

[0027] In a possible implementation form, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carriers. At least one of the at least two uplink carriers is the uplink carrier of the cell where the terminal device is camped, and at least one uplink carrier is used for data transmission.

[0028] In a possible implementation form, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carriers, and the at least two uplink carriers are positioning dedicated uplink carriers.

[0029] In a possible implementation form, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carriers, and the at least two uplink carriers are used for a physical random access channel (PRACH).

[0030] In a possible implementation form, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carriers, at least one of the at least two uplink carriers is used for CA SRS for positioning, and at least one of the at least two uplink carriers is used for PRACH.

[0031] In a possible implementation form, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carriers, at least one of the at least two uplink carriers is used for CA SRS for positioning, and at least one of the at least two uplink carriers is used for data transmission.

[0032] In a possible implementation form, the first configuration information includes one or more of frequency channel number information, bandwidth, subcarrier spacing (SCS), and bandwidth part (BWP) information.

[0033] In possible implementations, if the frequency channel number information is that of a normal uplink (NUL), the first configuration information is used to configure the NUL carrier that carries the CA SRS, or the first configuration information is used to configure the frequency corresponding to the NUL carrier that carries the CA SRS. Alternatively, if the frequency channel number information is that of a supplementary uplink (SUL), the first configuration information is used to configure the SUL carrier that carries the CA SRS, or the first configuration information is used to configure the frequency corresponding to the SUL carrier that carries the CA SRS.

[0034] In possible implementations, the configuration information further includes a first parameter, which indicates the available time for the timing advance (TA) of the carrier carrying the CA SRS, or the available time for the TA of the carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS.

[0035] In possible implementations, there are at least two carriers that carry the CA SRS, each carrier that carries the CA SRS corresponds to one first configuration piece of information, and the first parameter corresponds to at least two carriers that carry the CA SRS.

[0036] In possible implementations, there are at least two carrier frequencies for carrying the CA SRS, each carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS corresponds to one first configuration piece of information, and the first parameter corresponds to at least two carrier frequencies for carrying the CA SRS.

[0037] In the solution provided in this application, the first parameter is configured independently of the first configuration information; that is, the first parameter does not need to be configured within the first configuration information, thereby reducing the overhead and complexity of the signaling procedure corresponding to the first configuration information.

[0038] In a possible implementation, there are at least two first parameters, each corresponding to one carrier carrying the CA SRS, and at least two of the first parameters belong to the same timing advance group (TAG).

[0039] The solution provided in this application has at least two first parameters, and the first parameters corresponding to different carriers (carriers that carry CA SRS) belong to the same TAG, thereby simplifying the configuration between different carriers.

[0040] In possible implementations, there are at least two first parameters, each corresponding to a single carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS, and at least two of the first parameters belong to the same TAG.

[0041] In a possible implementation, there are at least two carriers that carry the CA SRS, and the configuration information further includes a second parameter, which is used to determine whether to transmit the CA SRS, and the second parameter corresponds to the at least two carriers that carry the CA SRS.

[0042] In the solution provided in this application, the second parameter is configured independently of the first configuration information; that is, the second parameter does not need to be configured within the first configuration information, thereby reducing the overhead and complexity of the signaling procedure corresponding to the first configuration information.

[0043] In a possible implementation, there are at least two carrier frequencies for carrying CA SRS, and the configuration information further includes a second parameter, which is used to determine whether to transmit CA SRS, and which corresponds to the at least two carrier frequencies for carrying CA SRS.

[0044] In possible implementations, the second parameter is associated with a reference signal, and the type of reference signal includes one or more of the following: synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB), tracking reference signal (TRS), channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS), and non-cell-defining synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (NCD-SSB).

[0045] In possible implementations, the CA SRS is associated with one or more of the following reference signals: SSB, TRS, CSI-RS, and NCD-SSB, and the CA SRS transmission parameters are determined based on the reference signal associated with the CA SRS.

[0046] In possible implementations, the transmission parameters include one or more of the following: whether CA SRS is being transmitted, the transmission power of CA SRS, and the transmission timing of CA SRS.

[0047] In possible implementations, capability information includes information about frequency band combinations supported by the terminal device, the frequency band combination information is carried in first and / or second instruction information, the first instruction information corresponds to one or more frequency bands, and the second instruction information corresponds to one or more frequency band combinations, the frequency band combinations include one or more frequency bands.

[0048] In possible implementations, capability information further includes information about the maximum aggregate bandwidth of the frequency band and information about the number of consecutive carriers in the frequency band, both of which are carried in third instruction information.

[0049] In possible implementations, the third instruction information is either carried by the first instruction information, or the third instruction information is carried by the second instruction information.

[0050] In possible implementations, capability information further includes the ability of the terminal device to transmit CA SRS while connected, and configuration information is further used to configure the resources for the terminal device to transmit CA SRS while connected.

[0051] In the solution provided in this application, a terminal device can simultaneously report to a network device two capabilities, namely the terminal device's ability to transmit a connected CA SRS and the terminal device's ability to transmit an inactive CA SRS, thereby configuring a connected CA SRS and an inactive CA SRS.

[0052] In possible implementations, the configuration information further includes third and fourth configuration information, the third configuration information is used to configure a secondary cell (SCell) that carries the CA SRS, the third configuration information includes BWP information, and the fourth configuration information is used to configure resources for the CA SRS, the resources for the CA SRS correspond to the secondary cell. The method further includes the step of transmitting the CA SRS in the SCell based on the configuration information.

[0053] According to a second aspect, the present application provides a method for configuring reference signal resources. The method may be applied to a network device, a device within a network device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit), or a device that can be used with a network device. Hereinafter, an example in which the method is applied to a network device will be used for illustrative purposes. The method includes the step of a network device receiving capability information reported by a terminal device, the capability information including the terminal device's ability to transmit CA SRS in an inactive state, the network device transmitting configuration information to the terminal device, the configuration information being used to configure resources for the terminal device to transmit CA SRS in an inactive state, and the configuration information being determined based on the capability information.

[0054] Unlike the case in which a terminal device cannot configure resources for transmitting CA SRS in an inactive state, in this embodiment of the application, the network device adds the relevant configuration of resources for the terminal device to transmit CA SRS in an inactive state to the configuration information based on capability information reported by the terminal device, so that the terminal device can configure resources for the terminal device to transmit CA SRS in an inactive state based on the configuration information transmitted by the network device.

[0055] The implementer of the second embodiment may be a network device, and it should be understood that certain aspects of the second embodiment correspond to those of the first embodiment. For corresponding features of the second embodiment and the beneficial effects achieved in the second embodiment, please refer to the description of the first embodiment. To avoid repetition, detailed explanations are omitted in this specification where appropriate.

[0056] In possible implementations, CA SRS is used for positioning.

[0057] In possible implementations, configuration information is transported via RRC release messages.

[0058] In possible implementations, the configuration information includes first configuration information and second configuration information, the first configuration information is used to configure the carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS, and the second configuration information is used to configure the resources for the CA SRS, the resources for the CA SRS correspond to the carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS. The method further includes the step of transmitting the CA SRS at the carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS based on the configuration information.

[0059] In possible implementations, there are at least two carrier frequencies for carrying CA SRS, and the different carrier frequencies for carrying CA SRS correspond to different resources of CA SRS.

[0060] In possible implementations, the carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS includes at least two uplink carrier frequencies, and these at least two uplink carrier frequencies belong to the same frequency band.

[0061] In possible implementations, at least two uplink carrier frequencies within the same frequency band are contiguous in the frequency domain.

[0062] In possible implementations, at least two uplink carrier frequencies are used for CA SRS for positioning.

[0063] In possible implementations, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carrier frequencies, at least one of which is the frequency corresponding to the uplink carrier of the cell where the terminal device is camped, and at least one of which is used for data transmission.

[0064] In possible implementations, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carrier frequencies, the at least two of which are frequencies corresponding to positioning-dedicated uplink carriers.

[0065] In possible implementations, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carrier frequencies, the at least two of which are used for the physical random access channel (PRACH).

[0066] In possible implementations, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carrier frequencies, at least one of which is used for CA SRS for positioning, and at least one of which is used for PRACH.

[0067] In possible implementations, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carrier frequencies, at least one of which is used for CA SRS for positioning, and at least one of which is used for data transmission.

[0068] In possible implementations, the configuration information includes first configuration information and second configuration information, the first configuration information is used to configure a carrier that carries the CA SRS, and the second configuration information is used to configure resources for the CA SRS, the resources for the CA SRS correspond to a carrier that carries the CA SRS. The method further includes the step of transmitting the CA SRS on a carrier that carries the CA SRS based on the configuration information.

[0069] In possible implementations, there are at least two carriers that carry the CA SRS, and the different carriers that carry the CA SRS correspond to different resources of the CA SRS.

[0070] In possible implementations, the second configuration information is transported within the first configuration information.

[0071] In possible implementations, the first and second configuration information are transported in parallel within the configuration information.

[0072] In possible implementations, the carriers carrying the CA SRS include at least two uplink carriers, and at least two uplink carriers belong to the same frequency band.

[0073] In possible implementations, at least two uplink carriers within the same frequency band are contiguous in the frequency domain.

[0074] In possible implementations, at least two uplink carriers are used for CA SRS for positioning.

[0075] In possible implementations, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carriers, at least one of which is the uplink carrier of the cell where the terminal device is camped, and at least one of which is used for data transmission.

[0076] In possible implementations, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carriers, the at least two of which are dedicated positioning uplink carriers.

[0077] In possible implementations, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carriers, and at least two uplink carriers are used for PRACH.

[0078] In possible implementations, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carriers, at least one of the at least two uplink carriers being used for CA SRS for positioning, and at least one of the at least two uplink carriers being used for PRACH.

[0079] In possible implementations, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carriers, at least one of the at least two uplink carriers being used for CA SRS for positioning, and at least one of the at least two uplink carriers being used for data transmission.

[0080] In possible implementations, the first configuration information includes one or more of the following: frequency channel number information, bandwidth, SCS, and BWP information.

[0081] In possible implementations, if the frequency channel number information is NUL frequency channel number information, the first configuration information is used to configure the NUL carrier that carries the CA SRS, or the first configuration information is used to configure the frequency corresponding to the NUL carrier that carries the CA SRS; or, if the frequency channel number information is SUL frequency channel number information, the first configuration information is used to configure the SUL carrier that carries the CA SRS, or the first configuration information is used to configure the frequency corresponding to the SUL carrier that carries the CA SRS.

[0082] In possible implementations, the configuration information further includes a first parameter, the first parameter indicating the available time of the TA of the carrier carrying the CA SRS, or the first parameter indicating the available time of the TA of the carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS.

[0083] In possible implementations, there are at least two carriers that carry the CA SRS, each carrier that carries the CA SRS corresponds to one first configuration piece of information, and the first parameter corresponds to at least two carriers that carry the CA SRS.

[0084] In possible implementations, there are at least two carrier frequencies for carrying the CA SRS, each carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS corresponds to one first configuration piece of information, and the first parameter corresponds to at least two carrier frequencies for carrying the CA SRS.

[0085] In possible implementations, there are at least two first parameters, each first parameter corresponding to one carrier that carries the CA SRS, and at least two first parameters belong to the same TAG.

[0086] In possible implementations, there are at least two first parameters, each corresponding to a single carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS, and at least two of the first parameters belong to the same TAG.

[0087] In a possible implementation, there are at least two carriers that carry the CA SRS, and the configuration information further includes a second parameter, which is used to determine whether to transmit the CA SRS, and the second parameter corresponds to the at least two carriers that carry the CA SRS.

[0088] In a possible implementation, there are at least two carrier frequencies for carrying CA SRS, and the configuration information further includes a second parameter, which is used to determine whether to transmit CA SRS, and which corresponds to the at least two carrier frequencies for carrying CA SRS.

[0089] In possible implementations, the second parameter is associated with a reference signal, and the type of the reference signal includes one or more of SSB, TRS, CSI-RS, and NCD-SSB.

[0090] In possible implementations, the CA SRS is associated with one or more of the following reference signals: SSB, TRS, CSI-RS, and NCD-SSB, and the CA SRS transmission parameters are determined based on the reference signal associated with the CA SRS.

[0091] In possible implementations, the transmission parameters include one or more of the following: whether CA SRS is being transmitted, the transmission power of CA SRS, and the transmission timing of CA SRS.

[0092] In possible implementations, capability information includes information about frequency band combinations supported by the terminal device, the frequency band combination information is carried in first and / or second instruction information, the first instruction information corresponds to one or more frequency bands, and the second instruction information corresponds to one or more frequency band combinations, the frequency band combinations include one or more frequency bands.

[0093] In possible implementations, capability information further includes information about the maximum aggregate bandwidth of the frequency band and information about the number of consecutive carriers in the frequency band, both of which are carried in third instruction information.

[0094] In possible implementations, the third instruction information is either carried by the first instruction information, or the third instruction information is carried by the second instruction information.

[0095] In possible implementations, capability information further includes the ability of the terminal device to transmit CA SRS while connected, and configuration information is further used to configure the resources for the terminal device to transmit CA SRS while connected.

[0096] In possible implementations, the configuration information further includes third and fourth configuration information, the third configuration information is used to configure a SCell that carries the CA SRS, the third configuration information includes BWP information, and the fourth configuration information is used to configure resources for the CA SRS, the resources for the CA SRS correspond to a SCell. The method further includes the step of transmitting the CA SRS in a SCell based on the configuration information.

[0097] According to a third aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be a terminal device, a device within a terminal device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or some of the functions of a terminal device. The communication device has the function of implementing the behavior of an embodiment of the method of the first aspect. For example, in one possible implementation, the communication device is The system includes a transceiver unit configured to report capability information of a terminal device to a network device, the capability information including the terminal device's ability to transmit a CA sounding reference signal SRS while in an inactive state.

[0098] The transceiver unit is configured to receive configuration information transmitted by network devices, which is used to configure resources for terminal devices to transmit CA SRS when inactive, and the configuration information is determined based on capability information.

[0099] The functionality may be implemented by hardware, or by hardware running corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the aforementioned functionality. For beneficial effects, please refer to the description of the first embodiment; details will not be repeated here.

[0100] According to a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be a network device, a device within a network device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or some of the functions of a network device. The communication device has the function of implementing the behavior in the method example of the second aspect. For example, in one possible implementation, the communication device is: The system includes a transceiver unit configured to receive capability information reported by a terminal device, the capability information including the terminal device's ability to transmit CA SRS in an inactive state.

[0101] The transceiver unit is configured to transmit configuration information to a terminal device, which is used to configure the resources for the terminal device to transmit CA SRS when inactive, and the configuration information is determined based on capability information.

[0102] The functionality may be implemented by hardware, or by hardware running corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the aforementioned functionality. For beneficial effects, please refer to the description of the second aspect; details will not be repeated here.

[0103] According to a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be a terminal device or a device within a terminal device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit). The device may include a processor, an input interface, and an output interface. The input interface is configured to receive information from a communication device other than the communication device, the output interface is configured to output information to a communication device other than the communication device, and the processor implements a reference signal resource configuration method provided in either the first aspect or an implementation of the first aspect.

[0104] According to a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be a network device or a device within a network device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit). The device may include a processor, an input interface, and an output interface. The input interface is configured to receive information from a communication device other than the communication device, the output interface is configured to output information to a communication device other than the communication device, and the processor implements a reference signal resource configuration method provided in either the second aspect or an implementation of the second aspect.

[0105] According to the seventh aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing computer programs or computer instructions. When the computer program or computer instructions are executed by a processor, the method in the first aspect and any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect, and the method in the second aspect and any one of the possible implementations of the second aspect are carried out.

[0106] According to the eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes instructions. When the instructions are executed by a processor, a method according to the first aspect and any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect, and a method according to the second aspect and any one of the possible implementations of the second aspect are performed.

[0107] According to the ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device includes a processor configured to implement a method according to the first aspect and any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect, and a method according to any one of the second aspect and any one of the possible implementations of the second aspect.

[0108] In possible implementations, the communication device may further include memory configured to store program instructions and / or data. The communication device may also be a chip system. The chip system may include a chip, or it may include a chip and other separate components.

[0109] According to a tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication system. The communication system includes at least one terminal device and at least one network device. When operating in the communication system, at least one terminal device and at least one network device are configured to implement one of the reference signal resource configuration methods according to the first and second aspects.

[0110] To more clearly illustrate the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments are briefly described below. It will be apparent that those skilled in the art can obtain further drawings based on these accompanying drawings without any creative effort. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0111] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the network architecture of a communication system according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 2] This is a diagram of a positioning network architecture based on a next-generation wireless access network according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 3A] This is a diagram showing the architecture of an NR-Uu communication system according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 3B] This is a diagram showing the architecture of an NR-Uu communication system according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 4] This is a diagram of a communication positioning architecture based on a PC5 interface according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 5] This is an interaction diagram of a reference signal resource configuration method according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 6]This is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 7] This is a diagram showing the structure of another communication device according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 8] This is a diagram showing the structure of yet another communication device according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing the structure of a terminal device according to one embodiment of this application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0112] The following describes the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of this application. In the embodiments of this application, the terms “system” and “network” may be used interchangeably. Unless otherwise specified, “ / ” indicates an “or” relationship between related objects. For example, A / B can mean A or B. In this application, “and / or” describes only the relationship between related objects and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can mean the following three cases: that only A exists, that both A and B exist, and that only B exists, where A and B may be singular or plural. Also in the description of this application, “plural” means two or more unless otherwise specified. “At least one of the following items (parts)” or similar expressions indicate any combination of these items, including a single item (part) or any combination of multiple items (parts). For example, at least one item (part) of a, b, or c can represent a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a, b, and c, where a, b, and c may be singular or plural. In addition, in order to clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, terms such as “first” and “second” are used in the embodiments of this application to distinguish the same or similar items having essentially the same network element or purpose. Those skilled in the art will understand that terms such as “first” and “second” do not limit the quantity or order of execution, nor do they limit the distinct differences.

[0113] Whenever "one embodiment," "some embodiments," etc., are used in the embodiments of this application, it means that one or more embodiments of this application include certain features, structures, or characteristics described with reference to the embodiments. Therefore, phrases such as "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in some other embodiments," or "in other embodiments" appearing elsewhere in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Instead, these phrases mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments" unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "include," "contain," "have," and their variations all mean "include, but not limited to" unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0114] The purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of this application are described in more detail in the following specific implementations. It should be understood that the following descriptions are merely specific implementations of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made based on the technical solution of this application fall within the scope of protection.

[0115] The following is a description of the technical terms that may appear in the embodiments of this application. The terms used in the implementations of this application are used solely to describe specific embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or unless there is a logical contradiction, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent, mutually referential, and the technical features of different embodiments can be combined on the basis of their internal logical relationships to form new embodiments.

[0116] (1) Radio Resource Control (RRC) status In the connected state, the terminal device sets up an RRC connection to the network device for data transmission.

[0117] In the idle state, the terminal device does not set up an RRC connection to the network device, and the network device does not have a context for the terminal device. If the terminal device needs to move from the idle state to a connected state, the terminal device must initiate the RRC connection setup procedure.

[0118] Inactive state: The terminal device is already in a connected state, and then the network device releases the RRC connection, but both the network device and the terminal device remember the context. If the terminal device needs to return from the inactive state to a connected state, the terminal device must initiate the RRC connection restart procedure. The RRC restart process has shorter latency and lower signaling overhead than the RRC setup process.

[0119] (2) CA CA (Carrier Aggregation) integrates two or more component carriers (CCs) to support a larger transmission bandwidth. CAs are classified into the following types:

[0120] Intraband continuous CA (CC) means that the two frequencies belong to the same frequency band and are continuous in the frequency domain.

[0121] Intraband discontinuity CA:CC means that while they belong to the same frequency band, they are discontinuous in the frequency domain.

[0122] Interband CA (Critical Acceleration): CC belongs to different frequency bands. Therefore, multiple CCs are essentially discontinuous in the frequency domain.

[0123] CA can be referred to as bandwidth aggregation.

[0124] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as the global system for mobile communication (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA®) systems, general packet radio service (GPRS), LTE systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), enhanced data rate for GSM evolution (EDGE) systems, and worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) systems. The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application may be further applied to other communication systems, such as public land mobile network (PLMN) systems, LTE advanced (LTE-A) systems, 5G systems, NR systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) systems, or other future advanced communication systems. This is not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0125] Figure 1 is a diagram of the network architecture of a communication system according to one embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 1, the network architecture may include a terminal device 101, a network device 102, and a core network device 103. The network device can be connected to the network device 102 wirelessly and can access the core network device 103 via the network device 102. The terminal device 101 may be fixed or mobile.

[0126] Terminal device 101 is a user-side entity configured to receive or transmit signals. Terminal devices may be deployed on land, including indoors, outdoors, handheld, or in a vehicle, or on water (e.g., on a ship), or in the air (e.g., on an airplane, balloon, or satellite). Terminal devices may include mobile phones, tablet computers (pads), computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, wireless terminal devices in industrial control, wireless terminal devices in self-driving, wireless terminal devices in telemedicine, wireless terminal devices in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminal devices in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, user equipment (UE), and the like.

[0127] As an example, and not an limitation, in the embodiments of this application, the terminal device may alternatively be a wearable device. Wearable devices, sometimes called wearable intelligent devices, are a general term for wearable devices intelligently designed and developed for everyday wear using wearable technology, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices that can be worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not only hardware devices but also implement powerful functionality through software support, data exchange, and cloud interaction. In a broader sense, wearable intelligent devices include fully equipped large devices that can implement full or partial functionality without relying on a smartphone, such as smartwatches or smart glasses, and devices that focus on only one type of application function and need to work with other devices such as smartphones, for example, various smart bands or smart jewelry for monitoring physical signs.

[0128] In addition, in the embodiments of this application, the terminal device may alternatively be a terminal device in an Internet of Things (IoT) system. IoT is an important part of the future development of information technology, and the main technical features of IoT are the use of communication technology to connect things to a network and to implement intelligent networks for human-machine interconnection and thing-to-thing interconnection. In the embodiments of this application, IoT technology can implement large-scale connectivity, deep coverage, and low power consumption of terminals by, for example, using narrow-band (NB) technology.

[0129] The network device 102 may be an entity configured to transmit or receive signals, or a device configured to communicate with a terminal device. The network device may be a base transceiver station (BTS) of a global system for mobile communications (GSM) or code division multiple access (CDMA) system, a NodeB (NodeB, NB) of a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA®) system, an evolved NodeB (eNB, or eNodeB) of an LTE system, or a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. Alternatively, the network device may be a relay node, an access point, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a network device in a 5G network, a network device in a future evolved PLMN network, etc. This is not limited to the embodiments of this application. The network device may be a device in a radio network, for example, a radio access network (RAN) node that connects terminals to the radio network. Currently, a RAN node may be, for example, a base station, a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), an eNB, a home base station, a baseband unit (BBU), or a Wi-Fi system access point (AP).In the network structure provided in this application, the network device may be a central unit (CU) node, a distributed unit (DU) node, or a RAN device including both CU and DU nodes.

[0130] In different systems, CU (including CU-CP and CU-UP) or DU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meaning. For example, in an open radio access network (O-RAN) system, CU is also called O-CU (open CU), DU is also called O-DU, CU-CP is also called O-CU-CP, and CU-UP is also called O-CU-UP.

[0131] In embodiments of this application, a terminal device or network device includes a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on the hardware layer, and an application layer running on the operating system layer. The hardware layer includes hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and memory (also called main memory). The operating system may be any one or more types of computer operating systems that implement service processing by processes, such as a Linux® operating system, a Unix operating system, an Android operating system, an iOS operating system, or a Windows operating system. The application layer includes applications such as a browser, an address book, word processing software, and instant messaging software. In addition, the specific structure of the implementer of the method provided in embodiments of this application is not particularly limited in embodiments of this application, as long as it can execute a program that records the code of the method provided in embodiments of this application and perform communication in accordance with the method provided in embodiments of this application. For example, the implementer of the method provided in embodiments of this application may be a terminal device or network device, or a functional module that can call and execute a program in a terminal device or network device.

[0132] In addition, aspects or features of this application may be implemented as methods, apparatus, or products using standard programming and / or engineering techniques. As used in this application, the term “product” encompasses computer programs that can be accessed from any computer-readable component, carrier, or medium. For example, computer-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, magnetic storage components (e.g., hard disks, floppy disks, or magnetic tapes), optical discs (e.g., compact discs (CDs) and digital versatile discs (DVDs)), smart cards, and flash memory components (e.g., erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), cards, sticks, or key drives). In addition, the various storage media described herein may represent one or more devices and / or other machine-readable media configured to store information. The term “machine-readable medium” may include, but is not limited to, wireless channels, as well as various other media that can store, contain, and / or carry instructions and / or data.

[0133] Figure 2 is a diagram of a positioning network architecture based on a next-generation radio access network (NG-RAN) according to one embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 2, an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element receives a positioning service request relating to a terminal device and initiated by another network element in the network. The AMF transmits the received request to a location management function (LMF) network element, which is responsible for processing the received positioning request and initiating the associated positioning procedure. The NG-RAN access network includes 4G stations ng-eNB and 5G stations gNB connected to a 5G core network. The NG-RAN is responsible for transmitting and receiving positioning reference signals and acquiring associated positioning information. Each of the ng-eNB and gNB may be communicatively connected to the AMF via an NG-C interface. The AMF may be communicatively connected to the LMF via an NLs interface. The terminal device may be communicatively connected to the ng-eNB via an LTE-Uu interface, and a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) enabled terminal (SET) may be deployed on the terminal device. The terminal device may be communicatively connected to the gNB via an NR-Uu interface. The ng-eNB may be communicatively connected to the gNB via an Xn interface.

[0134] An ng-eNB may be a device or apparatus deployed in a wireless access network, meeting 4G standards, and providing wireless communication capabilities to terminal devices. An ng-eNB may be various forms of base stations, access points, etc. Alternatively, an ng-eNB may be a transmission reception point (TRP) that transmits and receives reference signals, or a transmission measurement function (TMF), etc.

[0135] A gNB may be a device or apparatus deployed in a radio access network that meets 5G standards and provides wireless communication capabilities to terminal devices. A gNB may be various forms of base stations, access points, etc. Alternatively, a gNB may be a TRP, TMF, etc. that transmits and receives reference signals.

[0136] It will be understood that the transmission point (TP) can be located in both the ng-eNB and the gNB.

[0137] An enhanced serving mobile location center (E-SMLC) may be a network element that provides positioning capabilities in a 4G core network. A service location protocol (SLP) may be a network element that handles secure user plane location protocols within a 4G core network.

[0138] The technical solutions provided in this application may be applied to NR-Uu communication systems. Figures 3A and 3B are diagrams of the architecture of an NR-Uu communication system according to one embodiment of this application, respectively. The NR-Uu communication system includes one or more network devices and one or more terminal devices. As shown in Figure 3A, one network device can transmit data or control signaling to one or more terminal devices. As shown in Figure 3B, multiple network devices can also transmit data or control signaling to one terminal device simultaneously.

[0139] The technical solutions provided in this application may be further applied to a communication positioning architecture based on a PC5 interface. Figure 4 is a diagram of a communication positioning architecture based on a PC5 interface according to one embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 4, each terminal device is communicatively connected to a RAN node via a Uu interface. The terminal devices are communicatively connected to each other via a PC5 interface. The RAN node is communicatively connected to an AMF, and the AMF is communicatively connected to an LMF.

[0140] The user equipment-location management component (UE-LMC) may be a component or application that is deployed on a terminal device, has several LMFs, and is configured to support location services on the PC5 interface.

[0141] It should be noted that the number and types of network devices and terminal devices included in the network architectures shown in Figures 1 to 4 are merely examples. Embodiments of this application are not limited thereto. For example, there may be more or fewer terminal devices communicating with network devices. For example, there may be more or fewer core network devices communicating with network devices. For brevity of explanation, details are not shown in the accompanying drawings. In addition, while network devices, terminal devices, and core network devices are shown in the network architectures shown in Figures 1 to 4, application scenarios may include, but are not limited to, network devices, terminal devices, and core network devices, and may further include, for example, devices configured to carry virtualized network functions, wireless relay devices, and wireless backhaul devices. These are obvious to those skilled in the art and are not described in detail here.

[0142] This application provides a method for configuring reference signal resources. The method will be described individually below using the following embodiments. It should be understood that these reference signal resource configuration methods can be used in combination.

[0143] Downlink transmission may change as technical solutions evolve, and it should be understood that the technical solutions provided in this application are not limited to the processes described below. Furthermore, the scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are merely examples, and the solutions in the embodiments of this application are not limited to the described scenarios but may also be applicable to scenarios with similar problems.

[0144] In embodiments of this application (for example, the following embodiments corresponding to Figure 5), the method may be described using examples in which a terminal device and a network device perform an interaction example. However, the entities performing the interaction example are not limited in this application. For example, the terminal device may alternatively be a device within the terminal device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or some of the functions of the terminal device, and the network device may alternatively be a device within the network device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or some of the functions of the network device. In embodiments of this application, a unified description is provided herein and will not be described again in detail below.

[0145] Referring to the network architecture described above, a reference signal resource configuration method provided in one embodiment of this application will be described below. Figure 5 is an interaction diagram of the reference signal resource configuration method according to one embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 5, the reference signal resource configuration method may include S501 to S503.

[0146] S501: The terminal device reports capability information to the network device, which includes the terminal device's ability to transmit CA SRS while inactive. In response, the network device receives the capability information reported by the terminal device.

[0147] Capability information includes information about the frequency band combinations supported by the inactive terminal device, information about the maximum aggregate bandwidth, and information about the number of consecutive carriers.

[0148] In possible implementations, information regarding frequency band combinations is carried in a first and / or second instruction information. For example, information regarding frequency band combinations may be carried in the first instruction information, information regarding frequency band combinations may be carried in the second instruction information, or information regarding frequency band combinations may be carried in both the first and second instruction information. For example, complete information regarding frequency band combinations may be contained within the first instruction information, and complete information regarding frequency band combinations may also be contained within the second instruction information. The first instruction information corresponds to one or more frequency bands. The second instruction information corresponds to one or more frequency band combinations, where a frequency band combination includes one or more frequency bands.

[0149] A network device can configure information about frequency band combinations by adding signaling to a first instruction information. For example, information about frequency band combinations may be configured by adding BandParameters-Inactive-r18 signaling to the RF-Parameters signaling of the first instruction information. A network device can further configure information about frequency band combinations by adding signaling to a second instruction information. For example, information about frequency band combinations may be configured by adding one or more BandNR signalings to the RF-Parameters signaling of the second instruction information. Each part of the BandNR signaling corresponds to the configuration of information about one frequency band in the frequency band combination.

[0150] In possible implementations, information regarding the maximum aggregated bandwidth of a frequency band and the number of consecutive carriers in a frequency band may be carried by a third instruction. The third instruction may be carried by the first instruction. For example, information regarding the maximum aggregated bandwidth of a frequency band and the number of consecutive carriers in a frequency band may be constructed by adding a ca-BandwidthClassSRS-NR signaling to the BandParameters-Inactive-r18 signaling. Alternatively, the third instruction is carried by the second instruction. For example, information regarding the maximum aggregated bandwidth of a frequency band and the number of consecutive carriers in a frequency band may be constructed by adding a ca-BandwidthClassSRS-NR signaling to the BandNR signaling. Alternatively, the third, first, and second instruction are at the same level and are three parallel parameters within a single signaling.

[0151] In possible implementations, capability information further includes the ability of the terminal device to transmit CA SRS while connected, and configuration information is further used to configure the resources for the terminal device to transmit CA SRS while connected.

[0152] A terminal device can configure connected and inactive CA SRS by simultaneously reporting two capabilities to the network device: the ability of the terminal device to transmit a connected CA SRS and the ability of the terminal device to transmit an inactive CA SRS.

[0153] A terminal device can configure connected and inactive CA SRS by simultaneously reporting two capabilities to the network device: the ability of the terminal device to transmit a connected CA SRS and the ability of the terminal device to transmit an inactive CA SRS.

[0154] S502: Network devices determine configuration information based on capability information, and this configuration information is used to configure resources for terminal devices to transmit CA SRS when inactive.

[0155] In this embodiment, CA SRS is used for positioning.

[0156] After receiving capability information transmitted by the terminal device, the network device can add configuration information for resources that the terminal device uses to transmit CA SRS while inactive to the RRC release message, and then deliver the configuration information to the terminal device via the RRC release message.

[0157] Embodiment 1: The configuration information includes first configuration information and second configuration information, the first configuration information is used to configure a carrier that carries the CA SRS, and the second configuration information is used to configure resources for the CA SRS, the resources for the CA SRS correspond one-to-one with the carrier that carries the CA SRS.

[0158] It should be understood that the carrier transporting the CA SRS may also be a CA CC.

[0159] There may be at least two carriers carrying the CA SRS, and it will be understood that the resources used for the CA SRS and corresponding to at least two carriers are different. In other words, each carrier carrying the CA SRS directly corresponds to a different resource (the resource is the resource for the CA SRS).

[0160] Optionally, network devices can add Inactive-SRS-CA-config to the SuspendConfig in the RRC release message, and the configuration information is configured within the Inactive-SRS-CA-config signaling.

[0161] Optionally, the second configuration information is carried within the first configuration information, which may be the configuration information of a carrier (e.g., a carrier carrying CA SRS), and the second configuration information is the configuration of resources for CA SRS. Since the second configuration information is carried within the first configuration information, when a terminal device acquires the first configuration information, the terminal device can directly acquire the second configuration information associated with the first configuration information and determine that the resources for CA SRS correspond to the carrier carrying CA SRS.

[0162] For example, configuration information may be configured within the Inactive-SRS-CA-config signaling. In this case, the ComponentCarrierConfig signaling may be added to the Inactive-SRS-CA-config signaling. The first configuration information is configured via the ComponentCarrierConfig signaling. Resources for CA SRS may be configured by adding the srs-PosConfig-Inactive signaling to the ComponentCarrierConfig signaling.

[0163] Optionally, the first and second configuration information are carried in parallel within the configuration information. In other words, the first and second configuration information belong to the same level. For example, if the configuration information is configured via the Inactive-SRS-CA-config signaling, the first configuration information is configured via the ComponentCarrierConfig signaling, and the second configuration information is configured via the srs-PosConfig-Inactive signaling. The Inactive-SRS-CA-config signaling includes the parallel ComponentCarrierConfig and srs-PosConfig-Inactive signaling.

[0164] Optionally, the network device may send the first configuration information and the second configuration information separately to the terminal device.

[0165] In one implementation, the first configuration information is used to configure the carriers that carry the CA SRS, and there are at least two carriers that carry the CA SRS, with each carrier carrying the CA SRS corresponding to one of the first configuration information. For example, a network device defines a set of first configuration information, and the set of first configuration information includes multiple first configuration information, with each first configuration information corresponding to one carrier.

[0166] Optionally, the first configuration information may be used to directly configure at least two carriers that carry the CA SRS. In other words, there may be one first configuration information, and the first configuration information may be used to configure two carriers that carry the CA SRS.

[0167] Optionally, the carriers carrying the CA SRS may include at least two uplink carriers, and these at least two carriers carrying the CA SRS belong to the same frequency band.

[0168] Optionally, at least two uplink carriers in the frequency band that carry CA SRS may be contiguous in the frequency domain to implement in-band continuous CA.

[0169] To implement in-band discontinuous CA, it will be understood that at least two uplink carriers in the same frequency band and carrying the CA SRS can be discontinuous in the frequency domain.

[0170] In this implementation, at least two uplink carriers are used for CA SRS for positioning; that is, at least two uplink carriers are carriers that carry CA SRS for positioning.

[0171] In one implementation, the first configuration information may be further used to configure at least two uplink carriers, at least one of which is used for data transmission, and at least one of which is the uplink carrier of the cell where the terminal device is camped.

[0172] Optionally, at least two uplink carriers belong to the same frequency band.

[0173] Optionally, at least two uplink carriers in the same frequency band may be contiguous in the frequency domain.

[0174] It will be understood that at least two uplink carriers in the same frequency band can be discontinuous in the frequency domain.

[0175] In this implementation, at least two uplink carriers may be dedicated positioning uplink carriers. For example, a dedicated positioning uplink carrier may carry a CA SRS for positioning or carry positioning data, i.e., it may be used to transmit positioning-related data.

[0176] Optionally, at least one of the at least two uplink carriers is a CA SRS for positioning, and at least one of the at least two uplink carriers is used for data transmission.

[0177] For example, at least two uplink carriers may include one or more CA SRSs for positioning. In addition to the uplink carriers for the CA SRSs for positioning, at least two uplink carriers may further include one or more uplink carriers for data transmission. Suppose there are two uplink carriers, one of which is used for the CA SRSs for positioning and the other for data transmission. Alternatively, assume there are three uplink carriers, one of which may be used for the CA SRSs for positioning and one of the remaining two may be used for data transmission, or both of the remaining two may be used for data transmission.

[0178] In one possible implementation, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carriers, both of which are used for PRACH. In other words, neither of the two uplink carriers is used for data transmission.

[0179] Similarly, at least two uplink carriers may be continuous or discontinuous in the frequency domain.

[0180] In possible implementations, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carriers, at least one of the at least two uplink carriers being used for CA SRS for positioning, and at least one of the at least two uplink carriers being used for PRACH.

[0181] It is assumed that there are two uplink carriers in the frequency band, with one uplink carrier's transmission used for CA SRS positioning and the other uplink carrier used for PRACH. Alternatively, it is assumed that there are three uplink carriers in the frequency band, with one of the uplink carriers used for CA SRS positioning and one of the remaining two uplink carriers potentially used for PRACH.

[0182] Similarly, at least two uplink carriers may be continuous or discontinuous in the frequency domain.

[0183] The first configuration information includes one or more of the following: frequency channel number information, bandwidth, SCS, and BWP.

[0184] In this embodiment, the first configuration information includes the carrier frequency channel number information.

[0185] The frequency channel number information is the absolute radio frequency channel number (ARFCN). The ARFCN can be the ARFCN corresponding to point A, the ARFCN corresponding to the minimum frequency interval (Channel Raster, CR) of the carrier, or the AFCN number corresponding to the carrier's SSB. The AFCN number corresponding to the carrier's SSB is the ARFCN number of the 0th subcarrier of the 10th resource block (RB), which starts from 0, in the corresponding SSB.

[0186] If the frequency channel number information is NUL frequency channel number information, the first configuration information may be used to configure a NUL carrier that carries the CA SRS. If the frequency channel number of a carrier in the first configuration information is NUL, CA is performed on that carrier and other NUL carriers. If the frequency channel number information is SUL frequency channel number information, the first configuration information may be used to configure a SUL carrier that carries the CA SRS. If the frequency channel number of a carrier in the first configuration information is SUL, CA is performed on that carrier and other SUL carriers.

[0187] In this embodiment, bandwidth, SCS, and BWP are optional. For example, if the first configuration information includes the carrier's BWP, the carrier's bandwidth and carrier's SCS do not need to be configured in the first configuration information, and the resource start location for the CA SRS may be determined based on the BWP's start RB location. As another example, if the first configuration information includes the carrier's bandwidth and carrier's SCS, the carrier's BWP does not need to be configured in the first configuration information, and the resource start location for the CA SRS may be determined based on the carrier's start RB location.

[0188] In possible implementations, the configuration information further includes a first parameter, which indicates the available time of the carrier's TA. For example, the first parameter may be a TimeAlignmentTimer parameter, and the carrier is a carrier that carries the CA SRS. There are at least two first configuration information sets, each carrier carrying the CA SRS has a first configuration information set, and the first parameter corresponds to at least two carriers carrying the CA SRS. In other words, the first parameter is a common parameter of at least two carriers, and there is one first parameter.

[0189] The first parameter is configured independently of the first configuration information; that is, the first parameter does not need to be configured within the first configuration information, thereby reducing the overhead and complexity of the signaling procedure corresponding to the first configuration information.

[0190] Optionally, there are at least two first parameters, and the number of first parameters is equal to the number of carriers that carry CA SRS. Each first parameter corresponds to one carrier that carries CA SRS. Different carriers that carry CA SRS may correspond to different first parameters or to the same first parameter.

[0191] If there are at least two first parameters, then at least two first parameters belong to the same TAG, and as a result, the configuration of different carriers is simplified.

[0192] In possible implementations, the configuration information further includes a second parameter, which is used to determine whether to transmit the CA SRS, and which corresponds to at least two carriers that will carry the CA SRS.

[0193] It will be understood that at least two carriers carrying CA SRS can be associated with one second parameter. That is, there are at least two carriers carrying CA SRS, there is one second parameter, and the one second parameter corresponds to multiple carriers carrying CA SRS. The second parameter is configured independently of the first configuration information, i.e., the second parameter does not need to be configured within the first configuration information, thereby reducing the overhead and complexity of the signaling procedure corresponding to the first configuration information.

[0194] Optionally, there may be at least two second parameters, each corresponding to one carrier that carries the CA SRS, and at least two second parameters can form a set. The set may be configured independently of the first configuration information in order to reduce the overhead and complexity of the signaling procedure corresponding to the first configuration information.

[0195] The second parameter may be associated with a reference signal, the type of which includes one or more of SSB, TRS, SCI-RS, and NCD-SSB. The reference signal may, for example, be one of SSB, TRS, SCI-RS, and NCD-SSB, or it may be TRS and SCI-RS, or it may be TRS and NCD-SSB, or it may be TRS, SCI-RS, and NCD-SSB.

[0196] Optionally, the second parameter may be associated with one of several reference signal types.

[0197] In possible implementations, the CA SRS is associated with one or more of several reference signals, and the transmission parameters of the CA SRS are determined based on the reference signals associated with the CA SRS. The transmission parameters include one or more of the following: whether the CA SRS is being transmitted (including transmitting the CA SRS and not transmitting the CA SRS), the transmission power of the CA SRS, and the transmission timing of the CA SRS.

[0198] For example, if a CA SRS is associated with a TRS, the transmission parameters of the CA SRS are determined based on the TRS.

[0199] The second parameter may be a threshold. For example, the second parameter is the RSRP-changeThreshold. If the transmit parameter includes whether a CA SRS is being transmitted, and the CA SRS is associated with the SSB, and the second parameter is associated with the SSB, then the terminal device can compare the measured energy / RSRP of the SSB with the second parameter. If the measured energy / RSRP of the SSB is less than the second parameter, the terminal device can determine that it is clear from the transmit parameter that a CA SRS is not being transmitted, or if the measured energy RSRP of the SSB is greater than or equal to the second parameter, the terminal device can determine that it is clear from the transmit parameter that a CA SRS is being transmitted.

[0200] In possible implementations, the configuration information further includes third and fourth configuration information, the third configuration information is used to configure the SCell that carries the CA SRS, and the third configuration information includes BWP information. The fourth configuration information is used to configure the resources for the CA SRS, and the resources for the CA SRS correspond to the SCell.

[0201] For example, a SCell that carries a CA SRS can be configured by configuring an UplinkConfig signaling within a signaling that corresponds to the configuration information.

[0202] Embodiment 2: The configuration information includes first configuration information and second configuration information, the first configuration information may be further used to configure carrier frequencies for carrying CA / bandwidth aggregation SRS, and the second configuration information is used to configure resources for CA SRS, the resources for CA SRS correspond one-to-one with carrier frequencies for carrying CA SRS.

[0203] The difference between Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 1 is that the first configuration information of Embodiment 2 is used to configure the carrier frequency for carrying CA SRS, while the first configuration information of Embodiment 1 is used to configure the carrier for carrying C. The restrictions on the carrier in Embodiment 1 may be used as restrictions on the carrier frequency in Embodiment 2. For the beneficial effects achieved by the carrier frequency of Embodiment 2, please refer to the description of the carrier in Embodiment 1. Details are omitted here where appropriate to avoid repetition.

[0204] S503: The network device sends configuration information to the terminal device. In response, the terminal device receives the configuration information sent by the network device.

[0205] After configuring the configuration information, the network device can distribute the configuration information to the terminal device via an RRC release message, and the terminal device receives the configuration information.

[0206] When the terminal device is in an inactive state, after the terminal device has received configuration information, the method may further include the step of the terminal device transmitting a CA SRS to a network device on a carrier based on the configuration information. In response, the network device receives the CA SRS transmitted by the terminal device on a carrier that carries the CA SRS based on the configuration information.

[0207] The terminal device can determine the carrier that will carry the CA SRS based on the first configuration information within the configuration information, and then transmit the CA SRS to a network device on the carrier that will carry the CA SRS based on the second configuration information.

[0208] When the terminal device is connected, after the terminal device receives configuration information, the method may further include the step of the terminal device sending a CA SRS to a network device in SCell based on the configuration information. In response, the network device receives the CA SRS sent by the terminal device in SCell based on the configuration information.

[0209] The terminal device can determine which SCell will carry the CA SRS based on the third configuration information within the configuration information, and then transmit the CA SRS to the network device within the SCell based on the fourth configuration information.

[0210] Unlike the case in which a terminal device cannot configure resources for transmitting CA SRS in an inactive state, in this embodiment of the present application, the terminal device can configure resources for transmitting CA SRS in an inactive state based on configuration information transmitted by a network device. The configuration information is configuration information for the terminal device's resources for transmitting CA SRS in an inactive state, and is newly added by the network device.

[0211] The embodiments of the method provided in the embodiments of this application have been described above. Below, embodiments of the apparatus in the embodiments of this application will be described.

[0212] Figure 6 is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device according to one embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be a terminal device or a device within a terminal device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit). As shown in Figure 6, the communication device 600 includes at least a transceiver unit 601.

[0213] The transceiver unit 601 is configured to report capability information of a terminal device to a network device, and this capability information includes the capability of the terminal device to transmit CA SRS in an inactive state.

[0214] The transceiver unit 601 is configured to receive configuration information transmitted by a network device, which is used to configure resources for a terminal device to transmit CA SRS when inactive, and the configuration information is determined based on capability information.

[0215] In one implementation, CA SRS is used for positioning.

[0216] In one implementation, configuration information is transported via RRC release messages.

[0217] In one implementation, the configuration information includes first configuration information and second configuration information, the first configuration information is used to configure the carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS, and the second configuration information is used to configure the resources for the CA SRS, the resources for the CA SRS correspond to the carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS. The method further includes the step of transmitting the CA SRS at the carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS based on the configuration information.

[0218] In one implementation, there are at least two carrier frequencies for carrying CA SRS, and the different carrier frequencies for carrying CA SRS correspond to different resources of CA SRS.

[0219] In one implementation configuration, the carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS includes at least two uplink carrier frequencies, and these at least two uplink carrier frequencies belong to the same frequency band.

[0220] In one implementation configuration, at least two uplink carrier frequencies in the same frequency band are continuous in the frequency domain.

[0221] In one implementation, at least two uplink carrier frequencies are used for CA SRS for positioning.

[0222] In one implementation, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carrier frequencies, where at least one of the at least two uplink carrier frequencies is the frequency corresponding to the uplink carrier of the cell where the terminal device is camped, and at least one uplink carrier frequency is used for data transmission.

[0223] In one implementation, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carrier frequencies, the at least two uplink carrier frequencies being frequencies corresponding to positioning-dedicated uplink carriers.

[0224] In one implementation, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carrier frequencies, the at least two uplink carrier frequencies being used for the physical random access channel (PRACH).

[0225] In one implementation, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carrier frequencies, at least one of the at least two uplink carrier frequencies being used for CA SRS for positioning, and at least one of the at least two uplink carrier frequencies being used for PRACH.

[0226] In one implementation, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carrier frequencies, at least one of the at least two uplink carrier frequencies being used for CA SRS for positioning, and at least one of the at least two uplink carrier frequencies being used for data transmission.

[0227] In one implementation, the configuration information includes first configuration information and second configuration information, the first configuration information is used to configure a carrier that carries the CA SRS, and the second configuration information is used to configure resources for the CA SRS, the resources for the CA SRS correspond to the carrier that carries the CA SRS. The transceiver unit 601 is further configured to transmit the CA SRS on the carrier that carries the CA SRS based on the configuration information.

[0228] In one implementation, there are at least two carriers that carry the CA SRS, and the different carriers that carry the CA SRS correspond to different resources of the CA SRS.

[0229] In one implementation, the second configuration information is transported within the first configuration information.

[0230] In one implementation, the first configuration information and the second configuration information are transported in parallel within the configuration information.

[0231] In one implementation configuration, the carriers carrying the CA SRS include at least two uplink carriers, and these at least two uplink carriers belong to the same frequency band.

[0232] In one implementation, at least two uplink carriers in the same frequency band are contiguous in the frequency domain.

[0233] In one implementation, at least two uplink carriers are used for CA SRS for positioning.

[0234] In one implementation, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carriers, at least one of which is the uplink carrier of the cell where the terminal device is camped, and at least one of which is used for data transmission.

[0235] In one implementation, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carriers, and the transmission of at least two uplink carriers is dedicated to positioning.

[0236] In one implementation, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carriers, and at least two uplink carriers are used for PRACH.

[0237] In one implementation, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carriers, at least one of the at least two uplink carriers is used for CA SRS for positioning, and at least one of the at least two uplink carriers is used for PRACH.

[0238] In one implementation, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carriers, at least one of the at least two uplink carriers is used for CA SRS for positioning, and at least one of the at least two uplink carriers is used for data transmission.

[0239] In one implementation, the first configuration information includes one or more of the following: frequency channel number information, bandwidth, SCS, and BWP information.

[0240] In one implementation, if the frequency channel number information is NUL frequency channel number information, the first configuration information is used to configure the NUL carrier that carries the CA SRS, or the first configuration information is used to configure the frequency corresponding to the NUL carrier that carries the CA SRS. Alternatively, if the frequency channel number information is SUL frequency channel number information, the first configuration information is used to configure the SUL carrier that carries the CA SRS, or the first configuration information is used to configure the frequency corresponding to the SUL carrier that carries the CA SRS.

[0241] In one implementation, the configuration information further includes a first parameter, the first parameter indicating the available time of the TA of the carrier carrying the CA SRS, or the first parameter indicating the available time of the TA of the carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS.

[0242] In one implementation, there are at least two carriers that carry the CA SRS, each carrier corresponding to one first configuration piece of information, and the first parameter corresponds to at least two carriers that carry the CA SRS.

[0243] In one implementation, there are at least two carrier frequencies for carrying the CA SRS, each carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS corresponds to one first configuration piece of information, and the first parameter corresponds to at least two carrier frequencies for carrying the CA SRS.

[0244] In one implementation, there are at least two first parameters, each corresponding to a carrier that carries the CA SRS. Alternatively, there are at least two first parameters, each corresponding to a carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS.

[0245] In one implementation, at least two first parameters belong to the same TAG.

[0246] In one implementation, there are at least two carriers that carry the CA SRS, and the configuration information further includes a second parameter, which is used to determine whether to transmit the CA SRS, and the second parameter corresponds to the at least two carriers that carry the CA SRS.

[0247] In one implementation, there are at least two carrier frequencies for carrying CA SRS, and the configuration information further includes a second parameter, which is used to determine whether to transmit CA SRS, and which corresponds to at least two carrier frequencies for carrying CA SRS.

[0248] In one implementation, the second parameter is associated with a reference signal, and the type of the reference signal includes one or more of SSB, TRS, CSI-RS, and NCD-SSB.

[0249] In one implementation, the CA SRS is associated with one or more reference signals from SSB, TRS, CSI-RS, and NCD-SSB, and the transmission parameters of the CA SRS are determined based on the reference signal associated with the CA SRS.

[0250] In one implementation, the transmission parameters include one or more of the following: whether CA SRS is being transmitted, the transmission power of CA SRS, and the transmission timing of CA SRS.

[0251] In one implementation, capability information includes information about frequency band combinations supported by the terminal device, and the information about frequency band combinations is carried by first instruction information and / or second instruction information, the first instruction information corresponds to one or more frequency bands, and the second instruction information corresponds to one or more frequency band combinations, the frequency band combinations include one or more frequency bands.

[0252] In one implementation, capability information further includes information regarding the maximum aggregate bandwidth of the frequency band and information regarding the number of consecutive carriers in the frequency band, and both the information regarding the maximum aggregate bandwidth of the frequency band and the information regarding the number of consecutive carriers in the frequency band are carried in third instruction information.

[0253] In one implementation, the third instruction information is conveyed via the first instruction information, or the third instruction information is conveyed via the second instruction information.

[0254] In one implementation, capability information further includes the ability of the terminal device to transmit CA SRS while connected, and configuration information is further used to configure the resources for the terminal device to transmit CA SRS while connected.

[0255] In one implementation, the configuration information further includes a third configuration information and a fourth configuration information, the third configuration information being used to configure a SCell that carries the CA SRS, the third configuration information including BWP information, and the fourth configuration information being used to configure resources for the CA SRS, the resources for the CA SRS corresponding to secondary cells. The method further includes the step of transmitting the CA SRS in the SCell based on the configuration information.

[0256] Figure 7 shows the structure of another communication device according to one embodiment of the present application. The communication device may be a network device, or a device within a network device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit). As shown in Figure 7, the communication device 700 comprises at least a transceiver unit 701 and a processing unit 702.

[0257] The transceiver unit 701 is configured to receive capability information reported by a terminal device, which includes the capability of the terminal device to transmit CA SRS in an inactive state.

[0258] The transceiver unit 701 is further configured to transmit configuration information to a terminal device, which is used to configure resources for the terminal device to transmit CA SRS in an inactive state. The communication device 700 further comprises a processing unit 702, which is configured to determine the configuration information based on capability information.

[0259] In one implementation, CA SRS is used for positioning.

[0260] In one implementation, configuration information is transported via RRC release messages.

[0261] In one implementation, the configuration information includes first configuration information and second configuration information, the first configuration information is used to configure the carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS, and the second configuration information is used to configure the resources for the CA SRS, the resources for the CA SRS correspond to the carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS. The method further includes the step of transmitting the CA SRS at the carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS based on the configuration information.

[0262] In one implementation, there are at least two carrier frequencies for carrying CA SRS, and the different carrier frequencies for carrying CA SRS correspond to different resources of CA SRS.

[0263] In one implementation configuration, the carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS includes at least two uplink carrier frequencies, and these at least two uplink carrier frequencies belong to the same frequency band.

[0264] In one implementation configuration, at least two uplink carrier frequencies in the same frequency band are continuous in the frequency domain.

[0265] In one implementation, at least two uplink carrier frequencies are used for CA SRS for positioning.

[0266] In one implementation, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carrier frequencies, where at least one of the at least two uplink carrier frequencies is the frequency corresponding to the uplink carrier of the cell where the terminal device is camped, and at least one uplink carrier frequency is used for data transmission.

[0267] In one implementation, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carrier frequencies, the at least two uplink carrier frequencies being frequencies corresponding to positioning-dedicated uplink carriers.

[0268] In one implementation, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carrier frequencies, the at least two uplink carrier frequencies being used for the physical random access channel (PRACH).

[0269] In one implementation, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carrier frequencies, at least one of the at least two uplink carrier frequencies being used for CA SRS for positioning, and at least one of the at least two uplink carrier frequencies being used for PRACH.

[0270] In one implementation, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carrier frequencies, at least one of the at least two uplink carrier frequencies being used for CA SRS for positioning, and at least one of the at least two uplink carrier frequencies being used for data transmission.

[0271] In one implementation, the configuration information includes first configuration information and second configuration information, the first configuration information is used to configure a carrier that carries the CA SRS, and the second configuration information is used to configure resources for the CA SRS, the resources for the CA SRS correspond to the carrier that carries the CA SRS. The transceiver unit 601 is further configured to transmit the CA SRS on the carrier that carries the CA SRS based on the configuration information.

[0272] In one implementation, there are at least two carriers that carry the CA SRS, and the different carriers that carry the CA SRS correspond to different resources of the CA SRS.

[0273] In one implementation, the second configuration information is transported within the first configuration information.

[0274] In one implementation, the first configuration information and the second configuration information are transported in parallel within the configuration information.

[0275] In one implementation configuration, the carriers carrying the CA SRS include at least two uplink carriers, and these at least two uplink carriers belong to the same frequency band.

[0276] In one implementation, at least two uplink carriers in the same frequency band are contiguous in the frequency domain.

[0277] In one implementation, at least two uplink carriers are used for CA SRS for positioning.

[0278] In one implementation, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carriers, at least one of which is the uplink carrier of the cell where the terminal device is camped, and at least one of which is used for data transmission.

[0279] In one implementation, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carriers, and the transmission of at least two uplink carriers is dedicated to positioning.

[0280] In one implementation, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carriers, and at least two uplink carriers are used for PRACH.

[0281] In one implementation, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carriers, at least one of the at least two uplink carriers is used for CA SRS for positioning, and at least one of the at least two uplink carriers is used for PRACH.

[0282] In one implementation, the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carriers, at least one of the at least two uplink carriers is used for CA SRS for positioning, and at least one of the at least two uplink carriers is used for data transmission.

[0283] In one implementation, the first configuration information includes one or more of the following: frequency channel number information, bandwidth, SCS, and BWP information.

[0284] In one implementation, when the frequency channel number information is the frequency channel number information of NUL, the first configuration information is used to configure the NUL carrier that carries CA SRS, or the first configuration information is used to configure the frequency corresponding to the NUL carrier that carries CA SRS. Or, when the frequency channel number information is the frequency channel number information of SUL, the first configuration information is used to configure the SUL carrier that carries CA SRS, or the first configuration information is used to configure the frequency corresponding to the SUL carrier that carries CA SRS.

[0285] In one implementation, the configuration information further includes a first parameter, and the first parameter indicates the available time of TA of the carrier that carries CA SRS, or the first parameter indicates the available time of TA of the carrier frequency for carrying CA SRS.

[0286] In one implementation, there are at least two carriers that carry CA SRS, each carrier corresponds to one first configuration information, and the first parameter corresponds to at least two carriers that carry CA SRS.

[0287] In one implementation, there are at least two carrier frequencies for carrying CA SRS, each carrier frequency for carrying CA SRS corresponds to one first configuration information, and the first parameter corresponds to at least two carrier frequencies for carrying CA SRS.

[0288] In one implementation, there are at least two first parameters, and each first parameter corresponds to one carrier that carries CA SRS. Alternatively, there are at least two first parameters, and each first parameter corresponds to one carrier frequency for carrying CA SRS.

[0289] In one implementation, at least two first parameters belong to the same TAG.

[0290] In one implementation form, there are at least two carriers that carry CA SRS, the configuration information further includes a second parameter, the second parameter is used to determine whether to transmit CA SRS, and the second parameter corresponds to at least two carriers that carry CA SRS.

[0291] In one implementation form, there are at least two carrier frequencies for carrying CA SRS, the configuration information further includes a second parameter, the second parameter is used to determine whether to transmit CA SRS, and the second parameter corresponds to at least two carrier frequencies for carrying CA SRS.

[0292] In one implementation form, the second parameter is associated with a reference signal, and the type of the reference signal includes one or more of SSB, TRS, CSI-RS, and NCD-SSB.

[0293] In one implementation form, CA SRS is associated with one or more reference signals of SSB, TRS, CSI-RS, and NCD-SSB, and the transmission parameters of CA SRS are determined based on the reference signals associated with CA SRS.

[0294] In one implementation form, the transmission parameters include one or more of whether CA SRS is being transmitted, the transmission power of CA SRS, and the transmission timing of CA SRS.

[0295] In one implementation form, the capability information includes information regarding the frequency band combinations supported by the terminal device, the information regarding the frequency band combinations is carried by the first indication information and / or the second indication information, the first indication information corresponds to one or more frequency bands, the second indication information corresponds to one or more frequency band combinations, and the frequency band combination includes one or more frequency bands.

[0296] In one implementation, capability information further includes information regarding the maximum aggregate bandwidth of the frequency band and information regarding the number of consecutive carriers in the frequency band, and both the information regarding the maximum aggregate bandwidth of the frequency band and the information regarding the number of consecutive carriers in the frequency band are carried in third instruction information.

[0297] In one implementation, the third instruction information is conveyed via the first instruction information, or the third instruction information is conveyed via the second instruction information.

[0298] In one implementation, capability information further includes the ability of the terminal device to transmit CA SRS while connected, and configuration information is further used to configure the resources for the terminal device to transmit CA SRS while connected.

[0299] In one implementation, the configuration information further includes a third configuration information and a fourth configuration information, the third configuration information being used to configure a SCell that carries the CA SRS, the third configuration information including BWP information, and the fourth configuration information being used to configure resources for the CA SRS, the resources for the CA SRS corresponding to secondary cells. The method further includes the step of transmitting the CA SRS in the SCell based on the configuration information.

[0300] Based on the network architecture described above, Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the structure of yet another communication device according to one embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 8, the device 800 may include one or more processors 801. A processor 801 may also be called a processing unit and can implement specific control functions. A processor 801 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. A baseband processor may be configured to process communication protocols and communication data. A central processing unit may be configured to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminals, terminal chips, DUs, or CUs), execute software programs, and process data from software programs.

[0301] In the optional design, the processor 801 can alternatively store instructions 803 and / or data, and the instructions 803 and / or data can be executed by the processor, thereby enabling the device 800 to carry out the method described in the embodiment of the above method.

[0302] In another optional design, the processor 801 may include a transceiver unit configured to perform receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the transceiver unit may be a transceiver circuit, an interface, an interface circuit, or a communication interface. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit configured to implement the transmitting and receiving functions may be separate or integrated. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be configured to read and write code / data. Alternatively, the transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be configured to transmit or transfer signals.

[0303] In yet another possible design, the device 800 may include a circuit. The circuit can implement the transmit, receive, or communicate functions in the aforementioned method implementation configuration.

[0304] Optionally, the device 800 may include one or more memories 802. Each memory 802 may store instructions 804 and / or data. The instructions 804 and / or data can be executed on the processor, thereby causing the device 800 to perform the method described in the embodiments of the above-described method. Optionally, the memory may store further data. Optionally, the processor may also store instructions and / or data. The processor and memory may be located separately or integrated together. For example, the correspondences described in the embodiments of the above-described method may be stored in memory or the processor.

[0305] Optionally, the device 800 may further include a transceiver 805 and / or an antenna 806. A processor 801, sometimes referred to as a processing unit, controls the device 800. The transceiver 805, sometimes referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver device, transceiver circuit, transceiver equipment, transceiver module, etc., is configured to implement transceiver functions.

[0306] Optionally, the apparatus 800 in this embodiment of the application may be configured to carry out the method described in Figure 5 in the embodiment of this application.

[0307] In one implementation, the communication device 800 may be a terminal device or a device within a terminal device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit). The transceiver 805 is configured to perform the operations performed by the transceiver unit 601 of the above-described embodiment, and the transceiver 805 is further configured to transmit information to a communication device other than the communication device. The terminal device or a device within a terminal device may be further configured to perform various methods performed by the terminal device in the method embodiment of Figure 5. Further details will not be described again.

[0308] In one implementation, the communication device 800 may be a network device or a device within a network device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit). When a computer program instruction stored in memory 802 is executed, the processor 801 is configured to perform the operations performed by the processing unit 702 in the above-described embodiment, the transceiver 805 is configured to perform the operations performed by the transceiver unit 701 in the above-described embodiment, and the transceiver 805 is further configured to receive information from communication devices other than the communication device. The network device or a device within a network device may be further configured to perform various methods performed by the network device in the method embodiment of Figure 5. Details will not be described again.

[0309] The processors and transceivers described in this application may be implemented by an integrated circuit (IC), an analog IC, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), a mixed signal IC, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a printed circuit board (PCB), an electronic device, etc. The processors and transceivers may alternatively be manufactured using various IC technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), N-type metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS), P-type metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (BJT), BiCMOS, silicon germanium (SiGe), and gallium arsenide (GaAs).

[0310] The device described in the foregoing embodiments may be a first communication device or a second communication device. However, the scope of the device described in this application is not limited thereto, and the structure of the device may not be limited to FIG. 8. The device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the present device may be (1) an independent integrated circuit IC, chip, or chip system or subsystem, (2) optionally, the IC set may also include a storage component configured to store data and / or instructions, a set of one or more ICs, (3) an ASIC, such as a modem (MSM), (4) a module that can be built into other devices, (5) Receivers, terminals, intelligent terminals, mobile phones, wireless devices, handheld devices, mobile units, automotive devices, network devices, cloud devices, artificial intelligence devices, mechanical devices, home devices, medical devices, industrial devices, etc. (6) Others That's fine.

[0311] Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the structure of a terminal device according to one embodiment of the present application. For ease of explanation, Figure 9 shows only the main components of the terminal device. As shown in Figure 9, the terminal device 900 includes a processor, memory, control circuits, an antenna, and input / output devices. The processor is primarily configured to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire terminal, execute software programs, and process data for the software programs. The memory is primarily configured to store software programs and data. The radio frequency circuit is primarily configured to perform conversions between baseband signals and radio frequency signals and to process radio frequency signals. The antenna is primarily configured to receive / transmit radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as a touchscreen, display, or keyboard, are primarily configured to receive data entered by the user and output data to the user.

[0312] After the terminal is powered on, the processor can read the software program in the memory unit, interpret and execute the software program's instructions, and process the software program's data. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency circuit. The radio frequency circuit processes the baseband signal to obtain a radio frequency signal and transmits it externally in electromagnetic wave form via the antenna. When data is transmitted to the terminal, the radio frequency circuit receives the radio frequency signal via the antenna, further converts the radio frequency signal back into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor. The processor converts the baseband signal back into data and processes the data.

[0313] For simplicity of explanation, Figure 9 shows only one memory and one processor. In actual terminals, there may be multiple processors and memory. Memory is sometimes also called a storage medium, storage device, etc. This is not limited to this embodiment of the present application.

[0314] In one optional implementation, the processor may include a baseband processor and a central processing unit. The baseband processor is primarily configured to process communication protocols and communication data, while the central processing unit is primarily configured to control the entire terminal, execute software programs, and process data from the software programs. The processor in Figure 9 integrates the functions of the baseband processor and the central processing unit. Those skilled in the art will understand that the baseband processor and the central processing unit may, alternatively, be separate processors interconnected using technologies such as buses. Those skilled in the art will understand that a terminal may include multiple baseband processors to adapt to different network standards, and that a terminal may include multiple central processing units to enhance its processing capabilities. All components of the terminal may be connected via various buses. The baseband processor may, alternatively, be represented as a baseband processing circuit or baseband processing chip. The central processing unit may, alternatively, be represented as a central processing circuit or central processing chip. The functions for processing communication protocols and communication data may be built into the processor, or they may be stored in a storage unit in the form of software programs, and the processor executes those software programs to implement the baseband processing functions.

[0315] In one example, an antenna and control circuit having receiving and transmitting functions may be considered a transceiver unit 901 of the terminal device 900, and a processor having processing functions may be considered a processing unit 902 of the terminal device 900. As shown in Figure 9, the terminal device 900 includes a transceiver unit 901 and a processing unit 902. The transceiver unit may be called a transceiver, transceiver device, transceiver device, etc. Optionally, components for implementing the receiving function within the transceiver unit 901 may be considered a receiving unit, and components for implementing the transmitting function within the transceiver unit 901 may be considered a transmitting unit. That is, the transceiver unit 901 includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. For example, a receiving unit may also be called a receiving device, receiver, or receiving circuit, and a transmitting unit may also be called a transmitting device, transmitter, or transmitting circuit. Optionally, the receiving unit and transmitting unit may be a single integrated unit or multiple independent units. The receiving unit and transmitting unit may be located in one geographical location or distributed across multiple geographical locations.

[0316] In one implementation, the processing unit 902 is configured to perform the operations performed by the processing unit 702 in the above-described embodiment, and the transceiver unit 901 is configured to perform the operations performed by the transceiver unit 601 in the above-described embodiment, or to perform the operations performed by the transceiver unit 701 in the above-described embodiment. The terminal device 900 may be further configured to perform various methods performed by the terminal device in the method embodiment of Figure 5. Details will not be described again.

[0317] One embodiment of this application further provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program. When the program is executed by a processor, procedures related to terminal devices in the transmission mode determination method provided in the above-described method embodiment can be implemented.

[0318] One embodiment of this application further provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program. When the program is executed by a processor, procedures related to network devices in the transmission mode determination method provided in the above-described method embodiment can be implemented.

[0319] One embodiment of this application further provides a computer program product. When the computer program product is executed on a computer or processor, the computer or processor becomes capable of performing one or more steps in any one of the transmission mode determination methods described above. When each of the component modules of the aforementioned device is implemented in the form of a software function unit and sold or used as an independent product, the component modules may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium.

[0320] One embodiment of this application further provides a chip system including at least one processor and a communication interface. The communication interface and the at least one processor are interconnected via a line, and the at least one processor is configured to execute a computer program or instructions to carry out some or all of the steps recorded in any one of the method embodiments corresponding to Figure 5. The chip system may include a chip, or it may include a chip and other separate components.

[0321] One embodiment of this application further discloses a communication system. The system includes terminal devices and network devices. For a specific description, please refer to the transmission mode determination method shown in Figure 5.

[0322] It should be understood that the memory referred to in the embodiments of this application may be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory may be hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory may be random access memory (RAM) and may be used as an external cache. As examples rather than descriptive, many forms of RAM may be used, such as static random access memory (static RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (dynamic RAM, DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (synchronous DRAM, SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (double data rate SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (enhanced SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchlink dynamic random access memory (synchlink DRAM, SLDRAM), and direct rambus random access memory (direct rambus RAM, DR RAM). Memory is any other medium that can be configured to carry or store expected program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited to such other medium. Memory in embodiments of this application may alternatively be a circuit or any other device that can implement a storage function and is configured to store program instructions and / or data.

[0323] It should be further understood that the processor referred to in the embodiments of this application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be another general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or another programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be any conventional processor, etc.

[0324] Note that if the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or another programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) is integrated into the processor.

[0325] Please note that the memories described herein are intended to include, but are not limited to, these memories and any other suitable types of memory.

[0326] It should be understood that the sequence numbers of the processes described above do not represent the execution sequences in the various embodiments of this application. The execution sequences of the processes should be determined according to the function and internal logic of the processes and should not be interpreted as any limitation on the implementation processes of the embodiments of this application.

[0327] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithmic steps in the examples described with reference to the embodiments provided herein can be implemented by electronic hardware or by a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are implemented by hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the functions described for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered to exceed the scope of this application.

[0328] For the sake of simplicity, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the detailed operating processes of the aforementioned systems, devices, and units are described by referring to the corresponding processes in the method embodiments described above. Details will not be repeated here.

[0329] In some embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatus, and methods may be implemented in other ways. For example, the embodiments of the apparatus described are merely examples. For example, division into units is merely a logical functional division, and other division methods may be used in actual implementations. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not implemented. Furthermore, the mutual coupling, direct coupling, or communication connection shown or described may be implemented using some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatus or units may be implemented electronically, mechanically, or in other forms.

[0330] Units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts shown as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected based on the actual requirements for achieving the objectives of the solution of the embodiment.

[0331] In addition, the functional units of the embodiments of this application may be integrated into a single processing unit, each unit may exist physically independently, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit.

[0332] When a function is implemented in the form of a software function unit and sold or used as an independent product, the function may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of this application, or parts of them that contribute to the prior art, or parts of the technical solutions, may be implemented in the form of a software product. The software product is stored on a storage medium and includes several instructions for instructing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in embodiments of this application. The storage medium includes any medium capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, ROM, RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0333] The order of steps in the embodiments of this application may be adjusted, combined, or omitted based on actual requirements.

[0334] Modules / units within the apparatus in the embodiments of this application may be combined, separated, and removed based on actual requirements.

[0335] In conclusion, the embodiments described above are intended only to illustrate the technical solutions of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Although this application is described in detail with reference to the embodiments described above, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the embodiments described above, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features thereof, without departing from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0336] 101 Terminal Devices 102 Network Devices 103 Core Network Devices 600 Communication devices 601 Transmitter / Receiver Unit 700 Communication equipment 701 Transmitter / Receiver Unit 702 Processing Unit 800 equipment 801 Processor 802 memory 803 command 804 command 805 Transmitter / Receiver 806 Antenna 900 terminal devices 901 Transmitter / Receiver Unit 902 Processing Unit

Claims

1. A method for configuring reference signal resources, A step of reporting capability information of a terminal device to a network device, wherein the capability information includes the capability of the terminal device to transmit a carrier aggregation CA sounding reference signal SRS in an inactive state, A step of receiving configuration information transmitted by the network device, wherein the configuration information is used to configure resources for the terminal device to transmit the CA SRS in the inactive state, and the configuration information is determined based on the capability information. A method that includes [a certain feature].

2. A method for configuring reference signal resources, A step of receiving capability information reported by a terminal device, wherein the capability information comprises the capability of the terminal device to transmit CA SRS in an inactive state, A step of transmitting the configuration information to the terminal device, wherein the configuration information is used to configure resources for the terminal device to transmit the CA SRS in the inactive state, and the configuration information is determined based on the capability information. A method that includes [a certain feature].

3. The configuration information comprises first configuration information and second configuration information, the first configuration information is used to configure the carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS, the second configuration information is used to configure the resources for the CA SRS, the resources for the CA SRS correspond to the carrier frequency for carrying the CA SRS, and the method is Based on the configuration information, the step of transmitting the CA SRS at the carrier frequency in order to carry the CA SRS. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

4. The configuration information comprises first configuration information and second configuration information, the first configuration information is used to configure a carrier for transporting the CA SRS, the second configuration information is used to configure the resources for the CA SRS, the resources for the CA SRS correspond to the carrier for transporting the CA SRS, and the method is Based on the configuration information, the step of transmitting the CA SRS on the carrier that carries the CA SRS. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the second configuration information is transported within the first configuration information.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the carrier that carries the CA SRS comprises at least two uplink carriers, and the at least two uplink carriers belong to the same frequency band.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the at least two uplink carriers are positioning-dedicated uplink carriers.

8. The method according to claim 4, wherein the first configuration information is further used to configure at least two uplink carriers, at least one of the at least two uplink carriers is an uplink carrier of a cell where the terminal device is camped, and the at least one uplink carrier is used for data transmission.

9. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the first configuration information comprises one or more of frequency channel number information, bandwidth, subcarrier spacing (SCS), and bandwidth portion (BWP) information.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein when the frequency channel number information is the frequency channel number information of a standard uplink NUL, the first configuration information is used to configure a NUL carrier that carries the CA SRS, or when the frequency channel number information is the frequency channel number information of an auxiliary uplink SUL, the first configuration information is used to configure a SUL carrier that carries the CA SRS.

11. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the configuration information further comprises a first parameter, the first parameter indicating the available time for the timing advance TA of the carrier that carries the CA SRS.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein there are at least two carriers for transporting the CA SRS, there are at least two first configuration pieces, each carrier for transporting the CA SRS corresponds to one of the first configuration pieces, and the first parameter corresponds to the at least two carriers for transporting the CA SRS.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein there are at least two first parameters, each first parameter corresponding to one carrier that carries the CA SRS, and the multiple first parameters belong to the same timing advance group TAG.

14. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 13, wherein there are at least two carriers that carry the CA SRS, the configuration information further comprises a second parameter, the second parameter is used to determine whether to transmit the CA SRS, and the second parameter corresponds to the at least two carriers that carry the CA SRS.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the second parameter is associated with a reference signal, and the type of the reference signal comprises one or more of the following: synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block SSB, tracking reference signal TRS, channel state information reference signal CSI-RS, and non-cell defined synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block NCD-SSB.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the CA SRS is associated with one or more reference signals from among the SSB, the TRS, the CSI-RS, and the NCD-SSB, and the transmission parameters of the CA SRS are determined based on the reference signals associated with the CA SRS.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the transmission parameters include one or more of the following: whether the CA SRS is being transmitted, the transmission power of the CA SRS, and the transmission timing of the CA SRS.

18. A communication device comprising a unit configured to carry out the method described in any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. A communication device comprising a processor, an input interface, and an output interface, wherein the input interface is configured to receive information from a communication device other than the communication device, and the output interface is configured to output information to a communication device other than the communication device, thereby causing the processor to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or computer instruction, and when the computer program or computer instruction is executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17 is implemented.

21. A computer program product comprising instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by a processor, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17 is implemented.

22. A chip system comprising at least one processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit and the at least one processor are interconnected via lines, thereby causing the processor to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

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