Method and apparatus for determining division points

Abstract

This application discloses a method and apparatus for determining a division point in the field of wireless communication technology. The method includes flexibly determining the division point between a baseband unit and a high-frequency unit in the physical layer based on the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit. Compared with a solution in which the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is fixed, the solution allows the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer to be flexibly adjusted based on the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and more particularly, to a method and an apparatus for determining a splitting point.

Background Art

[0002] In the conventional design, a radio frequency unit is configured to implement radio frequency functions, and a baseband unit is configured to implement baseband functions. The baseband functions may include at least functional modules of the physical layer. In the design, in addition to implementing radio frequency functions, the radio frequency unit may further be configured to implement some functional modules of the physical layer. The baseband unit is configured to implement other functional modules in the physical layer. In other words, the baseband unit and the radio frequency unit cooperate to implement the functions of the physical layer. How to make the baseband unit and the radio frequency unit cooperate efficiently to implement the functions of the physical layer is an issue worthy of consideration.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a method and an apparatus for determining a splitting point, which can flexibly determine the splitting point for implementing functions in the physical layer by a radio frequency unit and a baseband unit.

[0004] According to a first embodiment, a method for determining a split point is provided. This method is applied to the access network device side. For example, the method may be implemented by the access network device or a component (chip, circuit, etc.) of the access network device. Furthermore, the access network device includes a baseband unit and a high-frequency unit. The method may be implemented by the baseband unit or a component (chip, circuit, etc.) used in the baseband unit. Alternatively, the method may be implemented by the high-frequency unit or a component (chip, circuit, etc.) used in the high-frequency unit. The method includes the step of determining a split point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer based on the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit, wherein the high-frequency unit implements a functional module in the physical layer between the split point and the high-frequency function, and the baseband unit implements a functional module in the physical layer between the split point and the medium access control MAC layer, and the functional module corresponding to the split point is implemented by the baseband unit or the high-frequency unit.

[0005] According to the aforementioned design, the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer can be determined based on the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit. Compared to a solution in which the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is fixed, this solution allows the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer to be flexibly determined based on different transmission bandwidths between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit.

[0006] In terms of design, this solution can be applied to uplink or downlink transmission.

[0007] An example of this method being applied to uplink transmission is used. The physical layer consists of the following functional modules: preprocessing, digital beamforming. ( BF ) resource elements ( RE )Demapping, channel equalization, inverse discrete Fourier transform ( IDFT ) Demodulation, hybrid automatic repeat requests ( HARQ ) It includes at least one of the following: combination, descrambling, derate matching, or decoding.

[0008] In the design, the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is greater than the first threshold, and the dividing point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is a functional module before channel equalization. For example, channel equalization is performed using the following functional module, namely channel estimation. ( CE ) , interference covariance matrix, or multi-input multi-output ( MIMO ) The condition that the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is a functional module prior to channel equalization is: the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is a functional module prior to MIMO equalization.

[0009] According to the aforementioned design, in uplink co-processing, the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit have different split points in the physical layer, which can lead to different performance gains in uplink co-processing. For example, if the split point is closer to the preprocessing FFT function module, the performance gain of uplink co-processing is greater. In a solution where the split point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is fixed, it is not possible to change the split point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer, even if there is sufficient transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit. However, in the aforementioned design, when it is determined that the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is sufficiently large, for example, greater than a first threshold, the split point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer can be determined to be before channel equalization. If the split point is closer to the preprocessing FFT function module, the performance gain of uplink co-processing is greater.

[0010] In the design, the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is less than or equal to a first threshold and greater than a second threshold, and the split point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is the channel equalizer or functional module after channel equalization and before HARQ combination. For example, channel equalization includes at least one of the following functional modules: CE, interference covariance matrix, or MIMO equalization, and the split point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer being the channel equalizer or a functional module after channel equalization and before HARQ combination includes the split point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer being the MIMO equalizer or a functional module after MIMO equalization and before HARQ combination.

[0011] According to the design described above, when the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is below the first threshold and above the second threshold, the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is at an intermediate level. After the uplink signal is processed by the MIMO equalization function module, the bandwidth required for the uplink signal becomes smaller. Therefore, it is conceivable that the MIMO equalization function is implemented in the high-frequency unit. In addition, the application scenario of the design described above includes performing joint processing on the uplink signal. Therefore, since the HARQ combination needs to be configured to be implemented in the baseband unit, the baseband unit performs the HARQ combination on multiple uplink signals uploaded by multiple high-frequency units. According to the design described above, the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer can be flexibly determined based on the different transmission bandwidths of the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit.

[0012] In the design, the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is below a second threshold, and the dividing point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is a functional module either before or after the HARQ combination.

[0013] According to the aforementioned design, when the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is below the second threshold, it indicates that the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is small, limiting the amount of data in the uplink signal that can be transmitted. In this case, the amount of data in the uplink signal with the HARQ combination is sufficiently small, so the HARQ combination is implemented in the high-frequency unit. Since it is not limited whether the functional module is implemented in the high-frequency unit after the HARQ combination, the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is flexibly determined.

[0014] The design further includes the steps of: demodulating the uplink signal of a primary cell or the uplink signal of a co-cell based on scheduling information of the demodulation reference signal DMRS of the co-cell and scheduling information of the DMRS of the primary cell; or performing co-demodulation on the uplink signal of a primary cell and the uplink signal of a co-cell based on scheduling information of the DMRS of the co-cell and scheduling information of the DMRS of the primary cell.

[0015] According to the aforementioned design, since the primary cell and the co-operating cell are associated cells, the uplink signal of the primary cell and / or the uplink signal of the co-operating cell are demodulated based on the DMRS scheduling information of the two cells, thereby improving the uplink signal demodulation performance compared to demodulating the uplink signal of a single cell based on the DMRS scheduling information of that cell.

[0016] In the design, the method is applied to the baseband unit, and this method further includes the step of transmitting indication information of the division point to the high-frequency unit. Correspondingly, upon receiving the indication information, the high-frequency unit can determine the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer based on that indication information. Furthermore, the functional module of the physical layer implemented by the high-frequency unit is indicated information It is determined based on the following.

[0017] In the design, the method is applied to the high-frequency unit, and this method further includes the step of transmitting indication information of the division point to the baseband unit. Correspondingly, upon receiving the indication information, the baseband unit can determine the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer based on that indication information. Furthermore, the functional module of the physical layer implemented by the baseband unit indicates information It is determined based on the following.

[0018] According to a second aspect, there is provided an apparatus including a corresponding unit or module that implements the method described in the first aspect. The unit or module may be implemented by a hardware circuit, may be implemented by software, or may be implemented by a combination of a hardware circuit and software.

[0019] According to a third aspect, there is provided an apparatus including a processor and an interface circuit. The processor is configured to communicate with another apparatus via the interface circuit and to implement the method described in the first aspect. There is one or more processors.

[0020] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided an apparatus including a processor coupled to a memory. The processor is configured to execute a program stored in the memory so as to implement the method described in the first aspect. The memory may be disposed inside or outside the apparatus. Additionally, there may be one or more processors.

[0021] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided an apparatus including a processor and a memory. The memory is configured to store computer instructions. When the apparatus operates, the processor executes the computer instructions stored in the memory to enable the apparatus to implement the method described in the first aspect.

[0022] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a chip system including a processor or a circuit. The processor or the circuit is configured to implement the method described in the first aspect.

[0023] According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium. This computer-readable storage medium stores instructions, and when these instructions are run on a communication device, the method described in the first aspect is implemented.

[0024] According to an eighth aspect, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed by a device, the method described in the first aspect is implemented.

[0025] According to a ninth aspect, a system is provided that includes a device for implementing the method according to the first aspect and a terminal device. Optionally, the system further includes a core network device.

[0026] For the beneficial effects of the second aspect to the ninth aspect, please refer to the description of the first aspect.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] [Figure 1] It is a diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] It is a diagram of the architecture of an access network device according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 3] It is a diagram of a protocol stack according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] It is a diagram of a protocol stack according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 5] It is a diagram of a front hole interface according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6] It is a schematic flowchart according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7] It is a diagram of a functional module of the physical layer according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 8] It is a diagram of a high-frequency unit and a baseband unit according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9] It is a diagram of a splitting point in the physical layer according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 10] It is a diagram of a splitting point in the physical layer according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 11] It is a diagram of a splitting point in the physical layer according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 12] This is a diagram showing the division points in the physical layer according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 13] This is a structural diagram of the apparatus according to the embodiment of this application. [Figure 14] This is a structural diagram of the apparatus according to the embodiment of this application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0028] Figure 1 is a diagram of a possible and non-limiting system. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 1000 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. The RAN 100 includes at least one access network device (e.g., 110a and 110b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (e.g., 120a through 120j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 120). The RAN 100 may further include other access network devices, e.g., wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1). The terminal 120 is connected to the access network device 110 in a wireless manner. The access network device 110 is connected to the core network 200 in a wireless or wired manner. The core network devices of the core network 200 and the access network devices 110 of the RAN 100 may be different physical devices, or they may be the same physical device that integrates the logical functions of the core network and the logical functions of the wireless access network.

[0029] RAN 100 may be a cellular system associated with the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), such as a 4th generation (4G) or 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system, or a future-oriented advanced system (such as a 6th generation (6G) mobile communication system). Alternatively, RAN 100 may be an open access network (open RAN, O-RAN, or ORAN) or a cloud radio access network (CRAN). Alternatively, RAN 100 may be a communication system that integrates two or more of the aforementioned systems.

[0030] (1) Access network devices

[0031] Access network devices, sometimes called RAN nodes, RAN entities, or access nodes, form part of a communication system to help terminals implement radio access. For example, multiple access network devices 110 in a communication system 1000 may be devices of the same category or devices of different categories. In some scenarios, the roles of the access network device 110 and the terminal 120 are relative. For example, network element 120i in Figure 1 may be a helicopter or unmanned aerial vehicle and may be configured as an access network device (e.g., a mobile base station). For terminal 120j that accesses RAN 100 by using network element 120i, network element 120i is an access network device. However, for access network device 110a, network element 120i is a terminal. Both access network devices 110 and terminal 120 are sometimes called communication devices. For example, network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 1 may be understood as communication devices having the functionality of access network devices, and network elements 120a to 120j may be understood as communication devices having terminal functionality.

[0032] In possible scenarios, access network devices may include base stations, evolved NodeBs (eNodeBs), transmission reception points (TRPs), next-generation NodeBs (gNBs), next-generation base stations for 6G mobile communication systems, and base stations for future mobile communication systems. Access network devices may include macro base stations (e.g., 110a in Figure 1), micro base stations or indoor stations (e.g., 110b in Figure 1), relay nodes or donor nodes, or radio controllers in CRAN scenarios. Optionally, access network devices may also include servers, wearable devices, vehicles, and vehicle-mounted devices. For example, in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology, an access network device may be a roadside unit (RSU).

[0033] In another possible scenario, multiple access network devices collaborate to help a terminal implement radio access, with different access network devices each implementing some of the functions of the access network device. For example, access network devices may include a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), and a radio unit (RU). The CU and DU may be arranged separately or may be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU may be included in a high-frequency device or high-frequency unit, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0034] In other systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but their meanings will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the ORAN system, CU may be called O-CU (Open CU), DU may be called O-DU, CU-CP may be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP may be called O-CU-UP, and RU may be called O-RU. For ease of explanation, in this application CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU are used as illustrative examples. Any one of CU (or CU-CP or CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application may be implemented using a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0035] (2) terminal

[0036] Terminals are sometimes referred to as terminal devices, user equipment (UE), mobile stations, or mobile terminals. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, and smart cities. Terminals may include mobile phones, tablet computers, computers with wireless receiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, and smart home devices. The device form of a terminal is not limited in this application.

[0037] (3) Communication protocols between access network devices and terminals

[0038] Communication between access network devices and terminals follows a specific protocol layer structure. The protocol layers include the control plane protocol layer and the user plane protocol layer. The control plane protocol layer may include at least one of the following: the radio resource control (RRC) layer, the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, the radio link control (RLC) layer, the media assess control (MAC) layer, and the physical (PHY) layer. The user plane protocol layer may include at least one of the following: the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, the PDCP layer, the RLC layer, the MAC layer, and the PHY layer. Optionally, the SDAP layer, PDCP layer, RLC layer, MAC layer, and PHY layer are sometimes collectively referred to as the access layer. For individual descriptions of the aforementioned protocol layers, please refer to the relevant 3GPP technical specifications.

[0039] For a correspondence between the network elements of the ORAN system and the protocol layer functions that can be implemented by those network elements in the design, please refer to Table 1.

[0040] [Table 1]

[0041] Table 1 shows that O-CU-CP is configured to implement the functions of the RRC layer and the PDCP-control plane (CP). O-CU-UP is configured to implement the functions of the SDAP layer and the PDCP-user plane (UP). O-DU is configured to implement the functions of the RLC layer, MAC layer, and the PHY high layer. O-RU is configured to implement the functions of the PHY low layer.

[0042] Figure 2 is a diagram of an access network device. As shown in Figure 2, an access network device may include one or more CUs, one or more DUs, and one or more RUs. For clarity, Figure 2 shows only one CU, one DU, and one RU.

[0043] A CU is connected to the core network and one or more DUs. The interface between the CU and the DU is sometimes called an F1 interface. The control plane CP interface may be an F1-C interface, and the user plane UP interface may be an F1-U interface. Optionally, the CU may have some of the functions of the core network device.

[0044] The CU and DU are configured based on the protocol layer functions of the wireless network that are to be implemented by the CU and DU. For example, the CU is configured to implement the functions of the PDCP layer and higher protocol layers, and the DU is configured to implement the functions of lower protocol layers. For example, higher protocol layers include the RRC layer and / or SDAP layer, and lower protocol layers include the RLC layer, MAC layer, and / or PHY layer. In the design shown in Figure 3, the CU is configured to implement the functions of the PDCP layer, RRC layer, and SDAP layer, and the DU is configured to implement the functions of the RLC layer, MAC layer, and PHY layer. Alternatively, the functions of the PDCP layer may be configured to be implemented by the DU. For example, the CU is configured to implement the functions of higher protocol layers, and the DU is configured to implement the functions of the PDCP layer and lower protocol layers.

[0045] Furthermore, the functionality of a CU may be implemented by one entity or by different entities. For example, the functionality of a CU may be further divided, and the separation of the control plane and the user plane may be implemented by using different entities, namely, by using a control plane CU-CP entity and a user plane CU-UP entity. The CU-CP entity and the CU-UP entity may be coupled to a DU to jointly implement the functionality of an access network device. The interface between the CU-CP entity and the CU-UP entity may be an E1 interface. The interface between the CU-CP entity and the DU may be an F1-C interface. The interface between the CU-UP entity and the DU may be an F1-U interface.

[0046] In the design shown in Figure 4, when the CU is configured to implement the functions of the PDCP, RRC, and SDAP layers, the CU-CP is configured to implement the functions of the RRC layer and the control plane functions of the PDCP layer, and the CU-UP is configured to implement the functions of the SDAP layer and the user plane functions of the PDCP layer. Furthermore, the DU is configured to implement the functions of the RLC, MAC, and PHY layers.

[0047] The CU-CP may interact with network elements configured to implement control plane functions in the core network. Network elements configured to implement control plane functions in the core network may be access and mobility function network elements, such as the access and mobility management function (AMF) in a 5G system. The access and mobility function network elements are configured to handle mobility management in the mobile network, such as terminal location updates, terminal network registration, and terminal handover.

[0048] CU-UP can interact with network elements configured to implement user plane functions in the core network. Network elements configured to implement user plane functions in the core network, such as the user plane function (UPF) in a 5G system, are configured to be responsible for transferring and receiving data from terminals.

[0049] The aforementioned configurations of CUs and DUs are merely examples, and it should be understood that the functions of CUs and DUs can be configured as needed, as an alternative. For example, a CU or DU may be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or a CU or DU may be configured to have some of the processing functions of the protocol layer. For example, some functions of the RLC layer and functions of protocol layers higher than the RLC layer may be assigned to the CU, and the remaining functions of the RLC layer and functions of protocol layers lower than the RLC layer may be assigned to the DU. In another example, the division of functions between CUs and DUs may be done as an alternative to service categories or other system requirements. For example, the division may be done based on latency. Functions that need to meet low latency requirements for processing time may be assigned to the DU, and functions that do not need to meet latency requirements for processing time may be assigned to the CU.

[0050] A single DU may be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of DUs and RUs can be configured in multiple ways depending on the design. For example, a DU may be configured to implement baseband functions. For example, a DU may be configured to implement the functions of the RLC layer, MAC layer, and PHY layer. An RU may be configured to implement high-frequency functions. Alternatively, a DU and RU may work together to implement the functions of the PHY layer. A DU may be configured to implement the upper-layer functions of the PHY layer. An RU may be configured to implement the lower-layer functions of the PHY layer, or to implement both lower-layer and high-frequency functions. The upper-layer functions of the PHY layer may include some of the functions of the PHY layer, some of which are closer to the MAC layer. The lower-layer functions of the PHY layer may include other parts of the functions of the PHY layer, some of which are closer to the high-frequency side. Optionally, the high-frequency side may also be called the intermediate high-frequency side.

[0051] (4) Front Haul Interface

[0052] As shown in Figure 5, a PHY layer is used as an example.

[0053] In downlink transmission, the physical layer may include one or more of the following functional modules: coding, rate matching, scrambling, modulation, layer mapping, precoding, resource element (RE) mapping, digital beamforming (BF), or inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) / cyclic prefix (CP) addition. High-frequency functions include digital-to-analog (DA) conversion, analog BF, and / or other functional modules.

[0054] In uplink transmission, the physical layer may include one or more of the following functional modules: decoding, derate matching, descrambling, demodulation, inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT), channel equalization (or channel estimation), RE demapping, digital BF, fast Fourier transform (FFT) / CP rejection, etc. High-frequency functions include analog-to-digital (AD) conversion, analog BF, and / or other functional modules.

[0055] One or more functional modules may be understood to be implemented using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. Physically, functional modules may be discrete or integrated. The functional modules described above may be understood to be merely examples. The physical layer and high-frequency functions may include more other modules (e.g., scheduling modules, power control modules, hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) modules, flow control modules, mobility management modules, or artificial intelligence (AI) modules) depending on the design, or may not include certain functional modules shown in Figure 5 (e.g., not including the digital BF module).

[0056] An interface exists between the DU and RU. The interface between the DU and RU may be a common public radio interface (CPRI), an enhanced common public radio interface (eCPRI), etc., based on the different functions and / or different partitioning modes of the DU and RU. Access network devices further include a fronthaul (FH) interface between the DU and RU to implement communication between them. The fronthaul interface includes, but is not limited to, CPRI or eCPRI. In possible implementations, the DU is located within a BBU and the RU is located within an RRU / AAU / RRH, and the interface between the BBU and RRU / AAU / RRH is also sometimes called a fronthaul interface. To implement the fronthaul interface, the BBU and RRU / AAU / RRH may be connected via a fronthaul network, or the DU and RU may be connected via a fronthaul network. For example, the fronthaul network includes, but is not limited to, direct fiber optic connections and wavelength-separated networks.

[0057] Access network devices may support one or more categories of fronthaul interfaces, and different fronthaul interfaces correspond to DUs and RUs with different functions. As shown in Figure 5, if the fronthaul interface between the DU and RU is CPRI, the DU is configured to implement one or more of the baseband functions. For example, the DU is configured to implement functions such as the RLC layer, MAC layer, and PHY layer. The RU is configured to implement one or more of the high-frequency functions. For example, the RU is configured to implement functional modules such as AD conversion and / or analog BF in Figure 5. Alternatively, if the fronthaul interface between the DU and RU is eCPRI, compared to CPRI, some downlink baseband functions and / or uplink baseband functions are moved from the DU to the RU for implementation. For example, one or more of the functional modules of the PHY layer in the DU are moved to the RU for implementation. In other words, the DU may implement some of the functions of the PHY layer. Some of these functions are sometimes called higher-layer functions of the PHY layer and are closer to the MAC layer. In addition to implementing high-frequency functions, the RU is further configured to implement some of the functions of the PHY layer. Some of these functions are sometimes called lower-layer functions of the PHY layer and are closer to the high-frequency side.

[0058] Different modes of splitting DU and RU correspond to different categories (Cat) of eCPRI. Figure 5 shows examples of the six categories of eCPRI, represented by Cat A, B, C, D, E, and F (alternatively, they may be represented by options A through F, options 1 through 6, or other modes). It may be understood that there may be other splitting modes between DU and RU, i.e., other categories of eCPRI, but this is not limited to them.

[0059] eCPRI Cat A is used as an example. For downlink transmission, layer mapping is used as the split point. The DU is configured to implement layer mapping and one or more functional modules prior to layer mapping (i.e., coding, rate matching, scrambling, modulation, and layer mapping), and another functional module after layer mapping (e.g., one or more of RE mapping, digital BF, or IFFT / CP addition) is moved to the RU for implementation. For uplink transmission, RE demapping is used as the split point. The DU is configured to implement RE demapping and one or more functional modules prior to RE demapping (i.e., decoding, derate matching, descrambling, demodulation, IDFT, channel equalization, and RE demapping), and another functional module after demapping (e.g., one or more of digital BF or FFT / CP rejection) is moved to the RU for implementation.

[0060] Similarly, eCPRI Cat B, eCPRI Cat C, eCPRI Cat D, eCPRI Cat E, and eCPRI Cat F each correspond to different modes of dividing DU and RU. The division point is used as a boundary. Functional modules of the physical layer from the division point to the MAC layer may be implemented by DU, functional modules of the physical layer from the division point to the high-frequency functions may be implemented by RU, and functional modules corresponding to the division point may be implemented by either DU or RU, but this is not limited. See Figure 5 for the division points of the various eCPRI categories. Details will not be explained one by one. For example, in eCPRI Cat B, RE mapping is used as the division point for downlink transmission, and RE demapping is used as the division point for uplink transmission. In uplink transmission, RE mapping and the functional modules before RE mapping are implemented by DU, and the functional modules after RE mapping and the high-frequency functions are implemented by RU. In downlink transmission, RE demapping and the functional modules before RE demapping are implemented by DU, and the functional modules after RE demapping and the high-frequency functions are implemented by RU.

[0061] The division patterns of eCPRI may be symmetrical between uplinks and downlinks, such as eCPRI Cat B and eCPRI Cat C shown in Figure 5. Alternatively, the division patterns of eCPRI may be asymmetrical between uplinks and downlinks, such as eCPRI Cat A, eCPRI Cat D, eCPRI Cat E, and eCPRI Cat F shown in Figure 5. This is not limited to these patterns. Optionally, different division patterns may be configured for different channels or different groups of channels in the uplink and / or downlink, i.e., different categories of eCPRI may be configured. One group of channels may contain one or more channels.

[0062] In possible designs, the DU is located within the BBU, the RU is located within the RRU / AAU / RRH, and a processing unit located within the BBU and configured to implement baseband functionality is called a baseband high (BBH) unit, while a processing unit located within the RRU / AAU / RRH and configured to implement baseband functionality is called a baseband low (BBL) unit.

[0063] In the design, regardless of the category of fronthaul interface described above, the dividing point between the DU and RU in the physical layer functional module is fixed. In other words, the functional modules configured to be implemented in the physical layer by the DU and RU are fixed. For example, eCPRI Cat A is used as an example. In uplink transmission, the RE demapping is used as the dividing point, and the DU is fixedly configured to implement the RE demapping and one or more functional modules prior to the RE demapping, while the RU is fixedly configured to implement one or more functional modules after the RE demapping. How to flexibly determine the dividing point between the DU and RU in the physical layer is a technical problem to be solved in the embodiments of this application.

[0064] In embodiments of this application, the split point between the DU and RU in the physical layer is flexibly determined based on the transmission bandwidth of the DU and RU. Optionally, the functional modules included in the physical layer may differ between uplink and downlink transmissions. The solution in embodiments of this application may be applied to uplink transmission to determine the split point between the DU and RU in the physical layer. Alternatively, the solution may be applied to downlink transmission to determine the split point between the DU and RU in the physical layer, etc. In the following description, an example in which the split point between the DU and RU in the physical layer is determined in uplink transmission will be used primarily for illustrative purposes.

[0065] As shown in Figure 6, a procedure is provided, which includes the following steps.

[0066] Step 601: Based on the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit, determine the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer.

[0067] In the functional modules included in the physical layer, the division point is used as a boundary, and the functional modules of the physical layer from the division point to the MAC layer are implemented by the baseband unit. The functional modules of the physical layer from the division point to the high-frequency function are implemented by the high-frequency unit. Optionally, the functional module corresponding to the division point may be implemented by either the baseband unit or the high-frequency unit.

[0068] The baseband unit may be configured to implement some of the physical layer's functional modules. For example, the baseband unit may be configured to implement the upper layer functional modules of the physical layer, which are closer to the MAC layer. Optionally, the baseband unit may be configured to implement the functionalities of the RLC and MAC layers. Furthermore, the baseband unit may be further configured to implement the functionalities of the PDCP layer, etc. This is not limited to these. The baseband unit is sometimes referred to as a BBU, and this baseband unit includes the aforementioned DU, which also refers to the fact that the DU is located within the baseband unit.

[0069] A high-frequency unit (RF) can be configured to implement other functional modules of the physical layer. For example, an RF unit can be configured to implement lower-layer functional modules of the physical layer, which are closer to the RF function. For example, in downlink transmission, as shown in Figure 5, the RF function includes a DA converter, an analog BF, and another functional module. In uplink transmission, the RF function includes an AD converter, an analog BF, and another functional module. The RF unit may be called an RRU, AAU, RRH, etc. The RF unit includes the aforementioned RU, which also refers to the RU being located within the RF unit. Furthermore, the RF unit can be further configured to implement the RF function, for example, the RF function shown in Figure 5.

[0070] In the design, a first threshold and a second threshold may be obtained. The first and second thresholds may be pre-configured, specified by a protocol, determined by an access network device, or determined by another device and shown to the access network device. This is not limited. For example, an access network device or another device may determine the first threshold, the second threshold, etc., by using simulation, relevant algorithms, etc. See the description below for details. This is not limited. The value of the first threshold is greater than the value of the second threshold.

[0071] In the following, uplink and downlink transmissions are used as examples to illustrate how the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is determined based on the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit.

[0072] Uplink transmission

[0073] Uplink transmission is used as an example. As shown in Figure 5, when an uplink signal is acquired from a high-frequency function, the physical layer processes the uplink signal sequentially in a bottom-up order of the functional modules included in the physical layer. For example, the uplink signal is processed sequentially by functional modules such as FFT / CP rejection, digital BF, RE demapping, channel equalization, IDFT, demodulation, descrambling, derate matching, and decoding. Finally, the uplink signal acquired by the physical layer processing is transmitted to the MAC layer, which then performs MAC layer processing on the uplink signal. In physical layer processing, the bottom-up processing of the uplink signal reduces the amount of data in the uplink signal, and the transmission bandwidth required by the uplink signal is also reduced accordingly, resulting in less information being carried by the uplink signal. When the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is greater than a first threshold, the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is considered sufficiently large, and the dividing point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer can be located in a functional module of the physical layer closer to the high-frequency side. However, when the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is smaller than the first threshold and larger than the second threshold, the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is considered typical, and the functional module at the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer may be a functional module located in the middle of the physical layer. Alternatively, when the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is smaller than the second threshold, the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is considered small, and the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer may be located in a functional module of the physical layer closer to the MAC layer.

[0074] In uplink transmission, access network devices may collaboratively process signals from multiple cells to achieve better communication quality. For example, multiple cells may include one primary cell and at least one co-cell. For instance, a cell may be called a primary cell if its signal quality needs to be improved. If a cell's uplink signal causes strong interference to the primary cell, that cell can be used as a co-cell of the primary cell. Alternatively, if a cell receives good signal quality from terminals served by the primary cell, that cell can also be used as a co-cell of the primary cell. Alternatively, a cell geographically closer to the primary cell may be used as a co-cell of the primary cell. Access network devices may collaboratively process signals from multiple cells. Therefore, the physical layer functional module for uplink processing shown in Figure 5 may further include a HARQ combination functional module. The HARQ combination functional module is located between the demodulation functional module and the descrambling functional module, as shown in Figure 7. Another difference between Figure 7 and Figure 5 is that Figure 7 uses a "Preprocessing" function module, replacing the "FFT / CP Removal" function module in Figure 5. The preprocessing function module in Figure 7 may be understood to include function modules such as FFT and / or CP removal.

[0075] In the design shown in Figure 8, the access network device includes one baseband unit and n high-frequency units, where the baseband unit is connected to the n high-frequency units, and the n high-frequency units are managed by the baseband unit, where n is an integer greater than 1. Each of the n high-frequency units corresponds to one cell. The baseband unit jointly processes the uplink signals of the n cells corresponding to the n high-frequency units. For example, the uplink signals of the n cells belong to the same terminal's uplink signal, and the uplink data signals of the n cells may be jointly processed to improve the performance gain of the terminal's uplink signal. Alternatively, the uplink signals of the n cells belong to different terminals, and the uplink signal of another terminal may be used as a known interference to reduce interference to the uplink signal of the terminal that needs to be received, thereby improving the reception gain of the uplink signal, etc.

[0076] For a high-frequency unit i, i is an integer between 0 and n-1, and the division point between the high-frequency unit i and the baseband unit in the physical layer is determined based on the transmission bandwidth between the high-frequency unit i and the baseband unit. Optionally, if the transmission bandwidths between different high-frequency units and baseband units among the n high-frequency units are the same or different, the division points between different high-frequency units and baseband units in the physical layer may be the same or different. For example, if the transmission bandwidths between different high-frequency units and baseband units among the n high-frequency units are the same, or if the difference between the transmission bandwidths is less than a threshold, then the n high-frequency units and baseband units have the same division point in the physical layer. For example, as described later, if the transmission bandwidths between all n high-frequency units and baseband units are greater than a first threshold, then the division points between all n high-frequency units and baseband units in the physical layer are determined to be channel equalization. Alternatively, if the transmission bandwidths between different high-frequency units and baseband units among the n high-frequency units are different, or if the difference between the transmission bandwidths is greater than a threshold, then the different high-frequency units and baseband units among the n high-frequency units have different division points in the physical layer. This is not limited to this.

[0077] Referring to Examples 1 to 3, the following describes how to determine the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer based on the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit.

[0078] Example 1

[0079] If the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is greater than (or equal to) a first threshold, the split point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is before channel equalization, as shown in Figure 7. For example, as shown in Figure 7, the functional modules before channel equalization include preprocessing, digital BF, RE demapping, etc. Optionally, the split point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is determined to be preprocessing, digital BF, RE demapping, etc. In this explanation, it may be understood that when the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is greater than a first threshold, the split point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer may be determined to be channel equalization. In this case, the split point channel equalization belongs to the baseband unit.

[0080] Regarding the uplink signals of the high-frequency units, the amount of data in the uplink signals is large before the channel equalization function module processes them, and the uplink signals carry a large amount of information, which is advantageous for jointly processing the uplink signals. Therefore, in the embodiments of this application, when the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is sufficiently large, for example, greater than the first threshold, the split point between the physical layer high-frequency unit and the baseband unit can be placed before channel equalization. In this case, the uplink signals reported to the baseband unit by the high-frequency unit carry a lot of information, which facilitates the combination of uplink signals reported by multiple high-frequency units. Furthermore, in the channel equalization process, the baseband unit can perform joint channel estimation for multiple uplink signals reported by multiple high-frequency units to improve the accuracy of the determined uplink channel information and improve the performance of demodulating the uplink signals.

[0081] Refer to Figure 7. For example, if the transmission bandwidth between a high-frequency unit i and a baseband unit in an access network device's n high-frequency units is greater than a first threshold, the division point between the physical layer high-frequency unit i and the baseband unit may be determined to be a digital BF, and this division point digital BF belongs to high-frequency unit i. For example, in cell i, high-frequency unit i receives an uplink signal i from a terminal and performs processing such as high-frequency processing, physical layer preprocessing, and digital BF on the uplink signal i to obtain a processed uplink signal i. High-frequency unit i transmits the processed uplink signal i to the baseband unit. The baseband unit performs RE demapping on the n processed uplink signals. In channel equalization, channel estimation is performed in conjunction with RE demapping on the n uplink signals, and IDFT, demodulation, descrambling, derate matching, decoding, and other processing are sequentially performed on the output of channel equalization. Note that in the above example, the HARQ combination in Figure 7 is arbitrarily selected. For example, in channel equalization, joint channel estimation is performed on n uplink signals. For instance, the input to channel equalization is n uplink signals corresponding to n high-frequency units, and the output of channel equalization is the result of joint channel estimation. In this case, IDFT, demodulation, descrambling, derate matching, decoding, etc., may be performed sequentially on the output of channel equalization. In this case, the HARQ combination shown in Figure 7 may not exist. Alternatively, the HARQ combination shown in Figure 7 may exist, and the output of demodulation may be transparently transmitted to the input of descrambling via the HARQ combination.

[0082] Optionally, the first threshold may be predefined, specified in the protocol, determined by the access network device, or determined by another device, for example, indicated to the access network device by the core network device. This is not limited to the first threshold. In the design, the first threshold may be determined according to methods such as AI, big data analytics, or simulation. For example, simulation may reveal that the transmission bandwidth of the uplink signal is generally greater than a threshold (e.g., the first threshold) before channel equalization processing is performed on the uplink signal, in which case the threshold may be the first threshold used as the determination threshold.

[0083] In the design, channel equalization may include at least one of the following: channel estimation (CE), interference covariance matrix Ruu, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) equalization, etc. Specifically, the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer being a functional module prior to channel equalization means the following: The division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is a functional module prior to MIMO equalization. For example, the functional modules prior to MIMO equalization may include preprocessing, digital BF, RE demapping, CE, Ruu, and other functional modules, and the division point may be any one of the aforementioned functional modules. The division point may be understood to belong to either the baseband unit or the high-frequency unit; this is not limited. In the description, when the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is greater than a first threshold, the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer may be MIMO equalization, in which case the division point MIMO equalization belongs to the baseband unit.

[0084] As shown in Figure 9, the physical layer consists of the following functional modules: FFT, beam weight conversion (beam weight conversion). transformThis includes at least one of the following: BWT, CE, Ruu, MIMO equalization, demodulation, HARQ combination, decoding, etc.

[0085] The FFT in Figure 9 may be understood as corresponding to the preprocessing in Figure 7. In this case, the preprocessing in Figure 7 includes the FFT. The BWT in Figure 9 corresponds to the digital BF in Figure 7, and the BWT may be a specific implementation of the digital BF. The CE, Ruu, and MIMO equalization in Figure 9 corresponds to the channel equalization in Figure 7. The CE, Ruu, and MIMO equalization may be a specific implementation of the channel equalization. The IDFT in Figure 7 is optional and is not involved in the uplink signal processing in Figure 9, and is therefore not shown again in Figure 9. The descrambling and derate matching in Figure 7 are optional and are not involved in the uplink signal processing in Figure 9, and are therefore not shown again in Figure 9.

[0086] As described above, when the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is greater than the first threshold, the split point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer can be determined to be a functional module before MIMO equalization. In the example in Figure 9, the split point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer can be clearly determined to be a functional module, such as FFT, BWT, CE, or Ruu.

[0087] In the explanation of Figure 9, when the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is greater than the first threshold, the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is the BWT, and the BWT belongs to the baseband unit. Alternatively, the division point may be described as being the FFT, and the FFT belongs to the high-frequency unit. Alternatively, the division point may be described as being between the FFT and the BWT.

[0088] For example, in Figure 9, cell 0 is used as the primary cell and cell 1 is used as the co-cell. See the previous explanation for primary and co-cells. The division point between the high-frequency unit and baseband unit corresponding to cell 0 is the same as the division point between the high-frequency unit and baseband unit corresponding to cell 1. Specifically, this division point lies between the FFT and BWT. In the design, the high-frequency unit corresponding to cell 0 can receive the uplink signal within cell 0. In addition to performing high-frequency processing on the uplink signal, the high-frequency unit further performs FFT processing on the uplink signal at the physical layer. Optionally, the FFT-processed uplink signal may be an uplink frequency domain signal. The high-frequency unit transmits the FFT-processed uplink signal to the baseband unit. Similarly, the high-frequency unit corresponding to cell 1 can receive the uplink signal in cell 1. In addition to performing high-frequency processing on the uplink signal, the high-frequency unit further performs FFT processing on the uplink signal at the physical layer. Furthermore, the high-frequency unit transmits the FFT-processed uplink signal to the baseband unit. The baseband unit jointly processes the uplink signals of cell 0 and cell 1. For example, after the physical layer baseband unit sequentially performs BWT, CE, Ruu, and other processing on the uplink signals of cell 0 and cell 1 in the physical layer, joint channel estimation may be performed on the uplink signals of cell 0 and cell 1 by MIMO equalization to obtain the channel estimation result. Subsequently, demodulation, decoding, and other processing are performed sequentially on the output of MIMO equalization. In Figure 9, it may be understood that the HARQ combination is optional. The diagram in Figure 9 may have a HARQ combination. Alternatively, there may be no HARQ combination. When a HARQ combination is implemented, the demodulated output can be transparently transmitted to the decoding input by the HARQ combination. Alternatively, when no HARQ combination is present, the demodulated output is directly input to the decoding input, etc.

[0089] The uplink signals of cell 0 and cell 1 may be understood as being from the same terminal. Uplink signals from the same terminal are received in different cells and processed jointly so that the signal reception and processing performance of the terminal may be improved. Alternatively, the uplink signals of cell 0 and cell 1 may be from different terminals. As mentioned above, a cell that causes significant interference to the primary cell is sometimes called a cooperating cell. In this case, the uplink signals of cell 0 and cell 1 are processed jointly. This processing may include: cell 1 functions as a cooperating cell, and the uplink signal reported by the high-frequency unit corresponding to cell 1 may be used as a known interference, which is removed from the uplink signal corresponding to cell 0, thereby improving the demodulation quality of the uplink signal corresponding to cell 0 and improving the transmission quality of the uplink signal within the primary cell.

[0090] As shown in Figure 10, in another design, when the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is greater than a first threshold, the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is BWT, and BWT belongs to the high-frequency unit. Alternatively, the division point may be described as CE, and CE belongs to the baseband unit. Alternatively, the division point may be described as being between BWT and CE.

[0091] The difference between Figure 10 and Figure 9 is that in Figure 9, the BWT belongs to the baseband unit, while in Figure 10, the BWT belongs to the high-frequency unit. The other processing steps in Figure 10 are the same as those in Figure 9, and the details will not be explained again.

[0092] In uplink co-processing, it should be noted that different splitting points can result in different performance gains for uplink co-processing. For example, if the splitting point is closer to the FFT function module in the physical layer, the performance gain of uplink co-processing is greater. In solutions where the splitting point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is fixed, it is not possible to change the splitting point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer, even if there is sufficient transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit. However, in embodiments of this application, when it is determined that the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is sufficiently large, for example, greater than a first threshold, the splitting point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer may be determined to be before channel equalization. If the splitting point is closer to the FFT function module of the preprocessing, the performance gain of uplink co-processing is greater.

[0093] Example 2

[0094] If the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is less than or equal to a first threshold and greater than or equal to a second threshold, the splitting point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is determined to be either the channel equalization or the functional module after the channel equalization but before the HARQ combination.

[0095] See Example 1 for an explanation of the first threshold. The second threshold may be pre-configured, specified by a protocol, determined by the access network device, or notified to the access network device by another device, etc., but is not limited to these. For example, the access network device or another device may determine the first and second thresholds in the manner of simulation, related algorithms, or AI. For example, in an uplink signal using channel equalization without HARQ combinations, simulation may reveal that the bandwidth of the uplink signal is typically less than the first threshold and greater than the second threshold, in which case the first and second thresholds may be determined as the two determination thresholds in Example 2.

[0096] In the design, channel equalization includes at least one of the following functions: CE, Ruu, or MIMO equalization. The division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer being a functional module that is channel equalization or a function module that is after channel equalization but before HARQ combination includes the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer being MIMO equalization or a function module that is after MIMO equalization but before HARQ combination. For example, the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit may specifically be demodulation or another functional module. In the description, it may be understood that the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit may be determined to be a HARQ combination when the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is less than or equal to a first threshold and greater than a second threshold. In this case, the division point HARQ combination belongs to the baseband unit.

[0097] The example from Example 1 is still used. The physical layer's functional modules include one or more of the following: FFT, BWT, CE, Ruu, MIMO equalization, demodulation, HARQ combination, decoding, etc.

[0098] As shown in Figure 11, when the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is less than or equal to the first threshold but greater than the second threshold, the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is demodulation, and demodulation belongs to the baseband unit. Alternatively, the division point in Figure 11 may be described as the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer being MIMO equalization, and MIMO equalization belonging to the high-frequency unit. Alternatively, the division point in Figure 11 may be described as the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer being between MIMO equalization and demodulation.

[0099] As shown in Figure 11, cell 0 is used as the primary cell and cell 1 is used as the co-cell. The high-frequency unit corresponding to cell 0 receives the uplink signal within cell 0, performs high-frequency processing on the uplink signal, and then performs processing such as FFT, BWT, CE, RUU, or MIMO equalization on the uplink signal at the physical layer. Next, the high-frequency unit corresponding to cell 0 transmits the MIMO-equalized uplink signal to the baseband unit. Similarly, the high-frequency unit corresponding to cell 1 receives the uplink signal within cell 1, performs processing such as FFT, BWT, CE, RUU, and MIMO equalization on the uplink signal at the physical layer, and transmits this uplink signal to the baseband unit. The baseband unit jointly processes the uplink signals of cell 0 and cell 1. For example, the baseband unit performs joint demodulation, HARQ combination, decoding, etc., on the uplink signals of the two cells.

[0100] In addition to the design in Figure 11, when the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is less than or equal to the first threshold but greater than the second threshold, the dividing point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer may be understood as demodulation, and demodulation may be considered to belong to the high-frequency unit. Alternatively, the dividing point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer may be the HARQ combination, and the HARQ combination may belong to the baseband unit.

[0101] In the aforementioned design, the following factors are primarily considered to be the case: when the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is below a first threshold and greater than a second threshold, the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit can be considered to be at an intermediate level. After the uplink signal is processed by the MIMO equalization function module, the bandwidth required for the uplink signal is less. Therefore, it is considered that the MIMO equalization function is implemented in the high-frequency unit. Optionally, the high-frequency unit may further be configured to implement the demodulation function shown in Figure 11. Certainly, the demodulation function may be configured to be implemented in the baseband unit as an alternative. This is not limited to this. Application scenarios of the solution in the embodiments of this application include jointly processing uplink signals. Therefore, since the HARQ combination needs to be configured to be implemented in the baseband unit, the baseband unit performs the combination for multiple uplink signals uploaded by multiple high-frequency units.

[0102] Optionally, in this description, HARQ combination is used to combine the signal that is initially transmitted with the signal that is to be retransmitted. In embodiments of this application, HARQ combination may be understood as being used to combine uplink signals reported by multiple high-frequency units. In embodiments of this application, it may be considered that the uplink signals reported by multiple high-frequency units are combined by using a “HARQ combination” function module in the physical layer. Optionally, the “HARQ combination” function module may be replaced with a “combination” function module. Alternatively, the uplink signals of multiple high-frequency units may be combined within another function module in the physical layer. For example, in Figure 11, there may be no “HARQ combination” function module, and the uplink signals of multiple high-frequency units may be combined within a “demodulation” function module. This is not limited to this. For example, in a “demodulation” function module, demodulation may be performed on each uplink signal of the high-frequency units, and then the demodulated uplink signals of the multiple high-frequency units are combined.

[0103] Example 3

[0104] When the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is less than or equal to the second threshold, the splitting point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is the HARQ combination, or a functional module after the HARQ combination. In this explanation, when the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is less than or equal to the second threshold, and the splitting point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is the HARQ combination, the splitting point HARQ combination may be understood to belong to the high-frequency unit in this case.

[0105] In the explanation of Figure 7, the functional modules after the HARQ combination include descrambling, derate matching, and decoding. When the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is below a second threshold, the splitting point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer may be, but is not limited to, descrambling, derate matching, or decoding.

[0106] The determined dividing point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is the decoding, and when decoding belongs to the high-frequency unit, it may be understood that all functional modules of the physical layer are implemented in this case, the high-frequency unit. Optionally, the baseband unit may implement functional modules in the MAC and RLC layers. Furthermore, the baseband unit may further implement functional modules in the PDCP layer.

[0107] As shown in Figure 12, the physical layer includes at least one of the following functional modules: FFT, BWT, CE, Ruu, MIMO equalization, demodulation, HARQ combination, decoding, etc.

[0108] When the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is below a second threshold, the splitting point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer can be the HARQ combination or a functional module after the HARQ combination.

[0109] For example, as shown in Figure 12, the functional module of the physical layer may include decoding after the HARQ combination, and the dividing point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit may be determined to be decoding, which belongs to the high-frequency unit. Alternatively, in another explanation, all functional modules of the physical layer are all configured within the high-frequency unit.

[0110] In Figure 12, the high-frequency unit corresponding to cell 0 receives the uplink signal within cell 0, and this high-frequency unit performs all processing on the uplink signal in the physical layer. For example, the high-frequency unit performs FFT, BWT, CE, Ruu, MIMO equalization, demodulation, HARQ combination, decoding, and other processing on the uplink signal in the physical layer. The high-frequency unit transmits the processed uplink signal from cell 0 to the baseband unit. Similarly, cell 1 The corresponding high-frequency unit receives the uplink signal within cell 1, and performs all processing on the uplink signal at the physical layer. For example, the high-frequency unit performs FFT, BWT, CE, Ruu, MIMO equalization, demodulation, HARQ combination, decoding, and other processing on the uplink signal at the physical layer. The high-frequency unit transmits the processed uplink signal from cell 1 to the baseband unit. In a co-processing uplink scenario, the baseband unit may process the uplink signals from cell 0 and cell 1 jointly at the MAC layer and / or RLC layer. Alternatively, in a non-co-processing scenario, the baseband unit may process the uplink signals from cell 0 and cell 1 separately at the MAC layer and RLC layer, etc. This is not limited to these cases.

[0111] In addition to the design in Figure 12, if the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is below a second threshold, the partition point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer may also be a decoding, and this decoding belongs to the baseband unit. Alternatively, the partition point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit may be a HARQ combination, and this HARQ combination belongs to the high-frequency unit. The two designs correspond to the same solution essence, differing only in their explanation. For example, the essence of the two solutions is that the partition point is either a HARQ combination or a decoding, with the HARQ combination belonging to the high-frequency unit and the decoding belonging to the baseband unit.

[0112] In Figure 12, it may be understood that the HARQ combination can be arbitrarily selected. For example, the dividing point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is the decoding, and the decoding can belong to the high-frequency unit, the baseband unit, etc. The output of the demodulation may be directly input to the input of the decoding, or the output of the demodulation may be transmitted transparently to the input of the decoding by the HARQ combination, etc.

[0113] In the design of Example 3, the main consideration is that when the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is below the second threshold, it indicates that the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is small and the amount of data in the uplink signal that can be transmitted is limited. In this case, the amount of data in the uplink signal with the HARQ combination is sufficiently small, so the HARQ combination is implemented in the high-frequency unit. It is not limited whether the functional module after the HARQ combination is implemented in the high-frequency unit.

[0114] In uplink transmission, an access network device may transmit scheduling information for demodulation reference signals (DMRS) to a terminal. The terminal transmits the DMRS to the access network device based on the DMRS scheduling. Furthermore, the terminal may transmit the uplink signal to the access network device. For example, the uplink signal may be carried on a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) for transmission. The access network device demodulates the PUSCH based on the DMRS to obtain the uplink signal. In the design, the access network device performs demodulation on the uplink signal received in each cell based on the DMRS of each cell. For example, the access network device performs demodulation on the uplink signal received in the primary cell based on the primary cell's DMRS, and demodulates on the uplink signal received in the co-cell based on the co-cell's DMRS. In embodiments of this application, the access network device may perform joint demodulation on the uplink signals received in the primary cell and the co-cell.

[0115] For example, an access network device may obtain scheduling information for the primary cell's DRMS ​​and scheduling information for the co-cell's DMRS. See the previous explanation for details on primary and co-cells. Based on the primary cell's DRMS ​​scheduling information and the co-cell's DMRS scheduling information, the access network device may demodulate the primary cell's uplink signal or the co-cell's uplink signal. For example, the access network device may obtain the primary cell's DMRS based on the primary cell's DMRS scheduling information, obtain the co-cell's DMRS based on the co-cell's DMRS scheduling information, and demodulate the uplink signal received by the primary cell based on the primary cell's DMRS and the co-cell's DMRS. For example, as shown in Figures 9 to 12, the uplink signal received by the primary cell is sequentially processed by FFT and BWT, followed by channel estimation. ( CE )However, based on the primary cell's DMRS and the co-cell's DMRS, the primary cell's uplink signal may be subjected to processing such as primary cell channel estimation results. Subsequently, processing such as Ruu, MIMO equalization, demodulation, HARQ combination, and decoding continues to be performed on the primary cell's uplink signal. Alternatively, the uplink signal received by the co-cell is demodulated based on the primary cell's DMRS and the co-cell's DMRS. The process for demodulating the co-cell's uplink signal is similar to the process for demodulating the primary cell's uplink signal. This will not be explained again here. Alternatively, the access network device may perform joint demodulation, etc., on the primary cell's uplink signal and the co-cell's uplink signal based on the primary cell's DMRS scheduling information and the co-cell's DMRS scheduling information. This is not limited to this. For example, the access network device may obtain the primary cell's DMRS and the co-cell's DMRS separately based on the primary cell's DMRS scheduling information and the co-cell's DMRS scheduling information. The access network device performs joint demodulation of the primary cell's uplink signal and the co-cell's uplink signal based on the primary cell's DMRS and the co-cell's DMRS. For example, in the design, the access network device may sequentially perform processing such as FFT and BWT on the uplink signal received in the primary cell. Similarly, the access network device sequentially performs processing such as FFT and BWT on the uplink signal received in the co-cell. Channel estimation ( CE ) Then, the access network device performs channel estimation based on the DMRS of the primary cell and the DMRS of the collaborative cell. (CE) is performed to obtain the channel information of the primary cell and the co-cell. Next, co-demodulation is performed on the uplink signals of the primary cell and the co-cell based on the channel information of the primary cell and the co-cell. For example, processes such as Ruu, MIMO equalization, demodulation, HARQ combination, and decoding are performed sequentially on the uplink signals of the primary cell and the co-cell.

[0116] In Examples 1 to 3 described above, it may be understood that the uplink signal can be demodulated by using the demodulation solution described above. For example, in Figures 9 to 12, cell 0 may be used as the primary cell and cell 1 as the co-cell. The determined split point between the high-frequency unit and baseband unit corresponding to the primary cell is the same as the determined split point between the high-frequency unit and baseband unit corresponding to the co-cell. For example, in Figure 9, the split point between the high-frequency unit and baseband unit corresponding to the two cells is BWT in both cases. Of course, the split points between the high-frequency unit and baseband unit corresponding to different cells may be different. This is not limited to this. For the primary cell, i.e., cell 0, the DMRS information of the co-cell (i.e., cell 1) may be considered when demodulation is performed on the uplink signal of the primary cell in the physical layer. Of course, for the co-cell (i.e., cell 1), the DMRS information of the primary cell (i.e., cell 0) may be considered when demodulation is performed on the uplink signal of the co-cell, etc., in the physical layer. Alternatively, it is conceivable to perform joint demodulation of the primary cell's uplink signal and the co-cell's uplink signal at the physical layer by using the primary cell's DMRS and the co-cell's DMRS. The latter two examples are not schematically illustrated in Figures 9 to 12.

[0117] Since the primary cell and the co-operating cell are associated cells, the uplink signals of the primary cell and / or the co-operating cell are demodulated based on the DMRS scheduling information of the two cells, thereby improving uplink signal demodulation performance compared to demodulating the uplink signal of a single cell based on the DMRS scheduling information of that cell.

[0118] In uplink transmission, application scenarios of the embodiments of this application include coordinated multipoint transmission / reception (CoMP). Uplink CoMP refers to the joint reception of data transmitted by a terminal by multiple geographically separated transmission points. In the embodiments of this application, the multiple geographically separated transmission points may be considered as multiple high-frequency units, each of which corresponds to one cell. Each high-frequency unit can receive the uplink signal of the corresponding cell via its corresponding antenna. A baseband unit jointly processes the uplink signals of the multiple cells. In the embodiments of this application, the split point between the high-frequency units and the baseband unit in the physical layer is flexibly determined based on the transmission bandwidth between the high-frequency units and the baseband unit to improve uplink CoMP performance. For example, in the embodiments of this application, when the transmission bandwidth between the high-frequency units and the baseband unit is greater than a first threshold, it is determined that there is no MIMO equalization at the split point between the high-frequency units and the baseband unit in the physical layer, and each high-frequency unit can report the uplink signal to the baseband unit before MIMO equalization. The baseband unit improves uplink signal demodulation performance by performing collaborative processing, such as MIMO equalization, on uplink signals reported by different high-frequency units.

[0119] Downlink transmission

[0120] Downlink transmission is used as an example. When a downlink signal is acquired from the MAC layer, the baseband unit may perform processing on the downlink signal at the physical layer. As shown in Figure 5, the physical layer consists of the following functional modules: encoding, rate It includes at least one of the following: matching, scrambling, modulation, layer mapping, precoding, RE mapping, digital BF, IFFT / CP summation, etc.

[0121] The division point between the high-frequency unit and the baseband unit in the physical layer may be determined based on the transmission bandwidth between the high-frequency unit and the baseband unit. For example, the division point between the high-frequency unit and the baseband unit in the physical layer may be determined based on the transmission bandwidth between the high-frequency unit and the baseband unit and the value relationship between a third threshold and / or a fourth threshold. The value of the third threshold is greater than that of the fourth threshold. The third and fourth thresholds may be predetermined, specified by a protocol, determined by an access network device, determined by another device and indicated to the access network device, etc. This is not limited to these.

[0122] For example, in the design, when the transmission bandwidth between the high-frequency unit and the baseband unit is greater than (or greater than) a third threshold, the division point between the high-frequency unit and the baseband unit in the physical layer is determined to be closer to the MAC layer. Alternatively, when the transmission bandwidth between the high-frequency unit and the baseband unit is less than (or less than) the third threshold and greater than (or greater than) a fourth threshold, the division point between the high-frequency unit and the baseband unit in the physical layer is determined to be the intermediate functional module. Alternatively, when the transmission bandwidth between the high-frequency unit and the baseband unit is less than (or less than) the fourth threshold, the division point between the high-frequency unit and the baseband unit in the physical layer is determined to be closer to the high-frequency side, etc.

[0123] In downlink transmission, the physical layer functional modules may be understood to include more or fewer functional modules than those shown in Figure 5, but this is not limited to them.

[0124] The solutions of this application may be applied to a high-frequency unit or a baseband unit, or to a unit other than a high-frequency unit or baseband unit, such as in an access network device. This is not limited to these applications. An example in which the solutions of this application are applied to a high-frequency unit is used. In this case, the solutions of the embodiments of this application are implemented by the high-frequency unit or applied to components such as chips or circuits within the high-frequency unit.

[0125] An example is used in which the solution is performed by a high-frequency unit. In this case, in addition to step 601 which needs to be performed by the high-frequency unit, the procedure shown in Figure 6 may further include the following steps.

[0126] Optionally, step 602a: The high-frequency unit transmits indication information of the division point in the physical layer to the baseband unit.

[0127] Specifically, the high-frequency unit determines the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer based on the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit.

[0128] In uplink transmission, the high-frequency unit may implement a functional module before the division point in the physical layer. In uplink transmission, the functional module before the division point is closer to the high-frequency end. The high-frequency unit transmits indication information of the division point in the physical layer to the baseband unit. Upon receiving the indication information, the baseband unit, based on the division point indicated in the indication information, high frequencyThe functional modules implemented in the physical layer of a unit can be determined, and these are sometimes called lower-layer functional modules of the physical layer. In uplink transmission, the baseband unit implements the functional modules after the split point. Functional modules after the split point are closer to the MAC end and are sometimes called upper-layer functional modules of the physical layer. Optionally, the split point may be implemented in the high-frequency unit, or in the baseband unit, etc. This is not limited to this.

[0129] In downlink transmission, the high-frequency unit may implement its functional modules after the splitting point in the physical layer. In downlink transmission, functional modules after the splitting point are closer to the high-frequency end and are sometimes called lower-layer functional modules in the physical layer. The baseband unit may implement its functional modules before the splitting point in the physical layer. In downlink transmission, functional modules before the splitting point in the physical layer are closer to the MAC end and are sometimes called upper-layer functional modules in the physical layer. Alternatively,

[0130] An example is used in which the solution of this application is applied to a baseband unit. In this case, the solution of the embodiment of this application is implemented by the baseband unit or applied to a component such as a chip or circuit within the baseband unit.

[0131] An example is used in which the solution is performed by the baseband unit. In this case, in addition to step 601 which must be performed by the baseband unit, the procedure shown in Figure 6 may further include the following steps.

[0132] Step 602b: The baseband unit transmits indication information for the division point in the physical layer to the high-frequency unit.

[0133] In embodiments of this application, the indication information may be understood to explicitly or implicitly indicate a functional module corresponding to a division point. For example, the functional model of the physical layer may correspond to different indices, and the indication information may indicate the index of the functional module corresponding to the division point. Alternatively, other information having a correspondence with the functional module of a division point may indicate the division point, etc. This is not limited to this.

[0134] It may be understood that the solutions of the embodiments of this application can be applied to various categories of fronthaul interfaces. For example, the solutions of the embodiments of this application can be applied to all categories of fronthaul interfaces, such as eCPRI Cat A to Cat F. In current designs, different categories of fronthaul interfaces may have different splitting points in the physical layer, but for any category of fronthaul interface, the splitting point in the physical layer is fixed. In the solutions of the embodiments of this application, for any category of fronthaul interface, the splitting point between the high-frequency unit and the baseband unit in the physical layer can be flexibly adjusted based on the transmission bandwidth of the high-frequency unit and the baseband unit.

[0135] In the same high-frequency unit, when the transmission bandwidth between the high-frequency unit and the baseband unit is fixed, it may be understood that, according to the solution of the embodiment of this application, the division points determined in uplink and downlink transmissions may be the same or different. For example, in a high-frequency unit, the high-frequency unit may be called the target high-frequency unit. In uplink transmission, the division point between the target high-frequency unit and the baseband unit in the physical layer functions based on the transmission bandwidth between the target high-frequency unit and the baseband unit. moduleIt is determined to be A. In downlink transmission, the split point between the target high-frequency unit and the baseband unit in the physical layer is determined to be functional module B, based on the transmission bandwidth between the target high-frequency unit and the baseband unit. Functional modules A and B may be the same or different, but are not limited to this.

[0136] The solutions of the embodiments of this application may be applied to an ORAN system, and the baseband unit may include an O-DU, and may further include an O-CU-CP and an O-CU-UP. The O-DU may implement the functions of the RLC layer, MAC layer, and upper layers of the physical layer. The high-frequency unit includes an O-RU, which may implement the functions of the lower layers of the physical layer. According to the solutions of the embodiments of this application, the functional modules of the physical layer implemented in the O-DU, i.e., the functional modules of the physical layer included in the upper layers of the physical layer, can be flexibly adjusted, and the functional modules of the physical layer implemented in the O-RU, i.e., the functional modules of the physical layer included in the lower layers of the physical layer, can be determined. In the implementation of Example 3 described above, the high-frequency unit may be understood to implement all the functions of the physical layer. In this case, the O-DU may no longer implement the functions of the physical layer, and in this case, the O-DU may implement the functions of the RLC layer and MAC layer.

[0137] To implement the functions in the methods described above, the access network device may be understood to include corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for performing the functions. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, by referring to the units and method steps in the examples described herein, that the application can be implemented by hardware or by a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or by hardware driven by computer software depends on the specific application scenario and the design constraints of the technical solution.

[0138] Figures 13 and 14 are structural diagrams of possible communication devices according to this application. These communication devices may be configured to implement the functions of the access network device in the method described above. Thus, the beneficial effects of the method described above can also be achieved. In this application, the communication device may be the access network device 110a or 110b shown in Figure 1, or it may be a module (e.g., a chip) used in the access network device.

[0139] As shown in Figure 13, the communication device 1300 includes a processing unit 1310 and a transceiver unit 1320. The communication device 1300 is configured to implement the functions of the access network device of the method embodiment described above.

[0140] When the communication device 1300 is configured for the function of the access network device of the method embodiment described above, the processing unit 1310 is configured to determine the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer based on the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit. The high-frequency unit implements a functional module in the physical layer between the division point and the high-frequency function. The baseband unit implements a functional module in the physical layer between the division point and the medium access control MAC layer, and the functional module corresponding to the division point is implemented by either the baseband unit or the high-frequency unit. Optionally, the transceiver unit 1320 is configured to transmit indication information of the division point to the high-frequency unit, or to transmit indication information of the division point to the baseband unit.

[0141] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 1310 and the transceiver unit 1320, please refer directly to the relevant description in the method embodiment described above. Further details are not provided here.

[0142] Figure 14 is a structural diagram of a possible communication device. The communication device 1400 may be understood to include means such as modules, units, elements, circuits, or interfaces in a manner necessary to appropriately combine these means to carry out the method of the embodiments of this application. The communication device 1400 may be the access network device shown in Figure 1, or a component (e.g., a chip) within the access network device, in order to implement the method described in the embodiments of this application.

[0143] For example, the communication device 1400 includes one or more processors 1410. The processors 1410 may be general-purpose processors or dedicated processors. For example, the processors may be baseband processors or central processing units. The baseband processor may be configured to process communication protocols and communication data. The central processing unit may be configured to control the communication device (e.g., an access network device) in order to execute a software program and process the data of the software program.

[0144] Optionally, in the design, the processor 1410 may include a program 1430 (which may sometimes be called code or instructions). Since the program 1430 can run on the processor 1410, the communication device 1400 implements the methods described in embodiments of this application. In yet another possible design, the communication device 1400 includes a circuit (not shown in Figure 14). This circuit is configured to implement functions such as determining the split point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer, based on the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in embodiments of this application.

[0145] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may include one or more memories 1420, in which a program 1440 (which may sometimes be called code or instructions) is stored. Since the program 1440 can run on the processor 1410, the communication device 1400 can carry out the methods described in the embodiments of this application.

[0146] Optionally, the processor 1410 and / or memory 1420 may include AI modules 1470 and 1480, which are configured to implement AI-related functions. The AI ​​modules may be implemented using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. For example, an AI module may include a Radio Access Network Intelligent Controller (RAN intelligent controller, RIC) module. For example, an AI module may be a quasi-real-time RIC or a non-real-time RIC.

[0147] Optionally, the processor 1410 and / or memory 1420 may further store data. The processor and memory may be located separately or integrated.

[0148] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may further include a transceiver 1450 and / or an antenna 1460. The processor 1410, sometimes called a processing unit, controls the communication device (e.g., an access network device). The transceiver 1450, sometimes called a transceiver unit, transceiver machine, transceiver circuit, or transceiver, is configured to implement the transceiver function of the communication device via the antenna 1460.

[0149] The processor in this application may be understood to be a central processing unit (CPU), or another general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), another programmable logic device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any ordinary processor, etc.

[0150] The memory in this application may be random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disk drives, removable hard disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium well known in the art.

[0151] For example, a storage medium is coupled to a processor so that the processor can read information from and write information to the storage medium. Alternatively, the storage medium may be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium may be located within an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC may be located within a base station or terminal. Of course, the processor and storage medium may exist as separate components within the base station or terminal.

[0152] The methods of this application may be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement the methods, all or part of the methods may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When a computer program or instruction is loaded into a computer and executed, the procedures or functions of this application are produced, in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a computer network, a network device, user equipment, a core network device, an OAM, or another programmable device. Computer programs or instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer programs or instructions may be transmitted by wire or wirelessly from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center. A computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium accessible by a computer, or it may be a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The usable media may be magnetic media, such as floppy disks, hard disk drives, or magnetic tapes; optical media, such as digital video discs; or semiconductor media, such as solid-state drives. Computer-readable storage media may be volatile or non-volatile storage media, or may include two categories of storage media: volatile storage media and non-volatile storage media.

[0153] In this application, unless otherwise specified or unless there is a logical inconsistency, the terminology and / or descriptions in different embodiments are consistent and may be referenced to one another, and the technical features in different embodiments may be combined based on their internal logical relationships to form new embodiments.

[0154] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "and / or" describes a relationship between related subjects and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may mean: only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists, where A and B may be singular or plural. In text descriptions in this application, the letter " / " indicates an "or" relationship between related subjects, and in mathematical formulas in this application, the letter " / " indicates a "division" relationship between related subjects. "Containing at least one of A, B, or C" may mean containing A, containing B, containing C, containing A and B, containing A and C, containing B and C, and containing A, B, and C.

[0155] The various numbers used in this application may be understood as being used merely for the purpose of differentiation to facilitate explanation and not to limit the scope of this application. The sequence numbers of the processes mentioned above do not mean the order of execution, and the order of execution of the processes should be determined based on the function and internal logic of the processes.

Claims

1. A method for determining the division point, The process includes determining the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer based on the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit. A method wherein the high-frequency unit implements a functional module between the division point and the high-frequency function in the physical layer, and the baseband unit implements a functional module between the division point and the media access control MAC layer in the physical layer, and the functional module corresponding to the division point is implemented by the baseband unit or the high-frequency unit.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in uplink transmission, the physical layer comprises at least one of the following functional modules: preprocessing, digital beamforming BF, resource element RE demapping, channel equalization, inverse discrete Fourier transform IDFT, demodulation, hybrid automatic repeating request HARQ combination, descrambling, derate matching, or decoding.

3. The step of determining the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer based on the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is: The transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is greater than the first threshold, and The dividing point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is a functional module prior to channel equalization. The method according to claim 2, comprising:

4. The channel equalization comprises at least one of the following functional modules: channel estimation CE, interference covariance matrix, or multi-input multi-output MIMO equalization; and the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is the functional module prior to the channel equalization. The dividing point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is the functional module before MIMO equalization. The method according to claim 3, comprising:

5. The step of determining the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer based on the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is: The transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is less than or equal to a first threshold and greater than a second threshold, and The dividing point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is the functional module after channel equalization, or after channel equalization but before the HARQ combination. The method according to claim 2, comprising:

6. The channel equalization includes at least one of the following functional modules: CE, interference covariance matrix, or MIMO equalization, wherein the split point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is the channel equalization, or the functional module after the channel equalization and before the HARQ combination. The dividing point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is the MIMO equalization, or the functional module after the MIMO equalization but before the HARQ combination. The method according to claim 5, comprising:

7. The step of determining the division point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer based on the transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is: The transmission bandwidth between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit is less than or equal to a second threshold, and The dividing point between the baseband unit and the high-frequency unit in the physical layer is the HARQ combination, or a functional module following the HARQ combination. The method according to claim 2, comprising:

8. A step of demodulating the uplink signal of a primary cell or the uplink signal of a co-operating cell based on the scheduling information of the demodulation reference signal DMRS of the co-operating cell and the scheduling information of the DMRS of the primary cell, or The step of performing joint demodulation on the uplink signal of the primary cell and the uplink signal of the co-cell based on the scheduling information of the DMRS of the co-cell and the scheduling information of the DMRS of the primary cell. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising:

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the method is applied to the baseband unit, and the method further comprises the step of transmitting indication information of the division point to the high-frequency unit.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the method is applied to the high-frequency unit, and the method further comprises the step of transmitting indication information of the division point to the baseband unit.

11. A communication device comprising a unit configured to implement the method described in any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A communication device comprising a processor, wherein the processor is coupled to a memory, and the processor is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. A communication system comprising the communication device according to claim 11 or 12 and a terminal device.

14. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

15. A computer program product comprising instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is enabled to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images