Channel estimation method, terminal, network-side equipment, and readable storage medium

Abstract

The present application discloses a channel estimation method, an apparatus, a terminal, a network side device and a medium, which belong to the technical field of communication. The channel estimation method provided in the embodiment of the present application includes: a UE receives first target information from a communication device, the first target information being a parameter for the BSC device to transmit a backscattered signal or for indicating whether to perform joint channel estimation for the first signal; and the UE determines whether to perform joint channel estimation for the first signal according to the first target information, where the backscattered signal is obtained by the BSC device modulating the first signal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the technical field of communications, and specifically relates to a channel estimation method, apparatus, terminal, network-side device, and medium.

Background Art

[0002] Currently, in backscatter communication (BSC), a BSC device can modulate a high-frequency signal transmitted by another device to generate a backscatter signal associated with the high-frequency signal, and data information of the BSC device is carried by the backscatter signal. Thereby, a receiving device can demodulate the backscatter signal to obtain the data information.

[0003] However, the high-frequency signal may be transmitted towards a user equipment (UE). In this case, the channel estimation performed by the UE on the high-frequency signal may be affected by the backscatter signal associated with the high-frequency signal, and thus may affect the performance of the channel estimation. In this way, the performance of the UE in demodulating the high-frequency signal is degraded.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of this application provide a channel estimation method, apparatus, terminal, network-side device, and medium that can solve the problem of low performance of a UE in demodulating a high-frequency signal.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In the first aspect, the present invention provides a channel estimation method applicable to a UE, comprising the steps of: the UE receiving first target information from a communication device, the first target information being parameters for which a BSC device transmits a backscatter signal, or for indicating whether or not to perform joint channel estimation for a first signal; and the UE determining, based on the first target information, whether or not to perform joint channel estimation for a first signal, wherein the backscatter signal is obtained by the BSC device modulating a first signal.

[0006] In the second aspect, a channel estimation device is provided which is a first channel estimation device including a receiving module and a decision module. Here, the receiving module is used to receive first target information from a second channel estimation device, and the first target information is for parameters to which the BSC device transmits a backscatter signal, or for indicating whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal. The decision module is used to determine whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal based on the first target information received by the receiving module, and here the backscatter signal is obtained by the BSC device modulating the first signal.

[0007] In a third aspect, the present invention provides a channel estimation method applicable to communication equipment, comprising the step of the communication equipment transmitting first target information to a UE, wherein the first target information is for parameters to which a BSC device transmits a backscatter signal, or for indicating whether or not to perform joint channel estimation for the first signal. Here, the backscatter signal is obtained by the BSC device modulating the first signal, and the first target information is for the UE to decide whether or not to perform joint channel estimation for the first signal.

[0008] In the fourth aspect, a channel estimation device is provided which is a second channel estimation device including a transmitting module. Here, the transmitting module is used to transmit first target information to the first channel estimation device, and the first target information is for indicating whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal, or for the parameters on which the BSC device transmits the backscatter signal. Here, the backscatter signal is obtained by the BSC device modulating the first signal, and the first target information is for the UE to decide whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal.

[0009] In the fifth aspect, a terminal is provided which includes a processor and memory, wherein a program or command executable by the processor is stored in the memory, and when the program or command is executed by the processor, a step of the method described in the first aspect or a step of the method described in the third aspect is realized.

[0010] In the sixth aspect, a terminal is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to receive first target information from a communication device, the first target information being for parameters to which a BSC device transmits a backscatter signal, or for indicating whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal. The processor is used to determine, based on the first target information, whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal, wherein the backscatter signal is obtained by the BSC device modulating the first signal.

[0011] In the seventh aspect, a network-side device is provided, which includes a processor and memory, wherein a program or command executable by the processor is stored in the memory, and when the program or command is executed by the processor, the steps of the method described in the third aspect are realized.

[0012] In the eighth aspect, a network-side device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to transmit first target information to the UE, the first target information being for parameters to which the BSC device transmits a backscatter signal, or for indicating whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal. Here, the backscatter signal is obtained by the BSC device modulating the first signal, and the first target information is for the UE to determine whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal.

[0013] In the ninth aspect, a channel estimation system is provided, which includes a terminal and network-side equipment, wherein the terminal can be used to perform the steps of the method described in the first aspect, and the network-side equipment can be used to perform the steps of the method described in the third aspect.

[0014] The tenth aspect provides a readable storage medium that stores a program or command, which, when executed by the processor, realizes a step of the method described in the first aspect or a step of the method described in the third aspect.

[0015] In the eleventh aspect, a chip is provided which includes a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface and the processor are coupled, and the processor is used to execute a program or command to realize the method described in the first aspect or to realize a step of the method described in the third aspect.

[0016] In the twelfth aspect, the present invention provides a computer program / program product which is stored in a storage medium and executed by at least one processor to realize the steps of the method described in the first aspect or the steps of the method described in the third aspect. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] In the embodiments of this application, the UE can receive first target information from a communication device to indicate the parameters on which the BSC device transmits a backscatter signal (or whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal), the backscatter signal being obtained by the BSC device modulating the first signal, and thereby the UE can decide whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal based on the first target information. Rather than directly performing joint channel estimation on the first signal, the UE can decide whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal based on the parameters on which the BSC device transmits a backscatter signal (or whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal) indicated by the communication device. As a result, the joint channel estimation performed by the UE on the first signal can avoid being affected by the backscatter signal associated with the first signal, thereby avoiding an impact on the channel estimation performance, and thus the UE's performance in demodulating high-frequency signals can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram (part 1) of the wireless communication system provided in the embodiment of this application. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram (part 2) of the wireless communication system provided in the embodiment of this application. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram (part 1) illustrating the relationship between the bit-by-bit transmission time of a BSC device and the length of the time slot / subframe of a high-frequency signal. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram (part 2) illustrating the relationship between the bit-by-bit transmission time of a BSC device and the length of the time slot / subframe of a high-frequency signal. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram (part 3) illustrating the relationship between the bit-by-bit transmission time of a BSC device and the length of the time slot / subframe of a high-frequency signal. [Figure 6] This is a schematic flowchart (part 1) of the channel estimation method provided in the embodiment of this application. [Figure 7]It is a flow schematic diagram (Part 2) of the channel estimation method provided in the embodiments of this application. [Figure 8] It is a flow schematic diagram (Part 3) of the channel estimation method provided in the embodiments of this application. [Figure 9] It is a flow schematic diagram (Part 4) of the channel estimation method provided in the embodiments of this application. [Figure 10] It is a configuration schematic diagram (Part 1) of the channel estimation device provided in the embodiments of this application. [Figure 11] It is a configuration schematic diagram (Part 2) of the channel estimation device provided in the embodiments of this application. [Figure 12] It is a configuration schematic diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. [Figure 13] It is a hardware configuration schematic diagram of the terminal provided in the embodiments of this application. [Figure 14] It is a hardware configuration schematic diagram of the network-side device provided in the embodiments of this application.

Embodiments for Implementing the Invention

[0019] In the following, while referring to the drawings in the embodiments of this application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly described. Naturally, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of them. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art also fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0020] In the following, terms related to the embodiments of this application will be described.

[0021] 1. BSC BSC refers to a process in which a BSC device modulates other devices (such as UEs, network-side devices, etc.) or high-frequency signals in the environment to carry the data information of the BSC device with the high-frequency signals.

[0022] Here, the BSC device can modulate the high-frequency signal by adjusting its internal impedance to control the reflection coefficient of the BSC device's circuit, thereby changing the amplitude, frequency, phase, etc. of the high-frequency signal.

[0023] BSC equipment may be a tag in a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system, a Passive Internet of Things (IOT) unit, a Semi-Passive IOT unit, or a Reconfigurable Intelligent Meta-Surface (RIS) unit in an intelligent meta-surface, etc.

[0024] 2, backscatter signal This is a signal generated after a BSC device modulates a high-frequency signal, and is therefore a backscatter signal associated with that high-frequency signal.

[0025] 3. Other terms The terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification and claims of this application are not intended to describe a specific order or sequence, but rather to distinguish similar subjects. It should be understood that these terms may be interchangeable where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application can be carried out in an order other than those illustrated or described herein, and that the subjects distinguished by "first," "second," etc., usually belong to a single category and do not limit the number of subjects; for example, there may be one or more first subject information. Furthermore, in the specification and claims, "and / or" represents at least one of the connected subjects, and the symbol " / " generally indicates that the preceding and succeeding related subjects are in an "or" relationship.

[0026] It should be noted that the technologies described in the embodiments of this application are not limited to Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, but can also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency-Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), and other systems. The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of this application are often used interchangeably, and the technologies described can be used in other systems and wireless telegraph technologies in addition to the systems and wireless telegraph technologies described above. The following explanation uses New Radio (NR) systems for illustrative purposes and largely employs NR terminology; however, these technologies can also be applied to applications other than NR systems, such as 6th Generation (6G) communication systems.

[0027] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a wireless communication system to which an embodiment of this application can be applied. The wireless communication system includes a terminal 11 and network-side equipment 12. Here, the terminal 11 may be a mobile phone, a tablet personal computer, a laptop computer (also called a notebook computer), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a personal information terminal, a netbook, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a mobile internet device (MID), an augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) device, a robot, a wearable device, a vehicle-mounted equipment (VUE), a pedestrian-mounted equipment (PUE), a smart home (home devices with wireless communication capabilities such as refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, or furniture), a game console, a personal computer (PC), an ATM, or a kiosk. Wearable devices include smartwatches, smart wristbands, smart earphones, smart glasses, smart accessories (smart bracelets, smart rings, smart necklaces, smart anklets, etc.), smart wristlets, smart wear, etc. It should be noted that the specific type of terminal 11 is not limited in the embodiments of this application. Network-side equipment 12 may include access network equipment or core network equipment, where access network equipment may be called wireless access network equipment, radio access network (RAN), radio access network function, or radio access network unit.Access network equipment may include base stations, WLAN access points, or WiFi nodes, and a base station may also be called a node B, advanced node B (eNB), access point, base transceiver station (BTS), radio base station, radio transceiver, basic service set (BSS), extended service set (ESS), home B node, home advanced B node, transmitting / receiving point (TRP), or any other appropriate term in the art, and the base station is not limited to any particular technical term as long as the same technical effect can be achieved, and it should be noted that, although the embodiments of this application only use base stations in an NR system as examples, the specific type of base station is not limited.

[0028] In the following, with reference to the drawings, the channel estimation method, apparatus, terminal, network-side equipment, and medium provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail by several embodiments and their application scenarios.

[0029] The channel estimation method provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to BSC scenes.

[0030] Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a wireless communication system to which an embodiment of this application can be applied. The wireless communication system includes UE21, UE22, BSC equipment 23, and other equipment (e.g., network-side equipment 24).

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, assuming that the network-side device 24 attempts to transmit data information to the UE 21, the network-side device 24 can transmit a high-frequency signal to the UE 21. The data information that the network-side device 24 attempts to transmit is carried by this high-frequency signal, allowing the UE 21 to receive the data information that the network-side device 24 attempts to transmit. Furthermore, the BSC device 23 can modulate the data information that the BSC device 23 attempts to transmit into the high-frequency signal to generate a backscatter signal associated with the high-frequency signal, thereby allowing the UE 22 to receive the data information that the BSC device 23 attempts to transmit. However, the channel estimation performed by the UE 21 on the high-frequency signal may be affected by the backscatter signal associated with the high-frequency signal, which may affect the performance of the channel estimation.

[0032] Below, we will explain, using three examples, how backscatter signals affect the channel estimation performance of the Unified Element (UE).

[0033] In one example, as shown in Figure 3, we assume that the bit-by-bit transmission time of the BSC device 23 is equal to the length of one time slot / subframe of the high-frequency signal. Thus, when the BSC device 23 transmits 0, one time slot of the high-frequency signal is occupied. For example, according to the principle of Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) modulation based on FM0 coding, when the BSC device 23 transmits 0, the first half of the time slot is high level and the second half is low level, and when it transmits 1, the entire time slot is high level. Therefore, when the UE 21 performs channel estimation interpolation within one time slot of the high-frequency signal, it is affected by the backscatter signal associated with the high-frequency signal, which causes a problem in which the amplitudes of the reference signal for the first half of the time slot and the reference signal for the second half of the time slot become discontinuous, further affecting the performance of channel estimation.

[0034] In another example, as shown in Figure 4, the bit-by-bit transmission time of the BSC device 23 is greater than the length of one time slot / subframe of the high-frequency signal. For example, let's assume that the bit-by-bit transmission time of the BSC device 23 is two time slots / subframes of the high-frequency signal. Thus, when the BSC device 23 transmits 0, two time slots of the high-frequency signal are occupied. For example, according to the ASK modulation principle based on FM0 coding, when the BSC device 23 transmits 0, the first time slot is high level and the second time slot is low level. Therefore, when the UE 21 performs joint channel estimation within the two time slots of the high-frequency signal, it is affected by the backscatter signal associated with the high-frequency signal, which causes a problem where the amplitude of the reference signal at the boundary of the two time slots becomes discontinuous, further affecting the performance of channel estimation.

[0035] In yet another example, as shown in Figure 5, the bit-by-bit transmission time of the BSC device 23 is smaller than the length of one time slot / subframe of the high-frequency signal, for example, assuming that the bit-by-bit transmission time of the BSC device 23 is two symbols of the high-frequency signal, so that when the BSC device 23 transmits 0, two symbols of the high-frequency signal are occupied. For example, according to the ASK modulation principle based on FM0 coding, when the BSC device 23 transmits 0, the levels of the two symbols are different, and when it transmits 1, the levels of the two symbols are the same. Therefore, when the UE 21 performs joint channel estimation within one time slot of the high-frequency signal, it is affected by the backscatter signal associated with the high-frequency signal, which causes a problem in which the amplitudes of the reference signals of the two symbols become discontinuous, further affecting the performance of channel estimation.

[0036] Therefore, the channel estimation performed by the UE for high-frequency signals is affected by the backscatter signals associated with those high-frequency signals, which can affect the performance of the channel estimation.

[0037] However, in the embodiment of this application, the UE21 can receive instruction information from communication equipment (e.g., network-side equipment, other UEs, BSC equipment, etc.), and this instruction information is for instructing the BSC equipment 23 on the parameters for transmitting the backscatter signal (or whether or not to perform joint channel estimation for the high-frequency signal). As a result, the UE21 can decide whether or not to perform joint channel estimation for the high-frequency signal based directly on this instruction information, rather than directly performing joint channel estimation for the high-frequency signal, and thus avoid affecting the performance of channel estimation.

[0038] Figure 6 shows a flowchart of the channel estimation method provided in the embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6, the channel estimation method provided in the embodiment of this application may include the following steps 101 to 103.

[0039] In step 101, the communication device transmits the first target information to the UE.

[0040] In step 102, the UE receives the first target information from the communication device.

[0041] In the embodiments of this application, the first target information is for specifying the parameters to which the BSC instrument transmits a backscatter signal, or for indicating whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal, the backscatter signal being obtained by the BSC instrument modulating the first signal, and the first target information is for determining whether or not the UE will perform the joint channel estimation on the first signal.

[0042] Selectively, in embodiments of this application, the communication equipment includes one of a base station, BSC equipment, or other UE.

[0043] More selectively, in the embodiments of this application, if the communication equipment is a base station, the base station may be any one of the following: another UE, relay equipment, device-to-device (D2D) equipment, sidelink equipment, etc.

[0044] More selectively, in embodiments of this application, if the communication equipment is a BSC (Broadcasting Station) device, the BSC device may also be a RIS (Radio Frequency System) device. Here, the energy source and the high-frequency source (i.e., the first signal) of the BSC device may be the same device or different devices.

[0045] Here, the energy supply method for BSC equipment may include at least one of the following: BSC equipment supplying energy via high-frequency signals from a base station; BSC equipment supplying energy via other high-frequency signals; or BSC equipment supplying energy via non-high-frequency signals. This energy supply via non-high-frequency signals may include at least one of the following: mechanical energy supply, energy supply by vibration, energy supply by the sun, energy supply by thermal energy, etc.

[0046] Selectively, in embodiments of this application, if the communication equipment is a base station, the base station may transmit the first target information to the UE by Downlink Control Information (DCI), or a preamble array, or by Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, or by a Media Access Control (MAC) control element (CE).

[0047] Selectively, in embodiments of this application, if the communication device is a BSC device (or other UE), the BSC device (or other UE) may transport the first target information to the UE by two-stage sidelink control information (SCI) or a preamble array.

[0048] Selectively, in the embodiments of this application, the first signal may be a signal or data transmitted to the UE by a communication device. In this case, the first target information can be carried by scheduling signaling of the first signal (e.g., DCI).

[0049] Selectively, in embodiments of this application, if the first target information is for specifying parameters on which the BSC device transmits a backscatter signal, such parameters may include at least one of time-domain parameters, frequency-domain parameters, etc., and such parameters may specifically be transmitted by the BSC device to the communication device. As can be understood, the BSC device may report such parameters to the communication device before transmitting the backscatter signal.

[0050] Selectively, in embodiments of the present application, if the first target information is for indicating whether or not to perform joint channel estimation for the first signal, the first target information is determined by a communication device based on parameters on which the BSC device transmits backscatter signals, where the parameters may specifically be transmitted by the BSC device to the communication device.

[0051] The first objective information will be explained below with an example.

[0052] Selectively, in one possible embodiment of the embodiments of this application, the first target information is for indicating the parameters on which the BSC device transmits the backscatter signal, and the parameters on which the BSC device transmits the backscatter signal are Target time information to indicate the time information for which the BSC instrument transmits backscatter signals, The length of at least one period of the backscatter signal, The symbol length of the backscatter signal, The transmission time length of the backscatter signal, Modulation method for backscattered signals, The encoding scheme for backscattered signals, The length of the delimiter in the backscatter signal, The time offset amount of the delimiter, The length of the preamble of the backscattered signal, The time offset amount of the preamble, Information related to the synchronization of BSC equipment, Information related to the frequency shift that the BSC device performs with respect to the first signal, It includes at least one of the following: target time length, and

[0053] Selectively, in the embodiments of this application, the target time information is specifically for indicating the time period during which the BSC instrument may transmit backscatter signals.

[0054] Selectively, in the embodiments of this application, the above target time information is First time information including at least one of non-periodic transmission mode information and non-periodic transmission time information, It includes one of the following: periodic transmission mode information, a second time information which includes at least one of the transmission period and periodic transmission time information.

[0055] Here, the time information for aperiodic transmission may specifically refer to the time period during which aperiodic transmission is possible. For example, it could be from 4 to 5 a.m. throughout the day.

[0056] The transmission period may specifically be the duration of one transmission period (e.g., a transmission period of 10 milliseconds (ms)), and one period includes the signal transmission time of the backscattered signal (e.g., 5 ms) and the signal non-transmission time (e.g., 5 ms). During the time when the BSC instrument is not transmitting a signal, the BSC instrument can perform energy collection.

[0057] The time information for periodic transmission may specifically refer to the time period during which periodic transmission is possible. For example, which period can the information be transmitted during?

[0058] Selectively, in embodiments of this application, the length of each period within the length of at least one period of the backscatter signal described above may be at least one of the following: the length of a subframe or time slot, the number of symbols contained in one subframe or time slot, etc.

[0059] Selectively, in embodiments of this application, the symbol length of the backscatter signal described above may be the length of time occupied when the BSC instrument transmits a 0 or a 1. For example, one subframe or time slot may be occupied when transmitting a 0 or a 1.

[0060] Selectively, in embodiments of this application, the transmission time of the backscatter signal described above may specifically be the length of the period over which the transmission of the backscatter signal has taken place. As can be understood, the UE needs to buffer the backscatter signal for the transmission time in order to demodulate it.

[0061] Selectively, in the embodiments of this application, the modulation scheme for the backscattered signal described above may be a modulation scheme based on FM0 coding.

[0062] Selectively, in the embodiments of this application, the encoding scheme for the backscattered signal described above may be Miller coding, Manchester coding, FM0 coding, etc. Here, the encoding scheme determines the minimum time granularity of the high-low level conversion within a single symbol.

[0063] In the embodiments of this application, the delimiter is for indicating the start time of the backscatter signal, and the preamble is for the backscatter signal receiving device to perform synchronization or channel estimation.

[0064] Selectively, in the embodiments of this application, the information related to the synchronization of the BSC equipment described above is: The symbol or start time of the time slot of the backscatter signal, The system includes at least one of the following: deviation information between the timing of the BSC device and the target timing, wherein the target timing includes either the timing of the first signal or the timing of the communication device.

[0065] More selectively, in the embodiments of this application, the symbol or start time of the backscatter signal described above may be an absolute time or a relative time.

[0066] For example, assuming a start time of T1, and if this start time is an absolute time, the symbol or start time of the time slot in the backscatter signal will be T1.

[0067] If the start time is a relative time, the start time of the symbol or time slot of the backscatter signal may be a time before (or after) the target time T1, where the target time may be the start time of the symbol or time slot of the first signal.

[0068] Selectively, in the embodiments of this application, the relevant information for which the BSC device performs frequency shifting with respect to the first signal is: Whether or not it supports frequency shift, The central frequency point after the frequency point shift, The bandwidth after shifting the frequency point, and at least one of the following.

[0069] In the embodiment of this application, the target time length is the minimum time length at which the amplitude and phase of the backscattered signal do not change.

[0070] Selectively, in the embodiments of this application, the minimum time length for which the amplitude and phase of the backscatter signal described above do not change may be, specifically, an absolute value or the length of a time unit. Here, the time unit may be any one of a time slot, subframe, symbol, microtime slot, minitime slot, etc.

[0071] For example, the minimum time length for which the amplitude and phase of the backscattered signal do not change may be 1 ms, or the length of the symbols of at least two first signals, or the length of the subframes or time slots of at least two first signals.

[0072] Selectively, in another possible embodiment of the embodiments of this application, the first target information is for indicating whether or not to perform joint channel estimation for the first signal, and the first target information is First instruction information to instruct the UE not to perform joint channel estimation within M time units for the first signal, Second instruction information to instruct the UE to perform joint channel estimation within M time units for the first signal, A third instruction information to indicate that the UE will not perform joint channel estimation of T symbols for the first signal, A fourth instruction information to instruct the UE to perform joint channel estimation of T symbols for the first signal, The UE includes at least one of the following: a fifth instruction information for instructing the UE to perform joint channel estimation within R time units for the first signal.

[0073] In the embodiment of this application, the T symbols are symbols within the same time unit, M and T are both positive integers greater than 1, and R is a decimal greater than 0 and less than 1.

[0074] More selectively, in the embodiments of this application, R may specifically be a decimal greater than 0.5 and less than 1. For example, R may be 0.6 or 0.75, etc.

[0075] In the embodiments of this application, the communication device can pre-set parameters for the BSC device to transmit backscatter signals, or the communication device can obtain in advance the parameters for the BSC device to transmit backscatter signals from other devices (e.g., BSC device, other UE, etc.), thereby enabling the communication device to transmit first target information to the UE based on these parameters. The following describes, with an example, how the communication device obtains the parameters for backscatter signals.

[0076] Selectively, in the embodiments of this application, referring to Figure 6, as shown in Figure 7, the channel estimation method provided in the embodiments of this application may further include the following step 201 prior to step 101.

[0077] In step 201, the communication device receives the second target information from the first device.

[0078] In the embodiments of this application, the second target information is for specifying the parameters on which the BSC device transmits backscatter signals, the first target information is determined based on the second target information, and the first device includes either the BSC device or one of the other UEs.

[0079] In the embodiments of this application, the first target information is determined by the communication device based on the second target information. To understand this, the content indicated by the second target information is a subset or the full set of the content indicated by the first target information.

[0080] More selectively, in the embodiments of this application, if a connection is established between the communication device and the first device, the communication device can receive second target information from the first device.

[0081] Here, if the first instrument includes other UEs, the parameters for which the BSC instrument transmits the backscatter signal are those reported to the other UEs before the BSC instrument transmits the signal.

[0082] More selectively, in the embodiments of this application, the communication equipment may specifically be a base station.

[0083] In the embodiments of this application, since the backscatter signals transmitted by the BSC device may affect the performance of the UE in performing channel estimation, the communication device can receive the parameters transmitted by the BSC device in the backscatter signals from the BSC device (or another UE).

[0084] As can be seen from this, communication equipment can directly receive parameters from BSC equipment (or other UEs) that the BSC equipment transmits in the backscatter signal. In this way, communication equipment can accurately determine the parameters of the backscatter signal or accurately determine whether the UE performs joint channel estimation for the first signal. This allows the UE to accurately determine whether or not to perform joint channel estimation for the first signal, thus avoiding any impact on the UE's channel estimation performance.

[0085] Selectively, in embodiments of the present application, the channel estimation method provided in embodiments of the present application may further include the following step 301 prior to step 201.

[0086] In step 301, the communication device sends a fifth request message to the first device.

[0087] In the embodiment of this application, the fifth request message is for requesting parameters for the BSC instrument to transmit backscatter signals.

[0088] More selectively, in the embodiments of this application, if a connection is established between the communication device and the first device, the communication device may send a fifth request message to the first device.

[0089] As can be seen from this, communication equipment can directly request the parameters that the BSC equipment transmits backscatter signals to the first equipment, thereby avoiding a situation where the BSC equipment (or other UE) is unable to transmit the parameters to the communication equipment due to network problems, and thus avoiding a situation where the communication equipment is unable to obtain the parameters.

[0090] In step 103, the UE decides whether or not to perform joint channel estimation for the first signal based on the first target information.

[0091] Selectively, in the embodiments of this application, after the UE decides whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal, if the UE decides to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal, the UE can further determine a method for performing joint channel estimation based on the first target information and perform joint channel estimation on the first signal using that method.

[0092] It should be explained that in the embodiments of this application (including all embodiments), joint channel estimation primarily refers to interpolation during channel estimation, including time-domain interpolation. For example, channel response or channel state information on a reference signal resource element (RE) at two different time points is obtained by estimating the channel response or channel state information on another RE at those two time points or on an RE at another time point.

[0093] For an explanation of joint channel estimation, please refer to the specific explanation in the relevant technologies, and a detailed explanation is omitted in the embodiments of this application.

[0094] Below, we will explain this in detail using two different examples.

[0095] In Example 1, the first target information is used to specify the parameters on which the BSC instrument transmits backscatter signals.

[0096] Selectively, in the embodiments of this application, the first target information includes the target time length. Specifically, step 103 can be achieved by step 103a below.

[0097] In step 103a, if the target time-frequency resource from which the BSC instrument transmits the backscatter signal overlaps with the time-frequency resource of the first signal, the UE decides to perform joint channel estimation within the target time length.

[0098] In the embodiment of this application, the above-mentioned target time-frequency resource is determined based on the first target information.

[0099] More selectively, in embodiments of this application, the target time-frequency resource may include a first time-domain resource and a first frequency-domain resource, where the first time-domain resource is for indicating the time period during which the BSC instrument may transmit backscatter signals.

[0100] It should be explained that the aforementioned "overlap between the target time-frequency resource and the time-frequency resource of the first signal" can be understood as either a complete overlap or a partial overlap. This is not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0101] To make it easier to understand, if the time period during which the BSC instrument can transmit backscatter signals overlaps with the time-domain resources of the first signal, and the frequency-domain resources for which the BSC instrument transmits backscatter signals overlap with the frequency-domain resources of the first signal, the UE decides to perform joint channel estimation.

[0102] In the embodiment of this application, when the target time-frequency resource from which the BSC device transmits the backscatter signal overlaps with the time-frequency resource of the first signal, it is thought that a problem may occur in which the amplitude of the signal becomes discontinuous when joint channel estimation is performed on the first signal. Therefore, in order to avoid the influence of the backscatter signal on the joint channel estimation and to avoid the problem of the amplitude of the signal becoming discontinuous, the UE performs joint channel estimation within the minimum time length in which the amplitude and phase of the backscatter signal do not change.

[0103] As can be seen from this, when the target time-frequency resource from which the BSC instrument transmits the backscatter signal overlaps with the time-frequency resource of the first signal, the UE can perform joint channel estimation within the target time length. This avoids the problem of discontinuous signal amplitude and thus avoids affecting the performance of channel estimation.

[0104] Selectively, in the embodiments of this application, step 103a can be specifically implemented by step 103a1 described below.

[0105] In step 103a1, if the target time-frequency resource from which the BSC instrument transmits the backscatter signal overlaps with the time-frequency resource of the first signal, and the target time length is greater than or equal to the length of N time units of the first signal, the UE decides to perform joint channel estimation within N time units within the target time length.

[0106] In the embodiments of this application, N is a positive integer.

[0107] More selectively, in the embodiments of this application, N may specifically be 1.

[0108] More selectively, in the embodiments of this application, the time unit may specifically be a time slot or a subframe.

[0109] In the embodiment of this application, when the target time length is greater than or equal to the length of N time units of the first signal, the amplitude and phase of the backscattered signal do not change within the length of N time units. That is, within N time units, the joint channel estimation for the first signal is not affected by the backscattered signal. For this reason, the UE can perform joint channel estimation within N time units.

[0110] To make it easier to understand, the UE can determine a method for performing joint channel estimation based on the target time length and the length of the time unit of the first signal.

[0111] Selectively, in the embodiments of this application, step 103a1 may be further replaced with step 103a2 below.

[0112] In step 103a2, if the target time-frequency resource from which the BSC instrument transmits the backscatter signal overlaps with the time-frequency resource of the first signal, and the target time length is less than the length of N time units of the first signal, the UE decides not to perform joint channel estimation within N time units within the target time length.

[0113] More selectively, in the embodiments of this application, if the target time length is less than the length of N time units of the first signal and greater than or equal to the length of X time units of the first signal, the UE may decide to perform joint channel estimation within X time units within the target time length, where X is a positive integer less than N.

[0114] In the embodiments of this application, when the target time length is less than the length of N time units of the first signal, the amplitude and phase of the backscattered signal may change within the length of N time units. That is, within N time units, the joint channel estimation for the first signal may be affected by the backscattered signal. For this reason, the UE does not need to perform joint channel estimation within N time units.

[0115] Selectively, in the embodiments of this application, if the target time-frequency resource from which the BSC instrument transmits the backscatter signal does not overlap with the time-frequency resource of the first signal, the UE decides to perform joint channel estimation for the first signal.

[0116] In the embodiments of this application, if the target time-frequency resource from which the BSC device transmits the backscatter signal does not overlap with the time-frequency resource of the first signal, the backscatter signal is not considered to affect the performance of joint channel estimation for the first signal, and therefore the UE can directly perform joint channel estimation on the first signal.

[0117] In Example 2, the first target information is used to indicate whether or not to perform joint channel estimation for the first signal.

[0118] Selectively, in embodiments of this application, step 103 can be implemented by, specifically, step 103b, step 103c, step 103d, step 103e, or step 103f as described below.

[0119] In step 103b, if the first target information includes the first instruction information, the UE decides not to perform joint channel estimation within M time units for the first signal.

[0120] In step 103c, if the first target information includes the second instruction information, the UE decides to perform a joint channel estimation within M time units for the first signal.

[0121] In step 103d, if the first target information includes the third indicator information, the UE decides not to perform joint channel estimation of T symbols for the first signal.

[0122] In step 103e, if the first target information includes the fourth indicator information, the UE decides to perform a joint channel estimation of T symbols for the first signal.

[0123] In step 103f, if the first target information includes the fifth instruction information, the UE decides to perform a joint channel estimation within R time units for the first signal.

[0124] To make it easier to understand, the UE may or may not perform joint channel estimation in a manner indicated by the first target information for the first signal.

[0125] In the channel estimation method provided in the embodiments of this application, the UE can receive first target information from a communication device for indicating the parameters on which the BSC device transmits a backscatter signal (or whether to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal), the backscatter signal being obtained by the BSC device modulating the first signal, and thereby the UE can decide whether to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal based on the first target information. Rather than directly performing joint channel estimation on the first signal, the UE can decide whether to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal based on the parameters on which the BSC device transmits a backscatter signal (or whether to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal) indicated by the communication device, so that the joint channel estimation performed by the UE on the first signal is not affected by the backscatter signal associated with the first signal, thereby avoiding an impact on the performance of channel estimation, and thus improving the performance of the UE in demodulating high-frequency signals.

[0126] In the embodiments of this application, the UE can receive first target information from the communication device in a variety of different cases, specifically as follows:

[0127] Case 1 If a connection is established with the communication device, the UE can directly receive the first target information from the communication device.

[0128] Case 2 The UE can send a request to the communication equipment, which in turn can send first target information to the UE. In the following example, the first target information is used to specify the parameters on which the BSC equipment transmits backscatter signals.

[0129] Selectively, in the embodiments of this application, referring to Figure 6, as shown in Figure 8, the channel estimation method provided in the embodiments of this application may further include the following steps 401 and 402 prior to step 101.

[0130] In step 401, the UE sends a first request message to the communication device.

[0131] In step 402, the communication device receives the first request message from the UE.

[0132] In the embodiment of this application, the first request message is for requesting parameters for the BSC instrument to transmit backscatter signals.

[0133] To make it clear, communication equipment can transmit the first target information directly to the UE based on the first request message.

[0134] Selectively, in embodiments of the present application, the channel estimation method provided in embodiments of the present application may further include the following step 501 prior to step 401.

[0135] In step 501, if the UE determines that the received signal is associated with a backscattered signal, the UE sends a first request message to the communication equipment.

[0136] More selectively, in embodiments of the present application, the UE can detect the received signal and determine whether periodic discontinuities (e.g., periodic jumps) have occurred in different time units (e.g., different time slots) in the amplitude of the signal, and whether the signal is associated with a backscattered signal. If periodic discontinuities (e.g., periodic jumps) have occurred in different time units (e.g., different time slots) in the amplitude of the signal, it can be determined that the signal is associated with a backscattered signal, i.e., the BSC instrument modulated its own information into the signal.

[0137] In the embodiments of this application, if the UE determines that the received signal is associated with a backscattered signal, the joint channel estimation for the first signal may be affected by the backscattered signal associated with the first signal, which may affect the UE's ability to perform channel estimation. For this reason, the UE can request the communication equipment to specify the parameters on which the BSC equipment transmits the backscattered signal.

[0138] It should be explained that the first target information is used to indicate whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal, as can be seen from the explanation in the above embodiment. A detailed explanation is omitted in the embodiments of this application.

[0139] Case 3 The UE can, in response to a request from the communication device, detect whether the UE meets a pre-set condition (for example, whether the signal received by the UE is associated with a backscatter signal), and if it is determined that the signal received by the UE is associated with a backscatter signal, the UE can send a request to the communication device, which in turn can send first target information to the UE. In the following explanation, the first target information will be used as an example to specify the parameters on which the BSC device transmits the backscatter signal.

[0140] Selectively, as shown in Figure 9, with reference to Figure 6, the channel estimation method provided in the embodiment of this application may further include steps 601 to 603 below prior to step 101, and step 101 can specifically be achieved by step 101a below.

[0141] In step 601, the communication device sends a second request message to the UE.

[0142] In step 602, the UE receives a second request message from the communication device.

[0143] In the embodiment of this application, the second request message is to request the UE to determine whether the received signal is associated with a backscattered signal.

[0144] It should be noted that the explanation of how the UE determines whether the received signal is associated with the backscattered signal can be found in the specific explanation in the above embodiment. Detailed explanation is omitted in the embodiments of this application.

[0145] Selectively, in the embodiments of this application, the second request message is: A third request message for requesting the UE to determine whether a signal received on a target resource is associated with a backscattered signal, wherein the third request message includes at least one of a target time-domain resource and a target frequency-domain resource, A fourth request message for requesting the UE to determine whether or not target sequence information has been received, the fourth request message including at least one of which the target sequence information is associated with a BSC instrument identifier or with a scrambled sequence of backscatter signals.

[0146] More selectively, in the embodiments of this application, the identifier of the BSC device may specifically be the device digital identifier (Identity Document, ID) of the BSC device.

[0147] In step 603, if the UE determines that the received signal is associated with the backscattered signal, the UE sends a first feedback message to the communication equipment.

[0148] In the embodiment of this application, the first feedback message is intended to indicate that the signal received by the UE is associated with the backscatter signal.

[0149] In the embodiment of this application, the first target information is transmitted when the communication device receives the first feedback message.

[0150] In step 101a, if the communication device receives a first feedback message from the UE, it transmits the first target information to the UE.

[0151] It should be explained that the first target information is used to indicate whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal, as can be seen from the explanation in the above embodiment. A detailed explanation is omitted in the embodiments of this application.

[0152] As can be seen from this, the UE can determine, at the request of the communication equipment, whether the signal received by the UE is associated with a backscattered signal. This allows the communication equipment to transmit primary target information to the UE only if the UE has determined that the received signal is associated with a backscattered signal, enabling the UE to decide whether or not to perform joint channel estimation, thereby reducing the UE's power consumption.

[0153] In the channel estimation method provided in the embodiments of this application, the implementing entity may be a UE (or communication device). In the embodiments of this application, the channel estimation method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described using the example that a UE (or communication device) performs the channel estimation method.

[0154] Figure 10 shows one possible schematic configuration of a channel estimation device according to an embodiment of the present application. This channel estimation device is a first channel estimation device. As shown in Figure 10, the first channel estimation device 60 may include a receiving module 61 and a determination module 62.

[0155] Here, the receiving module 61 is used to receive first target information from the second channel estimation device, which is used to indicate the parameters for which the BSC device transmits a backscatter signal, or whether or not to perform joint channel estimation for the first signal. The decision module 62 is used to determine whether or not to perform joint channel estimation for the first signal based on the first target information received by the receiving module 61. Here, the backscatter signal is obtained by the BSC device modulating the first signal.

[0156] In one possible implementation, the first target information specifies the parameters for which the BSC device transmits the backscatter signal, and the parameters for which the BSC device transmits the backscatter signal include at least one of the following: target time information for specifying the time information for which the BSC device transmits the backscatter signal; the length of at least one period of the backscatter signal; the length of the symbol of the backscatter signal; the transmission time length of the backscatter signal; the modulation scheme of the backscatter signal; the encoding scheme of the backscatter signal; the length of the delimiter of the backscatter signal; the time offset amount of the delimiter; the length of the preamble of the backscatter signal; the time offset amount of the preamble; information relating to the synchronization of the BSC device; information relating to the frequency shift of the BSC device relative to the first signal; and the target time length. Here, the delimiter specifies the start time of the backscatter signal, and the target time length is the minimum time length for which the amplitude and phase of the backscatter signal do not change.

[0157] In one possible implementation, the target time information includes one of the following: first time information including at least one of aperiodic transmission mode information and aperiodic transmission time information; and second time information including at least one of periodic transmission mode information, transmission period, and periodic transmission time information.

[0158] In one possible implementation, the information relating to the synchronization of the BSC instrument described above includes at least one of the symbols or start time of the backscatter signal and deviation information between the timing of the BSC instrument and the target timing, wherein the target timing includes one of the timing of the first signal and the timing of the second channel estimation device.

[0159] In one possible implementation, the relevant information for the BSC device to perform frequency shifting with respect to the first signal includes at least one of whether or not it supports frequency shifting, the central frequency point after the frequency point shift, and the bandwidth after the frequency point shift.

[0160] In one possible implementation, the first target information includes a target time length, and the determination module 62 is specifically used to determine whether to perform joint channel estimation within the target time length if the target time-frequency resource from which the BSC instrument transmits the backscatter signal overlaps with the time-frequency resource of the first signal. Here, the target time-frequency resource is determined based on the first target information.

[0161] In one possible implementation, the decision module 62 is specifically used to determine whether to perform joint channel estimation within N time units within the target time length if the target time length is greater than or equal to the length of N time units of the first signal. The decision module 62 is further used to determine whether to perform joint channel estimation within N time units within the target time length if the target time length is less than the length of N time units of the first signal, where N is a positive integer.

[0162] In one possible implementation, the first target information is for indicating whether or not to perform joint channel estimation for the first signal, and the first target information includes at least one of the following: first instruction information for indicating that the first channel estimation device 60 will not perform joint channel estimation for M time units for the first signal; second instruction information for indicating that the first channel estimation device 60 will perform joint channel estimation for M time units for the first signal; third instruction information for indicating that the first channel estimation device 60 will not perform joint channel estimation for T symbols for the first signal; fourth instruction information for indicating that the first channel estimation device 60 will perform joint channel estimation for T symbols for the first signal; and fifth instruction information for indicating that the first channel estimation device 60 will perform joint channel estimation for R time units for the first signal. Here, the T symbols are symbols within the same time unit, M and T are both positive integers greater than 1, and R is a decimal greater than 0 and less than 1.

[0163] In one possible implementation, the decision module 62 is specifically used to determine whether to perform joint channel estimation within M time units for the first signal if the first target information includes first instruction information, or to perform joint channel estimation within M time units for the first signal if the first target information includes second instruction information, or to determine whether to perform joint channel estimation of T symbols for the first signal if the first target information includes third instruction information, or to perform joint channel estimation of T symbols for the first signal if the first target information includes fourth instruction information, or to perform joint channel estimation within R time units for the first signal if the first target information includes fifth instruction information.

[0164] In one possible implementation, the second channel estimation device includes one of the following: a base station, a BSC device, or another channel estimation device.

[0165] In one possible implementation, the first target information is determined by the second channel estimation device based on the second target information. Here, the second target information is for specifying the parameters on which the BSC device transmits the backscatter signal, and the second target information is transmitted from the first device to the second channel estimation device, the first device including either a BSC device or another channel estimation device.

[0166] In one possible implementation, the first channel estimation device further includes a transmitting module, which is used to transmit a first request message to a second channel estimation device, the first request message for requesting parameters for the BSC device to transmit backscatter signals.

[0167] In one possible implementation, the transmission module is specifically used to transmit a first request message to a second channel estimator when the first channel estimator 60 determines that the received signal is associated with a backscattered signal.

[0168] In one possible implementation, the receiving module 61 is further used to receive a second request message from a second channel estimation device, the second request message requesting the first channel estimation device 60 to determine whether the received signal is associated with a backscattered signal, and, if the first channel estimation device 60 determines that the received signal is associated with a backscattered signal, to send a first feedback message to the second channel estimation device, the first feedback message instructing the first channel estimation device 60 that the received signal is associated with a backscattered signal. Here, the first target information is transmitted by the second channel estimation device when it receives the first feedback message.

[0169] In one possible implementation, the second request message includes at least one of the following: a third request message for requesting the first channel estimator 60 to determine whether a signal received on a target resource is associated with a backscattered signal, wherein the target resource includes at least one of a target time-domain resource and a target frequency-domain resource; and a fourth request message for requesting the first channel estimator 60 to determine whether target array information has been received, wherein the target array information is associated with an identifier of a BSC device or with a scrambled array of backscattered signals.

[0170] In the channel estimation device provided in the embodiment of this application, the channel estimation device is a first channel estimation device, and the first channel estimation device does not directly perform joint channel estimation on the first signal, but rather can decide whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal based on the parameters (or whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal) that the BSC device transmits backscatter signals to, as instructed by the second channel estimation device. Therefore, the joint channel estimation performed by the first channel estimation device on the first signal can avoid being affected by the backscatter signals associated with the first signal, thereby avoiding an impact on the performance of channel estimation, and thus the performance of the first channel estimation device in demodulating high-frequency signals can be improved.

[0171] The first channel estimation device in the embodiments of this application may be an electronic device, such as an electronic device equipped with an operating system, or a component of an electronic device, such as an integrated circuit or a chip. The electronic device may be a terminal or other device. Exemplarily, a terminal may include, but is not limited to, the types of terminals 11 listed above, and other devices may be a server, network attached storage (NAS), etc. The embodiments of this application are not specifically limited.

[0172] The first channel estimation apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application can implement each process realized in the method embodiments of Figures 6 to 9 and achieve the same technical effects. Detailed explanations are omitted here to avoid repetition.

[0173] Figure 11 shows one possible schematic configuration of a channel estimation device according to an embodiment of the present application. This channel estimation device is a second channel estimation device. As shown in Figure 11, the second channel estimation device 70 may include a transmission module 71.

[0174] Here, the transmitting module 71 is used to transmit first target information to the first channel estimation device, which is used to indicate the parameters for which the BSC device transmits the backscatter signal, or whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal. Here, the backscatter signal is obtained by the BSC device modulating the first signal, and the first target information is used by the first channel estimation device to determine whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal.

[0175] In one possible implementation, the second channel estimation device 70 further includes a receiving module, which is used to receive second target information from the first device, where the second target information is for specifying the parameters on which the BSC device transmits backscatter signals, the first target information is determined based on the second target information, and the first device includes either the BSC device or another channel estimation device.

[0176] In one possible implementation, the transmitting module 71 is further used to transmit a fifth request message to the first device, which requests parameters for the BSC device to transmit backscatter signals.

[0177] In one possible implementation, the transmitting module 71 is further used to transmit a second request message to the first channel estimator, which requests the first channel estimator to determine whether the received signal is associated with a backscattered signal. Specifically, the transmitting module 71 is used to transmit first target information to the first channel estimator when the second channel estimator 70 receives a first feedback message from the first channel estimator, where the first feedback message indicates that the signal received by the first channel estimator is associated with a backscattered signal.

[0178] In the channel estimation device provided in the embodiment of this application, the channel estimation device is a second channel estimation device, and the first channel estimation device does not directly perform joint channel estimation on the first signal, but rather can decide whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal based on the parameters (or whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal) that the BSC device transmits backscatter signals to, as instructed by the second channel estimation device. Therefore, the joint channel estimation performed by the first channel estimation device on the first signal can avoid being affected by the backscatter signals associated with the first signal, thereby avoiding an impact on the performance of channel estimation, and thus the performance of the first channel estimation device in demodulating high-frequency signals can be improved.

[0179] The second channel estimation device in the embodiments of this application may be an electronic device, such as an electronic device equipped with an operating system, or a component of an electronic device, such as an integrated circuit or a chip. The electronic device may be a terminal or other device. Exemplarily, a terminal may include, but is not limited to, the types of terminals 11 listed above, and other devices may be a server, network attached storage (NAS), etc. The embodiments of this application are not specifically limited.

[0180] The second channel estimation apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application can implement each process realized in the method embodiments of Figures 6 to 9 and achieve the same technical effects. Detailed explanations are omitted here to avoid repetition.

[0181] Selectively, in the embodiments of this application, as shown in Figure 12, the embodiments of this application further provide a communication device 80. The communication device includes a processor 81 and a memory 82, the memory 82 storing a program or command executable by the processor 81. For example, if the communication device 80 is a terminal, when the program or command is executed by the processor 81, each step of the embodiment of the channel estimation method described above is realized and the same technical effect is achieved. If the communication device 80 is a network-side device, when the program or command is executed by the processor 81, each step of the embodiment of the channel estimation method described above is realized and the same technical effect is achieved. Detailed explanations are omitted here to avoid repetition.

[0182] Embodiments of this application further provide a terminal. The terminal includes a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface used to receive first target information from a communication device, the first target information being parameters for which a BSC device transmits a backscatter signal, or for indicating whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on a first signal, and the processor used to determine whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on a first signal based on the first target information. Here, the backscatter signal is obtained by the BSC device modulating the first signal. Embodiments of the terminal correspond to the above-described method embodiment on the terminal side, and each implementation process and realization form of the above-described method embodiment can be applied to embodiments of the terminal and achieve the same technical effects. Specifically, Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the hardware configuration of a terminal realizing an embodiment of this application.

[0183] The terminal 100 includes, but is not limited to, at least some of the following components: a high-frequency unit 101, a network module 102, an audio output unit 103, an input unit 104, a sensor 105, a display unit 106, a user input unit 107, an interface unit 108, a memory 109, and a processor 110.

[0184] As those skilled in the art will understand, terminal 100 may further include a power supply (e.g., a battery) to power each component, and the power supply is logically connected to processor 110 via a power management system, and the power management system can further implement functions such as charge / discharge management and power consumption management. The configuration of the terminal shown in Figure 13 is not limiting to the terminal, and the terminal may include more or fewer components than shown, or combinations of some components, or different component arrangements, and a detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0185] In the embodiments of this application, it should be understood that the input unit 104 may include a graphics processing unit (GPU) 1041 and a microphone 1042 that process still images or video image data acquired by an image capture device (e.g., a camera) in video capture mode or image capture mode. The display unit 106 may include a display panel 1061, which may be arranged in the form of a liquid crystal display, organic light-emitting diode, etc. The user input unit 107 includes at least one of a touch panel 1071 and other input devices 1072. The touch panel 1071 is also called a touch panel. The touch panel 1071 may include two parts: a touch detection device and a touch controller. The other input devices 1072 may include, but are not limited to, a physical keyboard, function buttons (e.g., volume control buttons, switch buttons, etc.), a trackball, a mouse, or an operating lever. A detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0186] In the embodiments of this application, the high-frequency unit 101 can receive downlink data from network-side equipment and then transmit it to the processor 110 for processing. The high-frequency unit 101 can also transmit uplink data to network-side equipment. Typically, the high-frequency unit 101 includes, but is not limited to, an antenna, amplifier, transmitter / receiver, coupler, low-noise amplifier, duplexer, etc.

[0187] Memory 109 can be used to store software programs or commands and various data. Memory 109 may mainly include a first storage area for storing programs or commands and a second storage area for storing data, which are capable of storing an operating system, applications or commands necessary for at least one function (e.g., audio playback function, image playback function, etc.). Memory 109 may also include volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or it may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. Here, non-volatile memory may be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (Erasable PROM, EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (Electrically EPROM, EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory may be Random Access Memory (RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (DDRSDRAM), Enhanced Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (ESDRAM), Synch-link Dynamic Random Access Memory (SLDRAM), and Direct Rambus Random Access Memory (DRRAM). The memory 109 in the embodiments of this application includes, but is not limited to, these memories and any other suitable memories.

[0188] The processor 110 may include one or more processing units, and optionally, the processor 110 may integrate an application processor that primarily handles operations related to the operating system, user interface, and applications, and a modem processor that primarily handles wireless communication signals, such as a baseband processor. It is understood that the modem processor does not necessarily have to be integrated into the processor 110.

[0189] Here, the high-frequency unit 101 is used to receive first target information from a communication device, which is used to indicate the parameters for which the BSC device transmits backscatter signals, or whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal.

[0190] The processor 110 is used to determine whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal based on the first target information.

[0191] Here, the backscatter signal mentioned above is obtained by the BSC instrument modulating the first signal.

[0192] In the terminal provided in the embodiment of this application, the terminal does not directly perform joint channel estimation on the first signal, but rather can decide whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal based on the parameters (or whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal) that the BSC equipment transmits backscatter signals to, as instructed by the communication equipment. Therefore, the joint channel estimation performed by the terminal on the first signal can be avoided to be affected by the backscatter signals associated with the first signal, thereby avoiding an impact on the performance of channel estimation, and thus the performance of the terminal in demodulating high-frequency signals can be improved.

[0193] Selectively, in the embodiments of this application, the first target information includes the target time length.

[0194] Specifically, the processor 110 is used to determine whether to perform joint channel estimation within the target time length when the target time-frequency resource from which the BSC instrument transmits the backscatter signal overlaps with the time-frequency resource of the first signal.

[0195] Here, the above target time-frequency resources were determined based on the first target information.

[0196] As can be seen from this, when the target time-frequency resource from which the BSC device transmits the backscatter signal overlaps with the time-frequency resource of the first signal, the terminal can perform joint channel estimation within the target time length. This avoids the problem of discontinuous signal amplitude and thus avoids affecting the performance of channel estimation.

[0197] Selectively, in embodiments of the present application, the processor 110 is used to determine whether to perform joint channel estimation within N time units within the target time length if the target time length is greater than or equal to the length of N time units of the first signal.

[0198] The processor 110 is further used to determine whether to perform joint channel estimation within N time units within the target time length if the target time length is less than the length of N time units of the first signal.

[0199] Here, N is a positive integer.

[0200] Selectively, in embodiments of the present application, the processor 110 is used to determine whether to perform joint channel estimation within M time units for a first signal if the first target information includes first instruction information, or to perform joint channel estimation within M time units for a first signal if the first target information includes second instruction information, or to determine whether to perform joint channel estimation of T symbols for a first signal if the first target information includes third instruction information, or to perform joint channel estimation of T symbols for a first signal if the first target information includes fourth instruction information, or to perform joint channel estimation within R time units for a first signal if the first target information includes fifth instruction information.

[0201] Selectively, in embodiments of the present application, the high-frequency unit 101 is further used to transmit a first request message to a communication device, the first request message for requesting parameters for the BSC device to transmit backscatter signals.

[0202] Selectively, in embodiments of this application, the high-frequency unit 101 is used to transmit a first request message to a communication device when it is determined by the terminal that the received signal is associated with a backscattered signal.

[0203] Selectively, in embodiments of the present application, the high-frequency unit 101 is further used to receive a second request message from a communication device, the second request message requesting a terminal to determine whether a received signal is associated with a backscatter signal, and, if the terminal determines that the received signal is associated with a backscatter signal, to transmit a first feedback message to the communication device, the first feedback message indicating that the terminal has determined that the received signal is associated with a backscatter signal.

[0204] Here, the above-mentioned first target information is transmitted by the communication device when it receives the first feedback message.

[0205] Embodiments of this application further provide a network-side device. The network-side device includes a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface used to transmit first target information to a terminal, the first target information being for parameters to which the BSC device transmits a backscatter signal, or for indicating whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal. Here, the backscatter signal is obtained by the BSC device modulating the first signal, and the first target information is for the terminal to determine whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal. Embodiments of the network-side device correspond to method embodiments of the network-side device, and each implementation process and embodiment of the method embodiment can be applied to embodiments of the network-side device and achieve the same technical effects.

[0206] Specifically, embodiments of this application further provide network-side equipment. As shown in Figure 14, the network-side equipment 200 includes an antenna 201, a high-frequency device 202, a baseband device 203, a processor 204, and a memory 205. The antenna 201 is connected to the high-frequency device 202. In the uplink direction, the high-frequency device 202 receives information via the antenna 201 and transmits the received information to the baseband device 203 for processing. In the downlink direction, the baseband device 203 processes the transmitted information and transmits it to the high-frequency device 202, which processes the received information and then transmits it via the antenna 201.

[0207] The method performed by the network-side equipment in the above embodiment can be implemented by the baseband device 203, which includes a baseband processor.

[0208] The baseband device 203 may include, for example, at least one baseband board on which multiple chips are installed, as shown in Figure 14, one of which is a baseband processor that is connected to a memory 205 via a bus interface and calls a program in the memory 205 to perform operations on the network-side equipment shown in the above embodiment of the method.

[0209] The network-side device may further include a network interface 206, which is, for example, a common public radio interface (CPRI).

[0210] Specifically, the network-side device 200 in the embodiment of the present invention further includes commands or programs stored in memory 205 and executable by processor 204, the processor 204 calling the commands or programs in memory 205 and executing the same method as shown in Figure 11, and the same technical effect is achieved. Detailed explanations are omitted here to avoid repetition.

[0211] Embodiments of this application further provide a readable storage medium. A program or command is stored in the readable storage medium, and when the program or command is executed by a processor, each process of the embodiment of the channel estimation method described above is realized, and the same technical effects can be achieved. Detailed explanations are omitted here to avoid repetition.

[0212] Here, the processor is the processor in the terminal described in the above embodiment. The readable storage medium includes a computer-readable storage medium such as a computer read-only memory ROM, a random access memory RAM, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0213] Embodiments of this application further provide a chip, which includes a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface and the processor are coupled, and the processor is used to execute a program or command and implement each process of the embodiment of the channel estimation method described above, and can achieve the same technical effects. Detailed explanations are omitted here to avoid repetition.

[0214] It should be understood that the chips referred to in the embodiments of this application may also be called system-level chips, system chips, chip systems, or system-on-a-chip, etc.

[0215] Embodiments of this application further provide a computer program / program product. The computer program / program product is stored in a storage medium and is executed by at least one processor to implement each process of the embodiment of the channel estimation method described above, and can achieve the same technical effects. Detailed explanations are omitted here to avoid repetition.

[0216] Embodiments of this application further provide a channel estimation system, which includes a terminal that can be used to perform the steps of the channel estimation method described above, and a network-side device that can be used to perform the steps of the channel estimation method described above.

[0217] It should be noted that, in this specification, the terms “including,” “consisting of,” or any other variation thereof are intended to include non-exclusive inclusion, thereby meaning that a process, method, article, or apparatus containing a set of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not explicitly stated, or elements specific to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Unless otherwise specified, an element limited by the phrase “including one…” does not preclude the existence of other identical elements in a process, method, article, or apparatus containing that element. It should also be noted that the scope of the methods and apparatus in embodiments of this application is not limited to performing functions in the order illustrated or discussed, but may also include performing functions substantially simultaneously or in reverse order depending on the function, for example, the described method may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Furthermore, features described by reference to one example may be combined in other examples.

[0218] From the above description of the embodiments, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented in the form of a combination of software and a necessary common hardware platform, although they may, of course, be implemented in hardware, but in many cases the former is a more preferred embodiment. Based on this view, the technical solutions of the present application can be implemented substantially or in part in the form of a computer software product, which is stored in a storage medium (e.g., ROM / RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk) and includes a plurality of commands that cause a terminal (which may be a mobile phone, computer, server, air conditioner, or network-side equipment, etc.) to execute the methods of each embodiment of the present application.

[0219] Although embodiments of this application have been described above with reference to the drawings, this application is not limited to the above-described specific embodiments. The above-described specific embodiments are merely illustrative and not limiting. Many forms that a person skilled in the art could make based on the suggestions of this application without departing from the spirit of this application and the scope of protection of the claims are all within the scope of protection of this application.

[0220] (Cross-reference of related applications) This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on December 27, 2021, with application number 202111619639.4, titled "Channel Estimation Method, Apparatus, Terminal, Network-Side Equipment and Medium," and all its contents are incorporated into this application by reference.

Claims

1. A step in which a user device UE receives first target information from a communication device, wherein the first target information is for indicating parameters on which a backscatter communication BSC device transmits a backscatter signal; The step includes determining whether the UE will perform joint channel estimation for the first signal based on the first target information, The backscatter signal is obtained by the BSC device modulating the first signal. The parameters for which the BSC device transmits the backscatter signal are: Including the target time length, The target time length is the minimum time length at which the amplitude and phase of the backscattered signal do not change. The minimum time length is the absolute value or the length of the time unit. The first target information includes the target time length, The step of determining whether the UE will perform the joint channel estimation on the first signal based on the first target information is: If the BSC device transmits the backscatter signal and the BSC device transmits the backscatter signal, the UE decides to perform the joint channel estimation within the target time length, the step includes: The aforementioned target time-frequency resource is determined based on the first target information. Channel estimation method.

2. The parameters for which the BSC device transmits the backscatter signal are: The BSC device transmits the backscatter signal, and the target time information is provided. The length of at least one period of the backscatter signal, The transmission time length of the backscatter signal, The modulation method of the backscattered signal, The symbol length of the backscattered signal and, The encoding method for the backscattered signal, The length of the preamble of the backscattered signal, The time offset amount of the preamble, Information related to the synchronization of the BSC equipment, The BSC device performs frequency shifting on the first signal and related information, Further including at least one of the following: The channel estimation method according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned target time information is, First time information including at least one of non-periodic transmission mode information and non-periodic transmission time information, A second time information that includes at least one of periodic transmission mode information, transmission period, and periodic transmission time information, and one of the following: The channel estimation method according to claim 2.

4. The information related to the synchronization of the BSC equipment is: The symbol or start time of the time slot of the backscattered signal, The system includes at least one of the following: the timing of the BSC device and the deviation information between the timing and the target timing, wherein the target timing includes either the timing of the first signal or the timing of the communication device. The timing of the BSC device includes the start and end times when the BSC device transmits or receives signals. The timing of the first signal includes the start time and end time of the first signal. The timing of the communication device includes the start time and end time when the communication device transmits or receives a signal. The deviation information between the timing of the BSC device and the target timing includes the time deviation between the timing of the BSC device and the target timing. The channel estimation method according to claim 2.

5. The relevant information for which the BSC device performs frequency shifting with respect to the first signal is: Whether or not it supports frequency shift, The central frequency point after the frequency point shift, The bandwidth after shifting the frequency point, and at least one of the following: The channel estimation method according to claim 2.

6. The step in which the UE decides to perform the joint channel estimation within the target time length is: If the target time length is greater than or equal to the length of N time units of the first signal, the UE decides to perform the joint channel estimation within the N time units within the target time length, The channel estimation method described above is: If the target time length is less than the length of the N time units of the first signal, the UE further includes the step of deciding not to perform the joint channel estimation within the N time units within the target time length. The channel estimation method according to claim 1, wherein N is a positive integer.

7. The aforementioned communication equipment includes one of the following: a base station, the aforementioned BSC equipment, or another UE. The first target information is determined by the communication device based on the second target information. The second target information is for specifying the parameters on which the BSC device transmits the backscatter signal, and the second target information is transmitted from the first device to the communication device, the first device includes either the BSC device or one of the other UEs. The channel estimation method according to claim 1.

8. Before the UE receives the first target information from the communication equipment, the channel estimation method The channel estimation method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of the UE transmitting a first request message to the communication device, the first request message being for requesting parameters for the BSC device to transmit the backscatter signal.

9. The step of the UE sending a first request message to the communication device is: The channel estimation method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of the UE transmitting the first request message to the communication device if the UE determines that the received signal is associated with the backscattered signal.

10. Before the UE receives the first target information from the communication equipment, the channel estimation method The step of the UE receiving a second request message from the communication device, wherein the second request message requests the UE to determine whether the received signal is associated with the backscattered signal, If the UE determines that the received signal is associated with the backscattered signal, the UE further includes the step of transmitting a first feedback message to the communication device, wherein the first feedback message is for indicating that the signal received by the UE is associated with the backscattered signal. The first target information is transmitted by the communication device when it receives the first feedback message. The second request message is, A third request message for requesting the UE to determine whether a signal received on a target resource is associated with the backscattered signal, the third request message comprising the target resource including at least one of a target time-domain resource and a target frequency-domain resource, A fourth request message for requesting the UE to determine whether or not target sequence information has been received, comprising at least one of the following: a fourth request message in which the target sequence information is associated with the identifier of the BSC device, or a fourth request message associated with the scrambled sequence of the backscatter signal, The channel estimation method according to claim 1.

11. The process includes the step of a communication device transmitting first target information to a UE, wherein the first target information is for specifying parameters on which a BSC device transmits backscatter signals. The aforementioned backscatter signal is obtained by the BSC device modulating the first signal. The first target information is used by the UE to determine whether or not to perform joint channel estimation on the first signal. The parameters for which the BSC device transmits the backscatter signal are: Including the target time length, The target time length is the minimum time length at which the amplitude and phase of the backscattered signal do not change. The minimum time length is the absolute value or the length of the time unit. The first target information includes the target time length, The step of determining whether the UE will perform the joint channel estimation on the first signal based on the first target information is: If the BSC device transmits the backscatter signal and the BSC device transmits the backscatter signal, the UE decides to perform the joint channel estimation within the target time length, the step includes: The aforementioned target time-frequency resource is determined based on the first target information. Channel estimation method.

12. Prior to the step in which the communication device transmits the first target information to the UE, the channel estimation method: The communication device further includes the step of receiving second target information from the first device, The second target information is for specifying the parameters on which the BSC device transmits the backscatter signal, and the first target information is determined based on the second target information. The channel estimation method according to claim 11, wherein the first device includes one of the BSC device and other UEs.

13. Prior to the step in which the communication device receives the second target information from the first device, the channel estimation method: The channel estimation method according to claim 12, further comprising the step of the communication device transmitting a fifth request message to the first device, the fifth request message being for requesting parameters for the BSC device to transmit the backscatter signal.

14. Prior to the step in which the communication device transmits the first target information to the UE, the channel estimation method: The step further includes the communication device transmitting a second request message to the UE, the second request message requesting the UE to determine whether the received signal is associated with the backscattered signal. The step of the communication device transmitting the first target information to the UE is: When the communication device receives a first feedback message from the UE, the communication device includes the step of transmitting the first target information to the UE. The channel estimation method according to claim 11, wherein the first feedback message is for indicating that the signal received by the UE is associated with the backscatter signal.

15. A terminal comprising a processor and memory, wherein a program or command executable by the processor is stored in the memory, and when the program or command is executed by the processor, the steps of the channel estimation method described in any one of claims 1 to 14 are realized.

16. A network-side device comprising a processor and memory, wherein a program or command executable by the processor is stored in the memory, and when the program or command is executed by the processor, the steps of the channel estimation method described in any one of claims 11 to 14 are realized.

17. A readable storage medium storing a program or command that, when executed by a processor, realizes the steps of the channel estimation method described in any one of claims 1 to 14.

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