Signal transmission method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a signal transmission method and apparatus, which can be applied to the communication field. The method includes a network device modulating a first information by using a first modulation scheme in a first signal, modulating the second information by using a second modulation scheme, and modulating the first information and the second information onto a first signal, where the first modulation scheme can be phase shift keying modulation or quadrature amplitude modulation, and the second modulation scheme is amplitude shift keying modulation. The network device transmits the first signal on a first time-frequency resource. According to the aforementioned method, the network device transmits information to two types of terminal devices on the same time-frequency resource by using different modulation schemes, improving the utilization of network resources.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and particularly to a signal transmission method and apparatus.

Background Art

[0003] The new radio (NR) system is the fifth generation mobile communication technology (5G), characterized by high rate, low latency, wide-area connection, etc., and is a network infrastructure for implementing the interconnection of humans, machines, and things. In the NR system, terminal devices with lower capabilities are introduced, and terminal devices with lower capabilities can support features such as a smaller bandwidth and a lower modulation scheme. A smaller bandwidth indicates a smaller amount of data that needs to be processed by the terminal device, a shorter processing time, and a lower power consumption. Demodulation of signals generated by using a lower modulation scheme not only reduces more costs than demodulation of signals corresponding to a higher modulation scheme in terms of hardware complexity, but also has a lower computational complexity in subsequent data processing. Therefore, terminal devices with lower capabilities introduced into the NR system can be characterized by a narrower bandwidth and a lower modulation scheme. Therefore, there are multiple types of terminal devices that support different modulation schemes in the NR system. When a network device needs to transmit signals to multiple types of terminal devices, the network device can transmit signals modulated by using different modulation schemes only multiple times, resulting in a waste of network resources.

[0004] In conclusion, in the NR system, how to improve the utilization of resources has become a technical problem that needs to be urgently solved.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a signal transmission method and apparatus for improving resource utilization by simultaneously transmitting signals to terminal devices that support different modulation schemes.

[0006] According to a first aspect, the present application provides a signal transmission method. The method is used to implement a function on a network device side. For example, the method may be applied to a network device or a chip in a network device. The specific implements of the method are not limited to this embodiment of the present application. Optionally, the method may be jointly implemented by multiple functional modules on a network device side, and the methods implemented by each functional module also fall within the scope of protection of the present application. For example, the method is applied to a network device. In the method, the network device modulates first information and second information on a first signal, wherein the first modulation scheme for the first information is different from the second modulation scheme for the second information, the first modulation scheme is phase-shift keying modulation or quadrature amplitude modulation, and the second modulation scheme is amplitude-shift keying modulation, and the network device transmits the first signal on a first time-frequency resource.

[0007] According to the method described above, the network device transmits a first signal to both a first terminal device and a second terminal device by using the same time-frequency resources. Since the first signal may contain different information modulated by using different modulation schemes, both the first terminal device and the second terminal device can use the first signal to obtain the corresponding information and improve the utilization of network resources.

[0008] In possible implementations, the method further includes: A network device receives at least one of the signal-to-interference noise ratio and the reference signal received power from a first terminal device, and if the signal-to-interference noise ratio is greater than or equal to a first threshold and / or the reference signal received power is greater than or equal to a second threshold, the network device decides to modulate the first information and the second information over the first signal.

[0009] The signal-to-interference noise ratio and the reference signal received power are indicators for measuring signal quality. A signal-to-interference noise ratio above a first threshold and / or a reference signal received power above a second threshold indicates good signal quality. Therefore, when a network device modulates a signal using multiple modulation schemes, the impact on the signal received by the first terminal device is small, and the first terminal device can demodulate the necessary information from the signal modulated using multiple modulation schemes.

[0010] In possible implementations, the method further includes: a network device receives first indication information from a first terminal device, the first indication information indicating that different information is to be modulated on the same signal by using different modulation schemes, and the network device decides, based on the first indication information, to modulate the first information and the second information on the first signal.

[0011] In possible implementations, the method further includes: the network device transmits second indication information to a first terminal device, the second indication information indicating to the network device that different information is modulated on the same signal by using different modulation schemes, and / or indicating the location of a first time-frequency resource.

[0012] According to the method described above, if the second indication information indicates the location of the first time-frequency resource, the first terminal device can accurately receive the signal on the first time-frequency resource, thereby reducing the complexity of receiving the signal by the first terminal device.

[0013] In possible implementations, the bandwidth corresponding to the first time-frequency resource is less than or equal to the maximum bandwidth of the second terminal device, and the maximum bandwidth of the second terminal device is less than the maximum bandwidth of the first terminal device.

[0014] The bandwidth of the first time-frequency resource is less than or equal to the maximum bandwidth of the second terminal device, and therefore it is possible to ensure that the first signal on the first time-frequency resource is received by both the first and second terminal devices, thereby improving communication capacity.

[0015] In possible implementations, this method further includes: a network device receives capability information from a second terminal device, which indicates the maximum bandwidth of the second terminal device.

[0016] In possible implementations, the first information is modulated in the frequency domain of the first signal using a first modulation scheme, and the second information is modulated in the amplitude or power domain of the first signal using a second modulation scheme.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the modulation index of the second modulation scheme is ∇p, the range of values ​​for ∇p is the open interval (0, P), where P is the average power of all resource elements on the first time-frequency resource that the first signal modulates by using the first modulation scheme.

[0018] In possible implementations, when the second information is modulated using a second modulation scheme, the modulation depth is the same for all resource elements corresponding to each bit carrying the second information, or the modulation depth is the same for all samples corresponding to each bit carrying the second information.

[0019] In possible implementations, when the second information is modulated using a second modulation scheme, this can include partial modulation in the time domain and partial modulation in the frequency domain. Partial modulation in the time domain means that the modulation depth for all resource elements corresponding to each bit carrying the second information is not exactly the same. Partial modulation in the frequency domain means that the modulation depth for all samples corresponding to each bit carrying the second information is not exactly the same.

[0020] In possible implementations, when partial modulation in the time domain is used, all samples corresponding to each bit in the bits carrying the second information may be divided into two groups, with the power of one group of samples remaining as P, and the power of the other group of samples being modulated to 2Q-P, where Q is the average power of all samples corresponding to the bit.

[0021] In possible implementations, when partial modulation in the frequency domain is used, all resource elements corresponding to each bit in the bits carrying the second information may be divided into two groups, the power of one group of resource elements remaining as P, and the power of the other group of resource elements being modulated to 2Q-P, where Q is the average power of all resource elements corresponding to the bit.

[0022] The average power of all samples corresponding to bit 0 can be P - ∇p1, and the average power of all samples corresponding to bit 1 can be P + ∇p2. ∇p1 may or may not be equal to ∇p2.

[0023] According to the method described above, when partial modulation is used, the power of some samples or resource elements in all the samples or resource elements corresponding to each bit remains at P, and therefore, the complexity of the modulation can be reduced and the modulation efficiency can be improved.

[0024] In possible implementations, the bits modulated on the first signal and corresponding to the second information are coded bits obtained through channel coding. The downlink coverage performance of the second terminal can be improved by using channel coding.

[0025] In possible implementations, the channel coding is at least one of Manchester coding and differential Manchester coding, and the number of symbols contained on the first time-frequency resource is even.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the first information includes at least one of user-level control information, common control information, and data information.

[0027] In a possible implementation, the second information includes at least one of a broadcast message, a paging message, or a random access response message.

[0028] According to a second aspect, the present application provides a signal transmission method. This method is used to implement functions on the terminal device side. For example, this method can be applied to a terminal device or a chip in a terminal device. The specific implementation body of this method is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. Optionally, this method can be jointly implemented by a plurality of functional modules on the terminal device side, and the methods implemented by each functional module also fall within the protection scope of the present application. For example, this method is applied to a first terminal device. In this method, the first terminal device receives a first signal from a network device on a first time-frequency resource, and the first information and the second information are modulated on the first information. The first modulation method for the first information is different from the second modulation method for the second information. The first modulation method is phase shift keying modulation or quadrature amplitude modulation, and the second modulation method is amplitude shift keying modulation. The first terminal device obtains the first information from the first signal.

[0029] In a possible implementation, this method further includes the following. The first terminal device determines at least one of a signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio and a reference signal received power based on a reference signal from the network device. When the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio is greater than or equal to a first threshold and / or the reference signal received power is greater than or equal to a second threshold, the first terminal device transmits first indication information to the network device. The first indication information indicates modulating different information on the same signal by using different modulation methods.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the method further includes the following. The first terminal device determines at least one of a signal-to-interference-noise ratio and a reference signal received power based on a reference signal from a network device, and the first terminal device transmits at least one of the signal-to-interference-noise ratio and the reference signal received power to the network device.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the method further includes the following. The first terminal device receives second indication information from the network device, and the second indication information indicates to the network device to modulate different information onto the same signal by using different modulation schemes and / or indicates the location of a first time-frequency resource.

[0032] According to a third aspect, the present application provides a signal transmission method. The method is used to implement functions on the terminal device side. For example, the method can be applied to a terminal device or a chip in the terminal device. The specific implementation body of the method is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. Optionally, the method can be jointly implemented by a plurality of functional modules on the terminal device side, and the methods implemented by each functional module also fall within the protection scope of the present application. For example, the method is applied to a second terminal device. In the method, the second terminal device receives a first signal from a network device on a first time-frequency resource, and the first information and the second information are modulated onto the first information, and a first modulation scheme for the first information is different from a second modulation scheme for the second information, the first modulation scheme is phase shift keying modulation or quadrature amplitude modulation, the second modulation scheme is amplitude shift keying modulation, and the second terminal device obtains the second information from the first signal.

[0033] Regarding the second aspect or the third aspect, in a possible implementation, the bandwidth corresponding to the first time-frequency resource is not greater than the maximum bandwidth of the second terminal device, and the maximum bandwidth of the second terminal device is smaller than the maximum bandwidth of the first terminal device.

[0034] In a second or third embodiment, in a possible implementation, the first information is modulated in the frequency domain of the first signal by using a first modulation scheme, and the second information is modulated in the amplitude domain or power domain of the first signal by using a second modulation scheme.

[0035] In the second or third embodiment, in a possible implementation, the modulation depth of the second modulation scheme is ∇p, the range of values ​​for ∇p is the open interval (0, P), where P is the average power of all resource elements on the first time-frequency resource that the first signal modulates by using the first modulation scheme.

[0036] In the second or third aspect, in possible implementations, when the second information is modulated using the second modulation scheme, the modulation depth is the same for all resource elements corresponding to each bit carrying the second information, or the modulation depth is the same for all samples corresponding to each bit carrying the second information.

[0037] In the second or third aspect, in possible implementations, when the second information is modulated by using the second modulation scheme, the modulation depths for all resource elements corresponding to each bit carrying the second information are not exactly the same, or the modulation depths for all samples corresponding to each bit carrying the second information are not exactly the same.

[0038] In the second or third aspect, in possible implementations, the bits modulated on the first signal and corresponding to the second information are coded bits obtained through transmission line coding.

[0039] In the second or third embodiment, in a possible implementation, the transmission path coding is at least one of Manchester coding and differential Manchester coding, and the number of symbols contained on the first time-frequency resource is even.

[0040] According to a fourth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication device. The communication device may be a network device, a module on the network device side that can implement functions, or a chip that can be disposed within a network device. The communication device has the capability to implement the method according to the first aspect. For example, the communication device includes a corresponding module, unit, or means for performing some or all of the operations in the first aspect. The module, unit, or means may be implemented by using software or hardware, or by hardware running the corresponding software.

[0041] In a possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit. The communication unit may be configured to transmit and receive signals to implement communication between the communication device and another device. For example, the communication unit may be configured to receive uplink information from a terminal device, and the processing unit may be configured to perform some internal operations of the communication device. The functions performed by the processing unit and the communication unit may correspond to the operations in the first embodiment.

[0042] In a possible design, the communication device may include a processor and further include a transceiver. The transceiver is configured to transmit and receive signals, and the processor completes a method according to any one of the possible designs or implementations of the first embodiment by using the transceiver. The communication device may further include one or more memories. The memories may be configured to be coupled to the processor, and the memories may store computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions in the first embodiment. The processor may execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memories. When the computer programs or instructions are executed, the communication device is made capable of implementing a method according to any one of the possible designs or implementations of the first embodiment.

[0043] In a possible design, the communication device includes a processor. The processor may be configured to be coupled to memory. The memory may store computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions in the first embodiment. The processor may execute computer programs or instructions stored in memory. When the computer programs or instructions are executed, the communication device is made capable of implementing any one of the possible designs or implementations of the first embodiment.

[0044] In a possible design, the communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit, the processor being configured to communicate with another device through the interface circuit and to perform a method according to any one of the possible designs or implementations of the first embodiment.

[0045] It can be understood that a processor may be implemented using hardware or software. When a processor is implemented using hardware, it may be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc. When a processor is implemented using software, it may be a general-purpose processor and is implemented by reading software code stored in memory. Furthermore, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories. The memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory and processor may be disposed separately. In a particular implementation, the memory and processor may be integrated on one chip, or disposed on different chips. The type of memory and the manner in which the memory and processor are disposed are not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0046] According to a fifth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication device. The communication device may be a terminal device, a module on the terminal device side that can implement functions, or a chip that can be disposed within a terminal device. The communication device has the capability to implement the method according to the second or third aspect. For example, the communication device includes corresponding modules, units, or means for performing some or all of the operations in the second or third aspect. The modules, units, or means may be implemented by using software or hardware, or by hardware running corresponding software.

[0047] In a possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit. The communication unit may be configured to transmit and receive signals to implement communication between the communication device and another device. For example, the communication unit may be configured to receive configuration information from a network device, and the processing unit may be configured to perform some internal operations of the communication device. The functions performed by the processing unit and the communication unit may correspond to the operations in a second or third embodiment.

[0048] In a possible design, the communication device may include a processor and further include a transceiver. The transceiver is configured to transmit and receive signals, and the processor uses the transceiver to complete a method according to any one of the possible designs or implementations of the second or third embodiment. The communication device may further include one or more memories. The memories may be configured to be coupled to the processor, and the memories may store computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions in the second or third embodiment. The processor may execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memories. When the computer programs or instructions are executed, the communication device is made capable of implementing a method according to any one of the possible designs or implementations of the second or third embodiment.

[0049] In a possible design, the communication device includes a processor. The processor may be configured to be coupled to memory. The memory may store computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions in the second or third embodiment. The processor may execute the computer programs or instructions stored in memory. When the computer programs or instructions are executed, the communication device is made capable of implementing a method according to any one of the possible designs or implementations of the second or third embodiment.

[0050] In a possible design, the communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The processor is configured to communicate with another device through the interface circuit and to perform a method according to any one of the possible designs or implementations of a second or third embodiment.

[0051] According to the sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, the communication system including a communication device according to the fourth aspect and a communication device according to the fifth aspect.

[0052] According to the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer storage medium stores computer-readable instructions, and when a computer reads and executes the computer-readable instructions, the computer is enabled to implement a method according to any one of the possible designs of the first to third aspects.

[0053] According to the eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product. When a computer reads and executes the computer program product, the computer is made capable of implementing a method according to any one of the possible designs of the first to third aspects.

[0054] According to the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip, the chip including a processor, the processor being coupled to memory and configured to read and execute software programs stored in memory, and to implement a method according to any one of the possible designs of the first to third aspects.

[0055] According to the tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive signals from another communication device other than the communication device and transmit signals to the processor, or transmit signals from the processor to another communication device other than the communication device. The processor is configured to implement a method according to any one of the second or third aspect and possible implementations of the second or third aspect by using logic circuits or by executing computer programs or instructions.

[0056] According to the eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive signals from another communication device other than the communication device and transmit signals to the processor, or transmit signals from the processor to another communication device other than the communication device. The processor is configured to implement the method according to the first aspect and any one of the possible implementations thereof by using logic circuits or by executing computer programs or instructions.

[0057] According to the twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and memory. The processor is coupled to the memory and is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, enabling the communication device to implement a method according to any one of the second or third aspects and possible implementations thereof.

[0058] According to the 13th aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and memory. The processor is coupled to the memory and is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, enabling the communication device to implement a method according to the first aspect and any one of the possible implementations thereof.

[0059] According to the 14th aspect, a chip is provided. The chip includes a processor and may further include memory. The processor is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in memory, enabling the chip system to implement a method according to any one of the second or third aspects and possible implementations of the second or third aspect.

[0060] According to the 15th aspect, a chip is provided. The chip includes a processor and may further include memory. The processor is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in memory, enabling the chip system to implement the method according to the first aspect and any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect.

[0061] Aspects of this application or other aspects will become clearer and more understandable in the following description of embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0062] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a network architecture according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] This is a schematic flowchart of a signal transmission method according to an embodiment of this application. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing the degree of power modulation according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] This is a diagram of the overall modulation according to the embodiment of this application. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing the degree of power modulation according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6]This is a diagram of the overall modulation according to the embodiment of this application. [Figure 7] This is a diagram of partial modulation in the time domain according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 8] This is a diagram of partial modulation in the frequency domain according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9] This is a diagram of bandwidth according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 10] This is a diagram of signal modulation according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 11] This is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 12] This is a diagram showing the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0063] The embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings attached to the specification.

[0064] The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application may be applied to a fourth-generation (4G) communication system, for example, long-term evolution (LTE), or a fifth-generation (5G) communication system, for example, new radio (NR) 5G, or various future communication systems, for example, a sixth-generation (6G) communication system.

[0065] The methods and apparatus provided in embodiments of this application are based on the same or similar technical concepts. Since the problem-solving principles of these methods and apparatus are similar, cross-referencing may be used for implementations of the apparatus and methods. Repetitive descriptions are not discussed.

[0066] The following explains some of the terms used in the embodiments of this application to facilitate understanding for those skilled in the art.

[0067] Time-frequency resources: In an NR system, a time-frequency resource contains one or more orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols in the time domain and one or more subcarriers in the frequency domain. The smallest time-frequency resource, containing an OFDM symbol and a subcarrier, is called a resource element (RE).

[0068] Modulation: The process of loading a bitstream to be transmitted to a physical signal is called modulation. NR systems include multiple modulation schemes. In particular, both the uplink and downlink of an NR system support either phase-shift keying modulation or quadrature amplitude modulation. Phase-shift keying modulation may include 2-phase-shift keying, π / 2-2-phase-shift keying, 4-phase-shift keying (quadrature phase shift keying, QPSK) modulation, etc. Quadrature amplitude modulation may include modulation schemes such as 16-quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), 64QAM, and 256QAM. As NR systems support a wide range of application scenarios, the supported modulation schemes are likely to need further expansion in the future. In the future, modulation schemes with higher modulation orders than 256QAM, for example, 1024QAM, will be supported. In this embodiment of the present application, amplitude-shift keying (ASK) modulation may be further supported.

[0069] In embodiments of this application, a network device may be a device in a wireless network. For example, a network device may be a device deployed in a radio access network that provides wireless communication capabilities to terminal devices. For example, a network device may be a radio access network (RAN) node that connects terminal devices to a wireless network, and may also be called an access network device. In embodiments of this application, a device configured to implement the functionality of a network device may be a network device, a module or unit that can be used in a network device, or a device that can support the network device in implementing its functionality, such as a chip system. This device may be installed in a network device or used in a manner compatible with a network device.

[0070] Network devices include, but are not limited to, evolved NodeB (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), NodeB (NB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB, or home NodeB, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), access point (AP), radio relay node, wireless backhaul node, transmission point (TP), or transmission reception point (TRP) in a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, or network devices in a 5G mobile communication system, such as next generation NodeB (gNB), transmission reception point (TRP) or TP in an NR system, or one antenna panel or one group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G mobile communication system. Alternatively, network devices may be network nodes that form a gNB or transmission point, such as a BBU, distributed unit (DU), etc.

[0071] In some configurations, a gNB may include a central unit (CU) and a DU. The gNB may further include an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU implements some functions of the gNB, and the DU implements some functions of the gNB. For example, the CU is responsible for handling non-real-time protocols and services and implementing the functions of the radio resource control (RRC) layer and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer. The DU is responsible for handling physical layer protocols and real-time services and implementing the functions of the radio link control (RLC) layer, the MAC layer, and the physical (PHY) layer. The AAU implements some processing functions in the physical layer, radio frequency processing, and functions related to the active antenna. Information in the RRC layer is ultimately modified by information in the PHY layer, or modified from information in the PHY layer. Therefore, in the architecture, signaling at higher layers (e.g., signaling at the RRC layer) may also be considered to be transmitted by the DU or by the DU and AAU. It may be understood that a network device may be a device comprising one or more of CU nodes, DU nodes, and AAU nodes. Furthermore, a CU may be classified as a network device in the RAN or a network device in the core network (CN). This is not limited to the present application.

[0072] In embodiments of this application, the terminal device may be a wireless terminal device capable of receiving scheduling and indication information for a network device. The terminal device may be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, a handheld device with wireless connectivity, or another processing device connected to a wireless modem. In embodiments of this application, the device configured to implement the functions of the terminal device may be the terminal device itself, a module or unit that can be used in the terminal device, or a device that can support the terminal device in implementing its functions, such as a chip system. The device may be installed in the terminal device or used in a manner adapted to the terminal device.

[0073] Terminal devices are also called user equipment (UE), mobile stations (MS), or mobile terminals (MT). Terminal devices are devices that include wireless communication capabilities (to provide voice / data connectivity to the user), such as handheld devices or in-vehicle devices with wireless connectivity. Some examples of terminal devices today include mobile phones, tablet computers, notebook computers, palmtop computers, mobile internet devices (MID), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in the Internet of Vehicles, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, and wireless terminals in smart homes. For example, wireless terminals in the Internet of Vehicles could be in-vehicle devices, complete vehicle devices, in-vehicle modules, or vehicles. Wireless terminals in industrial control could be cameras, robots, etc. Wireless terminals in smart homes could be televisions, air conditioners, sweepers, speakers, set-top boxes, etc.

[0074] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture according to an embodiment of the present application. In the network, network devices may provide services to multiple terminal devices. Although a first terminal device and a second terminal device are used as examples in the figure, the specific number of terminal devices is not limited. In possible implementations, the first terminal device may be a legacy terminal device, the second terminal device may be a low-capacity terminal device, and the maximum bandwidth supported by the first terminal device is greater than the maximum bandwidth supported by the second terminal device. The first terminal device can demodulate a signal modulated by using a complex modulation scheme. For example, the first terminal device can demodulate a signal modulated by using 4-phase shift keying or 16-quadrature amplitude modulation, and the second terminal device may demodulate a signal modulated by using amplitude shift keying, or may include a module that can demodulate a signal modulated by using amplitude shift keying. The second terminal device described in this application may be a device or a module or unit within a device that can demodulate a signal modulated by using amplitude shift keying.

[0075] This application provides a method by which network devices can transmit signals using the same full time-frequency resources, and the signals can be modulated using a modulation scheme supported by a first terminal device and a modulation scheme supported by a second terminal device, so that the first terminal device and the second terminal device can receive signals on the same time-frequency resources, thereby reducing resources and improving system capacity.

[0076] Furthermore, it should be understood that the steps in the above embodiments of this application are merely illustrative examples and are not strictly limited herein. Moreover, the sequence numbers of the aforementioned steps do not imply an execution sequence. The execution sequence of a process should be determined based on the function and internal logic of the process and is not a limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0077] Furthermore, it can be understood that some optional features in embodiments of this application may be independent of other features in some scenarios, or may be combined with other features in some scenarios. This is not limited to these examples.

[0078] Furthermore, it should be understood that the solutions in the embodiments of this application may be appropriately combined for use, and that the explanations or descriptions of terms in the embodiments may be mutually referenced or explained in the embodiments. This is not limited to these examples.

[0079] The network architectures and service scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are intended to provide a clearer illustration of the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. Those skilled in the art may learn that, with the development of network architectures and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0080] In the embodiments of this application, the interaction between a network device and a terminal device is used as an example for illustrative purposes. The operations performed by the network device may also be performed by a chip or module in the network device, and the operations performed by the terminal device may also be performed by a chip or module in the terminal device.

[0081] Figure 2 is a schematic flowchart of a signal transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application. In the procedure, the interaction between a network device and a terminal device is used as an example for illustrative purposes. The network device may be the network device in Figure 1, the first terminal device may be the first terminal device in Figure 1, and the second terminal device may be the second terminal device in Figure 1. The method includes the following steps.

[0082] S201: The network device modulates the first information and the second information on the first signal.

[0083] The first modulation scheme for the first information is different from the second modulation scheme for the second information. In possible implementations, the first modulation scheme is phase-shift keying modulation or quadrature amplitude modulation, and the second modulation scheme is amplitude-shift keying modulation.

[0084] In this embodiment of the present application, phase-shift keying modulation may include 2-phase-shift keying modulation, π / 2-2-phase-shift keying modulation, QPSK modulation, etc. The modulation order of quadrature amplitude modulation may be 16 or more, and quadrature amplitude modulation may be a modulation scheme such as 16-quadrature amplitude modulation, 64-quadrature amplitude modulation, 256-quadrature amplitude modulation, or 512-quadrature amplitude modulation. Amplitude-shift keying modulation may include on-off keying (OOK) modulation, 4-amplitude-shift keying modulation, etc.

[0085] In this embodiment of the present application, the first information may be information transmitted to a first terminal device, i.e., the receiver of the first information is the first terminal device. The specific content of the first information is not limited. For example, the first information may include at least one of user-level control information, common control information, and data information. Correspondingly, the second information may be information transmitted to a second terminal device, i.e., the receiver of the second information is the second terminal device. The specific content of the second information is not limited. For example, the second information may include at least one of broadcast messages, paging messages, and random access response messages.

[0086] Optionally, before modulating the first signal, the network device may decide, depending on the actual circumstances, whether to modulate different information on the same signal by using different modulation schemes. In this embodiment of the present application, the network device may decide to modulate different information on the same signal by using different modulation schemes in the following two cases:

[0087] Example 1: A network device determines, based on the display of a first terminal device, whether to modulate the first information and the second information onto the first signal.

[0088] In particular, a network device may receive first indication information from a first terminal device. If the first indication information indicates that different information can be modulated on the same signal by using different modulation schemes, the network device decides to modulate the different information on the same signal by using different modulation schemes when transmitting the signal to the first terminal device. After receiving the first indication information, the network device may decide to modulate the first information and the second information on the first signal based on the first indication information.

[0089] If the first indication information indicates that information will be modulated on the same signal by using a first modulation scheme, or if the first indication information indicates that information will be modulated on the same signal by using a modulation scheme, the network device decides to modulate the information on the same signal by using a modulation scheme when transmitting the signal to the first terminal device, for example, by using a first modulation scheme.

[0090] For example, the first indication information may contain 1 bit. When the first indication information is 1, it indicates that different information is modulated on the same signal using different modulation schemes. When the first indication information is 0, it indicates that information is modulated on the same signal using the first modulation scheme. Further details may be shown in Table 1.

[0091] [Table 1]

[0092] Table 1 is merely an example. The first indication information may, alternatively, contain multiple bits, and there may be other values ​​for the first indication information. Examples are not described one by one in this specification.

[0093] The specific cases in which the first terminal device decides to receive a signal modulated by using multiple modulation schemes or a signal modulated by using one modulation scheme are not limited in this application. For example, the first terminal device may measure a reference signal from a network device to obtain at least one of the following: reference signal received power (RSRP) and signal-to-noise and interference ratio (SINR). The specific process by which the first terminal device measures the reference signal to obtain the SINR and / or RSRP is not limited in this application. Details are again not described herein. Furthermore, the first terminal device determines a specific modulation scheme to be used based on the RSRP and / or SINR. For example, there are three implementations:

[0094] Implementation 1: If the SINR is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the first terminal device determines that it is possible to receive a signal modulated by using a different modulation scheme, and therefore, the first indication information may indicate that different information is modulated on the same signal by using a different modulation scheme. If the SINR is less than the first threshold, the first terminal device determines that it is not possible to receive a signal modulated by using a different modulation scheme, and therefore, the first indication information may indicate that information is modulated on the same signal by using the first modulation scheme. The specific value of the first threshold may be pre-configured by the network device, determined independently by the first terminal device, or preset. This is not limited to the present application. In this embodiment of the present application, “greater than or equal to” may be replaced with “greater than,” and “less than” may be replaced with “less than or equal to.” Accordingly, “less than or equal to” may be replaced with “less than,” and “greater than” may be replaced with “greater than.” Further details are again not described below.

[0095] For example, with respect to the example in Table 1, the first indication information determined by the first terminal device based on the SINR may be shown in Table 2.

[0096] [Table 2]

[0097] Table 2 shows that when the SINR is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the first indication information is 1, or when the SINR is less than the first threshold, the first indication information is 0.

[0098] SINR is an indicator for measuring signal quality. When the SINR is above a first threshold, it indicates good signal quality. Therefore, when a network device modulates a signal using multiple modulation schemes, the impact on the signal received by the first terminal device is small, and the first terminal device can demodulate the information it needs to receive from the signal modulated using multiple modulation schemes.

[0099] Implementation 2: If the RSRP is greater than or equal to a second threshold, the first terminal device determines that it is possible to receive a signal modulated by using a different modulation scheme, and therefore the first indication information may indicate that different information is modulated on the same signal by using a different modulation scheme. If the RSRP is less than a second threshold, the first terminal device determines that it is not possible to receive a signal modulated by using a different modulation scheme, and therefore the first indication information may indicate that information is modulated on the same signal by using a first modulation scheme. The specific value of the second threshold may be preconfigured by the network device, determined independently by the first terminal device, or set in advance. This is not limited to the present application.

[0100] For example, with respect to the example in Table 1, the first indication information determined by the first terminal device based on RSRP may be shown in Table 3.

[0101] [Table 3]

[0102] Table 3 shows that when RSRP is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the first indication information is 1, or when RSRP is less than the second threshold, the first indication information is 0.

[0103] RSRP is also an indicator for measuring signal quality. When RSRP is above a second threshold, it indicates good signal quality. Therefore, when a network device modulates a signal using multiple modulation schemes, the impact on the signal received by the first terminal device is small, and the first terminal device can demodulate the information it needs to receive from the signal modulated using multiple modulation schemes.

[0104] Implementation 3: If the SINR is greater than or equal to a first threshold and the RSRP is greater than or equal to a second threshold, the first terminal device determines that it is possible to receive a signal modulated by using a different modulation scheme, and therefore, the first indication information may indicate that different information is modulated on the same signal by using a different modulation scheme. If the SINR is less than a first threshold and the RSRP is less than a second threshold, the first terminal device may use the first indication information to indicate that information is modulated on the same signal by using a first modulation scheme. If the SINR is less than a first threshold and the RSRP is greater than or equal to a second threshold, or if the SINR is greater than or equal to a first threshold and the RSRP is less than a second threshold, the first terminal device may use the first indication information to indicate that information is modulated on the same signal by using a first modulation scheme, or to indicate that different information is modulated on the same signal by using a different modulation scheme.

[0105] For example, with respect to the example in Table 1, the first indication information determined by the first terminal device based on the SINR and RSRP may be shown in Table 4.

[0106] [Table 4]

[0107] Table 4 shows that when SINR is greater than or equal to the first threshold and RSRP is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the first indication information is 1; when SINR is less than the first threshold and RSRP is less than the second threshold, the first indication information is 0; or when SINR is less than the first threshold and RSRP is greater than or equal to the second threshold, or when SINR is greater than or equal to the first threshold and RSRP is less than the second threshold, the first indication information can be 0 or 1.

[0108] Example 2: The network device autonomously decides whether to modulate the first and second pieces of information onto the first signal.

[0109] In particular, a network device may receive at least one of SINR and RSRP from a first terminal device. At least one of SINR and RSRP may be obtained by the first terminal device by measuring a reference signal from the network device. Specific processing is not limited herein.

[0110] Implementation 1: If the SINR is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the network device decides to modulate different information on the same signal by using different modulation schemes, and therefore, the first information and the second information may be modulated on the first signal. If the SINR is less than a first threshold, the network device decides to modulate the information on one signal by using a modulation scheme, and therefore, the first information and the second information may be modulated separately on different signals.

[0111] Implementation 2: If RSRP is greater than or equal to the second threshold, the network device decides to modulate different information on the same signal by using different modulation schemes, and therefore the first and second information may be modulated on the first signal. If RSRP is less than the second threshold, the network device decides to modulate the information on one signal by using a modulation scheme, and therefore the first and second information may be modulated separately on different signals.

[0112] Implementation 3: If the SINR is greater than or equal to a first threshold and the RSRP is greater than or equal to a second threshold, the network device decides to modulate different information on the same signal by using different modulation schemes, and therefore the first information and the second information can be modulated on the first signal. If the SINR is less than a first threshold and the RSRP is less than a second threshold, the network device may modulate information on the same signal by using a first modulation scheme. If the SINR is less than a first threshold and the RSRP is greater than or equal to a second threshold, or if the SINR is greater than or equal to a first threshold and the RSRP is less than a second threshold, the network device may modulate information on one signal by using a modulation scheme, or may modulate different information on the same signal by using different modulation schemes.

[0113] In Example 1, when the first terminal device decides to modulate different information on the same signal by using different modulation schemes based on SINR and / or RSRP, the complexity of the network device's operation can be reduced. When a network device decides to modulate different information on the same signal by using different modulation schemes based on SINR and / or RSRP, signaling overhead can be reduced.

[0114] Optionally, in Example 1 or Example 2, the network device may further transmit second indication information to a first terminal device, the second indication information indicating that the network device modulates different information on the same signal by using different modulation schemes, and at least one of the locations of the first time-frequency resource, which includes at least one of the starting location and bandwidth size of the first time-frequency resource.

[0115] If, optionally, a second indication tells a network device to modulate different information on the same signal by using a different modulation scheme, the first terminal device may receive the signal by using performance enhancement methods, such as increasing the number of hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) combinations or increasing the number of antennas for receiving the signal, and thus the signal-to-noise ratio of the received signal may be improved.

[0116] If the second indication information indicates the location of the first time-frequency resource, the first terminal device can accurately receive the signal on the first time-frequency resource, thereby reducing the complexity of receiving the signal by the first terminal device.

[0117] In this embodiment of the present application, when a network device modulates first information and second information on a first signal, the first information and second information may be located separately in different regions of the first signal. For example, the first information is modulated in the frequency domain of the first signal by using a first modulation scheme, and the second information is modulated in the amplitude or power domain of the first signal by using a second modulation scheme. In other words, when modulating the first information and second information, the network device performs hybrid modulation by using a plurality of different modulation schemes to modulate the first information and second information in different regions of the first signal, respectively. In particular, the network device may modulate the first information in the frequency domain of the first signal by using a first modulation scheme, and when modulating the first information, the network device may further modulate the second information in the amplitude or power domain of the first signal by using a second modulation scheme. The network device may modulate the first information and second information in parallel on the first signal. The network device does not first modulate the first information on the first signal and then modulate the second information on the first signal, nor does it first modulate the second information on the first signal and then modulate the first information on the first signal.

[0118] In this embodiment of the present application, the specific process by which the network device modulates the first information by using the first modulation scheme is not limited. The following mainly describes how the network device modulates the second information by using the second modulation scheme.

[0119] The second modulation scheme primarily relates to the transmit power of the modulated signal. In particular, when the first signal is transmitted over a first time-frequency resource, the first signal corresponds to one transmit power in each resource element on the first time-frequency resource. To distinguish bit 1 from bit 0 by using the power of the signal, the average power of all resource elements corresponding to bit 0 and the average power of all resource elements corresponding to bit 1 can be set to different powers. Therefore, the parameter primarily related to the second modulation scheme is the modulation index. The modulation index can be understood as the power that needs to be reduced by the average power of all resource elements corresponding to bit 0 based on the reference power, or the power that needs to be increased by the average power of all resource elements corresponding to bit 1 based on the reference power. The reference power may be the average power of all resource elements on the first time-frequency resource that modulates the first information by using the first modulation scheme. Optionally, after the second modulation is used, in the bits carrying the second information, the ratio of the average power of all resource elements corresponding to bit 1 to the average power of all resource elements corresponding to bit 0 is 20 dB or greater.

[0120] In the first possible implementation, when using the second modulation scheme, the network device may perform overall modulation on the first signal.

[0121] Overall modulation means that the modulation depth is the same for all resource elements corresponding to each bit carrying the second information, or the modulation depth is the same for all time-domain data corresponding to each bit carrying the second information. Specifically, the modulation depth is the same for all resource elements corresponding to bit 0 carrying the second information, and the modulation depth is the same for all resource elements corresponding to bit 1 carrying the second information, or the modulation depth is the same for all samples corresponding to bit 0 carrying the second information, and the modulation depth is the same for all samples corresponding to bit 1 carrying the second information.

[0122] In other words, when overall modulation is used, in the bit carrying the second information, the power of each resource element (or sample) in all resource elements (or samples) corresponding to bit 0 is the first power, and the power of each resource element (or sample) in all resource elements (or samples) corresponding to bit 1 is the second power, and the first power is not equal to the second power.

[0123] Implementation 1: The modulation depth of the second modulation scheme is ∇p. In this way, the modulation depth for all resource elements (or samples) corresponding to bit 0 carrying the second information is the same as the modulation depth for all resource elements (or samples) corresponding to bit 0 carrying the second information. The range of the value of ∇p is greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to P. P can be the average power of all resource elements on the first time-frequency resource that are modulated by the first signal using the first modulation scheme.

[0124] For example, each bit carrying the second information is assumed to correspond to Y OFDM symbols, where Y is an integer greater than 0. When overall modulation is performed, as shown in Figure 3, when the first signal is modulated using the first modulation scheme, it is assumed that the average power of all resource elements on the first time-frequency resource is P. When the first signal is modulated using the second modulation scheme, in the bits carrying the second information, the power of each of the resource elements corresponding to bit 0 may be modulated to P-∇p, and the power of each of the resource elements corresponding to bit 1 may be modulated to P+∇p.

[0125] For example, as shown in Figure 4, the first time-frequency resource contains four OFDM symbols in the time domain, i.e., symbols 0 to 3, and six resource elements in the frequency domain, with corresponding frequency domain locations f0 to f5. For example, each bit carrying the second information corresponds to two OFDM symbols, with the first two OFDM symbols corresponding to bit 0, and the last two OFDM symbols corresponding to bit 1. Assuming P=1 and ∇p=0.5, the power of all resource elements corresponding to bit 0, in other words, each resource element contained in symbols 0 and 1, can be modulated to 0.5, and the power of all resource elements corresponding to bit 1, in other words, each resource element contained in symbols 2 and 3, can be modulated to 1.5.

[0126] Implementation 2: The first modulation index for all resource elements (or samples) corresponding to bit 1 carrying the second information is different from the second modulation index for all resource elements (or samples) corresponding to bit 0 carrying the second information. The first modulation index is ∇p1, and the range of values ​​for ∇p1 is 0 or greater and less than or equal to P. The second modulation index is ∇p2, and the range of values ​​for ∇p2 is 0 or greater and less than or equal to P. ∇p1 may or may not be equal to ∇p2.

[0127] For example, each bit carrying the second information is assumed to correspond to Y OFDM symbols. When overall modulation is performed, as shown in Figure 5, for the bits carrying the second information, the power of each of the resource elements corresponding to bit 0 may be modulated to P-∇p1, and the power of each of the resource elements corresponding to bit 1 may be modulated to P+∇p2.

[0128] For example, as shown in Figure 6, the first time-frequency resource contains four OFDM symbols in the time domain, i.e., symbols 0 to 3, and six resource elements in the frequency domain, with corresponding frequency domain locations f0 to f5. For example, each bit carrying the second information corresponds to two OFDM symbols, with the first two OFDM symbols corresponding to bit 0, and the last two OFDM symbols corresponding to bit 1. Assuming P=1, ∇p1=0.5, and ∇p2=0.8, the power of all resource elements corresponding to bit 0, in other words, each resource element contained in symbols 0 and 1, can be modulated to 0.5, and the power of all resource elements corresponding to bit 1, in other words, each resource element contained in symbols 2 and 3, can be modulated to 1.8.

[0129] In a second possible implementation, when using a second modulation scheme, the network device may partially modulate the first signal.

[0130] Partial modulation means that the modulation depth for all resource elements or samples corresponding to each bit carrying the second information is not exactly the same. Partial modulation can be classified into two types: partial modulation in the time domain and partial modulation in the frequency domain. Partial modulation in the time domain means that the modulation depth for all samples corresponding to each bit carrying the second information is not exactly the same; that is, the modulation depth for at least two samples in all samples corresponding to each bit is different. In particular, when partial modulation in the frequency domain is used, all samples corresponding to each bit may be divided into multiple groups. Each group of samples contains at least one sample, and each group of samples may contain the same amount of samples or different amounts of samples. The power of the samples in each group of samples is the same, and the power of the samples in different groups of samples is different.

[0131] With respect to the above description, in this embodiment of the present application, when partial modulation in the time domain is used, all samples corresponding to each bit in the bits carrying the second information may be divided into two groups, the power of one group of samples remaining as P, and the power of the other group of samples being modulated to 2Q-P, where Q is the average power of all samples corresponding to the bit. The average power of all samples corresponding to bit 0 may be P-∇p1, and the average power of all samples corresponding to bit 1 may be P+∇p2. ∇p1 may or may not be equal to ∇p2.

[0132] For example, as shown in Figure 7, the first time-frequency resource contains four OFDM symbols in the time domain, i.e., symbols 0 to 3, and each OFDM symbol contains six samples represented by S0 to S5, respectively. For example, each bit carrying the second information corresponds to two OFDM symbols, with the first two OFDM symbols corresponding to bit 0, and the last two OFDM symbols corresponding to bit 1. Assuming P=1 and ∇p1=∇p2=0.5, the average power of all samples corresponding to bit 0, in other words, the 12 samples contained in symbols 0 and 1, is 0.5, and the average power of all samples corresponding to bit 1, in other words, the 12 samples contained in symbols 2 and 3, is 1.5. The network device may divide all samples corresponding to bit 0 into two groups, with each group containing six samples. For example, the samples contained in symbol 1 are used as one group, and the samples contained in symbol 0 are used as another group. The power of each sample contained in symbol 1 remains as 1, while the power of each sample contained in symbol 0 is modulated to 0. In this way, the average power of all samples corresponding to bit 0 is 0.5. Similarly, a network device may divide all samples corresponding to bit 1 into two groups, each group containing six samples. For example, the samples contained in symbol 3 are used as one group, and the samples contained in symbol 2 are used as another group. The power of each sample contained in symbol 3 remains as 1, while the power of each sample contained in symbol 2 is modulated to 2. In this way, the average power of all samples corresponding to bit 0 is 1.5. In the above example, ∇p1=∇p2 is used only as an example for illustrative purposes, and ∇p1 may not be equal to ∇p2.

[0133] Partial modulation in the frequency domain means that the modulation depth for all resource elements corresponding to each bit carrying the second information is not exactly the same; that is, the modulation depth for at least two resource elements among all resource elements corresponding to each bit is different. In particular, when partial modulation in the frequency domain is used, all resource elements corresponding to each bit may be divided into multiple groups. Each group of resource elements contains at least one resource element, and each group of resource elements may contain the same amount of resource elements or different amounts of resource elements. The power of the resource elements in each group is the same, while the power of the resource elements in different groups is different.

[0134] With respect to the above description, in this embodiment of the present application, when partial modulation in the frequency domain is used, all resource elements corresponding to each bit in the bits carrying the second information may be divided into two groups, the power of one group of resource elements remaining as P, and the power of the other group of resource elements being modulated to 2Q-P, where Q is the average value of the powers of all resource elements corresponding to the bit. The average value of the powers of all resource elements corresponding to bit 0 may be P-∇p1, and the average value of the powers of all resource elements corresponding to bit 1 may be P+∇p2, where ∇p1 may or may not be equal to ∇p2.

[0135] For example, as shown in Figure 8, the first time-frequency resource contains four OFDM symbols in the time domain, i.e., symbols 0 to 3, and six resource elements in the frequency domain, with corresponding frequency domain locations f0 to f5. For example, each bit carrying the second information corresponds to two OFDM symbols, with the first two OFDM symbols corresponding to bit 0, and the last two OFDM symbols corresponding to bit 1. Assuming P=1 and ∇p1=∇p2=0.5, the average power of all resource elements corresponding to bit 0, in other words, the 12 resource elements contained in symbols 0 and 1, is 0.5, and the average power of all resource elements corresponding to bit 1, in other words, the 12 resource elements contained in symbols 2 and 3, is 1.5. The network device may divide all resource elements corresponding to bit 0 into two groups, with each group containing six resource elements. For example, resource elements at frequency domain locations f0 to f2 in symbol 0 and symbol 1 are used as one group, and resource elements at frequency domain locations f3 to f5 in symbol 0 and symbol 1 are used as another group. The power of each resource element at frequency domain locations f0 to f2 in symbol 0 and symbol 1 remains as 1, while the power of each resource element at frequency domain locations f3 to f5 in symbol 0 and symbol 1 is modulated to 0. In this way, the average value of all resource elements corresponding to bit 0 is 0.5. Similarly, a network device may divide all resource elements corresponding to bit 1 into two groups, each group containing six resource elements. For example, resource elements at frequency domain locations f0 to f2 in symbol 2 and symbol 3 are used as one group, and resource elements at frequency domain locations f3 to f5 in symbol 2 and symbol 3 are used as another group.The power of each resource element at frequency domain locations f0 to f2 in symbol 2 and symbol 3 remains unchanged at 1, while the power of each resource element at frequency domain locations f3 to f5 in symbol 2 and symbol 3 is modulated to 2. In this way, the average value of all resource elements corresponding to bit 1 is 1.5. In the above example, ∇p1=∇p2 is used only as an illustrative example, and ∇p1 may not be equal to ∇p2.

[0136] The above is merely an example. When using the second modulation scheme, the network device may also modulate the power of the resource element in a different manner. This is not limited to the present application.

[0137] Optionally, in this embodiment of the present application, the bits modulated on the first signal and corresponding to the second information are coded bits obtained through path coding. The path coding is at least one of Manchester coding and differential Manchester coding. The downlink coverage performance of the second terminal can be improved by using path coding. When the original bits of the second information are coded by using path coding to obtain coded bits, the amount of symbols contained on the first time-frequency resource is even. In this way, it is possible to ensure that the first time-frequency resource does not have redundant symbols and that network resources are reduced.

[0138] S202: The network device transmits a first signal on a first time-frequency resource. Accordingly, a first terminal device receives the first signal from the network device on the first time-frequency resource, and a second terminal device receives the first signal from the network device on the first time-frequency resource.

[0139] In this embodiment of the present application, the bandwidth corresponding to the first time-frequency resource may be less than or equal to the maximum bandwidth of the second terminal device, and the maximum bandwidth of the second terminal device is less than the maximum bandwidth of the first terminal device. How the network device determines the maximum bandwidth of the second terminal device is not limited in this application. For example, the network device may receive capability information from the second terminal device, which indicates the maximum bandwidth of the second terminal device.

[0140] By setting the bandwidth of the first time-frequency resource to be less than or equal to the maximum bandwidth capacity of the second terminal device, it becomes possible to ensure that the first signal on the first time-frequency resource is received by both the first and second terminal devices, thereby improving communication capacity.

[0141] A network device may preconfigure a first bandwidth part (BWP) for a first terminal device and a second terminal device. In the implementation, the bandwidth of the first bandwidth part may be less than or equal to the maximum bandwidth of the second terminal device. For example, as shown in Figure 9(a), the bandwidth of the first bandwidth part BWP1 configured by the network device is equal to the maximum bandwidth X1 of the second terminal device, and the bandwidth X2 of the first time-frequency resource is less than or equal to the bandwidth X1 of BWP1. In this way, it is possible to ensure that the first signal on the first time-frequency resource can be received by both the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0142] Furthermore, if the bandwidth X2 of the first time-frequency resource is equal to the bandwidth X1 of BWP1, the network device may not need to further disclose information such as the bandwidth and location of the first time-frequency resource to the first and second terminal devices in order to reduce signaling overhead.

[0143] In another implementation, the bandwidth of the first bandwidth portion may be greater than the maximum bandwidth of the second terminal device. For example, as shown in Figure 9(b), the bandwidth X3 of the first bandwidth portion BWP2 is greater than the maximum bandwidth X1 of the second terminal device. In this case, the network device sets the bandwidth X2 of the first time-frequency resource to be less than the bandwidth of BWP2 and less than or equal to the maximum bandwidth X1 of the second terminal device. Furthermore, in the case of the first terminal device, time-frequency resources other than the first time-frequency resource may be used within the first bandwidth portion to transmit other information of the first terminal device. This is not limited to the present application.

[0144] For the purposes of the above explanation, it is assumed that the first modulation scheme is QPSK and the second modulation scheme is ASK. As shown in Figure 10, the network device determines the maximum bandwidth supported by the second terminal device by using capability information reported by the second terminal device. If the network device decides to modulate both the first and second information on the first signal by using a hybrid modulation scheme, the network device may obtain a first signal containing both the first and second information by using a hybrid modulation scheme, modulating the first information in the frequency domain of the first signal using QPSK and modulating the second information in the amplitude or power domain of the first signal using ASK. The network device transmits the first signal on a first time-frequency resource, the bandwidth of which is less than or equal to the maximum bandwidth supported by the second terminal device.

[0145] S203: The first terminal device obtains first information from the first signal.

[0146] A first terminal device may obtain first information by demodulating a first signal using a demodulation method corresponding to a first modulation scheme. Specific demodulation processes are not limited in this application. Details are again not described herein.

[0147] S204: The second terminal device obtains second information from the first signal.

[0148] A second terminal device may obtain second information by demodulating the first signal using a demodulation method corresponding to a second modulation scheme. Specific demodulation processes are not limited in this application. Details are again not described herein.

[0149] According to the above method, a first signal transmitted by a network device using a time-frequency resource, i.e., a first time-frequency resource, includes first and second information modulated using different modulation schemes, and thus the information is transmitted to multiple terminal devices on the same time-frequency resource using different modulation schemes, thereby improving the utilization of network resources.

[0150] The embodiments provided in this application describe the methods provided in the embodiments of this application in terms of device-to-device interaction. To implement the functions in the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, a network device or terminal device may include hardware structures and / or software modules, and the functions are implemented in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether the functions in the above functions are implemented by using hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0151] In the embodiments of this application, module partitioning is illustrative and merely represents a logical functional partitioning. In actual implementations, other partitioning methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in the embodiments of this application may be integrated into a single processor, exist physically independently, or two or more modules may be integrated into a single module. The integrated module may be implemented in hardware form or in the form of a software functional module.

[0152] Similar to the concepts described above, Figure 11 shows the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device is configured to implement the functions of a network device or terminal device in the method described above. For example, the device may be a software module or a chip system. In this embodiment of the present application, the chip system may include a chip or include a chip and other separate components. The communication device 1100 may include a processing unit 1101 and a communication unit 1102.

[0153] In this embodiment of the present application, the communication unit may also be called a transceiver unit and may include a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit, which are configured to perform the transmitting and receiving steps of the network device or terminal device in the method embodiment described above.

[0154] The following describes in detail the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application with reference to Figures 11 and 12. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiment corresponds to the description of the method embodiment. Therefore, for content not described in detail, please refer to the method embodiment. For brevity, further details are not described herein.

[0155] A communication unit is sometimes called a transceiver, transceiver machine, or transceiver device. A processing unit is also sometimes called a processor, processing board, processing module, or processing unit. Optionally, any component configured to implement a receiving function in the communication unit 1102 may be considered a receiving unit, and any component configured to implement a transmitting function in the communication unit 1102 may be considered a transmitting unit. In other words, the communication unit 1102 includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. A communication unit is also sometimes called a transceiver machine, transceiver, or transceiver circuit. A receiving unit is also sometimes called a receiver machine, receiver, or receiver circuit. A transmitting unit is also sometimes called a transmitter machine, transmitter, or transmitter circuit.

[0156] When the communication device 1100 performs the functions of a network device in the procedure shown in Figure 2 of the above embodiment, The processing unit is configured to modulate first information and second information on a first signal, wherein the first modulation scheme for the first information is different from the second modulation scheme for the second information, and the first modulation scheme is phase-shift keying modulation or quadrature amplitude modulation, and the second modulation scheme is amplitude-shift keying modulation. The communication unit is configured to transmit a first signal over a first time-frequency resource.

[0157] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is further configured to receive first indication information from a first terminal device, the first indication information indicating that different information is modulated on the same signal by using different modulation schemes. The processing unit is further configured to decide to modulate the first information and the second information on the first signal based on the first indication information.

[0158] In a possible implementation, the processing unit receives at least one of the signal-to-interference noise ratio and the reference signal received power from the first terminal device, The system is further configured to determine whether to modulate the first information and the second information on the first signal if the signal-to-interference noise ratio is greater than or equal to a first threshold and / or the received power of the reference signal is greater than or equal to a second threshold.

[0159] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is further configured to transmit second indication information to a first terminal device, the second indication information indicating to a network device that different information is modulated on the same signal by using different modulation schemes, and / or indicating the location of a first time-frequency resource.

[0160] In possible implementations, the bandwidth corresponding to the first time-frequency resource is less than or equal to the maximum bandwidth of the second terminal device, and the maximum bandwidth of the second terminal device is less than the maximum bandwidth of the first terminal device.

[0161] In a possible implementation, the communication unit is further configured to receive capability information from a second terminal device, the capability information indicating the maximum bandwidth of the second terminal device.

[0162] In possible implementations, the first information is modulated in the frequency domain of the first signal using a first modulation scheme, and the second information is modulated in the amplitude or power domain of the first signal using a second modulation scheme.

[0163] In a possible implementation, the modulation index of the second modulation scheme is ∇p, the range of values ​​for ∇p is the open interval (0, P), where P is the average power of all resource elements on the first time-frequency resource that the first signal modulates by using the first modulation scheme.

[0164] In possible implementations, when the second information is modulated using a second modulation scheme, the modulation depth is the same for all resource elements corresponding to each bit carrying the second information, or the modulation depth is the same for all samples corresponding to each bit carrying the second information.

[0165] In possible implementations, when the second information is modulated using a second modulation scheme, the modulation depth for all resource elements corresponding to each bit carrying the second information is not exactly the same, or the modulation depth for all samples corresponding to each bit carrying the second information is not exactly the same.

[0166] In possible implementations, the bits modulated on the first signal and corresponding to the second piece of information are coded bits obtained through channel coding.

[0167] In possible implementations, the channel coding is at least one of Manchester coding and differential Manchester coding, and the number of symbols contained on the first time-frequency resource is even.

[0168] In a possible implementation, the first information includes at least one of user-level control information, common control information, and data information.

[0169] In possible implementations, the second piece of information includes at least one of the following: a broadcast message, a paging message, or a random access response message.

[0170] When the communication device 1100 performs the function of the first terminal device in the procedure shown in Figure 2 of the above embodiment, The communication unit is configured to receive a first signal from a network device on a first time-frequency resource, wherein the first information and the second information are modulated on the first information, and the first modulation scheme for the first information is different from the second modulation scheme for the second information, wherein the first modulation scheme is phase-shift keying modulation or quadrature amplitude modulation, and the second modulation scheme is amplitude-shift keying modulation. The processing unit is configured to acquire first information from the first signal.

[0171] In possible implementations, the processing unit is further configured to determine at least one of the signal-to-interference noise ratio and the reference signal received power based on a reference signal from a network device. The communication unit is further configured to transmit first indication information to a network device if the signal-to-interference noise ratio is greater than or equal to a first threshold and / or the reference signal received power is greater than or equal to a second threshold, wherein the first indication information indicates that different information is modulated on the same signal by using different modulation schemes.

[0172] In possible implementations, the processing unit is further configured to determine at least one of the signal-to-interference noise ratio and the reference signal received power based on a reference signal from a network device. The communication unit is further configured to transmit at least one of the following to the network device: the signal-to-interference noise ratio and the reference signal received power.

[0173] In possible implementations, the communication unit is: The receiving is configured to receive second indication information from a network device, the second indication information indicating to the network device that different information is modulated on the same signal by using different modulation schemes, and / or indicating the location of a first time-frequency resource.

[0174] In possible implementations, the bandwidth corresponding to the first time-frequency resource is less than or equal to the maximum bandwidth of the second terminal device, and the maximum bandwidth of the second terminal device is less than the maximum bandwidth of the first terminal device.

[0175] In possible implementations, the first information is modulated in the frequency domain of the first signal using a first modulation scheme, and the second information is modulated in the amplitude or power domain of the first signal using a second modulation scheme.

[0176] In possible implementations, when the second information is modulated using a second modulation scheme, the modulation depth is the same for all resource elements corresponding to each bit carrying the second information, or the modulation depth is the same for all samples corresponding to each bit carrying the second information.

[0177] In a possible implementation, the modulation depth of the second modulation scheme is ∇p, where the range of values ​​for ∇p is an open interval from 0 to P, where P is either the average power of all resource elements on the first time-frequency resource modulated by the first signal using the first modulation scheme, or the modulation depth for all samples corresponding to each bit carrying the second information is not exactly the same.

[0178] In possible implementations, when the second information is modulated using a second modulation scheme, the modulation degree for all resource elements corresponding to each bit carrying the second information is not exactly the same.

[0179] In possible implementations, the bits modulated on the first signal and corresponding to the second piece of information are coded bits obtained through channel coding.

[0180] In possible implementations, the channel coding is at least one of Manchester coding and differential Manchester coding, and the number of symbols contained on the first time-frequency resource is even.

[0181] When the communication device 1100 performs the function of the second terminal device in the procedure shown in Figure 2 of the above embodiment, The communication unit is configured to receive a first signal from a network device on a first time-frequency resource, wherein the first information and the second information are modulated on the first information, and the first modulation scheme for the first information is different from the second modulation scheme for the second information, wherein the first modulation scheme is phase-shift keying modulation or quadrature amplitude modulation, and the second modulation scheme is amplitude-shift keying modulation. The processing unit is configured to obtain second information from the first signal.

[0182] In possible implementations, the bandwidth corresponding to the first time-frequency resource is less than or equal to the maximum bandwidth of the second terminal device, and the maximum bandwidth of the second terminal device is less than the maximum bandwidth of the first terminal device.

[0183] In possible implementations, the first information is modulated in the frequency domain of the first signal using a first modulation scheme, and the second information is modulated in the amplitude or power domain of the first signal using a second modulation scheme.

[0184] In possible implementations, when the second information is modulated using a second modulation scheme, the modulation depth is the same for all resource elements corresponding to each bit carrying the second information, or the modulation depth is the same for all samples corresponding to each bit carrying the second information.

[0185] In a possible implementation, the modulation depth of the second modulation scheme is ∇p, where the range of values ​​for ∇p is an open interval from 0 to P, where P is either the average power of all resource elements on the first time-frequency resource modulated by the first signal using the first modulation scheme, or the modulation depth for all samples corresponding to each bit carrying the second information is not exactly the same.

[0186] In possible implementations, when the second information is modulated using a second modulation scheme, the modulation depth for all resource elements corresponding to each bit carrying the second information is not exactly the same, or the modulation depth for all samples corresponding to each bit carrying the second information is not exactly the same.

[0187] In possible implementations, the bits modulated on the first signal and corresponding to the second piece of information are coded bits obtained through channel coding.

[0188] In possible implementations, the channel coding is at least one of Manchester coding and differential Manchester coding, and the number of symbols contained on the first time-frequency resource is even.

[0189] The above is merely an example. The processing unit 1101 and the communication unit 1102 may perform other functions. For a more detailed explanation, please refer to the relevant description of the method embodiment shown in Figure 2. Further details are not described herein.

[0190] Figure 12 is a diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The device shown in Figure 12 may be a hardware circuit implementation of the device shown in Figure 11. The communication device is applicable to the flowchart above and performs the functions of a terminal device or network device in the method embodiment described above. For the sake of clarity, Figure 12 shows only the main components of the communication device.

[0191] As shown in Figure 12, the communication device 1200 includes a processor 1210 and an interface circuit 1220. The processor 1210 and the interface circuit 1220 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 1220 may be a transceiver, pins, interface circuit, or input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1200 may further include a memory 1230 configured to store instructions executed by the processor 1210, or input data required by the processor 1210 to execute an instruction, or data generated after the processor 1210 has executed an instruction.

[0192] When the communication device 1200 is configured to implement the method shown in Figure 2, the processor 1210 is configured to implement the functions of the processing unit 1101 described above, and the interface circuit 1220 is configured to implement the functions of the communication unit 1102 described above.

[0193] When the communication device is a chip used in a terminal device, the chip in the terminal device implements the functions of the terminal device in the above embodiment of the method. The chip in the terminal device receives information from another module in the terminal device (e.g., a radio frequency module or an antenna), and the information is transmitted to the terminal device by the network device. Alternatively, the chip in the terminal device transmits information to another module in the terminal device (e.g., a radio frequency module or an antenna), and the information is transmitted to the network device by the terminal device.

[0194] When the communication device is a chip used in a network device, the chip in the network device implements the functions of the network device in the above embodiment of the method. The network device chip receives information from another module in the network device (e.g., a radio frequency module or an antenna), and the information is transmitted to the network device by a terminal device. Alternatively, the network device chip transmits information to another module in the network device (e.g., a radio frequency module or an antenna), and the information is transmitted to a terminal device by the network device.

[0195] It can be understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application may be a central processing unit, or may be another general-purpose processor, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, or another programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc.

[0196] The memory in the embodiments of this application may be random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electroerasable programmable read-only memory, register, hard disk drive, removable hard disk drive, or any other form of storage medium well known in the art.

[0197] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application may be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Accordingly, this application may take the form of hardware-only embodiments, software-only embodiments, or embodiments using a combination of software and hardware. Furthermore, this application may take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk memory, optical memory, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0198] This application is described with reference to flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products described herein. It should be understood that computer program instructions may be used to implement each process and / or block in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, as well as combinations of processes and / or blocks in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams. Computer program instructions may be given for a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, an embedded processor, or a processor of another programmable data processing device to generate a machine, and therefore instructions executed by a computer or a processor of another programmable data processing device generate a machine to implement a particular function in one or more means in the flowchart and / or one or more blocks in the block diagram.

[0199] Computer program instructions can, alternatively, be stored in computer-readable memory, which can be directed to a computer or another programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner. Therefore, instructions stored in computer-readable memory generate an artifact, including an instruction unit. The instruction unit implements a specific function in one or more steps in a flowchart and / or in one or more blocks in a block diagram.

[0200] Clearly, a person skilled in the art can make various modifications and changes to this application without departing from its scope. This application is intended to cover such modifications and changes to this application, provided that they fall within the scope of protection defined by the appended claims and their equivalent art.

Claims

1. A signal transmission method performed by a network device or a chip within a network device, A step of modulating first information and second information on a first signal, wherein the first modulation scheme for the first information is different from the second modulation scheme for the second information, and the first modulation scheme is phase-shift keying modulation or quadrature amplitude modulation, and the second modulation scheme is amplitude-shift keying modulation. The steps of transmitting the first signal on a first time-frequency resource and Includes, The modulation degree of the second modulation scheme is ∇p, the range of values ​​for ∇p is the open interval (0, P), where P is the average power of all resource elements on the first time-frequency resource that the first signal is modulated by using the first modulation scheme, in this method.

2. A step of receiving first indication information from a first terminal device, wherein the first indication information indicates that different information is modulated on the same signal by using different modulation schemes. The steps of determining to modulate the first information and the second information on the first signal based on the first indication information, The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The steps include receiving at least one of the signal-to-interference noise ratio or the reference signal received power from a first terminal device, If the signal-to-interference noise ratio is greater than or equal to a first threshold and / or the reference signal received power is greater than or equal to a second threshold, the step of deciding to modulate the first information and the second information on the first signal. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of transmitting second indication information to the first terminal device, wherein the second indication information indicates to the network device to modulate different information on the same signal by using different modulation schemes, and / or indicates the location of the first time-frequency resource.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the bandwidth corresponding to the first time-frequency resource is less than or equal to the maximum bandwidth of the second terminal device, and the maximum bandwidth of the second terminal device is less than the maximum bandwidth of the first terminal device.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising the step of receiving capability information from the second terminal device, wherein the capability information indicates the maximum bandwidth of the second terminal device.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first information is modulated in the frequency domain of the first signal by using the first modulation scheme, and the second information is modulated in the amplitude domain or power domain of the first signal by using the second modulation scheme.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the second information is modulated using the second modulation scheme, the modulation degree is the same for all resource elements corresponding to each bit carrying the second information, or the modulation degree is the same for all samples corresponding to each bit carrying the second information.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the bit modulated on the first signal and corresponding to the second information is a coded bit obtained through transmission line coding.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the transmission path coding is at least one of Manchester coding and differential Manchester coding, and the number of symbols included on the first time-frequency resource is even.

11. A signal receiving method performed by a first terminal device or a chip within a first terminal device, A step of receiving a first signal from a network device on a first time-frequency resource, wherein first information and second information are modulated on the first signal, and a first modulation scheme for the first information is different from a second modulation scheme for the second information, wherein the first modulation scheme is phase-shift keying modulation or quadrature amplitude modulation, and the second modulation scheme is amplitude-shift keying modulation. The steps of obtaining the first information from the first signal and Includes, The modulation depth of the second modulation scheme is ∇p, and the range of values ​​for ∇p is the open interval (0, P), where P is either the average power of all resource elements on the first time-frequency resource to which the first signal is modulated by using the first modulation scheme, or the modulation depth for all samples corresponding to each bit carrying the second information is not exactly the same.

12. The steps include determining at least one of the signal-to-interference noise ratio and the reference signal received power based on a reference signal from the network device, If the signal-to-interference noise ratio is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and / or the reference signal received power is greater than or equal to a second threshold, the step of transmitting first indication information to the network device, wherein the first indication information indicates that different information is modulated on the same signal by using different modulation schemes. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

13. The steps include determining at least one of the signal-to-interference noise ratio and the reference signal received power based on a reference signal from the network device, The steps include transmitting at least one of the signal-to-interference noise ratio and the reference signal received power to the network device. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:

14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of receiving second indication information from the network device, the second indication information indicating to the network device to modulate different information on the same signal by using different modulation schemes, and / or indicating the location of the first time-frequency resource.

15. A signal receiving method performed by a second terminal device or a chip within a second terminal device, A step of receiving a first signal from a network device on a first time-frequency resource, wherein first information and second information are modulated on the first signal, and a first modulation scheme for the first information is different from a second modulation scheme for the second information, wherein the first modulation scheme is phase-shift keying modulation or quadrature amplitude modulation, and the second modulation scheme is amplitude-shift keying modulation. The steps include obtaining the second information from the first signal and Includes, The modulation depth of the second modulation scheme is ∇p, and the range of values ​​for ∇p is the open interval (0, P), where P is either the average power of all resource elements on the first time-frequency resource to which the first signal is modulated by using the first modulation scheme, or the modulation depth for all samples corresponding to each bit carrying the second information is not exactly the same.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the bandwidth corresponding to the first time-frequency resource is less than or equal to the maximum bandwidth of the second terminal device, and the maximum bandwidth of the second terminal device is less than the maximum bandwidth of the first terminal device.

17. The method according to claim 11, wherein the first information is modulated in the frequency domain of the first signal by using the first modulation scheme, and the second information is modulated in the amplitude domain or power domain of the first signal by using the second modulation scheme.

18. The method according to claim 11, wherein when the second information is modulated using the second modulation scheme, the modulation levels on all resource elements corresponding to each bit carrying the second information are not exactly the same, or the modulation levels on all samples corresponding to each bit carrying the second information are not exactly the same.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the bit modulated on the first signal and corresponding to the second information is a coded bit obtained by transmission line coding.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the transmission path coding is at least one of Manchester coding and differential Manchester coding, and the number of symbols included in the first time-frequency resource is even.

21. A processing unit configured to modulate first information and second information on a first signal, wherein the first modulation scheme for the first information is different from the second modulation scheme for the second information, and the first modulation scheme is phase-shift keying modulation or quadrature amplitude modulation, and the second modulation scheme is amplitude-shift keying modulation. A communication unit configured to transmit the first signal on a first time-frequency resource and Equipped with, A communication device in which the modulation depth of the second modulation scheme is ∇p, the range of values ​​of ∇p is the open interval (0, P), and P is the average power of all resource elements on the first time-frequency resource that the first signal is modulated by using the first modulation scheme.

22. A communication unit configured to receive a first signal from a network device on a first time-frequency resource, wherein first information and second information are modulated on the first signal, and the first modulation scheme for the first information is different from the second modulation scheme for the second information, wherein the first modulation scheme is phase-shift keying modulation or quadrature amplitude modulation, and the second modulation scheme is amplitude-shift keying modulation. A processing unit configured to acquire the first information from the first signal and Equipped with, The modulation depth of the second modulation scheme is ∇p, the range of values ​​for ∇p is the open interval (0, P), where P is either the average power of all resource elements on the first time-frequency resource to which the first signal is modulated by using the first modulation scheme, or the modulation depth for all samples corresponding to each bit carrying the second information is not exactly the same, in a communication device.

23. A communication unit configured to receive a first signal from a network device on a first time-frequency resource, wherein first information and second information are modulated on the first signal, and the first modulation scheme for the first information is different from the second modulation scheme for the second information, wherein the first modulation scheme is phase-shift keying modulation or quadrature amplitude modulation, and the second modulation scheme is amplitude-shift keying modulation. A processing unit configured to acquire the second information from the first signal and Equipped with, The modulation depth of the second modulation scheme is ∇p, the range of values ​​for ∇p is the open interval (0, P), where P is either the average power of all resource elements on the first time-frequency resource to which the first signal is modulated by using the first modulation scheme, or the modulation depth for all samples corresponding to each bit carrying the second information is not exactly the same, in a communication device.

24. A communication device comprising a processor, wherein the processor is coupled to a memory. The processor is configured to execute a computer program or instruction stored in the memory, and as a result, the communication device implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

25. A communication device comprising a processor, wherein the processor is coupled to a memory. The processor is configured to execute a computer program or instruction stored in the memory, and as a result, the communication device implements the method according to any one of claims 11 to 14 and 16 to 20 or the method according to any one of claims 15 to 20.

26. A computer-readable storage medium for storing computer programs or instructions, wherein when the computer programs or instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

27. A computer program including instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

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