アップリンク信号送信方法および装置

Abstract

アップリンク信号送信方法および装置が開示され、無線通信分野に関する。本方法は、端末が、非同所配置方式で展開された少なくとも2つのセルにアクセスし、複数のタイミングアドバンスグループを得るときに、異なるアップリンクキャリアは異なるタイミングアドバンスに対応するので、異なるアップリンクキャリア上の隣接するPUSCHスロットは整合されず、端末が2つの異なるアップリンクキャリアで切り替えを実行するときに、端末が、第1の期間にアップリンク信号を送信することを省略し、アップリンク無線周波数チェーンが第1のアップリンクキャリアから切り替えられた第2のアップリンクキャリア上でアップリンク信号を送信することを含む。これにより、アップリンク無線周波数チェーンの切り替え時間の後、アップリンク無線周波数チェーン切り替えが完了する前に、端末がアップリンク送信を開始するときに、アップリンクキャリア切り替えの前後のアップリンクキャリアのフレーム境界の不整合に起因して生じるサービス中断は回避される。加えて、これは、非同所配置展開においてアップリンク無線周波数チェーン切り替え中に動的なスペクトル選択を利用することによって、より高いアップリンク伝送速度と、より高いスペクトル利用率と、より大きいアップリンク容量を達成するのに役立つ。

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202211215709.4, entitled “Uplink Signal Transmission Method and Apparatus,” filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on 30 September 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] Embodiments of this application relate to the field of wireless communication, and more particularly to uplink signal transmission methods and apparatus. [Background technology]

[0003] With the advancement and evolution of technology, radio frequency chain switching technology is being introduced into fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication technology. For example, terminals support radio frequency chain switching between the 3.5GHz and 1.8GHz frequency bands to occupy different frequency band resources for transmitting uplink signals. To use the spectrum more flexibly, radio frequency chain switching in frequency band combinations including three or four frequency bands is supported. However, in non-cossential deployments, the distance from two network devices to the terminal may differ, resulting in different timing advances delivered by the two network devices for the terminal, and consequently, service interruptions due to radio frequency chain switching may occur. [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] This application provides an uplink signal transmission method and apparatus to solve the problem of service interruption caused by radio frequency chain switching in non-same-location deployments.

[0005] According to a first embodiment, an uplink signal transmission method is provided. The method may be applied to a terminal, or the method may be applied to a communication device that can assist the terminal in carrying out the method. For example, the communication device includes a chip system. The method comprises the steps of: first network device transmitting capability information to first network device on first uplink carrier in order for first network device to determine the switching time of uplink radio frequency chain of terminal; and first uplink signal to first network device on first uplink carrier. The steps to send, The procedure includes the steps of obtaining a first signaling indicating uplink carrier switching, omitting the transmission of an uplink signal during a first period, and transmitting a second uplink signal to a second network device on a second uplink carrier after the first period. The first uplink carrier belongs to a first frequency band and belongs to a first Timing Advance Group (TAG). The second uplink carrier belongs to a second frequency band and belongs to a second TAG. The first period is longer than the uplink radio frequency chain switching time. The first frequency band is different from the second frequency band, and the first TAG is different from the second TAG.

[0006] When a terminal accesses at least two cells deployed in a non-cospoisson configuration and obtains multiple timing advance groups, adjacent physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) slots on different uplink carriers will not be aligned because different uplink carriers correspond to different timing advances. Thus, when performing a switchover on two different uplink carriers, the terminal omits transmitting uplink signals during the first period. Specifically, the terminal transmits uplink signals on the second uplink carrier, after the uplink radio frequency chain has switched from the first uplink carrier, after waiting for a period longer than the uplink radio frequency chain switching time dictated by the terminal's capabilities. This avoids service interruptions caused by misalignment of uplink carrier frame boundaries before and after the uplink carrier switchover when the terminal initiates uplink transmission after the uplink radio frequency chain switching time but before the uplink radio frequency chain switching is complete. In addition, this helps achieve higher uplink transmission speeds, higher spectrum utilization rates, and greater uplink capacity by utilizing dynamic spectrum selection during uplink radio frequency chain switching in non-cossiolocation deployments.

[0007] In one possible implementation, the first period is greater than or equal to the sum of the switching time and the maximum transmit timing difference. The maximum transmit timing difference is the pre-configured maximum offset of the uplink carrier having an inconsistent frame boundary. To ensure that the uplink signal is successfully transmitted on the second uplink carrier to which the uplink radio frequency chain has switched from the first uplink carrier, the uplink signal is transmitted during a period equal to the sum of the switching time and the maximum transmit timing difference.

[0008] In another possible implementation, the first period is greater than or equal to the sum of the switching time, the maximum transmission timing difference, and a first value predetermined by the protocol. Thus, to further ensure that the uplink signal is successfully transmitted over the second uplink carrier to which the uplink radio frequency chain has switched from the first uplink carrier, another first value predetermined by the protocol is added to the first period.

[0009] In another possible implementation, the first period is the period corresponding to the symbols that overlap with the uplink radio frequency chain switching time of a terminal on the first uplink carrier, and / or the symbols that overlap with the uplink radio frequency chain switching time of a terminal on the second uplink carrier.

[0010] In another possible implementation, the first period is greater than or equal to the sum of the switching time, the maximum two-fold transmission timing difference, and a first value predetermined by the protocol.

[0011] According to a second embodiment, a method for receiving an uplink signal is provided. This method may be applied to a network device, or it may be applied to a communication device that can assist a network device in carrying out this method. For example, the communication device includes a chip system. The method includes the steps of: receiving capability information on a first uplink carrier; determining the switching time of the uplink radio frequency chain of a terminal; transmitting a first signaling instructing the terminal to perform an uplink switch; omitting receiving an uplink signal during a first period; and receiving a second uplink signal on a second uplink carrier. The first uplink carrier belongs to a first frequency band, and the first uplink carrier belongs to a first TAG. The second uplink carrier belongs to a second frequency band, and the second uplink carrier belongs to a second TAG. The first period is longer than the uplink radio frequency chain switching time.

[0012] When a terminal accesses at least two cells deployed in a non-cospoir configuration and obtains multiple timing advance groups, adjacent PUSCH slots on different uplink carriers will not be aligned because different uplink carriers correspond to different timing advances. Therefore, when performing a switchover on two different uplink carriers, the terminal omits transmitting the uplink signal during the first period. Specifically, the network device omits receiving the uplink signal during the first period and waits for a longer period than the uplink radio frequency chain switching time indicated by the terminal's capabilities before receiving the uplink signal on the second uplink carrier, which the uplink radio frequency chain has switched to from the first uplink carrier. This avoids service interruptions caused by misalignment of uplink carrier frame boundaries before and after the uplink carrier switchover when the terminal initiates uplink transmission after the uplink radio frequency chain switching time but before the uplink radio frequency chain switchover is complete. In addition, this helps achieve higher uplink transmission speeds, higher spectrum utilization rates, and greater uplink capacity by utilizing dynamic spectrum selection during uplink radio frequency chain switching in non-cossiolocation deployments.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the first period is greater than or equal to the sum of the switching time and the maximum transmit timing difference. The maximum transmit timing difference is the pre-configured maximum offset of the uplink carrier having an inconsistent frame boundary. To ensure that the uplink signal is successfully transmitted on the second uplink carrier to which the uplink radio frequency chain has switched from the first uplink carrier, the uplink signal is transmitted during a period equal to the sum of the switching time and the maximum transmit timing difference.

[0014] In another possible implementation, the first period is greater than or equal to the sum of the switching time, the maximum transmission timing difference, and the error, which includes at least one of the terminal measurement error and thermal noise. In this case, another error is added to the first period to further ensure that the uplink signal is successfully transmitted over the second uplink carrier to which the uplink radio frequency chain has switched from the first uplink carrier.

[0015] In another possible implementation, the first period is the period corresponding to the symbols that overlap with the uplink radio frequency chain switching time of a terminal on the first uplink carrier, and / or the symbols that overlap with the uplink radio frequency chain switching time of a terminal on the second uplink carrier.

[0016] In another possible implementation, the first period is greater than or equal to the sum of the switching time, the maximum transmission timing difference of twice as much, and the error.

[0017] According to a third aspect, a communication device is provided. For beneficial effects, please refer to the description of the first aspect, which will not be described in detail again here. The communication device has the function of performing the behavior of an embodiment of the method of the first aspect. This function may be performed by hardware or by hardware running corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the function described above. In one possible design, the communication device includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit transmits capability information so that a network device determines the switching time of the terminal's uplink radio frequency chain and transmits a first uplink signal to a first network device on a first uplink carrier. Send,The system is configured to obtain a first signaling indicating uplink switching, omit transmitting the uplink signal during a first period, and transmit a second uplink signal to a second network device on a second uplink carrier. The first uplink carrier belongs to a first frequency band and belongs to a first TAG. The second uplink carrier belongs to a second frequency band and belongs to a second TAG. The first period is longer than the uplink radio frequency chain switching time. The processing unit is configured to determine, based on the first signaling, not to transmit the uplink signal during the first period. These modules can perform the corresponding functions in the first embodiment of the method example. For details, please refer to the detailed description of the method example. Details will not be explained again here.

[0018] According to a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided. For beneficial effects, please refer to the description of the second aspect, which will not be described in detail again here. The communication device has a function to perform the behavior of an embodiment of the method of the second aspect. This function may be performed by hardware or by hardware running corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the function described above. In one possible design, the communication device includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit is configured to receive capability information, determine the switching time of the terminal's uplink radio frequency chain, transmit a first signaling instructing the terminal to perform an uplink switch when a first uplink signal is received on a first uplink carrier, omit receiving an uplink signal during a first period, and receive a second uplink signal on a second uplink carrier. The first uplink carrier belongs to a first frequency band, and the first uplink carrier belongs to a first TAG. The second uplink carrier belongs to the second frequency band, and the second uplink carrier belongs to the second TAG. The first period is longer than the uplink radio frequency chain switching time. The processing unit is configured to determine, based on the first signaling, that no uplink signal is received during the first period. These modules can perform the corresponding functions in the second embodiment of the method example. For details, please refer to the detailed description of the method example. Details will not be explained again here.

[0019] According to a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided. This communication device may be a terminal or a chip within a terminal in the embodiments of the method described above. This communication device includes a communication interface and a processor, and optionally further includes memory. The memory is configured to store computer programs or instructions. The processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. When the processor executes a computer program or instruction, the communication device becomes capable of performing the method performed by the terminal in the embodiments of the method described above.

[0020] According to a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided. This communication device may be a network device or a chip within the network device in the embodiment of the foregoing method. This communication device includes a communication interface and a processor, and optionally further includes a memory. The memory is configured to store a computer program or instructions. The processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. When the processor executes the computer program or instructions, this communication device is capable of executing the method executed by the network device in the embodiment of the foregoing method.

[0021] According to a seventh aspect, a computer program product is provided. This computer program product includes computer program code. When the computer program code is executed, the method executed by the terminal in the foregoing aspect is executed.

[0022] According to an eighth aspect, a computer program product is provided. This computer program product includes computer program code. When the computer program code is executed, the method executed by the network device in the foregoing aspect is executed.

[0023] According to a ninth aspect, a chip system is provided. This chip system includes a processor configured to implement the functions of the terminal by the method of the foregoing aspect. In one possible design, this chip system further includes a memory configured to store program instructions and / or data. This chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and another separate component.

[0024] According to the tenth aspect, a chip system is provided. This chip system includes a processor configured to implement the functions of the network device in the method of the foregoing aspect. In one possible design, this chip system further includes a memory configured to store program instructions and / or data. This chip system may include a chip, or may include a chip and another separate component.

[0025] According to the eleventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. This computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed, the method executed by the terminal in the foregoing aspect is implemented.

[0026] According to the twelfth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. This computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed, the method executed by the network device in the foregoing aspect is implemented.

[0027] According to the thirteenth aspect, a communication system is provided. This communication system includes the terminal described in the third aspect, or a communication device that assists the terminal when implementing the method described in the first aspect, and the network device described in the fourth aspect, or a communication device that assists the network device when implementing the method described in the second aspect.

[0028] Alternatively, the communication system includes the terminal described in the fifth aspect, or a communication device that assists the terminal when implementing the method described in the first aspect, and the network device described in the sixth aspect, or a communication device that assists the network device when implementing the method described in the second aspect.

[0029] In this application, the terms terminal, network device, and communication device are not limiting to the devices. In actual implementation, devices may have other names. However, if the functionality of the device is similar to that of this application, the device falls within the scope of the claims of this application and its equivalent technology. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0030] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the architecture of a mobile communication system to which one embodiment of this application is applied. [Figure 2] This is a diagram of the radio frequency chain according to this application. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart of the uplink signal transmission method according to this application. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the switching of a multi-TAG uplink carrier according to this application. [Figure 5] This is an illustrative diagram of the configuration of the communication device according to this application. [Figure 6] This is an illustrative diagram of the configuration of another communication device according to this application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0031] The implementation of the embodiment of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 is a diagram of the architecture of a communication system 1000 to which one embodiment of the present application is applied. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system includes a wireless access network 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system 1000 may further include an internet 300. The wireless access network 100 may include at least one wireless access network device (e.g., 110a and 110b in Figure 1) and may further include at least one terminal (e.g., 120a-120j in Figure 1). The terminal is connected to the wireless access network device wirelessly, and the wireless access network device is connected to the core network wirelessly or wired. The core network device and the wireless access network device may be separate physical devices, or the functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the wireless access network device may be integrated into the same physical device, or some functions of the core network device and some functions of the wireless access network device may be integrated into one physical device. Wired or wireless connections may be used between terminals and between wireless access network devices. Figure 1 is merely a diagram. The communication system may further include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices not shown in Figure 1.

[0033] A wireless access network device is an access device that allows a terminal to access a communication system wirelessly. A wireless access network device may be a base station, an evolved node B (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation node B (gNB) for a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system, a next-generation base station for a 6th generation (6G) mobile communication system, a base station for a future mobile communication system, or an access node for a WiFi system. Alternatively, a wireless access network device may be a module or unit that completes some of the functions of a base station, for example, a central unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). Here, the CU completes the functions of the base station's radio resource control protocol and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), and may further complete the functions of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP). The DU completes the functions of the base station's radio link control layer and medium access control (MAC) layer, and may further complete some or all of the functions of the physical layer. For a specific description of the protocol layers mentioned above, please refer to the relevant technical specifications of the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP®). The radio access network device may be a macro base station (e.g., 110a in Figure 1), or a micro base station or indoor base station (e.g., 110b in Figure 1), or a relay node, donor node, etc. The specific technologies and specific device configurations employed in the radio access network device are not limited to the embodiments of this application.To simplify the explanation, the following example will use a base station as the wireless access network device.

[0034] A terminal is a device having wireless transceiver functionality that can transmit signals to or receive signals from a base station. Terminals are also sometimes called terminal devices, user equipment (UE), mobile stations, or mobile terminals. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, and smart cities. Terminals may include mobile phones, tablet computers, computers with wireless transceiver functionality, wearable devices, vehicles, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, and smart home devices. Specific technologies and device forms employed in terminals are not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0035] Base stations and terminals may be fixed or mobile. Base stations and terminals may be deployed on land, including indoor or outdoor devices, handheld devices, or vehicle-mounted devices, or on water, or on airplanes, balloons, or satellites. Application scenarios for base stations and terminals are not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0036] The roles of base stations and terminals can be relative. For example, the helicopter or unmanned aerial vehicle 120i in Figure 1 may be configured as a mobile base station. For terminal 120j accessing the radio access network 100 via 120i, terminal 120i is the base station. However, for base station 110a, 120i is a terminal. In other words, communication between 110a and 120i is performed based on the radio air interface protocol. It is clear that communication between 110a and 120i may instead be performed based on the interface protocol between base stations. In this case, for 110a, 120i is also a base station. Therefore, both base stations and terminals are sometimes collectively referred to as communication devices, and 110a and 110b in Figure 1 may be referred to as communication devices with base station functions, while 120a to 120j in Figure 1 may be referred to as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0037] Communication between a base station and a terminal, between base stations, or between terminals may be performed on a licensed spectrum, on an unlicensed spectrum, or on both a licensed and unlicensed spectrum. Communication may be performed on a spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), on a spectrum above 6 GHz, or on both a spectrum below 6 GHz and a spectrum above 6 GHz. The spectral resources used for wireless communication are not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0038] In embodiments of this application, the functions of a base station may instead be performed by a module (e.g., a chip) within the base station, or by a control subsystem that includes the functions of a base station. The control subsystem that includes the functions of a base station may be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, smart transportation, and smart cities. The functions of a terminal may instead be performed by a module (e.g., a chip or modem) within the terminal, or by a device that includes the functions of a terminal.

[0039] In this application, a base station transmits downlink signals or downlink information to a terminal, with the downlink information carried over the downlink channel. The terminal transmits uplink signals or uplink information to the base station, with the uplink information carried over the uplink channel. To communicate with the base station, the terminal needs to establish a radio connection to a cell controlled by the base station. The cell with which the terminal establishes a radio connection is called the terminal's serving cell. When communicating with the serving cell, the terminal is further subjected to interference from signals from neighboring cells.

[0040] In embodiments of this application, time-domain symbols may be orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols or discrete Fourier transform-spread-OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) symbols. Unless otherwise specified, symbols in embodiments of this application are time-domain symbols.

[0041] In embodiments of this application, Timing Advance (TA) is a timing advance instructed by a network device to a terminal for transmitting an uplink signal and is used to compensate for propagation delay. It will be understood that a key feature of uplink transmission is that separate terminals perform orthogonal multiple access in the time and frequency domains, in other words, that uplink transmissions from separate terminals in the same cell do not interfere with each other. To ensure the orthogonality of uplink transmissions and avoid intra-cell interference, the network device requires that signals from separate terminals on different frequency domain resources (different resource blocks, RBs) within the same time domain resource (e.g., a slot) arrive at the network device at essentially aligned times. If the network device receives the uplink data transmitted by the terminals within a cyclic prefix (CP) range, the network device can correctly decode the uplink data. Therefore, uplink synchronization requires that the times when signals from separate terminals within the same time domain resource arrive at the network device all fall within the CP. Network devices can control the time it takes for uplink signals from different terminals to arrive at the network device by appropriately controlling the timing offset of each terminal. Terminals relatively far from the network device have a relatively long transmission delay. Therefore, terminals relatively far from the network device transmit uplink data earlier than terminals relatively close to the network device.

[0042] Network devices determine the terminal's timing advance value by measuring the terminal's uplink transmission. Theoretically, any uplink signal transmitted by a terminal can be used to measure the timing advance. For example, uplink signals include the sounding reference signal (SRS), demodulation reference signal (DMRS), and channel quality indicator (CQI).

[0043] In random access procedures, network devices determine the timing advance by measuring the random access preamble they receive and deliver initial timing adjustments via timing advance commands in the RAR. In Radio Resource Control (RRC) connections, the timing at which uplink signals arrive at network devices can change over time. This is because changes in distance between fast-moving terminals and network devices cause changes in transmission delay between the terminals and network devices; terminal offsets cause long-term offset accumulation, further leading to uplink timing errors; and transmission path switching and terminal movement cause Doppler frequency shifts. Therefore, network devices need to send dynamic signaling to adjust the timing advance of terminals.

[0044] To increase uplink capacity, the terminal supports radio frequency chain switching between two different frequency bands (e.g., 3.5 GHz and 1.8 GHz) to occupy different frequency band resources for transmitting uplink signals. For example, as shown in Figure 2, the terminal includes two radio frequency chains. The first radio frequency chain supports the 3.5 GHz frequency band, and the second radio frequency chain supports the 3.5 GHz and 1.8 GHz frequency bands. The terminal can transmit uplink signals based on the 3.5 GHz frequency band supported by the first and second radio frequency chains, or the terminal can transmit uplink signals in the 1.8 GHz frequency band supported by the second radio frequency chain. When radio frequency chain switching (Tx switching) of the terminal's second radio frequency chain occurs between the 3.5 GHz and 1.8 GHz frequency bands, it includes at least hardware phase-locked loop switching, power amplifier (PA) switching, etc. Therefore, there is a radio frequency chain switching time when the terminal performs radio frequency chain switching.

[0045] Please understand that one carrier corresponds to one timing advance group, and different carriers correspond to different timing advance groups.

[0046] When a terminal accesses at least two cells deployed in a non-cossimotic configuration and obtains multiple timing advance groups, the timing advances of multiple uplink carriers are delivered separately by the cells of multiple non-cossimotic network devices, resulting in misaligned frame boundaries between the two corresponding uplink carriers. In this case, when the terminal performs a radio frequency chain switch, uplink transmission begins before the uplink radio frequency chain switch is complete. This results in a service interruption.

[0047] To address the problem of service interruptions caused by radio frequency chain switching in non-symmetric deployments, this application provides an uplink signal transmission method. Specifically, a terminal transmits capability information, which a network device uses to determine the switching time of the terminal's uplink radio frequency chain. The device is, The first uplink signal is sent to the first network device on the first uplink carrier. Send and A A first signaling is obtained instructing an uplink carrier switch, and the transmission of the uplink signal is omitted during the first period. The second uplink signal is then transmitted to the second network device on the second uplink carrier. The first uplink carrier belongs to the first frequency band and belongs to the first TAG. The second uplink carrier belongs to the second frequency band and belongs to the second TAG. The first period is longer than the uplink radio frequency chain switching time. In this way, when a terminal performs a switch between two different uplink carriers, after waiting for a period longer than the uplink radio frequency chain switching time instructed by the terminal's capabilities, the terminal transmits the uplink signal on the second uplink carrier, which the uplink radio frequency chain has switched from the first uplink carrier. This avoids service interruptions caused by mismatches in the frame boundaries of the uplink carriers before and after the uplink carrier switch, when the terminal initiates uplink transmission after the uplink radio frequency chain switching time but before the uplink radio frequency chain switch is complete. In addition, this helps achieve higher uplink transmission speeds, higher spectrum utilization rates, and greater uplink capacity by utilizing dynamic spectrum selection during uplink radio frequency chain switching in non-cossiolocation deployments.

[0048] Next, Figure 3 is a flowchart of the uplink signal transmission method according to this application. Here, an example is used in which a terminal performs radio frequency chain switching in multiple timing advance groups. As shown in Figure 3, the method may include the following steps.

[0049] Step 310: The terminal transmits capability information on the first uplink carrier. The capability information indicates the switching period of the terminal's uplink radio frequency chain. For example, the value of the uplink radio frequency chain switching period may be 140 microseconds (μs), 35 μs, or 210 μs.

[0050] The terminal reports to the network device that it has radio frequency chain switching capability. The first period instructs the terminal to omit transmitting an uplink signal during the first period. The first network device receives capability information on the first uplink carrier, or the second network device receives capability information on the first uplink carrier.

[0051] The terminal accesses cell #1 of the first network device and cell #2 of the second network device, and these two cells belong to network devices located in different locations. Cell #1 belongs to the first TAG, and cell #2 belongs to the second TAG.

[0052] Step 320: The terminal transmits a first uplink signal to a first network device on the first uplink carrier.

[0053] After accessing cell #1 deployed by the first network device, the terminal transmits a first uplink signal to the first network device on the first uplink carrier provided by cell #1, based on the first TAG. The first uplink carrier belongs to the first frequency band.

[0054] Step 330: The first network device receives the first uplink signal on the first uplink carrier.

[0055] Step 340: The first or second network device sends the first signaling. The first signaling instructs an uplink carrier switch.

[0056] Step 350: The terminal receives the first signaling.

[0057] The terminal receives a first signaling transmitted by a first network device or a second network device. For example, the first Signaling This may be Downlink Control Information (DCI). The network device is the first Uplink From career to second Uplink The first signaling instructs the terminal to switch to the uplink. The first signaling further instructs a second time interval, which instructs the interval between the end symbol of the physical downlink control channel carrying the first signaling and the start symbol of the uplink channel. The uplink channel may be a physical uplink shared channel, a physical uplink control channel, or an uplink sounding reference signal.

[0058] Step 360: The terminal omits transmitting an uplink signal during the first period and, after the first period, transmits a second uplink signal to the second network device on the second uplink carrier. It will also be understood that the terminal does not expect the second time interval to be less than the first period. If the second time interval indicated by the first signaling received by the terminal is less than the first period, the terminal discards the first signaling.

[0059] The terminal is the first SignalingAfter receiving the signal, an uplink radio frequency chain switch is triggered. Since the first and second network devices are located in different locations, the first TAG corresponding to the first network device and the second TAG corresponding to the second network device are also different.

[0060] If the frame boundaries of the first and second uplink carriers are not aligned, and the slot boundaries and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol boundaries are also not aligned, the terminal will omit transmitting the uplink signal for a first period longer than the uplink radio frequency chain switching time. 2 After waiting a first period to ensure a reliable switch to the first uplink carrier, the terminal device can transmit an uplink signal on the second uplink carrier. The second uplink carrier belongs to a second frequency band, and the second uplink carrier belongs to a second TAG. The first frequency band is different from the second frequency band. For example, the first frequency band may be the 3.5 GHz frequency band and the second frequency band may be the 1.8 GHz frequency band. The first and second frequency bands form a first band pair. The first band pair is included in a first band combination, which includes three or four uplink frequency bands that can be used to transmit uplink transmissions. As an optional choice, for a second frequency band pair belonging to a first frequency band combination, if the two frequency bands corresponding to the second frequency band pair correspond to a first TAG and a second TAG, respectively, then the first period applied to the uplink radio frequency chain switching interruption of the first frequency band pair also applies to the second frequency band pair.

[0061] In a first possible implementation, the first period is the period subject to uplink radio frequency chain switching, during which the terminal device omits transmitting uplink signals, which include, but are not limited to, PUSCH, physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), and SRS. The first period is greater than or equal to the radio frequency chain switching time. The terminal device completes the uplink radio frequency chain switching during the first period. The first period satisfies equation (1) below. T' = T1 + T os Alternatively, T' = ceil(T1 / T) os )+1 formula (1)

[0062] T' represents the first period, specifically the interruption time during which the terminal performs uplink radio frequency chain switching. T1 represents the uplink radio frequency chain switching time. os This represents the duration of the symbol. The duration of a symbol may be determined based on various subcarrier intervals. For example, if the subcarrier interval is 15 kilohertz (kHz), the slot contains 12 or 14 time-domain symbols with a corresponding duration of 1 millisecond (ms), and if the subcarrier interval is 60 kHz, the slot has a corresponding duration shortened to 0.25 ms.

[0063] In a second possible implementation, the value of the first period relates to the maximum transmission timing difference (MTTD) predetermined by the protocol. MTTD represents the maximum transmission timing difference that can be handled by the terminal. For example, the value of MTTD is 34.6 μs. When triggering an uplink radio frequency chain switch, the terminal can determine the first period based on the switch time and the maximum transmission timing difference. For example, the first period is greater than or equal to the sum of the switch time and the maximum transmission timing difference. The first period satisfies equation (2) below. T’ = ceil{(T1 + T MTTD ) / T os} Equation (2)

[0064] T’ represents the first period. ceil represents rounding up. T1 represents the uplink radio frequency chain switching time. T MTTD represents the maximum transmission timing difference. T os represents the duration of an OFDM symbol.

[0065]

Table 1

[0066] In the third possible implementation, the first period is greater than or equal to the sum of the switching time, the maximum transmission timing difference, and a first value predefined by the protocol. The first value predefined by the protocol may alternatively be represented as a margin or as a first value predefined by the protocol for TA adjustment. The first period satisfies the following Equation (3). T’ = ceil{(T1 + T MTTD + Terror) / T os} Equation (3)

[0067] T’ represents the first period. ceil represents rounding up. T1 represents the uplink radio frequency chain switching time. T MTTD represents the maximum transmission timing difference. Terror represents a first value predefined by the protocol. T os represents the symbol duration.

[0068] In the fourth possible implementation, the first period is greater than or equal to the sum of the switching time, twice the maximum transmission timing difference, and a first value predefined by the protocol. The first value predefined by the protocol may alternatively be represented as a margin or as a first value predefined by the protocol for TA adjustment. The first period satisfies the following Equation (4). T’ = ceil{(T1 + 2 * T MTTD [[ID=os} Formula (4)

[0069] Thus, when a terminal performs a switch between two different uplink carriers, it waits for a longer period than the uplink radio frequency chain switching time dictated by the terminal's capabilities before transmitting the uplink signal on the second uplink carrier, which the uplink radio frequency chain has switched to from the first uplink carrier. This avoids service interruptions caused by mismatches in the frame boundaries of the uplink carriers before and after the uplink carrier switch, when the terminal initiates uplink transmission after the uplink radio frequency chain switching time but before the uplink radio frequency chain switching is complete. In addition, this helps achieve higher uplink transmission speeds, higher spectrum utilization rates, and greater uplink capacity by utilizing dynamic spectrum selection during uplink radio frequency chain switching in non-cossiolocation deployments.

[0070] In a fifth possible implementation, the UE omits transmitting an uplink transmission during the first period, and the first period is represented as a symbol overlapping with the uplink radio frequency chain switching time on the first uplink carrier and / or a symbol overlapping with the uplink radio frequency chain switching time on the second uplink carrier.

[0071] For example, as shown in Figure 4(a), the subcarrier spacing of the first uplink carrier is the same as that of the second uplink carrier, and the duration of the symbols contained in the first uplink carrier is the same as that of the symbols contained in the second uplink carrier. Since the first TAG is different from the second TAG, the frame boundaries and symbol boundaries of the two uplink carriers are not aligned. The terminal switches the uplink radio frequency chain from the second uplink carrier to the first uplink carrier. The start of the uplink radio frequency chain switching time is within symbol 4 of the first slot, and the end of the uplink radio frequency chain switching time is within symbol 8 of the first slot. The first period includes the duration of symbols 4 through 8, i.e., the duration of the five symbols on the first uplink carrier.

[0072] The terminal begins transmitting an uplink signal from symbol 9 in the first slot of the first uplink carrier. The terminal transmits the uplink radio frequency chain from the first uplink carrier to the second uplink carrier. Stem Switch to carrier. The start of the uplink radio frequency chain switching time is within symbol 13 of the first slot of the second uplink carrier, and the end of the uplink radio frequency chain switching time is within symbol 3 of the second slot of the second uplink carrier. The first period includes the duration of the five symbols on the second uplink carrier, i.e., from symbol 13 to symbol 3.

[0073] As shown in Figure 4(b), the subcarrier interval of the first uplink carrier is 60 kHz, and the subcarrier interval of the second uplink carrier is 30 kHz. The duration of the symbols contained in the first uplink carrier differs from the duration of the symbols contained in the second uplink carrier. The start of the uplink radio frequency chain switching time is within symbol 7 of the first slot of the first uplink carrier, and the end of the uplink radio frequency chain switching time is within symbol 1 of the second slot. The first period includes the duration of the nine symbols on the first uplink carrier, from symbol 7 of the first slot to symbol 1 of the second slot.

[0074] The terminal begins transmitting an uplink signal from symbol 1 in the second slot of the first uplink carrier. The terminal switches from the first uplink carrier to the second uplink subcarrier. The start of the uplink radio frequency chain switching time is within symbol 12 in the first slot of the second uplink carrier, and the end of the uplink radio frequency chain switching time is within symbol 2 in the second slot of the second uplink carrier. The first period includes the duration of the five symbols on the second uplink carrier, from symbol 12 to symbol 2.

[0075] In some other embodiments, a terminal reporting the uplink radio frequency chain switching time at an mTAG to a network device may be independent of a terminal reporting the uplink radio frequency chain switching time at a single TAG to a network device. For example, a terminal may trigger an uplink radio frequency chain switching at an mTAG, and the uplink radio frequency chain switching time is determined based on the uplink radio frequency chain switching time at a single TAG and the symbol duration. For example, the uplink radio frequency chain switching time at an mTAG satisfies equation (5). T'' = T² + T os Formula (5)

[0076] T'' represents the uplink radio frequency chain switching time in mTAG. T2 represents the uplink radio frequency chain switching time in a single TAG. os This represents the duration of the symbol.

[0077] It will be understood that, in order to carry out the functions of the embodiments described above, the base station and terminal include corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules that perform various functions. Those skilled in the art will readily realize, by referring to the example units and method steps described in the embodiments disclosed in this application, that this application can be implemented by hardware or by a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or by hardware driven by computer software will depend on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0078] Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the structure of possible communication devices according to embodiments of the present application. These communication devices may be configured to perform the functions of a terminal or base station in the embodiments of the method described above, and thus can achieve the beneficial effects of the embodiments of the method described above. In embodiments of the present application, the communication device may be one of the terminals 120a to 120j shown in Figure 1, or a base station 110a or 110b shown in Figure 1, or a module (such as a chip) used within a terminal or base station.

[0079] As shown in Figure 5, the communication device 500 includes a processing unit 510 and a transceiver unit 520. The communication device 500 is configured to perform the functions of a terminal or base station in the embodiment of the method shown in Figure 3.

[0080] When the communication device 500 is configured to perform the functions of a terminal in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the transceiver unit 520 transmits capability information on the first uplink carrier and a first uplink signal on the first uplink carrier to the first network device so that the network device can determine the switching time of the terminal's uplink radio frequency chain. Send, The system is configured to obtain a first signaling signal instructing an uplink carrier switch, omit sending an uplink signal during a first period, and after the first period, send a second uplink signal to a second network device on a second uplink carrier, and then perform steps 310, 320, 330, and 360, for example, as shown in Figure 3.

[0081] The processing unit 510 is configured to determine the first period.

[0082] When the communication device 500 is configured to perform the functions of a base station in the embodiment of the method shown in Figure 3, the transceiver unit 520 is configured to receive capability information on a first uplink carrier, transmit a first signaling instructing a terminal to perform an uplink carrier switch, omit receiving an uplink signal in a first period, and after the first period receive a second uplink signal on a second uplink carrier, and perform, for example, steps 340 and 350 shown in Figure 3.

[0083] The processing unit 510 is configured to determine the switching time of the terminal's uplink radio frequency chain.

[0084] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 510 and the transceiver unit 520, please refer to the relevant description of the embodiment of the method shown in Figure 3.

[0085] As shown in Figure 6, the communication device 600 includes a processor 610 and an interface circuit 620. The processor 610 and the interface circuit 620 are coupled to each other. It will be understood that the interface circuit 620 may be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 600 may further include a memory 630 configured to store instructions executed by the processor 610, input data required by the processor 610 to execute the instructions, or data generated after the processor 610 has executed the instructions.

[0086] When the communication device 600 is configured to perform the method shown in Figure 3, the processor 610 is configured to perform the functions of the processing unit 510, and the interface circuit 620 is configured to perform the functions of the transceiver unit 520.

[0087] If the communication device is a chip used within a terminal, the chip within the terminal performs the functions of the terminal in the embodiments of the method described above. The chip within the terminal receives information from another module within the terminal (e.g., a radio frequency module or antenna), and this information is transmitted to the terminal by the base station, or the chip within the terminal transmits information to another module within the terminal (e.g., a radio frequency module or antenna), and this information is transmitted to the base station by the terminal.

[0088] If the communication device is a module used within a base station, the module within the base station performs the functions of the base station in the embodiments of the method described above. The module within the base station receives information from another module within the base station (e.g., a radio frequency module or antenna), and this information is transmitted to the base station by the terminal, or the module within the base station transmits information to another module within the base station (e.g., a radio frequency module or antenna), and this information is transmitted to the terminal by the base station. The module within the base station here may be a baseband chip within the base station, or a DU or another module. The DU here may be a DU in an open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture.

[0089] It will be understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or another general-purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or another programmable logic device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0090] The method steps in embodiments of this application may be implemented in hardware or by software instructions that can be executed by a processor. The software instructions may include corresponding software modules. The software modules may be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disks, removable hard disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. For example, the storage medium may be coupled to a processor, as a result the processor may read information from and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium may, instead, be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium may be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC may be located in a base station or terminal. The processor and storage medium may, instead, exist as separate components within the base station or terminal.

[0091] All or part of the embodiments described above may be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. If software is used to implement an embodiment, all or part of the embodiment may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the procedures or functions of the embodiments of this application are performed. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a computer network, a network device, a user terminal, or another programmable device. The computer program or instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions may be transmitted by wire or wirelessly from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer, or a data storage device, such as a server or data center integrating one or more available media. The usable media may be magnetic media, such as floppy disks, hard disks, or magnetic tapes; optical media, such as digital video discs; or semiconductor media, such as solid-state drives. The computer-readable storage medium may be volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or may include two types of storage media, namely volatile and non-volatile storage media.

[0092] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated or unless there is a logical inconsistency, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and may be referenced to one another, and the technical features of different embodiments may be combined on the basis of their internal logical relationships to form new embodiments.

[0093] It will be understood that the various numbers in the embodiments of this application are used merely for distinction to facilitate explanation and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The sequential numbering of the processes described above does not imply an execution order, and the execution order of the processes should be determined based on the function and internal logic of the processes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 100 Wireless Access Networks 110a Wireless Access Network Device 110b Wireless Access Network Device Terminals 120a~120j 120i terminal, helicopter or unmanned aerial vehicle 200 Core Network 300 Internet 500 Communication devices 510 Processing Units 520 Transceiver Unit 600 Communication devices 610 Processor 620 Interface Circuit 630 memory 1000 Communication Systems

Claims

1. An uplink signal transmission method performed by a terminal or a module used within a terminal, A step of transmitting capability information to a first network device on a first uplink carrier, wherein the capability information indicates the switching time of the uplink radio frequency chain of the terminal. A step of transmitting a first uplink signal to a first network device on the first uplink carrier, wherein the first uplink carrier belongs to a first frequency band and the first uplink carrier belongs to a first timing advance group (TAG), A step of receiving a first signaling from the first network device, wherein the first signaling instructs the terminal to perform an uplink carrier switch. A step of omitting the transmission of an uplink signal during a first period, and a step of transmitting a second uplink signal to a second network device on a second uplink carrier after the first period, wherein the second uplink carrier belongs to a second frequency band, the second uplink carrier belongs to a second TAG, the first period is longer than the uplink radio frequency chain switching time, the first frequency band is different from the second frequency band, the first TAG is different from the second TAG, and the first period includes at least a period corresponding to a symbol of the terminal on the first uplink carrier that overlaps with the uplink radio frequency chain switching time, and / or a symbol of the terminal on the second uplink carrier that overlaps with the uplink radio frequency chain switching time. Methods that include...

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first period is greater than or equal to the sum of the switching time and the maximum transmission timing difference, and the maximum transmission timing difference represents the maximum value of the transmission timing difference occurring between the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first period is greater than or equal to the sum of the switching time, the maximum transmission timing difference, and a first value predetermined by the protocol, and the maximum transmission timing difference represents the maximum value of the transmission timing difference occurring between the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first period is greater than or equal to the sum of the switching time, the maximum transmission timing difference of twice, and a first value predetermined by the protocol, and the maximum transmission timing difference represents the maximum value of the transmission timing difference occurring between the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier.

5. A communication device comprising a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is configured to receive a signal from another communication device and transmit the signal to the processor, or transmit a signal from the processor to another communication device, and the processor is configured to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 by using logic circuits or by executing code instructions.

6. A computer-readable storage medium that stores a computer program or instruction, and when the computer program or instruction is executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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