Method for indicating reference signal, and communication apparatus and communication system

Abstract

The present application provides a method for indicating a reference signal, and a communication apparatus and a communication system. In the method, a terminal device receives first indication information, the first indication information comprising port information of a first DMRS; and the terminal device determines port information of a CSI-RS of the terminal device on the basis of the first indication information. Therefore, a network device does not need to send to the terminal device separate indication information used for indicating a port of the CSI-RS of the terminal device, thus reducing signaling overhead, helping to save air interface resources.

Description

Method for indicating reference signal, communication device and communication system

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on August 16, 2023, with application number 202311036741.0 and application name “A method, communication device and communication system for indicating a reference signal”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular to a method for indicating a reference signal, a communication device, and a communication system. Background Art

[0004] Compared with traditional mobile communication systems, the fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication system and future wireless communication systems are committed to supporting higher system performance. They will support multiple service types, a wide range of deployment scenarios, and a wider spectrum range. This will also lead to more and more air interface signaling between terminal devices and network equipment, which in turn leads to relatively tight air interface resources.

[0005] How to reduce air interface signaling overhead, such as reducing the signaling overhead for indicating reference signals, remains to be solved.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] Embodiments of the present application provide a method, a communication device, and a communication system for indicating a reference signal, so as to reduce air interface signaling overhead.

[0008] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for indicating a reference signal, which can be performed by a terminal device or a module (such as a chip) within the terminal device. The method includes: receiving first indication information, where the first indication information indicates port information including a first demodulation reference signal (DMRS); and determining the port information of a first channel status information reference signal (CSI-RS) based on the first indication information.

[0009] In the above scheme, there is a mapping relationship or a corresponding relationship between the first indication information and the port information of the CSI-RS of the terminal device, and the terminal device can determine the port information of the CSI-RS of the terminal device according to the first indication information. Therefore, the network device does not need to send a separate indication information for indicating the port of the CSI-RS of the terminal device to the terminal device, but uses the first indication information for indicating the port of the first DMRS that must be sent to determine the port information of the first CSI-RS, that is, it was originally necessary to send the first indication information and the port information of the first CSI-RS, but this scheme only needs to send the first indication information, thereby reducing the signaling overhead, thereby helping to save air interface resources. In addition, this scheme determines the port information of the first CSI-RS based on the first indication information by the terminal device, rather than the network device indicating the port information of the first CSI-RS through air interface signaling, which can achieve faster determination of the port information of the first CSI-RS. This is because the time it takes for the terminal device to determine the port information of the first CSI-RS based on the first indication information is shorter than the time it takes to receive the air interface signaling and parse the air interface signaling to obtain the port information of the first CSI-RS.

[0010] In a possible implementation method, the first indication information includes a port index of the first DMRS, and the port information of the first CSI-RS includes a port index of the first CSI-RS.

[0011] In a possible implementation method, the port index of the first CSI-RS is the same as the port index of the first DMRS.

[0012] In one possible implementation method, determining the port information of the first CSI-RS based on the first indication information includes: determining the port information of the first CSI-RS corresponding to the first indication information based on the first indication information and a first mapping relationship predefined by the protocol; wherein the first mapping relationship includes a mapping relationship between the port information of the DMRS and the port information of the CSI-RS, the port information of the DMRS includes the port information of the first DMRS, and the port information of the CSI-RS includes the port information of the first CSI-RS.

[0013] In the above solution, the terminal device can determine the port information of the first CSI-RS corresponding to the first indication information according to the first mapping relationship predefined in the protocol, and can accurately and quickly determine the port information of the first CSI-RS.

[0014] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: receiving second indication information, the second indication information including a second mapping relationship between the first indication information and the port information of the first CSI-RS; determining the port information of the first CSI-RS according to the first indication information, including: determining the port information of the first CSI-RS according to the first indication information and the second mapping relationship.

[0015] In the above solution, the network device indicates to the terminal device the second mapping relationship between the first indication information and the port information of the first CSI-RS, which helps the terminal device to accurately determine the port information of the first CSI-RS.

[0016] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: receiving a second CSI-RS; and determining the first CSI-RS in the second CSI-RS according to the first indication information.

[0017] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: receiving a first message, where the first message includes configuration information of a third CSI-RS, and the second CSI-RS is a part of the third CSI-RS.

[0018] In the above solution, a set of CSI-RS configurations, namely, the configuration information of the third CSI-RS, is configured to the terminal device via a first message. The number of ports for the second CSI-RS actually transmitted by the network device can be less than the number of ports for the third CSI-RS actually configured, thereby enabling flexible CSI-RS transmission. Furthermore, since the CSI-RS does not need to be transmitted on all configured CSI-RS ports (i.e., the third CSI-RS ports) every time, but is instead transmitted based on actual needs (i.e., the second CSI-RS is actually transmitted), overhead can be reduced.

[0019] In one possible implementation method, the method further includes: receiving a first message, wherein the first message includes multiple configuration information; receiving the second CSI-RS includes: receiving the second CSI-RS based on the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS in the multiple configuration information; wherein the second CSI-RS is part of the fourth CSI-RS.

[0020] The above solution configures multiple CSI-RS configurations to the terminal device via a first message. When actually sending the CSI-RS, one CSI-RS configuration can be selected from the multiple CSI-RS configurations to send the CSI-RS, thus achieving flexible CSI-RS transmission. Furthermore, since the CSI-RS does not need to be sent on all configured CSI-RS ports (such as the fourth CSI-RS port) every time, but is sent based on actual needs (i.e., the second CSI-RS is actually sent), overhead can be reduced.

[0021] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: receiving third indication information, where the third indication information includes configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS among the multiple CSI-RS configuration information.

[0022] In the above solution, the network device indicates the configuration information of the selected fourth CSI-RS to the terminal device, which can achieve accurate determination of the CSI-RS configuration.

[0023] In one possible implementation method, the method further includes: determining the fourth CSI-RS configuration information based on the DMRS configuration information; wherein the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS is associated with the DMRS configuration information, and the DMRS configuration information includes at least one of the following information: DMRS type, the maximum number of symbols occupied by DMRS, the number of leading DMRS symbols, or the number of CDM groups occupied by DMRS.

[0024] In the above solution, the terminal device determines the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS from multiple CSI-RS configuration information according to the DMRS configuration information, which can accurately determine the CSI-RS configuration without requiring additional indication information, thus saving signaling overhead.

[0025] In a possible implementation method, the determining the fourth CSI-RS configuration information based on the DMRS configuration information includes: determining the maximum number of DMRS ports based on the DMRS configuration information; determining the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS based on the maximum number of DMRS ports; wherein the number of ports of the fourth CSI-RS is the minimum value in the CSI-RS port number set, the number of each CSI-RS port in the CSI-RS port number set is included in the number of CSI-RS ports indicated by each CSI-RS configuration information in the multiple CSI-RS configuration information, and the number of CSI-RS ports in the CSI-RS port number set is greater than or equal to the maximum number of DMRS ports.

[0026] In one possible implementation method, the method further includes: the maximum number of symbols occupied by the DMRS is equal to 1, and the maximum value of the number of DMRS ports is equal to the product of a and the number of CDM groups occupied by the DMRS; or, the maximum number of symbols occupied by the DMRS is equal to 2, and the maximum value of the number of DMRS ports is equal to the product of a, the number of CDM groups occupied by the DMRS, and the number of pre-DMRS symbols; wherein, a is related to the DMRS type.

[0027] In one possible implementation method, the DMRS type is type 1 or type 2, and a is equal to 2; or, the DMRS type is enhanced type 1 or enhanced type 2, and a is equal to 4.

[0028] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: receiving fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information includes the DMRS configuration information, or the first indication information and the fourth indication information are used to indicate the DMRS configuration information.

[0029] In a possible implementation method, the multiple CSI-RS configuration information further includes configuration information of a fifth CSI-RS, and the number of ports of the fifth CSI-RS is different from the number of ports of the fourth CSI-RS.

[0030] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: determining uplink precoding according to the port information of the first CSI-RS.

[0031] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a method for indicating a reference signal, which can be performed by a terminal device or a module (such as a chip) within the terminal device. The method includes: receiving a first message, the first message including configuration information of a third CSI-RS; and receiving a second CSI-RS, the second CSI-RS being part of the third CSI-RS.

[0032] In the above solution, a set of CSI-RS configurations, namely, the configuration information of the third CSI-RS, is configured to the terminal device via a first message. The number of ports for the second CSI-RS actually transmitted by the network device can be less than the number of ports for the third CSI-RS actually configured, thereby enabling flexible CSI-RS transmission. Furthermore, since the CSI-RS does not need to be transmitted on all configured CSI-RS ports (i.e., the third CSI-RS ports) every time, but is instead transmitted based on actual needs (i.e., the second CSI-RS is actually transmitted), overhead can be reduced.

[0033] In a third aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a method for indicating a reference signal, which can be performed by a terminal device or a module (such as a chip) within the terminal device. The method includes: receiving a first message, the first message including multiple CSI-RS configuration information; and receiving a second CSI-RS based on configuration information of a fourth CSI-RS in the multiple CSI-RS configuration information; wherein the second CSI-RS is part of the fourth CSI-RS.

[0034] The above solution configures multiple CSI-RS configurations to the terminal device via a first message. When actually sending the CSI-RS, one CSI-RS configuration can be selected from the multiple CSI-RS configurations to send the CSI-RS, thus achieving flexible CSI-RS transmission. Furthermore, since the CSI-RS does not need to be sent on all configured CSI-RS ports (such as the fourth CSI-RS port) every time, but is sent based on actual needs (i.e., the second CSI-RS is actually sent), overhead can be reduced.

[0035] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: receiving third indication information, where the third indication information includes configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS among the multiple CSI-RS configuration information.

[0036] In one possible implementation method, fourth indication information is received, where the fourth indication information includes DMRS configuration information, or the fourth indication information and the first indication information are used to indicate DMRS configuration information, where the DMRS configuration information is associated with the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS, and the DMRS configuration information includes at least one of the following information: DMRS type, the maximum number of symbols occupied by DMRS, the number of leading DMRS symbols, or the number of CDM groups occupied by DMRS.

[0037] In a fourth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a method for indicating a reference signal, which can be performed by a network device or a module (such as a chip) within the network device. The method includes: determining first indication information, where the first indication information includes port information of a first DMRS, where the first DMRS port information is used to determine port information of a first CSI-RS; and sending the first indication information.

[0038] In a possible implementation method, the first indication information includes a port index of the first DMRS, and the port information of the first CSI-RS includes a port index of the first CSI-RS.

[0039] In a possible implementation method, the port index of the first CSI-RS is the same as the port index of the first DMRS.

[0040] In one possible implementation method, the protocol predefines a first mapping relationship between the port information of the DMRS and the port information of the CSI-RS, the port information of the DMRS includes the port information of the first DMRS, and the port information of the CSI-RS includes the port information of the first CSI-RS.

[0041] In the above solution, the terminal device can determine the port information of the first CSI-RS corresponding to the first indication information according to the first mapping relationship predefined in the protocol, and can accurately and quickly determine the port information of the first CSI-RS.

[0042] In a possible implementation method, the method further includes: sending second indication information, where the second indication information includes a second mapping relationship between the first indication information and the port information of the first CSI-RS.

[0043] In the above solution, the network device indicates to the terminal device the second mapping relationship between the first indication information and the port information of the first CSI-RS, which helps the terminal device to accurately determine the port information of the first CSI-RS.

[0044] In one possible implementation method, the method further includes: sending a first message, wherein the first message includes configuration information of a third CSI-RS; sending a second CSI-RS, wherein the second CSI-RS is part of the third CSI-RS, and the second CSI-RS includes the first CSI-RS.

[0045] In one possible implementation method, the method further includes: sending a first message, the first message including multiple CSI-RS configuration information; sending third indication information, the third indication information including configuration information of a fourth CSI-RS among the multiple CSI-RS configuration information; and sending a second CSI-RS, the second CSI-RS being part of the fourth CSI-RS.

[0046] In a possible implementation method, the method also includes: sending a first message, the first message including multiple CSI-RS configuration information; sending fourth indication information, the fourth indication information including DMRS configuration information, or the first indication information and the fourth indication information are used to indicate the DMRS configuration information, the DMRS configuration information is associated with the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS among the multiple CSI-RS configuration information, and the DMRS configuration information includes at least one of the following information: DMRS type, the maximum number of symbols occupied by DMRS, the number of leading DMRS symbols, or the number of CDM groups occupied by DMRS; sending a second CSI-RS, the second CSI-RS is part of the fourth CSI-RS.

[0047] In one possible implementation method, the port number of the fourth CSI-RS is the minimum value in the CSI-RS port number set, the port numbers of each CSI-RS in the CSI-RS port number set are included in the CSI-RS port numbers indicated by each CSI-RS configuration information in the multiple CSI-RS configuration information, and the port numbers of CSI-RS in the CSI-RS port number set are all greater than or equal to the maximum value of the DMRS port number, and the maximum value of the DMRS port number is associated with the DMRS configuration information.

[0048] In one possible implementation method, the method further includes: the maximum number of symbols occupied by the DMRS is equal to 1, and the maximum value of the number of DMRS ports is equal to the product of a and the number of CDM groups occupied by the DMRS; or, the maximum number of symbols occupied by the DMRS is equal to 2, and the maximum value of the number of DMRS ports is equal to the product of a, the number of CDM groups occupied by the DMRS, and the number of pre-DMRS symbols; wherein a is related to the DMRS type.

[0049] In a possible implementation method, the DMRS type is type 1 or type 2, and a is equal to 2; or, the DMRS type is enhanced type 1 or enhanced type 2, and a is equal to 4.

[0050] In a possible implementation method, the multiple CSI-RS configuration information further includes configuration information of a fifth CSI-RS, and the number of ports of the fifth CSI-RS is different from the number of ports of the fourth CSI-RS.

[0051] In a fifth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a method for indicating a reference signal, which can be performed by a network device or a module (such as a chip) within the network device. The method includes: sending a first message, the first message including configuration information for a third CSI-RS; and sending a second CSI-RS, the second CSI-RS being part of the third CSI-RS.

[0052] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for indicating a reference signal, which can be performed by a network device or a module (such as a chip) within the network device. The method includes: sending a first message, the first message including multiple CSI-RS configuration information; sending third indication information, the third indication information including configuration information of a fourth CSI-RS among the multiple CSI-RS configuration information; and sending a second CSI-RS, the second CSI-RS being part of the fourth CSI-RS.

[0053] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for indicating a reference signal, which can be performed by a network device or a module (such as a chip) within the network device. The method includes: sending a first message, wherein the first message includes multiple CSI-RS configuration information; sending fourth indication information, wherein the fourth indication information includes DMRS configuration information, wherein the DMRS configuration information is associated with the configuration information of a fourth CSI-RS in the multiple CSI-RS configuration information, and the DMRS configuration information includes at least one of the following information: DMRS type, maximum number of symbols occupied by DMRS, number of leading DMRS symbols, or number of CDM groups occupied by DMRS; and sending a second CSI-RS, wherein the second CSI-RS is part of the fourth CSI-RS.

[0054] Among them, the technical effects of the claims for network equipment can refer to the technical effects of the claims on the terminal equipment side and will not be repeated here.

[0055] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be a terminal device or a module (such as a chip) within the terminal device. The device has the function of implementing any of the implementation methods of the first to third aspects above. The function can be implemented by hardware or by executing corresponding software implementations through hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0056] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which may be a network device or a module (such as a chip) within the network device. The device has the function of implementing any of the implementation methods of the fourth to seventh aspects above. The function can be implemented by hardware or by executing corresponding software implementations through hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions.

[0057] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising a unit or means for executing each step of any implementation method in the above-mentioned first to seventh aspects.

[0058] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the processor is configured to communicate with other devices via the interface circuit and execute any of the implementation methods described in aspects 1 to 7 above. The processor comprises one or more.

[0059] In a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising a processor, the processor being configured to call a program to execute any implementation method in the first to seventh aspects above. The processor may be one or more.

[0060] Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory, which is coupled to the processor and may be located inside or outside the device.

[0061] In the thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, comprising a processor; when the device is running, the processor executes computer instructions to enable the device to execute any implementation method in the above-mentioned first to seventh aspects.

[0062] Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory for storing the computer instructions.

[0063] In the fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are run by a communication device, any implementation method in the above-mentioned first to seventh aspects is executed.

[0064] In the fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores instructions, which, when run on a communication device, enables any implementation method in the above-mentioned first to seventh aspects to be executed.

[0065] In the sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application also provides a chip system, including: a processor, used to execute any implementation method in the above-mentioned first to sixth aspects.

[0066] In the seventeenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including a terminal device for executing any implementation method of the above-mentioned first aspect, and a network device for executing any implementation method of the above-mentioned fourth aspect.

[0067] In the eighteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including a terminal device for executing any implementation method of the above-mentioned second aspect, and a network device for executing any implementation method of the above-mentioned fifth aspect.

[0068] In the nineteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, including a terminal device for executing any implementation method of the above-mentioned third aspect, and a network device for executing any implementation method of the above-mentioned sixth aspect or seventh aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] FIG1( a ) is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system used in an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] Figure 1(b) shows a schematic diagram of a network device;

[0071] FIG2 is a schematic flow chart of a method for indicating a reference signal provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a flow chart of a method for transmitting CSI-RS according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] FIG4 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] Figure 1(a) is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system used in an embodiment of the present application. The communication system 1000 shown in Figure 1(a) includes a wireless access network 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system 1000 also includes the Internet 300. The wireless access network 100 may include at least one network device (such as 110a and 110b in Figure 1(a)) and may also include at least one terminal device (such as 120a-120j in Figure 1(a)). The terminal device is connected to the network device wirelessly, and the network device is connected to the core network wirelessly or by wire. The core network device and the network device may be independent and different physical devices, or the functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the network device may be integrated into the same physical device, or a physical device may integrate some of the functions of the core network device and some of the functions of the network device. Terminal devices and network devices may be connected to each other via wired or wireless connections. Figure 1(a) is only a schematic diagram. The communication system may also include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1(a).

[0076] A network device is an access device that connects a terminal device to a communication system via wired or wireless means. A network device can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in a fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication system, a next-generation base station in a sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. It can also be a module or unit that performs some of the functions of a base station, such as a centralized unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). The CU here completes the functions of the radio resource control protocol and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) of the base station, and can also complete the function of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP); the DU completes the functions of the radio link control layer and the medium access control (MAC) layer of the base station, and can also complete the functions of part of the physical layer or all of the physical layer. For the specific description of the above-mentioned protocol layers, please refer to the relevant technical specifications of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The network device can be a macro base station (such as 110a in Figure 1 (a)), a micro base station or an indoor station (such as 110b in Figure 1 (a)), or a relay node or a donor node, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the network device.

[0077] A terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities that can send signals to or receive signals from a network device. Terminal devices include but are not limited to terminal devices, terminals, user equipment (UE), mobile stations, mobile terminals, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearable, smart transportation, smart city, etc. The terminal device can specifically be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable device, vehicle, aircraft, ship, robot, robotic arm, smart home device, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal device.

[0078] Network devices and terminal devices can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; they can also be deployed on aircraft, balloons, and artificial satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of network devices and terminal devices.

[0079] The roles of network devices and terminal devices can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 1(a) can be configured as a mobile network device. For terminal devices 120j that access the wireless access network 100 via 120i, terminal device 120i is a network device. However, for network device 110a, 120i is a terminal device, meaning that communication between 110a and 120i occurs via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, communication between 110a and 120i can also occur via an interface protocol between network devices. In this case, relative to 110a, 120i is also a network device. Therefore, both network devices and terminal devices can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a and 110b in Figure 1(a) can be referred to as communication devices with network device functionality, and 120a-120j in Figure 1(a) can be referred to as communication devices with terminal device functionality.

[0080] Network devices and terminal devices, network devices and network devices, and terminal devices and terminal devices can communicate through authorized spectrum, unauthorized spectrum, or both; can communicate through spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), spectrum above 6 GHz, or spectrum below 6 GHz and spectrum above 6 GHz simultaneously. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communications.

[0081] In the embodiments of the present application, the functions of the network device may also be performed by a module (such as a chip) in the network device, or by a control subsystem that includes the network device functions. The control subsystem that includes the network device functions here may be a control center in the above-mentioned application scenarios such as smart grid, industrial control, smart transportation, and smart city. The functions of the terminal device may also be performed by a module (such as a chip or a modem) in the terminal device, or by a device that includes the terminal device functions.

[0082] In this application, a network device sends downlink signals or downlink information to a terminal device, and the downlink information is carried on a downlink channel. A terminal device sends uplink signals or uplink information to a network device, and the uplink information is carried on an uplink channel. To communicate with a network device, a terminal device needs to establish a wireless connection with a cell controlled by the network device. The cell with which a terminal device has established a wireless connection is called the serving cell of the terminal device.

[0083] Figure 1(b) shows a schematic diagram of a network device. As shown in Figure 1(b), the network device includes a CU, one or more DUs, and one or more radio units (RUs). For clarity, Figure 1(b) shows only one CU, DU, and RU. The CU is connected to the core network and one or more DUs. Optionally, the CU may have some of the core network's functionality. The CU may include a CU-control plane (CP) and a CU-user plane (UP).

[0084] The CU and DU can be configured according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they implement: for example, the CU is configured to implement the functions of the PDCP layer and above protocol layers (such as the radio resource control (RRC) layer and / or the SDAP layer, etc.); the DU is configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as the radio link control (RLC) layer, the MAC layer, and / or the physical (PHY) layer, etc.). For another example, the CU is configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers above the PDCP layer (such as the RRC layer and / or the SDAP layer), and the DU is configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as the RLC layer, the MAC layer, and / or the PHY layer, etc.).

[0085] The above configuration of CU and DU is only an example, and the functions of CU and DU can also be configured as needed. For example, the CU or DU can be configured to have the functions of more protocol layers, or the CU or DU can be configured to have partial processing functions of the protocol layer. For example, some functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layers above the RLC layer are set in the CU, and the remaining functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layers below the RLC layer are set in the DU. For another example, the functions of the CU or DU can be divided according to the service type or other system requirements, such as by delay, and the functions whose processing time needs to meet the smaller delay requirement are set in the DU, and the functions that do not need to meet the delay requirement are set in the CU.

[0086] The DU and RU can work together to implement the functions of the PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of the DU and RU can be configured in various ways according to the design. For example, the DU is configured to implement the baseband function, and the RU is configured to implement the mid-RF function. For another example, the DU is configured to implement the high-layer functions in the PHY layer, and the RU is configured to implement the low-layer functions in the PHY layer or to implement the low-layer functions and the RF functions. The high-layer functions in the physical layer may include a part of the functions of the physical layer, which is closer to the MAC layer, and the low-layer functions in the physical layer may include another part of the functions of the physical layer, which is closer to the mid-RF side.

[0087] Figure 2 is a flow chart of a method for indicating a reference signal provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method is performed by a network device or a module (such as a chip) in the network device, and a terminal device or a module (such as a chip) in the terminal device. The following description uses the terminal device and the network device as an example to illustrate the method. The method includes the following steps:

[0088] Step 201: The network device determines first indication information.

[0089] The first indication information includes port information of a first demodulation reference signal (DMRS). The first indication information may also be referred to as port information of the first DMRS. The first DMRS is a DMRS associated with a terminal device, and the first DMRS includes one or more DMRSs corresponding to one or more DMRS ports.

[0090] The first DMRS port information may include a port index, a port identifier (ID), or other information capable of indicating a port, such as the number of preamble DMRS symbols or the number of code division multiplexing (CDM) groups occupied by the DMRS.

[0091] Exemplarily, the port information of the first DMRS may be port information of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) DMRS.

[0092] Step 202: The network device sends first indication information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first indication information.

[0093] Exemplarily, the first indication information is carried in downlink control information (DCI).

[0094] Step 203: The terminal device determines the port information of the first CSI-RS according to the first indication information.

[0095] The terminal device determines the port information of the first CSI-RS based on the first indication information, which can also be understood as the terminal device determining the port information of the first channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) based on the port information of the first DMRS. The first CSI-RS includes one or more CSI-RSs corresponding to one or more CSI-RS ports. The port information of the first CSI-RS may include a port index, a port identifier (ID) or other information that can indicate a port, such as a CDM group type.

[0096] In the above scheme, there is a mapping relationship or a corresponding relationship between the first indication information and the port information of the CSI-RS of the terminal device, and the terminal device can determine the port information of the CSI-RS of the terminal device according to the first indication information. Therefore, the network device does not need to send a separate indication information for indicating the port of the CSI-RS of the terminal device to the terminal device, but uses the first indication information for indicating the port of the first DMRS that is to be sent to determine the port information of the first CSI-RS, that is, it was originally necessary to send the first indication information and the port information of the first CSI-RS, but the present scheme only needs to send the first indication information, thereby reducing the signaling overhead, thereby helping to save air interface resources. In addition, the scheme determines the port information of the first CSI-RS based on the first indication information by the terminal device, rather than the network device indicating the port information of the first CSI-RS through air interface signaling, which can achieve faster determination of the port information of the first CSI-RS. This is because the time for the terminal device to determine the port information of the first CSI-RS based on the first indication information is shorter than the time for receiving the air interface signaling and parsing the port information of the first CSI-RS from the air interface signaling.

[0097] Exemplarily, the first indication information includes DMRS port index 1, DMRS port index 2, and DMRS port index 3, and the terminal device determines, based on the first indication information, that the CSI-RS port index of the terminal device includes CSI-RS port index 1, CSI-RS port index 2, and CSI-RS port index 3. Among them, CSI-RS port index 1 corresponds to DMRS port index 1, CSI-RS port index 2 corresponds to DMRS port index 2, and CSI-RS port index 3 corresponds to DMRS port index 3.

[0098] In one implementation method, the protocol predefines a first mapping relationship (also referred to as a first corresponding relationship) between the port information of the DMRS of the terminal device and the port information of the CSI-RS of the terminal device. For example, the protocol predefines a first mapping relationship between the port index of the DMRS and the port index of the CSI-RS, and the first mapping relationship can be a functional relationship, such as a hash function, a linear function, etc., wherein the port index of the DMRS and the port index of the corresponding CSI-RS can be the same or different. Exemplarily, the port indexes of the DMRS of the terminal device include 1001, 1002 and 1003, the port indexes of the CSI-RS of the terminal device include 3001, 3002 and 3003, and the port index 1001 of the DMRS of the terminal device corresponds to the port index 3001 of the CSI-RS of the terminal device, the port index 1002 of the DMRS of the terminal device corresponds to the port index 3002 of the CSI-RS of the terminal device, and the port index 1003 of the DMRS of the terminal device corresponds to the port index 3003 of the CSI-RS of the terminal device. For another example, the port indexes of the DMRS of the terminal device include 1001, 1002 and 1003, and the port indexes of the CSI-RS of the terminal device include 1001, 1002 and 1003, and the port index 1001 of the DMRS of the terminal device corresponds to the port index 1001 of the CSI-RS of the terminal device, the port index 1002 of the DMRS of the terminal device corresponds to the port index 1002 of the CSI-RS of the terminal device, and the port index 1003 of the DMRS of the terminal device corresponds to the port index 1003 of the CSI-RS of the terminal device.

[0099] Correspondingly, the above step 203 may be: the terminal device determines, according to the first indication information, the port information of the first CSI-RS corresponding to the first indication information in the first mapping relationship predefined in the protocol.

[0100] In another implementation method, before step 201, the network device further sends second indication information to the terminal device, where the second indication information includes a second mapping relationship between the first indication information and the port information of the first CSI-RS. Accordingly, step 203 may be as follows: the terminal device determines the port information of the first CSI-RS based on the first indication information and the second mapping relationship. The specific implementation method of the second mapping relationship is similar to the implementation method of the first mapping relationship predefined by the protocol described above and is not further described.

[0101] Furthermore, after determining the port information of the first CSI-RS, the terminal device can determine the first CSI-RS related to the terminal device in the received second CSI-RS according to the port information of the first CSI-RS. In this case, as described in step 302 below, the network device sends a second CSI-RS to the terminal device. The second CSI-RS includes multiple CSI-RSs corresponding to different terminal devices sent by the network device. The second CSI-RS includes multiple CSI-RSs corresponding to multiple CSI-RS ports. For example, the second CSI-RS includes CSI-RS1 to CSI-RS6, wherein CSI-RS1 to CSI-RS2 correspond to terminal device 1, CSI-RS3 to CSI-RS4 correspond to terminal device 2, and CSI-RS5 to CSI-RS6 correspond to terminal device 3. The network device sends CSI-RS1 to CSI-RS6, and terminal device 1 to terminal device 3 can all receive CSI-RS1 to CSI-RS6. Terminal device 1 determines CSI-RS1 to CSI-RS2 associated with terminal device 1 from CSI-RS1 to CSI-RS6 based on the port information of CSI-RS1 to CSI-RS2. Terminal device 2 determines CSI-RS3 to CSI-RS4 associated with terminal device 2 from CSI-RS1 to CSI-RS6 based on the port information of CSI-RS3 to CSI-RS4. Terminal device 3 determines CSI-RS5 to CSI-RS6 associated with terminal device 3 from CSI-RS1 to CSI-RS6 based on the port information of CSI-RS5 to CSI-RS6. Among them, terminal device 1 can determine the port information of CSI-RS1~CSI-RS2 related to terminal device 1 based on the method of the embodiment of Figure 2, terminal device 2 can determine the port information of CSI-RS3~CSI-RS4 related to terminal device 2 based on the method of the embodiment of Figure 2, and terminal device 3 can determine the port information of CSI-RS5~CSI-RS6 related to terminal device 3 based on the method of the embodiment of Figure 2.

[0102] The following describes a method for a terminal device to receive CSI-RS.

[0103] FIG3 is a flow chart of a method for transmitting CSI-RS provided in an embodiment of the present application. The embodiment of FIG3 can be implemented alone or in combination with the embodiment of FIG2. The method includes the following steps:

[0104] Step 301: A network device sends a first message to a terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first message.

[0105] Exemplarily, the first message may be radio resource control (RRC) signaling, medium access control element (MAC CE) signaling, or other types of messages, which are not limited in this application.

[0106] In the first implementation method, the first message includes CSI-RS configuration information, and the CSI-RS configuration information is used to configure the CSI-RS of one or more terminal devices. Exemplarily, the first message includes the configuration information of the third CSI-RS, and the third CSI-RS includes the CSI-RS of one or more terminal devices. The configuration information of the third CSI-RS includes at least one of the number of ports of the third CSI-RS, the frequency domain density of the third CSI-RS, the CDM type corresponding to the third CSI-RS, or the time domain and frequency domain position of the third CSI-RS. The number of ports of the third CSI-RS is M, where M is a positive integer. Exemplarily, taking the third CSI-RS including CSI-RS1 to CSI-RS6 as an example, the number of ports of the third CSI-RS in the configuration information of the third CSI-RS is 6. It can be understood that the CSI-RS configuration information included in the first message is used to configure the CSI-RS of M ports.

[0107] In the second implementation method, the first message includes multiple CSI-RS configuration information, and each CSI-RS configuration information is used to configure the CSI-RS of one or more terminal devices. Different CSI-RS configuration information is used to configure the CSI-RS of different terminal device groups, where one terminal device group includes one or more terminal devices. For example, the first message indicates K configuration information, and K is an integer greater than 1. Exemplarily, the first message includes 3 CSI-RS configuration information, and the 3 CSI-RS configuration information includes the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS, the configuration information of the fifth CSI-RS, and the configuration information of the sixth CSI-RS. The fourth CSI-RS includes the CSI-RS of one or more terminal devices, and the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS includes at least one of the number of ports of the fourth CSI-RS, the frequency domain density of the fourth CSI-RS, the CDM type corresponding to the fourth CSI-RS, or the time domain and frequency domain position of the fourth CSI-RS. The number of ports of the fourth CSI-RS is N, and N is a positive integer. Exemplarily, taking the fourth CSI-RS including CSI-RS1 to CSI-RS6 as an example, the number of ports of the fourth CSI-RS in the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS is 6. The fifth CSI-RS includes the CSI-RS of one or more terminal devices, and the configuration information of the fifth CSI-RS includes at least one of the number of ports of the fifth CSI-RS, the frequency domain density of the fifth CSI-RS, the CDM type corresponding to the fifth CSI-RS, or the time domain and frequency domain position of the fifth CSI-RS. The number of ports of the fifth CSI-RS is L, where L is a positive integer, and the L may be the same as or different from the aforementioned N. Exemplarily, taking the fifth CSI-RS including CSI-RS1 to CSI-RS8 as an example, the number of ports of the CSI-RS in the configuration information of the fifth CSI-RS is 8. For the configuration information of the sixth CSI-RS, its implementation method is similar to that of the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS and the configuration information of the fifth CSI-RS, and will not be repeated here.

[0108] Step 302: The network device sends a second CSI-RS to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second CSI-RS.

[0109] In this step, the network device sends a second CSI-RS to the terminal device according to one or more CSI-RS configuration information included in the first message. The second CSI-RS is the CSI-RS actually sent by the network device, and the second CSI-RS may include the CSI-RS of one or more terminal devices.

[0110] For the first implementation method in step 301 above, the second CSI-RS can be the same as the third CSI-RS, or the second CSI-RS is part of the third CSI-RS. For example, if the third CSI-RS includes CSI-RS1 to CSI-RS8 and the second CSI-RS includes CSIRS1 to CSIRS6, then the second CSI-RS is part of the third CSI-RS. Therefore, the number of ports for the third CSI-RS configured by the network device may be equal to the number of ports for the second CSI-RS actually transmitted, or may be greater than the number of ports for the second CSI-RS actually transmitted.

[0111] For the second implementation method in the above step 301, when the network device sends multiple CSI-RS configuration information to the terminal device, the network device selects a certain CSI-RS configuration information. The following takes the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS as an example. The second CSI-RS sent by the network device may be the same as the fourth CSI-RS, or the second CSI-RS is a part of the fourth CSI-RS. For example, the fourth CSI-RS includes CSI-RS1 to CSI-RS10, and the second CSI-RS includes CSIRS1 to CSIRS6, then the second CSI-RS is a part of the third CSI-RS. Therefore, the number of configuration ports of the fourth CSI-RS configured by the network device may be equal to the number of ports of the second CSI-RS actually sent, or it may be greater than the number of ports of the second CSI-RS actually sent. Among them, the terminal device can determine the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS selected by the network device according to any of the following methods:

[0112] Method 1: The network device sends third indication information to the terminal device, where the third indication information includes configuration information of a fourth CSI-RS among multiple CSI-RS configuration information.

[0113] Exemplarily, the third indication information is included in the DCI.

[0114] Method 2: The terminal device determines the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS among multiple CSI-RS configuration information.

[0115] For example, the terminal device determines the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS among the multiple CSI-RS configuration information based on the DMRS configuration information, that is, the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS is associated with (also referred to as corresponding to) the DMRS configuration information. The DMRS configuration information includes at least one of the following information: DMRS type (DMRS type), the maximum number of symbols occupied by DMRS (Max-length), the number of front-load DMRS symbols (Number of front-load symbols), or the number of CDM groups occupied by DMRS (Number of DMRS CDM group(s) without data).

[0116] The DMRS configuration information may come from a network device, for example, the network device sends fourth indication information to the terminal device, the fourth indication information includes the DMRS configuration information, or the fourth indication information and the first indication information in the embodiment of FIG. 2 jointly indicate the DMRS configuration information, or the first indication information in the embodiment of FIG. 2 also includes the DMRS configuration information. Alternatively, the terminal device determines the DMRS configuration information itself.

[0117] For example, the combination relationship between the DMRS type, the maximum number of symbols occupied by the DMRS, the number of leading DMRS symbols, and the number of CDM groups occupied by the DMRS is shown in Table 1. The correspondence between each combination and CSI-RS configuration information can be predefined, where one combination corresponds to a DMRS configuration. For example, when the DMRS type is Type 1, the maximum number of symbols occupied by the DMRS = 2, the number of leading DMRS symbols = 1, and the number of CDM groups occupied by the DMRS = 1, the selected CSI-RS configuration information is the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS in the multiple CSI-RS configuration information. When the DMRS type is Type 1, the maximum number of symbols occupied by the DMRS = 2, the number of leading DMRS symbols = 1, and the number of CDM groups occupied by the DMRS = 2, the selected CSI-RS configuration information is the configuration information of the fifth CSI-RS in the multiple CSI-RS configuration information, and so on. Different combinations can correspond to the same CSI-RS configuration information or different CSI-RS configuration information.

[0118] Table 1

[0119] Exemplarily, the terminal device may also determine the maximum number of DMRS ports based on the DMRS configuration information. The maximum number of DMRS ports may be the maximum number of DMRS ports scheduled simultaneously. The terminal device then determines a certain CSI-RS configuration information among the multiple CSI-RS configuration information based on the maximum number of DMRS ports, such as determining the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS among the multiple CSI-RS configuration information. Exemplarily, the combined relationship between the DMRS type, the maximum number of symbols occupied by the DMRS, the number of pre-DMRS symbols, the number of CDM groups occupied by the DMRS, and the maximum number of DMRS ports is shown in Table 2.

[0120] Table 2

[0121] As can be seen from Table 2, the correspondence between DMRS configuration information and the maximum number of DMRS ports can be: when the maximum number of symbols occupied by DMRS = 1, the maximum number of DMRS ports = a * the number of CDM groups occupied by DMRS; when the maximum number of symbols occupied by DMRS = 2, the maximum number of DMRS ports = a * the number of CDM groups occupied by DMRS * the number of preceding DMRS symbols. Where * represents a multiplication sign, a is related to the DMRS type, and a represents the number of DMRS ports per CDM group and symbol. Taking Table 2 as an example, when the DMRS type is Type 1 or Type 2, a = 2; when the DMRS type is Enhanced Type 1 or Enhanced Type 2, a = 4.

[0122] Then, the terminal determines the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS in the multiple CSI-RS configuration information based on the maximum value of the DMRS port number. The relationship between the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS in the multiple CSI-RS configuration information selected by the terminal device and the maximum value of the DMRS port number is as follows: the port number of the fourth CSI-RS is the minimum value in the CSI-RS port number set, the number of each CSI-RS port in the CSI-RS port number set is included in the number of CSI-RS ports indicated by each CSI-RS configuration information in the multiple CSI-RS configuration information, and the number of CSI-RS ports in the CSI-RS port number set is greater than or equal to the maximum value of the DMRS port number. Exemplarily, the multiple CSI-RS configuration information include CSI-RS configuration information 1 to CSI-RS configuration information 4, wherein the number of CSI-RS ports in CSI-RS configuration information 1 is 12, the number of CSI-RS ports in CSI-RS configuration information 2 is 16, the number of CSI-RS ports in CSI-RS configuration information 3 is 24, and the number of CSI-RS ports in CSI-RS configuration information 4 is 32. For example, when the maximum number of DMRS ports is 6, CSI-RS configuration information 1 is selected. This CSI-RS configuration information 1 is also referred to as the fourth CSI-RS configuration information. In this case, the set of CSI-RS port numbers is {12, 16, 24, 32}. For another example, when the maximum number of DMRS ports is 16, CSI-RS configuration information 2 is selected. This CSI-RS configuration information 2 is also referred to as the fourth CSI-RS configuration information. In this case, the set of CSI-RS port numbers is {16, 24, 32}. For another example, when the maximum number of DMRS ports = 24, CSI-RS configuration information 3 is selected. This CSI-RS configuration information 3 is also called the fourth CSI-RS configuration information. At this time, the CSI-RS port number set is {24, 32}.

[0123] In one implementation method, after step 302, the following step 303 is further included:

[0124] Step 303: The terminal device determines the first CSI-RS in the second CSI-RS.

[0125] This step 303 is an optional step.

[0126] The first CSI-RS determined by the terminal device is the CSI-RS related to the terminal device in the second CSI-RS. For example, the terminal device first determines the port information of the first CSI-RS related to the terminal device, and then determines the first CSI-RS related to the terminal device in the second CSI-RS based on the port information of the first CSI-RS. The terminal device can use the method of the embodiment of Figure 2 to determine the port information of the first CSI-RS related to the terminal device, or determine the port information of the first CSI-RS related to the terminal device by other methods, such as the network device indicating the port information of the first CSI-RS related to the terminal device to the terminal device through DCI.

[0127] Furthermore, after determining the port information of the first CSI-RS related to the terminal device, the terminal device can determine the uplink precoding according to the port information of the first CSI-RS. An implementation method for determining the uplink precoding is described below:

[0128] Step 1: The terminal device sends a sounding reference signal (SRS) to the network device.

[0129] Step 2: The network device estimates the uplink channel H based on the SRS. UL , and based on the uplink and downlink reciprocity, the downlink channel H is obtained DL .

[0130] For example, the network device can estimate the uplink channel H of the terminal device based on the SRS from the terminal device. UL .

[0131] Exemplarily, the network device may also estimate the uplink channels of one or more other terminal devices based on SRSs from the other one or more terminal devices.

[0132] Step 3: The network device receives the terminal's uplink channel H. UL , or according to the uplink channel H of the terminal UL and the uplink channels of other terminals in cooperative scheduling, and calculate the uplink precoding P of the terminal device UL .

[0133] Step 4: The network device determines the downlink precoding P DL , so that the downlink equivalent channel H equ_DL Equal to uplink precoding P UL , that is, H equ_DL =P UL =H DL *P DL .

[0134] Among them, PDL =H DL -1 *P UL .

[0135] Step 5: Network devices are based on P DL The CSI-RS is precoded to obtain a beamforming CSI-RS (BF CSI-RS).

[0136] Use S BF-CSIRS represents the signal of BF CSI-RS, then S BF-CSIRS =P DL *S CSIRS .

[0137] Step 6: The network device sends a BF CSI-RS to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the first signal Y.

[0138] Y=H DL *P DL *S CSIRS +n=H equ_DL *S CSIRS +n. Where n is the received noise.

[0139] Step 7: The terminal device determines S according to the CSI-RS port information related to the terminal device. CSIRS , and according to S CSIRS And the received signal Y estimates the equivalent channel H equ_DL .

[0140] The terminal device may determine the port information of the CSI-RS related to the terminal device according to the method of the embodiment of FIG2 .

[0141] Step 8: The terminal device equ_DL Determine the uplink precoding P UL , that is, P UL =H equ_DL .

[0142] This solution provides high-precision uplink subband or broadband precoding based on the BF CSI-RS, improving uplink precoding accuracy. Furthermore, since the CSI-RS port information does not need to be indicated to the terminal device via DCI, but rather is determined by the terminal device based on the DMRS port information, signaling overhead can be reduced.

[0143] It should be noted that there may be other schemes for the high-precision indication scheme of uplink subband precoding based on BF CSI-RS. For example, the base station sends BF CSI-RS, and the precoding matrix indication (transmitted precoding matrix indicator, TPMI) in DCI indicates the uplink precoding information based on the codebook, and the terminal device calculates the uplink precoding based on BF CSI-RS and TPMI in DCI.

[0144] It is understood that in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the terminal device or network device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. It should be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that, in combination with the units and method steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in this application, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or in a manner driven by computer software depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0145] Figures 4 and 5 are schematic diagrams of possible communication devices provided in embodiments of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments, thereby also achieving the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device can be a terminal device or a network device, or a module (such as a chip) applied to the terminal device or the network device.

[0146] The communication device 400 shown in Figure 4 includes a processing unit 410 and a transceiver unit 420. The communication device 400 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiment.

[0147] When the communication device 400 is used to implement the function of the terminal device in the above method embodiment, the transceiver unit 420 is used to receive first indication information, where the first indication information includes port information of the first DMRS; the processing unit 410 is used to determine the port information of the first CSI-RS based on the first indication information.

[0148] In a possible implementation method, the first indication information includes a port index of the first DMRS, and the port information of the first CSI-RS includes a port index of the first CSI-RS.

[0149] In a possible implementation method, the port index of the first CSI-RS is the same as the port index of the first DMRS.

[0150] In one possible implementation method, the processing unit 410 is used to determine the port information of the first CSI-RS based on the first indication information, specifically including: determining the port information of the first CSI-RS corresponding to the first indication information based on the first indication information and a first mapping relationship predefined by the protocol; wherein the first mapping relationship includes a mapping relationship between the port information of the DMRS and the port information of the CSI-RS.

[0151] In one possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 420 is further used to receive second indication information, where the second indication information includes a second mapping relationship between the first indication information and the port information of the first CSI-RS; the processing unit 410 is used to determine the port information of the first CSI-RS based on the first indication information, specifically including: determining the port information of the first CSI-RS based on the first indication information and the second mapping relationship.

[0152] In a possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 420 is further configured to receive a second CSI-RS; and the processing unit 410 is further configured to determine the first CSI-RS in the second CSI-RS according to the first indication information.

[0153] In a possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 420 is further configured to receive a first message, where the first message includes configuration information of a third CSI-RS, and the second CSI-RS is a part of the third CSI-RS.

[0154] In one possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 420 is also used to receive a first message, which includes multiple configuration information; the transceiver unit 420 is used to receive a second CSI-RS, specifically including: receiving the second CSI-RS based on the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS in the multiple configuration information; wherein the second CSI-RS is part of the fourth CSI-RS.

[0155] In a possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 420 is further configured to receive third indication information, where the third indication information includes the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS among the multiple CSI-RS configuration information.

[0156] In one possible implementation method, the processing unit 410 is further used to determine the fourth CSI-RS configuration information based on the DMRS configuration information; wherein the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS is associated with the DMRS configuration information, and the DMRS configuration information includes at least one of the following information: DMRS type, the maximum number of symbols occupied by DMRS, the number of leading DMRS symbols, or the number of CDM groups occupied by DMRS.

[0157] In one possible implementation method, the processing unit 410 is used to determine the fourth CSI-RS configuration information based on the DMRS configuration information, specifically including: determining the maximum number of DMRS ports based on the DMRS configuration information; determining the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS based on the maximum number of DMRS ports; wherein the number of ports of the fourth CSI-RS is the minimum value in the CSI-RS port number set, the number of each CSI-RS port in the CSI-RS port number set is included in the number of CSI-RS ports indicated by each CSI-RS configuration information in the multiple CSI-RS configuration information, and the number of CSI-RS ports in the CSI-RS port number set is greater than or equal to the maximum number of DMRS ports.

[0158] In one possible implementation method, the maximum number of symbols occupied by the DMRS is equal to 1, and the maximum value of the number of DMRS ports is equal to the product of a and the number of CDM groups occupied by the DMRS; or, the maximum number of symbols occupied by the DMRS is equal to 2, and the maximum value of the number of DMRS ports is equal to the product of a, the number of CDM groups occupied by the DMRS, and the number of pre-DMRS symbols; wherein a is related to the DMRS type.

[0159] In a possible implementation method, the DMRS type is type 1 or type 2, and a is equal to 2; or, the DMRS type is enhanced type 1 or enhanced type 2, and a is equal to 4.

[0160] In a possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 420 is further used to receive fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information includes the DMRS configuration information, or the first indication information and the fourth indication information are used to indicate the DMRS configuration information.

[0161] In a possible implementation method, the multiple CSI-RS configuration information further includes configuration information of a fifth CSI-RS, and the number of ports of the fifth CSI-RS is different from the number of ports of the fourth CSI-RS.

[0162] In a possible implementation method, the processing unit 410 is further configured to determine uplink precoding according to the port information of the first CSI-RS.

[0163] When the communication device 400 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiment, the transceiver unit 420 is used to receive a first message, where the first message includes configuration information of the third CSI-RS; and receive a second CSI-RS, where the second CSI-RS is part of the third CSI-RS.

[0164] When the communication device 400 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiment, the transceiver unit 420 is used to receive a first message, where the first message includes multiple CSI-RS configuration information; and based on the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS in the multiple CSI-RS configuration information, receive a second CSI-RS; wherein the second CSI-RS is a part of the fourth CSI-RS.

[0165] In a possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 420 is further configured to receive third indication information, where the third indication information includes the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS among the multiple CSI-RS configuration information.

[0166] In one possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 420 is further used to receive fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information includes DMRS configuration information, or the fourth indication information and the first indication information are used to indicate DMRS configuration information, and the DMRS configuration information is associated with the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS, and the DMRS configuration information includes at least one of the following information: DMRS type, the maximum number of symbols occupied by DMRS, the number of pre-DMRS symbols, or the number of CDM groups occupied by DMRS.

[0167] When the communication device 400 is used to implement the function of the network device in the above method embodiment, the processing unit 410 is used to determine the first indication information, where the first indication information includes the port information of the first DMRS, and the port information of the first DMRS is used to determine the port information of the first CSI-RS; the transceiver unit 420 is used to send the first indication information.

[0168] In a possible implementation method, the first indication information includes a port index of the first DMRS, and the port information of the first CSI-RS includes a port index of the first CSI-RS.

[0169] In a possible implementation method, the port index of the first CSI-RS is the same as the port index of the first DMRS.

[0170] In a possible implementation method, the protocol predefines a first mapping relationship between the port information of the DMRS and the port information of the CSI-RS.

[0171] In a possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 420 is further configured to send second indication information, where the second indication information includes a second mapping relationship between the first indication information and the port information of the first CSI-RS.

[0172] In one possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 420 is further used to send a first message, where the first message includes configuration information of the third CSI-RS; and send a second CSI-RS, where the second CSI-RS is part of the third CSI-RS and includes the first CSI-RS.

[0173] In one possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 420 is further used to send a first message, where the first message includes multiple CSI-RS configuration information; send third indication information, where the third indication information includes the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS among the multiple CSI-RS configuration information; and send a second CSI-RS, where the second CSI-RS is part of the fourth CSI-RS.

[0174] In one possible implementation method, the transceiver unit 420 is further used to send a first message, where the first message includes multiple CSI-RS configuration information; send fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information includes DMRS configuration information, or the first indication information and the fourth indication information are used to indicate the DMRS configuration information, where the DMRS configuration information is associated with the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS among the multiple CSI-RS configuration information, and the DMRS configuration information includes at least one of the following information: DMRS type, the maximum number of symbols occupied by DMRS, the number of leading DMRS symbols, or the number of CDM groups occupied by DMRS; and send a second CSI-RS, where the second CSI-RS is part of the fourth CSI-RS.

[0175] In one possible implementation method, the port number of the fourth CSI-RS is the minimum value in the CSI-RS port number set, the port numbers of each CSI-RS in the CSI-RS port number set are included in the CSI-RS port numbers indicated by each CSI-RS configuration information in the multiple CSI-RS configuration information, and the port numbers of CSI-RS in the CSI-RS port number set are all greater than or equal to the maximum value of the DMRS port number, and the maximum value of the DMRS port number is associated with the DMRS configuration information.

[0176] In one possible implementation method, the maximum number of symbols occupied by the DMRS is equal to 1, and the maximum value of the number of DMRS ports is equal to the product of a and the number of CDM groups occupied by the DMRS; or, the maximum number of symbols occupied by the DMRS is equal to 2, and the maximum value of the number of DMRS ports is equal to the product of a, the number of CDM groups occupied by the DMRS, and the number of pre-DMRS symbols; wherein a is related to the DMRS type.

[0177] In a possible implementation method, the DMRS type is type 1 or type 2, and a is equal to 2; or, the DMRS type is enhanced type 1 or enhanced type 2, and a is equal to 4.

[0178] In a possible implementation method, the multiple CSI-RS configuration information further includes configuration information of a fifth CSI-RS, and the number of ports of the fifth CSI-RS is different from the number of ports of the fourth CSI-RS.

[0179] When the communication device 400 is used to implement the function of the network device in the above method embodiment, the transceiver unit 420 is used to send a first message, where the first message includes configuration information of the third CSI-RS; and send a second CSI-RS, where the second CSI-RS is part of the third CSI-RS.

[0180] When the communication device 400 is used to implement the function of the network device in the above method embodiment, the transceiver unit 420 is used to send a first message, where the first message includes multiple CSI-RS configuration information; send third indication information, where the third indication information includes configuration information of a fourth CSI-RS among the multiple CSI-RS configuration information; and send a second CSI-RS, where the second CSI-RS is a part of the fourth CSI-RS.

[0181] When the communication device 400 is used to implement the function of the network device in the above method embodiment, the transceiver unit 420 is used to send a first message, where the first message includes multiple CSI-RS configuration information; send fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information includes DMRS configuration information, where the DMRS configuration information is associated with the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS in the multiple CSI-RS configuration information, and the DMRS configuration information includes at least one of the following information: DMRS type, the maximum number of symbols occupied by DMRS, the number of leading DMRS symbols, or the number of CDM groups occupied by DMRS; and send a second CSI-RS, where the second CSI-RS is part of the fourth CSI-RS.

[0182] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 410 and the transceiver unit 420, reference can be made to the relevant description in the above method embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0183] The communication device 500 shown in Figure 5 includes a processor 510 and an interface circuit 520. The processor 510 and the interface circuit 520 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 520 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 500 may also include a memory 530 for storing instructions executed by the processor 510, or storing input data required by the processor 510 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 510 executes instructions.

[0184] When the communication device 500 is used to implement the above method embodiment, the processor 510 is used to implement the functions of the above processing unit 410 , and the interface circuit 520 is used to implement the functions of the above transceiver unit 420 .

[0185] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application may be a central processing unit (CPU), or may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0186] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, and the software modules can 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, mobile hard disks, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a terminal device or a network device. Of course, the processor and storage medium can also exist as discrete components in an access network device or a terminal.

[0187] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. A computer program (English: Computer Program) refers to a set of instructions that instruct an electronic computer or other device with message processing capabilities to perform each step of the operation, usually written in a certain programming language and running on a certain target architecture. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are executed in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magnetic tape; an optical medium, such as a digital video disk; or a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or may include both volatile and non-volatile types of storage media.

[0188] In the various embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0189] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the text description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next related objects are in an "or" relationship; in the formulas of this application, the character " / " indicates that the previous and next related objects are in a "division" relationship.

[0190] It is understood that the various numbers used in the embodiments of this application are merely for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the sequence numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not necessarily imply a specific order of execution; the order of execution of the processes should be determined by their functions and inherent logic.

Claims

1. A method for indicating a reference signal, characterized in that: include: Receive first indication information, where the first indication information includes port information of a first demodulation reference signal DMRS; According to the first indication information, port information of a first channel state information reference signal CSI-RS is determined.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first indication information includes a port index of the first DMRS, and the port information of the first CSI-RS includes a port index of the first CSI-RS.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The port index of the first CSI-RS is the same as the port index of the first DMRS.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The determining, according to the first indication information, the port information of the first CSI-RS includes: Determine the port information of the first CSI-RS according to the first indication information and a first mapping relationship predefined by a protocol; The first mapping relationship includes a mapping relationship between port information of DMRS and port information of CSI-RS, the port information of DMRS includes the port information of the first DMRS, and the port information of CSI-RS includes the port information of the first CSI-RS.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving second indication information, where the second indication information includes a second mapping relationship between the first indication information and the port information of the first CSI-RS; The determining, according to the first indication information, the port information of the first CSI-RS includes: Determine the port information of the first CSI-RS according to the first indication information and the second mapping relationship.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a second CSI-RS; Determine the first CSI-RS in the second CSI-RS according to the first indication information.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The method further comprises: A first message is received, where the first message includes configuration information of a third CSI-RS, and the second CSI-RS is a part of the third CSI-RS.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a first message, wherein the first message includes a plurality of CSI-RS configuration information; The receiving a second CSI-RS includes: receiving the second CSI-RS based on configuration information of a fourth CSI-RS among the multiple CSI-RS configuration information; The second CSI-RS is a part of the fourth CSI-RS.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: Third indication information is received, where the third indication information includes configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS among the multiple CSI-RS configuration information.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: Determine the fourth CSI-RS configuration information according to the DMRS configuration information; The configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS is associated with the DMRS configuration information, and the DMRS configuration information includes at least one of the following information: DMRS type, maximum number of symbols occupied by DMRS, number of leading DMRS symbols, or number of CDM groups occupied by DMRS.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that The determining, according to the DMRS configuration information, the fourth CSI-RS configuration information includes: Determine the maximum number of DMRS ports according to the DMRS configuration information; Determining configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS according to the maximum value of the number of DMRS ports; Among them, the port number of the fourth CSI-RS is the minimum value in the CSI-RS port number set, the port numbers of each CSI-RS in the CSI-RS port number set are included in the CSI-RS port numbers indicated by each CSI-RS configuration information in the multiple CSI-RS configuration information, and the port numbers of each CSI-RS in the CSI-RS port number set are greater than or equal to the maximum value of the DMRS port number.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The maximum number of symbols occupied by the DMRS is equal to 1, and the maximum value of the number of DMRS ports is equal to the product of a and the number of CDM groups occupied by the DMRS; or, the maximum number of symbols occupied by the DMRS is equal to 2, and the maximum value of the number of DMRS ports is equal to the product of a, the number of CDM groups occupied by the DMRS, and the number of pre-DMRS symbols; wherein a is related to the DMRS type.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The DMRS type is type 1 or type 2, and a is equal to 2; or, the DMRS type is enhanced type 1 or enhanced type 2, and a is equal to 4.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that The method further comprises: Fourth indication information is received, where the fourth indication information includes the DMRS configuration information, or the first indication information and the fourth indication information are used to indicate the DMRS configuration information.

15. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that The multiple CSI-RS configuration information also includes configuration information of a fifth CSI-RS, and the number of ports of the fifth CSI-RS is different from the number of ports of the fourth CSI-RS.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that The method further comprises: Uplink precoding is determined according to the port information of the first CSI-RS.

17. A method for indicating a reference signal, characterized in that: include: Determine first indication information, where the first indication information includes port information of a first demodulation reference signal DMRS, and the port information of the first DMRS is used to determine the port information of a first channel state information reference signal CSI-RS; Send the first indication information.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The first indication information includes a port index of the first DMRS, and the port information of the first CSI-RS includes a port index of the first CSI-RS.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The port index of the first CSI-RS is the same as the port index of the first DMRS.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that The protocol predefines a first mapping relationship between the port information of the DMRS and the port information of the CSI-RS; wherein the port information of the DMRS includes the port information of the first DMRS, and the port information of the CSI-RS includes the port information of the first CSI-RS.

21. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send second indication information, where the second indication information includes a second mapping relationship between the first indication information and the port information of the first CSI-RS.

22. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending a first message, where the first message includes configuration information of a third CSI-RS; A second CSI-RS is transmitted, where the second CSI-RS is a part of the third CSI-RS, and the second CSI-RS includes the first CSI-RS.

23. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending a first message, where the first message includes multiple CSI-RS configuration information; Sending third indication information, where the third indication information includes configuration information of a fourth CSI-RS among the multiple CSI-RS configuration information; A second CSI-RS is transmitted, where the second CSI-RS is a part of the fourth CSI-RS.

24. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending a first message, where the first message includes multiple CSI-RS configuration information; sending fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information includes DMRS configuration information, or the fourth indication information and the first indication information are used to indicate DMRS configuration information, where the DMRS configuration information is associated with configuration information of a fourth CSI-RS in the multiple CSI-RS configuration information, where the DMRS configuration information includes at least one of the following information: a DMRS type, a maximum number of symbols occupied by a DMRS, a number of leading DMRS symbols, or a number of CDM groups occupied by a DMRS; A second CSI-RS is transmitted, where the second CSI-RS is a part of the fourth CSI-RS.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein: The port number of the fourth CSI-RS is the minimum value in the CSI-RS port number set, the port numbers of each CSI-RS in the CSI-RS port number set are included in the CSI-RS port numbers indicated by each CSI-RS configuration information in the multiple CSI-RS configuration information, and the port numbers of CSI-RS in the CSI-RS port number set are all greater than or equal to the maximum value of the DMRS port number, and the maximum value of the DMRS port number is associated with the DMRS configuration information.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein: The maximum number of symbols occupied by the DMRS is equal to 1, and the maximum value of the number of DMRS ports is equal to the product of a and the number of CDM groups occupied by the DMRS; or, The maximum number of symbols occupied by the DMRS is equal to 2, and the maximum value of the number of DMRS ports is equal to the product of a, the number of CDM groups occupied by the DMRS, and the number of pre-DMRS symbols; Wherein, the a is related to the DMRS type.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein: The DMRS type is type 1 or type 2, and a is equal to 2; or, The DMRS type is enhancement type 1 or enhancement type 2, and a is equal to 4.

28. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 27, characterized in that The multiple CSI-RS configuration information also includes configuration information of a fifth CSI-RS, and the number of ports of the fifth CSI-RS is different from the number of ports of the fourth CSI-RS.

29. A method for indicating a reference signal, characterized in that: include: receiving a first message, where the first message includes configuration information of a third CSI-RS; A second CSI-RS is received, where the second CSI-RS is a part of the third CSI-RS.

30. A method for indicating a reference signal, characterized in that: include: receiving a first message, wherein the first message includes a plurality of CSI-RS configuration information; Based on the configuration information of a fourth CSI-RS among the multiple CSI-RS configuration information, a second CSI-RS is received; wherein the second CSI-RS is a part of the fourth CSI-RS.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein: Also includes: Third indication information is received, where the third indication information includes configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS among the multiple CSI-RS configuration information.

32. The method according to claim 30 or 31, characterized in that Also includes: Receive fourth indication information, where the fourth indication information includes DMRS configuration information, or the fourth indication information and the first indication information are used to indicate DMRS configuration information, where the DMRS configuration information is associated with the configuration information of the fourth CSI-RS, and the DMRS configuration information includes at least one of the following information: DMRS type, a maximum number of symbols occupied by DMRS, a number of leading DMRS symbols, or a number of CDM groups occupied by DMRS.

33. A communication device, characterized in that: Comprising a module for executing the method of any one of claims 1 to 16, or the method of any one of claims 17 to 28, or the method of claim 29, or the method of any one of claims 30 to 32.

34. A communication device, characterized in that: The method comprises a processor for calling a program to execute the method described in any one of claims 1 to 16, or the method described in any one of claims 17 to 28, or the method described in claim 29, or the method described in any one of claims 30 to 32.

35. A communication device, characterized in that: comprising a processor; when the communication device is running, the processor executes computer instructions to execute the method described in any one of claims 1 to 16, or the method described in any one of claims 17 to 28, or the method described in claim 29, or the method described in any one of claims 30 to 32.

36. A communication device, characterized in that: The invention comprises a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the method described in any one of claims 1 to 16, or execute the method described in any one of claims 17 to 28, or execute the method described in claim 29, or execute the method described in any one of claims 30 to 32.

37. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that: The storage medium stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed by the communication device, the method described in any one of claims 1 to 16, or the method described in any one of claims 17 to 28, or the method described in claim 29, or the method described in any one of claims 30 to 32 is implemented.

38. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises a computer program or instructions, which, when executed, implements the method described in any one of claims 1 to 16, or the method described in any one of claims 17 to 28, or the method described in claim 29, or the method described in any one of claims 30 to 32.

39. A communication system, characterized in that: It comprises a terminal device for executing the method described in any one of claims 1 to 16, and a network device for executing the method described in any one of claims 17 to 28.

40. A communication system, characterized in that: The method comprises a terminal device for executing the method of claim 29, and a network device; the network device is used to send a first message to the terminal device, wherein the first message includes configuration information of a third CSI-RS; And used to send a second CSI-RS to the terminal device, where the second CSI-RS is a part of the third CSI-RS.

41. A communication system, characterized in that: It comprises a terminal device for executing the method described in any one of claims 30 to 32, and a network device; the network device is used to send a message to the terminal device, the first message includes multiple CSI-RS configuration information, the multiple CSI-RS configuration information includes configuration information of a fourth CSI-RS; and send a second CSI-RS to the terminal device; wherein the second CSI-RS is a part of the fourth CSI-RS.

Images