Channel feature map determination method and apparatus

Abstract

A channel feature map determination method and an apparatus, relating to the field of communications, and used for determining a high-definition channel feature map. In the method, a terminal device and / or an access network device sense(s) an environment on the basis of a sensing device such as a radar, an infrared sensor, a camera, and a point cloud laser scanner, and a communication pilot signal to obtain material information of a scatterer and relative position information between the scatterer and the terminal device and / or the access network device, and send(s) the information to a channel feature map management apparatus by means of a first message; and the channel feature map management apparatus determines a channel feature map on the basis of the first message, thereby obtaining a high-definition channel feature map.

Description

Channel characteristic map determination method and device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on September 28, 2023, with application number 202311289757.2 and application name “Channel Feature Map Determination Method and Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a method and device for determining a channel characteristic map. Background Art

[0003] With the evolution from fifth-generation (5G) to sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication systems, the contradiction between the surge in wireless channel dimensions and limited pilot measurement resources has become increasingly severe, posing a significant challenge to high-precision wireless channel measurement. To address this issue, channel signature maps can be used to achieve low-pilot-overhead channel measurement.

[0004] In related technologies, channel twin technology can be used to obtain channel feature maps. Specifically, the channel feature map can be obtained based on a deterministic channel modeling scheme. However, this method is highly dependent on the accuracy of environmental modeling. When the actual environment is relatively complex, the accuracy of the channel feature map obtained by this method is low.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present application provides a method and apparatus for determining a channel characteristic map, which can determine a high-precision channel characteristic map.

[0007] In order to achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of the present application provide the following technical solutions:

[0008] In the first aspect, the present application provides a channel characteristic map determination method, which is applied to a channel characteristic map management device, the method comprising: the channel characteristic map management device receives a first message from an access network device, the first message including first information, and the first message also including at least one of second information and third information; the first information indicates the material or electromagnetic coefficient of the first scatterer, the second information indicates the relative position relationship between the first scatterer and the first terminal device; the third information indicates the relative position relationship between the first scatterer and the access network device; then the channel characteristic map management device determines the channel characteristic map according to the first message, the channel characteristic map including multiple grids at a geographical location and channel characteristic information corresponding to each grid in the multiple grids.

[0009] Optionally, the channel characteristic map can be understood as a database for storing channel characteristics based on geographic location, where the channel characteristics include at least one of channel statistical covariance matrix information, channel angular power spectrum information, channel power delay spectrum information, and channel path loss information. Optionally, the channel characteristic map can also store other information that characterizes the spatial domain, time domain, frequency domain, angle domain, Doppler domain, and delay domain characteristics of the channel, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0010] The second or third information can determine the location of the first scatterer to determine a channel characteristic map. The channel characteristic map can be as shown in Figure 4, where the physical cell is divided into a two-dimensional or three-dimensional grid, with each grid storing channel characteristics based on geographic location. The material or electromagnetic coefficients of the first scatterer can improve the accuracy of electromagnetic calculations, thereby improving the precision of the channel characteristic map.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the method also includes: a channel characteristic map management device receives a first channel characteristic map request message from an access network device, the first channel characteristic map request message requests sending a channel characteristic map corresponding to the first terminal device or the access network device; the channel characteristic map management device sends a channel characteristic map response message to the access network device, the channel characteristic map response message includes the channel characteristic map corresponding to the first terminal device or the access network device.

[0012] For example, the channel characteristic map management device sends the channel characteristic map or channel characteristic map grid index within the coverage range of the access network device according to the first channel characteristic map request message; or sends the channel characteristic map or channel characteristic map grid index within the coverage range of other access network devices adjacent to the access network device; or sends the channel characteristic map or channel characteristic map grid index corresponding to the grid where the first terminal device is located; or sends the channel characteristic map or channel characteristic map grid index corresponding to the grid within a certain distance range of the first terminal device. In this way, the access network device can obtain the required high-precision channel characteristic map information and realize channel measurement with low pilot overhead.

[0013] In a possible implementation manner, the first message further includes profile information of the first scatterer.

[0014] Optionally, the profile information of the first scatterer can be represented by coordinates. When the first scatterer is dynamic, the channel characteristic map management device can determine the region where the first scatterer is dynamically changing based on the profile information of the first scatterer. In this way, the channel characteristic map management device can update the channel characteristic map in the dynamically changing region, further improving the accuracy of the channel characteristic map, while not updating all channel characteristic maps, thereby saving resources.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the first message further includes channel multipath information, where the channel multipath information includes at least one of multipath quantity information, multipath angle spread information, and multipath delay spread information.

[0016] Optionally, the channel characteristic map management device can determine the multipath complex area and the multipath simple area based on the channel multipath information, and construct or update the channel characteristic map using different methods for different areas, so as to obtain a high-precision channel characteristic map in a simple and efficient manner.

[0017] For example, for complex multipath areas, a full-wave simulation method with higher computational complexity is used to construct a channel characteristic map to obtain a high-precision channel characteristic map; for simple multipath areas, a ray tracing method with lower computational complexity is used to construct a channel characteristic map, which can also obtain a high-precision channel characteristic map and reduce the requirements for computing resources and time.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the first message also includes configuration information for the access network device. The configuration information for the access network device includes location information for the access network device and / or antenna information for the access network device. The antenna information includes at least one of antenna height information, antenna size information, antenna type information, antenna downtilt angle information, antenna pattern information, and antenna mainlobe direction information. In this manner, the channel characteristic map management device can also determine the channel characteristic map based on the configuration information for the access network device, further improving the accuracy of the channel characteristic map.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the first message also includes at least one of a movement identifier of the first scatterer, movement speed information of the first scatterer, and movement direction information of the first scatterer. In this way, the channel characteristic map management device can determine whether the first scatterer has moved based on the movement identifier of the first scatterer, as well as determine information such as the movement speed and movement direction of the first scatterer, and determine the dynamically changing area of ​​the first scatterer based on this information. In this way, the channel characteristic map management device can update the channel characteristic map of the dynamically changing area, further improving the accuracy of the channel characteristic map, and does not need to update all channel characteristic maps, thereby saving resources.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the first message also includes a first channel measurement result; the first channel measurement result includes at least one of channel state information, channel statistical covariance matrix information, channel angle power spectrum information, channel power delay spectrum information, and channel path loss information.

[0021] Optionally, the first channel measurement result also includes other information characterizing the spatial domain, time domain, frequency domain, angle domain, Doppler domain, and delay domain characteristics of the channel, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0022] In this way, the channel characteristic map management device can directly update the channel characteristic data of the corresponding grid according to the first channel measurement result, and can efficiently obtain a high-precision channel characteristic map.

[0023] In one possible implementation, before receiving the first message, it includes: sending a first request to the access network device, the first request instructs the access network device to send the first message; or, sending a second request to the first terminal device, the second request instructs the first terminal device to send a second message, the second message includes the first information and the second information.

[0024] Optionally, the channel characteristic map management device may send the first request within a certain time interval. Exemplarily, the first request is sent every hour. Optionally, when the multiple scatterers sensed by the channel characteristic map management device have not moved, the time interval for sending the first request may be extended, such as sending the first request once every 24 hours. When the multiple scatterers sensed by the channel characteristic map management device have moved, the time interval for sending the first request may be shortened, such as sending the first request once every 10 minutes. Alternatively, the second request may be sent every hour. Optionally, when the multiple scatterers sensed by the channel characteristic map management device have not moved, the time interval for sending the second request may be extended, such as sending the second request once every 24 hours. When the multiple scatterers sensed by the channel characteristic map management device have moved, the time interval for sending the second request may be shortened, such as sending the second request once every 10 minutes. In this way, the channel characteristic map can be updated in a timely manner while reducing the amount of data processed by the channel characteristic map management device.

[0025] In the second aspect, the present application provides a channel characteristic map construction method, which is applied to access network equipment, and the method includes: sending a first message to a channel characteristic map management device, the first message includes first information, and the first message also includes at least one of second information and third information; the first information indicates the material or electromagnetic coefficient of the first scatterer, and the second information indicates the relative position relationship between the first scatterer and the first terminal device; the third information indicates the relative position relationship between the first scatterer and the access network device.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving a second message from the first terminal device, where the second message includes the first information and the second information.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the method also includes: sending a first channel characteristic map request message to a channel characteristic map management device, the first channel characteristic map request message requesting to send a channel characteristic map corresponding to the first terminal device or access network device; receiving a first channel characteristic map response message from the channel characteristic map management device, the first channel characteristic map response message including the channel characteristic map corresponding to the first terminal device or access network device.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the method also includes: receiving a second channel characteristic map request message from the first terminal device, the second channel characteristic map request message requesting to send a channel characteristic map corresponding to the first terminal device; sending a second channel characteristic map response message to the first terminal device, the second channel characteristic map response message including the channel characteristic map corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0029] In a possible implementation manner, the first message further includes fourth information, where the fourth information indicates a profile of the first scatterer.

[0030] In a possible implementation manner, the second message further includes fourth information, where the fourth information indicates a profile of the first scatterer.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the first message further includes channel multipath information, where the channel multipath information indicates at least one of multipath quantity information, angle spread information, and delay spread information.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the second message also includes channel multipath information of the location of the first terminal device, where the channel multipath information indicates at least one of multipath quantity information, angle spread information, and delay spread information.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the first message also includes access network device configuration information; the access network device configuration information includes at least one of access network device location information, access network device antenna height, access network device antenna size, access network device antenna type, access network device antenna downtilt angle, access network device antenna radiation pattern, and access network device antenna main lobe direction.

[0034] In a possible implementation manner, the first message further includes at least one of a first scatterer movement identifier, a first scatterer movement speed, and a first scatterer movement direction.

[0035] In a possible implementation manner, the second message further includes at least one of a first scatterer movement identifier, a first scatterer movement speed, and a first scatterer movement direction.

[0036] In one possible implementation, the first message also includes a first channel measurement result; the first channel measurement result includes at least one of channel state information, channel statistical covariance matrix information, channel angle power spectrum information, channel power delay spectrum information, and channel path loss information.

[0037] In a possible implementation, before sending the first message, the process includes:

[0038] A first request is received, where the first request instructs the access network device to send a first message.

[0039] In a third aspect, the present application provides a channel characteristic map construction method, applied to a first terminal device, the method comprising: sending a second message to an access network device, the second message comprising first information and second information; the first information indicating the material or electromagnetic coefficient of the first scatterer, and the second information indicating the relative position relationship between the first scatterer and the first terminal device;

[0040] In one possible implementation, the method also includes: sending a second channel characteristic map request message to the access network device, the second channel characteristic map request message requests sending the channel characteristic map corresponding to the first terminal device; receiving a channel characteristic map response message from the access network device, the channel characteristic map response message includes the channel characteristic map corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0041] In a possible implementation manner, the second message further includes fourth information, where the fourth information indicates a profile of the first scatterer.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the second message further includes channel multipath information, where the channel multipath information indicates at least one of multipath quantity information, angle spread information, and delay spread information.

[0043] In a possible implementation manner, the second message further includes at least one of a first scatterer movement identifier, a first scatterer movement speed, and a first scatterer movement direction.

[0044] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device comprising a processor and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the processor or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices, the processor being used to implement any of the methods described in any one of the first to third aspects above through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

[0045] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or instruction is executed by a communication device, the method described in any one of the first to third aspects above is implemented.

[0046] In the sixth aspect, the present application provides a chip system, which includes a processor and an input / output port, the processor is used to implement the channel characteristic map determination method of any aspect of the above-mentioned aspects, and the input / output port is used to implement the transceiver functions involved in the channel characteristic map determination method of any aspect of the above-mentioned aspects.

[0047] In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory, which is used to store program instructions and data for implementing the functions involved in the channel characteristic map determination method of any of the above aspects.

[0048] The chip system may be composed of chips, or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0049] In a seventh aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes one or more terminal devices, one or more access network devices, and a channel feature map management device.

[0050] In an eighth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed on a computer, causes the computer to execute the channel characteristic map determination method according to any of the above aspects.

[0051] The technical effects corresponding to the second to eighth aspects and any implementation method of the second to eighth aspects can be referred to the technical effects corresponding to any implementation method of the above-mentioned first aspect, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a channel characteristic map determined in the related art.

[0053] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0054] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a communication system interaction provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0055] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a channel characteristic map provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0056] FIG5 is a flow chart of a method for determining a channel characteristic map provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0057] FIG6 is a coordinate diagram provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0058] FIG7 is another coordinate diagram provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0059] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of another channel characteristic map provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0060] FIG9 is a flow chart of another method for determining a channel characteristic map provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0061] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0062] FIG11 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] The terms "including," "having," and any variations thereof mentioned in the description of the embodiments of the present application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus comprising a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include other steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to the process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0064] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner.

[0065] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more. "And / or" in this document is merely a description of the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone.

[0066] In the embodiments of the present application, at least one can also be described as one or more, and multiple can be two, three, four or more, which is not limited in this application.

[0067] In the embodiments of the present application, for a technical feature, the technical features in the technical feature are distinguished by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D", and there is no order of precedence or size between the technical features described by "first", "second", "third", "A", "B", "C" and "D".

[0068] Digital twin technology is crucial in the development of 5G, 5G Advanced, and 6G. It is a crucial technology for depicting, simulating, optimizing, and visualizing the physical world in the virtual world. In a digital twin system, the physical world provides sensory data for constructing the virtual world, while the virtual world provides simulation data to guide system design and algorithm optimization in the physical world.

[0069] For digital twin systems, the construction of a channel twin is a core component. A channel twin is a true, objective, and complete mapping of physical channel information in digital space, encompassing both geometric and physical models. With the advent of the 6G mobile communications era, the increasing system bandwidth, the proliferation of terminal device antennas, and the increasing network load are all contributing to the growing contradiction between the surge in wireless channel dimensions and the limited pilot measurement resources. This poses a significant challenge to high-precision wireless channel measurement. To address the limited pilot measurement resources in wireless communication systems, channel feature maps can be used to achieve channel measurement with low pilot overhead.

[0070] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 1, measured channel characteristics can be used to obtain measured data for a portion of the area, and interpolated data for other areas can be obtained using an interpolation algorithm based on the measured data to determine the channel characteristic map for the entire area. However, this method is difficult to measure data, and the accuracy of the channel characteristic map for some areas is low.

[0071] In other embodiments, a channel characteristic map can be obtained through channel twinning technology. Specifically, a channel characteristic map can be constructed based on a deterministic channel modeling scheme. Combined with a priori environmental maps, electromagnetic simulation is used to simulate direct radiation, reflection, diffraction, transmission, and scattering of communication multipath to obtain a deterministic channel model, and the channel characteristic map is determined based on this deterministic channel model.

[0072] However, this method is highly dependent on the accuracy of environmental modeling. Existing commercial maps often have low environmental modeling accuracy, reaching only the meter level. Deterministic channel models are not precise enough, and channel feature maps constructed based on these models are inaccurate. Furthermore, current electromagnetic simulations typically use ray tracing methods. When the actual environment is complex, deterministic channel models based on ray tracing are often inaccurate, resulting in low-precision channel feature maps.

[0073] To solve the above technical problems, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for determining a channel characteristic map. In this method, a terminal device and / or an access network device senses the environment based on sensing devices such as radar, infrared sensors, cameras, point cloud laser scanners, and communication pilot signals, and senses the material of the scatterer, the relative position information between the scatterer and the terminal device and / or the access network device, and other first messages. The first messages are sent to a channel characteristic map management device, which determines a channel characteristic map (also referred to as a channel knowledge map, channel atlas, channel map, etc.) based on the first messages. Thus, a high-precision channel characteristic map is obtained.

[0074] Optionally, the scatterers described in the embodiments of the present application include objects that can directly irradiate, reflect, scatter, refract, diffract signals, etc., and can affect the original propagation direction of the signals.

[0075] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system 1000 used in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 2 , the communication system includes a radio access network (RAN) 100. RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (e.g., 110a and 110b in Figure 2 , collectively referred to as 110) and may also include at least one terminal (e.g., 120a-120j in Figure 2 , collectively referred to as 120). RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 2 ). Terminal 120 is wirelessly connected to RAN node 110. Terminals and RAN nodes may be connected to each other via wired or wireless connections. Communication system 1000 may also include a core network 200. RAN node 110 is wirelessly or wiredly connected to core network 200. Core network devices in core network 200 and RAN node 110 in RAN 100 may be separate physical devices, or they may be a single physical device that integrates the logical functions of core network devices and RAN nodes.

[0076] The embodiment of the present application further includes a channel characteristic map management device (not shown in FIG2 ), which can determine a channel characteristic map. The channel characteristic map management device can be located in a core network element, an access network device, or other device, and the embodiment of the present application does not impose specific limitations on this.

[0077] RAN100 can be an evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) system, a new radio (NR) system, or a future radio access system defined in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), or a WiFi system. RAN100 can also include two or more of the aforementioned different radio access systems. RAN100 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN).

[0078] A RAN node, also known as access network equipment, a RAN entity, or an access node, facilitates wireless access to a communication system by a terminal. In one application scenario, a RAN node 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 WiFi system. A RAN node can be a macro base station (such as 110a in Figure 2), a micro base station, an indoor station (such as 110b in Figure 2), a relay node, or a host node.

[0079] In another application scenario, multiple RAN nodes can collaborate to help terminals achieve wireless access, with different RAN nodes implementing portions of the base station's functions. For example, a RAN node can be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). The CU implements the base station's radio resource control protocol and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) functions, as well as the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) functions. The DU implements the base station's radio link control layer and medium access control (MAC) layer functions, as well as some or all of the physical layer functions. For detailed descriptions of each of the above protocol layers, please refer to the relevant 3GPP technical specifications. The RU can be used to implement the transmission and reception of radio frequency signals. The CU and DU can be two independent RAN nodes, or they can be integrated into the same RAN node, such as in a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in radio frequency equipment, such as a remote radio unit (RRU) or an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU can be further divided into two types of RAN nodes: CU-control plane and CU-user plane.

[0080] In different systems, RAN nodes may have different names. For example, in an O-RAN system, a CU may be called an open CU (O-CU), a DU may be called an open DU (O-DU), and a RU may be called an open RU (O-RU). The RAN node in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module. For example, the RAN node may be a server loaded with the corresponding software module. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the RAN node. For ease of description, the following description takes a base station as an example of a RAN node.

[0081] A terminal is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities that can send signals to a base station or receive signals from a base station. A terminal may also be referred to as a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals 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. A terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable device, vehicle, airplane, 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.

[0082] Base stations and terminals can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; on water; or on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of base stations and terminals.

[0083] The roles of base stations and terminals can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 2 can be configured as a mobile base station. To terminals 120j accessing the wireless access network 100 via 120i, terminal 120i is a base station. However, to base station 110a, 120i is a terminal, 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 a base station-to-base station interface protocol. In this case, 120i is also a base station relative to 110a. Therefore, base stations and terminals can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a and 110b in Figure 2 can be referred to as communication devices with base station functionality, while 120a-120j in Figure 2 can be referred to as communication devices with terminal functionality.

[0084] Communication between base stations and terminals, between base stations, and between terminals can be carried out through authorized spectrum, unauthorized spectrum, or both; communication can be carried out through spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), spectrum above 6 GHz, or spectrum below 6 GHz and spectrum above 6 GHz. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0085] In the embodiments of the present application, the functions of the base station may also be performed by a module (such as a chip) in the base station, or by a control subsystem that includes the base station functions. The control subsystem that includes the base station 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 may also be performed by a module (such as a chip or modem) in the terminal, or by a device that includes the terminal functions.

[0086] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to wireless communications between communication devices. Wireless communications between communication devices may include: wireless communications between core network elements and base stations, wireless communications between core network elements and terminals, wireless communications between base stations, wireless communications between base stations and terminals, and wireless communications between terminals. In the embodiments of this application, the term "wireless communications" may also be referred to as "communication," and the term "communication" may also be described as "data transmission," "information transmission," or "transmission."

[0087] In the present application, the base station sends a downlink signal or downlink information to the terminal, and the downlink information is carried on a downlink channel; the terminal sends an uplink signal or uplink information to the base station, and the uplink information is carried on an uplink channel.

[0088] As shown in FIG3 , the terminal and the base station include a radio resource control (RRC) signaling interaction module (also referred to as an RRC entity), and information between the terminal and the base station can be transmitted via RRC signaling (RRC entity).

[0089] The terminal and the base station also include a medium access control (MAC) signaling interaction module (also called a MAC entity), and the terminal and the base station can transmit information through MAC control element (MAC control element) signaling (MAC entity).

[0090] The terminal and the base station also include a physical layer (PHY) signaling and data interaction module (also called a PHY entity). The terminal and the base station can interact through the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), and physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH).

[0091] Optionally, the terminal and base station may further include other modules (or protocol entities) to implement the solution provided in the embodiment of the present application.

[0092] Optionally, the core network may include an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, and the base station and the AMF communicate via a next generation core (NG-C) interface. The core network also includes a location management function (LMF) entity for estimating the terminal's location and determining a channel feature map.

[0093] Alternatively, in another possible implementation, the core network further includes a map management function (MMF) entity that can determine the channel feature map. The AMF and LMF / MMF communicate via an NLs interface.

[0094] Optionally, the channel characteristic map can be understood as a database for storing channel characteristics based on geographic location, which channel characteristics include at least one of channel statistical covariance matrix information, channel angle power spectrum information, channel power delay spectrum information, and channel path loss information.

[0095] Optionally, the channel characteristic map may also store other information characterizing the spatial domain, time domain, frequency domain, angle domain, Doppler domain, and delay domain characteristics of the channel, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0096] FIG4 shows an example of a channel characteristic map. In the channel characteristic map, the physical cell can be divided into a two-dimensional grid level, and each grid stores the channel characteristics of the location in the form of a matrix, vector, or scalar. Optionally, the physical cell can be divided into a three-dimensional grid level, and each grid stores the channel characteristics of the location in the form of a matrix, vector, or scalar. The embodiments of the present application are not limited to this. It should be understood that the edge of each grid point is not necessarily a straight line, and grid areas of different shapes can also be divided according to different specific geographical locations.

[0097] Exemplarily, each grid in the channel characteristic map stores at least one of channel statistical covariance matrix information, channel angular power spectrum information, channel power delay spectrum information, and channel path loss information for the corresponding geographical area. The channel statistical covariance matrix information is represented in matrix form, the channel angular power spectrum information and the channel power delay spectrum information are represented in vector form, and the channel path loss information is represented in scalar form.

[0098] Optionally, the channel feature map also corresponds to a channel feature map grid index.

[0099] Exemplarily, each grid point in the channel feature map corresponds to a number. As shown in Figure 4, the grid in the first row and first column is numbered 1, and the grid stores the channel feature 1 of the corresponding position. The grid in the first row and second column is numbered 2, and the grid stores the channel feature 2 of the corresponding position. ... The grid in the ath row and bth column is numbered n, and the grid stores the channel feature n of the corresponding position, and so on. Each number corresponds to the channel feature in the grid. As shown in Table 1:

[0100] Table 1

[0101] For example, FIG5 is a flow chart of a method for determining a channel characteristic map according to an embodiment of the present application. The method for determining a channel characteristic map can be applied to the communication system shown in FIG2 .

[0102] As shown in FIG5 , the channel characteristic map determination method includes the following steps:

[0103] S101. The channel characteristic map management apparatus sends a first request to an access network device, or sends a second request to a first terminal device.

[0104] The channel characteristic map management device may determine the channel characteristic map. Specifically, the channel characteristic map management device may construct the channel characteristic map, or update the channel characteristic map in the original channel characteristic map.

[0105] In one embodiment, the channel characteristic map management device may be configured with a three-dimensional high-precision map, and the channel characteristic map management device determines the channel characteristic map based on the three-dimensional high-precision map.

[0106] Optionally, the channel characteristic map management device can be located in a core network element or in an access network device (or base station), and the embodiments of the present application do not impose specific restrictions on this.

[0107] Optionally, the channel characteristic map management apparatus may send a new radio positioning protocol annex (NRPPa) message carrying the first request to the access network device.

[0108] The first request may instruct the access network device to send a first message to the channel characteristic map management apparatus, wherein the first message includes a plurality of information required to determine the channel characteristic map within the coverage area of ​​the access network device.

[0109] Optionally, the channel characteristic map management apparatus may carry the second request in an LTE positioning protocol (LPP) message sent to the first terminal device.

[0110] The second request may instruct the first terminal device to send a second message to the channel characteristic map management apparatus, wherein the second message also includes a plurality of information required to determine the channel characteristic map within a certain area centered on the first terminal device.

[0111] In one embodiment, the embodiment of the present application may not include step S101 and directly execute step S102.

[0112] S102: The first terminal device sends a second message to the access network device according to the first request. Correspondingly, the access network device receives the second message from the first terminal device.

[0113] Optionally, the first terminal device may send a second message to the access network device via RRC, PUSCH, MAC-CE, PUCCH, etc.

[0114] Optionally, the first terminal device may send the second message at a certain time interval, for example, once every hour.

[0115] Optionally, when the multiple scatterers sensed by the first terminal device do not move, the time interval for sending the second message may be extended, for example, the second message is sent once every 24 hours. When the multiple scatterers sensed by the first terminal device move, the time interval for sending the second message may be shortened, for example, the second message is sent once every 10 minutes.

[0116] Optionally, when the density of terminal devices is high, a terminal device is selected within a certain area and the second message is sent. For example, a terminal device may be selected within every 5 cubic meters to send the second message to the access network device.

[0117] Optionally, the second message may include first information and second information, wherein the first information may indicate the material or electromagnetic coefficient of the first scatterer.

[0118] Optionally, the material of the first scatterer may be concrete, glass, metal, plastic, vegetation, etc.

[0119] For example, when the material of the first scatterer is concrete, the first information may be 1; when the material of the first scatterer is glass, the first information may be 2; when the material of the first scatterer is metal, the first information may be 3; when the material of the first scatterer is plastic, the first information may be 4; and when the material of the first scatterer is vegetation, the first information may be 5. It should be understood that the material of the first scatterer may also be represented in other ways. For example, when the first scatterer is concrete, the first information may be a, indicating that the material of the first scatterer is concrete, and this embodiment of the present application does not impose specific limitations on this.

[0120] Optionally, the electromagnetic coefficient of the first scatterer may include parameters such as the dielectric constant, conductivity, and reflectivity of the first scatterer.

[0121] For example, if the first scatterer is concrete, and the dielectric constant of concrete is 6, the conductivity is 8 μS / cm, and the reflectivity is 50%, the first information may be "dielectric constant: 6+2i, conductivity: 8 μS / cm, reflectivity: 50%".

[0122] The second information may indicate a relative positional relationship between the first scatterer and the first terminal device, wherein the relative positional relationship between the first scatterer and the first terminal device may be represented by relative coordinates between the first scatterer and the first terminal device.

[0123] Optionally, as shown in Figure 6, the first terminal device can establish a three-dimensional coordinate system (x1, y1, z1) with the first terminal device as a reference point to represent the relative position relationship between the first scatterer and the first terminal device. Optionally, the first terminal device can send the three-dimensional coordinate system to the access network device, and the access network device can subsequently establish a global three-dimensional coordinate system based on the three-dimensional coordinate systems of multiple terminal devices.

[0124] Exemplarily, the position of the first terminal device is (0, 0, 0), and the coordinates of the first scatterer are (1, 0, 0), which may indicate that the first scatterer is located 1 meter in front of the first terminal device.

[0125] As another example, the position of the first terminal device is (0, 0, 0), and the coordinates of the second scatterer are (0, 1, 0), which may indicate that the second scatterer is located 1 meter to the right of the first terminal device.

[0126] Optionally, the first terminal device may also establish a three-dimensional coordinate system (x1, y1, z1) with the first scatterer as a reference point to represent the relative position relationship between the first scatterer and the first terminal device. This embodiment of the application does not impose any specific limitation on this.

[0127] Optionally, the second message may further include fourth information, wherein the fourth information may indicate the profile of the first scatterer.

[0128] Optionally, the outline of the first scatterer may be the coordinates of each vertex of the first scatterer, wherein the coordinates are located in a three-dimensional coordinate system (x1, y1, z1) established with the first terminal device as a reference point.

[0129] For example, if the first scatterer is a rectangular office building, the outline of the office building can be represented by the coordinates of the eight vertices of the office building.

[0130] Optionally, the second message may further include channel multipath information of the location of the first terminal device, wherein the channel multipath information indicates at least one of multipath quantity information, multipath angle spread information, and multipath delay spread information.

[0131] For example, the multipath quantity information of the location of the first terminal device is 3, the multipath angle spread information is 25°, and the multipath delay spread information is 200ns.

[0132] Optionally, when the number of channel multipaths at the location of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the multipath number threshold, or the angle extension information is greater than or equal to the angle threshold, or the multipath delay extension information is greater than or equal to the delay threshold, it can indicate that the first terminal device is in a complex multipath environment, otherwise it is in a simple multipath environment.

[0133] Exemplarily, the multipath number threshold may be 10, the multipath angle threshold may be 40°, and the multipath delay threshold may be 400ns, and the location of the first terminal device is a simple multipath environment.

[0134] For example, the second terminal device is located at a multipath number of 3, a multipath angle spread of 45°, and a multipath delay spread of 200 ns. If the multipath angle spread is greater than the multipath angle threshold, the second terminal device is located in a complex multipath environment.

[0135] In one embodiment, the second message may further include an indicator of a multipath complex environment at the location of the first terminal device.

[0136] Exemplarily, when the first terminal device is located in a multipath complex environment, the multipath complex environment indication flag may be 1; when the first terminal device is located in a multipath simple environment, the multipath complex environment indication flag may be 0.

[0137] Optionally, the second message may further include at least one of a movement identifier of the first scatterer, a movement speed of the first scatterer, and a movement direction of the first scatterer.

[0138] The movement flag of the first scatterer indicates whether the first scatterer is moving. For example, when the first scatterer is in a moving state, the movement flag of the first scatterer may be 1; when the first scatterer is in a stationary state, the movement flag of the first scatterer may be 0.

[0139] The moving speed of the first scatterer represents the moving speed of the first scatterer. Exemplarily, the moving speed of the first scatterer is 10 m / s.

[0140] The moving direction of the first scatterer can be represented by the x-axis direction, the y-axis direction, and the z-axis direction in a three-dimensional coordinate system established with the first terminal device as the origin. Exemplarily, the moving direction of the first scatterer is the x-axis direction.

[0141] Optionally, the second message may be obtained by the first terminal device through sensing the environment based on sensing devices such as radar, infrared sensor, camera, point cloud laser scanner, and communication pilot signal.

[0142] S103: The access network device sends a first message to the channel characteristic map management apparatus. Correspondingly, the channel characteristic map management apparatus receives the first message from the access network device.

[0143] Optionally, the access network device may send the first message at a certain time interval, for example, once every hour.

[0144] Optionally, when the access network device senses that the multiple scatterers have not moved, the time interval for sending the first message may be extended, such as sending the first message once every 24 hours. When the access network device senses that the multiple scatterers have moved, the time interval for sending the first message may be shortened, such as sending the first message once every 10 minutes.

[0145] In one embodiment, the access network device may transparently transmit the second message from the first terminal device to the channel feature map management device. That is, the first message is the second message from the first terminal device. The second message may be specifically described in step 102 above and will not be repeated here.

[0146] In another embodiment, the access network device may process the second message from the first terminal device to obtain the first message, and send the first message to the channel characteristic map management apparatus.

[0147] Optionally, the first message may include the first information, and the first message may also include at least one of the second information and the third information.

[0148] The first information may indicate the material or electromagnetic coefficient of the first scatterer, the second information may indicate the relative position relationship between the first scatterer and the first terminal device, and the third information may indicate the relative position relationship between the first scatterer and the access network device.

[0149] In one embodiment, the access network device may sense the relative position relationship between the first scatterer and the access network device.

[0150] Optionally, the access network device may establish a three-dimensional coordinate system (x1, y1, z1) with the access network device as a reference point to represent the relative positional relationship between the first scatterer and the access network device.

[0151] For example, the position of the access network device is (0, 0, 0), and the coordinates of the first scatterer are (1, 0, 0), which may indicate that the first scatterer is located 1 meter in front of the access network device.

[0152] As another example, the position of the access network device is (0,0,0), and the coordinates of the second scatterer are (0,1,0), which may indicate that the second scatterer is located 1 meter to the right of the access network device.

[0153] In another embodiment, the access network device may receive multiple pieces of second information from multiple terminal devices, and obtain the relative position relationship between the first scatterer and the access network device according to the multiple pieces of second information.

[0154] There may be multiple terminal devices near the first scatterer. Each terminal device can sense the relative position of the first scatterer and itself within a preset range. Therefore, when multiple terminal devices are close to each other, the first scatterer may be sensed by multiple terminal devices and sent to the access network device. The access network device may process the received coordinates of the multiple first scatterers to obtain a single coordinate of the first scatterer relative to the access network device.

[0155] For example, as shown in FIG7 , the first terminal device establishes a three-dimensional coordinate system (x1, y1, z1) with the first terminal device as a reference point. The second information sent by the first terminal device includes the coordinates of the first terminal device as (0, 0, 0) and the coordinates of the first scatterer as (1, 0, 0).

[0156] The second terminal device establishes a three-dimensional coordinate system (x2, y2, z2) with the second terminal device as a reference point. The second information sent by the second terminal device includes the coordinates of the second terminal device as (0, 0, 0) and the coordinates of the first scatterer as (0, -1, 0).

[0157] Optionally, the access network device can receive the second information sent from the first terminal device and the second information sent from the second terminal device, establish a three-dimensional coordinate system with the access network device as a reference point based on the second information sent from the first terminal device and the second information sent from the second terminal device, and obtain the relative position relationship between the first scatterer and the access network device.

[0158] For example, as shown in Figure 7, a three-dimensional coordinate system (x3, y3, z3) is established with the second terminal device as the reference point. The coordinates of the access network device are (0, 0, 0), the coordinates of the first terminal device are (-2, -1, 0), and the coordinates of the second terminal device are (-1, 0, 0). Based on the relative positional relationship between the first scatterer and the first terminal device and the relative positional relationship between the first scatterer and the second terminal device, the coordinates of the first scatterer relative to the access network device can be obtained as (-1, -1, 0).

[0159] Optionally, the first message may further include channel multipath information within the coverage area of ​​the access network device. The channel multipath information indicates at least one of multipath quantity information, angle spread information, and delay spread information. The channel multipath information may be different at different locations within the coverage area of ​​the access network device.

[0160] Specifically, the access network device may receive channel multipath information from the location of the first terminal device, and determine the channel multipath information within the coverage range of the access network device based on the channel multipath information of the location of at least one terminal device.

[0161] Optionally, the access network device may further determine a multipath complex area within the coverage of the access network device according to multipath complex environment indications at locations of multiple terminal devices.

[0162] For example, if an access network device receives an indication of a complex multipath environment for the locations of a first terminal device, a second terminal device, a third terminal device, and a fourth terminal device, where the first, second, and third terminal devices are located, and the fourth terminal device is located in a simple multipath environment, then the area formed by the first, second, and third terminal devices is a complex multipath area, and the rest of the area covered by the access network device is a simple multipath area.

[0163] Optionally, the first message may further include at least one of a movement identifier of the first scatterer, a movement speed of the first scatterer, and a movement direction of the first scatterer. For details about the movement identifier of the first scatterer and the movement speed of the first scatterer, reference may be made to the description in step S102 and will not be repeated here.

[0164] Optionally, the moving direction of the first scatterer may be represented by an x-axis direction, a y-axis direction, and a z-axis direction in a three-dimensional coordinate system established with the access network device as the origin.

[0165] Exemplarily, the movement identifier of the first scatterer is 1, indicating that the first scatterer is in a moving state, the moving speed of the first scatterer is 10 m / s, and the moving direction of the first scatterer is the x-axis direction.

[0166] Optionally, the first message may further include configuration information of the access network device, wherein the configuration information of the access network device includes location information of the access network device and / or antenna information of the access network device.

[0167] Optionally, the antenna information of the access network device may include at least one of antenna height information, antenna size information, antenna type information, antenna downtilt angle information, antenna pattern information and antenna main lobe direction information.

[0168] The antenna height information indicates the vertical distance from the antenna for receiving and sending signals in the access network device to the geoid (or mean sea level).

[0169] Optionally, the antenna size information includes the length, width and height information of the antenna, which can be represented by coordinates.

[0170] Exemplarily, a three-dimensional coordinate system is established with the center position of the access network device as the origin, and the antenna size information can be represented by the coordinates of each vertex of the antenna.

[0171] Antenna type information may include ultra-long wave antennas, long wave antennas, medium wave antennas, short wave antennas, ultra-short wave antennas, and microwave antennas. It should be understood that the above antenna classifications are based on the antenna's operating wavelength, and can also be classified in other ways, such as by the antenna's operating properties, into transmitting antennas and receiving antennas. This embodiment of the present application does not impose specific limitations on this.

[0172] Antenna pattern information refers to a graph showing how the relative strength of the radiated field varies with direction at a preset distance from the antenna. It is typically represented by two perpendicular plane patterns along the antenna's direction of maximum radiation. Antenna mainlobe direction information is the direction of the maximum radiation beam on the antenna pattern.

[0173] Optionally, the first message may further include a first channel measurement result.

[0174] Optionally, the first channel measurement result indicates a channel measurement result at a location where a terminal device with a high signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR) is located, and the channel measurement result is a measured channel measurement result. The first channel measurement result may include at least one of channel state information, channel statistical covariance matrix information, channel angle power spectrum information, channel power delay spectrum information, and channel path loss information.

[0175] Optionally, the first channel measurement result also includes other information characterizing the spatial domain, time domain, frequency domain, angle domain, Doppler domain, and delay domain characteristics of the channel, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0176] Specifically, the access network device can measure the channel through pilot signals such as the channel sounding reference signal (SRS) and the channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) to obtain channel measurement data. Among them, the access network device can receive the SRS from the first terminal device, and the access network device can analyze the received SRS to estimate the channel measurement data. Alternatively, the access network device can also send the CSI-RS to the first terminal device, and the first terminal device can estimate the channel measurement data by receiving and decoding the CSI-RS. After the first terminal device estimates the channel measurement data, it can send the channel measurement data to the access network device.

[0177] Optionally, the access network device may calculate the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio of the channel at the location of each terminal device based on the channel measurement data. When the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio of the channel at the location of the terminal device is higher than a preset threshold, the access network device may calculate the first channel measurement result at the location of the terminal device based on the channel measurement data.

[0178] Specifically, the access network device may calculate the first channel measurement result by using a space-alternating generalized expectation-maximization (SAGE) algorithm according to the first channel measurement data.

[0179] It should be understood that the access network device may also calculate the first channel measurement result according to other algorithms, and the embodiment of the present application does not impose any specific limitation on this.

[0180] Optionally, the first message may be obtained by the access network device through sensing the environment based on sensing devices such as radar, infrared sensor, camera, point cloud laser scanner, and communication pilot signal.

[0181] S104. The channel characteristic map management apparatus determines a channel characteristic map according to the first message.

[0182] The channel characteristic map includes a plurality of grids at a geographical location and channel characteristic information corresponding to each of the plurality of grids.

[0183] Optionally, the channel characteristic map management device determines different channel characteristic maps at different frequency points according to the first message.

[0184] Optionally, when the channel characteristic map management device is located in a core network element, the channel characteristic map management device may include a map management unit MMF, and the MMF may determine the channel characteristic map based on the first message. Alternatively, the channel characteristic map management device may include an access and mobility management unit AMF, and the AMF may also determine the channel characteristic map based on the first message.

[0185] Optionally, the channel characteristic map management device may also determine the channel characteristic map through other units or network elements, and this embodiment of the present application does not impose any specific restrictions on this.

[0186] In one embodiment, the channel characteristic map management device may construct a channel characteristic map according to the first message.

[0187] Exemplarily, the channel characteristic map management device may construct a channel characteristic map based on the material or electromagnetic coefficient of the first scatterer, and the relative position relationship between the first scatterer and the access network device and / or the first terminal device.

[0188] As another example, the channel characteristic map management device can construct a channel characteristic map based on the material or electromagnetic coefficient of the first scatterer, the relative position relationship between the first scatterer and the access network device and / or the first terminal device, the channel multipath information, and the configuration information of the access network device.

[0189] As another example, the channel characteristic map management device can construct a channel characteristic map based on the material or electromagnetic coefficient of the first scatterer, the relative position relationship between the first scatterer and the access network device and / or the first terminal device, channel multipath information, configuration information of the access network device, contour information of the first scatterer, the movement identification of the first scatterer, the movement speed information of the first scatterer, and the movement direction information of the first scatterer.

[0190] Among them, the material or electromagnetic coefficient of the first scatterer can improve the accuracy of electromagnetic calculations, and constructing a channel characteristic map based on the above-mentioned other first messages can effectively improve the accuracy of channel characteristic map construction.

[0191] Optionally, the channel characteristic map management device can construct the channel characteristic map using methods such as full-wave simulation and ray tracing. The channel characteristic map constructed using the full-wave simulation method has higher computational complexity and relatively high requirements for computing resources and time, resulting in a more accurate channel characteristic map. The channel characteristic map constructed using the ray tracing method has lower computational complexity and relatively low requirements for computing resources and time, resulting in a more efficient channel characteristic map.

[0192] Optionally, the channel characteristic map management device may also construct channel characteristic maps for complex multipath areas and simple multipath areas using different methods to obtain high-precision channel characteristic maps simply and efficiently.

[0193] For example, for complex multipath areas, a full-wave simulation method with higher computational complexity is used to construct a channel characteristic map to obtain a high-precision channel characteristic map; for simple multipath areas, a ray tracing method with lower computational complexity is used to construct a channel characteristic map, which can also obtain a high-precision channel characteristic map and reduce the requirements for computing resources and time.

[0194] In another embodiment, the channel characteristic map management device may also update the channel characteristic map according to the first message.

[0195] Exemplarily, the channel characteristic map management device may update the channel characteristic map according to the material or electromagnetic coefficient of the first scatterer, and the relative position relationship between the first scatterer and the access network device and / or the first terminal device.

[0196] As another example, the channel characteristic map management device can update the channel characteristic map based on the material or electromagnetic coefficient of the first scatterer, the relative position relationship between the first scatterer and the access network device and / or the first terminal device, the channel multipath information, and the configuration information of the access network device.

[0197] As another example, the channel characteristic map management device can update the channel characteristic map based on the material or electromagnetic coefficient of the first scatterer, the relative position relationship between the first scatterer and the access network device and / or the first terminal device, channel multipath information, configuration information of the access network device, contour information of the first scatterer, the movement identification of the first scatterer, the movement speed information of the first scatterer, and the movement direction information of the first scatterer.

[0198] As another example, the channel characteristic map management device can update the channel characteristic map based on the first channel measurement result. In this way, the channel characteristic map management device does not need to use full-wave simulation, ray tracing and other methods to calculate channel characteristic information, and the update speed is fast.

[0199] Among them, the material or electromagnetic coefficient of the first scatterer can improve the accuracy of electromagnetic calculations, and updating the channel characteristic map according to the above-mentioned other first messages can effectively improve the accuracy of channel characteristic map construction.

[0200] Optionally, the channel characteristic map management device may update all channel characteristic maps according to the first message, or may update part of the channel characteristic maps according to the first message.

[0201] Optionally, the channel characteristic map management device may only update the grids corresponding to the areas including dynamic changes in the channel characteristic map.

[0202] Exemplarily, as shown in FIG8 , the channel characteristic map includes a first scatterer, a second scatterer, a third scatterer, and a fourth scatterer, wherein the first scatterer, the second scatterer, and the third scatterer are dynamic scatterers. For example, they are a moving car, a bicycle, and the like. The area formed by the lines connecting the first scatterer, the second scatterer, and the third scatterer is a dynamically changing area M, and the channel characteristic map management device can only update the channel characteristic map of the grid including the dynamically changing area M. The dynamically changing area M can be determined based on the contour information of the first scatterer, the second scatterer, and the third scatterer, for example, the dynamically changing area M is determined based on the contour coordinates of the first scatterer, the second scatterer, and the third scatterer.

[0203] Optionally, the channel characteristic map management device may update the channel characteristic map according to the first message through full-wave simulation, ray tracing and other methods.

[0204] Specifically, according to the first message, the channel characteristic information of the grid including the dynamically changing area M is calculated through full-wave simulation, ray tracing and other methods, and the channel characteristic information of the corresponding grid in the channel characteristic map is updated to the calculated channel characteristic information.

[0205] Alternatively, when the first message includes the first channel measurement result, the channel characteristic map management apparatus may update the channel characteristic information of the grid corresponding to the location of the first terminal device with a high signal-to-noise ratio in the channel characteristic map with the channel characteristic information of the grid corresponding to the location of the first terminal device in the first channel measurement result. In this way, the channel characteristic map management apparatus does not need to perform complex calculations to obtain the channel characteristic information, and the update speed is fast.

[0206] S105. The access network device sends a first channel characteristic map request message to the channel characteristic map management apparatus.

[0207] Optionally, the first channel characteristic map request message may be a request for all channel characteristic maps, a request for the channel characteristic map of the access network device coverage area, a request for the channel characteristic map within the coverage area of ​​other access network devices adjacent to the access network device, a request for the channel characteristic map of the location of the first terminal device, or a request for the channel characteristic map corresponding to a grid within a certain distance range of the first terminal device. The first channel characteristic map request message may be a request for the channel characteristic map of other locations, and this embodiment of the present application does not impose any specific restrictions on this.

[0208] For example, the channel characteristic map includes 9 grids, the access network device coverage area includes grids 1-6, and the first terminal device is located in the second grid. Then, the first channel characteristic map request message can request the channel characteristic maps of all 9 grids, or request the channel characteristic maps of grids 1-6 in the access network device coverage area, or request the channel characteristic map located in the second grid.

[0209] S106. The channel characteristic map management apparatus sends a channel characteristic map corresponding to the access network device to the access network device.

[0210] Optionally, the channel characteristic map management device may send the channel characteristic map to the access network device, or may send the channel characteristic map grid index to the access network device.

[0211] S107. The first terminal device sends a second channel feature map request message to the access network device.

[0212] Optionally, the second channel characteristic map request message may request all channel characteristic maps, request the channel characteristic map for the location of the first terminal device, or request the channel characteristic map corresponding to a grid within a certain distance range of the first terminal device. The second channel characteristic map request message may request channel characteristic maps for other locations, and this embodiment of the application does not impose specific limitations on this.

[0213] Exemplarily, the channel characteristic map includes 9 grids, and the first terminal device is located in the second grid. The second channel characteristic map request message can request the channel characteristic maps of all 9 grids, or request the channel characteristic map located in the second grid, or request the channel characteristic map located in the fifth grid.

[0214] S108. The access network device sends a channel characteristic map corresponding to the first terminal device to the first terminal device.

[0215] Optionally, the access network device may send a channel characteristic map corresponding to the first terminal device to the first terminal device through RRC, MAC-CE, PDSCH, PDCCH, etc.

[0216] Optionally, the access network device may send a channel characteristic map to the first terminal device, or may send a channel characteristic map grid index to the first terminal device.

[0217] In one embodiment, steps S105-S108 are merely an example, and the embodiment of the present application may not include steps S105-S108, and the embodiment of the present application does not impose any specific limitation thereto.

[0218] In this way, the access network device or the first terminal device can obtain the required high-precision channel characteristic map, implement channel measurement with low pilot overhead, and solve the problem of limited pilot measurement resources in the wireless communication system.

[0219] Optionally, access network equipment can design a dynamically refined codebook based on high-precision channel characteristic maps to match regional channel characteristics, improving codebook accuracy and designing regionalized pilot patterns to reduce pilot overhead. Access network equipment can also obtain a priori channel information based on high-precision channel characteristic maps, obtaining high-dimensional channel information through extremely low-dimensional measurements. Examples include enabling high-precision Bayesian channel estimation with hot restart and designing an observation matrix to reduce the number of observations required for compressed sensing channel estimation.

[0220] Optionally, after the channel characteristic map is constructed, a flow chart of a method in which the channel characteristic map management apparatus updates the channel characteristic map according to the first channel measurement information may be as shown in FIG9 . The channel characteristic map updating method may be applicable to the communication system shown in FIG2 .

[0221] As shown in FIG9 , the channel characteristic map determination method includes the following steps:

[0222] S201. The first terminal device sends a channel reference signal to the access network device.

[0223] Optionally, the first terminal device may send an SRS to the access network device.

[0224] S202: The access network device calculates and obtains a channel measurement result, and sends the result to the channel characteristic map management device.

[0225] Optionally, the access network device may analyze the SRS from the first terminal device to estimate channel measurement data.

[0226] Optionally, the access network device may further transmit a CSI-RS to the first terminal device, and the first terminal device may receive and decode the CSI-RS to estimate channel measurement data. After the first terminal device estimates the channel measurement data, it may transmit the channel measurement data to the access network device. This application does not specifically limit the method for obtaining the channel measurement data.

[0227] Optionally, the access network device may further calculate the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio of the channel at the location of each terminal device based on the channel measurement data. When the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio of the channel at the location of the terminal device is higher than a preset threshold, the access network device may calculate a first channel measurement result at the location of the terminal device based on the channel measurement data.

[0228] Specifically, the access network device may calculate the first channel measurement result by using the SAGE algorithm according to the first channel measurement data.

[0229] It should be understood that the access network device may also calculate the first channel measurement result according to other algorithms, and the embodiment of the present application does not impose any specific limitation on this.

[0230] S203: The channel characteristic map management device updates the channel characteristic map according to the first channel measurement result.

[0231] Optionally, the channel characteristic map management device may update the channel characteristic information of the grid corresponding to the location of the first terminal device with a high signal-to-noise ratio in the channel characteristic map with the channel characteristic information of the grid corresponding to the location of the first terminal device in the first channel measurement result. In this way, the channel characteristic map management device does not need to perform complex calculations to obtain the channel characteristic information, and the update speed is fast.

[0232] It should be noted that the above-mentioned multiple embodiments can be combined and the combined scheme can be implemented. Optionally, some operations in the process of each method embodiment are optionally combined, and / or the order of some operations is optionally changed. In addition, the execution order between the steps of each process is only exemplary and does not constitute a limitation on the execution order between the steps. There can also be other execution orders between the steps. It is not intended to indicate that the execution order is the only order in which these operations can be performed. Ordinary technicians in this field will think of many ways to reorder the operations in this article. In addition, it should be pointed out that the process details involved in a certain embodiment of this article are also applicable to other embodiments in a similar manner, or different embodiments can be used in combination.

[0233] It is understandable that in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the channel feature map management device, access network equipment, and terminal include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily appreciate that, in combination with the units and method steps of the various examples described in the embodiments disclosed in this application, this 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 by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0234] Figures 10 and 11 are schematic diagrams of the structures of possible communication devices provided in the embodiments of the present application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the channel characteristic map management device, terminal, or access network device in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device can be a channel characteristic map management device, a terminal, an access network device, or a module (such as a chip) applied to a channel characteristic map management device, a terminal, or an access network device.

[0235] As shown in Figure 10, the communication device 1300 includes a processing unit 1310 and a transceiver unit 1320. The communication device 1300 is used to implement the functions of the channel characteristic map management device, terminal or access network device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 9 above.

[0236] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the channel characteristic map management device in the method embodiment shown in Figure 5: the transceiver unit 1320 is used to send a first request to the access network device and / or send a second request to the first terminal device; the transceiver unit 1320 is also used to receive a first message from the access network device; the transceiver unit 1320 is also used to receive a first channel characteristic map request message from the access network device, and in response to the message, send a corresponding channel characteristic map to the access network device. The processing unit 1310 is used to perform processing-related functions. For example, the processing unit 1310 can be used to perform all operations performed by the communication device in the embodiment shown in Figure 5 except for the transceiver operation, and / or to support other processes of the technology described in this article. For example, the channel characteristic map is determined based on the first message.

[0237] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the functions of the access network device in the method embodiment shown in Figure 5: the transceiver unit 1320 is used to receive a first request from the channel characteristic map management device, and in response to the request, sends a first message to the channel characteristic map management device; the transceiver unit 1320 is also used to receive a second message from the first terminal device; the transceiver unit 1320 is also used to send a first channel characteristic map request message to the channel characteristic map management device and receive the requested channel characteristic map; the transceiver unit 1320 is also used to receive a second channel characteristic map request message from the first terminal device, and in response to the message, sends the corresponding channel characteristic map to the first terminal device. The processing unit 1310 is used to perform processing-related functions. For example, the processing unit 1310 can be used to perform all operations performed by the communication device in the embodiment shown in Figure 5 except for the transceiver operation, and / or to support other processes of the technology described in this article. For example, the first message is obtained based on the second message.

[0238] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the functions of the first terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG5 : the transceiver unit 1320 is used to receive a second request from the channel characteristic map management device and, in response to the request, send a second message to the access network device; the transceiver unit 1320 is further used to send a second channel characteristic map request message to the access network device and receive the requested channel characteristic map; the processing unit 1310 is used to perform processing-related functions. For example, the processing unit 1310 may be used to perform all operations performed by the communication device in the embodiment shown in FIG5 , except for the transceiver operations, and / or to support other processes of the technology described herein.

[0239] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the functions of the channel characteristic map management device in the method embodiment shown in FIG9 , the transceiver unit 1320 is used to receive the first channel measurement result from the access network device, and the processing unit 1310 is used to perform processing-related functions. For example, the processing unit 1310 can be used to perform all operations performed by the communication device in the embodiment shown in FIG5 , except for the transceiver operations, and / or to support other processes of the technology described herein. For example, a channel characteristic map can be determined based on the first channel measurement result.

[0240] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the functions of the access network device in the method embodiment shown in Figure 9: the transceiver unit 1320 is used to receive the channel reference signal from the first terminal device; the transceiver unit 1320 is also used to send the first channel measurement result to the channel feature map management device. The processing unit 1310 is used to perform processing-related functions. For example, the processing unit 1310 can be used to perform all operations performed by the communication device in the embodiment shown in Figure 5 except for the transceiver operation, and / or to support other processes of the technology described in this article. For example, the first channel measurement result is obtained based on the channel reference signal.

[0241] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the functions of the first terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG9 , the transceiver unit 1320 is used to send a channel reference signal to the access network device, and the processing unit 1310 is used to perform processing-related functions. For example, the processing unit 1310 can be used to perform all operations performed by the communication device in the embodiment shown in FIG5 , except for the transceiver operations, and / or to support other processes of the technology described herein.

[0242] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 1310 and the transceiver unit 1320, please refer to the relevant description of the method embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 9. The processing unit 1310 and the transceiver unit 1320 may also perform other steps, and the specific implementation can refer to the method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0243] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1320 may be a transceiver, which may include an antenna and a radio frequency circuit, etc.

[0244] The processing unit 1310 may be a processor (or a processing circuit), such as a baseband processor, which may include one or more CPUs.

[0245] As shown in Figure 11, communication device 1400 includes a processor 1410 and an interface circuit 1420. Processor 1410 and interface circuit 1420 are coupled to each other. It is understood that interface circuit 1420 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, communication device 1400 may also include a memory 1430 for storing instructions executed by processor 1410, input data required by processor 1410 to execute instructions, or data generated after processor 1410 executes instructions.

[0246] When the communication device 1400 is used to implement the method shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 9 , the processor 1410 is used to implement the functions of the processing unit 1310 , and the interface circuit 1420 is used to implement the functions of the transceiver unit 1320 .

[0247] When the above-mentioned communication device is a chip applied to a channel characteristic map management device, the channel characteristic map management device chip implements the functions of the channel characteristic map management device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The channel characteristic map management device chip receives information from the access network device, which can be understood as the information being first received by other modules in the channel characteristic map management device (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna), and then sent to the channel characteristic map management device chip by these modules. The channel characteristic map management device chip sends information to the access network device, which can be understood as the information being first sent to other modules in the channel characteristic map management device (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna), and then sent to the access network device and / or terminal by these modules.

[0248] When the communication device is a chip used in a terminal, the terminal chip implements the functions of the terminal in the above-mentioned method embodiments. When the terminal chip receives information from the access network device, it can be understood that the information is first received by other modules in the terminal (such as a radio frequency module or antenna) and then sent to the terminal chip by these modules. When the terminal chip sends information to the access network device, it can be understood that the information is first sent to other modules in the terminal (such as a radio frequency module or antenna) and then sent to the access network device by these modules.

[0249] When the above-mentioned communication device is a chip applied to an access network device, the access network device chip implements the functions of the access network device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The access network device chip receives information from the terminal and / or channel characteristic map management device, which can be understood as the information being first received by other modules in the access network device (such as a radio frequency module or antenna) and then sent to the access network device chip by these modules. The access network device chip sends information to the terminal and / or channel characteristic map management device, which can be understood as the information being sent to other modules in the access network device (such as a radio frequency module or antenna) and then sent to the terminal and / or channel characteristic map management device by these modules.

[0250] The communication device shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. 11 is merely an example, and in actual applications the communication device may have more or fewer components than those shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. 11 , may combine two or more components, or may have a different component configuration.

[0251] In this application, when entity A sends information to entity B, A may send it directly to B or indirectly to B through another entity. Similarly, when entity B receives information from entity A, entity B may directly receive the information sent by entity A or indirectly receive the information sent by entity A through another entity. Entities A and B herein may be RAN nodes or terminals, or modules within a RAN node or terminal. The sending and receiving of information may be information exchange between a RAN node and a terminal, for example, information exchange between a base station and a terminal; the sending and receiving of information may also be information exchange between two RAN nodes, for example, information exchange between a CU and a DU; the sending and receiving of information may also be information exchange between different modules within a device, for example, information exchange between a terminal chip and other modules of the terminal, or information exchange between an access network chip and other modules within the access network, or information exchange between a channel characteristic map management device chip and other modules within the channel characteristic map management device.

[0252] 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.

[0253] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions that can be executed by a processor. 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 disk, mobile hard disk, 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. 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 base station or a terminal. The processor and storage medium can also exist in a base station or a terminal as discrete components.

[0254] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, all or part of the embodiments may be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. 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 performed in whole or in part. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user device, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions may be transferred 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 may 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, hard disk, or 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 nonvolatile storage medium, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile types of storage media.

[0255] 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.

Claims

1. A channel characteristic map determination method, applied to a channel characteristic map management device, characterized in that: include: Receiving a first message from an access network device, wherein the first message includes first information, and the first message also includes at least one of second information and third information; The first information indicates the material or electromagnetic coefficient of the first scatterer, the second information indicates the relative position relationship between the first scatterer and the first terminal device; the third information indicates the relative position relationship between the first scatterer and the access network device; A channel characteristic map is determined according to the first message, where the channel characteristic map includes a plurality of grids at a geographical location and channel characteristic information corresponding to each of the plurality of grids.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Receiving a first channel characteristic map request message from the access network device, wherein the first channel characteristic map request message requests to send a channel characteristic map corresponding to a first terminal device or the access network device; A channel characteristic map response message is sent to the access network device, where the channel characteristic map response message includes the channel characteristic map corresponding to the first terminal device or the access network device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The first message also includes profile information of the first scatterer.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first message also includes channel multipath information, and the channel multipath information includes at least one of multipath quantity information, multipath angle spread information, and multipath delay spread information.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The first message also includes configuration information of the access network device, the configuration information of the access network device includes location information of the access network device and / or antenna information of the access network device, the antenna information includes at least one of antenna height information, antenna size information, antenna type information, antenna downtilt angle information, antenna pattern information and antenna main lobe direction information.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The first message also includes at least one of a moving identifier of the first scatterer, moving speed information of the first scatterer, and moving direction information of the first scatterer.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The first message also includes a first channel measurement result; the first channel measurement result includes at least one of channel state information, channel statistical covariance matrix information, channel angle power spectrum information, channel power delay spectrum information, and channel path loss information.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: Before receiving the first message, the method includes: Sending a first request to the access network device, where the first request instructs the access network device to send the first message; or, A second request is sent to the first terminal device, where the second request instructs the first terminal device to send a second message, where the second message includes the first information and second information.

9. A channel feature map construction method, applied to access network equipment, characterized in that: include: A first message is sent to a channel characteristic map management device, wherein the first message includes first information, and the first message also includes at least one of second information and third information; the first information indicates the material or electromagnetic coefficient of the first scatterer, and the second information indicates the relative position relationship between the first scatterer and the first terminal device; the third information indicates the relative position relationship between the first scatterer and the access network device.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The method further includes: receiving a second message from the first terminal device, wherein the second message includes the first information and second information.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that: The method further comprises: Sending a first channel characteristic map request message to a channel characteristic map management device, wherein the first channel characteristic map request message requests sending a channel characteristic map corresponding to a first terminal device or an access network device; A first channel characteristic map response message is received from a channel characteristic map management device, where the first channel characteristic map response message includes a channel characteristic map corresponding to the first terminal device or the access network device.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that: The method further comprises: receiving a second channel characteristic map request message from the first terminal device, wherein the second channel characteristic map request message requests to send a channel characteristic map corresponding to the first terminal device; A second channel characteristic map response message is sent to the first terminal device, where the second channel characteristic map response message includes a channel characteristic map corresponding to the first terminal device.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that: The first message further includes fourth information indicating a first scatterer profile.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that: The second message further includes fourth information indicating a first scatterer profile.

15. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that: The first message also includes channel multipath information, where the channel multipath information indicates at least one of multipath quantity information, angle spread information, and delay spread information.

16. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that: The second message also includes channel multipath information of the location of the first terminal device, and the channel multipath information indicates at least one of multipath quantity information, angle extension information, and delay extension information.

17. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 16, characterized in that: The first message also includes access network device configuration information; The access network device configuration information includes at least one of the access network device location information, the access network device antenna height, the access network device antenna size, the access network device antenna type, the access network device antenna downtilt angle, the access network device antenna radiation pattern, and the access network device antenna main lobe direction.

18. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 17, characterized in that: The first message also includes at least one of a first scatterer movement identifier, a first scatterer movement speed, and a first scatterer movement direction.

19. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 18, characterized in that: The second message also includes at least one of a first scatterer movement identifier, a first scatterer movement speed, and a first scatterer movement direction.

20. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 19, characterized in that: The first message also includes a first channel measurement result; the first channel measurement result includes at least one of channel state information, channel statistical covariance matrix information, channel angle power spectrum information, channel power delay spectrum information, and channel path loss information.

21. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 20, characterized in that: Before sending the first message, the method includes: A first request is received, where the first request instructs the access network device to send the first message.

22. A channel feature map construction method, applied to a first terminal device, characterized in that: include: Sending a second message to the access network device, where the second message includes the first information and the second information; The first information indicates the material or electromagnetic coefficient of the first scatterer, and the second information indicates the relative position relationship between the first scatterer and the first terminal device.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending a second channel characteristic map request message to the access network device, wherein the second channel characteristic map request message requests sending a channel characteristic map corresponding to the first terminal device; A channel characteristic map response message is received from the access network device, where the channel characteristic map response message includes a channel characteristic map corresponding to the first terminal device.

24. The method according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that The second message further includes fourth information indicating a first scatterer profile.

25. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that: The second message also includes channel multipath information, where the channel multipath information indicates at least one of multipath quantity information, angle spread information, and delay spread information.

26. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 25, characterized in that: The second message also includes at least one of a first scatterer movement identifier, a first scatterer movement speed, and a first scatterer movement direction.

27. A communication device, characterized in that: It includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the processor or send signals from the processor to other communication devices, and the processor is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or implement the method as described in any one of claims 9-21, or implement the method as described in any one of claims 22-26 through a logic circuit or executing code instructions.

28. 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, it implements the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or implements the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 21, or implements the method as described in any one of claims 22 to 26.

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