Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method comprises: a network device allocates different resources to a near-end terminal device and a far-end terminal device, so that the same resource will not be allocated to the near-end terminal device and the far-end terminal device at the same time, thus the interference caused by a reference signal sent by the near-end terminal device to a reference signal sent by the far-end terminal device can be reduced, thereby improving the signal quality of the reference signal sent by the far-end terminal device.

Description

A communication method and communication device

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202311305163.6, filed on October 8, 2023, entitled "A Communication Method and Communication Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and communication device. Background Technology

[0004] The probe reference signal, as an independent reference signal, can not only be transmitted independently but also cover a large frequency band.

[0005] Network devices estimate uplink channel quality based on the sounding reference signal and allocate resources for physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission to terminal devices based on the uplink channel quality. For time division duplex (TDD) systems, due to the reciprocity of uplink and downlink channels, network devices can use the sounding reference signal to estimate uplink channel quality and allocate beamforming weights for physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmission based on the uplink signal quality.

[0006] Since the resources available for transmitting probe reference signals are limited, when a large number of terminal devices need to transmit probe reference signals, the same resource may be allocated to multiple terminal devices that transmit probe reference signals simultaneously. If these multiple terminal devices compete for transmission power, it will cause mutual interference between their probe reference signals. In particular, the transmission power of the closer terminal device will cause serious interference to the transmission power of the farther terminal device.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008] This application provides a communication method and a communication device to reduce mutual interference between different terminal devices when sending probe reference signals.

[0009] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which can be executed by a network device or a module (such as a chip) within the network device. The method includes: determining the type of a first terminal device, wherein the first terminal device is a near-point terminal device or a far-point terminal device; and allocating a first resource for the first terminal device from resources corresponding to the type of the first terminal device, wherein the first resource is used to transmit a reference signal.

[0010] In the above scheme, the network device allocates different resources to the near-point terminal device and the far-point terminal device. Therefore, the same resource will not be allocated to both the near-point terminal device and the far-point terminal device at the same time. This can reduce the interference of the reference signal sent by the near-point terminal device to the reference signal sent by the far-point terminal device and improve the signal quality of the reference signal sent by the far-point terminal device.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the reference signal includes a probe reference signal.

[0012] In one possible implementation, determining the type of the first terminal device includes: determining the type of the first terminal device based on the uplink channel quality.

[0013] The above scheme determines the type of the first terminal device based on the uplink channel quality, which can accurately determine the type of the first terminal device and help to allocate appropriate resources for transmitting reference signals to the first terminal device.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: determining the uplink channel quality based on a demodulation reference signal from the first terminal device when the first terminal device is an initial network-entry terminal device; or determining the uplink channel quality based on a probe reference signal from the first terminal device when the first terminal device is an already network-entry terminal device.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: dividing the available resources into at least two groups of resources, the at least two groups of resources including resources corresponding to near-point terminal devices and resources corresponding to far-point terminal devices, each of the at least two groups of resources including at least one resource block, each resource block occupying one time unit in the time domain and one comb resource in the frequency domain.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the at least two sets of resources also include resources shared by the near-point terminal device and the far-point terminal device.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: determining resource search start positions corresponding to multiple cells respectively, wherein the time interval between the resource search start positions corresponding to any two cells in the multiple cells is greater than a first threshold; and starting to search for the available resources at the resource search start positions.

[0018] The above scheme, because the available resources in different cells are far apart in the time domain, means that the resources used by terminal devices in different cells to transmit the probe reference signal are also far apart, which helps to avoid mutual interference and can improve the transmission quality of the reference signal.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the resources corresponding to the near-point terminal device are shared by near-point terminal devices in M ​​cells, and the resources corresponding to the far-point terminal device are shared by far-point terminal devices in N cells, where M and N are both positive integers.

[0020] The above scheme can reduce mutual interference between cells in different groups and effectively improve the transmission quality of reference signals.

[0021] In one possible implementation, allocating first resources to the first terminal device from resources corresponding to the type of the first terminal device includes: allocating the first resources to the first terminal device from resources corresponding to the type of the first terminal device based on the reference signal capability of the first terminal device.

[0022] In the above scheme, the network device allocates first resources to the first terminal device based on the reference signal capability of the first terminal device, which can achieve the allocation of appropriate resources to the first terminal device.

[0023] In one possible implementation, where the reference signal capability indication supports multiple sets of antenna selection reference signal resources, the first resource includes multiple sets of semi-static antenna selection reference signal resources.

[0024] The above scheme can activate a suitable semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set for the first terminal device, thereby improving the signal quality of the reference signal transmitted by the first terminal device on the activated semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: when the first terminal device is a mobile terminal device, activating a first semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set, wherein the first semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is included in the plurality of semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource sets, and the frequency hopping factor of the resources in the first semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is less than or equal to a second threshold; or, when the first terminal device is a non-mobile terminal device, activating a second semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set, wherein the second semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is included in the plurality of semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource sets, and the frequency hopping factor of the resources in the second semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is greater than the second threshold.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: when the first terminal device is a near-point terminal device, activating resources of a third semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set, wherein the third semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is included in the plurality of semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource sets, and the frequency hopping factor of the resources in the third semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is less than or equal to a third threshold; or, when the first terminal device is a far-point terminal device, activating resources of a fourth semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set, wherein the fourth semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is included in the plurality of semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource sets, and the frequency hopping factor of the resources in the fourth semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is greater than the third threshold.

[0027] In one possible implementation, if the reference signal capability indicator supports a set of antenna selection reference signal resources, and the number of semi-static reference signal resources supported by the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the number of periodic antenna selection reference signal resources supported by the first terminal device, then the first resource includes a set of semi-static antenna selection reference signal resources.

[0028] The above scheme allows the network device to configure a larger number of resources for transmitting reference signals for the first terminal device, which helps to obtain the channel state of reference signals from more antennas of the first terminal device.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: activating the resources of the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set in the first resources when the reference signal interference state of the cell accessed by the first terminal device is in a low interference state; or, deactivating the resources of the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set in the first resources when the reference signal interference state of the cell accessed by the first terminal device is in a medium interference state and the traffic volume of the first terminal device is less than a first traffic volume threshold; or, when the reference signal interference state of the cell accessed by the first terminal device is in a medium interference state and the traffic volume of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first traffic volume threshold. Activate the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set in the first resource; or, when the reference signal interference state of the cell accessed by the first terminal device is in a high interference state and the traffic volume of the first terminal device is less than the second traffic volume threshold, deactivate the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set in the first resource; or, when the reference signal interference state of the cell accessed by the first terminal device is in a high interference state and the traffic volume of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the second traffic volume threshold, activate the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set in the first resource; wherein, the second traffic volume threshold is greater than the first traffic volume threshold.

[0030] In the above scheme, network devices can monitor the interference status at the cell level in real time and periodically activate or deactivate the resources allocated to terminal devices for transmitting reference signals based on the interference status, which helps to activate appropriate resources for transmitting reference signals for terminal devices.

[0031] In one possible implementation, if the reference signal capability indicator supports a set of antenna-selective reference signal resources, and the number of semi-static reference signal resources supported by the first terminal device is less than the number of periodic antenna-selective reference signal resources supported by the first terminal device, then the first resource includes periodic antenna-selective reference signal resources.

[0032] The above scheme allows the network device to configure a larger number of resources for transmitting reference signals for the first terminal device, which helps to obtain the channel state of reference signals from more antennas of the first terminal device.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the first resource further includes a long-period codebook reference signal resource.

[0034] The above scheme allows the network device to configure long-period codebook reference signal resources for the first terminal device, which helps improve the stability of the reference signal transmitted by the first terminal device.

[0035] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which may be a network device or a module (such as a chip) within a network device. This device has the function of implementing any of the methods described in the first aspect. This function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the aforementioned function.

[0036] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device including units or means for performing the various steps of any of the implementation methods in the first aspect described above.

[0037] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, including a processor and an interface circuit. The processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and to execute any implementation method described in the first aspect above. The processor may include one or more.

[0038] Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory for storing computer instructions, the memory being coupled to a processor that executes the computer instructions stored in the memory to cause the device to perform any of the implementation methods in the first aspect described above.

[0039] Fifthly, embodiments of this application also provide a computer program product, which includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a communication device, cause any of the implementation methods in the first aspect to be performed.

[0040] Sixthly, embodiments of this application also provide a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause any implementation method in the first aspect to be performed.

[0041] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a chip system, including: a processor for executing any of the implementation methods in the first aspect described above. Attached Figure Description

[0042] Figure 1(a) is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system used in the embodiments of this application;

[0043] Figure 1(b) shows a schematic diagram of a network device;

[0044] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 3 is an example diagram of resource allocation;

[0046] Figure 4 shows another example of resource allocation;

[0047] Figure 5 shows an example of the starting position for resource search;

[0048] Figure 6 shows an example of cell grouping;

[0049] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 8 is an example diagram of resource allocation;

[0051] Figure 9 is another example of resource allocation;

[0052] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0054] Figure 1(a) is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system applied in an embodiment of this application. The communication system shown in Figure 1(a) includes a wireless access network 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system also includes an Internet 300. The wireless access network 100 may include at least one network device (110a and 110b in Figure 1(a)) and at least one terminal device (120a-120j in Figure 1(a)). The terminal device is wirelessly connected to the network device, and the network device is wirelessly or wiredly connected to the core network. The core network device and the network device may be independent physical devices, or the functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the network device may be integrated on the same physical device, or a single physical device may integrate some of the functions of the core network device and some of the functions of the network device. Terminal devices and network devices can be interconnected via wired or wireless means. Figure 1(a) is only a schematic diagram; the communication system may also include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1(a).

[0055] Network equipment is an access device that enables terminal devices to access a communication system via wired or wireless means. Network equipment can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a next-generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system; it can also be a module or unit that performs some of the functions of a base station, such as a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). Network equipment can be a macro base station (110a in Figure 1(a)), a micro base station or an indoor station (110b in Figure 1(a)), a relay node, or a donor node, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or specific equipment form used in the network equipment.

[0056] A terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, capable of sending signals to or receiving signals from network devices. Terminal devices include, but are not limited to, terminal units, terminals, user equipment (UE), mobile stations, and mobile terminals. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, and smart cities. Specifically, a terminal device can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable device, vehicle, aircraft, ship, robot, robotic arm, smart home device, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the terminal devices.

[0057] Network devices and terminal devices can be fixed in location or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can be deployed on aircraft, balloons, and artificial satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the network devices and terminal devices.

[0058] The roles of network devices and terminal devices can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 1(a) can be configured as a mobile network device. For terminal devices 120j that access the wireless access network 100 through 120i, terminal device 120i is a network device; however, for network device 110a, 120i is a terminal device. That is, 110a and 120i communicate through a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate through a network device-to-network device interface protocol. In this case, relative to 110a, 120i is also a network device. Therefore, both network devices and terminal devices can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a and 110b in Figure 1(a) can be called communication devices with network device functions, and 120a-120j in Figure 1(a) can be called communication devices with terminal device functions.

[0059] Communication between network devices and terminal devices, between network devices, and between terminal devices can be conducted using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. Communication can be conducted using spectrum below 6 GHz, spectrum above 6 GHz, or both simultaneously. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0060] In the embodiments of this application, the functions of the network device can be executed by modules (such as chips) within the network device, or by a control subsystem that includes network device functions. This control subsystem, including network device functions, can be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. Similarly, the functions of the terminal device can be executed by modules (such as chips or modems) within the terminal device, or by a device that includes terminal device functions.

[0061] In this application, the network device sends downlink signals or downlink information to the terminal device, with the downlink information carried on the downlink channel; the terminal device sends uplink signals or uplink information to the network device, with the uplink information carried on the uplink channel. In order to communicate with the network device, the terminal device needs to establish a wireless connection with a cell controlled by the network device. The cell with which the terminal device has established a wireless connection is called the serving cell of that terminal device.

[0062] Figure 1(b) shows a schematic diagram of a network device. As shown in Figure 1(b), the network device includes one or more CUs, one or more DUs, and one or more RUs. For clarity, only one CU, DU, and RU are shown in Figure 1(b). The CU is used to connect to the core network and one or more DUs. Optionally, the CU may have some of the core network's functions. The CU may include a CU-control plane (CP) and a CU-user plane (UP).

[0063] The CU and DU can be configured according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they implement: for example, the CU can be configured to implement the functions of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer and above (such as the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer and / or the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer); the DU can be configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, and / or the Physical (PHY) layer). Alternatively, the CU can be configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers above the PDCP layer (such as the RRC and / or SDAP layers), and the DU can be configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as the RLC, MAC, and / or PHY layers).

[0064] The above CU and DU configurations are merely examples; the functions of the CU and DU can be configured as needed. For instance, the CU or DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or only some protocol layer processing functions. For example, some RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions above the RLC layer can be placed in the CU, while the remaining RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions below the RLC layer can be placed in the DU. Furthermore, the functions of the CU or DU can be divided according to service type or other system requirements, such as by latency. Functions that require low latency can be placed in the DU, while functions that do not require low latency can be placed in the CU.

[0065] DU and RU can cooperate to implement the functions of the PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, a DU can be configured to implement baseband functions, and an RU can be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Another example is that a DU can be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and an RU can be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or to implement both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer can include a portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the MAC layer, while lower-level functions in the physical layer can include another portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the mid-RF side.

[0066] The CU and DU can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs). In different systems, CUs, DUs, or RUs may have different names, but their meanings will be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in an ORAN system, a CU can also be called an O-CU (open CU), a DU can be called an O-DU, and a RU can be called an O-RU. Any of the CUs (or CU-CP, CU-UPs), DUs, and RUs in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0067] Since resources for transmitting probe reference signals are limited, when a large number of terminal devices need to transmit probe reference signals, the same resource may be allocated to multiple terminal devices. If these multiple terminal devices compete for transmission power, their probe reference signals will interfere with each other, especially the transmission power of nearby terminal devices, which will severely interfere with the transmission power of distant terminal devices. Therefore, how to reduce mutual interference when multiple terminal devices transmit probe reference signals simultaneously remains a problem to be solved.

[0068] To address this problem, this application provides corresponding embodiments, which are described in detail below.

[0069] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method is executed by a network device, CU, DU, or RU, or by a module (such as a chip) of the network device, CU, DU, or RU. The following description uses the execution of this method by a network device as an example.

[0070] The method includes the following steps:

[0071] Step 201: The network device determines the type of the first terminal device, which is either a near-point terminal device or a far-point terminal device.

[0072] In this embodiment, terminal devices are classified into two types: near-point terminal devices and far-point terminal devices. The uplink channel quality of near-point terminal devices is superior to that of far-point terminal devices. For example, when the uplink channel quality of a terminal device is greater than a channel quality threshold, the terminal device is determined to be a near-point terminal device; when the uplink channel quality of a terminal device is less than the channel quality threshold, the terminal device is determined to be a far-point terminal device; and when the uplink channel quality of a terminal device is equal to the channel quality threshold, the terminal device is determined to be either a near-point terminal device or a far-point terminal device. Therefore, the network device can determine the type of the first terminal device based on its uplink channel quality. The specific value of the channel quality threshold can be set according to actual needs and is not limited in this application.

[0073] For example, when the first terminal device is a newly registered terminal device, the network device determines the uplink channel quality of the first terminal device based on a reference signal sent by the first terminal device. In a 5G network, this reference signal can be a demodulation reference signal (DMRS). Alternatively, when the first terminal device is an already registered terminal device, the network device determines the uplink channel quality of the first terminal device based on a reference signal from the first terminal device. In a 5G network, this reference signal can be a sounding reference signal (SRS).

[0074] Step 202: The network device allocates first resources to the first terminal device from the resources corresponding to the type of the first terminal device.

[0075] The first resource is used to transmit a reference signal, which, exemplarily, includes a probe reference signal or a demodulated reference signal.

[0076] In other words, if the first terminal device is a near-point terminal device, the network device allocates the first resource to the first terminal device from the resources corresponding to the near-point terminal device; if the first terminal device is a far-point terminal device, the network device allocates the first resource to the first terminal device from the resources corresponding to the far-point terminal device.

[0077] This method allocates different resources to near-terminal devices and far-terminal devices, thus preventing the same resource from being allocated to both simultaneously. This reduces interference between reference signals transmitted by near-terminal devices and reference signals transmitted by far-terminal devices, improving the signal quality of reference signals transmitted by far-terminal devices. This signal quality can be measured by the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR).

[0078] In one implementation method, the network device divides available resources into at least two groups of resources, including resources corresponding to near-point terminal devices and resources corresponding to far-point terminal devices. Each of the at least two groups of resources includes at least one resource block (RB). Each resource block occupies one time unit in the time domain and one comb resource in the frequency domain. The time unit can be a symbol or a slot, etc.

[0079] Optionally, the at least two sets of resources also include resources shared by the near-point terminal equipment and the far-point terminal equipment. These shared resources can also be referred to as publicly available flexible resources. These publicly available flexible resources can be used by either the near-point terminal equipment or the far-point terminal equipment.

[0080] Figure 3 shows an example of resource allocation. In this example, each square in the figure occupies one symbol in time and one comb resource in frequency. Assume that the available resources found by the network device occupy symbols 10-13 in time and comb resources 0-1 in frequency. Comb resource 0 represents each RB occupying subcarriers 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 on the RB transmitting the reference signal; comb resource 1 represents each RB occupying subcarriers 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 on the RB transmitting the reference signal. Taking a time unit as one symbol and comb = 2 as an example, the available resources shown in the figure can be divided into 8 parts, as follows:

[0081] Resource 0: Occupies 10 symbols in time and 0 comb resources in frequency;

[0082] Resource 1: Occupies 10 symbols in time and 1 comb resource in frequency;

[0083] Resource 2: It occupies 11 symbols in time and 0 comb resources in frequency;

[0084] Resource 3: It occupies 11 symbols in terms of time and 1 comb resource in terms of frequency;

[0085] Resource 4: It occupies 12 symbols in time and 0 comb resources in frequency;

[0086] Resource 5: It occupies 12 symbols in time and 1 comb resource in frequency;

[0087] Resource 6: Occupies 13 symbols in time and 0 comb resources in frequency;

[0088] Resource 7: Occupies 13 symbols in time and 1 comb resource in frequency.

[0089] For example, the above 8 resources can be divided into resources corresponding to near-point terminal devices and resources corresponding to far-point terminal devices. For instance, resources 0 to 3 are resources corresponding to near-point terminal devices, and resources 4 to 7 are resources corresponding to far-point terminal devices.

[0090] For example, the above 8 resources can be divided into resources corresponding to near-point terminal devices, resources corresponding to far-point terminal devices, and common flexible available resources. For example, resources 0 to 2 are resources corresponding to near-point terminal devices, resources 3 to 5 are resources corresponding to far-point terminal devices, and resources 6 to 7 are common flexible available resources.

[0091] Figure 4 shows an example of another resource allocation method. In this example, each time slot occupies 0.5 milliseconds (ms), so 10 consecutive time slots occupy 5 ms. These 10 time slots include 7 downlink time slots (represented by the letter D in the figure), 1 special time slot (represented by the letter S in the figure), and 2 uplink time slots (represented by the letter U in the figure). Each time slot includes 14 symbols. In the example of Figure 4, it is assumed that the available resources searched by the network device occupy 10-13 symbols in each of the 2 special time slots, and occupy 0-1 comb resources in terms of frequency, where N is an integer greater than 1. The network device divides the multiple symbol resources of the available resources into P+K+Q part resources. Each part of the resources occupies 1 symbol in terms of time and comb resources in terms of frequency. This comb resource occupies L subcarriers, where L is related to the value of comb. Specifically, the specific form of each part of the resources can be referred to the relevant description in the example of Figure 3. Where P, K, Q, and L are all positive integers. The network device divides the P+K+Q part of the resources as follows:

[0092] The P portion of resources serves as the resources corresponding to the near-point terminal equipment;

[0093] K portion of the resources are used as the resources corresponding to the remote terminal equipment;

[0094] Q portion of the resources are available as public, flexible resources.

[0095] In one implementation method, according to this embodiment, the network device can allocate resources to the terminal device based on the frequency hopping multiple of the resources. The frequency hopping multiple is the number of times a reference signal needs to be transmitted to cover the total bandwidth of the resources used for transmitting the reference signal. For example, if the total bandwidth of the resources used for transmitting the reference signal is 216 RB, and each transmission of the reference signal occupies 36 RB, then it takes 6 transmissions of the reference signal to cover the total bandwidth of the resources used for transmitting the reference signal, that is, the frequency hopping multiple is 6.

[0096] For example, a network device can allocate resources with higher frequency hopping multiples as resources corresponding to remote terminal devices, and resources with lower frequency hopping multiples as resources corresponding to near terminal devices. Specifically, if the frequency hopping multiple of a certain portion of resources is greater than a preset frequency hopping multiple threshold, the network device allocates that portion of resources to remote terminal devices; if the frequency hopping multiple of a certain portion of resources is less than the preset threshold, the network device allocates that portion of resources to near terminal devices; and if the frequency hopping multiple of a certain portion of resources is equal to the preset threshold, the network device allocates that portion of resources to either remote or near terminal devices. Since a higher frequency hopping multiple results in a higher RSRP (Reference Signal Receipt Rate) for the reference signal transmitted by the terminal device on that resource, independently allocating resources with higher frequency hopping multiples to remote terminal devices helps reduce interference to the reference signal transmitted by the remote terminal device and improves the signal quality when the remote terminal device transmits the reference signal.

[0097] In this embodiment of the application, before performing resource allocation, the network device needs to search for available resources, which refers to idle resources that can be used to send reference signals.

[0098] As one implementation method, in this embodiment, the network device can randomize the resource search start position at the cell level. Different cells determine their resource search start positions based on cell identifiers. For example, the network device determines the resource search start positions corresponding to multiple cells, wherein the time interval between the resource search start positions of any two cells is greater than a first threshold. Then, the network device starts searching for available resources at the resource search start position. That is, terminal devices served by different cells use different time-frequency resources to send reference signals. Figure 5 shows an example of the resource search start position. In this example, taking a first threshold of 4 time slots as an example, the resource search start position corresponding to cell 0 is 5 time slots apart from the resource search start position corresponding to cell 1, the resource search start position corresponding to cell 1 is 35 time slots apart from the resource search start position corresponding to cell 2, and the resource search start position corresponding to cell 2 is 5 time slots apart from the resource search start position corresponding to cell 3. Based on this implementation, resources are allocated separately for each cell, and the resources of different cells are far apart, so that terminal devices in different cells can avoid mutual interference when sending reference signals. Taking Figure 5 as an example, after the network device searches for available resources in cells 0, 1, 2, and 3, it divides the available resources found in cell 0 into resources corresponding to near-point terminal devices and resources corresponding to far-point terminal devices within cell 0. Similarly, for cell 1, the network device divides the available resources into resources corresponding to near-point terminal devices and resources corresponding to far-point terminal devices within cell 1. The same applies to cells 2 and 3. Because the available resources in different cells are geographically distant in the time domain, the resources used by the terminal devices in different cells to transmit the probe reference signal are also geographically distant, which helps avoid mutual interference and improves the transmission quality of the reference signal.

[0099] As another implementation method, in this embodiment, the network device can also group multiple cells, with terminal devices within the same group sharing the same resources for transmitting probe reference signals. For example, one group may include M cells, where near-point terminal devices within these M cells share the resources corresponding to the near-point terminal devices. Another group may include N cells, where far-point terminal devices within these N cells share the resources corresponding to the far-point terminal devices. M and N are both positive integers, and M and N can be equal or unequal. Based on this implementation, mutual interference between cells within different groups can be reduced, effectively improving the transmission quality of probe reference signals.

[0100] It should be noted that in this embodiment, when the network device groups cells, it can perform one grouping or multiple groupings. For example, after the first grouping, different cells within each group can be grouped again to obtain subgroups for each group. It should be understood that the smallest group can include one cell or multiple cells. An example is provided below. Figure 6 shows an example of cell grouping. In this example, the first grouping is performed using function f1, and the second grouping is performed using function f2, where f1(PCI) = PCI mod 3, and f2(PCI) = PCI mod 2. PCI is short for Physical Cell Identifier. mod represents the modulo function.

[0101] Therefore, if a cell's PCI satisfies PCI mod 3 = 0, then the cell's PCI belongs to group 1. For PCIs within group 1, if PCI mod 2 = 0, then the cell's PCI belongs to group 1-1; if PCI mod 2 = 1, then the cell's PCI belongs to group 1-2. In other words, PCIs within group 1-1 simultaneously satisfy: PCI mod 3 = 0 and PCI mod 2 = 0; and PCIs within group 1-2 simultaneously satisfy: PCI mod 3 = 0 and PCI mod 2 = 1.

[0102] If a cell's PCI satisfies PCI mod 3 = 1, then the cell's PCI belongs to group 2. For PCIs within group 2, if PCI mod 2 = 0, then the cell's PCI belongs to group 2-1; if PCI mod 2 = 1, then the cell's PCI belongs to group 2-2. In other words, PCIs within group 2-1 simultaneously satisfy: PCI mod 3 = 1 and PCI mod 2 = 0; and PCIs within group 2-2 simultaneously satisfy: PCI mod 3 = 1 and PCI mod 2 = 1.

[0103] If a cell's PCI satisfies PCI mod 3 = 2, then the cell's PCI belongs to group 3. For PCIs within group 3, if PCI mod 2 = 0, then the cell's PCI belongs to group 3-1; if PCI mod 2 = 1, then the cell's PCI belongs to group 3-2. In other words, PCIs within group 3-1 simultaneously satisfy: PCI mod 3 = 2 and PCI mod 2 = 0; and PCIs within group 3-2 simultaneously satisfy: PCI mod 3 = 2 and PCI mod 2 = 1.

[0104] The results of the two groupings are shown in Table 1.

[0105] Table 1

[0106] Referring to Table 1, PCIs in Group 1 include 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, ..., and Group 1 is further divided into two subgroups: Subgroup 1-1 contains PCIs of 0, 6, 12, ..., and Subgroup 1-2 contains PCIs of 3, 9, 15, ... Group 2 contains PCIs of 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, ..., and Group 2 is further divided into two subgroups: Subgroup 2-1 contains PCIs of 4, 10, 16, ..., and Subgroup 2-2 contains PCIs of 1, 7, 13, ... Group 3 contains PCIs of 2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, ..., and Group 3 is further divided into two subgroups: Subgroup 3-1 contains PCIs of 2, 8, 14, ..., and Subgroup 3-2 contains PCIs of 5, 11, 17, ...

[0107] Referring to Figure 6, when the PCI value of the cell accessed by the first terminal device is even (i.e., f2(PCI) = 0), the network device starts searching for available resources from resource search start position 1 using f1(PCI). If f1(PCI) = 0 and the first terminal device is a near-point terminal device, then the first resource is allocated to the terminal device from resource pool 1. If f1(PCI) = 1 and the first terminal device is a near-point terminal device, then the first resource is allocated to the terminal device from resource pool 2. If f1(PCI) = 2 and the first terminal device is a near-point terminal device, then the first resource is allocated to the terminal device from resource pool 3. If f1(PCI) = 0 and the first terminal device is a far-point terminal device, then the first resource is allocated to the terminal device from resource pool 4. If f1(PCI) = 1 and the first terminal device is a far-point terminal device, then the first resource is allocated to the terminal device from resource pool 5. If f1(PCI) = 2, and the first terminal device is a remote terminal device, then the first resource is allocated to the terminal device from resource pool 6.

[0108] When the PCI value of the cell accessed by the first terminal device is odd (i.e., f2(PCI) = 1), the network device starts searching for available resources from resource search start position 2 using f1(PCI). If f1(PCI) = 0 and the first terminal device is a near-point terminal device, the first resource is allocated to the terminal device from resource pool 7. If f1(PCI) = 1 and the first terminal device is a near-point terminal device, the first resource is allocated to the terminal device from resource pool 8. If f1(PCI) = 2 and the first terminal device is a near-point terminal device, the first resource is allocated to the terminal device from resource pool 9. If f1(PCI) = 0 and the first terminal device is a far-point terminal device, the first resource is allocated to the terminal device from resource pool 10. If f1(PCI) = 1 and the first terminal device is a far-point terminal device, the first resource is allocated to the terminal device from resource pool 11. If f1(PCI) = 2, and the first terminal device is a remote terminal device, then the first resource is allocated to the terminal device from resource pool 12.

[0109] It should be noted that the number of resources contained in each of the resource pools 1 to 12 is not limited and can be allocated by the network devices. For example, the network devices can allocate resources based on the number of cells corresponding to the resource pool and / or the number of terminal devices within the cells. The number of resources contained in different resource pools can be the same or different.

[0110] The above-described cell grouping scheme can also be understood as grouping resources to obtain multiple resource groups. Each resource group is allocated to one or more cells for terminal equipment within those cells to transmit reference signals. Furthermore, the same resource group can be further divided into two subgroups, one for near-point terminal equipment within the group and the other for far-point terminal equipment within the group.

[0111] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method is executed by a network device or a module (such as a chip) for the network device. The following description uses the execution of this method by a network device as an example. The embodiment shown in Figure 7 can be implemented alone or in conjunction with the embodiment shown in Figure 2.

[0112] The method includes the following steps:

[0113] Step 701: The network device acquires the reference signal capability of the first terminal device.

[0114] For example, the network device obtains the capability information of the first terminal device, which includes reference signal capabilities. Exemplarily, the first terminal device may report its capability information to the network device, or the network device may obtain the capability information of the first terminal device from the core network, or the network device may obtain the capability information of the first terminal device from other network devices; this application is not limited to these methods.

[0115] For example, the reference signal capability is used to indicate the ability of the first terminal device to support antenna rotation of reference signals. This reference signal capability can specifically be an SRS capability. For instance, the reference signal capability is represented by the parameter supportedSRS-TxPortSwitch, whose values ​​include t1r1, t1r2, t1r4, t2r2, t2r4, t4r4, and t1r4-t2r4. Here, the letter 't' represents the transmitting antenna, and the letter 'r' represents the receiving antenna. t1r1 indicates support for one antenna transmitting and one antenna receiving; t1r2 indicates support for one antenna transmitting and two antennas receiving; and t1r4, t2r2, t2r4, and t4r4 have similar meanings. t1r4-t2r4 indicates that the terminal device simultaneously supports t1r4 and t2r4 and can switch between t1r4 and t2r4.

[0116] Step 702: The network device allocates first resources to the first terminal device based on the reference signal capability of the first terminal device.

[0117] For example, step 702 may specifically involve the network device allocating first resources to the first terminal device from the resources corresponding to the type of the first terminal device, based on the reference signal capability of the first terminal device. Here, the type of the first terminal device is either a near-point terminal device or a far-point terminal device. For a detailed description of the resources corresponding to the near-point terminal device and the resources corresponding to the far-point terminal device, please refer to the description in the embodiment of Figure 2.

[0118] In the above scheme, the network device allocates first resources to the first terminal device based on the reference signal capability of the first terminal device, which can achieve the allocation of appropriate resources to the first terminal device.

[0119] In one implementation method, the first resources allocated by the network device to the first terminal device are shown in Table 2.

[0120] Table 2

[0121] The semi-static antenna switch (AS) reference signal resource set refers to a semi-statically configured set of resources used for transmitting reference signals, and this set needs to be activated through additional dynamic signaling. For example, the semi-static antenna switch reference signal resource set can specifically be an SRS resource configured as semi-persistent in RRC signaling, with resourceTyper set to semi-persistent and usage set to antennaSwitching.

[0122] Periodic antenna switch (AS) reference signal resources refer to pre-configured periodic resources used for transmitting reference signals, and these resources do not require activation via additional dynamic signaling. For example, a periodic antenna switch reference signal resource can be an SRS resource configured in RRC signaling with resourceTyper set to periodic and usage set to antennaSwitching.

[0123] Long-period codebook (CB) reference signal resources refer to pre-configured periodic resources used for transmitting reference signals. These resources do not require activation via additional dynamic signaling, and their period is longer than that of periodic antenna selection reference signal resources. For example, a periodic antenna selection reference signal resource can be an SRS resource configured with `resourceTyper` set to `periodic` and `usage` set to `codebook` in RRC signaling.

[0124] See Table 2, which categorizes the cases into the following three types:

[0125] Scenario 1: When the reference signal capability of the first terminal device indicates that the first terminal device supports multiple sets of antenna selection reference signal resources, the first resource allocated by the network device to the first terminal device includes multiple sets of semi-static antenna selection reference signal resources. Optionally, the first resource may also include long-period codebook reference signal resources.

[0126] In scenario 1, the first terminal device may specifically be a terminal device that supports version R17 (Release 17).

[0127] In scenario 1, multiple semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource sets are allocated to the first terminal device. Each semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set includes one or more semi-static antenna selection reference signal resources. Subsequently, resources from one of these sets can be activated for the first terminal device as needed. For example, these sets correspond to different frequency hopping factors. When the first terminal device is a near-point terminal device, the network device activates the resources from the set with the smaller frequency hopping factor. Because the frequency hopping factor is smaller, the reference signal that the first terminal device can transmit can quickly cover the total bandwidth of the resources used for transmitting the reference signal, allowing the network device to promptly obtain the channel state of the activated semi-static antenna selection reference signal resources. When the first terminal device is a remote terminal device, the network device activates the resource of the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set with the larger frequency hopping multiple among the multiple semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource sets. Since the frequency hopping multiple is larger, the RSRP of the first terminal device transmitting reference signals on the activated semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set can be improved, which helps the network device to accurately receive the reference signal.

[0128] Scenario 2: If the reference signal capability indication of the first terminal device supports a set of antenna selection reference signal resources, and the number of semi-static reference signal resources supported by the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the number of periodic antenna selection reference signal resources supported by the first terminal device, the first resource allocated by the network device to the first terminal device includes a set of semi-static antenna selection reference signal resources. Optionally, the first resource may also include long-period codebook reference signal resources.

[0129] The number of semi-static reference signal resources supported by the first terminal device is indicated by the semi-static capability of the first terminal device, and the number of periodic antenna selection reference signal resources supported by the first terminal device is indicated by the periodic capability of the first terminal device. Therefore, the number of semi-static reference signal resources supported by the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the number of periodic antenna selection reference signal resources supported by the first terminal device, which can be understood as the semi-static capability being greater than or equal to the periodic capability.

[0130] In scenario 2, the first terminal device may specifically be a terminal device that supports version R15 or R16.

[0131] In this scenario 2, the network device can configure a larger number of resources for transmitting reference signals for the first terminal device, which helps to obtain the channel state of reference signals from more antennas of the first terminal device.

[0132] Scenario 3: If the reference signal capability indication of the first terminal device supports a set of antenna selection reference signal resources, and the number of semi-static reference signal resources supported by the first terminal device is less than the number of periodic antenna selection reference signal resources supported by the first terminal device, the first resource allocated by the network device to the first terminal device includes periodic antenna selection reference signal resources. The first resource also includes long-period codebook reference signal resources.

[0133] In response to scenario 3, the network device can configure a larger number of resources for transmitting reference signals for the first terminal device, which helps to obtain the channel status of reference signals from more antennas of the first terminal device.

[0134] In scenario 3, the first terminal device may specifically be a terminal device that supports version R15 or R16.

[0135] In scenario 1 above, the network device allocates multiple semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource sets to the first terminal device. These multiple semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource sets can each correspond to different frequency hopping factors. The network device can activate the corresponding semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set for the first terminal device based on its information (e.g., whether it is a mobile terminal device or a near-point terminal device).

[0136] Referring to Figure 8, an example diagram of resource allocation is provided. Exemplarily, when the first terminal device is a mobile terminal device, the network device activates resources in the first semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set from the plurality of semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource sets, where the frequency hopping factor of the resources in the first semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is less than or equal to a second threshold. When the first terminal device is not a mobile terminal device, the network device activates resources in the second semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set from the plurality of semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource sets, where the frequency hopping factor of the resources in the second semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is greater than the second threshold. This can be understood as follows: when the first terminal device is a mobile terminal device, the network device activates resources with small frequency hopping for the first terminal device, thus the reference signal that the first terminal device can transmit can quickly cover the total bandwidth of the resources used for transmitting the reference signal, and can track changes in the channel state in a timely manner. When the first terminal device is not a mobile terminal device, the network device activates resources with large frequency hopping for the first terminal device, thus reducing the number of RBs occupied each time the reference signal is transmitted, increasing the reference signal power per RB, and thereby improving the reliability of the transmitted reference signal.

[0137] In this application, a mobile terminal device can be understood as a mobile terminal device, or a terminal device with a moving speed higher than a certain threshold. Correspondingly, a non-mobile terminal device can be understood as a stationary terminal device, or a terminal device with a moving speed lower than or equal to a certain threshold.

[0138] Referring to Figure 9, another example of resource allocation is shown. For instance, when the first terminal device is a near-point terminal device, the network device activates resources in the third semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set from the plurality of semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource sets. The frequency hopping factor of the resources in the third semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is less than or equal to a third threshold. Because the frequency hopping factor is small, the reference signal that the first terminal device can transmit can quickly cover the total bandwidth of the resources used for transmitting the reference signal, allowing for timely acquisition of the channel state of the first terminal device on the activated semi-static antenna selection reference signal resources. For instance, when the first terminal device is a far-point terminal device, the network device activates resources in the fourth semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set from the plurality of semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource sets. The frequency hopping factor of the resources in the fourth semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is greater than the third threshold. Because the frequency hopping factor is large, the RSRP of the reference signal transmitted by the first terminal device on the activated semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set can be improved, helping the network device to accurately receive the reference signal.

[0139] Another implementation method, for any of the above scenarios 1 to 3, allows the network device to monitor the cell-level interference status in real time and periodically activate or deactivate the resources allocated to the terminal device for transmitting reference signals based on the interference status, which helps to activate suitable resources for transmitting reference signals for the terminal device.

[0140] For example, taking the cell accessed by the first terminal device (hereinafter referred to as cell 1) as an example, the interference level value can be used to measure the interference state, which represents the degree of interference of cell 1 to neighboring cells. The interference state is as follows:

[0141] An interference level value less than the interference level threshold of 1 indicates a low interference state;

[0142] The interference level value is equal to the interference level threshold of 1, indicating a low interference state or a medium interference state;

[0143] An interference level value greater than interference level threshold 1 and less than interference level threshold 2 indicates a medium interference state.

[0144] The interference level value is equal to the interference level threshold of 2, indicating a medium or high interference state.

[0145] An interference level value greater than the interference level threshold of 2 indicates a high interference state.

[0146] The following explanations cover three scenarios: scenario a, scenario b, and scenario c.

[0147] In scenario a, when the reference signal interference state of cell 1 is low interference, the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set of the terminal equipment in cell 1 is activated.

[0148] Taking the first terminal device in cell 1 as an example, the network device activates the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set in the first resource allocated to the first terminal device.

[0149] In scenario b, when the reference signal interference state of cell 1 is moderate, the semi-static antenna is activated or deactivated based on the traffic volume of the terminal devices in cell 1 to select the reference signal resource set.

[0150] For example, if the reference signal interference state in cell 1 is moderate interference, then the resources of the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set allocated to small packet users are deactivated, and the resources of the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set allocated to large packet users are activated. Here, a small packet user refers to a terminal device with a traffic volume less than a first traffic volume threshold, and a large packet user refers to a terminal device with a traffic volume greater than or equal to the first traffic volume threshold. For example, if the first traffic volume threshold is X, if a terminal device's traffic volume within a set time period is less than X, then that terminal device is a small packet user; if the terminal device's traffic volume within the set time period is greater than or equal to X, then that terminal device is a large packet user. In specific implementations, large packet users include, for example, terminal devices playing videos or conducting live webcasts, while small packet users include, for example, terminal devices using WeChat or conducting voice calls.

[0151] Taking the first terminal device in cell 1 as an example, when the reference signal interference state of cell 1 is moderate interference and the traffic volume of the first terminal device is less than the first traffic volume threshold, the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set in the first resources allocated to the first terminal device is deactivated. When the reference signal interference state of cell 1 is moderate interference and the traffic volume of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first traffic volume threshold, the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set in the first resources allocated to the first terminal device is activated.

[0152] In response to scenario b, when the reference signal interference state of cell 1 is medium interference, the semi-static antennas of small packet users are deactivated using the reference signal resource set, while the semi-static antennas of large packet users are activated using the reference signal resource set. This reduces the number of terminal devices transmitting reference signals, thereby reducing interference from cell 1 to neighboring cells, while ensuring that terminal devices with high traffic volumes can transmit services normally.

[0153] In scenario c, if the reference signal interference state of cell 1 is high interference, the traffic threshold is increased (e.g., from the first traffic threshold to the second traffic threshold). Then, based on the traffic volume of the terminal devices in cell 1, the resources of the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set are activated or deactivated.

[0154] For example, if the reference signal interference state in cell 1 is high interference, then the resources of the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set allocated to small packet users are deactivated, and the resources of the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set allocated to large packet users are activated. Here, a small packet user refers to a terminal device whose traffic volume is less than a second traffic volume threshold, and a large packet user refers to a terminal device whose traffic volume is greater than or equal to the second traffic volume threshold. For example, if the second traffic volume threshold is Y, if a terminal device's traffic volume within a set time period is less than Y, then that terminal device is a small packet user; if the terminal device's traffic volume within the set time period is greater than or equal to Y, then that terminal device is a large packet user.

[0155] Taking the first terminal device in cell 1 as an example, when the reference signal interference state of cell 1 is high interference and the traffic volume of the first terminal device is less than the second traffic volume threshold, the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set in the first resources allocated to the first terminal device is deactivated. When the reference signal interference state of cell 1 is high interference and the traffic volume of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the second traffic volume threshold, the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set in the first resources allocated to the first terminal device is activated.

[0156] To address scenario c, when the reference signal interference state in cell 1 is high, the traffic threshold for distinguishing between large and small packet users is increased. Resources in the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set for small packet users are deactivated, while resources in the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set for large packet users are activated. Because the traffic threshold is increased, more terminal devices are identified as small packet users, and the resources in the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set for small packet users are deactivated. Therefore, on the one hand, the number of terminal devices transmitting reference signals can be further reduced, further reducing the interference of cell 1 to neighboring cells; on the other hand, it does not affect the normal transmission of services by terminal devices with high traffic volumes.

[0157] The following describes different implementation methods for determining the business volume threshold (such as the first business volume threshold or the second business volume threshold mentioned above) for identifying large-package users or small-package users.

[0158] Method 1 involves the network device periodically counting the traffic volume of terminal devices in the cell, sorting the traffic volume of terminal devices from high to low, and using the traffic volume of the terminal device at the preset ranking position as the traffic volume threshold.

[0159] For example, when the statistical period arrives, the cumulative traffic volume of each terminal device in the cell over a period of time is obtained and sorted from high to low. The traffic volume of the terminal device ranked 10th is used as the traffic volume threshold, or the traffic volume of the last terminal device among the top 20% of terminal devices is used as the traffic volume threshold, and so on.

[0160] Method 2 involves the network device periodically counting the traffic volume of terminal devices in the cell and sorting the traffic volume of terminal devices from high to low. If the sum of the traffic volume of the first x-1 terminal devices is less than L, and the sum of the traffic volume of the first x terminal devices is greater than or equal to L, then the traffic volume of the xth terminal device is determined as the traffic volume threshold. Here, L is the product of the sum of the traffic volume of terminal devices in the cell and a preset ratio.

[0161] The preset percentages here are preset decimals or percentages that are greater than 0 and less than 1, such as 70%, 80%, etc.

[0162] For example, assuming there are 100 terminal devices in the cell, with a preset ratio of 80%, then L = the sum of the traffic volume of the 100 terminal devices * 80%. These 100 terminal devices are sorted from highest to lowest traffic volume. If the sum of the traffic volume of the first 49 terminal devices is less than L, and the sum of the traffic volume of the first 50 terminal devices is greater than or equal to L, then the traffic volume of the 50th terminal device is used as the traffic volume threshold.

[0163] Method 3 involves the network device determining the service chain threshold based on the volume of services scheduled by the terminal devices within the cell and the air interface capacity of the network device.

[0164] The air interface capacity of a network device refers to the resources currently allocated to the device. If a large amount of resources have been allocated, such as exceeding the resource threshold, it indicates a heavy air interface load and a low air interface capacity. Conversely, if a small amount of resources have been allocated, such as below the resource threshold, it indicates a light air interface load and a high air interface capacity.

[0165] In this implementation method 3, the network device determines the traffic threshold based on the traffic volume scheduled by the terminal devices in the cell and the air interface capacity of the network device.

[0166] It is understood that, in order to achieve the functions in the above embodiments, the terminal device or network device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to perform each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and method steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed by hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0167] Figures 10 and 11 are schematic diagrams illustrating the possible communication devices provided in the embodiments of this application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of this application, the communication device can be a terminal device or a network device, or it can be a module (such as a chip) applied to the terminal device or network device.

[0168] The communication device 1000 shown in Figure 10 includes a processing unit 1010 and a transceiver unit 1020. The communication device 1000 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments.

[0169] When the communication device 1000 is used to implement the function of the network device in the above method embodiment, the processing unit 1010 is used to determine the type of the first terminal device, which is either a near-point terminal device or a far-point terminal device; according to the type of the first terminal device, the processing unit 1010 allocates a first resource to the first terminal device from the resources corresponding to the type of the first terminal device, and the first resource is used to send a reference signal.

[0170] In one possible implementation, the reference signal includes a probe reference signal.

[0171] In one possible implementation, the processing unit 1010 is used to determine the type of the first terminal device, specifically including: determining the type of the first terminal device based on the uplink channel quality.

[0172] In one possible implementation, the processing unit 1010 is further configured to determine the uplink channel quality based on a demodulation reference signal from the first terminal device when the first terminal device is a terminal device initially joining the network; or, when the first terminal device is a terminal device already joining the network, to determine the uplink channel quality based on a probe reference signal from the first terminal device.

[0173] In one possible implementation, the processing unit 1010 is further configured to divide the available resources into at least two groups of resources, the at least two groups of resources including resources corresponding to near-point terminal devices and resources corresponding to far-point terminal devices, each of the at least two groups of resources including at least one resource block, each resource block occupying one time unit in the time domain and one comb resource in the frequency domain.

[0174] In one possible implementation, the at least two sets of resources also include resources shared by the near-point terminal device and the far-point terminal device.

[0175] In one possible implementation, the processing unit 1010 is further configured to determine the resource search start position corresponding to each of the multiple cells, wherein the time interval between the resource search start positions corresponding to any two of the multiple cells is greater than a first threshold; and to start searching for the available resources at the resource search start position.

[0176] In one possible implementation, the resources corresponding to the near-point terminal device are shared by near-point terminal devices in M ​​cells, and the resources corresponding to the far-point terminal device are shared by far-point terminal devices in N cells, where M and N are both positive integers.

[0177] In one possible implementation, the processing unit 1010 is configured to allocate a first resource to the first terminal device from the resources corresponding to the type of the first terminal device, specifically including: allocating the first resource to the first terminal device from the resources corresponding to the type of the first terminal device according to the reference signal capability of the first terminal device.

[0178] In one possible implementation, where the reference signal capability indication supports multiple sets of antenna selection reference signal resources, the first resource includes multiple sets of semi-static antenna selection reference signal resources.

[0179] In one possible implementation, the processing unit 1010 is further configured to, when the first terminal device is a mobile terminal device, activate resources of a first semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set, wherein the first semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is included in the plurality of semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource sets, and the frequency hopping factor of the resources in the first semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is less than or equal to a second threshold; or, when the first terminal device is a non-mobile terminal device, activate resources of a second semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set, wherein the second semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is included in the plurality of semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource sets, and the frequency hopping factor of the resources in the second semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is greater than the second threshold.

[0180] In one possible implementation, the processing unit 1010 is further configured to, when the first terminal device is a near-point terminal device, activate resources of a third semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set, wherein the third semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is included in the plurality of semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource sets, and the frequency hopping factor of the resources in the third semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is less than or equal to a third threshold; or, when the first terminal device is a far-point terminal device, activate resources of a fourth semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set, wherein the fourth semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is included in the plurality of semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource sets, and the frequency hopping factor of the resources in the fourth semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is greater than the third threshold.

[0181] In one possible implementation, if the reference signal capability indicator supports a set of antenna selection reference signal resources, and the number of semi-static reference signal resources supported by the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the number of periodic antenna selection reference signal resources supported by the first terminal device, then the first resource includes a set of semi-static antenna selection reference signal resources.

[0182] In one possible implementation, the processing unit 1010 is further configured to: activate the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set in the first resource when the reference signal interference state of the cell accessed by the first terminal device is in a low interference state; or deactivate the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set in the first resource when the reference signal interference state of the cell accessed by the first terminal device is in a medium interference state and the traffic volume of the first terminal device is less than a first traffic volume threshold; or deactivate the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set in the first resource when the reference signal interference state of the cell accessed by the first terminal device is in a medium interference state and the traffic volume of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first traffic volume threshold. In the following scenarios, the resources of the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set in the first resource are activated; or, if the reference signal interference state of the cell accessed by the first terminal device is in a high interference state and the traffic volume of the first terminal device is less than the second traffic volume threshold, the resources of the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set in the first resource are deactivated; or, if the reference signal interference state of the cell accessed by the first terminal device is in a high interference state and the traffic volume of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the second traffic volume threshold, the resources of the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set in the first resource are activated; wherein, the second traffic volume threshold is greater than the first traffic volume threshold.

[0183] In one possible implementation, if the reference signal capability indicator supports a set of antenna-selective reference signal resources, and the number of semi-static reference signal resources supported by the first terminal device is less than the number of periodic antenna-selective reference signal resources supported by the first terminal device, then the first resource includes periodic antenna-selective reference signal resources.

[0184] For a more detailed description of the above-mentioned processing unit 1010 and transceiver unit 1020, please refer directly to the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0185] The communication device 1100 shown in Figure 11 includes a processor 1110 and an interface circuit 1120. The processor 1110 and the interface circuit 1120 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1120 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1100 may also include a memory 1130 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1110, or storing input data required by the processor 1110 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1110 executes instructions.

[0186] When the communication device 1100 is used to implement the above method embodiment, the processor 1110 is used to implement the function of the processing unit 1010, and the interface circuit 1120 is used to implement the function of the transceiver unit 1020.

[0187] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0188] The method steps in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disks, portable hard disks, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC can reside in a terminal device or network device. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium can exist as discrete components in an access network device or terminal.

[0189] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. A computer program is a set of instructions that directs each step of an action of an electronic computer or other device with message processing capabilities. It is typically written in a programming language and runs on a target architecture. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed, in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can 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 can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video optical disc; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium can be volatile or non-volatile, or it can include both types of storage media.

[0190] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0191] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the preceding and following related objects; in the formulas of this application, the character " / " indicates a "division" relationship between the preceding and following related objects.

[0192] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Determine the type of the first terminal device, which is either a near-point terminal device or a far-point terminal device; Based on the type of the first terminal device, a first resource is allocated to the first terminal device from the resources corresponding to the type of the first terminal device, and the first resource is used to transmit a reference signal.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The reference signal includes a detection reference signal.

3. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Determining the type of the first terminal device includes: The type of the first terminal device is determined based on the uplink channel quality.

4. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the first terminal device is an initial network-entry terminal device, the uplink channel quality is determined based on the demodulation reference signal from the first terminal device; or... If the first terminal device is a terminal device that has already joined the network, the uplink channel quality is determined based on the probe reference signal from the first terminal device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: The available resources are divided into at least two groups of resources, including resources corresponding to near-point terminal devices and resources corresponding to far-point terminal devices. Each of the at least two groups of resources includes at least one resource block. Each resource block occupies one time unit in the time domain and one comb resource in the frequency domain.

6. The method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The at least two sets of resources also include resources shared by near-point terminal equipment and far-point terminal equipment.

7. The method as described in claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Determine the resource search start position corresponding to multiple cells respectively, wherein the time interval between the resource search start positions corresponding to any two cells in the multiple cells is greater than a first threshold; The search for available resources begins at the resource search start position.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The resources corresponding to the near-point terminal device are shared by near-point terminal devices in M ​​cells, and the resources corresponding to the far-point terminal device are shared by far-point terminal devices in N cells, where M and N are both positive integers.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, Allocating first resources to the first terminal device from the resources corresponding to the type of the first terminal device includes: Based on the reference signal capability of the first terminal device, the first resource is allocated to the first terminal device from the resources corresponding to the type of the first terminal device.

10. The method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, When the reference signal capability indication supports multiple antenna selection reference signal resource sets, the first resource includes multiple semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource sets.

11. The method as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the first terminal device is a mobile terminal device, resources of the first semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set are activated. This first semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is included in the plurality of semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource sets. The frequency hopping factor of the resources in the first semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is less than or equal to a second threshold. Alternatively... When the first terminal device is a non-mobile terminal device, the resources of the second semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set are activated. The second semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is included in the plurality of semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource sets, and the frequency hopping multiple of the resources in the second semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is greater than the second threshold.

12. The method as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the first terminal device is a near-point terminal device, resources of the third semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set are activated. This third semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is included in the plurality of semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource sets, and the frequency hopping factor of the resources in the third semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is less than or equal to a third threshold; or... When the first terminal device is a remote terminal device, the resources of the fourth semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set are activated. The fourth semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is included in the plurality of semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource sets, and the frequency hopping multiple of the resources in the fourth semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set is greater than the third threshold.

13. The method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, When the reference signal capability indication supports a set of antenna selection reference signal resources, and the number of semi-static reference signal resources supported by the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the number of periodic antenna selection reference signal resources supported by the first terminal device, the first resource includes a set of semi-static antenna selection reference signal resources.

14. The method as described in claim 10 or 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the reference signal interference state of the cell accessed by the first terminal device is low interference, activate the resources in the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set in the first resource; or... If the reference signal interference state of the cell accessed by the first terminal device is moderate interference, and the traffic volume of the first terminal device is less than the first traffic volume threshold, then the resources in the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set in the first resource are deactivated; or... If the reference signal interference state of the cell accessed by the first terminal device is moderate interference, and the traffic volume of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the first traffic volume threshold, then activate the resources of the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set in the first resource set; or... If the reference signal interference state of the cell accessed by the first terminal device is high interference, and the traffic volume of the first terminal device is less than the second traffic volume threshold, then the resources of the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set in the first resource are deactivated; or... If the reference signal interference state of the cell accessed by the first terminal device is high interference state, and the traffic volume of the first terminal device is greater than or equal to the second traffic volume threshold, the resources of the semi-static antenna selection reference signal resource set in the first resource are activated. Wherein, the second business volume threshold is greater than the first business volume threshold.

15. The method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, When the reference signal capability indication supports a set of antenna selection reference signal resources, and the number of semi-static reference signal resources supported by the first terminal device is less than the number of periodic antenna selection reference signal resources supported by the first terminal device, the first resource includes periodic antenna selection reference signal resources.

16. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that, The first resource also includes long-period codebook reference signal resources.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes modules for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a processor and an interface circuit, the processor being configured to communicate with other devices via the interface circuit and to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

19. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes instructions that, when executed on a processor, cause the processor to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 16.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method described in any one of claims 1 to 16.

21. A communication system, characterized in that, It includes at least one communication device, said at least one communication device being used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 16.

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