Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, relating to the technical field of wireless communications. The method comprises: a network device sending first configuration information, the first configuration information indicating a first downlink carrier, a first uplink carrier, and a second uplink carrier, the first downlink carrier being used for downlink data transmission, the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier being used for uplink data transmission, and the first downlink carrier and the first uplink carrier respectively performing downlink data transmission and uplink data transmission according to a TDD mode, wherein the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier are located within a first frequency band; and on the basis of the first configuration information, using at least one of the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier to perform data transmission with a terminal device.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202311545882.5, filed on November 17, 2023, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", 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 apparatus. Background Technology

[0004] Currently, new radio (NR) supports time division duplex (TDD) and frequency division duplex (FDD). In TDD systems, downlink time slots account for a larger proportion, which limits the performance indicators of uplink coverage, latency, and capacity.

[0005] Therefore, how to allocate resources to improve uplink coverage is a problem that needs to be solved.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] This application provides a communication method and apparatus to improve uplink coverage.

[0008] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, applied to a network device, the method comprising the following steps: sending first configuration information, the first configuration information indicating a first downlink carrier, a first uplink carrier, and a second uplink carrier, wherein the first downlink carrier is used for downlink data transmission, and the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier are used for uplink data transmission, the first downlink carrier and the first uplink carrier respectively performing downlink data transmission and uplink data transmission in a TDD mode; wherein the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier are located in a first frequency band; and according to the first configuration information, using at least one of the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier to perform data transmission with a terminal device.

[0009] In the above implementation, by configuring a first downlink carrier, a first uplink carrier, and a second uplink carrier in the first frequency band, and using the first downlink carrier and the first uplink carrier in a TDD manner, compared with the current TDD system, since the embodiments of this application can configure uplink carriers in both the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources in the first frequency band, uplink coverage can be improved, uplink transmission latency can be reduced, and uplink capacity can be increased.

[0010] Optionally, the first downlink carrier and the second uplink carrier perform downlink data transmission and uplink data transmission respectively in FDD mode.

[0011] In the above implementation, by configuring a first downlink carrier, a first uplink carrier, and a second uplink carrier within the first frequency band, and using the first downlink carrier and the first uplink carrier in TDD mode, the first downlink carrier and the second uplink carrier are also used in FDD mode. This allows the first frequency band to simultaneously possess both TDD and FDD duplex modes. On the one hand, compared to the current TDD system, since this embodiment can configure uplink carriers in both the first and second frequency domain resources within the first frequency band, it can improve uplink coverage, reduce uplink transmission latency, and increase uplink capacity. On the other hand, since this embodiment can configure the first downlink carrier and the first uplink carrier in the first frequency domain resources of the first frequency band, it supports downlink and uplink data transmission on the first frequency domain resources. That is, uplink and downlink transmission can be performed in TDD mode at the same frequency. Compared to the FDD system, this can improve the reciprocity between the uplink and downlink channels and increase downlink transmission performance.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the first frequency band includes a first frequency domain resource and a second frequency domain resource. The first frequency domain resource is used for uplink and downlink transmission in TDD mode, and the second frequency domain resource is used only for uplink transmission. The first downlink carrier and the first uplink carrier are located within the first frequency domain resource, and the second uplink carrier is located within the second frequency domain resource.

[0013] Optionally, the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource are predefined.

[0014] Optionally, the first frequency domain resources may be continuous or discontinuous, and the second frequency domain resources may be continuous or discontinuous.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource are not contiguous.

[0016] In one possible implementation, a first guard band exists between the first downlink carrier and the second uplink carrier, and the first guard band is not used for data transmission; or, a first guard band exists between the first downlink carrier and the second uplink carrier, and a second guard band exists between the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier, and the first guard band and the second guard band are not used for data transmission.

[0017] In the above implementation, by setting a guard band, the mutual interference between data transmission on the first frequency domain resource and data transmission on the second frequency domain resource can be reduced.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the step of transmitting data with a terminal device using at least one of the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier according to the first configuration information includes: transmitting data to the terminal device on the first downlink carrier within a first time unit; or receiving data transmitted by the terminal device on the second uplink carrier within the first time unit; or transmitting data to the terminal device on the first downlink carrier and simultaneously receiving data transmitted by the terminal device on the second uplink carrier within the first time unit.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the step of transmitting data with a terminal device using at least one of the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier according to the first configuration information includes: receiving data sent by the terminal device on the first uplink carrier within a second time unit; or receiving data sent by the terminal device on the second uplink carrier within the second time unit; or receiving data sent by the terminal device on both the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier within the second time unit.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending TDD uplink / downlink configuration information, wherein the TDD uplink / downlink configuration information indicates time unit formats for multiple time units within a certain period, the time unit formats including a first time unit format and a second time unit format, wherein the first time unit format supports both downlink and uplink data transmission, and the second time unit format only supports uplink data transmission; the format of the first time unit is the first time unit format, and the format of the second time unit is the second time unit format.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending indication information, the indication information instructing the terminal device to send data on the first uplink carrier, or on the second uplink carrier, or simultaneously on the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier within a second time unit.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving capability information from the terminal device, the capability information including first terminal capability information and / or second terminal capability information; wherein the first terminal capability information indicates that the terminal device supports simultaneously receiving data on the first downlink carrier and transmitting data on the second uplink carrier, or indicates that the terminal device does not support simultaneously receiving data on the first downlink carrier and transmitting data on the second uplink carrier; the second terminal capability information indicates that the terminal device supports simultaneously transmitting data on the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier, or indicates that the terminal device does not support simultaneously transmitting data on the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier; the step of using at least one of the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier to perform data transmission with the terminal device according to the first configuration information includes: using at least one of the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier to perform data transmission with the terminal device according to the first configuration information and the capability information of the terminal device.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the first configuration information is sent via one or more of the following signaling methods: system message, radio resource control (RRC) message, media access control unit (MAC CE), and downlink control information (DCI).

[0024] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which is applied to a terminal device. The method may include the following steps: receiving first configuration information, the first configuration information indicating a first downlink carrier, a first uplink carrier, and a second uplink carrier, wherein the first downlink carrier is used for downlink data transmission, and the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier are used for uplink data transmission, wherein the first downlink carrier and the first uplink carrier perform downlink data transmission and uplink data transmission respectively in a TDD mode; wherein the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier are located in a first frequency band; and according to the first configuration information, using at least one of the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier to perform data transmission with a network device.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the first frequency band includes a first frequency domain resource and a second frequency domain resource. The first frequency domain resource is used for uplink and downlink transmission in TDD mode, and the second frequency domain resource is used only for uplink transmission. The first downlink carrier and the first uplink carrier are located within the first frequency domain resource, and the second uplink carrier is located within the second frequency domain resource.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource are not contiguous.

[0027] In one possible implementation, a first guard band exists between the first downlink carrier and the second uplink carrier, and the first guard band is not used for data transmission; or, a first guard band exists between the first downlink carrier and the second uplink carrier, and a second guard band exists between the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier, and the first guard band and the second guard band are not used for data transmission.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the step of transmitting data with a network device using at least one of the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier according to the first configuration information includes: receiving data sent by the network device on the first downlink carrier within a first time unit; or, sending data to the network device on the second uplink carrier within the first time unit; or, receiving data sent by the network device on the first downlink carrier and simultaneously sending data to the network device on the second uplink carrier within the first time unit.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the step of transmitting data with a network device using at least one of the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier according to the first configuration information includes: transmitting data to the network device on the first uplink carrier within a second time unit; or, transmitting data to the network device on the second uplink carrier within the second time unit; or, transmitting data to the network device simultaneously on both the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier within the second time unit.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving TDD uplink / downlink configuration information, wherein the TDD uplink / downlink configuration information indicates time unit formats for multiple time units within a certain period, the time unit formats including a first time unit format and a second time unit format, wherein the first time unit format supports both downlink and uplink data transmission, and the second time unit format only supports uplink data transmission; the format of the first time unit is the first time unit format, and the format of the second time unit is the second time unit format.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving indication information from the network device, the indication information instructing the terminal device to transmit data on the first uplink carrier in a second time unit, or to transmit data on the second uplink carrier, or to transmit data on both the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier simultaneously.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending capability information of the terminal device to the network device, the capability information including first terminal capability information and / or second terminal capability information; wherein, the first terminal capability information indicates that the terminal device supports simultaneously receiving data on the first downlink carrier and transmitting data on the second uplink carrier, or indicates that the terminal device does not support simultaneously receiving data on the first downlink carrier and transmitting data on the second uplink carrier; the second terminal capability information indicates that the terminal device supports simultaneously transmitting data on the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier, or indicates that the terminal device does not support simultaneously transmitting data on the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the first configuration information is received via one or more of the following signaling methods: system message, RRC message, MAC CE, and DCI.

[0034] Thirdly, a communication system is provided, comprising: a network device and a terminal device, wherein the network device implements the method as described in any one of the first aspects, and the terminal device implements the method as described in any one of the second aspects.

[0035] Fourthly, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising a unit or module for performing the method as described in any of the first aspects, or comprising a unit or module for performing the method as described in any of the second aspects.

[0036] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, comprising: one or more processors configured to perform the method as described in any one of the first aspects, or to perform the method as described in any one of the second aspects.

[0037] In a sixth aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, wherein a program is stored therein, which, when executed by a communication device, implements the method as described in any one of the first aspects, or implements the method as described in any one of the second aspects.

[0038] A seventh aspect provides a chip system comprising: a memory for storing a computer program; a processor; wherein when the processor retrieves and runs the computer program from the memory, a communication device equipped with the chip system performs the method as described in any one of the first aspects, or performs the method as described in any one of the second aspects.

[0039] Eighthly, a computer program product is provided, which, when invoked by a computer, causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of the first aspects, or to perform the method as described in any one of the second aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0040] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of TDD and FDD in related technologies;

[0041] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the time ratio of downlink transmission to uplink transmission in the TDD system of related technologies;

[0042] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the system architecture applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0043] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of downlink and uplink carriers in a frequency band according to an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a carrier configuration with a guard band in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of another carrier configuration with a guard band in an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of downlink and uplink carriers in another frequency band according to an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of another carrier configuration with a guard band in an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the spectrum and carrier configuration of two operators in an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of another spectrum and carrier configuration of two operators in an embodiment of this application;

[0051] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a carrier configuration for three operators in an embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of another carrier configuration of three operators in an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the network device in an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in another embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0056] Currently, NR includes both TDD and FDD. Figure 1 exemplarily illustrates the TDD and FDD frame structures. As shown in Figure 1(a), in the TDD frame structure, uplink and downlink transmissions use the same frequency but are separated in time; as shown in Figure 1(b), in the FDD frame structure, uplink and downlink transmissions use different frequencies. Accordingly, the spectrum supporting TDD operation is called the TDD spectrum, and the spectrum supporting FDD operation is called the FDD spectrum. For a carrier, since the TDD spectrum has only one continuous bandwidth used for uplink and downlink transmissions, it is sometimes called the unpaired spectrum, while the FDD spectrum has a pair of non-contiguous bandwidths used for uplink and downlink transmissions respectively, and is therefore sometimes called the paired spectrum.

[0057] As shown in Figure 2, TDD systems are typically downlink-centric, with downlink time slots making up the majority of their frame structure, which limits uplink performance metrics such as coverage, latency, and capacity. In FDD systems, uplink and downlink bandwidths are allocated symmetrically and are transmitted at different frequencies, resulting in low reciprocity between uplink and downlink channels.

[0058] Therefore, embodiments of this application provide a communication method and an apparatus capable of implementing the method to improve uplink coverage. Furthermore, some other embodiments of this application can also improve uplink and downlink channel reciprocity while improving uplink coverage.

[0059] The embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0060] The embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) system, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) system, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WIMAX) communication system, 5th Generation (5G) system, or New Radio (NR), or applied to future communication systems or other similar communication systems, etc.

[0061] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system 1000 used in the embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 3, the communication system includes a wireless access network 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system 1000 may also include the Internet 300. The wireless access network 100 may include at least one wireless access network device (110a and 110b in Figure 3) and at least one terminal device (120a-120j in Figure 3). The terminal device is wirelessly connected to the wireless access network device, and the wireless access network device is wirelessly or wiredly connected to the core network. The core network device and the wireless access network device may be independent physical devices, or the functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the wireless access 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 wireless access network device. Terminal devices and wireless access network devices may be interconnected via wired or wireless means. Figure 3 is just 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 3.

[0062] Radio access 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, for example, it can be a central unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). Here, the CU performs the functions of the radio resource control protocol and the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) of the base station, and can also perform the functions of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP); the DU performs the functions of the radio link control layer and the medium access control (MAC) layer of the base station, and can also perform some or all of the physical layer functions. For specific descriptions of the above-mentioned protocol layers, please refer to the relevant technical specifications of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Wireless access network equipment can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 3, 110a), a micro base station or an indoor station (as shown in Figure 3, 110b), or a relay node or donor node, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or equipment form used in the wireless access network equipment. For ease of description, network equipment will be used as an example of wireless access network equipment in the following description.

[0063] Terminal devices can also be referred to as terminals, user equipment (UE), mobile stations, mobile terminals, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the terminal devices.

[0064] 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.

[0065] The roles of network devices and terminal devices can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 3 can be configured as a mobile network device. For terminal devices 120j that access the wireless access network 100 via 120i, drone 120i is a network device; however, for network device 110a, 120i is a terminal device. That is, 110a and 120i communicate via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate via 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 3 can be called communication devices with network device functions, and 120a-120j in Figure 3 can be called communication devices with terminal device functions.

[0066] In this embodiment, 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 base station, with the uplink information carried on the uplink channel. In order to communicate with the base station, the terminal device needs to establish a wireless connection with a cell controlled by the base station. The cell with which the terminal device has established a wireless connection is called the serving cell of the terminal device.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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.

[0069] [Corrected according to Rule 91, April 16, 2025] The execution subject of the communication method provided in this application embodiment is described using network devices and terminal devices as examples. The network device in this application embodiment can be a device, or a chip, unit, or module within a device. For example, the network device can be access network device 110a or access network device 110b as shown in Figure 3 above. The network device can also be a communication device with network device functionality or a chip, unit, or module within a communication device with network device functionality. The terminal device in this application embodiment can be a device, or a chip, unit, or module within a device. For example, it can be any of the terminals (120a-120j) shown in Figure 3 above. The terminal device can also be a communication device with terminal functionality or a chip, unit, or module within a communication device with terminal functionality.

[0070] Based on the system architecture shown in Figure 3, Figure 4 illustrates a communication method provided by an embodiment of this application. The scheme in Figure 4 is described using the interaction between a network device and a terminal device as an example. The relevant descriptions of the network device and the terminal device are as described above and will not be repeated here.

[0071] As shown in Figure 4, the method may include the following steps:

[0072] Step 401: The network device sends the first configuration information, and the terminal device receives the first configuration information accordingly.

[0073] The first configuration information indicates a first downlink carrier, a first uplink carrier, and a second uplink carrier. The first downlink carrier is used for downlink data transmission, and the first and second uplink carriers are used for uplink data transmission. The first downlink carrier and the first uplink carrier perform downlink and uplink data transmission respectively in TDD mode. The first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier are located within a first frequency band. In other words, the network device configures the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier within the first frequency band for the terminal device using the first configuration information.

[0074] Optionally, the first downlink carrier and the second uplink carrier perform downlink data transmission and uplink data transmission respectively in FDD mode.

[0075] In one possible implementation, the first frequency band includes a first frequency domain resource and a second frequency domain resource. The first frequency domain resource is used for uplink and downlink transmission in TDD mode, while the second frequency domain resource is used only for uplink transmission. The first downlink carrier and the first uplink carrier are located within the first frequency domain resource, and the second uplink carrier is located within the second frequency domain resource. That is, the network device configures the first downlink carrier and the first uplink carrier in the first frequency domain resource for the terminal device, configures the second uplink carrier in the second frequency domain resource, and uses the first downlink carrier for uplink transmission and the first uplink carrier for uplink transmission in TDD mode.

[0076] Optionally, the first and second frequency domain resources are predefined.

[0077] Optionally, the first frequency domain resource can be a continuous frequency domain resource or a non-contiguous frequency domain resource. Optionally, the second frequency domain resource can be a continuous frequency domain resource or a non-contiguous frequency domain resource.

[0078] The aforementioned first and second frequency domain resources can be understood as two different types of spectrum. The first frequency domain resource can be understood as a first type of spectrum, and the second frequency domain resource can be understood as a second type of spectrum. That is, a frequency band includes at least two segments of continuous or discontinuous spectrum. These at least two segments are divided into first-type and second-type spectrum. The first-type spectrum can be used for uplink and downlink transmission in TDD mode, while the second-type spectrum is used entirely for uplink transmission. Unlike the FDD system shown in Figure 1(b), which includes spectrum used only for uplink transmission and spectrum used only for downlink transmission, the first-type spectrum in this embodiment is used for both uplink and downlink transmission in TDD mode.

[0079] For example, Figure 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of the configuration of downlink and uplink carriers within a frequency band according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 5, the first frequency band includes first frequency domain resources and second frequency domain resources. The first frequency domain resources are used for uplink and downlink transmission in TDD mode, and the second frequency domain resources are entirely used for uplink transmission. The first downlink carrier and the first uplink carrier are configured in the first frequency domain resources, and the second uplink carrier is configured in the second frequency domain resources. In the first time unit, the first downlink carrier can be used for downlink transmission and / or the second uplink carrier can be used for uplink transmission. In the second time unit, the first uplink carrier and / or the second uplink carrier can be used for uplink transmission.

[0080] From the perspective of the frequency domain, in the first time unit, the first frequency domain resources are used for downlink transmission, and the second frequency domain resources are used for uplink transmission. Downlink and uplink transmission can be carried out simultaneously, and the working mode is FDD. In the second time unit, both the first and second frequency domain resources are used for uplink transmission.

[0081] From the time domain perspective, within the first frequency domain resource, downlink transmission can be performed on the first downlink carrier within the first time unit, and uplink transmission can be performed on the first uplink carrier within the second time unit. At this time, the working mode of the first downlink carrier and the first uplink carrier is TDD.

[0082] Optionally, the first time unit and the second time unit can be at the time slot level, or in other words, the first time unit and the second time unit can each include one or more time slots. It should be understood that the first time unit and the second time unit can also be at the time unit level, such as symbols, subframes, etc., and this application does not limit them.

[0083] In one possible implementation, a guard band can be set between the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource. This guard band is not used for data transmission. This guard band can be predefined or configured by the network device via signaling; this application does not impose any restrictions. By setting a guard band, mutual interference between data transmission on the first frequency domain resource and data transmission on the second frequency domain resource can be reduced.

[0084] In one possible implementation, a first guard band exists between the first downlink carrier and the second uplink carrier, and a second guard band exists between the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier. The first guard band and the second guard band are not used for data transmission.

[0085] For example, Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of a carrier configuration with a guard band provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6, a first guard band is provided between a first downlink carrier and a second uplink carrier, and a second guard band is provided between the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier. The first guard band can be understood as the guard band between the first downlink carrier and the second uplink carrier within a first time unit; the second guard band can be understood as the guard band between the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier within a second time unit.

[0086] Optionally, the first guard band and the second guard band have the same bandwidth and the same frequency. In this case, it can also be understood that a guard band is set for the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource, and this guard band is the combination of the first guard band and the second guard band in Figure 6. That is to say, within the first time unit and the second time unit, there is a guard band between the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource.

[0087] In some other embodiments, the bandwidths of the first guard band and the second guard band are different, or the frequencies of the first guard band and the second guard band are different, or both the bandwidths and frequencies of the first guard band and the second guard band are different; this application does not impose any restrictions on these embodiments.

[0088] In another implementation, a first guard band exists between the first downlink carrier and the second uplink carrier; this guard band is not used for data transmission. This implementation can improve spectrum utilization.

[0089] For example, Figure 7 illustrates another carrier configuration with a guard band provided in an embodiment of this application. Compared to Figure 6, in Figure 7, a first guard band is provided only between the first downlink carrier and the second uplink carrier, and a second guard band is not provided between the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier. That is, the guard band exists only between the first downlink carrier and the second uplink carrier within the first time unit.

[0090] The frequency domain resources represented by the diagonally filled portion in Figure 7 are those with the same frequency and bandwidth as the first guard band, located between the first and second uplink carriers. These frequency domain resources can be used for uplink transmission.

[0091] Optionally, the frequency domain resources filled with diagonal lines in Figure 7 belong to the resources in the first frequency domain, that is, these resources belong to the resources of the first uplink carrier; or the frequency domain resources filled with diagonal lines in Figure 7 belong to the resources in the second frequency domain, that is, these resources belong to the resources of the second uplink carrier; or some of the resources in the frequency domain resources filled with diagonal lines in Figure 7 belong to the first frequency domain and the other part belongs to the second frequency domain, that is, part of these resources belong to the resources of the first uplink carrier and the other part belongs to the resources of the second uplink carrier.

[0092] In one possible implementation, the first frequency band includes a first frequency domain resource and a second frequency domain resource. The first frequency domain resource is used for uplink and downlink transmission in TDD mode, while the second frequency domain resource is used only for uplink transmission. The first downlink carrier is located within the first frequency domain resource, and the second uplink carrier is located within the second frequency domain resource; the first uplink carrier is located within both the first and second frequency domain resources. In other words, the first uplink carrier is configured to span both the first and second frequency domain resources, or, more specifically, the first uplink carrier is configured in both the first and second frequency domain resources.

[0093] For example, Figure 8 illustrates a schematic diagram of the configuration of downlink and uplink carriers within a frequency band according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8, the first frequency band includes first frequency domain resources and second frequency domain resources. The first frequency domain resources are used for uplink and downlink transmission in TDD mode, and the second frequency domain resources are entirely used for uplink transmission. The first downlink carrier is configured in the first frequency domain resources, and the second uplink carrier is configured in the second frequency domain resources. The first uplink carrier can be used for downlink transmission and / or the second uplink carrier can be used for uplink transmission in the first time unit, and the first uplink carrier can be used for uplink transmission in the second time unit.

[0094] From the perspective of the frequency domain, in the first time unit, the first frequency domain resources are used for downlink transmission, and the second frequency domain resources are used for uplink transmission. Downlink and uplink transmission can be carried out simultaneously, and the working mode is FDD. In the second time unit, both the first and second frequency domain resources are used for uplink transmission.

[0095] From the time domain perspective, within the first frequency domain resource, downlink transmission can be performed on the first downlink carrier within the first time unit, and uplink transmission can be performed on the first uplink carrier within the second time unit. At this time, the working mode of the first downlink carrier and the first uplink carrier is TDD.

[0096] In one possible implementation, based on the carrier configuration shown in Figure 8, there is a guard band between the first downlink carrier and the second uplink carrier, which is not used for data transmission.

[0097] For example, Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of a carrier configuration with a guard band according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 9, a guard band exists between the first downlink carrier and the second uplink carrier.

[0098] In one possible implementation, the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources in the first frequency band are contiguous. In another possible implementation, the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources in the first frequency band are not contiguous; this implementation can be applied to scenarios where the first frequency band is allocated to multiple operators.

[0099] A frequency band can be allocated to multiple operators, which often requires the deployment of network equipment from multiple operators on the first frequency band. To address this need, the embodiments of this application can flexibly deploy uplink and downlink carriers from multiple operators on the first frequency band.

[0100] Taking the allocation of the first frequency band to operators A and B as an example, Figures 10 and 11 show two different spectrum and carrier configurations.

[0101] As shown in Figure 10, the first frequency domain resources of operator A and operator B are deployed consecutively, and the second frequency domain resources of operator A and operator B are deployed on one side of the first frequency domain resources of operator B. It can be understood that the second frequency domain resources of operator A and operator B can also be deployed on one side of the first frequency domain resources of operator A.

[0102] As shown in Figure 11, the first frequency domain resources of operator A and operator B are deployed consecutively. The second frequency domain resources of operator A are deployed to one side of the first frequency domain resources of operator B, and the second frequency domain resources of operator B are deployed to one side of the first frequency domain resources of operator A. It can be understood that the second frequency domain resources of operator A can also be deployed to one side of the first frequency domain resources of operator A, and the second frequency domain resources of operator B can also be deployed to one side of the first frequency domain resources of operator B.

[0103] Taking the allocation of the first frequency band to operators A, B, and C as an example, Figures 12 and 13 show two different spectrum and carrier configurations.

[0104] As shown in Figure 12, the first frequency domain resources of operator A, operator B, and operator C are deployed consecutively, and the second frequency domain resources of operator A, operator B, and operator C are deployed on one side of the first frequency domain resources of operator C.

[0105] As shown in Figure 13, the first frequency domain resources of operator A, operator B, and operator C are deployed consecutively. The second frequency domain resources of operator A and operator B are deployed on one side of the first frequency domain resources of operator C, and the second frequency domain resources of operator C are deployed on one side of the first frequency domain resources of operator A.

[0106] It should be understood that the above are only examples of spectrum and carrier configurations for multiple operators in the first frequency band, and the examples in this application are not limited thereto.

[0107] In one possible implementation, the first configuration information includes configuration information for a first downlink carrier, configuration information for a first uplink carrier, and configuration information for a second uplink carrier. Optionally, the configuration information for the first downlink carrier may include information such as the frequency start position, bandwidth, and subcarrier space (SCS) of the first downlink carrier; the configuration information for the first uplink carrier may include information such as the frequency start position, bandwidth, and subcarrier space of the first uplink carrier; and the configuration information for the second uplink carrier may include information such as the frequency start position, bandwidth, and subcarrier space of the second uplink carrier. This application does not limit the configuration methods for the first uplink carrier, the first downlink carrier, and the second uplink carrier described above.

[0108] In one possible implementation, the network device can send the first configuration information via system messages. Optionally, embodiments of this application can extend system information block 1 (SIB1), for example, by setting an information field in SIB1 to carry the first configuration information, or by using reserved bits in SIB1 to carry the first configuration information, or by using other system information blocks to carry the first configuration information; this application does not impose any restrictions.

[0109] In one possible implementation, the network device can send the first configuration information via an RRC message. This implementation allows the network device to semi-statically configure the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier for the terminal device.

[0110] In one possible implementation, the network device can send the first configuration information via downlink control information (DCI) or a media access control element (MAC CE). This implementation allows the network device to dynamically configure the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier for the terminal device.

[0111] Step 402: The network device and the terminal device transmit data using at least one of the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier, according to the first configuration information.

[0112] Specifically, the network device can use at least one of the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier to transmit data with the terminal device, based on the first configuration information. Similarly, the terminal device can use at least one of the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier to transmit data with the network device, based on the first configuration information.

[0113] In one possible implementation, the network device and the terminal device may, based on the first configuration information and the capabilities of the terminal device, use at least one of a first downlink carrier and a first uplink carrier to transmit data within a first time unit.

[0114] If the terminal device supports simultaneously receiving data on the first downlink carrier and transmitting data on the second uplink carrier (or supports full-duplex operation), the terminal device can simultaneously receive data transmitted by the network device on the first downlink carrier and transmit data to the network device on the second uplink carrier within the first time unit. Correspondingly, within the first time unit, the network device can simultaneously transmit data to the terminal device on the first downlink carrier and receive data transmitted by the terminal device on the second uplink carrier.

[0115] For example, at the first moment within the first time unit, the terminal device simultaneously receives data sent by the network device on the first downlink carrier and sends data to the network device on the second uplink carrier.

[0116] It is understandable that, depending on whether the network device needs to send downlink data to the terminal device and whether the terminal device needs to send uplink data to the network device, at other times within the first time period, the terminal device may only receive data sent by the network device on the first downlink carrier or only send data to the network device on the second uplink carrier.

[0117] If the terminal device does not support simultaneously receiving data on the first downlink carrier and transmitting data on the second uplink carrier (or supports half-duplex), the terminal device can receive data transmitted by the network device on the first downlink carrier or transmit data to the network device on the second uplink carrier within the first time unit. Correspondingly, within the first time unit, the network device can transmit data to the terminal device on the first downlink carrier or receive data transmitted by the terminal device on the second uplink carrier.

[0118] For example, depending on whether the network device needs to send downlink data to the terminal device and whether the terminal device needs to send uplink data to the network device, the terminal device receives data sent by the network device on the first downlink carrier at the first moment within the first time unit, and sends data to the network device on the second uplink carrier at the second moment within the first time unit.

[0119] In one possible implementation, the network device and the terminal device may, based on the first configuration information and the capabilities of the terminal device, use at least one of the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier to transmit data within a second time unit.

[0120] If the terminal device supports simultaneous data transmission on both the first and second uplink carriers, it can transmit data to the network device simultaneously on both carriers within a second time unit. Correspondingly, within the second time period, the network device can receive data transmitted by the terminal device on both carriers.

[0121] For example, at the first moment within the second time unit, the terminal device simultaneously transmits data to the network device on the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier.

[0122] It is understandable that, depending on whether the terminal device needs to send uplink data to the network device, or the size of the data to be sent, or the scheduling of the network device, at other times within the first time unit, the terminal device may only send data to the network device on the first uplink carrier, or only on the second uplink carrier.

[0123] Optionally, the terminal device can use the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier for data transmission in a carrier aggregation (CA) manner. It can be understood that for this terminal device, the first frequency band supports intra-band CA, and the first and second uplink carriers are two component carriers (CCs) of the intra-band carrier aggregation.

[0124] If the terminal device does not support simultaneously transmitting data to the network device on both the first and second uplink carriers, the terminal device may transmit data to the network device on either the first or second uplink carrier within a second time unit. Correspondingly, within the second time unit, the network device may receive data transmitted by the terminal device on either the first or second uplink carrier.

[0125] For example, the terminal device sends data to the network device on the first uplink carrier at the first moment within the second time unit, and sends data to the network device on the second uplink carrier at the second moment within the second time unit.

[0126] Optionally, the terminal device can use a first uplink carrier and a second uplink carrier for data transmission in a supplemental uplink (SUL) manner. The first uplink carrier is a new radio uplink (NUL) carrier, and the second uplink carrier is an SUL carrier. SUL is an existing uplink enhancement technology; specifically, the terminal device simultaneously supports one TDD carrier and one SUL carrier. Unlike related technologies where the SUL carrier and TDD carrier are located in two different frequency bands (these two frequency bands differ significantly, for example, the TDD carrier is located at 3.5 GHz, and the SUL carrier is located at 1.8 GHz), in this embodiment, the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier are located in the same frequency band. Therefore, in situations with limited spectrum resources, this approach maximizes the uplink and downlink coverage performance of the terminal device and increases its uplink and downlink transmission rates.

[0127] The network device in this embodiment supports full-duplex operation. For multiple terminal devices, it can transmit downlink data on the first downlink carrier and receive data on the first uplink carrier simultaneously within a first time unit. It can also transmit uplink data on both the first and second uplink carriers simultaneously within a second time unit. For example, a cell typically contains multiple access terminal devices transmitting data with the network device. Taking a first terminal device and a second terminal device as examples, within the first time unit (e.g., one or more time slots or symbols within the first time unit), the network device can transmit data to the first terminal device on the first downlink carrier and receive data transmitted by the second terminal device on the first uplink carrier. Within the second time unit (e.g., one or more implementations or symbols within the second time unit), the network device can receive data transmitted by the first terminal device on the first uplink carrier and receive data transmitted by the second terminal device on the second uplink carrier.

[0128] In one possible implementation, the network device may also send instruction information to the terminal device, the instruction information instructing the terminal device to send data on the first uplink carrier, or to send data on the second uplink carrier, or to send data on both the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier simultaneously within the second time unit.

[0129] Optionally, the indication information can be sent via one or more of the following signaling methods: system message, RRC message, MAC CE, or DCI.

[0130] In one possible implementation, the terminal device can send its capability information to the network device. This capability information may include first terminal capability information, second terminal capability information, or both. Specifically, the first terminal capability information indicates that the terminal device supports simultaneously receiving data on a first downlink carrier and transmitting data on a second uplink carrier, or indicates that the terminal device does not support simultaneously receiving data on a first downlink carrier and transmitting data on a second uplink carrier. Similarly, the second terminal capability information indicates that the terminal device supports simultaneously transmitting data on both a first uplink carrier and a second uplink carrier, or indicates that the terminal device does not support simultaneously transmitting data on both a first uplink carrier and a second uplink carrier.

[0131] Accordingly, the network device can schedule the terminal device to transmit data on at least one of the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier based on the terminal device's capability information. For example, the network device can send the aforementioned instruction information to the terminal device based on the terminal device's capability information, instructing the terminal device to transmit data on the first uplink carrier, or on the second uplink carrier, or simultaneously on both the first and second uplink carriers within a second time unit.

[0132] Based on the process shown in Figure 4, in one possible implementation, when the terminal device uses the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier for data transmission, the terminal device uses the same uplink power control parameters on both carriers. In other words, the network device configures a set of uplink power control parameters for the terminal device, which can be applied to both the first and second uplink carriers. Since the first and second uplink carriers are located in the same frequency band, their frequencies are relatively close, resulting in similar link quality and allowing the application of the same uplink power control parameters. This implementation eliminates the need to configure different uplink power control parameters for data transmission on the two uplink carriers, reducing signaling overhead and simplifying the technical implementation for both the terminal device and the network device.

[0133] Based on the process shown in Figure 4 above, in one possible implementation, when the network device sends first configuration information via a system message, and the terminal device initiates initial access based on the system message, it can use one of the uplink carriers indicated by the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier in the system message to initiate random access. That is, when the terminal device initiates initial access, the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier indicated by the first configuration information are effective for the terminal device, and the terminal device can use one of the uplink carriers to initiate random access.

[0134] In one possible implementation, when the network device configures a first uplink carrier and a second uplink carrier for the terminal device via system messages, the terminal device selects one of the first and second uplink carriers based on downlink signal measurements during the initial access phase. For example, during the initial access phase, the terminal device can measure downlink reference signals such as the synchronization signal block (SSB) or the channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) to obtain the reference signal received power (RSRP). When the RSRP is low, for example, less than a certain RSRP threshold, the second uplink carrier is selected to initiate random access; when the RSRP is high, for example, greater than or equal to a certain RSRP threshold, the first uplink carrier is selected to initiate random access. This implementation allows the base station to manage and utilize the two uplink carrier resources more flexibly based on the coverage of terminal devices in the cell.

[0135] In another possible implementation, where the network device semi-statically configures the first and second uplink carriers for the terminal device via system messages, the terminal device does not need to select one of the first and second uplink carriers based on downlink signal measurements during the initial access phase. Instead, it randomly selects, or arbitrarily chooses, one of the first and second uplink carriers to initiate random access. Since the first and second uplink carriers are located in the same frequency band and their frequencies are relatively close, their link quality is also similar. The terminal device can achieve similar performance regardless of which uplink carrier it uses to initiate random access. Using this implementation, the terminal device does not need to measure the uplink signal, thus reducing implementation complexity.

[0136] Based on the process shown in Figure 4 above, in one possible implementation, when the network device sends first configuration information via higher-layer signaling such as RRC to semi-statically configure the first and second uplink carriers for the terminal device, after receiving the RRC message or higher-layer signaling in RRC connected state, the terminal device transmits data with the network device according to at least one of the first and second uplink carriers configured by the RRC message or higher-layer signaling. In this case, the first and second uplink carriers configured by the first configuration information are effective for the terminal device when it is in RRC connected state.

[0137] Based on the method shown in Figure 4 above, in one possible implementation, the network device can also send TDD uplink / downlink configuration information to the terminal device. The TDD uplink / downlink configuration information indicates the time unit format of multiple time units within a certain period. The time unit format includes a first time unit format and a second time unit format. The first time unit format supports both downlink and uplink data transmission, while the second time unit format only supports uplink data transmission. In this embodiment, the format of the first time unit is the aforementioned first time unit format, and the format of the second time unit is the aforementioned second time unit format.

[0138] In one possible implementation, the TDD uplink / downlink configuration information may include one or two patterns, reference subcarrier spacing, etc., wherein each pattern information includes parameters such as uplink / downlink transmission period, number of downlink time units, and number of uplink time units.

[0139] Optionally, the time unit can be a slot, a symbol, or a subframe.

[0140] It is understood that network devices and terminal devices can determine the downlink transmission timing and uplink transmission timing of the first frequency domain resource based on the first configuration information and TDD uplink / downlink configuration information. The downlink transmission timing includes the first time unit, and the uplink transmission timing includes the second time unit. That is, the first time unit for downlink transmission using the first downlink carrier and the second time unit for uplink transmission using the second uplink carrier can be determined.

[0141] It is understood that the TDD uplink / downlink configuration information is associated with the first downlink carrier and the first uplink carrier. In this case, it can be considered that the TDD uplink / downlink configuration information is used to determine the first time unit for downlink transmission using the first downlink carrier and the second time unit for uplink transmission using the second uplink carrier.

[0142] In another interpretation, network devices and terminal devices can determine the timing for simultaneously supporting downlink and uplink transmission and the timing for supporting only uplink transmission in the first frequency band based on the first configuration information and the TDD uplink / downlink configuration information. The timing for simultaneously supporting downlink and uplink transmission includes the first time unit, and the timing for supporting only uplink transmission includes the second time unit. That is, the first time unit for using the first downlink carrier for downlink transmission and / or the second uplink carrier for uplink transmission, and the second time unit for using the first uplink carrier and / or the second uplink carrier for uplink transmission can be determined. It can be considered that the TDD uplink / downlink configuration information is cell-level and associated with all three carriers. The TDD uplink / downlink configuration information is used to determine the first time unit for using the first downlink carrier for downlink transmission and / or the second uplink carrier for uplink transmission, and the second time unit for using the first uplink carrier and / or the second uplink carrier for uplink transmission.

[0143] The above embodiments of this application configure a first downlink carrier, a first uplink carrier, and a second uplink carrier within a first frequency band. The first downlink carrier and the first uplink carrier are used in TDD mode, while the first downlink carrier and the second uplink carrier are used in FDD mode. This allows the first frequency band to simultaneously support both TDD and FDD duplex modes. On one hand, compared to current TDD systems, since this application embodiment can configure uplink carriers in both the first and second frequency domain resources within the first frequency band, it can improve uplink coverage, reduce uplink transmission latency, and increase uplink capacity. On the other hand, since this application embodiment can configure the first downlink carrier and the first uplink carrier in the first frequency domain resources of the first frequency band, it supports downlink and uplink data transmission on the first frequency domain resources. That is, uplink and downlink transmission can be performed in TDD mode at the same frequency. Compared to FDD systems, this can improve the reciprocity between the uplink and downlink channels and increase downlink transmission performance.

[0144] In this embodiment, the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier are configured in one frequency band. The signal power within one carrier has little or no impact on adjacent carriers, thus ensuring the performance of uplink or downlink transmission.

[0145] This application also provides a network device whose radio frequency link structure can support the methods provided in the above embodiments of this application.

[0146] Referring to Figure 14, this is a schematic diagram of the radio frequency link structure of a network device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 14, the radio frequency link of this network device includes a first transmitting link, a first receiving link, and a second receiving link. The first transmitting link and the first receiving link share a first filter, and the second receiving link uses a second filter. The first filter and the second filter are multiplexed to the same antenna or antenna panel. The first transmitting link and the first receiving link are connected to the first filter through a circulator, and the first receiving link is selectively connected to the circulator through a switch. The first filter and the second filter share the same antenna or antenna panel. The function of the circulator is to isolate the transmitting and receiving signals, and the function of the switch is to connect or disconnect the link.

[0147] The first transmitting link amplifies the power of the transmitted signal through a power amplifier (PA), while the first and second receiving links amplify the power of the received signal through a low noise amplifier (LNA).

[0148] The first transmitting link is used to transmit the first downlink carrier, the first receiving link can receive the first uplink carrier, and the second receiving link can receive the second uplink carrier.

[0149] Within the first time unit, the switch disconnects the connection between the first receiving link and the circulator. The network device sends a signal to the terminal device through the first transmitting link. At the same time, the network device can also receive the signal sent by the terminal device through the second receiving link.

[0150] During the second time unit, the switch connects the first receiving link to the circulator, and the network device receives the signal sent by the terminal device through the first receiving link. At the same time, the network device can also receive the signal sent by the terminal device through the second receiving link.

[0151] The radio frequency link structure of the network device shown in Figure 14 above allows the network device to support both TDD and FDD duplex modes simultaneously on one frequency band using the same antenna or antenna panel.

[0152] It is understood that, in order to achieve the functions in the above embodiments, the network device and terminal device include 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 the first function is executed in a hardware or computer software-driven hardware manner depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0153] [Correction 16.04.2025 based on Rule 91] Figures 15 and 16 are schematic diagrams of possible communication devices provided in embodiments of this application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of network devices or terminal devices 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 access network device 110a or access network device 110b as shown in Figure 3, or it can be a terminal (120a-120j) as shown in Figure 3, or it can be a module (such as a chip) applied to network devices or terminal devices.

[0154] [Correction 16.04.2025 based on Rule 91] As shown in FIG15, the communication device 1700 includes a processing unit 1710 and a transceiver unit 1720. The communication device 1700 is used to implement the functions of the network device or terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG4 above.

[0155] For example, when the communication device 1700 is used to implement the function of the network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG4: the transceiver unit 1720 is used to send first configuration information, the first configuration information indicating a first downlink carrier, a first uplink carrier and a second uplink carrier, the first downlink carrier being used for downlink data transmission, the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier being used for uplink data transmission, the first downlink carrier and the first uplink carrier performing downlink data transmission and uplink data transmission respectively in TDD mode; wherein, the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier are located in a first frequency band; the processing unit 1710 is used to use at least one of the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier to perform data transmission with the terminal device according to the first configuration information.

[0156] For example, when the communication device 1700 is used to implement the function of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG4: the transceiver unit 1720 is used to receive first configuration information, the first configuration information indicating a first downlink carrier, a first uplink carrier and a second uplink carrier, the first downlink carrier being used for downlink data transmission, the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier being used for uplink data transmission, the first downlink carrier and the first uplink carrier performing downlink data transmission and uplink data transmission respectively in TDD mode; wherein, the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier are located in a first frequency band; the processing unit 1710 is used to use at least one of the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier to perform data transmission with the network device according to the first configuration information.

[0157] A more detailed description of the processing unit 1710 and the transceiver unit 1720 can be obtained directly from the relevant description in the method embodiment shown in Figure 4, and will not be repeated here.

[0158] As shown in Figure 16, the communication device 1800 includes a processor 1810 and an interface circuit 1820. The processor 1810 and the interface circuit 1820 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1820 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1800 may also include a memory 1830 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1810, or storing input data required by the processor 1810 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1810 executes instructions.

[0159] When the communication device 1800 is used to implement the method shown in FIG4, the processor 1810 is used to implement the function of the processing unit 1710, and the interface circuit 1820 is used to implement the function of the transceiver unit 1720.

[0160] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a terminal device, the chip implements the functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The chip receives information from other modules in the terminal device; or, the chip sends information to other modules in the terminal device.

[0161] When the aforementioned communication device is a module applied to a network device, the network device module implements the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. The network device module receives information from other modules within the network device; or, the network device module sends information to other modules. Here, the network device module can be the baseband chip of the network device, or it can be a DU or other modules. The DU here can be a DU under an open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture.

[0162] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application may 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 may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0163] This application provides another example of a communication device, which includes at least one processor and at least one memory coupled together. The at least one processor and the at least one memory are used to store instructions. When the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the communication device performs the methods described in the above embodiments. Taking a communication device including a processor and a memory as an example, as shown in FIG16, communication device 1800 includes a processor 1810 and a memory 1830. The processor 1810 and the memory 1830 are coupled together. The memory 1830 stores instructions. When the instructions stored in the memory 1830 are executed by the processor 1810, the communication device 1800 performs the methods performed by the terminal device or network device described in the above embodiments.

[0164] The method steps in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions executable by a processor. 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, CD-ROMs, 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. The storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. Alternatively, the ASIC can reside in a network device or terminal. The processor and storage medium can also exist as discrete components in a network device or terminal.

[0165] 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. 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 entirely or partially. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment, 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 may be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or may include both types of storage media.

[0166] 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.

[0167] 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. "Including at least one of A, B, and C" can mean: including A; including B; including C; including A and B; including A and C; including B and C; including A, B, and C.

[0168] 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: Send first configuration information, which indicates a first downlink carrier, a first uplink carrier, and a second uplink carrier. The first downlink carrier is used for downlink data transmission, and the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier are used for uplink data transmission. The first downlink carrier and the first uplink carrier perform downlink data transmission and uplink data transmission respectively in time division duplex (TDD) mode. The first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier are located in a first frequency band. Based on the first configuration information, at least one of the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier is used to transmit data with the terminal device.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first frequency band includes a first frequency domain resource and a second frequency domain resource. The first frequency domain resource is used for uplink and downlink transmission in TDD mode, and the second frequency domain resource is used only for uplink transmission. The first downlink carrier and the first uplink carrier are located within the first frequency domain resource, and the second uplink carrier is located within the second frequency domain resource.

3. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource are not contiguous.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, A first guard band exists between the first downlink carrier and the second uplink carrier, and this guard band is not used for data transmission; or... There is a first guard band between the first downlink carrier and the second uplink carrier, and there is a second guard band between the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier. The first guard band and the second guard band are not used for data transmission.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The step of transmitting data with the terminal device using at least one of the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier according to the first configuration information includes: Within the first time unit, data is transmitted to the terminal device on the first downlink carrier; or, Within the first time unit, data transmitted by the terminal device is received on the second uplink carrier; or Within the first time unit, data is transmitted to the terminal device on the first downlink carrier, and data transmitted by the terminal device is received on the second uplink carrier.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The step of transmitting data with the terminal device using at least one of the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier according to the first configuration information includes: Within the second time unit, data transmitted by the terminal device is received on the first uplink carrier; or, Within the second time unit, data transmitted by the terminal device is received on the second uplink carrier; or... Within the second time unit, data transmitted by the terminal device is received simultaneously on both the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier.

7. The method according to any one of claims 5-6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send TDD uplink / downlink configuration information, which indicates the time unit format of multiple time units within a certain period of time. The time unit format includes a first time unit format and a second time unit format. The first time unit format supports both downlink data transmission and uplink data transmission, while the second time unit format only supports uplink data transmission. The format of the first time unit is the first time unit format, and the format of the second time unit is the second time unit format.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending instruction information, the instruction information instructing the terminal device to send data on the first uplink carrier, or on the second uplink carrier, or simultaneously on the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier within a second time unit.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The method further includes: The system receives capability information from the terminal device, the capability information including first terminal capability information and / or second terminal capability information; wherein, the first terminal capability information indicates that the terminal device supports simultaneously receiving data on the first downlink carrier and transmitting data on the second uplink carrier, or indicates that the terminal device does not support simultaneously receiving data on the first downlink carrier and transmitting data on the second uplink carrier; the second terminal capability information indicates that the terminal device supports simultaneously transmitting data on the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier, or indicates that the terminal device does not support simultaneously transmitting data on the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier. The step of transmitting data with the terminal device using at least one of the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier according to the first configuration information includes: Based on the first configuration information and the capability information of the terminal device, at least one of the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier is used to transmit data with the terminal device.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The first configuration information is sent via one or more of the following signaling methods: system message, radio resource control (RRC) message, media access control unit (MAC) message, and downlink control information (DCI).

11. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The system receives first configuration information, which indicates a first downlink carrier, a first uplink carrier, and a second uplink carrier. The first downlink carrier is used for downlink data transmission, and the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier are used for uplink data transmission. The first downlink carrier and the first uplink carrier perform downlink data transmission and uplink data transmission respectively in a time-division duplex (TDD) manner. The first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier are located in a first frequency band. Based on the first configuration information, at least one of the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier is used to transmit data with the network device.

12. The method as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The first frequency band includes a first frequency domain resource and a second frequency domain resource. The first frequency domain resource is used for uplink and downlink transmission in time division duplex (TDD) mode. The second frequency domain resource is used only for uplink transmission. The first downlink carrier and the first uplink carrier are located within the first frequency domain resource, and the second uplink carrier is located within the second frequency domain resource.

13. The method as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource are not contiguous.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11-13, characterized in that, A first guard band exists between the first downlink carrier and the second uplink carrier, and this guard band is not used for data transmission; or... There is a first guard band between the first downlink carrier and the second uplink carrier, and there is a second guard band between the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier. The first guard band and the second guard band are not used for data transmission.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11-14, characterized in that, The step of transmitting data with a network device using at least one of the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier according to the first configuration information includes: Within the first time unit, data transmitted by the network device is received on the first downlink carrier; or... Within the first time unit, data is transmitted to the network device on the second uplink carrier; or Within the first time unit, data sent by the network device is received on the first downlink carrier, and data is simultaneously sent to the network device on the second uplink carrier.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11-15, characterized in that, The step of transmitting data with a network device using at least one of the first downlink carrier, the first uplink carrier, and the second uplink carrier according to the first configuration information includes: Within the second time unit, data is transmitted to the network device on the first uplink carrier; or... Within the second time unit, data is transmitted to the network device on the second uplink carrier; or... Within the second time unit, data is simultaneously transmitted to the network device on both the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier.

17. The method according to any one of claims 15-16, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive TDD uplink / downlink configuration information, wherein the TDD uplink / downlink configuration information indicates the time unit format of multiple time units within a certain period of time, wherein the time unit format includes a first time unit format and a second time unit format, wherein the first time unit format supports both downlink data transmission and uplink data transmission, and the second time unit format only supports uplink data transmission; The format of the first time unit is the first time unit format, and the format of the second time unit is the second time unit format.

18. The method according to any one of claims 11-17, characterized in that, The method further includes: The terminal device receives an instruction from the network device, the instruction instructing the terminal device to transmit data on the first uplink carrier, or on the second uplink carrier, or simultaneously on both the first and second uplink carriers within a second time unit.

19. The method according to any one of claims 11-18, characterized in that, The method further includes: The network device sends capability information of the terminal device, the capability information including first terminal capability information and / or second terminal capability information; wherein, the first terminal capability information indicates that the terminal device supports simultaneously receiving data on the first downlink carrier and transmitting data on the second uplink carrier, or indicates that the terminal device does not support simultaneously receiving data on the first downlink carrier and transmitting data on the second uplink carrier; the second terminal capability information indicates that the terminal device supports simultaneously transmitting data on the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier, or indicates that the terminal device does not support simultaneously transmitting data on the first uplink carrier and the second uplink carrier.

20. The method according to any one of claims 11-19, characterized in that, The first configuration information is received via one or more of the following signaling: system message, radio resource control (RRC) message, media access control unit (MAC CE) message, and downlink control information (DCI) message.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes units or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-10, or includes units or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 11-20.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, include: One or more processors are configured to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-10, or to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 11-20.

23. A readable storage medium, characterized in that, The readable storage medium stores a program that, when executed by a communication device, implements the method as described in any one of claims 1-10, or implements the method as described in any one of claims 11-20.

24. A chip system, characterized in that, include: Memory, used to store computer programs; processor; When the processor retrieves and runs the computer program from memory, it causes the communication device equipped with the chip system to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-10, or the method as described in any one of claims 11-20.

25. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is invoked by a computer, it causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-10, or to perform the method as described in any one of claims 11-20.

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