Beam measurement method and apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed in the present application are a beam measurement method and apparatus. The present application can be used to support an RIS-based communication enhancement scenario. The method comprises: receiving a plurality of measurement reference signals sent by a sending end through an RIS; determining a target beam on the basis of a first beam direction and measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals, wherein the first beam direction is determined on the basis of relative locations and / or relative directions between the sending end and the RIS; and sending a measurement result of the target beam. A target beam is determined on the basis of a first beam direction and measurement results of a plurality of measurement reference signals, such that the determined target beam is better than a beam having the maximum receiving power. Therefore, during beam measurement, by means of sending a measurement result of the target beam to a sending end, the impact of erroneous feedback of a sidelobe beam (the beam having the maximum receiving power) on the transmission performance can be avoided, thereby improving the beam measurement performance and transmission performance.

Description

Beam measurement method and device

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202311836112.6, filed on December 27, 2023, entitled "Beam Measurement Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to beam measurement methods and apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] Throughout the evolution of wireless communication systems, high throughput and massive connectivity have always been the core challenges and goals pursued by wireless communication networks. To address these challenges, various technological innovations have emerged one after another, but increasingly complex systems face challenges in implementation complexity, system energy consumption, and enhancing the utilization and control of spatial channels.

[0004] To address the aforementioned challenges, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS), also known as intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRS) or large intelligent surfaces (LIS), have emerged as a promising technology and are being extensively researched. RIS is a subwavelength-scale artificial two-dimensional material, typically composed of metals, dielectrics, and tunable elements. Specifically, a RIS manifests as an intelligent panel comprising multiple elements, each an inexpensive passive reflector. By flexibly configuring the amplitude and phase of each element, it is possible to control wireless channel fading and form desired directional beams. RIS can be mounted on large flat surfaces (e.g., indoor walls or ceilings, outdoor buildings or signs) to reflect radio frequency (RF) energy around obstacles and create virtual line-of-sight propagation paths between the communication source and the target.

[0005] Beam scanning is a fundamental requirement for wireless mobile communication and radar. RIS (Reconstructed Phase Array) can achieve beam scanning performance using reconfigurable phase distributions. As the simplest form of phase compensation, a 1-bit phase-compensated RIS unit (i.e., an array) only requires two switchable states (typically with a 180° phase difference) to achieve beamforming of electromagnetic waves. Compared to 2-bit and higher-bit compensated RIS units, the 1-bit RIS unit has a simpler structure, requiring only a few switches (such as switching diodes) to switch the RIS unit's states, and its control line layout is the least complex. Therefore, a 1-bit RIS (i.e., a RIS using a 1-bit phase-compensated RIS unit) can significantly reduce the cost and losses associated with switching and greatly simplify the design of the control circuit. However, using a 1-bit RIS also comes at a cost: its adjustable phase degrees of freedom are very limited, which can introduce very high sidelobes or even beams symmetrical to the main lobe during beam scanning. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application discloses a beam measurement method and apparatus, which can avoid the impact of erroneous feedback sidelobe beams on transmission performance during beam measurement, thereby improving beam measurement and transmission performance.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a beam measurement method, comprising: receiving multiple measurement reference signals transmitted by a transmitting end via a reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS); determining a target beam based on a first beam direction and measurement results of the multiple measurement reference signals, wherein the first beam direction is determined based on the relative position and / or relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS; and transmitting the measurement results of the target beam. In this application, receiving multiple measurement reference signals transmitted by the transmitting end via the RIS can be replaced by receiving multiple measurement reference signals from the transmitting end via the RIS. The target beam can be a preferred beam that the transmitting end can use to transmit signals to the receiving end. For example, the target beam can be the optimal beam (i.e., the main lobe beam) that the transmitting end can use to transmit signals to the receiving end, i.e., the beam that yields the best signal received by the receiving end. In this application, a preferred beam refers to a better beam that the transmitting end can use to transmit signals to the receiving end, such as the optimal beam. Alternatively, the target beam can be a beam that, when the transmitter sends a signal to the receiver at a constant transmit power, causes the reference signal receiving power (RSRP) or signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the received signal to exceed a preset threshold. This preset threshold can be set according to actual needs and is not limited here.

[0008] In this embodiment, a target beam is determined based on the measurement results of a first beam direction and multiple measurement reference signals; the determined target beam is better than the beam with the highest received power. Therefore, during beam measurement, by transmitting the measurement results of the target beam, the impact of erroneous feedback sidelobe beams (the beam with the highest received power) on transmission performance can be avoided, thereby improving beam measurement and transmission performance.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the measurement result of the target beam includes information for identifying the target beam, i.e., the identification information of the target beam. The information for identifying the target beam may be an index of the target beam, an angle vector, an index of the codeword corresponding to the target beam, etc.

[0010] In this implementation, the measurement results of the target beam include information for identifying the target beam so that the transmitting end can determine the target beam.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the angle between the first beam direction and the normal direction of the RIS is equal to the angle between the incident beam direction (hereinafter referred to as the incident direction) of the transmitting beam of the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS; or, the difference between the angle between the first beam direction and the normal direction of the RIS and the angle between the incident direction of the transmitting beam of the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS is less than or equal to a preset value; or, the first beam direction and the incident direction of the transmitting beam of the transmitting end are symmetrical with respect to the normal direction of the RIS.

[0012] In this implementation, the direction of the first beam can be determined based on the incident direction of the transmitted beam at the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS.

[0013] In one possible implementation, before determining the target beam based on the first beam direction and the measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals, the method further includes: receiving first indication information from the transmitting end or the RIS, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate at least one of the relative position and relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS, or the first indication information is used to indicate at least one of the azimuth angle of the RIS, the panel orientation of the RIS, the height of the RIS, the panel pitch angle of the RIS, or the distance between the RIS and the transmitting end, or the first indication information is used to indicate the incident direction of the transmitted beam of the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS; and determining the first beam direction based on the first indication information.

[0014] In this implementation, a first beam direction is determined based on first indication information, and then a target beam is determined based on the first beam direction and the measurement results of multiple measurement reference signals. Furthermore, since the serving RIS at the receiver may switch and / or at least one of the relative position and relative direction between the transmitter and the RIS may change, determining the first beam direction based on the first indication information ensures that the information upon which the first beam direction is determined is accurate.

[0015] In one possible implementation, before receiving the first indication information from the sending end or the RIS, the method further includes: sending a first trigger request to the sending end or the RIS, the first trigger request being used to trigger the sending end or the RIS to send the first indication information.

[0016] In this implementation, a first trigger request is sent to the transmitter or the RIS to obtain information for determining the direction of the first beam.

[0017] In one possible implementation, sending the first trigger request to the transmitting end or the RIS includes: sending the first trigger request to the transmitting end or the RIS based on the receiving end's receiving performance or mobility status; or, sending the first trigger request to the transmitting end or the RIS when the receiving end determines that beam scanning is required.

[0018] When the receiving end's reception performance or movement status changes significantly (e.g., the SNR of the received signal at the receiving end falls below a certain threshold or the receiving end's movement speed exceeds a certain threshold), it is usually caused by a change in at least one of the relative position and relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS. Based on the receiving end's reception performance or movement status, a first trigger request is sent to the transmitting end or the RIS; this allows for timely acquisition of at least one of the current relative position and relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS. When the receiving end determines that beam scanning is necessary, sending a first trigger request to the transmitting end or the RIS allows for timely acquisition of information used to determine the first beam direction.

[0019] In one possible implementation, before receiving the first indication information from the transmitting end or the RIS, the method further includes: determining the first beam direction based on fourth indication information, wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate at least one of the relative position and relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS, or the fourth indication information is used to indicate at least one of the azimuth angle of the RIS, the panel orientation of the RIS, the height of the RIS, the panel pitch angle of the RIS, or the distance between the RIS and the transmitting end, or the fourth indication information is used to indicate the incident direction of the transmitting beam of the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS.

[0020] In this implementation, the first beam direction is determined based on the fourth indication information, so that the target beam can be determined based on the first beam direction and the measurement results of multiple measurement reference signals.

[0021] In one possible implementation, before determining the target beam based on the first beam direction and the measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals, the method further includes: receiving second indication information from the transmitting end or the RIS, the second indication information being used to indicate the first beam direction.

[0022] In this implementation, the first beam direction can be obtained by receiving second indication information from the transmitter or RIS.

[0023] In one possible implementation, before receiving the second indication information from the sending end or the RIS, the method further includes: sending a second trigger request to the sending end or the RIS, the second trigger request being used to trigger the sending end or the RIS to send the second indication information.

[0024] In this implementation, a second trigger request is sent to the transmitting end or the RIS to obtain information for determining the direction of the first beam.

[0025] In one possible implementation, sending the second trigger request to the transmitting end or the RIS includes: sending the second trigger request to the transmitting end or the RIS based on the receiving end's receiving performance or mobility status; or, sending the second trigger request to the transmitting end or the RIS when the receiving end determines that beam scanning will be performed.

[0026] When the receiving end's reception performance or movement status changes significantly (e.g., the SNR of the received signal at the receiving end falls below a certain threshold or the receiving end's movement speed exceeds a certain threshold), it is usually caused by a change in at least one of the relative position and relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS. Based on the receiving end's reception performance or movement status, a second trigger request is sent to the transmitting end or the RIS; this allows for timely acquisition of at least one of the current relative position and relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS. If the receiving end determines that beam scanning is necessary, sending a second trigger request to the transmitting end or the RIS allows for timely acquisition of information used to determine the first beam direction.

[0027] In one possible implementation, determining the target beam based on the first beam direction and the measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals includes: determining the target beam based on the measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals, the first beam direction, and the order in which the transmitting end transmits the plurality of measurement reference signals.

[0028] In this implementation, the target beam can be determined and identified.

[0029] In one possible implementation, determining the target beam based on the measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals, the first beam direction, the order in which the transmitting end transmits the plurality of measurement reference signals, and the relative positional relationship between the receiving end and the RIS includes: determining the angular region to which the target beam belongs based on the first beam direction; and determining the beam located within the angular region and having a first performance index greater than or equal to a target threshold among the plurality of beams associated with the plurality of measurement reference signals as the target beam. In this application, the first performance index can be RSRP, SNR, or other indicators used to measure beam quality, and the target threshold can be set according to actual needs, and is not limited here.

[0030] In this implementation, a preferred beam among multiple beams associated with multiple measurement reference signals is determined as the target beam.

[0031] In one possible implementation, determining the target beam based on the measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals, the first beam direction, the order in which the transmitting end transmits the plurality of measurement reference signals, and the relative positional relationship between the receiving end and the RIS includes: determining the angular region to which the target beam belongs based on the first beam direction; and determining the beam located within the angular region and having the best first performance index among the plurality of beams associated with the plurality of measurement reference signals as the target beam.

[0032] In one possible implementation, determining the target beam based on the measurement results of the multiple measurement reference signals by the receiving end, the first beam direction, and the order in which the transmitting end transmits the multiple measurement reference signals includes: determining the target beam based on the measurement results of the multiple measurement reference signals, the first beam direction, the order in which the transmitting end transmits the multiple measurement reference signals, and the relative positional relationship between the receiving end and the RIS.

[0033] In this implementation, the target beam can be accurately determined and identified.

[0034] In one possible implementation, determining the target beam based on the measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals, the first beam direction, the order in which the transmitting end transmits the plurality of measurement reference signals, and the relative positional relationship between the receiving end and the RIS includes: determining the angular region to which the target beam belongs based on the first beam direction and the relative positional relationship; and determining the beam located within the angular region and having a first performance index greater than or equal to a target threshold among the plurality of beams associated with the plurality of measurement reference signals as the target beam.

[0035] In one possible implementation, determining the target beam based on the measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals, the first beam direction, the order in which the transmitting end transmits the plurality of measurement reference signals, and the relative positional relationship between the receiving end and the RIS includes: determining the angular region to which the target beam belongs based on the first beam direction and the relative positional relationship; and determining the beam located within the angular region and having the best first performance index among the plurality of beams associated with the plurality of measurement reference signals as the target beam.

[0036] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving third indication information from the transmitting end, the third indication information being used to indicate the order in which the transmitting end transmits the plurality of measurement reference signals or measurement beams. Optionally, the measurement result of the target beam includes information for identifying the target beam, wherein the information for identifying the target beam is the order of the measurement reference signals corresponding to the target beam among the plurality of measurement reference signals transmitted by the transmitting end, or, alternatively, the information for identifying the target beam is the order of the target beam within the measurement beams. In other words, the index of the target beam is the order of the measurement reference signals corresponding to the target beam among the order in which the transmitting end transmits the plurality of measurement reference signals.

[0037] In this implementation, third indication information is received from the transmitting end to determine information for identifying the target beam based on the order in which multiple measurement reference signals are transmitted by the transmitting end.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the third indication information is further used to indicate the mode in which the receiver performs beam measurement. For example, the beam measurement modes performed by the receiver include at least: a conventional mode and a target mode. In the conventional mode, the receiver feeds back the beam with the highest power. In the target mode, the receiver determines a target beam based on the first beam direction and the measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals, and feeds back the target beam. In the conventional mode, the receiver does not need to determine the target beam based on the first beam direction and the measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals. In the target mode, the receiver needs to determine and feed back the target beam. The measurement results of the target beam include information for identifying the target beam, such as the index of the target beam, the angle vector, and the index of the codeword corresponding to the target beam. For example, the target beam can be a superior beam (i.e., the main lobe beam) that the transmitter can use to send a signal to the receiver, that is, the beam from which the receiver receives the best signal. In one possible implementation, in the traditional mode, the receiver does not need to distinguish between the main lobe beam and the side lobe beam; that is, it only needs to filter the main lobe beam information and the grating lobe beam information, and select the beam with the highest received power for reporting. In the target mode, the receiver needs to distinguish between the main lobe beam and the side lobe beam; that is, it needs to filter the main lobe beam information and the grating lobe beam information, determine the target beam based on the direction of the first beam, and report it. In other words, in the target mode, the target beam reported by the receiver is always the main lobe beam; in the traditional mode, the measurement beam reported by the receiver may be a side lobe beam. The naming of the traditional mode and the target mode is not limited. For example, the traditional mode can be named the first mode, and the target mode can be named the second mode.

[0039] In this implementation, the third indication information can implicitly indicate the mode of beam measurement performed by the receiver, which can save signaling overhead.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the order in which the transmitting end sends the plurality of measurement reference signals to the receiving end is the order of the codewords in the scan codebook used by the receiving end, and one codeword in the scan codebook corresponds to one of the plurality of measurement reference signals.

[0041] In this implementation, the order in which the transmitting end sends multiple measurement reference signals to the receiving end is the same as the order of the codewords in the scan codebook used by the receiving end. This allows for easy interaction regarding the order in which the transmitting end sends multiple measurement reference signals to the receiving end, resulting in low signaling overhead.

[0042] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving fifth indication information from the transmitting end, the fifth indication information being used to indicate the mode of beam measurement performed by the receiving end; determining the target beam based on the first beam direction and the measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals includes: in response to the fifth indication information, determining the target beam based on the first beam direction and the measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals.

[0043] In this implementation, in response to the fifth indication information, the target beam is determined based on the measurement results of the first beam direction and multiple measurement reference signals; beam measurement can be performed according to the mode of beam measurement performed by the transmitting instruction receiving end.

[0044] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide an information indication method, the method comprising: generating first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate at least one of the relative position and relative direction of a transmitting end and a RIS; or, the first indication information is used to indicate at least one of the azimuth angle of the RIS, the panel orientation of the RIS, the height of the RIS, the panel pitch angle of the RIS, or the distance between the RIS and the transmitting end; or, the first indication information is used to indicate the incident direction of the transmitting beam of the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS; and transmitting the first indication information to a receiving end. Optionally, the first indication information is used to determine a first beam direction, wherein the first beam direction is used by the receiving end to determine a target beam (e.g., a main lobe beam) based on measurement results of multiple measurement reference signals transmitted by the transmitting end to the receiving end via the RIS. Alternatively, the first indication information is used to indicate the incident direction of the transmitting beam of the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS.

[0045] In this embodiment, a first indication information is sent to the receiving end so that the receiving end can determine the first beam direction based on the first indication information, and then determine the target beam based on the first beam direction and the measurement results of multiple measurement reference signals sent from the transmitting end to the receiving end via RIS; this can avoid the impact of false feedback sidelobe beams on transmission performance, thereby improving beam measurement and transmission performance.

[0046] In one possible implementation, before sending the first indication information to the receiving end, the method further includes: receiving a first trigger request from the receiving end; and in response to the first trigger request, sending the first indication information to the receiving end.

[0047] In this implementation, in response to the first trigger request, a first indication message is sent to the receiving end; this can save signaling overhead and avoid the receiving end lacking the first indication message.

[0048] In one possible implementation, sending the first indication information to the receiving end includes: sending the first indication information to the receiving end when the topology configuration information of the RIS changes or when the RIS serving the receiving end switches to the RIS. The topology configuration information of the RIS may include at least one of the following: the azimuth angle of the RIS, the panel orientation of the RIS, the height of the RIS, the panel pitch angle of the RIS, the normal direction of the RIS, or the distance between the RIS and the transmitting end.

[0049] In this implementation, when the topology configuration information of the RIS changes or the RIS serving the receiver is switched to the RIS, first indication information is sent to the receiver; this enables the receiver to obtain at least one of the current relative position and relative direction between the transmitter and the RIS in a timely manner, or at least one of the current azimuth angle of the RIS, the current panel orientation of the RIS, the current height of the RIS, the current panel pitch angle of the RIS, or the current distance between the RIS and the transmitter.

[0050] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending third indication information to the receiving end, the third indication information being used to indicate the order in which the transmitting end transmits the plurality of measurement reference signals. Optionally, the measurement result of the target beam includes information for identifying the target beam, wherein the information for identifying the target beam is the order of the measurement reference signals corresponding to the target beam in the order in which the transmitting end transmits the plurality of measurement reference signals. Alternatively, the index of the target beam is the order of the measurement reference signals corresponding to the target beam in the order in which the transmitting end transmits the plurality of measurement reference signals.

[0051] In this implementation, third indication information is received from the transmitting end to determine information for identifying the target beam based on the order in which multiple measurement reference signals are transmitted by the transmitting end.

[0052] In one possible implementation, the third indication information is further used to indicate the mode in which the receiver performs beam measurement. For example, the modes in which the receiver performs beam measurement include at least: a conventional mode and a target mode. In the conventional mode, the receiver feeds back the beam with the highest power. In the target mode, the receiver determines a target beam based on the first beam direction and the measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals, and feeds back the target beam.

[0053] In this implementation, the third indication information can implicitly indicate the mode of beam measurement performed by the receiver, which can save signaling overhead.

[0054] In one possible implementation, the order in which the transmitting end sends the plurality of measurement reference signals to the receiving end is the order of the codewords in the scan codebook used by the receiving end, and one codeword in the scan codebook corresponds to one of the plurality of measurement reference signals.

[0055] In this implementation, the order in which the transmitting end sends multiple measurement reference signals to the receiving end is the same as the order of the codewords in the scan codebook used by the receiving end. This allows for easy interaction regarding the order in which the transmitting end sends multiple measurement reference signals to the receiving end, resulting in low signaling overhead.

[0056] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: transmitting multiple measurement reference signals to the receiving end via the RIS; receiving measurement results of a target beam from the receiving end, wherein the measurement results of the target beam include information for identifying the target beam. Optionally, the target beam is determined by the receiving end based on a first beam direction and the measurement results of the multiple measurement reference signals, and the first indication information is used to determine the first beam direction. The target beam can be a beam that, when the transmitting end transmits a signal to the receiving end at a certain transmit power, causes the RSRP of the signal received by the receiving end to exceed a preset threshold. This preset threshold can be set according to actual needs and is not limited here. For example, the target beam is a main lobe beam.

[0057] In this implementation, the measurement results of the target beam are received from the receiving end, and the measurement results of the target beam include information for identifying the target beam; by selecting the target beam to send data to the receiving end, the transmission performance can be improved.

[0058] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending fifth indication information to the receiving end, the fifth indication information being used to indicate the mode in which the receiving end performs beam measurement. For example, the fifth indication information is used to instruct the receiving end to perform beam measurement using a target mode, wherein when the receiving end uses the target mode, it determines a target beam based on a first beam direction and the measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals, and feeds back the target beam. The first beam direction is determined based on the relative position and / or relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS.

[0059] In this implementation, a fifth indication message is sent to the receiving end so that the receiving end can perform beam measurement according to the corresponding mode, that is, feed back the measurement result of the target beam, thereby improving the transmission performance.

[0060] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide another information indication method, the method comprising: generating second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate a first beam direction, the first beam direction being determined based on the relative position and / or relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS, the first beam direction being used by the receiving end to determine a target beam based on the measurement results of multiple measurement reference signals transmitted by the transmitting end to the receiving end via the RIS; and sending the second indication information to the receiving end.

[0061] In this embodiment, a second indication information is sent to the receiving end so that the receiving end can obtain the first beam direction based on the second indication information, and then determine the target beam based on the first beam direction and the measurement results of multiple measurement reference signals sent from the transmitting end to the receiving end via RIS; this can avoid the impact of false feedback sidelobe beams on transmission performance, thereby improving beam measurement and transmission performance.

[0062] In one possible implementation, before sending the second indication information to the receiving end, the method further includes: receiving a second trigger request from the receiving end; sending the second indication information to the receiving end includes: in response to the second trigger request, sending the second indication information to the receiving end.

[0063] In this implementation, in response to the second trigger request, a second indication message is sent to the receiving end; this can save signaling overhead and avoid the receiving end lacking the second indication message.

[0064] In one possible implementation, sending the second indication information to the receiving end includes: sending the second indication information to the receiving end when the topology configuration information of the RIS changes or when the RIS serving the receiving end switches to the RIS. The topology configuration information of the RIS may include at least one of the following: the azimuth angle of the RIS, the panel orientation of the RIS, the height of the RIS, the panel pitch angle of the RIS, or the distance between the RIS and the transmitting end.

[0065] When the topology configuration information of the RIS changes or the RIS serving the receiver switches, the direction of the first beam will also change accordingly. In this implementation, when the topology configuration information of the RIS changes or the RIS serving the receiver switches to the aforementioned RIS, second indication information is sent to the receiver; this allows the receiver to promptly indicate the updated direction of the first beam.

[0066] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending third indication information to the receiving end, the third indication information being used to indicate the order in which the transmitting end transmits the plurality of measurement reference signals. Optionally, the measurement result of the target beam includes information for identifying the target beam, wherein the information for identifying the target beam is the order of the measurement reference signals corresponding to the target beam in the order in which the transmitting end transmits the plurality of measurement reference signals. Alternatively, the index of the target beam is the order of the measurement reference signals corresponding to the target beam in the order in which the transmitting end transmits the plurality of measurement reference signals.

[0067] In this implementation, third indication information is received from the transmitting end to determine information for identifying the target beam based on the order in which multiple measurement reference signals are transmitted by the transmitting end.

[0068] In one possible implementation, the third indication information is further used to indicate the mode in which the receiver performs beam measurement. For example, the modes in which the receiver performs beam measurement include at least: a conventional mode and a target mode. In the conventional mode, the receiver feeds back the beam with the highest power. In the target mode, the receiver determines a target beam based on the first beam direction and the measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals, and feeds back the target beam.

[0069] In this implementation, the third indication information can implicitly indicate the mode of beam measurement performed by the receiver, which can save signaling overhead.

[0070] In one possible implementation, the order in which the transmitting end sends the plurality of measurement reference signals to the receiving end is the order of the codewords in the scan codebook used by the receiving end, and one codeword in the scan codebook corresponds to one of the plurality of measurement reference signals.

[0071] In this implementation, the order in which the transmitting end sends multiple measurement reference signals to the receiving end is the same as the order of the codewords in the scan codebook used by the receiving end. This allows for easy interaction regarding the order in which the transmitting end sends multiple measurement reference signals to the receiving end, resulting in low signaling overhead.

[0072] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: transmitting multiple measurement reference signals to the receiving end via the RIS; receiving measurement results of a target beam from the receiving end, wherein the measurement results of the target beam include information for identifying the target beam. Optionally, the target beam is determined by the receiving end based on a first beam direction and the measurement results of the multiple measurement reference signals, and the first indication information is used to determine the first beam direction. The target beam can be a beam that, when the transmitting end transmits a signal to the receiving end at a certain transmit power, causes the RSRP of the signal received by the receiving end to exceed a preset threshold. This preset threshold can be set according to actual needs and is not limited here. For example, the target beam is a main lobe beam.

[0073] In this implementation, the measurement results of the target beam are received from the receiving end, and the measurement results of the target beam include information for identifying the target beam; by selecting the target beam to send data to the receiving end, the transmission performance can be improved.

[0074] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending fifth indication information to the receiving end, the fifth indication information being used to indicate the mode in which the receiving end performs beam measurement. For example, the fifth indication information is used to instruct the receiving end to perform beam measurement using a target mode, wherein when the receiving end uses the target mode, it determines a target beam based on a first beam direction and the measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals, and feeds back the target beam. The first beam direction is determined based on the relative position and / or relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS.

[0075] In this implementation, a fifth indication message is sent to the receiving end so that the receiving end can perform beam measurement according to the corresponding mode, that is, feed back the measurement result of the target beam, thereby improving the transmission performance.

[0076] In one possible implementation, before generating the second indication information, the method further includes: determining the direction of the first beam based on the fourth indication information, wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate at least one of the relative position and relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS, or the fourth indication information is used to indicate at least one of the azimuth angle of the RIS, the panel orientation of the RIS, the height of the RIS, the panel pitch angle of the RIS, or the distance between the RIS and the transmitting end, or the fourth indication information is used to indicate the incident direction of the transmitting beam of the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS.

[0077] In this implementation, the first beam direction is determined based on the fourth indication information, so that the target beam can be determined based on the first beam direction and the measurement results of multiple measurement reference signals.

[0078] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that has the function of implementing the behavior described in the method embodiments of the first aspect. The communication device may be a network device, a component of a network device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device. Alternatively, the communication device may be a terminal device, a component of a terminal device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal device. The functions of the communication device can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software, the hardware or software including one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions. In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module, wherein: the transceiver module is used to receive multiple measurement reference signals transmitted by a transmitting end via a RIS; the processing module is used to determine a target beam based on a first beam direction and the measurement results of the multiple measurement reference signals, the first beam direction being determined based on the relative position and / or relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS; the transceiver module is also used to transmit the measurement results of the target beam.

[0079] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to: receive first indication information from the transmitting end or the RIS, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate at least one of the relative position and relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS, or the first indication information is used to indicate at least one of the azimuth angle of the RIS, the panel orientation of the RIS, the height of the RIS, the panel pitch angle of the RIS, or the distance between the RIS and the transmitting end, or the first indication information is used to indicate the incident direction of the transmitting beam of the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS; the processing module is configured to determine the direction of the first beam based on the first indication information.

[0080] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to send a first trigger request to the sending end or the RIS, the first trigger request being used to trigger the sending end or the RIS to send the first indication information.

[0081] In one possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to control the transceiver module to send the first trigger request to the transmitter or the RIS based on the receiving performance or mobility of the receiver; or, if the receiver determines that beam scanning is required, control the transceiver module to send the first trigger request to the transmitter or the RIS.

[0082] In one possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to determine the direction of the first beam based on fourth indication information, wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate at least one of the relative position and relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS, or the fourth indication information is used to indicate at least one of the azimuth angle of the RIS, the panel orientation of the RIS, the height of the RIS, the panel pitch angle of the RIS, or the distance between the RIS and the transmitting end, or the fourth indication information is used to indicate the incident direction of the transmitting beam of the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS.

[0083] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to receive second indication information from the transmitting end or the RIS, the second indication information being used to indicate the direction of the first beam.

[0084] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to send a second trigger request to the sending end or the RIS, the second trigger request being used to trigger the sending end or the RIS to send the second indication information.

[0085] In one possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to control the transceiver module to send the second trigger request to the transmitter or the RIS based on the receiving performance or mobility of the receiver; or, when the receiver determines that beam scanning will be performed, control the transceiver module to send the second trigger request to the transmitter or the RIS.

[0086] In one possible implementation, the processing module is specifically used to determine the target beam based on the measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals, the direction of the first beam, and the order in which the transmitting end transmits the plurality of measurement reference signals.

[0087] In one possible implementation, the processing module is specifically used to determine the angular region to which the target beam belongs based on the first beam direction; and to determine the beam located within the angular region and whose first performance index is greater than or equal to the target threshold from among the multiple beams associated with the multiple measurement reference signals as the target beam.

[0088] In one possible implementation, the processing module is specifically used to determine the angular region to which the target beam belongs based on the first beam direction; and to determine the beam that is located within the angular region and has the best first performance index among the multiple beams associated with the multiple measurement reference signals as the target beam.

[0089] In one possible implementation, the processing module is specifically used to determine the target beam based on the measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals, the direction of the first beam, the order in which the transmitting end transmits the plurality of measurement reference signals, and the relative positional relationship between the receiving end and the RIS.

[0090] In one possible implementation, the processing module is specifically used to determine the angular region to which the target beam belongs based on the first beam direction and the relative positional relationship; and to determine the beam located within the angular region and whose first performance index is greater than or equal to the target threshold from among the multiple beams associated with the multiple measurement reference signals as the target beam.

[0091] In one possible implementation, the processing module is specifically used to determine the angular region to which the target beam belongs based on the first beam direction and the relative positional relationship; and to determine the beam that is located within the angular region and has the best first performance index among the multiple beams associated with the multiple measurement reference signals as the target beam.

[0092] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to receive third indication information from the transmitting end, the third indication information being used to indicate the order in which the transmitting end transmits the plurality of measurement reference signals.

[0093] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to receive a fifth indication information from the transmitting end, the fifth indication information being used to indicate the mode for beam measurement at the receiving end; the processing module is specifically configured to, in response to the fifth indication information, determine the target beam based on the first beam direction and the measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals.

[0094] For possible implementations of the communication device in the fourth aspect, please refer to the various possible implementations in the first aspect.

[0095] For the technical effects of the various possible implementations of the fourth aspect, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the first aspect or the various possible implementations of the first aspect.

[0096] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that has the functionality to implement the actions described in the method embodiments of the second aspect. The communication device may be a network device, a component of a network device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device. Alternatively, the communication device may be a terminal device, a component of a terminal device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal device. The functionality of the communication device can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software, the hardware or software including one or more modules or units corresponding to the aforementioned functions. In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module, wherein: the processing module is configured to generate first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate at least one of the relative position and relative direction of the transmitting end and the RIS; or, the first indication information being used to indicate at least one of the azimuth angle of the RIS, the panel orientation of the RIS, the height of the RIS, the panel pitch angle of the RIS, or the distance between the RIS and the transmitting end; or, the first indication information being used to indicate the incident direction of the transmitting beam of the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS; the transceiver module is configured to transmit the first indication information to the receiving end.

[0097] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to receive a first trigger request from the receiving end; the processing module is further configured to, in response to the first trigger request, control the transceiver module to send the first indication information to the receiving end.

[0098] In one possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to control the transceiver module to send the first indication information to the receiving end when the topology configuration information of the RIS changes or the RIS serving the receiving end is switched to the RIS.

[0099] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to send third indication information to the receiving end, the third indication information being used to indicate the order in which the transmitting end sends the plurality of measurement reference signals.

[0100] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to transmit multiple measurement reference signals to the receiving end via the RIS; and receive measurement results of a target beam from the receiving end, the measurement results of the target beam including information for identifying the target beam.

[0101] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to send a fifth indication message to the receiving end, the fifth indication message being used to indicate the mode for beam measurement performed by the receiving end.

[0102] For possible implementations of the communication device in the fifth aspect, please refer to the various possible implementations in the second aspect.

[0103] For the technical effects of the various possible implementations of the fifth aspect, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the second aspect or the various possible implementations of the second aspect.

[0104] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that has the function of implementing the behavior described in the method embodiments of the third aspect above. The communication device may be a network device, a component of a network device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device. Alternatively, the communication device may be a terminal device, a component of a terminal device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal device. The function of the communication device can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software, the hardware or software including one or more modules or units corresponding to the above functions. In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver module and a processing module, wherein: the processing module is used to generate second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate a first beam direction, the first beam direction being determined based on the relative position and / or relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS, the first beam direction being used by the receiving end to determine a target beam based on the measurement results of multiple measurement reference signals transmitted from the transmitting end to the receiving end via the RIS; the transceiver module is used to transmit the second indication information to the receiving end.

[0105] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to receive a second trigger request from the receiving end; the processing module is configured to, in response to the second trigger request, control the transceiver module to send the second indication information to the receiving end.

[0106] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to control the transceiver module to send the second indication information to the receiving end when the topology configuration information of the RIS changes or the RIS serving the receiving end is switched to the RIS.

[0107] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to send third indication information to the receiving end, the third indication information being used to indicate the order in which the transmitting end sends the plurality of measurement reference signals.

[0108] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to transmit multiple measurement reference signals to the receiving end via the RIS; and receive measurement results of a target beam from the receiving end, the measurement results of the target beam including information for identifying the target beam.

[0109] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module is further configured to send a fifth indication message to the receiving end, the fifth indication message being used to indicate the mode for beam measurement performed by the receiving end.

[0110] In one possible implementation, the processing module is further configured to determine the direction of the first beam based on fourth indication information, wherein the fourth indication information is used to indicate at least one of the relative position and relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS, or the fourth indication information is used to indicate at least one of the azimuth angle of the RIS, the panel orientation of the RIS, the height of the RIS, the panel pitch angle of the RIS, or the distance between the RIS and the transmitting end, or the fourth indication information is used to indicate the incident direction of the transmitting beam of the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS.

[0111] For possible implementations of the communication device in the sixth aspect, please refer to the various possible implementations in the third aspect.

[0112] For the technical effects of the various possible implementations of the sixth aspect, please refer to the introduction of the technical effects of the third aspect or the various possible implementations of the third aspect.

[0113] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide another communication device, which includes one or more processors for processing data and / or signaling to enable the methods described in any of the first to third aspects above to be implemented.

[0114] Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory storing computer programs or instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the communication device to perform the methods described in any of the first to third aspects above. For example, the communication device may be a chip, the processor may be a processing unit within the chip, and the memory may be a random access memory or cache within the chip.

[0115] In this embodiment of the application, during the execution of the above method, the process of sending information (or signals) can be understood as a process of outputting information based on a computer program or instruction of the processor. When outputting information, the processor outputs the information to the transceiver so that the transceiver can transmit it. After being output by the processor, the information may undergo further processing before reaching the transceiver. Similarly, when the processor receives input information, the transceiver receives the information and inputs it into the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the information, the information may undergo further processing before being input into the processor.

[0116] Unless otherwise specified, or unless it contradicts its actual function or internal logic in the relevant description, the sending and / or receiving operations involved by the processor can generally be understood as processor-based computer program or instruction output.

[0117] In implementation, the processor described above can be a processor specifically designed to execute these methods, or it can be a processor that executes computer programs or instructions stored in memory to execute these methods, such as a general-purpose processor. For example, the processor can also be used to execute programs stored in memory, which, when executed, cause the communication device to perform the methods as shown in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0118] In one possible implementation, the memory is located outside the aforementioned communication device. In another possible implementation, the memory is located inside the aforementioned communication device.

[0119] In one possible implementation, the processor and memory may be integrated into a single device; that is, the processor and memory may be integrated together.

[0120] In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a transceiver for receiving or transmitting signals, etc.

[0121] Eighthly, this application provides another communication device, which includes a processing circuit and an interface circuit, the interface circuit being used to acquire data or output data; the processing circuit being used to perform the method as described in any one of the first to third aspects above.

[0122] Ninthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, the computer program including program instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to perform the method as described in any of the first to third aspects above.

[0123] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a computer program product comprising a computer program, the computer program including program instructions that, when executed, cause a computer to perform the method as described in any of the first to third aspects above.

[0124] Eleventhly, this application provides a chip, including a communication interface and a processor; the communication interface is used for signal transmission and reception of the chip; the processor is used to execute computer programs or instructions, causing a communication device including the chip to perform the method as described in any one of the first to third aspects above.

[0125] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system including the communication apparatus described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof, and the communication apparatus described in the fifth aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Optionally, the communication system further includes the RIS described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0126] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system including the communication apparatus described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof, and the communication apparatus described in the sixth aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Optionally, the communication system further includes the RIS described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Attached Figure Description

[0127] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the three beam directions corresponding to the three lobes in the radiation pattern of a 1-bit RIS antenna provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0128] Figure 2 is a comparative schematic diagram of a 1-bit RIS beam measurement example and a multi-bit RIS beam measurement example provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0129] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system to which the embodiments of this application can be applied;

[0130] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0131] Figure 5 is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0132] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the relative positions of a base station (example of a transmitter) and a RIS provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0133] Figure 7 is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0134] Figure 8 is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0135] Figure 9 is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0136] Figure 10 is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0137] Figure 11 is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0138] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1200 provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0139] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of another device 1300 provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0140] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of another device 1400 provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0141] Figure 15 is a simulation diagram of an embodiment of this application using existing 1-bit RIS beam measurement and the 1-bit RIS beam measurement provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0142] The terms "first" and "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are only used to distinguish different objects and not to describe a specific order. 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 does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and inherent logic. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0143] The term "embodiment" as used herein means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a mutually exclusive, independent, or alternative embodiment. Those skilled in the art will understand, explicitly and implicitly, that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments. In this application, message names are used only to distinguish different messages and should not be construed as limiting. That is, any message name in this application can be replaced with other names, and this application does not impose any limitations.

[0144] The terminology used in the following embodiments of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this application. As used in the specification and appended claims of this application, the singular expressions “a,” “an,” “the,” “the,” “the,” and “this” are intended to include the plural expressions as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used in this application refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more of the listed items. For example, “A and / or B” can mean: the presence of only A, the presence of only B, and the presence of both A and B, where A and B can be singular or plural. The term “multiple” as used in this application refers to two or more. In the textual description of this application, the character “ / ” generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an “or” relationship.

[0145] It is understood that in the various embodiments of this application, "B corresponding to A" means that there is a correspondence between A and B, and B can be determined based on A. However, it should also be understood that determining (or generating) B based on (or on) A does not mean that B is determined (or generated) solely based on (or on) A; B can also be determined (or generated) based on (or on) A and / or other information.

[0146] It should be understood that in this application, the indication includes direct indication (also known as explicit indication) and implicit indication. Direct indication information A refers to information A being included; implicit indication information A refers to information A being indicated through the correspondence between information A and information B, and through direct indication information B. The correspondence between information A and information B can be predefined, pre-stored, pre-burned, or pre-configured.

[0147] It should be understood that in this application, information C is used to determine information D, including both situations where information D is determined solely based on information C and situations where it is determined based on information C and other information. Furthermore, information C can also be used to determine information D indirectly, for example, where information D is determined based on information E, and information E is determined based on information C.

[0148] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, "network element A sends information A to network element B" can be understood as network element B being the destination of information A or an intermediate network element in the transmission path between the destination and network element B, which may include sending information directly or indirectly to network element B. "Network element B receives information A from network element A" can be understood as network element A being the source of information A or an intermediate network element in the transmission path between the source and network element A, which may include receiving information directly or indirectly from network element A. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood in a similar way and will not be elaborated further here.

[0149] To facilitate understanding of the solutions in this application, the terminology and technical solutions involved in the embodiments of this application will be introduced first below.

[0150] Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO): MIMO technology utilizes spatial resources to enable signals to achieve array gain, multiplexing gain, diversity gain, and interference cancellation gain in space without increasing system bandwidth, thus significantly improving the capacity and spectral efficiency of communication systems. Therefore, since its inception, it has been favored by wireless communication researchers as one of the most typical and effective solutions to overcome non-ideal characteristics such as channel fading and inter-symbol interference caused by the complexity and diversity of communication environments. For example, in Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, the transmitter and receiver utilize multiple antennas to support transmission up to eight layers.

[0151] Multi-user multi-input multi-output (MU-MIMO) scheduling: In communication systems based on beamforming technology for signal transmission, array antennas are widely used. Since network equipment (e.g., base stations) typically have multiple antenna ports, they can communicate with multiple terminal devices simultaneously. To fully utilize resources, network equipment can allocate the same time-frequency or address code resources to different terminal devices using different antenna ports—this is MU-MIMO scheduling. During MU-MIMO scheduling, network equipment can use the directional beam formed by the array antenna to suppress beam sidelobe radiation, thereby reducing interference between different terminal devices.

[0152] Beam: A beam can correspond to instantaneous or statistical channel characteristics during signal transmission, such as delay spread, Doppler spread, Doppler shift, average delay, average gain, spatial receive parameters, and spatial transport parameters. Spatial receive or transport parameters may include one or more of the following: angle of arrival (AOA), average AOA, AOA spread, angle of departure (AOD), average AOD, AOD spread, spatial correlation parameters of the receiving antenna, spatial correlation parameters of the transmitting antenna, transmit beam, receive beam, and resource identifier. A beam can be referred to as a spatial domain filter, spatial filter, spatial domain parameter, spatial parameter, spatial domain setting, spatial setting, quasi-colocation (QCL) information, QCL assumption, or QCL indication, etc. A beam can be indicated by a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state parameter or a spatial relation parameter. Therefore, in this application, a beam can be replaced by transmission direction, transmission resource, spatial domain filter, spatial filter, spatial parameter, spatial parameter, spatial setting, spatial setting, QCL information, QCL assumption, QCL indication, TCI state (including uplink TCI state and downlink TCI state), or spatial relation, etc. A beam can also be replaced with other beam-related terms, which are not limited herein.

[0153] In this application, the beam used for transmitting signals can be referred to as a transmission beam (Tx beam), a spatial domain transmission filter, a spatial transmission filter, a spatial domain transmission parameter, a spatial transmission parameter, a spatial domain transmission setting, or a spatial transmission setting. Similarly, the beam used for receiving signals can be referred to as a reception beam (Rx beam), a spatial domain reception filter, a spatial reception filter, a spatial domain reception parameter, a spatial reception parameter, a spatial domain reception setting, or a spatial reception setting. The uplink transmission beam can be indicated by any of the following: spatial relation, sounding reference signal (SRS) resource (indicating the transmission beam using that SRS). The uplink beam can also be replaced with SRS resources.

[0154] A transmitting beam refers to the distribution of signal strength in different directions in space after a signal is transmitted through an antenna, while a receiving beam refers to the distribution of signal strength in different directions in space of a wireless signal received from the antenna. Furthermore, a beam can be a wide beam, a narrow beam, or other types of beams. Beamforming techniques can be beamforming technology or other technologies. Specifically, beamforming technology can be digital beamforming technology, analog beamforming technology, hybrid digital beamforming technology, or hybrid analog beamforming technology, etc. Beams generally correspond to resources. For example, during beam measurement, network devices measure different beams using different resources, and the terminal device provides feedback on the measured resource quality, allowing the network device to determine the quality of the corresponding beam. During data transmission, beam information can also be indicated through its corresponding resources. For example, network devices indicate the beam information of terminal devices through the TCI field in downlink control information (DCI). Optionally, multiple beams with the same or similar communication characteristics can be considered as a single beam. A beam can include one or more antenna ports for transmitting data channels, control channels, and detection signals. The one or more antenna ports that form a beam can also be considered as a set of antenna ports.

[0155] Beams can be indicated / characterized by reference signals, that is, the QCL relationship between reference signals can represent different or the same beams. In addition, beams can also be represented by the weights acting on the antennas or the codebook acting on the antenna ports in a multi-antenna system, that is, beams can also correspond to codebooks.

[0156] Configurable Intelligent Surface (RIS): RIS is a subwavelength-scale artificial two-dimensional material, typically composed of metals, dielectrics, and tunable components, and can be equivalently characterized as an RLC circuit. An RLC circuit is a circuit structure consisting of resistors (R), inductors (L), and capacitors (C). RIS generates the electromagnetic behavior required by each electromagnetic unit by controlling the bias voltage of varactor diodes, PIN switches, diodes, micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) switches, liquid crystals, graphene, etc. Specifically, RIS manifests as an intelligent panel comprising multiple elements (which can be named array elements), each element being a low-cost passive reflector. By flexibly configuring the amplitude and phase of each element, it is possible to control wireless channel fading and form a desired directional beam. RIS can be installed on large flat surfaces (such as indoor walls or ceilings, outdoor buildings or signs) to reflect radio frequency (RF) energy around obstacles and create a virtual line-of-sight propagation path between the communication source and the target. Compared to the transmitters and receivers in existing wireless networks, the advantages of RIS can be summarized as follows: 1) Enhanced spectral efficiency: RIS provides a new degree of freedom that can be modified. Through intelligent control of pairs, it can further improve the communication quality of wireless links, enhance the useful signal strength at the receiver, reduce the intensity of channel interference, and provide an entry point for the realization of future overall intelligent networks. 2) Reduced energy consumption and equipment complexity: Since RIS can passively reflect the received signal, no transmitter or receiver units need to be configured at the RIS end, and no data encoding or decoding is required. Therefore, the actual hardware complexity of RIS can be significantly reduced compared to existing base stations and terminals, thereby reducing the system energy consumption of wireless networks. 3) Easy deployment: Since RIS can consist only of passively reflecting electromagnetic devices, it can be easily deployed on various building surfaces, interior walls, platforms, roadside billboards, highway signs, vehicle windows, etc., and can be removed or redeployed at any time according to network needs. 4) Compatibility: RIS can be regarded as a supplementary device to existing networks, so it will not affect existing protocols and does not require changes to existing equipment, thus possessing compatibility. 5) Full-duplex: Compared to relay devices operating in half-duplex mode, RIS only performs passive reflection, so it can operate in full-duplex mode, thereby improving spectral efficiency.

[0157] The application scenarios for RIS (Radio Router Array) are coverage enhancement and blind spot filling. For example, deploying one or more RIS at the cell edge, or in coverage blind spots caused by obstruction or deep attenuation, can extend coverage and fill blind spots. Another potential application scenario for RIS is rank enhancement. Based on RIS, channels can be actively modified to provide more transmission paths with controllable gain. RIS can be used to actively control the quality of the wireless channel between network devices and terminal devices. For example, it can enhance link gain and increase the number of eigenchannels. Improving the rank used for communication through RIS has also become a valuable application scenario. The technical solution of this application mainly uses RIS to enhance the rank used for communication, thereby improving system performance gain.

[0158] Reference Signal: In the demodulation process at the receiver end of a communication system, coherent demodulation offers better performance than incoherent demodulation, with an advantage of approximately 3dB. Therefore, coherent demodulation is more widely used in communication systems. However, in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems, the modulation of each carrier is carrier-suppressed. Coherent demodulation at the receiver requires a reference signal, also known as a pilot signal or reference signal (RS). These signals are distributed across different resource elements (REs) in the time-frequency two-dimensional space within the OFDM symbol, possessing known amplitude and phase. Similarly, in a MIMO system, each transmit antenna (virtual or physical antenna) has an independent data channel. Based on the known RS signal, the receiver performs channel estimation for each transmit antenna and reconstructs the transmitted data accordingly. Channel estimation refers to the process of reconstructing the received signal to compensate for channel fading and noise. It utilizes the known RS from both the transmitter and receiver to determine the time and frequency domain variations of the channel. For example, to achieve channel quality measurement and data demodulation in high-order multi-antenna systems, the Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A) system defines several pilot signals: cell-specific reference signals (CRS), demodulation reference signals (DMRS), and channel state information-reference signals (CSI-RS). DMRS is used for demodulation of the physical downlink share channel (PDSCH) or physical uplink share channel (PUSCH). CSI-RS is used for channel information measurement and reporting of information such as channel quality indicator (CQI), precoding matrix indicator (PMI), and rank indicator (RI).

[0159] RIS Channel Estimation: Since RIS is generally considered a passive reflector, and in RIS-MIMO systems, the number of RIS elements is typically large (thousands), directly estimating the RIS channel matrix requires a number of pilots on the order of the RIS elements, creating a bottleneck in overhead. Because RIS lacks a radio frequency (RF) chain for active transmission and reception, it cannot transmit, receive, or process signals. This prevents RIS-assisted communication systems from obtaining channel state information using traditional channel estimation methods; furthermore, the rapid increase in channel dimension with the increase in the number of reflector elements further complicates CSI acquisition. The base station (BS)-user equipment (UE) channel (i.e., the channel between the BS and UE) can be estimated using various mature technologies, and therefore will not be discussed further in this paper. In RIS-assisted communication systems, only the cascaded channels of BS-RIS-UE need to be estimated, i.e., the BS-RIS channel and the RIS-UE channel. RIS channel estimation has been extensively studied in the industry. For example, based on the uplink or downlink transmission reference signal, the uplink concatenated channel and the downlink concatenated channel can be estimated, and then operations such as precoding, modulation order, and rank number can be performed.

[0160] RIS precoding / beamforming: Similar to precoding technology in traditional MU-MIMO systems, precoding enables the rational use of channel state information, i.e., improving reception performance by preprocessing the transmitted signal. Specifically, by adjusting the phase, amplitude, and other information of each electromagnetic unit of the RIS, the beam can be adjusted to transmit in a specific direction, thereby reducing the required signal transmission power, improving spectral efficiency, expanding coverage, and simultaneously reducing interference. In traditional multi-antenna cellular networks, beamforming design mainly involves precoding and equalization matrix design for multi-antenna transceivers to achieve directional signal transmission. The introduction of RIS makes the beamforming design of the system more complex. Based on the programmable nature of RIS, it can act as an external analog precoder to design the corresponding phase shift matrix; that is, RIS uses analog beamforming to control the reflection of signals from the transmitter.

[0161] Main lobe beam, side lobe beam, and mirror beam: The main lobe beam (or main lobe) refers to a beam that the transmitter can use to send a signal to the receiver. Alternatively, the main lobe beam refers to a beam that the transmitter needs to know during beam measurement to send information and / or signals to the receiver. A side lobe beam (or side lobe) refers to another beam that the transmitter can use to send a signal to the receiver. In this application, compared to sending a signal to the receiver via a side lobe beam, the transmitter sending a signal via the main lobe beam (the resource corresponding to the main lobe beam) results in a higher SNR and greater throughput at the receiver. Using the main lobe beam to send a signal to the receiver is superior to using a side lobe beam. In this application, a side lobe can be replaced with a grating lobe or a side lobe. The main lobe beam can be the beam that the receiver should feed back to the transmitter during beam measurement. The direction of the mirror beam (which may be named the mirror beam direction, the first beam direction, etc.) refers to a beam direction determined based on the relative position and / or relative direction between the transmitter and the RIS in a scenario of beam measurement using a 1-bit RIS. In other words, the direction of the mirror beam is determined by the relative position and / or relative direction between the transmitter and the RIS. The direction of the mirror beam will be referred to as the first beam direction below.

[0162] The angle between the first beam direction and the normal direction of the RIS is equal to the angle between the incident beam direction of the transmitting beam and the normal direction of the RIS. The normal to the RIS is a straight line perpendicular to the plane containing the RIS. The normal direction of the RIS refers to the relative direction of the RIS normal in the coordinate system defined by the system. It should be noted that the normal direction of the RIS is a relative concept, determined by the definition of the coordinate system. For example, if the system defines the BS panel plane (i.e., the base station panel plane) as the X and Y axes of a Cartesian coordinate system, and the BS panel normal (i.e., the normal to the base station panel plane) as the Z axis, then the normal direction of the RIS is defined as the multidimensional vector (θ) formed by the angle between the RIS panel normal and the edge and normal of the BS panel. h ,θ v The incident beam direction of the transmitting beam at the transmitting end refers to the relative direction of the transmitting beam direction in the coordinate system agreed upon by the system. It should be noted that the incident beam direction is also a relative concept, determined by the definition of the coordinate system agreed upon by the system. For example, if the system defines the BS panel plane as the X and Y axes of a Cartesian coordinate system, and the BS panel normal as the Z axis, then the incident beam direction is defined as the multidimensional vector (α) formed by the angle between the transmitting beam at the transmitting end and the edge and normal of the BS panel. h ,α vAlternatively, the angle between the first beam direction and the normal direction of the RIS is less than or equal to the angle between the incident beam direction of the transmitter's transmitted beam and the normal direction of the RIS. The preset value can be set according to actual needs. For example, the preset value ranges from 0 to 5 degrees. Alternatively, the first beam direction and the incident beam direction of the transmitter are symmetrical with respect to the normal direction of the RIS. The first beam direction can be determined based on the incident beam direction of the transmitter and the normal direction of the RIS. The incident beam direction of the transmitter and the normal direction of the RIS can be determined based on the relative position and / or relative direction between the transmitter and the RIS, and then the first beam direction can be determined based on the relative position and / or relative direction between the transmitter and the RIS. In a scenario where beam measurement is performed using a 1-bit RIS, the phase rotation angle of the main lobe beam direction relative to the first beam direction is the opposite of the phase rotation angle of a side lobe beam direction relative to the mirror beam direction. In other words, the main lobe beam direction and the direction of a side lobe beam are symmetrical to the first beam direction. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the three beam directions corresponding to the three lobes in a 1-bit RIS antenna pattern provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the beam indicated by identity (ID) 2 is the sidelobe; the beam indicated by ID 3 is the mirror beam; the beam indicated by ID 1 is the target beam; the direction indicated by the arrow perpendicular to the plane where the RIS is located is the normal direction of the RIS; and the center line of the transmitting beam at the transmitting end represents the incident direction of the transmitting beam at the transmitting end. The directions of the main lobe beam and the sidelobe beam are symmetrical about the direction of the mirror beam, and the direction of the first beam and the incident direction of the transmitting beam at the transmitting end are symmetrical about the normal direction of the RIS. It should be noted that in this application, the main lobe is not the beam corresponding to the signal with the highest power among the multiple signals received by the receiving end; the directions of the main lobe and the sidelobe are determined based on the direction of the mirror beam. Furthermore, the determination of the main lobe and the sidelobe also depends on the relative position of the receiving end itself relative to the RIS. In other words, in this application, the receiver can determine (or distinguish) the main lobe and side lobes based on the receiver's relative position to the RIS and the direction of the mirror beam.

[0163] The structure of a RIS (Radio-Induced Surface Wave) consists of two main parts: a metamaterial surface and a control module. The metamaterial surface is composed of numerous subwavelength elements, typically made of artificial two-dimensional materials such as metals, dielectrics, or tunable elements. The control module is programmable, allowing dynamic adjustment of the physical properties of the electromagnetic units within the metamaterial surface, such as capacitive reactance, impedance, or inductive reactance. This alters the radiation characteristics of the RIS, enabling non-specular reflection, negative refraction, absorption, beamforming, and polarization conversion, thus achieving dynamic control of electromagnetic waves. The tunable elements within the RIS elements are diverse, most commonly diodes and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS). PIN diode-based RISs (where the tunable elements within the elements are PIN diodes) modulate the phase of the incident electromagnetic wave by controlling the switching on and off of the PIN diodes, thus changing the direction of the current. Different combinations of PIN diodes result in different electromagnetic phase responses in the elements. Furthermore, the surface impedance of the RIS can be modulated by a bias voltage to control the propagation of electromagnetic surface waves (or, in other words, to effectively manipulate electromagnetic waves by controlling the reflection coefficient of the metamaterial), thereby achieving direct modulation of electromagnetic waves. A 1-bit RIS unit can beamform electromagnetic waves using only two switchable states (typically with a 180° phase difference). In principle, multi-bit RIS units can be implemented based on the surface impedance of a resonant circuit that superimposes multiple PIN diodes or modulates multiple voltage levels. Multi-bit RIS units achieve electromagnetic wave beamforming through various switchable states.

[0164] In both academia and industry, there has been some research on schemes for implementing multi-bit RIS based on the stacking of multiple PIN diodes, as well as schemes based on varactor diodes with multi-level bias voltages. Meanwhile, much research is still focused on 1-bit RIS. Currently, multi-bit RIS faces challenges in terms of complexity and ultra-high latency. Table 1 shows the corresponding characteristics and quantization accuracy of several mainstream RIS currently used in the industry.

[0165] Table 1

[0166] As shown in Table 1, the response time of Scheme 1 (including the scheme based on multiple PIN diodes to implement 2-bit RIS) is less than 50ns, while the response time of Scheme 2 (i.e., the scheme based on varactor diodes with multi-level bias voltages to implement multi-bit RIS) is 1-10µs, and the response time of the other scheme is 1-5ms. Stacking multiple PIN diodes exponentially increases the design complexity of the control circuit. Due to the long level switching time of a single varactor diode unit, coupled with the issue of parallel or serial pressure application on a very large array, the response time of Scheme 2 can reach tens of microseconds. Therefore, the scheme based on varactor diodes with multi-level bias voltages suffers from extremely high latency, affecting transmission efficiency.

[0167] Considering the research challenges of multi-bit RIS, 1-bit RIS is likely to remain a more common implementation in the coming years. In practical applications, existing schemes for beam measurement and data transmission using 1-bit RIS show a throughput decrease of approximately 5% compared to existing schemes using multi-bit RIS.

[0168] The applicant's research found that the reduced throughput of beam measurement and data transmission using 1-bit RIS compared to multi-bit RIS is due to a severe grating lobe problem (or side lobe problem) inherent in 1-bit RIS. The grating lobe problem refers to the issue in existing 1-bit RIS beam measurement schemes where the beam with the highest received power reported by the receiver (e.g., UE) is not necessarily the optimal beam. The applicant found that in existing 1-bit RIS beam measurement schemes, the power of the main lobe beam and side lobe beams corresponding to the measurement reference signal is very similar. The grating lobe problem causes the receiver to be unable to correctly distinguish between the main lobe beam and side lobe beam corresponding to the measurement reference signal. The grating lobe problem manifests as follows: the power of the side lobe beam is very similar to the power of the main lobe beam. This grating lobe problem leads to the transmitter (e.g., base station) selecting a beam direction that is not optimal, resulting in decreased throughput. Figure 2 is a comparative schematic diagram of a 1-bit RIS beam measurement example and a multi-bit RIS beam measurement example provided in this application. As shown in Figure 2, when the transmitting and receiving ends use 1-bit RIS beam measurement, the transmitting end repeatedly selects the sidelobe beam (i.e., the grating lobe beam) as the transmission beam. When the transmitting and receiving ends use multi-bit RIS beam measurement, the transmitting end selects the main lobe beam as the transmission beam in all cases. To solve the grating lobe problem in existing beam measurement schemes using 1-bit RIS, this application provides a technical solution that ensures the transmitting end selects a superior beam.

[0169] The main idea of ​​the technical solution provided in this application is as follows: During beam measurement and beam information feedback using 1-bit RIS, the receiving end determines the target beam (e.g., the main lobe beam) based on the first beam direction (the direction of the aforementioned mirror beam) and the measurement results of multiple measurement reference signals, and feeds it back. This allows the transmitting end to select a better beam for downlink or uplink transmission, thereby improving transmission performance. The receiving end's determination and feedback of the target beam eliminates the problem of erroneous feedback of sidelobe beams replacing the main lobe beam (i.e., solving the grating lobe problem). The communication system to which this technical solution is applicable is described below.

[0170] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system applicable to embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 3, the communication system includes a network device 110, a terminal device 120, and a RIS 130. The communication system applicable to embodiments of this application includes one or more terminal devices and multiple RISs. Terminal device 120 is used as an example of a terminal device in this communication system, and RIS 130 is used as an example of a RIS in this communication system. Figure 3 is only a schematic diagram, and embodiments of this application do not limit the number of network devices, terminal devices, and RISs included in the communication system. Terminal device 120 can access network device 110 and communicate with network device 110. Terminal device can be connected to network device 110 wirelessly, and network device 110 can be connected to the core network wirelessly or via a wired connection. Core network device and network device 110 can be independent and different physical devices, or the functions of core network device and the logical functions of network device 110 can be integrated on the same physical device, or a single physical device can integrate some of the functions of core network device and some of the functions of network device 110. Terminal devices and network devices can be interconnected via wired or wireless connections. 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.

[0171] Figure 3 is merely an example of a communication system to which the embodiments of this application can be applied. These embodiments can also be applied to other communication systems, including network devices, terminal devices, and RIS (Radio Router System). Alternatively, these embodiments can be applied to any communication system where the transmitting end sends a measurement reference signal to the receiving end via RIS for beam scanning. These embodiments can be applied to scenarios supporting RIS-based communication enhancement, such as reducing coverage blind spots in existing networks or enhancing communication quality in certain areas.

[0172] In the embodiments of this application, terminal equipment may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device.

[0173] A terminal device can be a device that provides wireless communication capabilities, such as a handheld device or an in-vehicle device with wireless connectivity. Currently, examples of terminal devices include: mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks, or future evolution of public terrestrial mobile communication networks (PPPoE). Terminal devices in a land mobile network (PLMN), etc., are not limited in this application embodiment.

[0174] As an example and not a limitation, in the embodiments of this application, the terminal device may also be a mobile termination (MT) in an integrated access & backhaul (IAB) node.

[0175] By way of example and not limitation, in this embodiment, the terminal device can also be a wearable device. Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices, are a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices that are worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not merely hardware devices, but also achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include those that are feature-rich, large in size, and can achieve complete or partial functions without relying on a smartphone, such as smartwatches or smart glasses, as well as those that focus on a specific type of application function and require the use of other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0176] In this embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself, or it can be any device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing those functions, such as a chip system. This device can be installed in or used in conjunction with the terminal device. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete components. This embodiment only uses the terminal device as an example to illustrate the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device, and does not constitute a limitation on the solution of this embodiment.

[0177] The network device in this application embodiment can be a device for communicating with a terminal device. This network device can also be called an access network device or a wireless access network device, such as a base station. In this application embodiment, the network device can refer to a radio access network (RAN) node (or device) that connects the terminal device to the wireless network. Base stations can broadly encompass various names listed below, or be interchangeable with them, such as: RAN node, Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved Node B, or home Node B, HNB), baseband unit (BBU), wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, relay station, transmitting and receiving point (TRP), IAB node, transmitting point (TP), master station, auxiliary station, motor slide retainer (MSR) node, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (AP), transmission node, transceiver node, remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), central unit (…). Units include CU (Central Unit), DU (Distributed Unit), RU (Radio Unit), positioning nodes, and one or more antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system.

[0178] An IAB node integrates a mobile termination (MT) and a distributed unit (DU). An IAB node may consist of three parts: an MT, a DU, and a central unit (CU). The central unit can be referred to as the central unit. An IAB node may include one CU and one or more DUs. When an IAB node includes a CU, it is an IAB donor node. The CU in the IAB donor node accesses the core network through the next-generation application protocol (NG) interface. When an IAB node faces its parent node, it can be considered a termination, in which case the IAB node acts as an MT. When an IAB node faces its child node (which may be a termination or the MT of another IAB node), it can be considered a network device. An IAB node can establish a backhaul connection with at least one parent node through its MT part. The DU part of an IAB node can provide access services to the MT parts of terminals or other IAB nodes.

[0179] A base station can be a macro base station, micro base station, relay node, donor node, or a combination thereof. A base station can also refer to a communication module, modem, or chip installed within the aforementioned equipment or apparatus. A base station can also be a mobile switching center, or equipment performing base station functions in device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, network-side equipment in 6G networks, or equipment performing base station functions in future communication systems. A base station can support networks using the same or different access technologies. Optionally, a RAN node can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the access network equipment in V2X technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or equipment forms used in the network equipment.

[0180] Base stations can be fixed or mobile. For example, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a mobile base station, and one or more cells can move depending on the location of the mobile base station. In other examples, a helicopter or drone can be configured as a device to communicate with another base station.

[0181] In some deployments, the network devices mentioned in the embodiments of this application may be devices including CU, DU, or CU and DU, or devices with control plane CU nodes (central unit-control plane (CU-CP)) and user plane CU nodes (central unit-user plane (CU-UP)) and DU nodes. For example, the network devices may include gNB-CU-CP, gNB-CU-UP, and gNB-DU.

[0182] In some deployments, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminals in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes each implementing some of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be CUs, DUs, CU-CPs, CU-UPs, or RUs. CUs and DUs can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a BBU. RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment, such as in an RRU, AAU, or RRH.

[0183] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an open radio access network (ORAN) system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0184] In this embodiment, the apparatus for implementing the functions of a network device can be a network device itself; it can also be an apparatus capable of supporting the network device in implementing those functions, such as a chip system, hardware circuit, software module, or a hardware circuit plus a software module. This apparatus can be installed in the network device or used in conjunction with the network device. In this embodiment, the example of a network device being used to implement the functions of a network device is provided only and does not constitute a limitation on the solutions described in this embodiment.

[0185] Network devices and / or terminal devices can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on airplanes, balloons, and satellites. This application does not limit the scenario in which the network devices and terminal devices are located. Furthermore, terminal devices and network devices can be hardware devices, or software functions running on dedicated hardware or general-purpose hardware, such as virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform), or entities that include dedicated or general-purpose hardware devices and software functions. This application does not limit the specific form of the terminal devices and network devices.

[0186] In one possible implementation, the RIS may only need to passively reflect the received signal, meaning that no transmitting or receiving units are required at the RIS end, and no data encoding or decoding is necessary. In other words, the RIS may only include passively reflecting electromagnetic devices. In another possible implementation, the RIS may have the capability to transmit signals or information, or it may have the capability to receive signals or information. For example, the RIS may have the capability to transmit its topology configuration information based on signals from a base station or terminal equipment. That is, the RIS may not only be able to passively reflect received signals, but it may also be able to actively transmit signals or information. In this application, the structure of the RIS is not limited; the RIS may be replaced by other relay devices capable of reflecting and / or transmitting signals, or by other devices capable of beamforming signals.

[0187] It should be noted that the network architecture described in the embodiments of this application is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. Those skilled in the art will understand that with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems. In the following embodiments, the apparatus for implementing the functions of a network device is a network device, and a base station is used as an example to describe the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0188] It is understood that this application does not specifically limit the structure of the execution entity of the method provided in the embodiments of this application, as long as it can communicate according to the method provided in the embodiments of this application by running a program that records the code of the method provided in the embodiments of this application. The method provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to communication between a sending end and a receiving end. The following description uses the interaction between the sending end and the receiving end as an example.

[0189] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 4, the method includes:

[0190] 401. The transmitting end sends multiple measurement reference signals to the receiving end via RIS.

[0191] Correspondingly, the receiving end receives multiple measurement reference signals transmitted by the transmitting end through the RIS. The transmitting end transmitting multiple measurement reference signals to the receiving end through the RIS can be as follows: the transmitting end sends multiple measurement reference signals to the RIS, and these multiple measurement reference signals are transmitted to the receiving end via transmission and / or transmission through the RIS. In one possible implementation, the transmitting end is a base station, the receiving end is a UE, and the measurement reference signal is CSI-RS. In this implementation, the measurement reference signal can also be other downlink reference signals, such as CRS, DMRS, etc. In another possible implementation, the transmitting end is a UE, the receiving end is a base station, and the measurement reference signal is SRS. In this implementation, the measurement reference signal can also be other uplink reference signals, such as DMRS. In this application, the control of the RIS can be at the base station or at the UE; the following description assumes that the control of the RIS is at the base station.

[0192] In one possible implementation, the transmitting end transmits multiple measurement reference signals sequentially to the receiving end via a RIS (Reference Information System) using different transmission beams. Each measurement reference signal corresponds to a beam, and different measurement reference signals correspond to different beams with different directions. For example, the transmitting end transmits different measurement reference signals with the same power. The weights of the antenna acting on the transmitting end or the codebook acting on the antenna port of the transmitting end represent the beams, and the weights of the antenna or the codebook of the antenna port of the transmitting end are different for different measurement reference signals.

[0193] An example of step 401 is as follows: During beam measurement, the transmitting end transmits multiple measurement reference signals to the receiving end sequentially via different transmission beams through a RIS (Reference Signal System). The order in which the transmitting end transmits these multiple measurement reference signals to the receiving end is the order of the codewords in the scanning codebook used by the transmitting end. One codeword in the scanning codebook corresponds to one measurement reference signal among the multiple measurement reference signals. Each codeword corresponds to one beam, and each measurement reference signal corresponds to one beam. The scanning codebook used by the transmitting end is the same as that used by the receiving end. In one possible implementation, the transmitting end and the receiving end can pre-agree or pre-define the beam corresponding to each codeword in the scanning codebook. Another example of step 401 is as follows: During beam measurement, the transmitting end transmits multiple measurement reference signals to the receiving end sequentially via different transmission beams through a RIS according to a beam order pre-agreed with the receiving end. Each beam corresponds to one measurement reference signal, and each measurement reference signal corresponds to one codeword in the scanning codebook. For example, the beam sequence agreed upon by the transmitter and receiver in advance is beam #1-beam #2-beam #3…-beam #K. The transmitter sends multiple measurement reference signals to the receiver sequentially through different transmit beams via RIS according to the beam sequence agreed upon with the receiver: the transmitter first uses beam #1 to send measurement reference signal #1, then uses beam #2 to send measurement reference signal #2, then uses beam #3 to send measurement reference signal #3, and so on, and finally uses beam #K to send measurement reference signal #K, where K is an integer greater than 1, and each measurement reference signal corresponds to a codeword in the scan codebook used by the transmitter.

[0194] 402. The receiving end determines the target beam based on the direction of the first beam and the measurement results of the above-mentioned multiple measurement reference signals.

[0195] The first beam direction can be determined based on the relative position and / or relative direction between the transmitter and the RIS. In a scenario where beam measurement is performed using a 1-bit RIS, the first beam direction can be a beam direction determined based on the relative position and / or relative direction between the transmitter and the RIS, i.e., the direction of the mirror beam. For example, the target beam can be a preferred beam (i.e., the main lobe beam) that the transmitter can use to send a signal to the receiver. Alternatively, the target beam can be the beam that, when the transmitter sends a signal to the receiver at a constant transmit power, causes the RSRP or SNR of the signal received by the receiver to exceed a preset threshold. This preset threshold can be set according to actual needs and is not limited here. An example of step 402 is: based on the first beam direction and the measurement results of the multiple measurement reference signals, determine the information of the target beam (i.e., the main lobe beam) and the information of the side lobe beams, i.e., distinguish between the target beam and the side lobe beams.

[0196] In one possible implementation, before executing step 402, the receiving end receives second indication information from the transmitting end or the RIS, the second indication information being used to indicate the first beam direction. In another possible implementation, based on the receiving end's reception performance or movement status, the receiving end sends a second trigger request to the transmitting end or the RIS; or, when the receiving end determines that beam scanning will be performed, the receiving end sends a second trigger request to the transmitting end or the RIS, the second trigger request being used to trigger the transmitting end or the RIS to send the second indication information. When the receiving end's reception performance or movement status changes significantly (e.g., the SNR of the received signal at the receiving end is below a certain threshold or the moving speed of the receiving end exceeds a certain threshold), it is usually caused by a change in at least one of the relative position and relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS. By sending a second trigger request to the transmitting end or the RIS based on the receiving end's reception performance or movement status, at least one of the current relative position and relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS can be obtained in a timely manner. When the receiving end determines that beam scanning is required, sending a second trigger request to the transmitting end or the RIS can obtain information for determining the first beam direction in a timely manner. In this implementation, the first beam direction can be obtained by receiving second indication information from the transmitter or RIS.

[0197] One possible implementation of step 402 is as follows: Based on the measurement results of the multiple measurement reference signals, the direction of the first beam, and the order in which the transmitting end sends the multiple measurement reference signals, the target beam is determined. In this application, one measurement reference signal corresponds to one measurement beam (transmission beam). The order in which the transmitting end sends the multiple measurement reference signals can be the order in which the transmitting end uses multiple measurement beams to send the multiple measurement reference signals sequentially. Each measurement beam corresponds to a resource, a weight applied to the antenna of the transmitting end, or a codeword applied to the antenna port of the transmitting end. The order in which the transmitting end sends the multiple measurement reference signals can be understood as the order in which the transmitting end sends the measurement beams, for example, sequentially using beam #1, beam #2, beam #3, ..., beam K to send the measurement reference signals, where K is an integer greater than 0. The order in which the transmitting end sends the multiple measurement reference signals can involve the beam order in both the horizontal and vertical dimensions. Based on the measurement results of the aforementioned multiple measurement reference signals, the aforementioned first beam direction, and the order in which the aforementioned multiple measurement reference signals are transmitted by the transmitting end, an example of determining the aforementioned target beam is as follows: The receiving end sequentially receives the measurement reference signals transmitted by the transmitting end using beam #1, beam #2, beam #3, ..., beam K, and performs beam measurements respectively, such as RSRP calculation, thereby obtaining RSRP#1, RSRP#2, RSRP#3, ..., RSRP#K; based on the first beam direction, for example, let β represent the angle corresponding to the first beam direction in the coordinate system agreed upon by the system, the receiving end calculates the angle region to which the target beam belongs, which can be defined as two regions >β or <β; based on the order of the measurement reference signals and the calculation results of the RSRP of each measurement reference signal, the receiving end identifies at least two beams corresponding to the largest or a relatively large RSRP within a certain threshold range; further, based on the angle region to which the target beam belongs, the target beam is finally determined, that is, the beam with the largest RSRP within the angle region to which the target beam belongs.

[0198] One possible implementation is that the receiver first determines *s* beams located within the angular region from among the multiple beams associated with the aforementioned multiple measurement reference signals, where *s* is an integer greater than 0. Any beam among these *s* beams whose first performance index is greater than or equal to a target threshold is identified as the target beam. The first performance index is RSRP, SNR, SINR, etc. The transmission order of the measurement reference signals associated with this target beam is used to identify it. Another possible implementation is that the receiver first determines *s* beams located within the angular region from among the multiple beams associated with the aforementioned multiple measurement reference signals. The beam among these *s* beams with the largest first performance index is identified as the target beam. The first performance index is RSRP, SNR, or SINR. The transmission order of the measurement reference signals associated with this target beam is used to identify it. For example, the receiver identifies the beam with the highest RSRP among the aforementioned *s* beams as the target beam. The measurement results of the aforementioned multiple measurement reference signals may include the first performance index of each beam associated with the aforementioned multiple measurement reference signals. Based on the measurement results of the aforementioned multiple measurement reference signals, the receiver can obtain the first performance index of each beam associated with those multiple measurement reference signals. It should be noted that RSRP is only one example of beam measurement results; other indicators can also be used to measure beam quality, such as SNR and signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR). Based on the first beam direction, for example, let β represent the angle corresponding to the first beam direction in the system's agreed coordinate system. An example of how the receiver calculates the angle region to which the target beam belongs is as follows: The receiver can determine whether its angle region is >β or <β based on its feedback historical beam information. The angle region depends on the receiver's relative position to the RIS. Considering that the actual system beam measurement period is much smaller than the actual travel time per unit distance, the angle region in this example can be determined based on historical information. The receiver can also determine the angle region based on historical information by additionally considering the changing patterns of RSRP, SNR, or decoding characteristics. For example, when RSRP, SNR, or decoding characteristics change abruptly, the angle region based on historical information may switch.

[0199] Step 402 can be implemented as follows: The target beam is determined based on the measurement results of the multiple measurement reference signals, the first beam direction, the order in which the transmitting end sends the multiple measurement reference signals, and the relative positional relationship between the receiving end and the RIS. An example of determining the target beam based on the measurement results of the multiple measurement reference signals, the first beam direction, the order in which the transmitting end sends the multiple measurement reference signals, and the relative positional relationship between the receiving end and the RIS is as follows: The receiving end sequentially receives the measurement reference signals sent by the transmitting end using beams #1, #2, #3, ..., K, and performs beam measurements, such as RSRP calculation, to obtain RSRP#1, RSRP#2, RSRP#3, ..., RSRP#K; based on the first beam direction and the relative positional relationship between the receiving end and the RIS... The relative positional relationship between ISs, for example, denoted by β, represents the angle corresponding to the first beam direction in the coordinate system agreed upon by the system. The receiver calculates the angle region to which the target beam belongs, which can be defined as two regions: >β or <β. Based on the order of the measurement reference signals and the calculation results of the RSRP of each measurement reference signal, the receiver identifies at least two beams corresponding to the largest or a relatively large RSRP within a certain threshold range. Further, based on the angle region to which the target beam belongs, the target beam is finally determined, that is, the beam with the largest RSRP within the angle region to which the target beam belongs. Based on the first beam direction and the relative positional relationship between the receiver and the aforementioned RIS, for example, denoted by β, the angle corresponding to the first beam direction in the coordinate system agreed upon by the system, the receiver calculates the angle region to which the target beam belongs as follows: First, the receiver can determine its angle region as one of the two regions >β or <β based on its feedback historical beam information. The angle region depends on the relative position of the receiver relative to the RIS. Considering that the actual system beam measurement period is much smaller than the actual movement time per unit distance, the angle region in this example can be determined based on historical information; the receiver can also determine the angle region based on historical information. The angle region is determined by taking into account the changing patterns of RSRP, SNR, or decoding characteristics. For example, when RSRP, SNR, or decoding characteristics change abruptly, the angle region based on historical information may switch. Secondly, if the receiver can obtain its specific location information through other means, it can determine the angle region based on its relative position information with RIS in the relative coordinate system and the angle corresponding to the first beam direction in the coordinate system agreed upon by the system. That is, it compares the relative position vector angle with the first beam vector angle. If the relative position vector angle is greater than the first beam vector angle, the angle region is >β, and vice versa.

[0200] In one possible implementation, the sending end and receiving end interact regarding the order in which the sending end transmits the aforementioned multiple measurement reference signals. An example of this interaction is as follows: the sending end sends a first message to the receiving end, instructing the sending end to transmit the multiple measurement reference signals in the correct order. For example, the first message instructs the sending end to transmit the multiple measurement reference signals in the order of the codewords in a certain scanned codebook. After receiving the first message, the receiving end sends a second message to the sending end, indicating that the receiving end has successfully received the first message. Another example of this interaction is as follows: the receiving end sends a third message to the sending end, requesting the sending end to transmit the multiple measurement reference signals in the order of the codewords in a certain scanned codebook. After receiving the third message, the sending end sends a fourth message to the receiving end, indicating that the sending end agrees to transmit the multiple measurement reference signals in the order of the codewords in the scanned codebook. In one possible implementation, the transmitting end and the receiving end pre-agree on the order in which the transmitting end sends the multiple measurement reference signals, for example, agreeing that the transmitting end sends the multiple measurement reference signals in the order of the codewords in the scan codebook. The transmitting end and the receiving end can also interact in other ways or agree on the order in which the transmitting end sends the multiple measurement reference signals through different beams, which is not limited in this application.

[0201] 403. The receiving end transmits the measurement results of the target beam to the transmitting end.

[0202] Accordingly, the transmitting end receives the measurement results of the target beam from the receiving end. In one possible implementation, the measurement results of the target beam include information for identifying the target beam, i.e., the identification information of the target beam. The measurement results of the target beam also include information such as the RSRP and SNR of the measurement reference signal corresponding to the target beam.

[0203] The information used to identify the target beam can be the target beam index, angle vector, index of the codeword corresponding to the target beam, etc.

[0204] Steps 401 to 403 can be considered as beam measurement processes. After the transmitting and receiving ends complete beam measurement, they can estimate the uplink and downlink concatenated channels based on the uplink or downlink transmission reference signals, and then perform operations such as precoding, modulation order, and rank setting. In one possible implementation, after the transmitting and receiving ends complete beam measurement, the base station or UE can adjust the beam to be transmitted in a specific direction by controlling the phase, amplitude, and other information of each electromagnetic unit of the RIS, thus achieving beamforming. Since beamforming by controlling the phase, amplitude, and other information of each electromagnetic unit of the RIS is a common technique in this field, it will not be described in detail here.

[0205] In this embodiment, a target beam is determined based on the first beam direction and the measurement results of multiple measurement reference signals; the measurement results of the target beam are then sent to the transmitting end so that the transmitting end can select the target beam to send data to the receiving end. During beam measurement, sending the measurement results of the target beam to the transmitting end avoids the impact of erroneous feedback sidelobe beams on transmission performance, thereby improving beam measurement and transmission performance.

[0206] Figure 5 is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method flowchart in Figure 5 is a possible implementation of the method described in Figure 4. In the method flowchart of Figure 5, the control of the RIS can be at the sending end. As shown in Figure 5, the method includes:

[0207] 501. The receiving end sends the first trigger request to the sending end.

[0208] Accordingly, the transmitting end receives a first trigger request from the receiving end. The first trigger request requests the transmitting end to send information for the receiving end to determine the direction of the first beam. In one possible implementation, the first trigger request requests the transmitting end to send information indicating at least one of the relative position and relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS. In another possible implementation, the first trigger request requests the transmitting end to send the incident direction of the transmitting beam of the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS. In yet another possible implementation, the first trigger request requests the transmitting end to send information indicating at least one of the azimuth angle of the RIS, the panel orientation of the RIS, the height of the RIS, the panel pitch angle of the RIS, or the distance between the RIS and the transmitting end. Step 501 is optional. In this application, steps indicated by dashed boxes or dashed lines are optional steps.

[0209] In one possible implementation, the receiving end sends a first trigger request to the transmitting end based on its receiving performance or movement status; or, the receiving end sends a first trigger request to the transmitting end when it determines that beam scanning is required. When the receiving end's receiving performance or movement status changes significantly (e.g., the SNR of the received signal at the receiving end falls below a certain threshold or the moving speed of the receiving end exceeds a certain threshold), it is usually caused by a change in at least one of the relative position and relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS. Sending a first trigger request to the transmitting end based on the receiving end's receiving performance or movement status allows for timely acquisition of at least one of the current relative position and relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS. Sending a first trigger request to the transmitting end when the receiving end determines that beam scanning is required allows for timely acquisition of information used to determine the first beam direction.

[0210] 502. In response to the first trigger request, the sending end sends the first indication information to the receiving end.

[0211] Correspondingly, the receiving end receives first indication information from the transmitting end. The first indication information is used to indicate at least one of the relative position and relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS. Alternatively, the first indication information is used to indicate at least one of the azimuth angle of the RIS, the panel orientation of the RIS, the height of the RIS, the panel pitch angle of the RIS, or the distance between the RIS and the transmitting end. Alternatively, the first indication information is used to indicate the incident direction of the transmitting beam of the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS. Alternatively, the first indication information is used to indicate the identity (ID) of the RIS; the receiving end and the transmitting end may pre-store the topology configuration information of the RIS, and the receiving end can determine the topology configuration information of the RIS based on the first indication information. The topology configuration information of the aforementioned RIS may include at least one of the following: the current relative position between the transmitter and the RIS, the current relative direction between the transmitter and the RIS, the incident direction of the transmitter's transmission beam, the normal direction of the RIS, the azimuth angle of the RIS, the panel orientation of the RIS, the height of the RIS, the panel pitch angle of the RIS, the normal direction of the RIS, or the distance between the RIS and the transmitter. Since the transmitter controls the RIS, it can configure the RIS and obtain its topology configuration information. In one possible implementation, the transmitter can pre-determine and store at least one of the relative position and relative direction between the transmitter and the RIS, and update its stored information on the relative position and relative direction between the transmitter and the RIS. In another possible implementation, the transmitter can pre-determine and store the incident direction of the transmitter's transmission beam and the normal direction of the RIS, and update its stored information on the incident direction of the transmitter's transmission beam and the normal direction of the RIS. In yet another possible implementation, the transmitter can pre-determine and store the topology configuration information of the RIS.

[0212] Steps 501 and 502 can be replaced by: the transmitting end sending first indication information to the receiving end. In one possible implementation, when the topology configuration information of the aforementioned RIS changes or the RIS serving the aforementioned receiving end switches to the aforementioned RIS, the transmitting end sends first indication information to the receiving end; this allows the receiving end to promptly obtain at least one of the current relative position and relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS, or at least one of the following: the current azimuth angle of the RIS, the current panel orientation of the RIS, the current height of the RIS, the current panel pitch angle of the RIS, the current normal direction of the RIS, or the current distance between the RIS and the transmitting end. In one possible implementation, the transmitting end periodically sends the first indication information to the receiving end so that the information used to determine the relative position and / or relative direction between the aforementioned base station and the aforementioned RIS can be periodically updated. For example, the period during which the transmitting end sends the first indication information to the receiving end is longer than the beam measurement period (or beam scanning period) of the transmitting end.

[0213] 503. The receiving end determines the direction of the first beam based on the first indication information.

[0214] In one possible implementation, the angle between the first beam direction and the normal direction of the RIS is equal to the angle between the incident direction of the transmitting beam of the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS. Alternatively, the first beam direction and the incident direction of the transmitting beam of the transmitting end are symmetrical with respect to the normal direction of the RIS. In another possible implementation, the difference between the angle between the first beam direction and the normal direction of the RIS and the angle between the transmitting beam direction of the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS is less than or equal to a preset value. Theoretically, the difference between the angle between the first beam direction and the normal direction of the RIS and the angle between the incident direction of the transmitting beam of the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS is 0, i.e., these two angles are equal. In practical applications, due to certain factors, the difference between these two angles may not be 0, but rather a real number approximately 0, i.e., the preset value (greater than 0). The preset value can be the maximum value of the difference between these two angles, i.e., the maximum allowable error. In one possible implementation, the first beam direction includes a horizontal azimuth direction and a vertical elevation direction. The horizontal azimuth direction includes the altitude of the RIS and the elevation / tilt angle of the RIS; the vertical elevation direction includes the azimuth and orientation of the RIS. This application uses the example of the first beam direction and the incident direction of the transmitted beam of the transmitting end being symmetrical with respect to the normal direction of the RIS to illustrate the method of determining the first beam direction. The receiving end can also determine the first beam direction in other ways, which are not limited here.

[0215] Since the direction of the first beam and the incident direction of the transmitting beam at the transmitting end are symmetrical with respect to the normal direction of the RIS, the direction of the first beam can be determined based on the incident direction of the transmitting beam at the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS. In other words, after obtaining the incident direction of the transmitting beam at the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS, the direction of the first beam can be determined based on these two directions. An example of determining the direction of the first beam based on the incident direction of the transmitting beam at the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS is as follows: In the system's predefined coordinate system, assume the incident beam direction of the transmitting beam at the transmitting end is (α... h ,α v These two variables correspond to the horizontal and vertical directions of the beam relative to the coordinate system, respectively. Assume the normal direction of the RIS is (θ). h ,θ v Since the angle between the first beam direction and the normal direction of the RIS is equal to the angle between the beam direction of the transmitting beam at the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS, the first beam direction can be defined as (2θ). h -α h ,2θ v -α v ).

[0216] If the first indication information is used to indicate the incident direction of the transmitting beam of the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS, the method for determining the first beam direction based on the first indication information can refer to the example of determining the first beam direction based on the incident direction of the transmitting beam of the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS. If the first indication information is used to indicate the relative position between the transmitting end and the RIS, an example of determining the first beam direction based on the first indication information is as follows: In the system's predefined coordinate system, assuming the relative position of the transmitting end is (0,0,0), the relative position of the RIS is (x2,y2,z2), and the incident beam direction of the transmitting beam is (α... h ,α v These two variables correspond to the horizontal and vertical directions of the beam relative to the coordinate system, respectively. The normal direction of the RIS can be obtained as (tan...). -1 (y² / x²), tan -1 (z2 / x2)), defined as (θ) h ,θ v Since the angle between the first beam direction and the normal direction of the RIS is equal to the angle between the beam direction of the transmitting beam at the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS, the first beam direction can be defined as (2θ). h -α h ,2θ v -α v ).

[0217] If the first indication information is used to indicate the relative direction between the transmitter and the RIS, an example of determining the direction of the first beam based on the first indication information is as follows: In the system's predefined coordinate system, if the relative direction between the transmitter and the RIS is Δ1, then the relative direction of the first beam can be 2Δ1 or -Δ1.

[0218] If the first indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following: the azimuth angle of the RIS, the panel orientation of the RIS, the height of the RIS, the panel pitch angle of the RIS, or the distance between the RIS and the transmitting end; an example of determining the first beam direction based on the first indication information is as follows: first, the relative position between the transmitting end and the RIS is determined based on the information indicated by the first indication information; then, the first beam direction is determined based on the relative position between the transmitting end and the RIS. For example, the first indication information may indicate one or more of the following: the azimuth angle of the RIS (i.e., the azimuth angle of the RIS relative to the normal direction of the base station's antenna array), the panel orientation of the RIS, the height of the RIS, the panel pitch angle of the RIS (i.e., the pitch angle of the RIS's array center relative to the center of the base station's antenna array), or the distance between the RIS and the base station. The first indication information may also be used to indicate the base station's location information (optional) and azimuth angle (optional). In one possible implementation, the UE obtains the base station's location information and azimuth angle through sensing, ranging, information interaction, etc. This application does not limit the way the UE obtains the base station's location information and azimuth angle. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the relative positions of a base station (an example of a transmitter) and a RIS according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6, θ represents the elevation angle of the RIS array center relative to the antenna array center of the base station. ris-k The azimuth angle of the RIS relative to the normal direction of the base station's antenna array is represented by r. The rectangular region on the xy plane represents the projection of the RIS onto the xy plane. ris h represents the distance between the base station and the RIS. ris-k β represents the height of the aforementioned RIS. ris-k The orientation of the aforementioned RIS is indicated by , and k indicates that the aforementioned base station is the k-th base station. For example, the relative positional relationship between the base station and the RIS satisfies the following formula:

[0219] Wherein, the position coordinates of RIS are (x rk y rk , z rk The location coordinates of the base station are (x... bi y bi , z bi ), θ represents the elevation angle of the RIS array center relative to the antenna array center of the base station. bs-i θ represents the azimuth angle of the base station. ris-k r represents the azimuth angle of the RIS relative to the normal direction of the base station's antenna array. k This represents the distance between the base station and the RIS. Based on formulas (1), (2), and (3), it can be seen that the receiver can determine the position coordinates of the RIS based on the azimuth angle of the base station, the position coordinates of the base station, the elevation angle of the RIS array center relative to the antenna array center of the base station, the azimuth angle of the RIS relative to the normal direction of the antenna array of the base station, and the distance between the base station and the RIS. The receiver can also obtain the position coordinates of the RIS through other means, which are not limited in this application. Based on the position coordinates of the transmitter and the position coordinates of the RIS, the receiver can determine the relative position and / or relative direction of the transmitter and the RIS. An example of how the receiver can determine the relative direction of the transmitter and the RIS based on the position coordinates of the transmitter and the position coordinates of the RIS is as follows: Taking the coordinates of the transmitter as (0,0,0) as an example, and further assuming the position coordinates of the RIS are (x r y r , z r The relative direction between the transmitter and the RIS is represented in the system's predefined coordinate system as the incident direction of the transmitter relative to the RIS panel. This direction is 2-dimensional Δ, expressed as Δ = (tan(...)). -1 (y r / x r ),tan -1 (z r / x r Furthermore, based on the incident direction and the normal direction of the RIS, information such as the first beam direction can be obtained, as described above.

[0220] Steps 501 to 503 can be replaced by: determining the direction of the first beam based on the fourth indication information. The fourth indication information indicates at least one of the relative position and relative direction between the transmitter and the RIS; or, the fourth indication information indicates at least one of the azimuth angle of the RIS, the panel orientation of the RIS, the height of the RIS, the panel pitch angle of the RIS, or the distance between the RIS and the transmitter; or, the fourth indication information indicates the incident direction of the transmitter beam and the normal direction of the RIS. The fourth indication information may already exist at the receiver. For example, the transmitter periodically transmits the first indication information, and the fourth indication information is the first indication information previously received by the receiver. Alternatively, the fourth indication information may be information pre-configured by the receiver. Or, the fourth indication information may be obtained by the receiver through interaction with the transmitter before executing the method flow of Figure 5. This application does not limit the method by which the receiver obtains the fourth indication information.

[0221] 504. The sending end sends a third instruction message to the receiving end.

[0222] Correspondingly, the receiving end receives third indication information from the transmitting end. This third indication information is used to indicate the order in which the transmitting end transmits multiple measurement reference signals. In one possible implementation, the order in which the transmitting end transmits the multiple measurement reference signals can be the order of codewords in a certain scan codebook agreed upon by the transmitting and receiving ends, with each codeword corresponding to one measurement reference signal. Step 504 is optional. Step 504 can be before step 501 or after any of steps 501 to 503.

[0223] Step 504 can be replaced by: the sending end and receiving end interacting regarding the order in which the sending end transmits multiple measurement reference signals. An example of this interaction is as follows: the sending end sends a first message to the receiving end, instructing the sending end to transmit the multiple measurement reference signals in the correct order. For example, the first message instructs the sending end to transmit the multiple measurement reference signals in the order of the codewords in scan codebook #1. After receiving the first message, the receiving end sends a second message to the sending end, indicating that the receiving end has successfully received the first message. Another example of this interaction is as follows: the receiving end sends a third message to the sending end, requesting the sending end to transmit the multiple measurement reference signals in the order of the codewords in scan codebook #1. After receiving the third message, the sending end sends a fourth message to the receiving end, indicating that the sending end agrees to transmit the multiple measurement reference signals in the order of the codewords in scan codebook #1. In one possible implementation, the transmitting end and the receiving end pre-agree on the order in which the transmitting end transmits multiple measurement reference signals. For example, they agree that the transmitting end transmits the multiple measurement reference signals in the order of the codewords in the scan code #1 book. The transmitting end and the receiving end can also interact in other ways or agree on the order in which the transmitting end transmits multiple measurement reference signals through different beams, which is not limited in this application.

[0224] In one possible implementation, the third indication information is further used to indicate the mode in which the receiving end performs beam measurement, namely, a mode in which the target beam is determined and fed back based on the measurement results of the first beam direction and multiple measurement reference signals. For example, the beam measurement mode performed by the receiving end includes at least: a conventional mode and a target mode. When the receiving end uses the conventional mode, it feeds back the beam with the highest power. When the receiving end uses the target mode, it determines the target beam based on the measurement results of the first beam direction and the multiple measurement reference signals, and feeds back the target beam. In this implementation, the third indication information can implicitly indicate the mode in which the receiving end performs beam measurement, thus saving signaling overhead.

[0225] 505. The sending end sends the fifth instruction information to the receiving end.

[0226] Correspondingly, the receiving end receives the fifth indication information from the transmitting end. This fifth indication information is used to indicate the mode in which the receiving end performs beam measurement, i.e., the target mode based on the first beam direction and the measurement results of multiple measurement reference signals to determine and feed back the target beam. For example, the fifth indication information is used to instruct the receiving end to perform beam measurement using the target mode. When the receiving end uses the target mode, it determines the target beam based on the first beam direction and the measurement results of the multiple measurement reference signals, and feeds back the target beam. The first beam direction is determined based on the relative position and / or relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS. In one possible implementation, for example, the beam measurement mode of the receiving end includes at least: a conventional mode and a target mode. The beam measurement mode of the receiving end can be implemented using 1-2 bits. For example, 0 represents the conventional mode, and 1 represents the target mode. Another example is 00 representing the conventional mode and 11 representing the target mode. Step 505 is optional. Since the third indication information is also used to indicate the beam measurement mode of the receiving end, the transmitting end does not need to send the fifth indication information. In one possible implementation, the receiver can be pre-configured with a mode for beam measurement.

[0227] 506. The transmitting end sends multiple measurement reference signals to the receiving end via RIS.

[0228] Correspondingly, the receiving end receives multiple measurement reference signals transmitted by the transmitting end via the RIS. Step 506 can be referred to step 401.

[0229] 507. The receiving end determines the target beam based on the direction of the first beam, the order in which the transmitting end sends multiple measurement reference signals, and the measurement results of the aforementioned multiple measurement reference signals.

[0230] Step 507 can be found in step 402.

[0231] 508. The receiving end transmits the measurement results of the target beam to the transmitting end.

[0232] Correspondingly, the transmitting end receives the measurement results of the target beam from the receiving end. Step 508 can be referred to step 403.

[0233] 509. The transmitting end uses the target beam to send data / signaling to the receiving end.

[0234] Correspondingly, the receiving end receives the data / signaling sent to it by the transmitting end using the target beam.

[0235] In this embodiment, the receiving end determines the target beam based on the first beam direction, the order in which the transmitting end sends multiple measurement reference signals, and the measurement results of the aforementioned multiple measurement reference signals, and then transmits the measurement results of the target beam to the transmitting end. The target beam determined by the receiving end based on the first beam direction, the order in which the transmitting end sends multiple measurement reference signals, and the measurement results of the multiple measurement reference signals is typically a superior beam. The target beam determined by the receiving end based on the first beam direction, the order in which the transmitting end sends multiple measurement reference signals, and the measurement results of the multiple measurement reference signals is better than the beam with the highest received power. Therefore, during beam measurement, by transmitting the measurement results of the target beam to the transmitting end, the impact of erroneous feedback sidelobe beams (the beam with the highest received power) on transmission performance can be avoided, thereby improving beam measurement and transmission performance.

[0236] Figure 7 is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method flowchart in Figure 7 is a possible implementation of the method described in Figure 4 or Figure 5. The base station in Figure 7 is an example of the transmitting end in Figure 4, and the UE in Figure 7 is an example of the receiving end in Figure 4. In the method flowchart of Figure 7, the control of the RIS can be held by the base station. As shown in Figure 7, the method includes:

[0237] 701. The UE sends the first trigger request to the base station.

[0238] Accordingly, the base station receives the first trigger request from the UE.

[0239] 702. In response to the first trigger request, the base station sends the first indication information to the UE.

[0240] Accordingly, the UE receives the first indication information from the base station.

[0241] 703. The UE determines the direction of the first beam based on the first indication information.

[0242] Steps 701 to 703 can be referred to steps 501 to 503 in Figure 5. Steps 701 to 703 are optional.

[0243] 701' The base station sends the first indication information to the UE.

[0244] Accordingly, the UE receives first indication information from the base station. In one possible implementation, when the topology configuration information of the aforementioned RIS changes or the RIS serving the aforementioned UE is switched to the aforementioned RIS, the base station sends the first indication information to the UE; this allows the UE to promptly obtain at least one of the current relative position and relative direction between the base station and the RIS, or at least one of the following: the current azimuth angle of the RIS, the current panel orientation of the RIS, the current altitude of the RIS, the current panel pitch angle of the RIS, the current normal direction of the RIS, or the current distance between the RIS and the base station. In one possible implementation, the base station periodically sends the first indication information to the UE so that the information used to determine the relative position and / or relative direction between the aforementioned base station and the aforementioned RIS can be periodically updated.

[0245] 702' The UE determines the direction of the first beam based on the first indication information.

[0246] 701”, The base station sends a second instruction message to the UE.

[0247] Accordingly, the UE receives second indication information from the base station, which is used to indicate the direction of the first beam.

[0248] Steps 701 to 703, 701' to 702', and 701" represent three parallel methods for the UE to obtain the aforementioned first beam direction. The method flow in Figure 7 may include any one of steps 701 to 703, 701' to 702', and 701" . The UE may also obtain the aforementioned first beam direction, which needs to be referenced for beam measurement, through interaction with the base station. The UE may also obtain the aforementioned first beam direction through other means, which are not limited in this application.

[0249] 704. The base station sends a third instruction message to the UE.

[0250] Accordingly, the UE receives third indication information from the base station. This third indication information is used to indicate the order in which the base station transmits multiple measurement reference signals. Steps 704 to 709 can be referred to steps 504 to 509 in Figure 5, and will not be detailed here.

[0251] 705. The base station sends the fifth instruction information to the UE.

[0252] Accordingly, the UE receives a fifth indication information from the base station. This fifth indication information is used to instruct the UE on the mode for beam measurement, namely, the target mode for determining the target beam and feeding it back based on the measurement results of the first beam direction and multiple measurement reference signals.

[0253] 706. The base station sends multiple measurement reference signals to the UE via RIS.

[0254] Accordingly, the UE receives multiple measurement reference signals sent by the base station via RIS. Step 506 can be referred to step 401.

[0255] 707. The UE determines the target beam based on the direction of the first beam, the order in which the base station sends multiple measurement reference signals, and the measurement results of the aforementioned multiple measurement reference signals.

[0256] Before executing step 707, the UE may perform the following operation: perform beam measurement based on multiple received measurement reference signals to obtain the measurement results of the multiple measurement reference signals. For example, the UE calculates information such as RSRP and SNR for each measurement reference signal based on the multiple received measurement reference signals. The UE's beam measurement based on multiple received measurement reference signals can be implemented using conventional techniques in the art, and will not be detailed here.

[0257] 708. The UE sends the measurement results of the target beam to the base station.

[0258] Accordingly, the base station receives the measurement results of the target beam from the UE. Step 708 can be referred to step 403.

[0259] 709. The base station uses the target beam to send data / signaling to the UE.

[0260] Accordingly, the UE receives data / signaling sent to the UE by the base station using the target beam.

[0261] In this embodiment, the UE determines a target beam based on the first beam direction, the order in which the base station transmits multiple measurement reference signals, and the measurement results of the aforementioned multiple measurement reference signals, and then transmits the measurement results of the target beam to the base station. The target beam determined by the UE based on the first beam direction, the order in which the base station transmits multiple measurement reference signals, and the measurement results of the multiple measurement reference signals is typically a superior beam. The target beam determined by the UE based on the first beam direction, the order in which the base station transmits multiple measurement reference signals, and the measurement results of the multiple measurement reference signals is better than the beam with the highest received power. Therefore, during beam measurement, by transmitting the measurement results of the target beam to the base station, the impact of erroneous feedback sidelobe beams (the beam with the highest received power) on transmission performance can be avoided, thereby improving beam measurement and transmission performance.

[0262] Figure 8 is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method flowchart in Figure 8 is a possible implementation of the method described in Figure 4 or Figure 5. The UE in Figure 8 is an example of the transmitting end in Figure 4, and the base station in Figure 8 is an example of the receiving end in Figure 4. In the method flowchart of Figure 8, the control of the RIS can be held by the UE. As shown in Figure 8, the method includes:

[0263] 801. The base station sends the first trigger request to the UE.

[0264] Accordingly, the UE receives the first trigger request from the base station.

[0265] 802. In response to the first trigger request, the UE sends the first indication information to the base station.

[0266] Accordingly, the base station receives the first indication information from the UE.

[0267] 803. The base station determines the direction of the first beam based on the first indication information.

[0268] Steps 801 to 803 can be referred to steps 501 to 503 in Figure 5. Steps 801 to 803 are optional. In one possible implementation, the control of the RIS is in the base station, and steps 801 to 803 can be replaced by: the base station determining the direction of the first beam based on the topology configuration information of the RIS.

[0269] 801' The UE sends the first indication information to the base station.

[0270] Accordingly, the base station receives first indication information from the UE. In one possible implementation, if the topology configuration information of the aforementioned RIS changes or the RIS serving the aforementioned UE is switched (or changed), the UE sends the first indication information to the base station; this allows the base station to promptly obtain at least one of the current relative position and relative direction between the UE and the RIS, or at least one of the following: the current azimuth angle of the RIS, the current panel orientation of the RIS, the current altitude of the RIS, the current panel pitch angle of the RIS, the current normal direction of the RIS, or the current distance between the RIS and the UE. In one possible implementation, the UE periodically sends the first indication information to the base station so that the information used to determine the relative position and / or relative direction between the aforementioned UE and the aforementioned RIS can be periodically updated.

[0271] 802' The base station determines the direction of the first beam based on the first indication information.

[0272] 801”, the UE sends a second instruction message to the base station.

[0273] Accordingly, the base station receives second indication information from the UE, which is used to indicate the direction of the first beam.

[0274] Steps 801 to 803, 801' to 802', and 801" represent three parallel methods for the base station to obtain the aforementioned first beam direction. The method flow in Figure 8 may include any one of steps 801 to 803, 801' to 802', and 801" . The base station may also obtain the aforementioned first beam direction, which needs to be referenced for beam measurement, through interaction with the UE. The base station may also obtain the aforementioned first beam direction through other means, which are not limited in this application.

[0275] 804. The UE sends a third indication message to the base station.

[0276] Accordingly, the base station receives third indication information from the UE. This third indication information is used to instruct the UE on the order in which it transmits multiple measurement reference signals. Steps 804 to 809 can be referred to steps 504 to 509 in Figure 5, and will not be detailed here.

[0277] 805. The UE sends the fifth instruction information to the base station.

[0278] Accordingly, the base station receives a fifth indication information from the UE. This fifth indication information is used to indicate the mode in which the base station performs beam measurement, that is, the target mode that determines the target beam and feeds it back based on the measurement results of the first beam direction and multiple measurement reference signals.

[0279] 806. The UE sends multiple measurement reference signals to the base station via RIS.

[0280] Correspondingly, the base station receives multiple measurement reference signals sent by the UE via RIS.

[0281] 807. The base station determines the target beam based on the direction of the first beam, the order in which the UE sends multiple measurement reference signals, and the measurement results of the aforementioned multiple measurement reference signals.

[0282] 808. The base station sends the measurement results of the target beam to the UE.

[0283] Accordingly, the UE receives the measurement results of the target beam from the base station.

[0284] 809. The UE uses the target beam to send data / signaling to the base station.

[0285] Accordingly, the base station receives the data / signaling sent by the UE to the base station using the target beam.

[0286] In this embodiment, the base station determines a target beam based on the first beam direction, the order in which the UE sends multiple measurement reference signals, and the measurement results of the aforementioned multiple measurement reference signals, and then sends the measurement results of the target beam to the UE. The target beam determined by the base station based on the first beam direction, the order in which the UE sends multiple measurement reference signals, and the measurement results of the multiple measurement reference signals is typically a superior beam. The target beam determined by the base station based on the first beam direction, the order in which the UE sends multiple measurement reference signals, and the measurement results of the multiple measurement reference signals is better than the beam with the highest received power. Therefore, during beam measurement, by sending the measurement results of the target beam to the UE, the impact of erroneous feedback sidelobe beams (the beam with the highest received power) on transmission performance can be avoided, thereby improving beam measurement and transmission performance.

[0287] Figure 9 is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method flowchart in Figure 9 is a possible implementation of the method described in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 9, the method includes:

[0288] 901. The receiving end sends the first trigger request to the RIS.

[0289] Accordingly, the RIS receives a first trigger request from the receiver. The first trigger request requests the RIS to send information for the receiver to determine the first beam direction. Alternatively, the first trigger request requests the RIS to send its topology configuration information, which is used by the receiver to determine the first beam direction.

[0290] 902. In response to the first trigger request, RIS sends the first indication information to the receiving end.

[0291] The aforementioned first indication information is used to indicate at least one of the relative position and relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS. Alternatively, the aforementioned first indication information is used to indicate the topology configuration information of the RIS. Alternatively, the aforementioned first indication information is used to indicate the incident direction of the transmitting beam of the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS. The premise of this application embodiment is that the RIS has the ability to transmit information, such as periodically transmitting the first indication information or transmitting the first indication information after receiving a trigger signal. In one possible implementation, the control of the RIS is in the transmitting end, which can configure the RIS so that the RIS sends the first indication information to the receiving end after receiving a first trigger request.

[0292] Steps 901 to 902 can be replaced by: the RIS periodically sending first indication information, for example, by broadcasting the first indication information. The RIS periodically sends the first indication information so that the UE served by the RIS can determine the first beam direction based on the first indication information, thereby performing better beam measurement.

[0293] 903. The receiving end determines the direction of the first beam based on the first indication information.

[0294] Steps 903 to 909 can be referred to steps 503 to 509 in Figure 5.

[0295] 904. The sending end sends a third instruction message to the receiving end.

[0296] Correspondingly, the receiving end receives third indication information from the transmitting end. This third indication information is used to indicate the order in which the transmitting end transmits the multiple measurement reference signals.

[0297] 905. The sending end sends the fifth instruction information to the receiving end.

[0298] Correspondingly, the receiving end receives the fifth indication information from the transmitting end. The aforementioned fifth indication information is used to indicate the mode in which the receiving end performs beam measurement, that is, the target mode for determining the target beam and feeding it back based on the measurement results of the first beam direction and multiple measurement reference signals.

[0299] 906. The transmitting end sends multiple measurement reference signals to the receiving end via RIS.

[0300] Correspondingly, the receiving end receives multiple measurement reference signals sent by the transmitting end via RIS.

[0301] 907. The receiving end determines the target beam based on the direction of the first beam, the order in which the transmitting end sends multiple measurement reference signals, and the measurement results of the aforementioned multiple measurement reference signals.

[0302] 908. The receiving end transmits the measurement results of the target beam to the transmitting end.

[0303] Correspondingly, the transmitting end receives the measurement results of the target beam from the receiving end.

[0304] 909. The transmitting end uses the target beam to send data / signaling to the receiving end.

[0305] Correspondingly, the receiving end receives the data / signaling sent to it by the transmitting end using the target beam.

[0306] In this embodiment, the receiving end determines the target beam based on the first beam direction, the order in which the transmitting end sends multiple measurement reference signals, and the measurement results of the aforementioned multiple measurement reference signals, and then transmits the measurement results of the target beam to the transmitting end. The target beam determined by the receiving end based on the first beam direction, the order in which the transmitting end sends multiple measurement reference signals, and the measurement results of the multiple measurement reference signals is typically a superior beam. The target beam determined by the receiving end based on the first beam direction, the order in which the transmitting end sends multiple measurement reference signals, and the measurement results of the multiple measurement reference signals is better than the beam with the highest received power. Therefore, during beam measurement, by transmitting the measurement results of the target beam to the transmitting end, the impact of erroneous feedback sidelobe beams (the beam with the highest received power) on transmission performance can be avoided, thereby improving beam measurement and transmission performance.

[0307] Figure 10 is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method flowchart in Figure 10 is a possible implementation of the method described in Figure 9. The base station in Figure 10 is an example of the transmitting end in Figure 9, and the UE in Figure 10 is an example of the receiving end in Figure 9. As shown in Figure 10, the method includes:

[0308] 1001. The UE sends the first trigger request to the RIS.

[0309] Accordingly, the RIS receives a first trigger request from the UE. The first trigger request requests the RIS to send information for the UE to determine the first beam direction. Alternatively, the first trigger request requests the RIS to send its topology configuration information, which is used by the UE to determine the first beam direction.

[0310] 1002. In response to the first trigger request, RIS sends the first indication information to the UE.

[0311] The aforementioned first indication information is used to indicate at least one of the relative position and relative direction between the base station and the RIS. Alternatively, the aforementioned first indication information is used to indicate the topology configuration information of the RIS. Alternatively, the aforementioned first indication information is used to indicate the incident direction of the transmission beam of the base station and the normal direction of the RIS. The premise of this application embodiment is that the RIS has the ability to transmit information, such as periodically transmitting the first indication information or transmitting the first indication information after receiving a trigger signal. In one possible implementation, the control of the RIS resides in the base station, which can configure the RIS so that the RIS sends the first indication information to the UE after receiving a first trigger request.

[0312] Steps 1001 to 1002 can be replaced by: the RIS periodically sending first indication information, for example, by broadcasting the first indication information. The RIS periodically sends the first indication information so that the UE served by the RIS can determine the first beam direction based on the first indication information, thereby performing better beam measurement.

[0313] 1003. The UE determines the direction of the first beam based on the first indication information.

[0314] Steps 1003 to 1009 can be referred to steps 503 to 509 in Figure 5. In one possible implementation, the control of the RIS is in the UE, and steps 1001 to 1003 can be replaced by: the UE determining the direction of the first beam based on the topology configuration information of the RIS.

[0315] 1004. The base station sends a third indication message to the UE.

[0316] Accordingly, the UE receives third indication information from the base station. This third indication information is used to indicate the order in which the base station transmits multiple measurement reference signals.

[0317] 1005. The base station sends the fifth instruction information to the UE.

[0318] Accordingly, the UE receives a fifth indication information from the base station. This fifth indication information is used to instruct the UE on the mode for beam measurement, namely, the target mode for determining the target beam and feeding it back based on the measurement results of the first beam direction and multiple measurement reference signals.

[0319] 1006. The base station sends multiple measurement reference signals to the UE via RIS.

[0320] Accordingly, the UE receives multiple measurement reference signals sent by the base station via RIS.

[0321] 1007. The UE determines the target beam based on the direction of the first beam, the order in which the base station sends multiple measurement reference signals, and the measurement results of the aforementioned multiple measurement reference signals.

[0322] 1008. The UE sends the measurement results of the target beam to the base station.

[0323] Correspondingly, the base station receives the measurement results from the target beam of the UE.

[0324] 1009. The base station uses the target beam to send data / signaling to the UE.

[0325] Accordingly, the UE receives data / signaling sent to the UE by the base station using the target beam.

[0326] In this embodiment, the UE determines a target beam based on the first beam direction, the order in which the base station transmits multiple measurement reference signals, and the measurement results of the aforementioned multiple measurement reference signals, and then transmits the measurement results of the target beam to the base station. The target beam determined by the UE based on the first beam direction, the order in which the base station transmits multiple measurement reference signals, and the measurement results of the multiple measurement reference signals is typically a superior beam. The target beam determined by the UE based on the first beam direction, the order in which the base station transmits multiple measurement reference signals, and the measurement results of the multiple measurement reference signals is better than the beam with the highest received power. Therefore, during beam measurement, by transmitting the measurement results of the target beam to the base station, the impact of erroneous feedback sidelobe beams (the beam with the highest received power) on transmission performance can be avoided, thereby improving beam measurement and transmission performance.

[0327] Figure 11 is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method flowchart in Figure 11 is a possible implementation of the method described in Figure 9. The UE in Figure 11 is an example of the sending end in Figure 9, and the base station in Figure 11 is an example of the receiving end in Figure 9. As shown in Figure 11, the method includes:

[0328] 1101. The base station sends the first trigger request to the RIS.

[0329] Accordingly, the RIS receives a first trigger request from the base station. The first trigger request requests the RIS to send information for the base station to determine the first beam direction. Alternatively, the first trigger request requests the RIS to send its topology configuration information, which is used by the base station to determine the first beam direction.

[0330] 1102. In response to the first trigger request, RIS sends the first indication information to the base station.

[0331] The aforementioned first indication information is used to indicate at least one of the relative position and relative direction between the UE and the RIS. Alternatively, the aforementioned first indication information is used to indicate the topology configuration information of the RIS. Alternatively, the aforementioned first indication information is used to indicate the incident direction of the UE's transmit beam and the normal direction of the RIS. The premise of this application embodiment is that the RIS has the ability to transmit information, such as periodically transmitting the first indication information or transmitting the first indication information after receiving a trigger signal. In one possible implementation, the control of the RIS rests with the UE, and the UE can configure the RIS so that the RIS sends the first indication information to the base station after receiving a first trigger request.

[0332] Steps 1101 to 1102 can be replaced by: the RIS periodically transmitting first indication information, for example, by broadcasting the first indication information. The RIS periodically transmits the first indication information so that the base station can determine the first beam direction based on the first indication information, thereby performing beam measurement more effectively.

[0333] 1103. The base station determines the direction of the first beam based on the first indication information.

[0334] Steps 1103 to 1109 can be referred to steps 503 to 509 in Figure 5. In one possible implementation, the control of the RIS is in the base station, and steps 1101 to 1103 can be replaced by: the base station determining the direction of the first beam based on the topology configuration information of the RIS.

[0335] 1104. The UE sends a third indication message to the base station.

[0336] Accordingly, the base station receives third indication information from the UE. This third indication information is used to indicate the order in which the UE transmits multiple measurement reference signals.

[0337] 1105. The UE sends the fifth instruction information to the base station.

[0338] Accordingly, the base station receives a fifth indication information from the UE. This fifth indication information is used to indicate the mode in which the base station performs beam measurement, that is, the target mode that determines the target beam and feeds it back based on the measurement results of the first beam direction and multiple measurement reference signals.

[0339] 1106. The UE sends multiple measurement reference signals to the base station via RIS.

[0340] Correspondingly, the base station receives multiple measurement reference signals sent by the UE via RIS.

[0341] 1107. The base station determines the target beam based on the direction of the first beam, the order in which the UE sends multiple measurement reference signals, and the measurement results of the aforementioned multiple measurement reference signals.

[0342] 1108. The base station sends the measurement results of the target beam to the UE.

[0343] Accordingly, the UE receives the measurement results of the target beam from the base station.

[0344] 1109. The UE uses the target beam to send data / signaling to the base station.

[0345] Accordingly, the base station receives the data / signaling sent by the UE to the base station using the target beam.

[0346] In this embodiment, the base station determines a target beam based on the first beam direction, the order in which the UE sends multiple measurement reference signals, and the measurement results of the aforementioned multiple measurement reference signals, and then sends the measurement results of the target beam to the UE. The target beam determined by the base station based on the first beam direction, the order in which the UE sends multiple measurement reference signals, and the measurement results of the multiple measurement reference signals is typically a superior beam. The target beam determined by the base station based on the first beam direction, the order in which the UE sends multiple measurement reference signals, and the measurement results of the multiple measurement reference signals is better than the beam with the highest received power. Therefore, during beam measurement, by sending the measurement results of the target beam to the UE, the impact of erroneous feedback sidelobe beams (the beam with the highest received power) on transmission performance can be avoided, thereby improving beam measurement and transmission performance.

[0347] The structure of a communication device that can implement the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Only a brief description of the communication device is given below; for details of the implementation, please refer to the description of the method embodiments above, which will not be repeated hereafter.

[0348] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1200 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1200 can correspondingly implement the functions or steps implemented by the transmitting end in the above-described method embodiments, and can also correspondingly implement the functions or steps implemented by the receiving end in the above-described method embodiments. The communication device may include a processing module 1210 and a transceiver module 1220. In one possible implementation, a storage unit may also be included, which can be used to store instructions (code or program) and / or data. The processing module 1210 and the transceiver module 1220 can be coupled to the storage unit. For example, the processing module 1210 can read the instructions (code or program) and / or data in the storage unit to implement the corresponding method. The above-described units can be set independently, or partially or completely integrated. For example, the transceiver module 1220 may include a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module can be a transmitter, and the receiving module can be a receiver. The entity corresponding to the transceiver module 1220 can be a transceiver circuit, such as a transceiver or a communication interface.

[0349] In some possible implementations, the communication device 1200 can correspondingly implement the behavior and functions of the transmitting end in the above method embodiments. For example, the communication device 1200 can be a transmitting end or a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) applied in the transmitting end. The transceiver module 1220 can, for example, be used to perform all the receiving or transmitting operations performed by the transmitting end in the embodiments of FIG4, FIG5, and FIG9. The processing module 1210 can, for example, be used to perform all the operations performed by the transmitting end in the embodiments of FIG4, FIG5, and FIG9 except for the receiving and transmitting operations.

[0350] In some possible implementations, the communication device 1200 can correspondingly implement the behavior and functions of the receiving end in the above method embodiments. For example, the communication device 1200 can be a receiving end or a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) applied in the receiving end. The transceiver module 1220 can, for example, be used to perform all the receiving or transmitting operations performed by the receiving end in the embodiments of FIG4, FIG5, and FIG9. The processing module 1210 can, for example, be used to perform all the operations performed by the receiving end in the embodiments of FIG4, FIG5, and FIG9 except for the receiving and transmitting operations.

[0351] In some possible implementations, the communication device 1200 can correspondingly implement the behavior and functions of the base station in the above method embodiments. For example, the communication device 1200 can be a base station or a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) applied in the base station. The transceiver module 1220 can, for example, be used to perform all the receive or transmit operations performed by the base station in the embodiments of FIG7, FIG8, FIG10, and FIG11. The processing module 1210 can, for example, be used to perform all the operations performed by the base station in the embodiments of FIG7, FIG8, FIG10, and FIG11 except for the receive and transmit operations.

[0352] In some possible implementations, the communication device 1200 can correspondingly implement the behavior and functions of the UE in the above method embodiments. For example, the communication device 1200 can be the UE, or it can be a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) applied in the UE. The transceiver module 1220 can, for example, be used to perform all the receive or transmit operations performed by the UE in the embodiments of FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11. The processing module 1210 can, for example, be used to perform all the operations performed by the UE in the embodiments of FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 10, and FIG. 11 except for the receive and transmit operations.

[0353] This application also provides an apparatus 1300, which can be a terminal device, a processor in the terminal device, or a chip. The apparatus 1300 can be used to perform the operations performed by the UE or RIS in the above method embodiments.

[0354] When device 1300 is a terminal device, Figure 13 shows a simplified structural diagram of the terminal device. As shown in Figure 13, the terminal device includes a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The memory can store computer program code, and the transceiver includes a transmitter 1331, a receiver 1332, radio frequency circuitry (not shown in the figure), an antenna 1333, and input / output devices (not shown in the figure).

[0355] The processor is mainly used to process communication protocols and communication data; control terminal devices; execute software programs; and process data from software programs.

[0356] Memory is mainly used to store software programs and data.

[0357] Radio frequency (RF) circuits are mainly used for the conversion between baseband signals and RF signals, as well as for the processing of RF signals.

[0358] Antennas are primarily used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves.

[0359] Input / output devices can include touchscreens, displays, or keyboards. They are primarily used to receive user input and output data to the user. It should be noted that some types of terminal devices may not have input / output devices.

[0360] When data needs to be transmitted, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs a baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit then processes the baseband signal and transmits it outwards via an antenna as electromagnetic waves. When data is sent to the terminal device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna. The RF circuit converts the RF signal back into a baseband signal and outputs it to the processor. The processor converts the baseband signal back into data and processes the data. For ease of explanation, Figure 13 only shows one memory, processor, and transceiver. In actual terminal device products, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories. Memory can also be called storage medium or storage device, etc. Memory can be independent of the processor or integrated with the processor; this embodiment does not limit this.

[0361] In this embodiment, the antenna and radio frequency circuit with transceiver function can be regarded as the transceiver module of the terminal device, and the processor with processing function can be regarded as the processing module of the terminal device.

[0362] As shown in Figure 13, the terminal device includes a processor 1310, a memory 1320, and a transceiver 1330. The processor 1310 may also be referred to as a processing unit, processing board, processing module, or processing device, etc. The transceiver 1330 may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, or transceiver device, etc.

[0363] Optionally, the device in transceiver 1330 used to implement the receiving function can be considered a receiving module, and the device in transceiver 1330 used to implement the transmitting function can be considered a transmitting module. That is, transceiver 1330 includes a receiver and a transmitter. A transceiver may also be called a transceiver unit, transceiver module, or transceiver circuit, etc. A receiver may also be called a receiver unit, receiving module, or receiving circuit, etc. A transmitter may also be called a transmitter, transmitting module, or transmitting circuit, etc.

[0364] In one possible implementation, processor 1310 is used to execute the processing actions of the UE in the embodiments shown in Figures 7, 8, 10, and 11. Transceiver 1330 is used to execute the transmission and reception actions of the UE in the embodiments shown in Figures 7, 8, 10, and 11.

[0365] In one possible implementation, processor 1310 is used to execute the processing actions of the RIS in the embodiments shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11. Transceiver 1330 is used to execute the transmit and receive actions of the RIS in the embodiments shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11.

[0366] It should be understood that Figure 13 is merely an example and not a limitation, and the terminal device described above, including the transceiver module and the processing module, may not depend on the structure shown in Figure 13.

[0367] When the device 1300 is a chip, the chip includes a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The transceiver can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processor can be a processing module integrated on the chip, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit. In the above method embodiments, the transmitting operation of the UE or RIS can be understood as the chip's output, and the receiving operation of the UE or RIS in the above method embodiments can be understood as the chip's input.

[0368] This application also provides an apparatus 1400, which may be a network device or a chip. The apparatus 1400 can be used to perform the operations performed by the base station in the embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 6 above.

[0369] When device 1400 is a network device, such as a base station, Figure 14 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a base station structure. The base station includes parts 1410, 1420, and 1430.

[0370] Part 1410 is mainly used for baseband processing and controlling the base station; Part 1410 is usually the control center of the base station, which can be called the processor, and is used to control the base station to perform the processing operations of the base station in the above method embodiment.

[0371] Section 1420 is primarily used to store computer program code and data.

[0372] Section 1430 is primarily used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals, as well as converting RF signals to baseband signals. Section 1430 is commonly referred to as a transceiver module, transceiver, transceiver circuit, or transceiver unit. The transceiver module of section 1430, also known as a transceiver or transceiver unit, includes antenna 1433 and RF circuitry (not shown in the figure), where the RF circuitry is mainly used for RF processing. Optionally, the device in section 1430 that performs the receiving function can be considered a receiver, and the device that performs the transmitting function can be considered a transmitter; that is, section 1430 includes receiver 1432 and transmitter 1431. The receiver can also be called a receiving module, receiver circuit, or receiving circuit, and the transmitter can be called a transmitting module, transmitter, or transmitting circuit.

[0373] Sections 1410 and 1420 may include one or more circuit boards, each of which may include one or more processors and one or more memories. The processors are used to read and execute programs in the memories to implement baseband processing functions and control the base station. If multiple circuit boards exist, they can be interconnected to enhance processing capabilities. As an alternative implementation, multiple circuit boards may share one or more processors, multiple circuit boards may share one or more memories, or multiple circuit boards may simultaneously share one or more processors.

[0374] For example, in one implementation, the transceiver module of section 1430 is used to execute the transceiver-related processes performed by the base station in the embodiments shown in Figures 7, 8, 10, and 11. The processor of section 1410 is used to execute the processing-related processes performed by the base station in the embodiments shown in Figures 7, 8, 10, and 11.

[0375] It should be understood that Figure 14 is merely an example and not a limitation, and the network devices described above, including processors, memory, and transceivers, may not depend on the structure shown in Figure 14.

[0376] When device 1400 is a chip, the chip includes a transceiver, a memory, and a processor. The transceiver can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processor can be a processor integrated on the chip, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit. In the above method embodiments, the base station's transmitting operation can be understood as the chip's output, and the base station's receiving operation in the above method embodiments can be understood as the chip's input.

[0377] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods of the above embodiments. For example, when the computer program is executed by the computer, it enables the computer to implement the methods performed by the base station or UE in the above method embodiments.

[0378] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the methods in the above embodiments to be executed.

[0379] This application also provides a communication system, including the above-described transmitting end, RIS, and receiving end.

[0380] This application also provides a chip, which includes: a communication interface and a processor; the communication interface is used for signal transmission and reception of the chip; the processor is used to execute computer programs or instructions, causing a communication device including the chip to perform the methods as described in the above embodiments.

[0381] This application also provides a chip device, including a processor, for calling a computer program or computer instructions stored in the memory, so that the processor executes the method provided in the embodiments shown in Figures 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11.

[0382] In one possible implementation, the input of the chip device corresponds to the receiving operation in any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, and the output of the chip device corresponds to the sending operation in any one of the embodiments shown in Figures 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11.

[0383] Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory via an interface.

[0384] Optionally, the chip device may also include a memory in which computer programs or computer instructions are stored.

[0385] The processor mentioned above can be a general-purpose central processing unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits used to control the execution of a program for the method provided in any of the embodiments shown in Figures 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11. The memory mentioned above can be read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, such as random access memory (RAM).

[0386] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant contents in any of the above-mentioned devices can be referred to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0387] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be an indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units through some interfaces, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0388] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0389] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0390] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the essential contribution of the technical solution of this application, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several computer programs or instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0391] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit it. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

[0392] The technical effects of the technical solution provided in this application can be illustrated by the following simulation diagram (i.e., Figure 15). Figure 15 is a simulation diagram of an embodiment of this application using existing 1-bit RIS beam measurement and the 1-bit RIS beam measurement provided in this application. As shown in Figure 14, assuming that the system throughput (THP) is 100% when using existing 1-bit RIS beam measurement (i.e., 1-bit grating lobe effect), the system throughput is 106% when using the 1-bit RIS beam measurement provided in this application (i.e., the preset ideal beam shown in Figure 14). The preset ideal beam is the beam after eliminating grating lobe transitions using the 1-bit RIS beam measurement provided in this application, i.e., the target beam. Referring to Figure 15, it can be seen that the system throughput can be improved by 6% when using the 1-bit RIS beam measurement provided in this application compared with the existing 1-bit RIS beam measurement.

[0393] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. The aforementioned computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the aforementioned computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed, in whole or in part. The aforementioned 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 aforementioned 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 aforementioned 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 aforementioned computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center integrating one or more available media. The aforementioned 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.

[0394] 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.

Claims

1. A beam measurement method, characterized in that, include: The receiving and transmitting end transmits multiple measurement reference signals via a configurable intelligent metasurface (RIS). The target beam is determined based on the first beam direction and the measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals. The first beam direction is determined based on the relative position and / or relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS. The measurement results of the target beam are transmitted.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The angle between the first beam direction and the normal direction of the RIS is equal to the angle between the incident direction of the transmitting beam of the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS; or, the difference between the angle between the first beam direction and the normal direction of the RIS and the angle between the incident direction of the transmitting beam of the transmitting end and the normal direction of the RIS is less than a preset value; or, the first beam direction and the incident direction of the transmitting beam of the transmitting end are symmetrical with respect to the normal direction of the RIS.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Before determining the target beam based on the measurement results of the first beam direction and the plurality of measurement reference signals, the method further includes: Receive first indication information from the transmitting end or the RIS, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate at least one of the relative position and relative direction between the transmitting end and the RIS, or the first indication information is used to indicate at least one of the azimuth angle of the RIS, the panel orientation of the RIS, the height of the RIS, the panel pitch angle of the RIS, or the distance between the RIS and the transmitting end; Based on the first indication information, the direction of the first beam is determined.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, Before receiving the first indication information from the transmitter or the RIS, the method further includes: A first trigger request is sent to the sending end or the RIS, the first trigger request being used to trigger the sending end or the RIS to send the first indication information.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, Sending the first trigger request to the sending end or the RIS includes: Based on the receiving performance or mobility status of the receiving end, the first trigger request is sent to the sending end or the RIS; Alternatively, if the receiving end determines that beam scanning is required, it sends the first trigger request to the transmitting end or the RIS.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Before determining the target beam based on the measurement results of the first beam direction and the plurality of measurement reference signals, the method further includes: Receive second indication information from the transmitting end or the RIS, the second indication information being used to indicate the direction of the first beam.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, Before receiving second indication information from the transmitter or the RIS, the method further includes: A second trigger request is sent to the sending end or the RIS, the second trigger request being used to trigger the sending end or the RIS to send the second indication information.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, Sending the second trigger request to the sending end or the RIS includes: Based on the receiving performance or mobility status of the receiving end, the second trigger request is sent to the sending end or the RIS; Alternatively, if the receiving end determines that beam scanning will be performed, it sends the second trigger request to the transmitting end or the RIS.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The determination of the target beam based on the measurement results of the first beam direction and the plurality of measurement reference signals includes: The target beam is determined based on the measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals, the direction of the first beam, and the order in which the transmitting end transmits the plurality of measurement reference signals.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The determination of the target beam based on the measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals, the direction of the first beam, and the order in which the transmitter sends the plurality of measurement reference signals includes: Based on the first beam direction, the angular region to which the target beam belongs is determined; The beam located within the angular region and whose first performance index is greater than or equal to the target threshold among the multiple beams associated with the multiple measurement reference signals is determined as the target beam.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The step of determining the target beam based on the measurement results of the receiver for the plurality of measurement reference signals, the first beam direction, and the order in which the transmitter sends the plurality of measurement reference signals includes: The target beam is determined based on the measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals, the direction of the first beam, the order in which the transmitting end transmits the plurality of measurement reference signals, and the relative positional relationship between the receiving end and the RIS.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The determination of the target beam based on the measurement results of the plurality of measurement reference signals, the direction of the first beam, the order in which the transmitting end transmits the plurality of measurement reference signals, and the relative positional relationship between the receiving end and the RIS includes: Based on the direction of the first beam and the relative positional relationship, the angular region to which the target beam belongs is determined; The beam located within the angular region and whose first performance index is greater than or equal to the target threshold among the multiple beams associated with the multiple measurement reference signals is determined as the target beam.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: The third indication information is received from the transmitting end, the third indication information being used to indicate the order in which the transmitting end transmits the plurality of measurement reference signals.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The third indication information is also used to indicate the mode in which the receiving end performs beam measurement.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The order in which the transmitting end sends the plurality of measurement reference signals to the receiving end is the order of the codewords in the scan codebook used by the receiving end, and one codeword in the scan codebook corresponds to one of the plurality of measurement reference signals.

16. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes modules for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, the computer program including program instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the method described in any one of claims 1 to 15 to be performed.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processor, which, when executing instructions, causes the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15.

19. A chip, characterized in that, include: A communication interface is used for signal transmission and reception of the chip. A processor for executing computer program instructions, causing a communication device including the chip to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15.

20. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is run on a computer, it causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15.

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