Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, which are applied to the technical field of communications. The method comprises: a first communication apparatus sending a first signal, wherein the frequency range occupied by N first resource units within one time unit that are occupied by the first signal is equal to a first bandwidth, any first resource unit among the N first resource units comprises Q second resource units, and the frequency range occupied by any second resource unit among the Q second resource units within one time unit is equal to the first bandwidth. By means of the embodiments of the present application, resource configurations in integrated sensing and communication scenes can be adapted.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410176431.7, filed on February 7, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0004] In the evolution from 5G to 5G-Advanced (5G-A) technology, integrated communication and sensing technology is considered one of the key technologies for expanding the service capabilities of mobile communication networks. The core idea of ​​this technology is to add sensing capabilities to the mobile communication network, building capabilities for detecting, tracking, and imaging targets. This allows communication and sensing capabilities to be integrated into a single network, achieving harmonious coexistence and mutual benefit. The principle of sensing technology is that the transmitting device sends radio waves (i.e., sensing signals) in a specific direction. When these radio waves illuminate the surface of the sensing target, they form reflected radio waves (i.e., the echo signal of the sensing signal). The receiving device receives and processes these reflected radio waves to obtain sensing data, such as the location, speed, or type of the sensing target.

[0005] Communication signals typically employ orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) waveform technology. OFDM technology constructs orthogonal subcarriers in the frequency domain, enabling the simultaneous transmission of different modulation symbols by mapping them onto these subcarriers. Current resource allocation methods are designed for OFDM waveforms, configuring resources at the subcarrier level or at the level of a resource block (RB) comprising at least one subcarrier. However, in integrated communication and sensing scenarios, other waveforms exist besides OFDM, such as chirped multiplexed waveforms. Therefore, the current resource allocation method is not suitable for integrated communication and sensing scenarios. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for adapting resource configuration in a communication and sensing integrated scenario.

[0007] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a first communication device, or by other devices including the functions of the first communication device, or by a chip system (or chip) or other functional module, wherein the chip system or functional module is capable of realizing the functions of the first communication device, and the chip system or functional module is disposed, for example, in the first communication device.

[0008] Taking a first communication device as the executing entity as an example, the method may include: the first communication device determining N first resource units, and transmitting a first signal based on the N first resource units. Alternatively, the first communication device transmits a first signal, which occupies N first resource units. Wherein, the frequency range occupied by the N first resource units within a time unit is equal to a first bandwidth, any one of the N first resource units includes Q second resource units, and any one of the Q second resource units occupies a frequency range equal to the first bandwidth within a time unit, where N and Q are both positive integers.

[0009] Optionally, the first signal can be used for sensing.

[0010] Optionally, the first bandwidth may be located within the second bandwidth, which may be a carrier bandwidth or a bandwidth portion.

[0011] In the above embodiments, resource configuration is performed at the first resource unit level. The frequency range occupied by N first resource units in a time unit is equal to the first bandwidth. The frequency range occupied by any one of the Q second resource units included in the first resource unit in a time unit is also equal to the first bandwidth. This means that the frequency of the second resource unit can change with time, and it can be applied to chirped multiplexed waveforms whose frequency changes with time, thereby adapting to resource configuration in the integrated communication and sensing scenario.

[0012] In one possible implementation, a time unit can be a symbol, the first resource unit occupies one symbol in the time domain, the frequency range of the first resource unit at any moment in that symbol can be less than the first bandwidth, and the frequency of the second resource unit is different at different moments in that symbol. Alternatively, a time unit can be a symbol, the first resource unit occupies one symbol in the time domain, and the frequency range of the first resource unit at any moment in that symbol can also be equal to the first bandwidth.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the frequency of the second resource unit increases from the first frequency to the second frequency over time within a time unit; or, the frequency of the second resource unit increases from the third frequency to the second frequency and then from the first frequency to the third frequency over time within a time unit; wherein the first frequency is the lower boundary of the first bandwidth and the second frequency is the upper boundary of the first bandwidth.

[0014] In one possible implementation, N first resource units can belong to M first resource units, and the frequency range occupied by the M first resource units in a time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, where M is an integer greater than or equal to N.

[0015] Through the above implementation, the first bandwidth can be divided into M first resource units within a time unit, and N of the M first resource units are used to carry the first signal.

[0016] In one possible implementation, Q can be greater than 1, and the M first resource units can include P second resource units, where P is an integer greater than or equal to Q. At a first moment in a time unit, the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the Q second resource units is equal to the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the P second resource units. Alternatively, at a first moment in a time unit, the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the Q second resource units is greater than the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the P second resource units. Alternatively, at a first moment in the same time unit, the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the Q second resource units is equal to K times the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the P second resource units, where K is an integer greater than 1.

[0017] Through the above implementation method, the N first resource units occupied by the first signal can be centrally distributed or distributed in frequency, which is flexible.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the first communication device may further transmit first information; or the first communication device may further receive first information. The first information may be used to indicate a first bandwidth.

[0019] With the above implementation method, the first bandwidth can be configured by the first communication device, or the first bandwidth can be configured by other communication devices, and the implementation method is flexible.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the first communication device may also send second information; or the first communication device may also receive second information. The second information may be used to instruct the N first resource units.

[0021] Through the above implementation method, the resources occupied by the first signal can be configured by the first communication device, or the resources occupied by the first signal can be configured by other communication devices, and the implementation method is flexible.

[0022] Secondly, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a first communication device, or by other devices including the functions of the first communication device, or by a chip system (or chip) or other functional module, wherein the chip system or functional module is capable of realizing the functions of the first communication device, and the chip system or functional module is disposed, for example, in the first communication device.

[0023] Taking a first communication device as the executing entity as an example, the method may include: the first communication device determining H second resource units, and sending a first signal based on the H second resource units. Alternatively, the first communication device sends a first signal, which occupies H second resource units. Wherein, the frequency range occupied by the H second resource units in one time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, and the frequency range occupied by any one of the H second resource units in one time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, where H is a positive integer.

[0024] Optionally, the first signal can be used for sensing.

[0025] Optionally, the first bandwidth may be located within the second bandwidth, which may be a carrier bandwidth or a bandwidth portion.

[0026] In the above embodiments, resource configuration is performed at the level of the second resource unit. The frequency range occupied by the second resource unit within a time unit is also equal to the first bandwidth. This means that the frequency of the second resource unit can change with time and is applicable to chirped multiplexed waveforms whose frequency changes with time, thereby adapting to resource configuration in the integrated communication and sensing scenario.

[0027] In one possible implementation, a time unit is a symbol, the first signal occupies that symbol in the time domain, and the frequency range of the H second resource units at any time within that symbol is less than the first bandwidth. The frequencies of the second resource units differ at different times within a symbol. Alternatively, the frequency range of the H second resource units at any time within that symbol may also be equal to the first bandwidth.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the frequency of the second resource unit increases from the first frequency to the second frequency over time within a time unit; or, the frequency of the second resource unit increases from the third frequency to the second frequency and then from the first frequency to the third frequency over time within a time unit. Here, the first frequency is the lower boundary of the first bandwidth, and the second frequency is the upper boundary of the first bandwidth.

[0029] In one possible implementation, H second resource units belong to P second resource units, and the frequency range occupied by the P second resource units in a time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, where P is an integer greater than or equal to H.

[0030] Through the above implementation, the first bandwidth can be divided into P second resource units within a time unit, and H of the P second resource units are used to carry the first signal.

[0031] In one possible implementation, at a second moment in a time unit, the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the H second resource units is equal to the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the P second resource units; or, at a second moment in a time unit, the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the H second resource units is greater than the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the P second resource units; or, at a second moment in a time unit, the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the H second resource units is equal to J times the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the P second resource units, where J is an integer greater than 1.

[0032] Through the above implementation method, the H second resource units occupied by the first signal can be centrally distributed or distributed in terms of frequency, which is flexible.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the first communication device may further transmit first information; or, the first communication device may further receive first information. The first information may be used to indicate a first bandwidth.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the first communication device may also transmit third information; or, the first communication device may also receive third information. The third information may be used to indicate H second resource units.

[0035] Thirdly, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a second communication device, or by other devices including the functions of the second communication device, or by a chip system (or chip) or other functional module, wherein the chip system or functional module is capable of realizing the functions of the second communication device, and the chip system or functional module is, for example, disposed in the second communication device.

[0036] Taking a second communication device as the executing entity as an example, the method may include: the second communication device determining N first resource units, and receiving a first signal based on the N first resource units. Alternatively, the second communication device receives a first signal, which occupies N first resource units. Wherein, the frequency range occupied by the N first resource units within a time unit is equal to a first bandwidth, any one of the N first resource units includes Q second resource units, and any one of the Q second resource units occupies a frequency range equal to the first bandwidth within a time unit, where N and Q are both positive integers.

[0037] Optionally, the first signal can be used for sensing.

[0038] Optionally, the first bandwidth may be located within the second bandwidth, which may be a carrier bandwidth or a bandwidth portion.

[0039] In one possible implementation, a time unit can be a symbol, the first resource unit occupies one symbol in the time domain, the frequency range of the first resource unit at any moment in that symbol can be less than the first bandwidth, and the frequency of the second resource unit is different at different moments in that symbol. Alternatively, a time unit can be a symbol, the first resource unit occupies one symbol in the time domain, and the frequency range of the first resource unit at any moment in that symbol can also be equal to the first bandwidth.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the frequency of the second resource unit increases from the first frequency to the second frequency over time within a time unit; or, the frequency of the second resource unit increases from the third frequency to the second frequency and then from the first frequency to the third frequency over time within a time unit; wherein the first frequency is the lower boundary of the first bandwidth and the second frequency is the upper boundary of the first bandwidth.

[0041] In one possible implementation, N first resource units can belong to M first resource units, and the frequency range occupied by the M first resource units in a time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, where M is an integer greater than or equal to N.

[0042] In one possible implementation, Q can be greater than 1, and the M first resource units can include P second resource units, where P is an integer greater than or equal to Q. At a first moment in a time unit, the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the Q second resource units is equal to the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the P second resource units. Alternatively, at a first moment in a time unit, the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the Q second resource units is greater than the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the P second resource units. Alternatively, at a first moment in the same time unit, the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the Q second resource units is equal to K times the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the P second resource units, where K is an integer greater than 1.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the second communication device may also transmit the first information; or the second communication device may also receive the first information. The first information may be used to indicate the first bandwidth.

[0044] In one possible implementation, the second communication device may also transmit second information; or the second communication device may also receive second information. This second information may be used to instruct the N first resource units.

[0045] Fourthly, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a second communication device, or by other devices including the functions of the second communication device, or by a chip system (or chip) or other functional module, wherein the chip system or functional module is capable of realizing the functions of the second communication device, and the chip system or functional module is, for example, disposed in the second communication device.

[0046] Taking a second communication device as the executing entity as an example, the method may include: the second communication device determining H second resource units, and receiving a first signal based on the H second resource units. The second communication device receives the first signal, which occupies the H second resource units. Wherein, the frequency range occupied by the H second resource units in one time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, and the frequency range occupied by any one of the H second resource units in one time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, where H is a positive integer.

[0047] Optionally, the first signal can be used for sensing.

[0048] Optionally, the first bandwidth may be located within the second bandwidth, which may be a carrier bandwidth or a bandwidth portion.

[0049] In one possible implementation, a time unit is a symbol, the first signal occupies that symbol in the time domain, and the frequency range of the H second resource units at any time within that symbol is less than the first bandwidth. The frequencies of the second resource units differ at different times within a symbol. Alternatively, the frequency range of the H second resource units at any time within that symbol may also be equal to the first bandwidth.

[0050] In one possible implementation, the frequency of the second resource unit increases from the first frequency to the second frequency over time within a time unit; or, the frequency of the second resource unit increases from the third frequency to the second frequency and then from the first frequency to the third frequency over time within a time unit. Here, the first frequency is the lower boundary of the first bandwidth, and the second frequency is the upper boundary of the first bandwidth.

[0051] In one possible implementation, H second resource units belong to P second resource units, and the frequency range occupied by the P second resource units in a time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, where P is an integer greater than or equal to H.

[0052] In one possible implementation, at a second moment in a time unit, the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the H second resource units is equal to the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the P second resource units; or, at a second moment in a time unit, the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the H second resource units is greater than the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the P second resource units; or, at a second moment in a time unit, the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the H second resource units is equal to J times the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the P second resource units, where J is an integer greater than 1.

[0053] In one possible implementation, the second communication device may also transmit the first information; or, the second communication device may also receive the first information. The first information may be used to indicate the first bandwidth.

[0054] In one possible implementation, the second communication device may also transmit third information; or, the second communication device may also receive third information. The third information may be used to indicate H second resource units.

[0055] Fifthly, this application also provides a communication device. The communication device is used to perform the method described in the first or second aspect above, or any possible implementation thereof. The communication device is, for example, a first communication device, or a functional module within a first communication device, such as a baseband device or a chip system.

[0056] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device.

[0057] In another possible implementation, the communication device includes a processing module (sometimes also called a processing unit) and a transceiver module (sometimes also called a transceiver unit). The transceiver module is capable of both sending and receiving functions. When the transceiver module performs the sending function, it can be called a sending module (sometimes also called a sending unit), and when it performs the receiving function, it can be called a receiving module (sometimes also called a receiving unit). The sending module and the receiving module can be the same functional module, which is called the transceiver module and can perform both sending and receiving functions; alternatively, the sending module and the receiving module can be different functional modules, and the transceiver module is a collective term for these functional modules.

[0058] Sixthly, this application also provides a communication device. The communication device is used to perform the method described in the third or fourth aspect above and any possible implementation thereof. This communication device is, for example, a second communication device, or a functional module within a second communication device, such as a baseband device or a chip system.

[0059] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device.

[0060] In another possible implementation, the communication device includes a processing module (sometimes also called a processing unit) and a transceiver module (sometimes also called a transceiver unit). The transceiver module is capable of both sending and receiving functions. When the transceiver module performs the sending function, it can be called a sending module (sometimes also called a sending unit), and when it performs the receiving function, it can be called a receiving module (sometimes also called a receiving unit). The sending module and the receiving module can be the same functional module, which is called the transceiver module and can perform both sending and receiving functions; alternatively, the sending module and the receiving module can be different functional modules, and the transceiver module is a collective term for these functional modules.

[0061] In a seventh aspect, this application also provides a communication device. The communication device may include one or more processors. Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory. The memory is used to store one or more computer programs or instructions. The one or more processors are used to execute the one or more computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, causing the communication device to perform the methods described in the first or second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0062] Eighthly, this application also provides a communication device. The communication device may include one or more processors. Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory. The memory is used to store one or more computer programs or instructions. The one or more processors are used to execute the one or more computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, causing the communication device to perform the methods described in the third or fourth aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0063] Ninthly, this application also provides a communication system, which includes the communication device described in the fifth aspect above, or includes the communication device described in the sixth aspect above, or includes both the communication device described in the fifth aspect above and the communication device described in the sixth aspect above.

[0064] In a tenth aspect, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the methods described in any of the first to fourth aspects and any possible implementations thereof to be implemented.

[0065] In an eleventh aspect, this application also provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the methods described in any of the first to fourth aspects and any possible implementations thereof to be implemented.

[0066] In a twelfth aspect, this application also provides a chip system including at least one processor for reading and executing program instructions in a memory, such that the chip system implements the methods described in any one of the first to fourth aspects and any possible implementations thereof. Optionally, the chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices, without limitation.

[0067] The technical effects achievable by the third to twelfth aspects and any of their possible implementations are described in the same way as the technical effects achievable by the first or second aspects and any of their possible implementations, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0068] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of a communication system;

[0069] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication and sensing integrated scenario;

[0070] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of various sensing scenarios;

[0071] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an OFDM waveform and a chirped multiplexed waveform;

[0072] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0073] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the second resource unit provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0074] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the second bandwidth provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0075] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the first resource unit provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0076] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of H second resource units provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0077] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0078] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0079] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0080] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0081] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0082] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The network architecture and business scenarios described in this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0083] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can be applied to various communication systems, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), short-range wireless communication systems (such as sidelink, wireless fidelity, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.), wired networks, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, 4th generation (4G) mobile communication systems (such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems), LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems (such as New Radio (NR) systems), and future communication systems (such as 6th generation (6G) mobile communication systems). The invention is not limited to any particular generation (6G) mobile communication system or other similar communication systems. The embodiments of this application are described using the communication system shown in Figure 1 as an example. When applying the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application to other communication systems, the devices, components, modules, etc., in the embodiments can be replaced with corresponding devices, components, modules, etc., in other communication systems, without limitation.

[0084] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system applied in the embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system includes an access network 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system may also include an Internet 300. The access network 100 may include at least one radio access network (RAN) node, such as 110a and 110b in Figure 1, and may also include at least one terminal device, such as 120a-120j in Figure 1. Specifically, 110a is a base station, 110b is a micro-station, 120a, 120e, 120f, and 120j are mobile phones, 120b is a car, 120c is a fuel dispenser, 120d is a home access point (HAP) deployed indoors or outdoors, 120g is a laptop computer, 120h is a printer, and 120i is a drone. The same terminal device or network device can provide different functions in different application scenarios. For example, the mobile phones in Figure 1 are 120a, 120e, 120f and 120j. Mobile phone 120a can access base station 110a, connect to car 120b, communicate directly with mobile phone 120e and access HAP. Car 120b can access HAP and communicate directly with mobile phone 120a. Mobile phone 120f can access micro-station 110b, connect to laptop 120g and printer 120h. Mobile phone 120j can control drone 120i.

[0085] A network device is a network-side device with wireless transceiver capabilities. This network device can be a unit in a radio access network (RAN) that provides wireless communication functions for terminal devices, referred to as RAN equipment; alternatively, it can also be a core network device. For ease of understanding, the following explanation uses RAN equipment as an example. RAN can be an access network in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 4G, 5G, or future-oriented 6G networks. RAN can also be an open access network (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a communication network combining two or more of these. RAN equipment can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a base station in a 6G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, an access node in a Wi-Fi system, a wireless relay node, or a wireless backhaul node, etc.

[0086] RAN equipment can also be modules or units that perform some of the functions of a base station. For example, it can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). For instance, a CU can perform the functions of the base station's Radio Resource Control protocol and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), as well as the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP). A DU performs the functions of the base station's Radio Link Control layer and Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, and can also perform some or all of the physical layer functions. For specific descriptions of the aforementioned protocol layers, refer to the relevant technical specifications of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). CUs and DUs can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). In different systems, CU, DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, and RU can also be called O-RU. Any of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU units in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules. The network equipment can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 1, 110a), a micro base station or an indoor station (as shown in Figure 1, 110b), or a relay node or donor node, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or specific equipment form used in the network equipment.

[0087] In the embodiments of this application, the functions of the network device can be executed by modules (such as chips) within the network device, or by a control subsystem that includes the functions of the network device. This control subsystem, which includes the functions of the network device, can be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities.

[0088] A terminal device is a user-side device with wireless transceiver capabilities. Terminal devices can also be called terminals, user equipment (UE), user terminals, user devices, user units, user stations, access terminals, access stations, UE stations, remote stations, wireless communication equipment, mobile stations, or mobile terminals, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as D2D communication, V2X communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication or machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, self-driving, remote medical care, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, and smart cities. Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc.

[0089] In the embodiments of this application, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself, or it can be any device that supports the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system or a combination of devices or components that can implement the functions of the terminal device. This device can be installed in the terminal device. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal device.

[0090] Network devices and terminal devices can be fixed in location or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on airplanes, balloons, and artificial satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the network devices and terminal devices.

[0091] Network devices and terminal devices can communicate via air interface protocols. The air interface can be simply referred to as the air interface. Network devices can communicate with each other via network device-to-network device interface protocols. Terminal devices can communicate with each other via licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously, without limitation.

[0092] The roles of network devices and terminal devices can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 1 can be configured as a mobile network device. For terminal devices 120j that access the wireless access network 100 via 120i, terminal device 120i is a network device; however, for network device 110a, 120i is a terminal device. That is, 110a and 120i communicate via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate via a network device-to-network device interface protocol. In this case, relative to 110a, 120i is also a network device. Therefore, both network devices and terminal devices can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with network device functions, and 120a-120j in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with terminal device functions.

[0093] Next, the technical features involved in the embodiments of this application will be described.

[0094] 1. Integrated communication and sensing

[0095] In the evolution of 5G mobile communication systems towards 5G-A technology, integrated communication and sensing technology is considered one of the key technologies for expanding the service capabilities of mobile communication networks. The core idea of ​​this integrated communication and sensing technology is to add sensing capabilities to the mobile communication network, building capabilities such as target detection, tracking, and imaging, thereby integrating communication and sensing capabilities into a single network, achieving harmonious coexistence and mutual benefit. Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of an integrated communication and sensing scenario. In Figure 2, solid lines represent communication, and dashed lines represent sensing, illustrating an example. As shown in Figure 2, network devices can sense other objects through self-transmission and reception, or they can sense other objects while communicating with terminal devices. Figure 2 illustrates an example where the terminal device is a smartphone, and the sensed targets are drones, pedestrians, and vehicles.

[0096] 2. Single-station sensing and dual-station sensing

[0097] Sensing technology can generally be divided into two modes: single-site sensing and dual-site sensing. Single-site sensing refers to a single device that transmits the sensing signal and receives the echo signal. In other words, in single-site sensing, the transmitting device both transmits the sensing signal and receives the echo signal reflected from the surface of the sensing target. Therefore, this single-site sensing mode can also be called a self-transmitting and self-receiving mode, without limitation. Dual-site sensing refers to two different devices that transmit the sensing signal and receive the echo signal. In other words, sensing station A transmits the sensing signal, and the echo signal reflected from the surface of the sensing target is received by sensing station B. Therefore, this dual-site sensing mode can also be called the A-transmitting and B-receiving mode. It should be noted that the echo signal is obtained by reflecting the sensing signal from the surface of the sensing target; therefore, this echo signal can still be called the sensing signal.

[0098] Figure 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of the sensing scenarios applicable to the embodiments of this application. Figure 3 provides six sensing scenarios applicable to the embodiments of this application: a scenario where network device A transmits and receives signals independently, i.e., network device A sends sensing signals and receives echo signals, as shown in (1) of Figure 3; a scenario where terminal device A transmits and receives signals independently, i.e., terminal device A sends sensing signals and receives echo signals, as shown in (2) of Figure 3; a scenario where network device A sends sensing signals and network device B receives echo signals, as shown in (3) of Figure 3; a scenario where terminal device A sends sensing signals and terminal device B receives echo signals, as shown in (4) of Figure 3; a scenario where network device A sends sensing signals and terminal device A receives echo signals, as shown in (5) of Figure 3; and a scenario where terminal device A sends sensing signals and network device A receives echo signals, as shown in (6) of Figure 3. Figure 3 uses a vehicle as the sensing target and a smartphone as the terminal device as an example.

[0099] The sensing target can also be referred to as a target, a detected target, a sensed object, a sensed device, etc., without limitation. The sensing target can be any tangible object in the environment capable of reflecting electromagnetic waves. For example, the sensing target can be a stationary object such as a mountain, forest, or building. Alternatively, the sensing target can be a mobile object such as a vehicle, drone, pedestrian, or terminal device. This application does not limit the specific implementation form of the sensing target.

[0100] 3. Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) waveform subcarriers

[0101] Communication signals typically employ OFDM waveform technology. This OFDM waveform technology can construct orthogonal subcarriers in the frequency domain (also referred to as OFDM waveform subcarriers, or OFDM waveform subcarriers, etc.). By mapping different modulation symbols onto orthogonal subcarriers, it is possible to transmit different modulation symbols simultaneously. For example, the relationship between the modulation symbol (k) to be transmitted and the signal s(t) using the OFDM waveform can be shown in Equation (1).

[0102] Where ∑· represents the summation operation, k is the subcarrier index, M is the number of subcarriers, Δf is the subcarrier interval, t is the time, and Δk and Δt are predetermined parameters.

[0103] When the transmitting device sends a communication signal to the receiving device using an OFDM waveform, the transmitting device can generate an OFDM signal from the modulation symbol to be transmitted according to the above formula (1), thereby mapping the modulation symbol to be transmitted onto orthogonal subcarriers and realizing the simultaneous transmission of different modulation symbols.

[0104] Currently, the resources occupied by communication signals are mainly configured at the subcarrier or resource block including at least one subcarrier, and this is only applicable to OFDM waveforms. That is, the communication signal is carried by at least one subcarrier, or the communication signal is carried by at least one resource block. The frequency of the subcarrier in a symbol remains constant, or the frequency of the subcarrier remains unchanged over time, as shown in (1) of Figure 4.

[0105] In the integrated communication and sensing scenario, in addition to OFDM waveforms, other waveforms may exist, such as chirped multiplexed waveforms. In chirped multiplexed waveform technology, chirped multiplexing is used in both the time and frequency domains, allowing the sensing signal to occupy more bandwidth within a single symbol, thus improving sensing performance. That is, in chirped multiplexed waveform technology, the frequency domain resources mapped by a modulation symbol change over time, allowing it to occupy more bandwidth, as shown in Figure 4(2). It is evident that the current resource configuration method cannot adapt to resource configuration in scenarios where multiple waveforms coexist, such as the resource configuration in the integrated communication and sensing scenario.

[0106] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method and apparatus for adapting resource configuration in a communication-sensing integrated scenario. The method and apparatus described in this application are based on the same technical concept. Since the principles by which the method and apparatus solve problems are similar, the implementations of the apparatus and method can refer to each other, and repeated details will not be elaborated further.

[0107] The following section will introduce some of the technical terms involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0108] The first signal can be used for sensing. For example, the first signal can be called a sensing signal, without limitation. Exemplarily, the first signal can be a physical broadcast channel (PBCH); or it can be a reference signal (e.g., demodulation reference signal (DMRS), channel state information reference signal (CSI RS), sounding reference signal (SRS), or other reference signals); or it can be a downlink channel (e.g., physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), or physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)); or it can be an uplink channel (e.g., physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), or physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)), etc. The specific implementation of the first signal is not limited in the embodiments of this application. The embodiments of this application describe the application of the first signal in a communication-sensing integrated scenario as an example. It should be understood that the first signal can also be applied to other scenarios where multiple waveforms coexist, in addition to the communication-sensing integrated scenario, without limitation.

[0109] The first communication device can be used to transmit a first signal. The first communication device can be a network device or a component of a network device (such as DU and / or RU, etc.), or it can be a terminal device or a component of a terminal device, without limitation. For example, the first communication device can be network device A in (1), (3), or (5) of Figure 3, or it can be terminal device A in (2), (4), or (6) of Figure 3.

[0110] The second communication device can be used to receive the first signal. This second communication device can be a network device or a component within a network device (such as a DU and / or RU, etc.), or it can be a terminal device or a component within a terminal device, without limitation. For example, the first communication device is used to transmit the first signal, and the second communication device can be used to receive the first signal. For example, the second communication device can be network device A in (1) or (6) of Figure 3, or terminal device A in (2) or (5) of Figure 3, or network device B in (3) of Figure 3, or terminal device B in (4) of Figure 3.

[0111] The descriptions of network devices and terminal devices can be found in Figure 1, and will not be repeated here.

[0112] Resources may include time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, or both. In this embodiment, the description uses the example of resources including frequency-domain resources, or both time-domain and frequency-domain resources. Time-domain resources may include symbols, slots, mini-slots, partial slots, sub-frames, frames, or sensing slots, etc., without limitation. Frequency-domain resources may include resource elements (REs), resource blocks (RBs), RB sets, subchannels, resource pools, bandwidth parts (BWPs), carriers, subcarriers, channels, or interlacing, etc., without limitation.

[0113] A time unit can be one or more symbols, one or more time slots, one or more micro-time slots, one or more subframes, or one or more radio frames, etc. In this application embodiment, the temporal granularity is not limited. Multiple time units can be continuous or discrete in time, without restriction. Symbols can be OFDM symbols, or symbols can be OFDM (discrete fourier transform-spread-OFDM, DFT-S-OFDM) symbols based on the discrete Fourier transform. In this application embodiment, the specific implementation form of the symbols is not limited.

[0114] Figure 5 illustrates a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 5, the method may include the following:

[0115] S501: The first communication device sends a first signal.

[0116] For example, the first communication device may determine resources for transmitting (or carrying) the first signal and use those resources to send the first signal. This first signal may be used for sensing; please refer to the terminology description for details, which will not be repeated here.

[0117] This application provides two resource configuration methods: resource configuration at the first resource unit level and resource configuration at the second resource unit level. The first resource unit and the second resource unit are described below.

[0118] 1. The first resource unit, also known as a chirped resource block or resource block, is not specifically named in this application embodiment. In the time domain, the first resource unit may occupy one time unit. For example, one time unit may be one symbol (e.g., an OFDM symbol), and the first resource unit may occupy one symbol in the time domain. In the frequency domain, the first resource unit may include one or more second resource units, such as denoted as Q second resource units. That is, the first resource unit may include Q second resource units in the frequency domain. Where Q is a positive integer. For example, Q may be 4, or it may be a power of 2 (e.g., 4, 8, 16, or 32, etc.), or it may be a multiple of 10 (e.g., 10, 20, or 30, etc.), or it may be a multiple of 12 (e.g., 12, 24, or 36, etc.), without limitation.

[0119] The frequency range occupied by the first resource unit within a time unit is equal to the first bandwidth. As an example, the frequency range of the first resource unit at any moment within a time unit is less than the first bandwidth. For instance, if a time unit is a symbol, the frequency range of the first resource unit at any moment within that symbol is less than the first bandwidth. As another example, the frequency range of the first resource unit at any moment within a time unit can also be equal to the first bandwidth, meaning resources are allocated to the first signal with the first bandwidth as the granularity. For instance, if a time unit is a symbol, the frequency of the first resource unit at any moment within that symbol is equal to the first bandwidth. For ease of understanding, the following description will use the example of the first resource unit's frequency range at any moment within a time unit being less than the first bandwidth.

[0120] 2. The second resource unit, also known as a sub-resource unit, frequency domain unit, chirped subcarrier, or subcarrier, is not specifically named in this application embodiment. The frequency range occupied by the second resource unit within one time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, as shown in Figure 6. For example, one time unit is one symbol, and the frequency range occupied by the second resource unit within one symbol is equal to the first bandwidth. Figure 6 illustrates this by referring to the second resource unit as a chirped subcarrier. In this application embodiment, the frequency range occupied by both the first and second resource units within one time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, meaning that the frequency of the second resource unit can change over time.

[0121] For example, the frequency of the second resource element may be different at different times within a time unit. For instance, a time unit may be a symbol, and the frequency of the second resource element may differ at different times within that symbol. For example, suppose the second resource element is called chirped subcarrier 1, and time 1 and time 2 are different times within a time unit. Then, the frequency of the chirped subcarrier at time 1 is different from the frequency of the chirped subcarrier at time 2, as shown in Figure 6 for chirped subcarrier 1 and chirped subcarrier 2.

[0122] In one possible design, the frequency of the second resource element can increase over time within a time unit from the lower boundary of the first bandwidth (e.g., denoted as the first frequency, i.e., the minimum frequency in the first bandwidth) to the upper boundary of the first bandwidth (e.g., denoted as the second frequency, i.e., the maximum frequency in the first bandwidth), as shown in chirped subcarrier 1 in Figure 6. In another possible design, the frequency of the second resource element can increase over time within a time unit from a third frequency to the second frequency (i.e., the upper boundary of the first bandwidth), and then from the first frequency (i.e., the lower boundary of the first bandwidth) back to the third frequency, as shown in chirped subcarrier 2 in Figure 6. The third frequency is greater than the first frequency and less than the second frequency.

[0123] The hollow circles in Figure 6 represent the following: If the frequency of the second resource unit is equal to the third frequency at the beginning of a time unit, then at the end of that time unit, the frequency of the second resource unit is close to (e.g., less than) the third frequency, but not equal to the third frequency. Alternatively, if the frequency of the second resource unit is close to (e.g., greater than) the third frequency at the beginning of a time unit, but not equal to the third frequency, then at the end of that time unit, the frequency of the second resource unit is equal to the third frequency. Furthermore, Figure 6 illustrates an example where the frequency of chirped subcarrier 2 at time 1 is the second frequency. It should be understood that if the frequency of chirped subcarrier 2 is equal to the second frequency at time 1, then at times close to time 1 (e.g., after time 1), the frequency of chirped subcarrier 2 is equal to the first frequency.

[0124] It should be noted that the time in the embodiments of this application can be understood as a sampling point or sampling time point, or it can also be understood as a time concept with a smaller granularity than a time unit, as shown in time 1 in Figure 6.

[0125] The first bandwidth can be used for sensing. This first bandwidth can also be called chirp bandwidth or sensing bandwidth, etc., and the specific naming of the first bandwidth is not limited in this application embodiment. In one example, the first bandwidth can be located within the second bandwidth. The second bandwidth can include bandwidth for transmitting signals, or bandwidth for receiving signals, or bandwidth for both transmitting and receiving signals. For example, the second bandwidth can include one or more of the following: bandwidth for receiving signals on the first communication device side, bandwidth for transmitting signals on the first communication device side, bandwidth for receiving signals on the second communication device side, or bandwidth for transmitting signals on the second communication device side. For another example, the second bandwidth can be carrier bandwidth, or it can be a portion of the bandwidth, without limitation. For example, the second bandwidth can include the first bandwidth for sensing and the third bandwidth for communication, as shown in Figure 7. In yet another example, the first bandwidth can also be equal to the second bandwidth.

[0126] The first bandwidth can be predefined, configured (or allocated) by the first communication device, or configured (or allocated) by another communication device (e.g., referred to as the third communication device), without limitation. The third communication device can be a network device or a component within a network device, or a terminal device or a component within a terminal device. This application does not limit the specific implementation of the third communication device. For example, the third communication device can be a second communication device, or it can be another communication device besides the first and second communication devices (e.g., the first and second communication devices are both terminal devices, and the third communication device can be a network device or other terminal devices).

[0127] In one possible implementation, the first communication device can send first information, which can be used to indicate a first bandwidth. For example, the first bandwidth is configured by the first communication device, which can send the first information. For example, the first communication device can send the first information to a second communication device; correspondingly, the second communication device can receive the first information from the first communication device. Further, the second communication device can determine the first bandwidth based on the first information.

[0128] In another possible implementation, the first communication device can receive first information, which can be used to indicate a first bandwidth. For example, the first bandwidth is configured by a third communication device, which can receive the first information. For example, the third communication device can send the first information to the first communication device; correspondingly, the first communication device can receive the first information from the third communication device. Further, the first communication device can determine the first bandwidth based on the first information. As another example, if the third communication device is not the second communication device, the third communication device can also send the first information to the second communication device; correspondingly, the second communication device can receive the first information from the third communication device. Further, the second communication device can determine the first bandwidth based on the first information.

[0129] In one possible implementation, the first information used to indicate the first bandwidth can specifically be: the first information can be used to indicate the upper boundary and the lower boundary of the first bandwidth; or, the first information can be used to indicate the upper boundary and the width of the first bandwidth; or, the first information can be used to indicate the lower boundary and the width of the first bandwidth; or, the first information can be used to indicate the frequency interval between the upper boundary of the first bandwidth and the upper boundary of the second bandwidth, and the frequency interval between the lower boundary of the first bandwidth and the lower boundary of the second bandwidth; or, the first information can be used for the frequency interval between the upper boundary of the first bandwidth and the upper boundary of the second bandwidth, and the width of the first bandwidth; or, the first information can be used for the frequency interval between the lower boundary of the first bandwidth and the lower boundary of the second bandwidth, and the width of the first bandwidth, etc. It is understood that the embodiments of this application do not limit the specific implementation form of the first information.

[0130] Optionally, the first information may be carried by RRC layer signaling or by MAC layer signaling, without restriction.

[0131] The following section will introduce two resource configuration methods provided in the embodiments of this application (for example, referred to as resource configuration method 1 and resource configuration method 2, respectively).

[0132] 1. Resource Allocation Method 1

[0133] In resource configuration method 1, the first signal can occupy N first resource units. Figure 5 illustrates this using the example of the first signal occupying N first resource units. Accordingly, the first communication device can transmit the first signal based on N first resource units. N is a positive integer. The frequency range occupied by these N first resource units within a time unit is equal to the first bandwidth. Any one of the N first resource units includes Q second resource units, and the frequency range occupied by any one of these Q second resource units within a time unit is also equal to the first bandwidth. The terms "first resource unit," "second resource unit," and "first bandwidth" are as described above and will not be repeated here.

[0134] In one possible implementation, the N first resource units can belong to M first resource units; that is, the M first resource units include the N first resource units. The frequency unit occupied by the M first resource units within one time unit is equal to the first bandwidth. M is an integer greater than or equal to N. The M first resource units can be understood as the first resource units included in the first bandwidth within one time unit. In other words, the first bandwidth can be divided into M first resource units within one time unit. Correspondingly, the first resource units occupied by the first signal can be the M first resource units, or a portion of the M first resource units.

[0135] Any one of the N first resource units occupied by the first signal can be centrally distributed (or allocated) or distributed (or allocated), without restriction. Assume Q is greater than 1, and the M first resource units include P second resource units, where P is an integer greater than or equal to Q. In one possible design, at the first moment in a time unit, the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the Q second resource units is equal to the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the P second resource units, as shown in (1) of Figure 8; or, the Q second resource units are consecutive Q second resource units, for example, Q second resource units with consecutive numbers (or index numbers). Figure 8 shows an example where the first resource unit is called a chirped resource block and the second resource unit is a chirped subcarrier. As shown in Figure 8(1), the first bandwidth is divided into two chirped resource blocks within one time unit, i.e., M is 2, denoted as chirped resource block 1 and chirped resource block 2 respectively. Each chirped resource block includes 3 chirped subcarriers (i.e., Q is 3 and P is 6). The frequency interval of the two chirped subcarriers with the smallest frequency interval at the first time among the 6 chirped subcarriers included in chirped resource block 1 and chirped resource block 2 is frequency interval 1. The frequency interval of the two chirped subcarriers with the smallest frequency interval at the first time among the 3 chirped subcarriers included in chirped resource block 1 (or chirped resource block 2) is also frequency interval 1.

[0136] Here, "first moment" refers to any moment within a time unit; for a description of the relevant moments, please refer to the preceding content, which will not be repeated here. Figure 8 illustrates an example where "first moment" is the starting moment of a time unit. The two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval can be understood as two adjacent second resource units. For example, two second resource units with adjacent numbers (or index numbers). It can be understood that if a first resource unit includes two second resource units, then these two second resource units can be the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval at the first moment; or if the first resource unit includes more than two second resource units, then there can be multiple sets of the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval at the first moment within the first resource unit.

[0137] In another possible design, at the first moment of a time unit, the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the Q second resource units is greater than the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the P second resource units, as shown in (2) or (3) of Figure 8; or, in other words, the Q second resource units are discontinuous Q second resource units, for example, Q second resource units with discontinuous numbers (or index numbers). As shown in (2) of Figure 8, the first bandwidth is divided into two chirped resource blocks in a time unit, i.e., M is 2, which are denoted as chirped resource block 1 and chirped resource block 2, respectively. Each chirped resource block includes 3 chirped subcarriers (i.e., Q is 3 and P is 6). The frequency interval of the two chirped subcarriers with the smallest frequency interval at the first moment among the six chirped subcarriers included in chirped resource block 1 and chirped resource block 2 is frequency interval 1. The frequency interval of the two chirped subcarriers with the smallest frequency interval at the first moment among the three chirped subcarriers included in chirped resource block 1 (or chirped resource block 2) is frequency interval 2. Frequency interval 2 is greater than frequency interval 1.

[0138] As shown in Figure 8(3), the first bandwidth is divided into three chirped resource blocks within one time unit, i.e., M is 3, which are denoted as chirped resource block 1, chirped resource block 2 and chirped resource block 3 respectively. Each chirped resource block includes two chirped subcarriers (i.e., Q is 3 and P is 6). Among the six chirped subcarriers included in chirped resource block 1, chirped resource block 2 and chirped resource block 3, the frequency interval of the two chirped subcarriers with the smallest frequency interval at the first time is frequency interval 1. Among the two chirped subcarriers included in chirped resource block 1 (or chirped resource block 2, or chirped resource block 3), the frequency interval of the two chirped subcarriers with the smallest frequency interval at the first time is frequency interval 3. This frequency interval 3 is greater than the frequency interval 1.

[0139] Optionally, in (2) or (3) of Figure 8, at the first time point, the frequency spacing of the two chirped subcarriers with the smallest frequency spacing between the chirped subcarriers in chirped resource block 1 and the chirped subcarriers in chirped resource block 2 is equal to the frequency spacing of the two chirped subcarriers with the smallest frequency spacing among the P chirped subcarriers. Optionally, in (3) of Figure 8, at the first time point, the frequency spacing of the two chirped subcarriers with the smallest frequency spacing between the chirped subcarriers in chirped resource block 1 and the chirped subcarriers in chirped resource block 3 is equal to the frequency spacing of the two chirped subcarriers with the smallest frequency spacing among the P chirped subcarriers. Optionally, in Figure 8(3), at the first moment, the frequency spacing of the two chirped subcarriers with the smallest frequency spacing between the chirped subcarriers in chirped resource block 2 and the chirped subcarriers in chirped resource block 3 is equal to the frequency spacing of the two chirped subcarriers with the smallest frequency spacing among the P chirped subcarriers.

[0140] In another possible design, at the first moment of a time unit, the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the Q second resource units is equal to K times the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the P second resource units. K can be 1, as shown in (1) of Figure 8. Alternatively, K can be greater than 1, as shown in (2) or (3) of Figure 8. Optionally, K can be a multiple of 2 (e.g., 4, 6, 8, or 10), or a multiple of 3 (e.g., 3, 6, 9, or 12), or a multiple of 5 (e.g., 5, 10, 15, or 20), or a multiple of 10 (e.g., 10, 20, 30, or 40), without limitation.

[0141] The N first resource units can be predefined, configured (or allocated) by the first communication device, or configured (or allocated) by the third communication device; there is no restriction. The description of the third communication device is as described above and will not be repeated here. For example, the first communication device can determine N first resource units.

[0142] In one possible implementation, the first communication device can send second information, which can be used to indicate N first resource units. For example, the N first resource units are configured by the first communication device, which can send the second information. For example, the first communication device can send the second information to a second communication device; correspondingly, the second communication device can receive the second information from the first communication device. Further, the second communication device can determine the N first resource units based on the second information.

[0143] In another possible implementation, the first communication device can receive second information, which can be used to indicate N first resource units. For example, the N first resource units are configured by a third communication device, which can receive the second information. For example, the third communication device can send the second information to the first communication device; correspondingly, the first communication device can receive the second information from the third communication device. Further, the first communication device can determine the N first resource units based on the second information. As another example, if the third communication device is not the second communication device, the third communication device can also send the second information to the second communication device; correspondingly, the second communication device can receive the second information from the third communication device. Further, the second communication device can determine the N first resource units based on the second information.

[0144] In one possible implementation, the second information used to indicate the N first resource units can specifically be: the second information can be used to indicate the starting position and number of the N first resource units; or, the second information can also indicate the N first resource units in a bitmap manner, etc. It is understood that the embodiments of this application do not limit the specific implementation form of the second information.

[0145] Optionally, this second information may be carried by downlink control information (DCI), without restriction.

[0146] In the above resource configuration method 1, resource configuration is performed with the first resource unit as the granularity. The frequency range occupied by N first resource units in a time unit is equal to the first bandwidth. The frequency range occupied by any one of the Q second resource units included in the first resource unit in a time unit is also equal to the first bandwidth. This means that the frequency of the second resource unit can change with time, and it can be applied to the chirped multiplexing waveform whose frequency changes with time, thereby adapting to the resource configuration in the integrated communication and sensing scenario.

[0147] 2. Resource Allocation Method 2

[0148] In resource configuration method 2, the first signal can occupy H second resource units. Correspondingly, the first communication device can transmit the first signal based on the H second resource units. Here, H is a positive integer. The frequency range occupied by the H second resource units within a time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, and the frequency range occupied by any one of the H second resource units within a time unit is also equal to the first bandwidth. The terms "second resource unit" and "first bandwidth" are as described above and will not be repeated here.

[0149] In one example, the frequency range of the H second resource units at any moment within a time unit can be less than the first bandwidth. For example, if a time unit is one symbol, the frequency range of the H second resource units at any moment within that symbol can be less than the first bandwidth. In another example, the frequency range of the H second resource units at any moment within a time unit can also be equal to the first bandwidth, meaning resources are configured for the first signal with the first bandwidth as the granularity. For example, if a time unit is one symbol, the frequency of the H second resource units at any moment within that symbol is equal to the first bandwidth. For ease of understanding, the following description will use the example of the frequency range of the H second resource units at any moment within a time unit being less than the first bandwidth.

[0150] In one possible implementation, the H second resource units can belong to P second resource units, that is, the P second resource units include the H second resource units. The frequency units occupied by the P second resource units in one time unit are equal to the first bandwidth. Here, P is an integer greater than or equal to H. The P second resource units can be understood as the second resource units included in the first bandwidth within one time unit. In other words, the first bandwidth can be divided into P second resource units within one time unit. Correspondingly, the second resource units occupied by the first signal can be the P second resource units, or a portion of the P second resource units.

[0151] Assuming H is greater than 1, the H second resource units occupied by the first signal can be centrally distributed (or allocated) or distributed (or allocated), without restriction. In one possible design, at the second moment in a time unit, the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the H second resource units is equal to the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the P second resource units, as shown in (1) of Figure 9; or, the H second resource units are consecutive H second resource units, for example, H second resource units with consecutive numbers (or index numbers). Figure 9 shows an example where the second resource unit is a chirped subcarrier. As shown in (1) of Figure 9, the first bandwidth is divided into 6 chirped subcarriers (i.e., P is 6) in a time unit, and the first signal occupies 3 of the chirped subcarriers (i.e., H is 3). Among the P chirped subcarriers, the frequency interval between the two chirped subcarriers with the smallest frequency interval at the second time moment is 1. The frequency interval between the two chirped subcarriers with the smallest frequency interval at the second time moment among the 3 chirped subcarriers occupied by the first signal is also 1.

[0152] The second time point refers to any time within a time unit. For a description of the relevant time points, please refer to the preceding content; it will not be repeated here. Figure 9 illustrates an example where the second time point is the starting time of a time unit. The two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval can be understood as two adjacent second resource units. For example, two second resource units with adjacent numbers (or index numbers). It is understood that if H is greater than 2, then there can be multiple sets of two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval at the second time point among the H second resource units.

[0153] In another possible design, at the second time of a time unit, the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the H second resource units is greater than the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the P second resource units, as shown in (2) or (3) of Figure 9; or, the H second resource units are discontinuous, for example, H second resource units with discontinuous numbers (or index numbers). As shown in (2) of Figure 9, the first bandwidth is divided into 6 chirped subcarriers (i.e., P is 6) within a time unit, and the first signal occupies 3 of the chirped subcarriers (i.e., H is 3). Among the P chirped subcarriers, the frequency interval between the two chirped subcarriers with the smallest frequency interval at the second time is also frequency interval 1, and the frequency interval between the two chirped subcarriers with the smallest frequency interval at the second time among the 3 chirped subcarriers occupied by the first signal is frequency interval 2, which is greater than frequency interval 1.

[0154] As shown in (3) of Figure 9, the first bandwidth is divided into 6 chirped subcarriers (i.e., P is 6) within one time unit, and the first signal occupies 2 of the chirped subcarriers (i.e., H is 2). Among the P chirped subcarriers, the frequency interval between the two chirped subcarriers with the smallest frequency interval at the second time is also frequency interval 1. The frequency interval between the two chirped subcarriers occupied by the first signal with the smallest frequency interval at the second time is frequency interval 3, which is greater than frequency interval 1.

[0155] In another possible design, at the second moment of a time unit, the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the H second resource units is equal to J times the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the P second resource units. This J can be 1, as shown in (1) of Figure 9. Alternatively, J can be greater than 1, as shown in (2) or (3) of Figure 9. Optionally, J can be a multiple of 2 (e.g., 4, 6, 8, or 10), or a multiple of 3 (e.g., 3, 6, 9, or 12), or a multiple of 5 (e.g., 5, 10, 15, or 20), or a multiple of 10 (e.g., 10, 20, 30, or 40), without limitation.

[0156] The H second resource units can be predefined, configured (or allocated) by the first communication device, or configured (or allocated) by the third communication device; there is no restriction. The description of the third communication device is as described above and will not be repeated here. For example, the first communication device can determine the H second resource units.

[0157] In one possible implementation, the first communication device can send third information, which can be used to indicate H second resource units. For example, the H second resource units are configured by the first communication device, which can send the third information. For example, the first communication device can send the third information to a second communication device; correspondingly, the second communication device can receive the third information from the first communication device. Further, the second communication device can determine the H second resource units based on the third information.

[0158] In another possible implementation, the first communication device can receive third information, which can be used to indicate H second resource units. For example, the H second resource units are configured by a third communication device, and the first communication device can receive the third information. For example, the third communication device can send the third information to the first communication device; correspondingly, the first communication device can receive the third information from the third communication device. Further, the first communication device can determine the H second resource units based on the third information. As another example, if the third communication device is not the second communication device, the third communication device can also send the third information to the second communication device; correspondingly, the second communication device can receive the third information from the third communication device. Further, the second communication device can determine the H second resource units based on the third information.

[0159] In one possible implementation, the third information used to indicate the H second resource units can specifically be: the third information can be used to indicate the starting second resource unit and the number of the H second resource units; or, the third information can also indicate the H second resource units in a bitmap manner, etc. It is understood that the embodiments of this application do not limit the specific implementation form of the third information.

[0160] Optionally, this third information can be carried by downlink control information (DCI), without restriction.

[0161] In the above resource configuration method 2, resource configuration is performed at the granularity of the second resource unit. The frequency range occupied by the second resource unit in a time unit is also equal to the first bandwidth, which means that the frequency of the second resource unit can change with time. It can be applied to the chirped multiplexing waveform whose frequency changes with time, thereby adapting to the resource configuration in the integrated communication and sensing scenario.

[0162] S502: The second communication unit receives the first signal.

[0163] Alternatively, the second communication device may also receive the echo signal of the first signal.

[0164] For example, the second communication device can determine resources for transmitting (or carrying) the first signal and receive the first signal based on those resources. For instance, the second communication device can receive or send first information indicating a first bandwidth; please refer to the relevant content of S501 for details, which will not be repeated here. As an example, if resource configuration method 1 is used to configure resources for the first signal, the second communication device can determine N first resource units. For example, the second communication device can receive or send second information indicating the N first resource units; please refer to the relevant content of S501 for details, which will not be repeated here. As another example, if resource configuration method 2 is used to configure resources for the first signal, the second communication device can determine H second resource units. For example, the second communication device can receive or send third information indicating the H second resource units; please refer to the relevant content of S501 for details, which will not be repeated here.

[0165] Optionally, the above method may further include: a first communication device performing sensing processing on the first signal, as not shown in Figure 5.

[0166] The embodiment shown in Figure 5 can be applied to any of the scenarios shown in (3), (4), (5), or (6) of Figure 3. The embodiment shown in Figure 5 will be described below with the first communication device as the network device, the second communication device as the terminal device, and resource configuration method 1 as the first signal configuration resource as an example.

[0167] Figure 10 illustrates a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. In this embodiment, the first communication device is a network device, the second communication device is a terminal device, and resource configuration method 1 is used to configure resources for the first signal. That is, Figure 10 illustrates the scenario shown in (5) of Figure 3. It should be understood that the specific implementation process of this application embodiment adapted to the scenarios shown in (3), (4), or (6) of Figure 3 can be referred to the description in Figure 10. As shown in Figure 10, the method may also include the following.

[0168] S1001: The network device sends the first information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information from the network device.

[0169] Step S1001 is optional and is shown as a dashed line in Figure 10. This first information can be used to indicate the first bandwidth; please refer to the relevant content in S501 for details, which will not be repeated here.

[0170] S1002: The network device sends second information to the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the second information from the network device.

[0171] S1002 is an optional step, shown as a dashed line in Figure 10. This second information can be used to indicate N first resource units. The frequency range occupied by these N first resource units within a time unit is equal to the first bandwidth. Any one of these N first resource units includes Q second resource units, and any one of these Q second resource units occupies a frequency range equal to the first bandwidth within a time unit. For details, please refer to the relevant content in S501; it will not be repeated here.

[0172] S1003: The network device sends a first signal. For example, the network device sends a first signal based on N first resource units.

[0173] S1004: The terminal device receives the first signal based on the first information and the second information. Alternatively, the terminal device receives the echo signal of the first signal based on the first information and the second information.

[0174] For example, the terminal device determines N first resource units based on the first information and the second information, and receives a first signal based on the N first resource units. Optionally, the terminal device may also perform sensing processing on the first signal, as not shown in Figure 10.

[0175] In another possible implementation, the embodiments of this application can also be applied to the scenarios shown in (1) or (2) of FIG3, that is, the first communication device and the second communication device can be the same communication device. The scenario is described below with reference to FIG11.

[0176] Figure 11 illustrates a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. In this embodiment, the third communication device is a network device, the first communication device is a terminal device, the first and second communication devices are the same communication device, and resource configuration method 2 is used to configure resources for the first signal. That is, Figure 11 illustrates the scenario shown in (2) of Figure 3. It should be understood that the specific implementation process of this application embodiment adapted to the scenario shown in (1) of Figure 3 can be referred to the description in Figure 11. As shown in Figure 11, the method may also include the following.

[0177] S1101: The network device sends the first information to the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the first information from the network device.

[0178] Step S1101 is optional and is shown as a dashed line in Figure 11. This first information can be used to indicate the first bandwidth; please refer to the relevant content in S501 for details, which will not be repeated here.

[0179] S1102: The network device sends third information to the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the third information from the network device.

[0180] S1102 is an optional step, shown as a dashed line in Figure 11. This third information can be used to indicate H second resource units. The frequency range occupied by the H second resource units in one time unit is equal to the first bandwidth. The frequency range occupied by any one of the H second resource units in one time unit is equal to the first bandwidth. For details, please refer to the relevant content in S501, which will not be repeated here.

[0181] S1103: The terminal device sends a first signal based on the first information and the second information. For example, the terminal device determines H second resource units based on the first information and the second information, and sends the first signal based on the H second resource units.

[0182] S1104: The terminal device receives the first signal. Or, the terminal device receives the echo signal of the first signal.

[0183] For example, the terminal device can receive the first signal based on H second resource units. Optionally, the terminal device can also perform sensing processing on the first signal, as not shown in Figure 11.

[0184] The embodiments provided in this application describe the methods provided by the embodiments of this application from the perspective of the interaction between the first communication device and the second communication device. The steps performed by the communication device (e.g., the first communication device or the second communication device) can be implemented by different functional entities that make up the terminal device. The communication device (e.g., the first communication device or the second communication device) may include hardware structures and / or software modules, implementing the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules. Whether a particular function is implemented in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or a combination of hardware structures and software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0185] The communication device used to implement the above method in the embodiments of this application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the content above can be used in subsequent embodiments, and repeated content will not be described again.

[0186] Figure 12 illustrates a schematic diagram of a communication device 1200. This communication device 1200 can implement the functions or steps implemented by the first communication device or the second communication device in the above-described method embodiments.

[0187] For example, the communication device 1200 may be a network device or a component in a network device (such as a DU, RU, etc.), or a terminal device or a component in a terminal device.

[0188] In one embodiment, the communication device 1200 may include a processing module 1201 and a transceiver module 1202. The processing module 1201 can be used for data processing, such as executing the various method embodiments described above. The processing module 1201 may also be referred to as a processing unit, etc. The processing module 1201 may be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuitry. The transceiver module 1202 can be used to implement corresponding communication functions, such as receiving or sending related data, information, or messages. The transceiver module 1202 may also be referred to as a communication interface, a communication module, or a transceiver unit, etc. The transceiver module 1202 may be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuitry.

[0189] It should be noted that the communication device 1200 may include a processing module 1201, but not a transceiver module 1202. Alternatively, the communication device 1200 may include a transceiver module 1202, but not a processing module 1201. Specifically, it depends on whether the above-described scheme executed by the communication device 1200 includes processing and transceiver actions.

[0190] Optionally, the transceiver module 1202 may include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments. The receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments.

[0191] It should be noted that the communication device 1200 may include a transmitting module but not a receiving module. Alternatively, the communication device 1200 may include a receiving module but not a transmitting module. Specifically, it depends on whether the above-described scheme executed by the communication device 1200 includes both transmitting and receiving actions.

[0192] Optionally, the communication device 1200 may further include a storage module, not shown in FIG12. The storage module may be implemented using at least one memory. The storage module may be used to store instructions and / or data, and the processing module 1201 may read the instructions and / or data from the storage module to enable the communication device 1200 to implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0193] Optionally, the communication device 1200 may be a chip system. This chip system may consist of chips or may include chips and other discrete components; there are no limitations. The transceiver module 1202 may be the input / output interface of a chip (e.g., a baseband chip). The processing module 1201 may be the processor of the chip system.

[0194] In the first implementation, the communication device 1200 can perform the functions of a first communication device, specifically executing the following: a processing module 1201, used to determine N first resource units; and a transceiver module 1202, used to send a first signal based on the N first resource units. Alternatively, the transceiver module 1202 is used to send a first signal, which occupies N first resource units. Wherein, the frequency range occupied by the N first resource units within one time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, and any one of the N first resource units includes Q second resource units, and any one of the Q second resource units occupies a frequency range equal to the first bandwidth within one time unit.

[0195] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1202 can also be used to send first information; or, it can also be used to receive first information. The first information is used to indicate a first bandwidth.

[0196] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1202 can also be used to send second information; or, it can also be used to receive second information. The second information is used to indicate N first resource units.

[0197] In the second implementation, the communication device 1200 can perform the functions of the first communication device, specifically executing the following: a processing module 1201, used to determine H second resource units; and a transceiver module 1202, used to send a first signal based on the H second resource units. Alternatively, the transceiver module 1202 is used to send a first signal, which occupies the H second resource units. Wherein, the frequency range occupied by the H second resource units within a time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, and the frequency range occupied by any one of the H second resource units within a time unit is equal to the first bandwidth.

[0198] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1202 can also be used to send first information; or, it can also be used to receive first information. The first information is used to indicate a first bandwidth.

[0199] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1202 can also be used to send third information; or, it can also be used to receive third information. The third information is used to indicate H second resource units.

[0200] In the third implementation, the communication device 1200 can perform the functions of the second communication device, specifically executing the following: a processing module 1201, used to determine N first resource units; and a transceiver module 1202, used to receive a first signal based on the N first resource units. Alternatively, the transceiver module 1202 is used to receive a first signal, which occupies N first resource units. Wherein, the frequency range occupied by the N first resource units within one time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, and any one of the N first resource units includes Q second resource units, and any one of the Q second resource units occupies a frequency range equal to the first bandwidth within one time unit.

[0201] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1202 can also be used to send first information; or, it can also be used to receive first information. The first information is used to indicate a first bandwidth.

[0202] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1202 can also be used to send second information; or, it can also be used to receive second information. The second information is used to indicate N first resource units.

[0203] In the fourth implementation, the communication device 1200 can perform the functions of the second communication device, specifically executing the following: a processing module 1201, used to determine H second resource units; and a transceiver module 1202, used to receive a first signal based on the H second resource units. Alternatively, the transceiver module 1202 is used to receive the first signal, which occupies the H second resource units. Wherein, the frequency range occupied by the H second resource units within a time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, and the frequency range occupied by any one of the H second resource units within a time unit is equal to the first bandwidth.

[0204] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1202 can also be used to send first information; or, it can also be used to receive first information. The first information is used to indicate a first bandwidth.

[0205] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 1202 can also be used to send third information; or, it can also be used to receive third information. The third information is used to indicate H second resource units.

[0206] It should be understood that a more detailed description of the execution process of each module can be obtained directly from the relevant descriptions in the aforementioned method embodiments, and will not be elaborated here for the sake of brevity.

[0207] As shown in Figure 13, this application provides a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1300. The communication device 1300 may include a processor 1320, used to implement or support the communication device 1300 in implementing the functions of the first or second communication device in any method embodiment of this application. For details, please refer to the detailed descriptions in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here. For example, the processor 1320 is used to read and execute program instructions through a communication interface, so that the communication device 1300 implements the corresponding method. The processor 1320 may include one or more processors, without limitation.

[0208] It should be noted that the aforementioned functional modules can be implemented by hardware or by a combination of hardware and software, without limitation. Furthermore, when the communication device 1300 includes only the processor 1320, the communication device 1300 can be a chip or a chip system.

[0209] For example, the communication device 1300 can be a chip system. The chip system can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete components, without limitation.

[0210] Optionally, the communication device 1300 may further include a memory 1330 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 1330 is coupled to the processor 1320. This coupling can be understood as an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, and can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 1320 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1330; the processor 1320 and the memory 1330 may be integrated together or disposed separately.

[0211] Furthermore, the processor 1320 is used to execute program instructions stored in the memory 1330 so that the communication device 1300 implements the corresponding method.

[0212] One or more of the memories in memory 1330 may be included in the processor, or memory 1330 may exist independently, such as off-chip memory, and be connected to processor 1320 via a communication bus (represented by thick line 1340 in Figure 13). Memory 1330 and processor 1320 may also be integrated together.

[0213] Optionally, the communication device 1300 further includes a communication interface 1310 (shown as dashed lines in FIG. 13) for communicating with other devices via a transmission medium, thereby enabling the devices in the communication device 1300 to communicate with other devices. For example, when the communication device is a first communication device, the other devices may be a second communication device, etc. The processor 1320 can use the communication interface 1310 to send and receive data. For example, the processor 1320 can be used to control the communication interface 1310 to receive and / or send signals.

[0214] Specifically, the communication interface 1310 can be a transceiver. In terms of hardware implementation, the transceiver can be used to implement the functions of the transceiver module 1202, and the transceiver is integrated into the communication device 1300 to form the communication interface 1310.

[0215] It should be noted that the communication interface 1310 may have both sending and receiving functions, enabling the transmission and reception of signals; or it may have a sending function but no receiving function, used to transmit signals; or it may have a receiving function but no sending function, used to receive signals.

[0216] It should be noted that the specific connection medium between the communication interface 1310, processor 1320, and memory 1330 is not limited in the embodiments of this application. In Figure 13, the memory 1330, processor 1320, and communication interface 1310 are connected via a communication bus 1340. The connection methods between other components are merely illustrative and not intended to be limiting. The communication bus 1340 can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in Figure 13, but this does not indicate that there is only one communication bus or one type of communication bus.

[0217] In the embodiments of this application, the processor 1320 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application may be executed by the hardware in the processor, or by a combination of hardware and software in the processor.

[0218] In this embodiment, the memory 1330 can be a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), or it can be volatile memory, such as random-access memory (RAM). The memory can also be any other medium used to carry or store program code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed by a computer; or it can be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing storage functions for storing program instructions and / or data.

[0219] As an example, the communication device 1300 may perform the following: determine N first resource units; and transmit a first signal based on the N first resource units. Alternatively, it may transmit a first signal that occupies the N first resource units. Wherein, the frequency range occupied by the N first resource units within a time unit is equal to a first bandwidth, and any one of the N first resource units includes Q second resource units, and any one of the Q second resource units occupies a frequency range equal to the first bandwidth within a time unit.

[0220] In another example, the communication device 1300 may perform the following: determine H second resource units; and transmit a first signal based on the H second resource units. Alternatively, it may transmit a first signal that occupies the H second resource units. Wherein, the frequency range occupied by the H second resource units within a time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, and the frequency range occupied by any one of the H second resource units within a time unit is equal to the first bandwidth.

[0221] In another example, the communication device 1300 may perform the following: determine N first resource units; and receive a first signal based on the N first resource units. Alternatively, it may receive a first signal that occupies the N first resource units. Wherein, the frequency range occupied by the N first resource units within a time unit is equal to a first bandwidth, and any one of the N first resource units includes Q second resource units, and any one of the Q second resource units occupies a frequency range equal to the first bandwidth within a time unit.

[0222] In another example, the communication device 1300 may perform the following: determine H second resource units; and receive a first signal based on the H second resource units. Alternatively, it may receive a first signal that occupies the H second resource units. Wherein, the frequency range occupied by the H second resource units within a time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, and the frequency range occupied by any one of the H second resource units within a time unit is equal to the first bandwidth.

[0223] For the specific implementation process, please refer to the aforementioned method implementation examples, which will not be repeated here.

[0224] Based on the same concept, please refer to Figure 14. This application embodiment also provides another communication device 1400, including: an input / output interface 1410 and a logic circuit 1420; the input / output interface 1410 is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the logic circuit 1420; the logic circuit 1420 is used to run the code instructions to execute the method executed by the first communication device or the second communication device in any of the above embodiments.

[0225] For example, the communication device 1400 may be a network device or a component within a network device (such as a DU and / or RU, etc.), or a terminal device or a component within a terminal device. For instance, the communication device 1400 may implement the functions of the first communication device or the second communication device in the foregoing embodiments.

[0226] For example, the communication device 1400 can identify N first resource units and transmit a first signal based on the N first resource units. Alternatively, the communication device 1400 can transmit a first signal that occupies N first resource units. Wherein, the frequency range occupied by the N first resource units within a time unit is equal to a first bandwidth, and any one of the N first resource units includes Q second resource units, and any one of the Q second resource units occupies a frequency range equal to the first bandwidth within a time unit.

[0227] For example, the communication device 1400 may identify H second resource units and transmit a first signal based on the H second resource units. Alternatively, the communication device 1400 may transmit a first signal that occupies the H second resource units. Wherein, the frequency range occupied by the H second resource units within a time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, and the frequency range occupied by any one of the H second resource units within a time unit is equal to the first bandwidth.

[0228] For example, the communication device 1400 can identify N first resource units and receive a first signal based on the N first resource units. Alternatively, the communication device 1400 can receive a first signal that occupies N first resource units. Wherein, the frequency range occupied by the N first resource units within a time unit is equal to a first bandwidth, and any one of the N first resource units includes Q second resource units, and any one of the Q second resource units occupies a frequency range equal to the first bandwidth within a time unit.

[0229] For example, the communication device 1400 can identify H second resource units and receive a first signal based on the H second resource units. Alternatively, the communication device 1400 can receive a first signal that occupies H second resource units. Wherein, the frequency range occupied by the H second resource units within a time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, and the frequency range occupied by any one of the H second resource units within a time unit is equal to the first bandwidth.

[0230] Since the communication device 1400 provided in this embodiment can realize the functions of the first communication device or the second communication device in the foregoing embodiments, the technical effects it can achieve can be referred to the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0231] This application also provides a communication system, which may include one or more of the following: a first communication device or a second communication device. Optionally, the communication system may further include a third communication device. The first, second, or third communication devices are all described in the foregoing method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0232] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium including program instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to execute the methods or steps of the first communication device or the second communication device described in the above embodiments.

[0233] This application also provides a computer program product, including program instructions, which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to execute the methods or steps of the first communication device or the second communication device described in the above embodiments.

[0234] This application provides a chip system including a processor for implementing the functions of the first or second communication device in the aforementioned method (e.g., executing corresponding methods or steps). The chip system may be composed of a chip or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0235] Optionally, the chip system also includes a memory for storing program instructions that the processor can read and execute to implement the corresponding method.

[0236] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0237] In this application embodiment, "multiple" can refer to two or more. Therefore, in this application embodiment, "multiple" can also be understood as "at least two". "At least one" can be understood as one or more, such as one, two, or more. For example, "including at least one" means including one, two, or more. For example, including at least one of A, B, and C, then it could include A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A, B, and C. "And / or" describes the association relationship between related objects. Specifically, there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / ", unless otherwise specified, generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0238] Furthermore, the terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of this application can be used interchangeably, and "according to" and "based on" can be used interchangeably.

[0239] The ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are generally used to distinguish different objects, and are not used to limit the order, sequence, priority, or importance of multiple objects. For example, the first communication device and the second communication device in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish between two communication devices, and do not limit the priority or importance of these two communication devices.

[0240] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0241] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0242] 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 through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0243] 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.

[0244] In addition, 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.

[0245] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the essential contributing part of the technical solution of this application, or a portion 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 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, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0246] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the protection scope of the embodiments of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the embodiments of this application should be included within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of the embodiments of this application should be determined by the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: A first signal is sent, which occupies N first resource units, wherein the frequency range occupied by the N first resource units in one time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, any one of the N first resource units includes Q second resource units, and any one of the Q second resource units occupies the frequency range equal to the first bandwidth in the one time unit, wherein N and Q are positive integers.

2. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: A first signal is received, the first signal occupies N first resource units, wherein the frequency range occupied by the N first resource units in one time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, any one of the N first resource units includes Q second resource units, any one of the Q second resource units occupies the frequency range equal to the first bandwidth in the one time unit, and N and Q are positive integers.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The time unit is a symbol, the first resource unit occupies the symbol in the time domain, the frequency range of the first resource unit at any time in the symbol is less than the first bandwidth, and the frequency of the second resource unit is different at different times in the symbol.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The frequency of the second resource unit increases from a first frequency to a second frequency over time within the given time unit; or, The frequency of the second resource unit increases from the third frequency to the second frequency and then from the first frequency to the third frequency over time within the time unit. Wherein, the first frequency is the lower boundary of the first bandwidth, and the second frequency is the upper boundary of the first bandwidth.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The N first resource units belong to M first resource units, and the frequency range occupied by the M first resource units in the same time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, where M is an integer greater than or equal to N.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, Q is greater than 1, and the M first resource units include P second resource units, where P is an integer greater than or equal to Q; At the first moment in the aforementioned time unit, the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the Q second resource units is equal to the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the P second resource units.

7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, Q is greater than 1, and the M first resource units include P second resource units, where P is an integer greater than or equal to Q; At the first moment within the aforementioned time unit, the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the Q second resource units is greater than the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the P second resource units; or... At the first moment in the time unit, the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the Q second resource units is equal to K times the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the P second resource units, where K is an integer greater than 1.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a first message, which indicates the first bandwidth.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive first information, which is used to indicate the first bandwidth.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The first bandwidth is located within the second bandwidth, which is either the carrier bandwidth or a portion of the bandwidth.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second message, which is used to instruct the N first resource units.

12. [Correction 12.03.2025 according to Rule 91] The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, 9 and 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive second information, which is used to instruct the N first resource units.

13. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: A first signal is sent, which occupies H second resource units, wherein the frequency range occupied by the H second resource units in one time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, and the frequency range occupied by any one of the H second resource units in the one time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, wherein H is a positive integer.

14. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: A first signal is received, the first signal occupies H second resource units, wherein the frequency range occupied by the H second resource units in one time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, and the frequency range occupied by any one of the H second resource units in the one time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, and H is a positive integer.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The time unit is a symbol, the first signal occupies the symbol in the time domain, the frequency range of the H second resource units at any time in the symbol is less than the first bandwidth, and the frequency of the second resource units is different at different times in the symbol.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that, The frequency of the second resource unit increases from a first frequency to a second frequency over time within the given time unit; or, The frequency of the second resource unit increases from the third frequency to the second frequency and then from the first frequency to the third frequency over time within the time unit. Wherein, the first frequency is the lower boundary of the first bandwidth, and the second frequency is the upper boundary of the first bandwidth.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that, The H second resource units belong to P second resource units, and the frequency range occupied by the P second resource units within the time unit is equal to the first bandwidth, where P is an integer greater than or equal to H.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, At the second moment within the time unit, the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the H second resource units is equal to the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the P second resource units.

19. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, At the second moment within the aforementioned time unit, the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the H second resource units is greater than the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the P second resource units; or... At the second moment in the time unit, the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the H second resource units is equal to J times the frequency interval between the two second resource units with the smallest frequency interval among the P second resource units, where J is an integer greater than 1.

20. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 19, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a first message, which indicates the first bandwidth.

21. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 19, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive first information, which is used to indicate the first bandwidth.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that, The first bandwidth is located within the second bandwidth, which is either the carrier bandwidth or a portion of the bandwidth.

23. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 20, 22, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a third message, which is used to instruct the H second resource units.

24. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 19, 21, and 22, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive third information, which is used to indicate the H second resource units.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a module that performs the method as described in any one of claims 1, 3 to 12, or includes a module that performs the method as described in any one of claims 2 to 12, or includes a module that performs the method as described in any one of claims 13, 15 to 24, or includes a module that performs the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 24.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1, 3 to 12, or the at least one processor being configured to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 12, or the at least one processor being configured to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 13, 15 to 24, or the at least one processor being configured to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 24.

27. A communication system, characterized in that, Includes a first communication device and / or a second communication device; Wherein, the first communication device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1, 3 to 12, or the first communication device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 13, 15 to 24; the second communication device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 2 to 12, or the second communication device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 14 to 24.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The device contains a computer program or instructions for implementing the method of any one of claims 1, 3 to 12, or for implementing the method of any one of claims 2 to 12, or for implementing the method of any one of claims 13, 15 to 24, or for implementing the method of any one of claims 14 to 24.

29. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1, 3 to 12, or causes the computer to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 12, or causes the computer to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 13, 15 to 24, or causes the computer to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 24.

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