Channel estimation method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of wireless communications, and provides a channel estimation method and an apparatus, for avoiding the problem that the decoding performance of a network device is affected due to a mismatch between an unavailable time slot considered by a terminal device and an unavailable time slot considered by a base station. In the method, a channel estimation window is determined, the channel estimation window does not comprise a first time unit, the first time unit is a time unit for uplink transmission and downlink reception conflicts determined on the basis of a first timing advance value or a timing advance interval, and the timing advance interval is determined on the basis of the first timing advance value. Uplink transmission is performed in the channel estimation window. On the basis of the solution, the time unit for joint channel estimation does not comprise a time unit of uplink and downlink conflicts, thereby reducing the impact on the performance of joint channel estimation.

Description

Channel estimation method and device

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on April 3, 2024, with application number 202410404618.8 and application name "A Channel Estimation Method and Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a channel estimation method and device. Background Art

[0004] The demodulation reference signal (DMRS) can be used for channel estimation. To improve the accuracy of channel estimation and enhance the performance of data decoding, the new radio (NR) uses the detection results of multiple DMRSs for joint channel estimation. Joint channel estimation requires certain conditions, namely, the phases of the DMRS signals corresponding to the multiple joint channel estimates must be continuous when transmitted, and the power must be consistent, otherwise it will affect the performance of the joint channel estimation. When uplink and downlink conflicts and uplink and downlink switching occur, the phase continuity or power constancy may be destroyed. At this time, joint channel estimation cannot be performed during these events.

[0005] In NR, the base station configures the joint channel estimation window, generally called the time domain window (TDW), based on the capabilities reported by the terminal and the data scheduling method. TDW can be divided into nominal TDW (N-TDW) and actual TDW (A-TDW). The base station generally configures N-TDW, but during data transmission, there are many factors that prevent joint channel estimation from being performed at the size of N-TDW, such as discontinuous signal transmission, uplink and downlink switching, etc. These events will trigger the N-TDW to be split into multiple small A-TDWs. However, if these events are not triggered, the N-TDW will not be split.

[0006] For A-TDW, NR has certain phase continuity requirements within the window. Specifically, the phase difference between symbols within the A-TDW must meet certain requirements, as must the phase difference between time slots. This is referred to as phase continuity below. If events such as signal discontinuity or uplink / downlink switching occur, the previous A-TDW ends and a new one begins. Therefore, the actual window size for joint channel estimation is the A-TDW. Independent joint channel estimation is performed between different A-TDWs.

[0007] When some time slots are treated as unavailable time slots due to uplink and downlink conflicts, these time slots cannot be used as time slots for joint channel estimation and cannot be included in A-TDW or N-TDW.

[0008] However, a significant characteristic of satellite communications is the significant round-trip latency. Terminal devices must frequently switch beams and cells due to satellite movement, which also increases communication latency. Consequently, in satellite communication systems, there can be a mismatch between the conflict status of a terminal device and that perceived by the network. Consequently, there can also be a mismatch between what the terminal device considers to be unavailable time slots and what the network considers to be unavailable time slots. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present application provides a channel estimation method and apparatus to avoid the problem that the decoding performance of a network device is affected by the mismatch between the unavailable time slots considered by a terminal device and the unavailable time slots considered by a base station.

[0010] In the first aspect, a channel estimation method is provided. The method can be applied to a terminal device side, such as a terminal device or a communication module in a terminal device, or a circuit or chip in a terminal device that is responsible for a communication function (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system on chip (SoC) chip or a system in package (SIP) chip containing a modem core), taking the application of this method to a terminal device as an example. In the method, a channel estimation window is determined, and the channel estimation window includes or excludes a first time unit. The first time unit is a time unit in which an uplink transmission and a downlink reception conflict based on a first timing advance value or a timing advance interval. The timing advance interval is determined based on the first timing advance value. Uplink transmission is performed in the channel estimation window.

[0011] Based on the above solution, there are no time units with uplink and downlink conflicts in the time units for joint channel estimation, which reduces the impact on the performance of the joint channel estimation.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the channel estimation window includes a second time unit, where the second time unit is a time unit of uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict determined based on a second timing advance value, and the first timing advance value is different from the second timing advance value.

[0013] Based on the above solution, the terminal device performs uplink transmission in the time unit where uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict, thereby increasing the time slot for joint channel estimation and improving the decoding performance of uplink data.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the channel estimation window does not include a second time unit, where the second time unit is a time unit where uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict based on a second timing advance value, and the first timing advance value is different from the second timing advance value.

[0015] Based on the above solution, the time unit used for joint channel estimation does not include the second time unit in which uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict, thereby reducing the impact on the performance of the joint channel estimation.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the channel estimation window does not include a third time unit, where the third time unit is a conflicting time unit between uplink transmission and synchronization signal block (synchronization signal physical broadcast channel, SSB) reception determined based on the second timing advance value, or the third time unit is a conflicting time unit between uplink transmission and ephemeris information reception determined based on the second timing advance value, and the first timing advance value is different from the second timing advance value.

[0017] Based on the above solution, the terminal device receives special downlink signals such as SSB or ephemeris information during SSB reception or ephemeris information reception and the time unit of uplink transmission, which can improve the uplink synchronization performance.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the channel estimation window includes K nominal time domain windows (N-TDW). When K is equal to 1, the starting point of the N-TDW is the first time unit determined based on the first timing advance value and / or timing advance interval in which no conflict between uplink transmission and downlink reception will occur. When K is an integer greater than 1, the starting point of the k-th N-TDW is the first time unit determined based on the first timing advance value or timing advance interval after the k-1-th N-TDW in which no conflict between uplink transmission and downlink reception will occur, and k is an integer greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to K. The end point of the N-TDW includes the first time unit, or the end point of the N-TDW does not include the first time unit.

[0019] Based on the above solution, the terminal device and the network device can determine N-TDW according to the first timing advance value and / or the timing advance interval, thereby aligning the understanding of the channel estimation window and improving the decoding performance of the network device.

[0020] In a possible implementation, N-TDW includes actual TDW (A-TDW), and A-TDW does not include the first time unit.

[0021] Based on the above solution, the A-TDW used by the network device to perform joint channel estimation does not include the first time unit that may conflict, which can improve the decoding performance of the network device.

[0022] On the second aspect, a channel estimation method is provided. The method can be applied to the network side, such as a network device or a communication module in a network device, or a circuit or chip responsible for the communication function in the network device (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system on chip (SoC) chip or system in package (SIP) chip containing a modem core). The method is described by taking the application of the method to a network device as an example. In the method, an uplink transmission is received in a channel estimation window. The channel estimation window includes but does not include a first time unit, and the first time unit is a time unit in which the uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict based on a first timing advance value. Channel estimation is performed based on the uplink transmission.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the channel estimation window includes a second time unit, and the third time unit is a time unit of uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict determined based on the second timing advance value, and the first timing advance value is different from the second timing advance value.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the channel estimation window does not include the second time unit, the third time unit is a time unit of uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict determined based on the second timing advance value, and the first timing advance value is different from the second timing advance value.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the channel estimation window does not include a third time unit, where the third time unit is a time unit of uplink transmission and SSB reception determined based on the second timing advance value, or a time unit of a conflict between uplink transmission and ephemeris information reception determined based on the second timing advance value, and the first timing advance value is different from the second timing advance value.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the channel estimation window includes K N-TDWs. When K is equal to 1, the starting point of the N-TDW is the first time unit determined based on the first timing advance value and / or timing advance interval in which no uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict will occur. When K is an integer greater than 1, the starting point of the k-th N-TDW is the first time unit determined based on the first timing advance value or timing advance interval in which no uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict will occur after the k-1-th N-TDW, where k is an integer greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to K. The end point of the N-TDW includes the first time unit, or the end point of the N-TDW does not include the first time unit.

[0027] In a possible implementation, N-TDW includes A-TDW, and A-TDW does not include the first time unit.

[0028] According to a third aspect, a communications device is provided, comprising a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The processing unit is configured to determine a channel estimation window, wherein the channel estimation window includes and excludes a first time unit, wherein the first time unit is a time unit in which an uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict occurs based on a first timing advance value or a timing advance interval, wherein the timing advance interval is determined based on the first timing advance value. The transceiver unit is configured to perform uplink transmission within the channel estimation window.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the channel estimation window includes a second time unit, where the second time unit is a time unit of uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict determined based on a second timing advance value, and the first timing advance value is different from the second timing advance value.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the channel estimation window does not include the second time unit, the third time unit is a time unit of uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict determined based on the second timing advance value, and the first timing advance value is different from the second timing advance value.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the channel estimation window does not include a third time unit, where the third time unit is a time unit of uplink transmission and downlink reception determined based on the second timing advance value, or the third time unit is a time unit of conflict between uplink transmission and ephemeris information reception determined based on the second timing advance value, and the first timing advance value is different from the second timing advance value.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the channel estimation window includes K N-TDWs. When K is equal to 1, the starting point of the N-TDW is the first time unit determined based on the first timing advance value and / or timing advance interval in which no uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict will occur. When K is an integer greater than 1, the starting point of the k-th N-TDW is the first time unit determined based on the first timing advance value or timing advance interval in which no uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict will occur after the k-1-th N-TDW, where k is an integer greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to K. The end point of the N-TDW includes the first time unit, or the end point of the N-TDW does not include the first time unit.

[0033] In a possible implementation, N-TDW includes A-TDW, and A-TDW does not include the first time unit.

[0034] According to a fourth aspect, a communications device is provided, comprising a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The transceiver unit is configured to receive an uplink transmission within a channel estimation window. The channel estimation window does not include a first time unit, wherein the first time unit is a time unit in which an uplink transmission and a downlink reception conflict, determined based on a first timing advance value. The processing unit is configured to perform channel estimation based on the uplink transmission.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the channel estimation window includes a second time unit, where the second time unit is a time unit of uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict determined based on a second timing advance value, and the first timing advance value is different from the second timing advance value.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the channel estimation window does not include a second time unit, where the second time unit is a time unit where uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict based on a second timing advance value, and the first timing advance value is different from the second timing advance value.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the channel estimation window does not include a third time unit, where the third time unit is a time unit of uplink transmission and SSB reception determined based on the second timing advance value, or a time unit of a conflict between uplink transmission and ephemeris information reception determined based on the second timing advance value, and the first timing advance value is different from the second timing advance value.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the channel estimation window includes K N-TDWs. When K is equal to 1, the starting point of the N-TDW is the first time unit determined based on the first timing advance value and / or timing advance interval in which no uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict will occur. When K is an integer greater than 1, the starting point of the k-th N-TDW is the first time unit determined based on the first timing advance value or timing advance interval in which no uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict will occur after the k-1-th N-TDW, where k is an integer greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to K. The end point of the N-TDW includes the first time unit, or the end point of the N-TDW does not include the first time unit.

[0039] In a possible implementation, N-TDW includes A-TDW, and A-TDW does not include the first time unit.

[0040] In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided for implementing the various methods described above. The communication device may be the terminal device described in the first aspect, or a device including the terminal device, or a device included in the terminal device, such as a chip; or the communication device may be the network device described in the second aspect, or a device including the network device, or a device included in the network device. The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the methods described above, which may be implemented by hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above.

[0041] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a communication interface; the communication interface is configured to communicate with a module external to the communication device; and the processor is configured to execute a computer program or instruction to implement the method described in any of the above aspects. The communication device may be the terminal device described in the first aspect, or a device including the terminal device, or a device included in the terminal device, such as a chip; or the communication device may be the network device described in the second aspect, or a device including the network device, or a device included in the network device.

[0042] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: at least one processor; the processor is configured to execute a computer program or instruction stored in a memory to implement the method described in any of the above aspects. The memory may be coupled to the processor, or may be independent of the processor. The communication device may be the terminal device described in the first aspect, or a device including the terminal device, or a device included in the terminal device, such as a chip; or the communication device may be the network device described in the second aspect, or a device including the network device, or a device included in the network device.

[0043] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication system, which may include a terminal device that executes the method described in the first aspect and a network device that executes the method described in the second aspect.

[0044] In the ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, in which computer-readable instructions are stored. When a computer reads and executes the computer-readable instructions, the computer executes the method in any possible implementation of any one of the first to second aspects above.

[0045] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product. When a computer reads and executes the computer program product, the computer executes the method in any possible implementation of any one of the first to second aspects above.

[0046] In an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a chip, which is used to read a computer program stored in a memory to execute a method in any possible implementation of any one of the first to second aspects above.

[0047] The technical effects that can be achieved in any of the second to eleventh aspects mentioned above can refer to the description of the technical effects that can be achieved in any possible implementation method of the first aspect mentioned above, and the repetitions will not be discussed here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] FIG2A is a schematic diagram of a communication scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] FIG2B is a schematic diagram of another communication scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG2C is a schematic diagram of another communication scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the timing relationship between uplink transmission and SSB reception provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] FIG4 is an exemplary flow chart of a data transmission method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a time unit occupied by uplink transmission or downlink reception provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a channel estimation window provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of another channel estimation window provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of another channel estimation window provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] FIG9A is a schematic diagram of an N-TDW and an A-TDW provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] FIG9B is a schematic diagram of another N-TDW and A-TDW provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] FIG9C is a schematic diagram of another N-TDW and A-TDW provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] FIG9D is a schematic diagram of another N-TDW and A-TDW provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] FIG9E is a schematic diagram of another N-TDW and A-TDW provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG9F is a schematic diagram of another N-TDW and A-TDW provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0068] In order to facilitate the description of the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application, the technical terms involved in the embodiments of the present application are explained below.

[0069] 1) Unavailable timeslots are timeslots that cannot be used for uplink data transmission. For half-duplex terminals, the protocol specifies rules for handling conflicts between uplink data transmission and downlink reception, such as SSB reception. Specifically, network devices can configure available timeslot counting for uplink data. If a timeslot for uplink data conflicts with an SSB time domain resource, the terminal device will not use that timeslot for data transmission.

[0070] For example, the network device configures the terminal device to repeatedly send uplink data four times within 4 time slots. If the second time slot conflicts with the SSB time slot, the terminal device will not use the second time slot as the time slot for data transmission. In other words, the terminal device will treat the second time slot as an unavailable time slot, skip the second time slot, and select the next available time slot without conflict to repeatedly send uplink data.

[0071] The above processing rules also apply to non-repeated data. For example, if the network device configures a terminal to carry a data packet in four time slots (i.e., at a low bit rate), and if the terminal's uplink data allows for available time slots to be counted, the terminal's four time slots used to carry the data packet are similar to the above case, considering only time slots that do not conflict with SSB (available time slots).

[0072] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as the fifth generation communication system (5 th generation, 5G), non-terrestrial network (NTN), etc., and can also be applied to communication systems that evolve after 5G, such as future communication systems. As shown in Figure 1, an architectural diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application is provided. The communication system includes network devices and terminal devices, where the number of network devices is 1 and the number of terminal devices is 2 (terminal device A and terminal device B) as an example. Terminal device A and terminal device B can communicate with the network device separately or simultaneously. It should be noted that the number of terminal devices and network devices in the communication system shown in Figure 1 is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0073] The terminal device, which can also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), or mobile terminal, is a device or equipment with wireless communication capabilities. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as machine type communication (MTC), the Internet of Things (IoT), vehicle to everything (V2X), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, and smart cities. A terminal device can be a subscriber unit (SUU), a cellular phone, a smartphone, a wireless data card, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a computer, a tablet, a wireless modem, a handheld device, a laptop computer, customer-premises equipment (CPE), a smart point of sale (POS), a wearable device, a vehicle, a drone, a helicopter, an airplane, a ship, a robot, a robotic arm, smart home devices, MTC equipment, a ground station, and the like. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal device.

[0074] The above-mentioned network equipment, which can also be referred to as access network (AN) equipment or radio access network (RAN) equipment, is a device or equipment that can be deployed in a radio access network to provide wireless communication functions for terminal devices. Network equipment can be base stations used for wireless communication, such as artificial earth satellites and high-altitude aircraft, such as medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites in non-geostationary earth orbit (NGEO), low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, high altitude platform stations (HAPS), evolved NodeBs (eNBs), and 5G base stations (gNBs). Optionally, the network devices in the embodiments of the present application may include various forms of base stations, such as: macro base stations, micro base stations (also known as small stations), relay stations, access points, devices that implement base station functions in communication systems evolved after 5G, transmission points (transmitting and receiving points, TRP), transmission points (transmitting points, TP), mobile switching centers, and devices that perform base station functions in device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, etc., and may also include centralized units (CU) and distributed units (DU) in cloud radio access network (C-RAN) systems. The embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this.

[0075] Taking the network device as a satellite as an example, the communication scenarios of the specific application of the embodiment of the present application can be shown in Figures 2A, 2B and 2C.

[0076] In the scenario shown in Figure 2A, a base station is deployed on the ground. The satellite is connected to the ground station via an air interface, and the ground station can be connected to the base station via a wireless or wired link. Terminal devices on the ground access the mobile communication network via an air interface (which can be any type of air interface, such as a 5G air interface). The satellite acts as a transmission node, forwarding information from the terminal devices.

[0077] In the scenario shown in Figure 2B, a base station is deployed on a satellite. The satellite connects to a ground station via an air interface, and the ground station can connect to the core network via wireless or wired links. Terminal devices on the ground communicate with the satellite base station via the air interface, thereby accessing the mobile communication network. The satellite, acting as a base station, connects to the ground station via an air interface NG interface, and the ground station connects to the core network via an NG interface, which can be either wireless or wired.

[0078] Compared with the scenario shown in FIG. 2B , the scenario shown in FIG. 2C adds a communication scenario between satellite base stations. Specifically, the satellite base stations can communicate with each other through an Xn interface.

[0079] In Figures 2A-2C, the terminal devices may include various types of terminal devices supporting the new air interface, such as the various types of terminals listed above. The terminal devices may access the satellite network through the air interface and initiate calls, access the Internet, and other services.

[0080] Base stations are mainly used to provide wireless access services, dispatch wireless resources to access terminal devices, and provide reliable wireless transmission protocols and data encryption protocols.

[0081] The core network is primarily responsible for providing functions such as user access control, mobility management, session management, user security authentication, and billing. The core network consists of multiple functional units, which can be divided into control plane and data plane functional entities.

[0082] The ground station is mainly responsible for forwarding signaling and business data between the satellite and the base station, or between the satellite and the core network.

[0083] Air interface: refers to the wireless link between the terminal device and the base station.

[0084] Xn interface: represents the interface between satellite base stations, mainly used for signaling interaction such as switching.

[0085] NG interface: refers to the interface between the base station and the core network, or the interface between the ground station and the core network, or the interface between the satellite base station and the ground station (in this case, the interface is a wireless link). It mainly exchanges signaling such as the non-access stratum (NAS) of the core network and user service data.

[0086] With the development of information technology, more urgent requirements are being put forward for the efficiency, mobility and diversity of communications. At present, satellites play an irreplaceable role in some important fields, such as space communications, aviation communications, maritime communications and military communications. Compared with terrestrial mobile networks, satellite communications can achieve wide-area and even global coverage by using high, medium and low-orbit satellites, and can provide non-discriminatory communication services to users around the world. Satellite communication system and the fifth generation communication system (5 thThe integration of 5G and 5G technologies will complement each other, and jointly form a global integrated communication network with seamless coverage of sea, land, air and space, which will meet the ubiquitous and diverse business needs of users and is an important direction for the future development of communications.

[0087] The integration of satellites and 5G will give full play to their respective advantages and provide users with more comprehensive and high-quality services, mainly reflected in the following aspects: (1) In remote areas, aircraft, or ocean-going ships that are not covered by ground-based 5G networks, satellites can provide economical and reliable network services, extending the network to points that ground-based networks cannot reach. (2) Satellites can provide continuous and uninterrupted network connections for IoT devices and users of mobile carriers such as aircraft, ships, trains, and cars. After the integration of satellites and 5G, the service capabilities of 5G can be greatly enhanced. (3) The superior broadcast / multicast capabilities of satellites can provide efficient data distribution services for network edges and terminals.

[0088] Compared to earlier satellite mobile communication systems, the current development of satellite mobile communications exhibits two key characteristics: Miniaturization of mobile terminals: Support for a wide range of mobile communication terminals, including handheld devices; Broadband communication services: In addition to traditional narrowband voice services, high-speed data services and network multimedia communication services are also provided.

[0089] The obvious characteristic of satellite communication is the large round-trip transmission delay. The terminal needs to frequently switch beams and cells due to the movement of the satellite, and the communication delay will also increase. Therefore, the integration of satellite communication and 5G requires the enhancement of the current 5G protocol to adapt to satellite communication. In addition, satellite communication needs to support terminal devices with different capabilities. One type of terminal device currently is a half-duplex terminal device, which means that the terminal device cannot transmit uplink and receive downlink at the same time. There needs to be an interval of N between uplink transmission and downlink reception. Tx-Rx , there needs to be an interval of N between downlink reception and uplink transmission Rx-Tx The low frequency band FR1 and the high frequency band FR2 are shown in Table 1.

[0090] Table 1: Example of the interval between uplink transmission and downlink reception

[0091] In Table 1, 25600 and 13792 can represent the number of sampling points, so N Tx-Rx and N Rx-Tx It is the number of sampling points multiplied by the sampling point interval. For example, in FR1, N Tx-Rx = The product of 25600 and the sampling point interval. It is understandable that the sampling point interval may be predefined by the protocol and is not specifically limited in this application.

[0092] For half-duplex devices, the 5G protocol specifies rules for handling conflicts between uplink data transmission and synchronization signal block (SSB) reception. Specifically, network devices can configure available slot counting for uplink data. If a slot conflicts with an SSB slot, the device will not use that slot for data transmission.

[0093] For example, the network device configures the terminal device to repeatedly send uplink data four times within 4 time slots. If the second time slot conflicts with the SSB time slot, the terminal device will not use the second time slot as the time slot for data transmission. In other words, the terminal device will treat the second time slot as an unavailable time slot, skip the second time slot, and select the next time slot without conflict, that is, repeatedly send uplink data in the available time slot.

[0094] The above processing rules also apply to non-repeated data. For example, if the network equipment configures the terminal device to carry a data packet in four time slots (i.e., at a low bit rate), and the terminal device configures uplink data to allow the counting of available time slots, the terminal device will use the same four time slots to carry the data packet as in the above case, considering only the time slots that do not conflict with the SSB time slots (available time slots).

[0095] While the 5G protocol defines the above rules, they are designed for terrestrial communications, where latency is relatively low. Network device reception and terminal device transmission, as well as transmission and reception, are nearly aligned. Network devices know when a terminal device will experience a conflict and, based on the rules defined by the 5G protocol, what the terminal device should do. However, in scenarios with significant transmission latency, such as NTN, there can be a mismatch between the actual conflict situation on the terminal device and the conflict situation perceived by the network device.

[0096] Referring to Figure 3, a schematic diagram of the timing relationship between uplink transmission and downlink reception of a terminal device is shown. In Figure 3, the resources used for uplink transmission are uplink (UL) 0 to UL14, and the resources used for downlink reception are downlink (DL) 0 to DL9. As shown in Figure 3, the network device configures the terminal device to send uplink data on UL5 to UL8, and the network device is configured with an available time slot count. For the network device, the network device believes that UL7 conflicts with DL3 carrying SSB, so the network device believes that the terminal device will not use UL7 as the time slot for uplink data transmission. The network device believes that the terminal device will use UL8, which does not conflict, as the time slot for uplink data transmission. Therefore, the network device will not receive uplink data on UL7. UL5, UL6, UL8, and UL9 do not conflict with the resources carrying SSB, so the network device will receive uplink data on UL5, UL6, UL8, and UL9.

[0097] For the terminal device, UL8 conflicts with DL3 carrying SSB, so the terminal device will not use UL8 as the time slot for uplink data transmission. However, UL5 to UL7 and UL9 do not conflict with the resources carrying SSB, so the terminal device will send uplink data on UL5 to UL7 and UL9.

[0098] It can be seen that the unavailable time slot determined by the terminal device is different from the unavailable time slot determined by the network device.

[0099] Currently, DMRS signals can be used for channel estimation and thus as demodulation reference signals for uplink and downlink data. To improve the accuracy of channel estimation and enhance data decoding performance, NR uses the detection results of multiple DMRS signals for joint channel estimation. Joint channel estimation requires certain conditions, namely that the phases of the DMRS signals corresponding to the multiple joint channel estimates must be continuous and the power must be consistent when transmitted, otherwise the performance of the joint channel estimation will be affected. When uplink and downlink conflicts and uplink and downlink switching occur, the phase continuity or power constancy may be disrupted. At this time, joint channel estimation cannot be performed during these events.

[0100] In NR, network equipment configures the joint channel estimation window, generally called the time domain window (TDW), based on the capabilities reported by the terminal device and the data scheduling method. TDW can be divided into nominal TDW (N-TDW) and actual TDW (A-TDW). Network equipment is generally configured with N-TDW, but during data transmission, many factors may cause joint channel estimation to not be performed at the size of N-TDW, such as discontinuous signal transmission, uplink and downlink switching, etc. These events will trigger the N-TDW to be split into multiple small A-TDWs. However, if these events are not triggered, the N-TDW will not be split.

[0101] For A-TDW, NR has certain phase continuity requirements within the window. Specifically, the phase difference between symbols within the A-TDW must meet certain requirements, as must the phase difference between time slots. This is referred to as phase continuity below. If events such as signal discontinuity or uplink / downlink switching occur, the previous A-TDW ends and a new one begins. Therefore, the actual window size for joint channel estimation is the A-TDW. Independent joint channel estimation is performed between different A-TDWs.

[0102] When a terminal device uses some time slots as unavailable time slots due to uplink and downlink conflicts, these time slots cannot be used as time slots for joint channel estimation and cannot be included in A-TDW or N-TDW.

[0103] However, a significant characteristic of satellite communications is the significant round-trip latency. Terminal devices must frequently switch beams and cells due to satellite movement, which also increases communication latency. Consequently, in satellite communication systems, there can be a mismatch between the conflict status of a terminal device and that perceived by the network. Consequently, there can also be a mismatch between what the terminal device considers to be unavailable time slots and what the network considers to be unavailable time slots.

[0104] In view of this, an embodiment of the present application provides a channel estimation method. In this method, a terminal device can perform uplink transmission in a channel estimation window, and a network device can perform channel estimation based on the uplink transmission. The channel estimation window does not include a first time unit in which uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict based on a first timing advance value or a timing advance interval. Based on the above scheme, the time unit for joint channel estimation does not have a time unit in which uplink and downlink conflicts occur, thereby reducing the performance impact on the joint channel estimation.

[0105] It can be understood that the uplink transmission and downlink reception conflicts involved in the present application can be understood as: the time unit carrying uplink data partially or completely overlaps with the time unit carrying SSB, or the interval between the time unit carrying uplink data and the time unit carrying SSB is less than the first preset interval, or the interval between the time unit carrying SSB and the time unit carrying uplink data is less than the second preset interval. Among them, the first preset interval and the second preset interval can be predefined by the protocol. The time unit involved in the embodiments of the present application can be a time slot, a symbol, a subframe, or a time unit occupied by one data repetition, etc.

[0106] Furthermore, it should be understood that ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish between multiple objects and are not used to define the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of the multiple objects. For example, the first service area and the second service area do not indicate a difference in priority or importance between the two service areas.

[0107] In the embodiments of the present application, the so-called high layer can be understood as a high-layer protocol layer, including at least one protocol layer above the physical layer: a medium access control (MAC) layer, a radio protocol layer (RAL), a radio link control (RLC) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio resource control (RRC) layer, and a non-access stratum (NAS) layer. Accordingly, in each embodiment of the present application, the high-layer signaling can be NAS layer signaling, an RRC message, or a media access control (MAC) control element (CE). The RRC signaling can include dedicated RRC signaling or broadcast / multicast RRC signaling, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0108] In the embodiments of the present application, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, means "singular noun or plural noun", that is, "one or more". "At least one" means one or more, and "plural" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there may be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c means: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0109] The data transmission provided in the embodiments of this application can be performed by a first communication device and a second communication device. Here, the first communication device can refer to the terminal device itself, or a processor, module, chip, or chip system implemented in the terminal device; the second communication device can refer to the network device itself, or a processor, module, chip, or chip system implemented in the network device. The access method provided in this application is described below, using the first communication device and the second communication device as an example, respectively, to represent the terminal device and the network device.

[0110] Referring to FIG. 4 , which is an exemplary flow chart of a channel estimation method provided in an embodiment of the present application, the method may include the following steps.

[0111] S401: The terminal device determines a channel estimation window.

[0112] Accordingly, the network device determines a channel estimation window.

[0113] Among them, the channel estimation window may include at least two time units, and the channel estimation window may be a time domain window for joint channel estimation. The at least two time units can be understood as time units contained in the window for joint channel estimation, such as available time units (such as available time slots) for uplink transmission. In an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device may determine the channel estimation window based on one or more of the first timing advance value, the timing advance interval, or the second timing advance value. The following are introduced separately.

[0114] Case 1: The channel estimation window does not include the first time unit.

[0115] In scenario 1, the first time unit may be determined based on a first timing advance value or a timing advance interval. The first timing advance value may be reported by the terminal device to the network device, and the timing advance interval may be determined based on the first timing advance value. For example, if the timing advance value reported by the terminal device to the network device is TA0, the timing advance interval may be [TA0-ΔTA, TA0+ΔTA].

[0116] It should be noted that ΔTA may be predefined by a protocol, preconfigured, or indicated by a network device, and this application does not impose any specific limitation thereto.

[0117] In one possible implementation, the terminal device may determine a channel estimation window based on the first timing advance value. For example, the terminal device may determine a first time unit in which an uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict occurs based on the first timing advance value. Since the first time unit is determined based on the first timing advance value, the first time unit may be understood as a time unit in which the network device determines that an uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict occurs.

[0118] In an embodiment of the present application, uplink transmission may occupy the entire time unit, or a portion of the time unit. For example, referring to FIG5 , the network device may configure the uplink data of the terminal device to occupy part of the uplink symbols of a time slot, or may configure the uplink data of the terminal device to occupy all the uplink symbols of a time slot. Optionally, if the network device configures the uplink data of the terminal device to occupy part of the uplink symbols of a time slot, the network device may also configure the uplink data of the terminal device to occupy the same symbol position in each time slot. Similarly, downlink reception may occupy the entire time unit, or a portion of the time unit, which may be implemented with reference to FIG5 and will not be described in detail here.

[0119] Refer to Figure 6, which shows a schematic diagram of a channel estimation window. The terminal device can determine the timing relationship between uplink transmission and downlink reception based on the first timing advance value. Among them, the network device configures the terminal device to send uplink data on time slots 0 to 6. It can be seen that on time slot 1, uplink transmission and downlink reception (taking SSB as an example in Figure 6) conflict. Then the terminal device performs SSB reception on time slot 1 and does not send uplink data. Then the channel estimation window does not include time slot 1, or the start time of the channel estimation window is the end time of time slot 1, or the end time of the channel estimation window is the start time of time slot 1. Exemplarily, the channel estimation window may include at least two consecutive time units other than the first time unit (time slot 1) in the time unit occupied by the uplink data configured by the network device (such as time slot 0 to time slot 6), such as time slot 2 to time slot 6.

[0120] It should be noted that if, among the time units configured for sending uplink data by the network device, there are continuous time units for serving as joint channel estimation windows after excluding the first time unit, then the continuous time units can be used as channel estimation windows. If, among the time units configured for sending uplink data by the network device, there are no continuous time units for serving as joint channel estimation windows after excluding the first time unit, then joint channel estimation is not performed on the uplink data.

[0121] It is understood that the available time units for uplink data of the terminal device may include the above-mentioned channel estimation window, and the terminal device may perform uplink transmission in other time units (such as time slot 0 and time slot 2 to time slot 6) other than the first time unit (time slot 1) within the time units occupied by uplink data configured by the network device (such as time slot 0 to time slot 6). Optionally, when the terminal device transmits uplink data in the time units included in the channel estimation window, the transmit power is constant.

[0122] Based on the above scheme, the terminal device can determine the available time slots and unavailable time slots based on the conflict situation considered by the network device, thereby determining the channel estimation window. Therefore, it can align the understanding of the channel estimation window with the network device and reduce the performance impact on the channel estimation of the network device.

[0123] In another possible implementation, the terminal device may determine the channel estimation window based on the timing advance interval. The terminal device may determine the timing advance interval based on the first timing advance value. The terminal device may then determine the first time unit in which uplink reception and downlink reception conflict based on each timing advance value within the timing advance interval, and the channel estimation window does not include the first time unit.

[0124] For example, within the interval [TA0-ΔTA, TA0+ΔTA], there may be multiple situations for the TA of the terminal device, so the terminal device can determine whether there is a time unit in which uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict based on multiple TAs within the interval [TA0-ΔTA, TA0+ΔTA]. Exemplarily, the terminal device can determine time unit A in which uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict based on TA0-ΔTA, and determine time unit B in which uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict based on TA0+ΔTA, then the terminal device can consider that the time units within the interval [time unit A, time unit B] are all time units in which uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict.

[0125] Referring to Figure 7, the network device configures the terminal device to send uplink data in time slots 0 to 6. If there is no conflict between uplink transmission and downlink reception (SSB reception is taken as an example in Figure 7) of the terminal device when TA=TA0, the terminal device determines that there is a conflict between uplink transmission and downlink reception in time slot 1 when TA=TA1. When TA=TA2, the terminal device determines that there is a conflict between uplink transmission and downlink reception in time slot 2. Then time slot 1 and time slot 2 can be used as unavailable time slots, so time slot 1 and time slot 2 are not included in the channel estimation window, or the start time of the channel estimation window can be the end time of time slot 2, or the end time of the channel estimation window can be the start time of time slot 1. Exemplarily, the channel estimation window can include at least two consecutive time units other than the first time unit in the time unit occupied by the uplink data configured by the network device, such as time slots 3 to time slot 6.

[0126] Similarly, if, among the time units configured for sending uplink data by the network device, excluding the first time unit, there are still continuous time units for serving as joint channel estimation windows, then these continuous time units can be used as channel estimation windows. If, among the time units configured for sending uplink data by the network device, excluding the first time unit, there are no continuous time units for serving as joint channel estimation windows, then joint channel estimation is not performed on the uplink data.

[0127] Similarly, the available time units for uplink data of the terminal device may include time slot 0 and time slots 3 to 6. Optionally, when the terminal device sends uplink data in the time units included in the channel estimation window, the transmission power is constant.

[0128] Based on the above scheme, the time unit in which the terminal device may conflict can be determined based on the timing advance interval, and the channel estimation window does not include the time unit in which the terminal device may conflict. Therefore, it can be guaranteed to the greatest extent that the terminal device will send uplink data in the channel estimation window, which can reduce the performance impact on the channel estimation of the network device.

[0129] In case 1, the priority of uplink transmission is lower than the priority of downlink reception, or the priority of uplink transmission is the same as the priority of downlink reception. It is understood that the priority of uplink transmission and the priority of downlink reception can be predefined by the protocol or indicated by the network device, and this application does not specifically limit them. The following describes the priority of uplink transmission and the priority of downlink reception respectively.

[0130] Example 1: Dynamic scheduling, such as downlink reception of downlink control information (DCI) and uplink transmission of semi-persistent scheduling.

[0131] In the embodiment of the present application, semi-persistent scheduling may be configured by higher layer signaling and activated through DCI or a media access control (MAC) control element (CE).

[0132] Exemplarily, the uplink transmission of semi-persistent scheduling may include the transmission of a sounding reference signal (SRS), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), or a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) configured by higher-layer signaling. Exemplarily, the downlink reception of dynamic scheduling may include the channel state information (CSI)-reference signal (RS) or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) scheduled by DCI.

[0133] In the above example 1, it can be considered that the priority of dynamically scheduled downlink reception is higher than the priority of semi-persistently scheduled uplink transmission.

[0134] Example 2: Semi-persistently scheduled downlink reception and dynamically scheduled uplink transmission.

[0135] Exemplarily, the semi-persistently scheduled downlink reception may include PDCCH, standard positioning service (SPS) PDSCH, CSI-RS or downlink (DL) positioning reference signal (PRS) configured by high-layer signaling. Exemplarily, the dynamically scheduled uplink transmission may include PUSCH, PUCCH, physical random access channel (PRACH) or SRS transmission scheduled by DCI.

[0136] In Example 2, it can be considered that the priority of the downlink reception of the semi-persistent scheduling is lower than the priority of the uplink transmission of the dynamic scheduling.

[0137] Example 3: Synchronization signal physical broadcast channel (SSB) reception configured by higher-layer signaling and uplink transmission configured by dynamic scheduling or higher-layer signaling.

[0138] Exemplarily, the uplink transmission dynamically scheduled or configured by higher layer signaling may include PRACH, PUSCH, PUCCH or SRS transmission.

[0139] In Example 3, it can be considered that the priority of SSB reception configured by higher-layer signaling is higher than the uplink transmission configured by dynamic scheduling or higher-layer signaling.

[0140] Example 4: Semi-persistently scheduled downlink reception and semi-persistently scheduled uplink transmission.

[0141] Exemplarily, the downlink reception of semi-persistent scheduling may include downlink reception configured by higher-layer signaling or PDCCH-chirp spread spectrum (CSS) of type 0, type 0A, type 0B, type 1, or type 2 configured by higher-layer signaling. Exemplary uplink transmission of semi-persistent scheduling may include uplink transmission configured by higher-layer signaling or configured grant (CG)-PUSCH.

[0142] In Example 4, the priority of the configured grant (CG)-PUSCH in the semi-persistently scheduled uplink transmission may be lower than that of the semi-persistently scheduled downlink reception. For other scenarios, the priority of the semi-persistently scheduled downlink reception may be considered the same as that of the semi-persistently scheduled uplink transmission.

[0143] Example 5: Dynamically scheduled downlink reception and dynamically scheduled uplink transmission.

[0144] For example, DCI-scheduled uplink transmission and DCI-scheduled downlink reception.

[0145] In Example 5, it can be considered that the priority of dynamically scheduled downlink reception is the same as the priority of dynamically scheduled uplink transmission.

[0146] It should be noted that the above Examples 1 to 5 are only shown as examples. For other scenarios, the terminal device can also determine the priority of uplink transmission and the priority of downlink reception according to the protocol pre-defined or network device instructions.

[0147] Case 1: The channel estimation window does not include the first time unit.

[0148] The first time unit may be a time unit in which uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict based on a first timing advance value or a timing advance interval. In case 1, if the priority of downlink reception is higher than the priority of uplink transmission, or if the priority of downlink reception is the same as the priority of uplink transmission, the terminal device may perform downlink reception in the first time unit, so the first time unit serves as an unavailable time unit for uplink transmission. The uplink data that the terminal device should send in the first time unit may be postponed to the next available time unit.

[0149] Exemplarily, the network device may configure the terminal device to repeatedly send uplink data in multiple time units (such as time slots). When the terminal device repeatedly sends uplink data, it may repeatedly send the same uplink data in each time unit, or it may repeatedly send uplink data of different redundant versions. For example, the network device configures the terminal device to repeatedly send uplink data in three time slots. Then the terminal device may send the same uplink data in time slot 1, time slot 2 and time slot 3, respectively. Alternatively, the terminal device may send a redundant version (RV) 0 of the uplink data in time slot 1, RV1 in time slot 2, and RV2 in time slot 3. It is understandable that which redundant version the terminal device sends in different time slots may be pre-agreed, such as pre-defined by the protocol or indicated by the network device, and this application does not make specific limitations.

[0150] If the downlink reception and uplink transmission in time slot 2 conflict, and the priority of downlink reception is higher than the priority of uplink transmission, then the terminal device can perform downlink reception in time slot 2, and RV1 that should be sent in time slot 2 can be sent in time slot 3 where the downlink reception and uplink transmission do not conflict.

[0151] Case 2: The channel estimation window includes the first time unit.

[0152] The first time unit may be a time unit in which uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict, determined based on the first timing advance value or the timing advance interval. In case 2, the first time unit may be determined in the manner described in case 1. In case 2, the priority of uplink transmission is higher than the priority of downlink reception, or the priority of uplink transmission is the same as the priority of downlink reception.

[0153] In one example, if the priority of uplink transmission is higher than the priority of downlink reception, the terminal device performs uplink transmission in the first time unit, and the network device can also determine that the terminal device will perform uplink transmission in the first time unit, so the channel estimation window can include the first time unit.

[0154] In another example, if the priority of uplink transmission is the same as the priority of downlink reception, the terminal device may perform uplink transmission in the first time unit. The network device may then apply this rule to determine that the terminal device will perform uplink transmission in the first time unit, and therefore the channel estimation window may include the first time unit.

[0155] For example, referring to FIG6 , in time slot 1, uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict. The priority of uplink transmission is the same as the priority of downlink transmission. For example, dynamically scheduled uplink transmission conflicts with dynamically scheduled downlink reception in time slot 1. The terminal device performs uplink transmission in time slot 1. Therefore, the channel estimation window may include time slot 1. For example, the channel estimation window may include time slots 0 to 6. For example, the available time units for uplink data of the terminal device may include time slots 0 to 6.

[0156] Based on the above scheme, when the priority of uplink transmission is the same as the priority of downlink reception, the terminal device can perform uplink transmission in the time unit where the uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict, and the channel estimation window can also include the time unit of the conflict, so the time unit for joint channel estimation can be increased to improve the decoding performance of the uplink data.

[0157] Case 3: The channel estimation window includes a second time unit.

[0158] The second time unit may be a time unit in which the uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict, determined based on the second timing advance value. It is understood that the second timing advance value may be the current timing advance value, and the first timing advance value and the second timing advance value may be the same or different. For example, the second timing advance value may be a timing advance value updated due to movement of the terminal device or network device after the terminal reports the first timing advance value. Since the second time unit is determined based on the second timing advance value, the second time unit may be understood as a time unit in which the uplink transmission and downlink reception of the terminal device actually conflict.

[0159] Refer to Figure 8, which shows a schematic diagram of a channel estimation window. The terminal device can determine the timing relationship between uplink transmission and downlink reception based on the second timing advance value. Among them, the network device configures the terminal device to send uplink data on time slots 0 to 6. It can be seen that on time slot 2, uplink transmission and downlink reception (taking SSB reception as an example in Figure 8) conflict. Then the terminal device performs uplink transmission on time slot 2, that is, time slot 2 can be used as an available time slot. Therefore, the channel estimation window includes time slot 2. Exemplarily, the channel estimation window includes time slots 0 to 6. Exemplarily, the available time unit of the uplink data of the terminal device may include time slots 0 to 6.

[0160] It can be understood that in case 3, the priority of uplink transmission can be higher than the priority of downlink reception, the priority of uplink transmission can be lower than the priority of downlink reception, or the priority of uplink transmission can be the same as the priority of downlink reception.

[0161] Based on the above solution, the terminal device performs uplink transmission in the time unit where uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict, thereby increasing the time slot for joint channel estimation and improving the decoding performance of uplink data.

[0162] Case 4: the channel estimation window does not include the second time unit.

[0163] The second time unit may be a time unit in which the uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict based on the second timing advance value. In case 4, the priority of the uplink transmission may be lower than the priority of the downlink reception, the priority of the uplink transmission may be the same as the priority of the downlink reception, or the priority of the uplink transmission may be higher than the priority of the downlink reception.

[0164] Refer to Figure 8, which shows a schematic diagram of a channel estimation window. The terminal device can determine the timing relationship between uplink transmission and downlink reception based on the second timing advance value. Among them, the network device configures the terminal device to send uplink data on time slots 0 to 6. It can be seen that on time slot 2, uplink transmission and downlink reception (taking SSB reception as an example in Figure 8) conflict. Then the terminal device receives SSB on time slot 2, that is, time slot 2 can be used as an unavailable time slot. Therefore, the channel estimation window includes this unavailable time slot 2. Exemplarily, the channel estimation window includes time slots 0 to 1, and time slots 3 to 6. Exemplarily, the available time units of the uplink data of the terminal device may include time slots 0 to 1, and time slots 3 to 6.

[0165] Case 5: The channel estimation window does not include the third time unit.

[0166] In case 5, the third time unit may be a time unit in which uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict, determined based on the second timing advance value. For example, downlink reception may include one or more of SSB reception or ephemeris information reception. That is, when SSB reception or ephemeris information reception conflicts with uplink transmission, the terminal device may perform SSB reception or ephemeris information reception during the conflicting third time unit. Optionally, in case 5, the channel estimation window may include other time units in the second time unit shown in case 3, excluding the third time unit.

[0167] In this case, if the terminal device cancels the uplink transmission due to receiving the downlink signal, the network device may not be able to know. The network device can determine the channel estimation window according to the method described in NR, but the impact on the channel estimation can be resolved by the line of sight of the network device.

[0168] For example, if the signal detected by the network device in a certain time unit is noise, the time unit may be skipped to perform joint channel estimation.

[0169] For example, referring to Figure 6 , SSB reception or ephemeris information reception (SSB reception is used as an example in Figure 6 ) in time slot 1 conflicts with uplink transmission. Therefore, the terminal device can receive SSB or ephemeris information in time slot 1. Since the network device configures the terminal device to send uplink data in time slots 0 to 6, the network device will assume that the terminal device is still sending uplink data in time slots 0 to 6. Therefore, the network device can determine that the channel estimation window includes time slots 0 to 6. However, since the terminal device did not send uplink data in time slot 1, the network device will detect noise in time slot 1. Therefore, the network device can skip time slot 1 for joint channel estimation. In other words, the network device can determine that the channel estimation window does not include time slot 1, or that the start time of the channel estimation window can be the end time of time slot 1, or that the end time of the channel estimation window can be the start time of time slot 1. Exemplarily, the channel estimation window can include time slots 2 to 6. The available time units for uplink data of the terminal device can include, for example, time slot 0 and time slots 2 to 6.

[0170] Based on the above solution, the terminal device gives priority to receiving special downlink signals such as SSB or ephemeris information, which can improve the uplink synchronization performance.

[0171] It should be noted that the above-mentioned cases 1 to 5 can be used as separate embodiments, or those skilled in the art can also select any two embodiments to be combined as one embodiment, and this application does not make specific limitations.

[0172] S402: The terminal device performs uplink transmission in the channel estimation window.

[0173] Accordingly, the network device performs uplink reception in the channel estimation window.

[0174] It is understood that the terminal device can perform uplink transmission in the channel estimation window and other available time units. Optionally, when the terminal device performs uplink transmission in the channel estimation window, the transmit power is constant. Accordingly, the network device can receive uplink data in the available time unit for uplink transmission and perform channel estimation in the channel estimation window.

[0175] S403: The network device performs channel estimation based on uplink transmission.

[0176] For example, the network device may perform joint channel estimation based on uplink transmission in a channel estimation window, thereby decoding uplink data.

[0177] Based on the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the embodiment of the present application can align the terminal device and the network device's understanding of the channel estimation window. The terminal device can send uplink data on the channel estimation window, and the network device can perform joint channel estimation based on the uplink data.

[0178] Based on the above-mentioned manner in which the terminal device and the network device determine the channel estimation window, in an embodiment of the present application, N-TDW and / or A-TDW for joint channel estimation can be determined, which is described in detail below.

[0179] In an embodiment of the present application, the time unit of uplink data, that is, the available time unit of uplink data, may be composed of K N-TDWs, where K is an integer greater than or equal to 1. In one possible implementation, the starting point of the first N-TDW may be the first time unit in the time unit for uplink transmission determined by the first timing advance value and / or timing advance interval in which no conflict between uplink transmission and downlink reception occurs. The starting point of the kth N-TDW may be the first time unit in the time unit for uplink transmission determined by the first timing advance value and / or timing advance interval in which no conflict between uplink transmission and downlink reception occurs, where k is an integer greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to K. The end point of each N-TDW may include a time unit (first time unit) in which a conflict between uplink transmission and downlink reception occurs, determined by the first timing advance value and / or timing advance interval, or the end point of each N-TDW may not include a time unit (first time unit) in which a conflict between uplink transmission and downlink reception occurs, determined by the first timing advance value and / or timing advance interval. The number of time units included in each N-TDW is the same. It is understandable that the number of time units included in the N-TDW may be indicated by the network device. Each N-TDW includes a plurality of consecutive time units.

[0180] In an embodiment of the present application, A-TDW is located within N-TDW. One N-TDW may be divided into multiple A-TDWs, or N-TDW may be the same as A-TDW. For example, the starting point of the first A-TDW may be the first time unit in the first N-TDW determined by the first timing advance value or timing advance interval in which no conflict between uplink transmission and downlink reception will occur. The end point of the last A-TDW is the time unit of the last uplink transmission within an N-TDW. Any event that causes phase discontinuity, for example, the first time unit in N-TDW cannot be counted in any A-TDW segment. In other words, the first time unit may cause N-TDW to be divided into multiple A-TDWs.

[0181] For example, referring to FIG9A , the time units for uplink transmission include time slots 0 to 23. The network device is configured with N-TDW = 6. Time slots 1, 12, and 16 are time slots where conflicts between uplink transmission and downlink reception are determined based on the first timing advance value, i.e., unusable time slots. Time slots 0, 2, 11, 13, 15, and 17 are time slots where conflicts between uplink transmission and downlink reception are likely to occur, determined based on the timing advance interval.

[0182] Since time slots 0 to 2 are time slots (first time units) where uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict, as determined by the first timing advance value and the timing advance interval, the starting point of the first N-TDW does not include these three time slots. The first N-TDW begins with time slot 3 and ends with time slot 8. The second N-TDW can begin with time slot 9 and end with time slot 14. Time slots 15 and 16 are time slots (first time units) where uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict, as determined by the timing advance interval. Therefore, the last N-TDW begins with time slot 18 and ends with time slot 23.

[0183] The first N-TDW does not have a first time unit, meaning there are no time slots where uplink transmission and downlink reception conflicts may occur. Therefore, within the first N-TDW, A-TDW and N-TDW are the same. In the second N-TDW, since time slots 11 to 13 are time slots where uplink transmission and downlink reception conflicts may occur, A-TDW can start from time slot 9 and end at time slot 10. Since time slot 14 is a single time slot, joint channel estimation cannot be performed. In the third N-TDW, since the first time unit does not exist, A-TDW and N-TDW are the same.

[0184] As can be seen in the above possible implementations, the starting point of each N-TDW needs to consider the first time unit. Within the N-TDW, if the first time unit exists, then joint channel estimation cannot be performed for the first time unit. If the first time unit is excluded and there is only one time slot, joint channel estimation cannot be performed either.

[0185] In another possible implementation, the N-TDW may not take the first time unit into consideration, that is, the starting point of the first N-TDW may be the first time unit among the time units used for uplink transmission, and the starting point of the kth N-TDW may be the first time unit after the end point of the k-1th N-TDW. Each N-TDW includes the same number of time units. It is understandable that the number of time units included in an N-TDW may be indicated by a network device. Each N-TDW includes multiple consecutive time units. Similarly, an N-TDW may be divided into multiple A-TDWs, or the N-TDW may be the same as the A-TDW. For example, the starting point of the first A-TDW may be the first time unit within the first N-TDW determined by the first timing advance value where no conflict between uplink transmission and downlink reception occurs and / or the first time unit within the timing advance interval where no conflict between uplink transmission and downlink reception occurs. The end point of the last A-TDW is the last time unit for uplink transmission within an N-TDW. Any event that causes phase discontinuity, for example, the first time unit in N-TDW cannot be counted into any A-TDW segment, that is, the first time unit may cause N-TDW to be split into multiple A-TDW segments.

[0186] For example, referring to FIG9B , the time units for uplink transmission include time slots 0 to 23. The network device is configured with N-TDW = 6. Time slots 1, 12, and 16 are time slots where conflicts between uplink transmission and downlink reception are determined based on the first timing advance value, i.e., unusable time slots. Time slots 0, 2, 11, 13, 15, and 17 are time slots where conflicts between uplink transmission and downlink reception are likely to occur, determined based on the timing advance interval.

[0187] Then, N-TDW is respectively slots 0 to 5, slots 6 to 11, slots 12 to 17, and slots 18 to 23. Within the first N-TDW, slots 0 to 2 are the time slots (first time units) where uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict, as determined by the first timing advance value and timing advance interval. Therefore, A-TDW starts at slot 3 and ends at slot 8. In the second N-TDW, since slots 9 to 11 are first time units, A-TDW starts at slot 6 and ends at slot 10. In the third N-TDW, since slots 12 to 13 and slots 15 to 17 are first time units, and slot 14 only has one slot, joint channel estimation cannot be performed and A-TDW does not exist. In the fourth N-TDW, there is no first time unit, so A-TDW is the same as N-TDW.

[0188] It can be seen that in the above possible implementations, N-TDW does not consider the time units where uplink transmission and downlink reception conflicts may occur, while A-TDW needs to consider the time units where uplink transmission and downlink reception conflicts may occur.

[0189] In another possible implementation, the starting point of the first N-TDW may be the first time unit in the time unit for uplink transmission determined by the first timing advance value or timing advance interval in which no conflict between uplink transmission and downlink reception will occur, and the N-TDW does not include the first time unit. The starting point of the kth N-TDW may be the first time unit after the end point of the k-1th N-TDW determined by the first timing advance value or timing advance interval in which no conflict between uplink transmission and downlink reception will occur, and the kth N-TDW does not include the first time unit. The number of time units included in each N-TDW is the same. It is understandable that the number of time units included in the N-TDW may be indicated by a network device. Each N-TDW includes a plurality of consecutive time units in which no conflict between uplink transmission and downlink reception will occur.

[0190] In this possible implementation, A-TDW is the same as N-TDW.

[0191] For example, referring to FIG9C , the time units for uplink transmission include time slots 0 to 23. The network device is configured with N-TDW = 6. Time slots 1, 12, and 16 are time slots where conflicts between uplink transmission and downlink reception are determined based on the first timing advance value, i.e., unusable time slots. Time slots 0, 2, 11, 13, 15, and 17 are time slots where conflicts between uplink transmission and downlink reception are likely to occur, determined based on the timing advance interval.

[0192] Since slots 0 to 2 are the time slots (first time units) where uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict, as determined by the first timing advance value and timing advance interval, the starting point of the first N-TDW does not include these three slots. The first N-TDW begins with slot 3 and ends with slot 8. Since slots 9 to 14, slots 11 to 13 are first time units, no N-TDW can be formed from slots 9 to 14. Slots 15 to 17 are first time units, so the second N-TDW can begin with slot 18 and end with slot 23. A-TDW is the same as N-TDW.

[0193] In another possible implementation, the N-TDW may not include the first time unit, that is, the starting point of the first N-TDW may be the first time unit in the time unit for uplink transmission determined by the first timing advance value and / or timing advance interval in which no conflict between uplink transmission and downlink reception will occur. The starting point of the kth N-TDW may be the first time unit after the end point of the k-1th N-TDW determined by the first timing advance value and / or timing advance interval in which no conflict between uplink transmission and downlink reception will occur. The number of time units included in each N-TDW may be different, and the number of time units included in each N-TDW may be greater than or equal to 2, and less than or equal to the number of time units indicated by the network device. Each N-TDW includes a plurality of consecutive time units determined by the first timing advance value and / or timing advance interval in which no conflict between uplink transmission and downlink reception will occur.

[0194] In this possible implementation, A-TDW is the same as N-TDW.

[0195] For example, referring to FIG9D , the time units for uplink transmission include time slots 0 to 23. The network device is configured with N-TDW = 6. Time slots 1, 12, and 16 are time slots where conflicts between uplink transmission and downlink reception are determined based on the first timing advance value, i.e., unusable time slots. Time slots 0, 2, 11, 13, 15, and 17 are time slots where conflicts between uplink transmission and downlink reception are likely to occur, determined based on the timing advance interval.

[0196] Since slots 0 to 2 are the time slots (first time units) where uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict, as determined by the first timing advance value and timing advance interval, the starting point of the first N-TDW does not include these three slots. The first N-TDW starts from slot 3 and ends at slot 8. Since slots 11 to 13 of slots 9 to 14 are first time units, the second N-TDW can start from slot 9 and end at slot 10. Slots 15 to 17 are first time units, so the second N-TDW can start from slot 18 and end at slot 23. A-TDW is the same as N-TDW.

[0197] In another possible implementation, the N-TDW may not include a time unit (referred to as the first time unit A) in which uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict, as determined by the first timing advance value, and the A-TDW may not include a time unit (referred to as the first time unit B) in which uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict, as determined by the timing advance interval. The start of the first N-TDW may be the first time unit, determined by the first timing advance value, in which no uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict will occur, among the time units used for uplink transmission. The kth N-TDW may be the first time unit, determined by the first timing advance value, after the k-1th N-TDW, in which no uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict will occur. The number of time units included in each N-TDW may be different.

[0198] In this possible implementation, if there are at least two consecutive time units that are not the first time unit A, they can also be used as N-TDW. In addition, in this possible implementation, A-TDW does not include the first time unit B in N-TDW.

[0199] For example, referring to FIG9E , the time units for uplink transmission include time slots 0 to 23. The network device is configured with N-TDW = 6. Time slots 1, 12, and 16 are time slots where conflicts between uplink transmission and downlink reception are determined based on the first timing advance value, i.e., unusable time slots. Time slots 0, 2, 11, 13, 15, and 17 are time slots where conflicts between uplink transmission and downlink reception are likely to occur, determined based on the timing advance interval.

[0200] Since time slot 1 is the time slot where uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict based on the first timing advance value (the first time unit A), the starting point of the first N-TDW does not include time slot 1, and the first N-TDW starts from time slot 2 and ends at time slot 7. Since time slots 12 and 16 are the first time unit A, the second N-TDW starts from time slot 8 and ends at time slot 11, the third N-TDW starts from time slot 13 and ends at time slot 15, and the fourth N-TDW can start from time slot 17 and end at time slot 22.

[0201] In the first N-TDW, time slot 2 is the first time unit B, so A-TDW starts from time slot 3 and ends at time slot 7. Similarly, in the second N-TDW, A-TDW starts from time slot 8 and ends at time slot 10. There is no A-TDW in the third N-TDW, and in the fourth N-TDW, A-TDW starts from time slot 19 and ends at time slot 22.

[0202] In another possible implementation, N-TDW may not include a time unit (referred to as the first time unit A) in which uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict as determined by the first timing advance value, and A-TDW may not include a time unit (referred to as the first time unit B) in which uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict as determined by the timing advance interval. The start of the first N-TDW may be the first time unit determined by the first timing advance value in which no uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict will occur among the time units used for uplink transmission. The kth N-TDW may be the first time unit determined by the first timing advance value after the k-1th N-TDW in which no uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict will occur. The number of time units included in each N-TDW may be the same. It is understandable that the number of time units included in N-TDW may be indicated by a network device. In this possible implementation, A-TDW does not include the first time unit B within N-TDW.

[0203] For example, referring to FIG. 9F , the time units for uplink transmission include time slots 0 to 23. The network device is configured with N-TDW = 6. Time slots 1, 12, and 16 are time slots where conflicts between uplink transmission and downlink reception are determined based on the first timing advance value, i.e., unusable time slots. Time slots 0, 2, 11, 13, 15, and 17 are time slots where conflicts between uplink transmission and downlink reception are likely to occur, determined based on the timing advance interval.

[0204] Since time slot 1 is the time slot where uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict according to the first timing advance value (the first time unit A), the starting point of the first N-TDW does not include time slot 1. The first N-TDW starts from time slot 2 and ends at time slot 7. Since time slots 12 and 16 are the first time unit A, the second N-TDW starts from time slot 17 and ends at time slot 22.

[0205] In the first N-TDW, time slot 2 is the first time unit B, so A-TDW starts from time slot 3 and ends at time slot 7. Similarly, in the second N-TDW, A-TDW starts from time slot 19 and ends at time slot 22.

[0206] It can be understood that the maximum number of time units included in the N-TDW in the embodiment of the present application may be indicated by the network device, and the number of time units included in the N-TDW involved in the embodiment of the present application does not exceed the maximum number indicated by the network device.

[0207] Based on the concepts of the above embodiments, referring to FIG10 , an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device 1000, which includes a processing unit 1001 and a transceiver unit 1002. The device 1000 can be a communication device, or can be a device applied to a communication device and capable of supporting the communication device to execute a method for notifying a quality of service parameter.

[0208] The transceiver unit may also be referred to as a transceiver module, transceiver, transceiver, transceiver device, etc. The processing unit may also be referred to as a processor, processing board, processing unit, processing device, etc. Optionally, the device used to implement the receiving function in the transceiver unit may be considered a receiving unit. It should be understood that the transceiver unit is used to perform the sending and receiving operations of the communication device in the above method embodiments, and the device used to implement the sending function in the transceiver unit is considered a sending unit, that is, the transceiver unit includes a receiving unit and a sending unit.

[0209] In addition, it should be noted that if the device is implemented using a chip / chip circuit, the transceiver unit can be an input and output circuit and / or a communication interface, performing input operations (corresponding to the aforementioned receiving operations) and output operations (corresponding to the aforementioned sending operations); the processing unit is an integrated processor or microprocessor or integrated circuit.

[0210] The following describes in detail the implementation of applying the apparatus 1000 to terminal equipment and network equipment.

[0211] For example, when the apparatus 1000 is applied to a terminal device, the operations performed by each unit thereof are described in detail.

[0212] In an optional implementation, the communication apparatus 1000 may be applied to a terminal device to execute the method executed by the aforementioned terminal device, for example, the method executed by the terminal device in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 .

[0213] For example, processing unit 1001 is configured to determine a channel estimation window, where the channel estimation window includes or excludes a first time unit, where the first time unit is a time unit in which uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict based on a first timing advance value or a timing advance interval, where the timing advance interval is determined based on the first timing advance value. Transceiver unit 1002 is configured to perform uplink transmission within the channel estimation window.

[0214] For example, when the apparatus 1000 is applied to a network device, the operations performed by each unit thereof are described in detail.

[0215] In an optional implementation, the communication device 1000 may be applied to a network device to execute the method executed by the aforementioned network device, for example, the method executed by the network device in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 .

[0216] For example, the transceiver unit 1002 is configured to receive an uplink transmission in a channel estimation window. The channel estimation window does not include a first time unit, where the first time unit is a time unit in which an uplink transmission and a downlink reception conflict, determined based on a first timing advance value. The processing unit 1001 is configured to perform channel estimation based on the uplink transmission.

[0217] Based on the concepts of the embodiments, as shown in FIG11 , an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device 1100. The communication device 1100 includes a processor 1110. Optionally, the communication device 1100 may further include a memory 1120 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1110, or storing input data required by the processor 1110 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1110 executes instructions. The processor 1110 can implement the method described in the above method embodiment using the instructions stored in the memory 1120.

[0218] Based on the concept of the embodiment, as shown in Figure 12, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication device 1200, which can be a chip or a chip system. Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0219] Communication device 1200 may include at least one processor 1210 coupled to a memory. Optionally, the memory may be located within or outside the device. For example, communication device 1200 may also include at least one memory 1220. Memory 1220 stores the necessary computer programs, configuration information, computer programs or instructions, and / or data for implementing any of the aforementioned embodiments. Processor 1210 may execute the computer programs stored in memory 1220 to perform the methods of any of the aforementioned embodiments. Optionally, the memory may be integrated with the processor.

[0220] The coupling in the embodiments of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, and is used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 1210 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1220. The specific connection medium between the transceiver 1230, the processor 1210, and the memory 1220 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0221] The communication device 1200 may also include a transceiver 1230, and the communication device 1200 can exchange information with other devices through the transceiver 1230. The transceiver 1230 can be a circuit, a bus, a transceiver or any other device that can be used for information exchange, or is called a signal transceiver unit. As shown in Figure 12, the transceiver 1230 includes a transmitter 1231, a receiver 1232 and an antenna 1233. In addition, when the communication device 1200 is a chip-type device or circuit, the transceiver in the communication device 1200 can also be an input and output circuit and / or a communication interface, which can input data (or receive data) and output data (or send data). The processor is an integrated processor or microprocessor or integrated circuit, and the processor can determine the output data based on the input data.

[0222] In one possible implementation, the communication device 1200 can be applied to a communication device. Specifically, the communication device 1200 can be a communication device, or a device capable of supporting a communication device to implement the functions of the terminal device or network device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments. The memory 1220 stores the necessary computer programs, computer programs, instructions, and / or data to implement the functions of the terminal device or network device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments. The processor 1210 can execute the computer program stored in the memory 1220 to perform the method performed by the terminal device or network device in any of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0223] In the embodiments of the present application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, or a discrete hardware component, and may implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be directly implemented as being executed by a hardware processor, or may be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor.

[0224] In an embodiment of the present application, the memory may be a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), etc., or a volatile memory (volatile memory), such as a random-access memory (RAM). The memory may also be any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in an embodiment of the present application may also be a circuit or any other device that can implement a storage function, for storing computer programs, computer programs or instructions and / or data.

[0225] Based on the above embodiments, referring to FIG13 , an embodiment of the present application also provides another communication device 1300, including: an input / output interface 1310 and a logic circuit 1320; the input / output interface 1310 is used to receive code instructions and transmit them to the logic circuit 1320; the logic circuit 1320 is used to run code instructions to execute the method executed by the terminal device or network device in any of the above embodiments.

[0226] The following describes in detail the operations performed by the apparatus 1300 when applied to a terminal device or a network device.

[0227] In an optional implementation, the communication device 1300 may be applied to a terminal device to execute the method executed by the aforementioned terminal device, for example, the method executed by the terminal device in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 .

[0228] For example, logic circuit 1320 is configured to determine a channel estimation window, where the channel estimation window includes or excludes a first time unit, where the first time unit is a time unit in which uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict based on a first timing advance value or a timing advance interval, where the timing advance interval is determined based on the first timing advance value. Input / output interface 1310 is configured to perform uplink transmission within the channel estimation window.

[0229] Since the communication device 1300 provided in this embodiment can be applied to a terminal device to execute the method executed by the above-mentioned terminal device, the technical effects that can be obtained can be referred to the above-mentioned method embodiment and will not be described in detail here.

[0230] In an optional implementation, the communication device 1300 may be applied to a network device to execute the method executed by the aforementioned network device, for example, the method executed by the network device in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 .

[0231] For example, input / output interface 1310 is configured to receive uplink transmissions during a channel estimation window. The channel estimation window does not include a first time unit, which is a time unit where uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict, as determined based on a first timing advance value. Logic circuit 1320 is configured to perform channel estimation based on the uplink transmissions.

[0232] Since the communication device 1300 provided in this embodiment can be applied to a network device and execute the method executed by the aforementioned network device, the technical effects that can be obtained can be referred to the aforementioned method embodiment and will not be described in detail here.

[0233] Based on the above embodiments, the present application also provides a communication system, which includes at least one network device and at least one terminal device. The technical effects that can be obtained can be referred to the above method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0234] Based on the above embodiments, embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions. When the instructions are executed, the method performed by the communication device in any of the above embodiments is implemented. The computer-readable storage medium may include any medium capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard drive, a read-only memory, a random access memory, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0235] To implement the functions of the communication devices of Figures 10 to 13 above, embodiments of the present application further provide a chip including a processor for supporting the communication device in implementing the functions of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments. In one possible design, the chip is connected to or includes a memory, and the memory is used to store computer programs, instructions, and data necessary for the terminal device or network device.

[0236] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application can adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application can adopt the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to magnetic disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

[0237] The present application is described with reference to the flow chart and / or block diagram of the method, device (system) and computer program product according to the embodiment of the present application. It should be understood that each flow process and / or box in the flow chart and / or block diagram and the combination of the flow process and / or box in the flow chart and / or block diagram can be realized by a computer program or instruction. These computer programs or instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processing machine or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device produce a device for realizing the function specified in one flow chart flow or multiple flows and / or one box or multiple boxes of the block diagram.

[0238] These computer programs or instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a manufactured product including an instruction device that implements the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0239] These computer programs or instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, whereby the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0240] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the embodiments of the present application without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the embodiments of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A channel estimation method, characterized in that: include: determining a channel estimation window, where the channel estimation window does not include a first time unit, where the first time unit is a time unit in which an uplink transmission and a downlink reception conflict, determined based on a first timing advance value or a timing advance interval, where the timing advance interval is determined based on the first timing advance value; Uplink transmission is performed in the channel estimation window.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The channel estimation window includes a second time unit, where the second time unit is a time unit where uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict based on a second timing advance value, and the first timing advance value is different from the second timing advance value.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The channel estimation window does not include a second time unit, where the second time unit is a time unit where uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict based on a second timing advance value, and the first timing advance value is different from the second timing advance value.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein The channel estimation window does not include a third time unit, where the third time unit is a time unit in which an uplink transmission determined based on the second timing advance value conflicts with a synchronization signal block (SSB) reception, and / or the third time unit is a time unit in which an uplink transmission determined based on the second timing advance value conflicts with an ephemeris information reception, where the first timing advance value is different from the second timing advance value.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein The channel estimation window includes K nominal time domain windows N-TDW; wherein, when K is equal to 1, the starting point of the N-TDW is the first time unit determined based on the first timing advance value and / or the timing advance interval in which no uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict will occur; when K is an integer greater than 1, the starting point of the kth N-TDW is the first time unit determined based on the first timing advance value or the timing advance interval after the k-1th N-TDW in which no uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict will occur, and k is an integer greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to K; the end point of the N-TDW includes the first time unit, or the end point of the N-TDW does not include the first time unit.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that N-TDW includes an actual time domain window A-TDW, and the A-TDW does not include the first time unit.

7. A channel estimation method, characterized in that: include: Receiving an uplink transmission in a channel estimation window; wherein the channel estimation window does not include a first time unit, the first time unit being a time unit in which an uplink transmission and a downlink reception conflict is determined based on a first timing advance value; Channel estimation is performed based on the uplink transmission.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The channel estimation window includes a second time unit, where the second time unit is a time unit where uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict based on a second timing advance value, and the first timing advance value is different from the second timing advance value.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The channel estimation window does not include a second time unit, where the second time unit is a time unit where uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict based on a second timing advance value, and the first timing advance value is different from the second timing advance value.

10. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The channel estimation window does not include a third time unit, where the third time unit is a time unit of uplink transmission and SSB reception determined based on the second timing advance value, and / or the third time unit is a time unit of conflict between uplink transmission and ephemeris information reception determined based on the second timing advance value, and the first timing advance value is different from the second timing advance value.

11. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The channel estimation window includes K nominal time domain windows N-TDW; wherein, when K is equal to 1, the starting point of the N-TDW is the first time unit determined based on the first timing advance value and / or the timing advance interval in which no uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict will occur; when K is an integer greater than 1, the starting point of the kth N-TDW is the first time unit determined based on the first timing advance value or the timing advance interval after the k-1th N-TDW in which no uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict will occur, and k is an integer greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to K; the end point of the N-TDW includes the first time unit, or the end point of the N-TDW does not include the first time unit.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that N-TDW includes an actual time domain window A-TDW, and the A-TDW does not include the first time unit.

13. A communication device, characterized in that: include: a processing unit, configured to determine a channel estimation window, where the channel estimation window does not include a first time unit, where the first time unit is a time unit in which an uplink transmission and a downlink reception conflict, determined based on a first timing advance value or a timing advance interval, where the timing advance interval is determined based on the first timing advance value; The transceiver unit is configured to perform uplink transmission in the channel estimation window.

14. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that The channel estimation window includes a second time unit, where the second time unit is a time unit where uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict based on a second timing advance value, and the first timing advance value is different from the second timing advance value.

15. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that The channel estimation window does not include a second time unit, and the third time unit is a time unit in which an uplink transmission and a downlink reception conflict is determined based on a second timing advance value, and the first timing advance value is different from the second timing advance value.

16. The device according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that: The channel estimation window does not include a third time unit, where the third time unit is a time unit of uplink transmission and SSB reception determined based on the second timing advance value, or the third time unit is a time unit of conflict between uplink transmission and ephemeris information reception determined based on the second timing advance value, and the first timing advance value is different from the second timing advance value.

17. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that The channel estimation window is composed of K nominal time domain windows N-TDW; wherein, when K is equal to 1, the starting point of the N-TDW is the first time unit determined based on the first timing advance value and / or the timing advance interval in which no uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict will occur; when K is an integer greater than 1, the starting point of the kth N-TDW is the first time unit determined based on the first timing advance value and / or the timing advance interval after the k-1th N-TDW in which no uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict will occur, and k is an integer greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to K; the end point of the N-TDW includes the first time unit, or the end point of the N-TDW does not include the first time unit.

18. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that N-TDW includes an actual time domain window A-TDW, and the A-TDW does not include the first time unit.

19. A communication device, characterized in that: include: a transceiver unit configured to receive an uplink transmission in a channel estimation window; wherein the channel estimation window does not include a first time unit, the first time unit being a time unit in which an uplink transmission and a downlink reception conflict, determined based on a first timing advance value; A processing unit is configured to perform channel estimation based on the uplink transmission.

20. The device according to claim 19, characterized in that The channel estimation window includes a second time unit, and the third time unit is a time unit of uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict determined based on a second timing advance value, where the first timing advance value is different from the second timing advance value.

21. The device according to claim 19, characterized in that The channel estimation window does not include a second time unit, where the second time unit is a time unit where uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict based on a second timing advance value, and the first timing advance value is different from the second timing advance value.

22. The device according to any one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that: The channel estimation window does not include a third time unit, where the third time unit is a time unit of uplink transmission and SSB reception determined based on the second timing advance value, or the third time unit is a time unit of conflict between uplink transmission and ephemeris information reception determined based on the second timing advance value, and the first timing advance value is different from the second timing advance value.

23. The device according to claim 19, characterized in that The channel estimation window includes K nominal time domain windows N-TDW; wherein, when K is equal to 1, the starting point of the N-TDW is the first time unit determined based on the first timing advance value and / or the timing advance interval in which no uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict will occur; when K is an integer greater than 1, the starting point of the kth N-TDW is the first time unit determined based on the first timing advance value and / or the timing advance interval after the k-1th N-TDW in which no uplink transmission and downlink reception conflict will occur, and k is an integer greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to K; the end point of the N-TDW includes the first time unit, or the end point of the N-TDW does not include the first time unit.

24. The device according to claim 23, characterized in that N-TDW includes an actual time domain window A-TDW, and the A-TDW does not include the first time unit.

25. A communication device, characterized in that: include: A processor, the processor being coupled to a memory, the memory being used to store programs or instructions, and when the program or instructions are executed by the processor, causing the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or causing the device to perform the method according to any one of claims 7 to 12.

26. The device according to claim 25, characterized in that The communication device further includes the memory.

27. A chip system, characterized in that: The chip system includes: Communication interface; A processor, configured to call and execute the instruction through the communication interface, so that a device equipped with the chip system executes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, or so that a device equipped with the chip system executes the method as described in any one of claims 7 to 12.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, which, when called by an electronic device, enable the electronic device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or enable the electronic device to execute the method according to any one of claims 7 to 12.

29. A computer program product, characterized in that The method comprises computer-executable instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enable the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or enable the electronic device to execute the method according to any one of claims 7 to 12.

30. A communication system, characterized in that: The invention comprises a communication device for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, and a communication device for executing the method according to any one of claims 7 to 12.

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