Communication methods, terminals, network devices, communication system, and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to communication methods, terminals, network devices, a communication system, and a storage medium. A communication method comprises: a terminal receives indication information sent by a network device, the indication information being used for indicating a transmission configuration indication (TCI) state, the TCI state corresponding to a use time, and the use time being the time when the terminal uses the TCI state. The embodiments of the present disclosure can achieve consistency in the use time of a TCI state between network devices and terminals, thereby improving communication efficiency.

Description

Communication methods, terminals, network equipment, communication systems and storage media Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to communication methods, terminals, network devices, communication systems and storage media. Background Technology

[0002] In New Radio (NR), especially in frequency range 2, beam-based transmission and reception are required to ensure coverage.

[0003] During beam management, the terminal can perform beam prediction based on an artificial intelligence (AI) model. However, the network device is unaware whether the terminal has predicted the optimal beam on the terminal side based on the AI ​​model, which can lead to inconsistencies in the usage time determined by the network device and the terminal regarding the transmission configuration indication (TCI) state.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The problem that needs to be solved is how to ensure that network devices and terminals maintain consistent usage time for TCI status.

[0006] This disclosure provides embodiments of a communication method, a terminal, a network device, a communication system, and a storage medium.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is proposed, the method comprising: a terminal receiving indication information sent by a network device, the indication information being used to indicate a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state, the TCI state corresponding to a usage time, the usage time being the time during which the terminal uses the TCI state.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: a network device sending indication information to a terminal, the indication information being used to indicate a TCI state, the TCI state corresponding to a usage time, the usage time being the time during which the terminal uses the TCI state.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, comprising: a transceiver module, configured to receive indication information sent by a network device, the indication information being used to indicate a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state, the TCI state corresponding to a usage time, the usage time being the time during which the terminal uses the TCI state.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a network device is provided, comprising: a transceiver module, configured to send indication information to a terminal, the indication information being used to indicate a TCI state, the TCI state corresponding to a usage time, the usage time being the time during which the terminal uses the TCI state.

[0011] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processors are configured to execute the communication method of the first aspect.

[0012] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a network device is provided, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processors are configured to perform the communication method of the second aspect.

[0013] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, including a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the communication method of the first aspect, and the network device is configured to implement the communication method of the second aspect.

[0014] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided that stores instructions, characterized in that, when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device performs the method of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0015] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program is provided that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the communication method of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0016] Through the embodiments of this disclosure, the network device sends indication information to the terminal, which is used to indicate the TCI status. The TCI status corresponds to the usage time of the terminal using the TCI status, which can make the usage time of the network device and the terminal consistent with the TCI status, thereby improving communication efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings required for the description of the embodiments are introduced below. The following drawings are only some embodiments of this disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0018] Figure 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 2 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 3A is a schematic flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 3B is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 4A is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 4B is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 5 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the terminal proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0026] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the network device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0027] Figure 7A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0028] Figure 7B is a schematic diagram of the chip structure proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0029] This disclosure provides embodiments of a communication method, a terminal, a network device, a communication system, and a storage medium.

[0030] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure propose a communication method, the method comprising: a terminal receiving indication information sent by a network device, the indication information being used to indicate a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state, the TCI state corresponding to a usage time, the usage time being the time during which the terminal uses the TCI state.

[0031] In the above embodiments, the network device sends indication information to the terminal. This indication information is used to indicate the TCI status, which corresponds to the usage time of the terminal using the TCI status. This enables the network device and the terminal to keep their usage time of the TCI status consistent, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0032] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the indication information is also used to indicate the usage time corresponding to the TCI state.

[0033] In the above embodiments, the indication information sent by the network device to the terminal is used to indicate the TCI state and the usage time corresponding to the TCI state. The terminal can use the usage time indicated by the indication information as the usage time corresponding to the TCI state, which can make the usage time of the network device and the terminal consistent for the TCI state, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0034] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the TCI state includes a first TCI state and / or a second TCI state, and the usage time indicated by the indication information includes a first usage time and / or a second usage time, wherein the first TCI state corresponds to the first usage time, the second TCI state corresponds to the second usage time, and the first usage time is less than or equal to the second usage time.

[0035] In the above embodiments, the indication information sent by the network device to the terminal is used to indicate the TCI status and the usage time corresponding to the TCI status. The usage time corresponding to the TCI status may include a first usage time or a second usage time. That is, the TCI status can correspond to different usage times, thereby improving the flexibility of usage time indication.

[0036] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first TCI state satisfies at least one of the following: the first TCI state is a TCI state activated by the network device based on the Media Access Control Element (MAC CE); the reference signal resource corresponding to the first TCI state is a reference signal resource in a first set, and the reference signal resource in the first set is a reference signal resource configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal; the first TCI state is a TCI state derived by the terminal based on an artificial intelligence (AI) model, and the output of the AI ​​model includes the optimal receive beam or optimal transmit beam on the terminal side corresponding to the first TCI state; the reference signal resource corresponding to the first TCI state has a quasi-co-addressable relationship with at least one reference signal resource in a second set, and the reference signal resource in the second set is a reference signal resource configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal.

[0037] In the above embodiments, when the TCI state meets one of the above conditions, the TCI state can correspond to a shorter first usage time, thereby adapting to communication scenarios with shorter usage time and improving communication efficiency.

[0038] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second TCI state satisfies at least one of the following: the second TCI state is a TCI state activated by the network device based on MAC CE; the second TCI state is a TCI state other than the TCI state activated by the network device based on MAC CE; the reference signal resource corresponding to the second TCI state is a reference signal resource in a third set, wherein the reference signal resource in the third set is a reference signal resource configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal; the reference signal resource corresponding to the second TCI state is a reference signal resource other than a fourth set, wherein the reference signal resource in the fourth set is a reference signal resource configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal; the second TCI state is a TCI state derived by the terminal based on an artificial intelligence (AI) model, and the output of the AI ​​model does not include the optimal receive beam or optimal transmit beam on the terminal side corresponding to the TCI state; the second TCI state is different from the first TCI state.

[0039] In the above embodiments, when the TCI state meets one of the above conditions, the TCI state can correspond to a longer second usage time, thereby adapting to communication scenarios where the terminal needs a longer usage time.

[0040] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: the terminal sending first information to the network device, the first information including at least one of the following: usage time corresponding to at least one reference signal resource; the number of usage times corresponding to at least one reference signal resource; the number of usage times corresponding to at least one reference signal resource; wherein, each of the at least one reference signal resource corresponds to a TCI state, and the usage time corresponding to each reference signal resource is the usage time of the TCI state corresponding to each reference signal resource.

[0041] In the above embodiments, the terminal reports at least one of the following to the network device: the usage time corresponding to at least one reference signal resource, the number of usage times, and the number of usage times. This enables the network device and the terminal to maintain consistency in the usage time corresponding to the reference signal resource, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0042] In the above embodiments, the usage time corresponding to the reference signal resource is the usage time corresponding to the TCI state of the reference signal resource, which enables the network device and the terminal to keep the usage time of the TCI state corresponding to the reference signal resource consistent, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0043] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the at least one reference signal resource is the reference signal resource included in the beam report reported by the terminal.

[0044] In the above embodiments, the terminal reports at least one of the following to the network device: the usage time corresponding to at least one reference signal resource, the number of usage times, and the number of usage times. This enables the network device and the terminal to maintain consistency in the usage time corresponding to the reference signal resources in the beam report, thereby saving communication resources and improving communication efficiency.

[0045] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the usage time corresponding to the first information is a usage time, and the usage time corresponding to the at least one reference signal resource is the same usage time.

[0046] In the above embodiments, the usage time reported by the terminal is a single usage time, and the TCI state corresponding to each reference signal resource corresponds to this single usage time, which can save communication resources.

[0047] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the usage time includes multiple usage times, including a third usage time and a fourth usage time; when the reference signal resource belongs to the second set, the reference signal resource corresponds to the third usage time; when the reference signal resource does not belong to the second set, the reference signal resource corresponds to the fourth usage time; the second set is a set of reference signal resources configured by the network device for measurement, and the third usage time is less than or equal to the fourth usage time.

[0048] In the above embodiments, the usage time reported by the terminal may include multiple usage times. Reference signal resources belonging to the fifth set correspond to a shorter third usage time, while reference signal resources not belonging to the fifth set correspond to a longer fourth usage time, which can improve the flexibility of usage time reporting.

[0049] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the terminal can determine the transmit beam or receive beam of the terminal corresponding to the TCI state indicated by the network device, and the TCI state corresponds to a first TCI state; if the terminal does not determine the transmit beam or receive beam of the terminal corresponding to the TCI state indicated by the network device, the TCI state corresponds to a second TCI state.

[0050] In the above embodiments, when the terminal knows or is able to determine the receiving or transmitting beam on the terminal side corresponding to the TCI state, the TCI state corresponds to a shorter usage time, which can improve communication efficiency; when the terminal does not know the receiving or transmitting beam on the terminal side corresponding to the TCI state, the TCI state corresponds to a longer usage time, which can adapt to communication scenarios where the terminal needs a longer usage time.

[0051] Secondly, this disclosure provides a communication method in which a network device sends indication information to a terminal. The indication information is used to indicate a TCI state, and the TCI state corresponds to a usage time, which is the time during which the terminal uses the TCI state.

[0052] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the indication information is also used to indicate the usage time corresponding to the TCI state.

[0053] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the TCI state includes a first TCI state and / or a second TCI state, and the usage time indicated by the indication information includes a first usage time and / or a second usage time, wherein the first TCI state corresponds to the first usage time, the second TCI state corresponds to the second usage time, and the first usage time is less than or equal to the second usage time.

[0054] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first TCI state satisfies at least one of the following: the first TCI state is a TCI state activated by the network device based on the Media Access Control Element (MAC CE); the reference signal resource corresponding to the first TCI state is a reference signal resource in a first set, and the reference signal resource in the first set is a reference signal resource configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal; the first TCI state is a TCI state derived by the terminal based on an artificial intelligence (AI) model, and the output of the AI ​​model includes the optimal receive beam or optimal transmit beam of the terminal corresponding to the first TCI state; the reference signal resource corresponding to the first TCI state has a quasi-co-addressable relationship with at least one reference signal resource in a second set, and the reference signal resource in the second set is a reference signal resource configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal.

[0055] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second TCI state satisfies at least one of the following: the second TCI state is a TCI state activated by the network device based on MAC CE; the second TCI state is a TCI state other than the TCI state activated by the network device based on MAC CE; the reference signal resource corresponding to the second TCI state is a reference signal resource in a third set, wherein the reference signal resource in the third set is a reference signal resource configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal; the reference signal resource corresponding to the second TCI state is a reference signal resource other than a fourth set, wherein the reference signal resource in the fourth set is a reference signal resource configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal; the second TCI state is a TCI state derived by the terminal based on an artificial intelligence (AI) model, and the output of the AI ​​model does not include the optimal receive beam or optimal transmit beam of the terminal corresponding to the second TCI state; the second TCI state is different from the first TCI state.

[0056] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: the network device receiving first information sent by the terminal, the first information including at least one of the following: usage time corresponding to at least one reference signal resource; the number of usage times corresponding to at least one reference signal resource; the number of usage times corresponding to at least one reference signal resource; wherein, each of the at least one reference signal resource corresponds to a TCI state, and the usage time corresponding to each reference signal resource is the usage time of the TCI state corresponding to each reference signal resource.

[0057] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the at least one reference signal resource is the reference signal resource included in the beam report reported by the terminal.

[0058] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the at least one reference signal resource is the reference signal resource included in the beam report reported by the terminal.

[0059] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the usage time includes multiple usage times, including a third usage time and a fourth usage time; when the reference signal resource belongs to a second set, the reference signal resource corresponds to the third usage time; when the reference signal resource does not belong to a fifth set, the reference signal resource corresponds to the fourth usage time; the fifth set is a set of reference signal resources configured by the network device for measurement, and the third usage time is less than or equal to the fourth usage time.

[0060] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the terminal can determine the transmit beam or receive beam of the terminal corresponding to the TCI state indicated by the network device, and the TCI state corresponds to a first TCI state; if the terminal does not determine the transmit beam or receive beam of the terminal corresponding to the TCI state indicated by the network device, the TCI state corresponds to a second TCI state.

[0061] Thirdly, this disclosure provides a terminal, including: a transceiver module, configured to receive indication information sent by a network device, the indication information being used to indicate a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state, the TCI state corresponding to a usage time, the usage time being the time during which the terminal uses the TCI state.

[0062] Fourthly, this disclosure provides a network device, including: a transceiver module, used to send indication information to a terminal, the indication information being used to indicate a TCI state, the TCI state corresponding to a usage time, the usage time being the time the terminal uses the TCI state.

[0063] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a terminal comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processors are configured to execute the communication method of the first aspect.

[0064] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a network device comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processors are configured to perform the communication method of the second aspect.

[0065] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication system including a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the communication method of the first aspect, and the network device is configured to implement the communication method of the second aspect.

[0066] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device performs the method of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0067] Ninthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method as described in the optional implementations of the first or second aspect.

[0068] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform any of the aforementioned communication methods.

[0069] Eleventhly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the methods described in optional implementations of the first or second aspect.

[0070] It is understood that the aforementioned network functions, terminals, communication systems, storage media, program products, computer programs, chips, or chip systems are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0071] This disclosure provides embodiments of a communication method, a terminal, a network device, a communication system, and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms "communication method" and "information sending method," "information receiving method," etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0072] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0073] In each of the disclosed embodiments, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0074] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0075] In this embodiment of the disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a," "an," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "this," etc., can mean "one and only one," or "one or more," "at least one," etc. For example, when using articles such as "a," "an," "the," etc. in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as either a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0076] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0077] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0078] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, both A and B are executed. The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0079] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execution of A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execution of B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0080] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the object being described is "information", then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0081] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0082] In some embodiments, the terms “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “if…”, “if…”, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0083] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than,” “greater than or equal to,” “not less than,” “more than,” “more than or equal to,” “not less than,” “higher than,” “higher than or equal to,” “not lower than,” and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not greater than,” “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not more than,” “lower than,” “lower than or equal to,” “not higher than,” and “below”.

[0084] In some embodiments, devices, etc., can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as “device”, “equipment”, “circuit”, “network element”, “node”, “function”, “unit”, “section”, “system”, “network”, “chip”, “chip system”, “entity”, and “subject” can be used interchangeably.

[0085] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in a network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0086] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)," "radio access network device (RAN device)," "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "fixed station," "node," "access point," "transmission point (TP)," "reception point (RP)," "transmission / reception point (TRP)," "panel," "antenna panel," "antenna array," "cell," "macro cell," "small cell," "femto cell," "pico cell," "sector," "cell group," "serving cell," "carrier," "component carrier," and "bandwidth part (BWP)" can be used interchangeably.

[0087] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", "subscriber station", "mobile unit", "subscriber unit", "wireless unit", "remote unit", "mobile device", "wireless device", "wireless communication device", "remote device", "mobile subscriber station", "access terminal", "mobile terminal", "wireless terminal", "remote terminal", "handset", "user agent", "mobile client", and "client" can be used interchangeably.

[0088] In some embodiments, access network devices, core network devices, or network devices can be replaced by terminals. For example, embodiments of this disclosure can also be applied to structures where communication between access network devices, core network devices, or network devices and terminals is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (e.g., device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the structure can also be configured such that the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can be replaced with terms corresponding to communication between terminals (e.g., "sidelink"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., can be replaced with sidelink channel, and uplink link, downlink, etc., can be replaced with sidelink link.

[0089] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, core network device, or network device may also be configured to have all or some of the functions of the terminal.

[0090] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0091] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0092] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0093] In NR, especially when the communication frequency band is in frequency range 2, due to the rapid attenuation of high-frequency channels, beam-based transmission and reception are required to ensure coverage.

[0094] During beam management, network devices configure a set of reference signal resources for beam measurement. The terminal measures the reference signal resources in this set and reports the IDs of some of the stronger reference signal resources, along with their corresponding layer 1 reference signal received power (L1-RSRP) and / or layer 1 signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (L1-SINR), to the network device.

[0095] In related technologies, it is assumed that the network device's set of reference signal resources includes X reference signal resources, each corresponding to a different transmit beam of the network device. For each reference signal resource, the terminal needs to use all receive beams to measure the reference signal, obtain the beam measurement quality corresponding to each receive beam, and determine one or more of the best beam measurement qualities. Therefore, the number of beam pairs that the terminal needs to measure is M*N. Here, M represents the number of transmit beams of the network device, and N is the number of receive beams of the terminal.

[0096] In some embodiments, an implementation process for beam prediction based on AI (Artificial Intelligence) models and / or AI functions is provided. Here, AI functions can be considered as one or more AI models that achieve a similar function or purpose.

[0097] In some embodiments, the AI ​​model used for beam prediction may be referred to as a beam prediction model. Of course, it may also be called a beam prediction AI model, a prediction AI model, a prediction beam model, etc. This disclosure does not limit the name of such AI model.

[0098] In some embodiments, when the beam prediction model is a spatial prediction model, the terminal measures the L1-RSRP of set B (which may also include the beam or beam pair ID) and inputs it into the beam prediction model. The beam prediction model can predict the L1-RSRP of the best beam and / or beam pair in set A, and / or the identifier of the best beam and / or beam pair in set A.

[0099] The relationship between set B and set A can include the following two types:

[0100] The first type of relationship is that set B is a subset of set A. For example, if set A contains 32 reference signal resources (each reference signal resource corresponds to a beam direction), then set B contains N partial reference signal resources. For instance, set B contains 8 of the 32 reference signal resources, i.e., N = 8.

[0101] The second relationship is as follows: set B is a wide beam, and set A is a narrow beam. For example, set A contains 32 reference signal resources (each reference signal resource corresponds to one beam direction, and the 32 reference signal resources cover a 120-degree direction). Set B contains another Y reference signal resources, for example, Y=8. These Y reference signal resources also cover a 120-degree direction, meaning that the beam direction of each reference signal resource in set B covers the beam directions of multiple reference signal resources in set A. This can be understood as a quasi-co-location (QCL) Type D relationship between the 32 / Y reference signal resources in set A and one reference signal resource in set B.

[0102] It is understandable that the examples of the first and second relationships described above only describe the case of the transmitted beam. When considering beam pairs that include both transmitted and received beams, the terminal's received beam must also be considered. For example, with 32 transmitted beams and 4 received beams, set A would be 32*4 beam pairs, and set B could be 32 beam pairs, 16 beam pairs, and so on.

[0103] If performance monitoring of the AI ​​model is not required, and assuming the AI ​​model has been pre-trained, then during the derivation process based on the AI ​​model, the network device only needs to periodically send the reference signals on the reference signal resources in set B (e.g., based on the first cycle). Then, the terminal measures the L1-RSRP of the reference signals on the reference signal resources in set B, inputs it into the beam prediction model, and can output the L1-RSRP corresponding to the reference signal resources in set A, or output the strongest one or more reference signal resource IDs or beam IDs among the 32 reference signal resources in set A.

[0104] If monitoring the performance of the AI ​​model is required, the network device, in addition to periodically sending set B, also periodically sends the reference signal of set A (e.g., based on the second period, where the second period is longer than the first period). The terminal measures the reference signal on the reference signal resources of set B, inputs the measurement results into the AI ​​model, obtains the predicted beam information, and reports it to the network device. Simultaneously, the terminal also measures the L1-RSRP of the reference signals on all reference signal resources in set A, and reports the measurement results of set A, or the reference signal resource ID corresponding to the best beam in set A obtained based on the measurement results of set A, as the beam information obtained by the traditional method to the network device.

[0105] Understandably, if set B is a subset of set A, it means that the terminal only needs to measure all beams or beam pairs of set A.

[0106] In the embodiments of this disclosure, the "terminal-side model" and the "AI model deployed on the terminal" can be used interchangeably. The "network device-side model" and the "AI model deployed on the network device" can be used interchangeably.

[0107] In some implementations, when the beam prediction model is a time-domain prediction, the terminal measures the L1-RSRP of historical time set B, inputs it into the AI ​​model, and predicts the L1-RSRP of future time set A or the ID of the best beam in set A. Besides the two relationships mentioned above, another relationship between set B and set A is that set B and set A are the same.

[0108] If beam prediction is based on an AI model, then the reference signal for future moments does not need to be sent; that is, beam information can be obtained based on the output of the AI ​​model and reported to the network equipment.

[0109] If AI model performance monitoring is performed using methods from related technologies, reference signals for future timeframes also need to be transmitted. The terminal measures these reference signals and obtains beam information, which is then reported to the network device. Therefore, during model performance monitoring, in the same spatial domain beam prediction, the network device needs to periodically transmit the transmitted beams in set B and set A, and the terminal needs to measure all beams or beam pairs in set B and set A.

[0110] AI-based beam prediction methods can reduce the number of beams or beam pairs that a terminal needs to measure. For example, if a terminal would normally need to measure M*N beam pairs (where M is the number of beams transmitted by the network device and N is the number of beams received by the terminal), using an AI model, for spatial beam prediction, the terminal only needs to measure a portion of the M*N beam pairs, such as 1 / 8 or 1 / 4. The beam measurement quality of these beam pairs is then input into the AI ​​model, which outputs beam information for all M*N beam pairs. For temporal beam prediction, the terminal can measure the beam quality of beam pairs at historical times and use the AI ​​model to predict the beam information for future beam pairs. Alternatively, the AI ​​model's input and output can disregard the beam quality or beam ID of the beam pairs, considering only the beam quality or beam ID of the downlink transmitted beams—that is, an AI model based on downlink beams, not beam pairs.

[0111] For the AI ​​model on the terminal side, if the AI ​​model is trained by the terminal itself, then in addition to predicting the optimal K (K is a positive integer, and K is less than or equal to M) downlink transmit beams and / or the corresponding Layer 1 reference signal receiving power (L1-RSRP) of the network device, the terminal-side AI model can also predict the optimal receive beam (Rx beam). However, whether the terminal can predict the optimal receive beam (Rx beam) is unknown to the network device. For different receive beams (Tx beams), if the terminal knows its corresponding Rx beam, then when the network device instructs a transmission configuration indication (TCI) state corresponding to the reference signal (RS) identity document (ID) of that Tx beam, the terminal can directly receive based on the known Rx beam. If the terminal does not know its corresponding Rx beam, then when the network device instructs a TCI state corresponding to the RS ID of the Tx beam, the terminal does not know which Rx beam to use for reception. In this scenario, the terminal may require a longer time to receive the RS; that is, it may use different Rx beams to receive the RS in order to find the optimal Rx beam. After finding the optimal Rx beam, the terminal uses it to receive the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) / Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) or other RSs sent by the network device. The difference between the two is that the application time of the TCI state is different, with the latter taking longer.

[0112] Therefore, how to ensure that network devices and terminals determine the same value for the usage time of the TCI state is a technical problem that needs to be solved.

[0113] This disclosure provides a communication method in which a network device sends indication information to a terminal. The indication information is used to indicate the TCI state, and the TCI state corresponds to the usage time of the terminal using the TCI state. This can ensure that the usage time of the TCI state by the network device and the terminal is consistent, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0114] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0115] As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102.

[0116] In some embodiments, terminal 101 may be user equipment (UE), and terminal 101 includes, for example, at least one of the following: mobile phone, wearable device, Internet of Things device, car with communication function, smart car, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal device in industrial control, wireless terminal device in self-driving, wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal device in smart grid, wireless terminal device in transportation safety, wireless terminal device in smart city, and wireless terminal device in smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0117] In some embodiments, network device 102 may be a functional network element in a core network device. The core network device may be a single device, including a first network element, a second network element, etc., or it may be multiple devices or a group of devices, each including all or part of the first network element, the second network element, etc. Network elements may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), and a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0118] In some embodiments, network device 102 may include at least one of access network device and core network device.

[0119] In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that connects a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following in a 5G communication system: evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), node B (NB), home node B (HNB), home evolved node B (HeNB), radio backhaul device, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), base band unit (BBU), mobile switching center, base station in a 6G communication system, open RAN, cloud RAN, base station in other communication systems, and access node in a Wi-Fi system.

[0120] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of this disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within access network devices involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of Open RAN. The processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented by software or programs.

[0121] In some embodiments, the access network device may be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU may also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can separate the protocol layer of the access network device. Some of the protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU and centrally controlled by the CU. However, this is not the only possibility.

[0122] In some embodiments, a core network device may be a single device comprising one or more network elements, or it may be multiple devices or a group of devices, each comprising all or part of the aforementioned one or more network elements. Network elements may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), or a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0123] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0124] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1C are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1, or may include other main bodies outside of FIG1. ​​The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. Each main body may be physical or virtual. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection may be in any way, such as direct connection or indirect connection, wired connection or wireless connection.

[0125] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), and IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth (a registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) systems, systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems built upon them, etc. Furthermore, multiple systems can be combined (e.g., a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0126] Figure 2 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which includes:

[0127] Step S2101: The network device sends an instruction message to the terminal.

[0128] In some embodiments, the terminal receives instruction information sent by the network device.

[0129] In some embodiments, the indication information is used to indicate the state of the transmission configuration indication (TCI).

[0130] In some embodiments, the indication information is used to indicate one or more TCI states.

[0131] In some embodiments, the TCI state includes at least one of a unified TCI state, a joint TCI state, a downlink (DL) TCI state, and an uplink (UL) TCI state.

[0132] In some embodiments, the TCI status indicates a reference signal resource identifier corresponding to at least one of the quasi co-location (QCL) types A, B, C, and D. The QCL types A, B, C, and D correspond to the following parameters, respectively.

[0133] -'TypeA':{Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay, delay spread}

[0134] -'TypeB':{Doppler shift,Doppler spread}

[0135] -'TypeC':{Doppler shift,average delay}

[0136] -'TypeD':{Spatial Rx parameter}

[0137] In some embodiments, the TCI state corresponds to the application time, that is, there is a correspondence between the TCI state and the application time.

[0138] In some embodiments, the usage time may also be referred to as the adoption time or the application time.

[0139] In some embodiments, usage time refers to the time during which the terminal uses (or adopts) the TCI state.

[0140] In some embodiments, the correspondence between TCI status and usage time may be predefined in the protocol.

[0141] In some embodiments, the indication information is used to indicate the usage time corresponding to the TCI status.

[0142] In some embodiments, the indication information is used to indicate one or more TCI states and the usage time corresponding to each of the one or more TCI states.

[0143] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the indication information sent by the network device to the terminal can indicate the TCI status and its corresponding usage time. The terminal can use the usage time indicated by the indication information as the usage time of the TCI status, thereby ensuring that the network device and the terminal maintain consistency on the usage time corresponding to the TCI status.

[0144] In some embodiments, the usage time indicated by the indication information may include one or more usage times.

[0145] In some embodiments, the usage time indicated by the indication information may include a first usage time and / or a second usage time, wherein the first usage time is less than or equal to the second usage time. For example, the usage time indicated by the indication information may include the first usage time, that is, the usage time corresponding to the TCI state indicated by the indication information is the first usage time. For example, the usage time indicated by the indication information may include the second usage time, that is, the usage time corresponding to the TCI state indicated by the indication information is the second usage time. For example, the usage time indicated by the indication information may include both the first and second usage times, that is, the usage time corresponding to a portion of the TCI states indicated by the indication information is the first usage time, and the usage time corresponding to another portion of the TCI states is the second usage time.

[0146] In some embodiments, the indication information may include at least one of Radio Resource Control (RRC), Medium Access Control-Control Element (MAC CE), and Downlink Control Information (DCI).

[0147] In some embodiments, the first usage time is shorter and the second usage time is longer.

[0148] In some embodiments, the specific values ​​or ranges of the first usage time and the second usage time can be configured by the network device or agreed upon by the protocol.

[0149] In some embodiments, the TCI state may include a first TCI state and / or a second TCI state.

[0150] In some embodiments, the TCI state corresponding to the first usage time can be referred to as the first TCI state, and the TCI state corresponding to the second usage time can be referred to as the second TCI state.

[0151] In some embodiments, the first TCI state may correspond to the terminal's known receive beam or transmit beam on the terminal side. That is, if the terminal knows (or has obtained, or has determined, or is able to obtain, or is able to determine) the terminal's receive beam or transmit beam corresponding to the TCI state indicated by the network device, then the TCI state corresponds to the first TCI state, and the TCI state corresponds to the first usage time. Here, the terminal's ability to determine the terminal's receive beam or transmit beam corresponding to the TCI state indicated by the network device means that the terminal has the capability to determine the aforementioned receive beam or transmit beam. Whether the terminal has currently determined the aforementioned receive beam or transmit beam is not limited in this disclosure.

[0152] In some embodiments, the terminal determines a first beam to be used by the terminal. The first beam is the beam corresponding to the TCI state indicated by the indication information, and the TCI state includes a first TCI state. The terminal determining the first beam to be used can be understood as the terminal knowing (or having obtained or determined) the receiving beam or transmitting beam of the terminal corresponding to the TCI state indicated by the network device.

[0153] In some embodiments, the first beam is the terminal’s (optimal) receive beam or transmit beam.

[0154] In some embodiments, the second TCI state may correspond to the terminal-side receive beam or transmit beam corresponding to the TCI state unknown to the terminal. That is, if the terminal does not know (or has not obtained or determined) the terminal-side receive beam or transmit beam corresponding to the TCI state indicated by the network device, then the TCI state corresponds to the second TCI state, and the TCI state corresponds to the second usage time. Here, "the terminal does not know the aforementioned receive beam or transmit beam" may mean that the current terminal does not know the aforementioned receive beam or transmit beam.

[0155] In some embodiments, the terminal does not determine the second beam used by the terminal. The second beam is the beam corresponding to the TCI state indicated by the indication information, and the TCI state includes the second TCI state. Wherein, the terminal not determining the second beam used by the terminal can be understood as the terminal knowing (or having obtained or determined) the receiving beam or transmitting beam on the terminal side corresponding to the TCI state indicated by the network device.

[0156] In some embodiments, the second beam is the terminal’s (ideally) receive beam or transmit beam.

[0157] In some embodiments, when the terminal knows the (optimal) receive or transmit beam corresponding to the TCI state on the terminal side, the TCI state corresponds to a shorter initial usage time. Subsequently, the terminal can communicate based on the known (optimal) receive or transmit beam on the terminal side without needing to perform measurements, thus the usage time corresponding to the TCI state is shorter. Optionally, the beam can be referred to as at least one of the following: beam, QCL Type D, spatial relation information, spatial Rx parameter, receive filter (Rx filter), transmit filter (Tx filter), spatial setting, etc.

[0158] In some embodiments, when the terminal does not know the (optimal) receive or transmit beam corresponding to the TCI state, the TCI state corresponds to a longer second usage time. In this case, the terminal needs to measure and obtain the (optimal) receive or transmit beam for communication, hence the longer usage time corresponding to the TCI state.

[0159] In some embodiments, the first TCI state corresponding to the first usage time satisfies at least one of the following A, B, C, and D:

[0160] A. The first TCI state is the TCI state activated by the network device based on MAC CE.

[0161] B. The reference signal resources corresponding to the first TCI state are the reference signal resources in the first set, which are the reference signal resources configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal.

[0162] C. The first TCI state is the TCI state derived by the terminal based on the Artificial Intelligence (AI) model, and the output of the AI ​​model includes the best receiving beam or the best transmitting beam of the terminal (or terminal side) corresponding to the TCI state.

[0163] D. The reference signal resource corresponding to the first TCI state has a QCL Type D relationship with at least one reference signal resource in the second set. The reference signal resources in the second set are reference signal resources configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal.

[0164] In some embodiments, the first set and the second set described above may be the same or different.

[0165] In some embodiments, the first TCI state can be the TCI state activated by the network device based on MAC CE, and the terminal can track and record the best receive beam (Rx beam) and / or best transmit beam (Tx beam) on the terminal side corresponding to the first TCI state.

[0166] In some embodiments, the first TCI state can be a TCI state other than the TCI state activated by the network device based on MAC CE, and the reference signal resources corresponding to the first TCI state are reference signal resources in a first set. The reference signal resources in the first set can be reference signal resources configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal. The first set can be the aforementioned set B, or greater than set B. The reference signal resources in the first set can be the reference signal resources required for the AI ​​model input on the terminal side. That is, before performing AI model derivation (application), the terminal has already measured the reference signal resources corresponding to the first TCI state and obtained the corresponding optimal receive beam and / or optimal transmit beam on the terminal side.

[0167] In some embodiments, the first TCI state can be a TCI state other than the TCI state activated by the network device based on MAC CE, and the reference signal resource corresponding to the first TCI state is a reference signal resource in the second set. The terminal has measured the reference signal resource corresponding to the first TCI state, but has not obtained the corresponding optimal receive beam and / or optimal transmit beam on the terminal side. However, the model can deduce the corresponding optimal receive beam and / or optimal transmit beam on the terminal side. That is, before performing AI model derivation (application), the terminal has already measured the reference signal resource corresponding to the first TCI state. Although it has not obtained the corresponding optimal receive beam and / or optimal transmit beam on the terminal side, the model can deduce the optimal receive beam and / or optimal transmit beam on the terminal side corresponding to the first TCI state.

[0168] In some embodiments, the first TCI state is a TCI state other than the TCI state activated by the network device based on MAC CE, and the reference signal resource corresponding to the first TCI state is not a reference signal resource in the first set. However, the terminal derives the optimal receive beam or optimal transmit beam on the terminal side corresponding to the first TCI state based on an AI model. That is, the reference signal resource corresponding to the first TCI state can be a reference signal resource derived from the AI ​​model, i.e., the reference signal resource corresponding to the first TCI state can be a reference signal resource in the aforementioned set A, and the terminal can derive the optimal receive beam or optimal transmit beam on the terminal side corresponding to the reference signal resource corresponding to the first TCI state based on an AI model.

[0169] In some embodiments, the first TCI state is a TCI state other than the TCI state activated by the network device based on MAC CE, and the reference signal resource corresponding to the first TCI state is not a reference signal resource in the first set, but a reference signal resource in set A (which can be called the sixth set). However, the reference signal resource corresponding to the first TCI state has a QCL relationship with a certain reference signal resource in the first set, that is, the optimal receive beam and / or optimal transmit beam on the terminal side corresponding to the reference signal resource corresponding to the first TCI state is the same as the optimal receive beam and / or optimal transmit beam on the terminal side corresponding to a certain reference signal resource in the first set. Since the terminal knows the optimal receive beam and / or optimal transmit beam on the terminal side corresponding to the reference signal resource in the first set, it is equivalent to the terminal also knowing the optimal receive beam and / or optimal transmit beam on the terminal side corresponding to the reference signal resource corresponding to the first TCI state.

[0170] In some embodiments, the second TCI state corresponding to the second usage time satisfies at least one of the following A, B, C, D, E, and F:

[0171] A. The second TCI state is the TCI state activated by the network device based on MAC CE.

[0172] B. The second TCI state is a TCI state other than the TCI state activated by the network device based on MAC CE.

[0173] C. The reference signal resources corresponding to the second TCI state are the reference signal resources in the third set. The reference signal resources in the third set are the reference signal resources configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal.

[0174] D. The reference signal resources corresponding to the second TCI state are reference signal resources other than those in the fourth set. The reference signal resources in the fourth set are the reference signal resources configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal.

[0175] E. The second TCI state is the TCI state derived by the terminal based on the artificial intelligence (AI) model, and the output of the AI ​​model does not include the best receiving beam or the best transmitting beam on the terminal side corresponding to the TCI state.

[0176] F. The second TCI state is a TCI state other than the first TCI state (or, the second TCI state is different from the first TCI state).

[0177] In some embodiments, the third set and the fourth set described above may be the same or different.

[0178] In some embodiments, any two sets among the first set, second set, third set, and fourth set may be the same or different.

[0179] In some embodiments, the second TCI state may be a TCI state activated by the network device based on MAC CE, but the terminal does not track and record the best receive beam or best transmit beam on the terminal side corresponding to the second TCI state.

[0180] In some embodiments, the second TCI state can be a TCI state other than the TCI state activated by the network device based on MAC CE, and the reference signal resource corresponding to the second TCI state is a reference signal resource in the third set. The terminal measures the reference signal resource corresponding to the second TCI state but does not obtain the corresponding optimal receive beam or optimal transmit beam on the terminal side. For example, the terminal assumes that it has obtained the L1-RSRP corresponding to the reference signal resource in the third set as model input based on other receive beams. For example, the terminal uses a fixed receive beam, a random receive beam, or the optimal receive beam corresponding to the previous measurement obtained from the previous measurement. In other words, the terminal does not use all receive beams to measure each reference signal resource in the third set separately to find the optimal receive beam for each reference signal resource.

[0181] In some embodiments, the second TCI state is a TCI state other than the TCI state activated by the network device based on MAC CE, and the reference signal resource corresponding to the second TCI state is not the reference signal resource in the fourth set, but the reference signal resource in set A (which can be called the sixth set). However, the terminal-side model cannot derive the optimal receive beam and / or optimal transmit beam of the terminal-side corresponding to the reference signal resource corresponding to the second TCI state. That is, the terminal-side model only derives the reference signal resource corresponding to the optimal transmit beam of the network device side.

[0182] In some embodiments, the second TCI state can be any of the first TCI states described above.

[0183] Step S2102: The terminal determines the usage time corresponding to the TCI status.

[0184] In some embodiments, the terminal can determine the usage time corresponding to the TCI status based on the indication information.

[0185] In some embodiments, the indication information indicates the usage time corresponding to the TCI state, and the terminal can directly use the usage time indicated by the indication information as the usage time corresponding to the TCI state.

[0186] In some embodiments, the indication information may indicate the type of the TCI state, and there is a correspondence between the type of the TCI state and the usage time. The terminal can determine the usage time corresponding to the TCI state based on the indication information and the correspondence. For example, the indication information indicates that the type of the TCI state is the first type, and based on the correspondence between the type of the TCI state and the usage time, the usage time corresponding to the first type is determined to be the first usage time.

[0187] In some embodiments, if the terminal knows the (optimal) receive beam or transmit beam of the terminal (or terminal side) corresponding to the TCI state, the terminal can determine that the TCI state corresponds to a first usage time.

[0188] In some embodiments, if the terminal does not know the (optimal) receive beam or transmit beam of the terminal (or terminal side) corresponding to the TCI state, the terminal can determine that the TCI state corresponds to the second usage time.

[0189] In some embodiments, the terminal can determine the adoption time corresponding to the TCI state indicated by the network device based on the correspondence between TCI state and adoption time. The correspondence between TCI state and adoption time can be defined by a protocol or indicated by the network device.

[0190] In some embodiments, step S2102 is optional, and step S2102 may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0191] Step S2103: The terminal sends the first information to the network device.

[0192] In some embodiments, the network device receives first information sent by the terminal.

[0193] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following: the usage time corresponding to at least one reference signal resource; the number of usage times corresponding to at least one reference signal resource; and the number of usage times corresponding to at least one reference signal resource.

[0194] For example, a terminal can send the usage time corresponding to at least one reference signal resource to a network device.

[0195] For example, a terminal can send the number of usage times corresponding to at least one reference signal resource to a network device, and the network device can determine the usage time corresponding to each reference signal resource according to the pre-set correspondence between the number of usage times and the time value.

[0196] For example, a terminal can send the usage time number corresponding to at least one reference signal resource to the network device; that is, the terminal can report to the network device which type of usage time corresponds to the reference signal resource. The network device can determine the usage time corresponding to each reference signal resource based on the pre-set correspondence between usage time numbers and time values.

[0197] In some embodiments, the network device sends indication information to the terminal, which indicates a TCI state. The terminal can determine the adoption time corresponding to the TCI state and send the network device the adoption time corresponding to at least one reference signal resource, or the number of adoption times, or the adoption time number. The at least one reference signal resource sent by the terminal to the network device corresponds to the TCI state in the indication information sent by the network device.

[0198] In some embodiments, the usage time corresponding to each reference signal resource sent by the terminal to the network device may be the usage time corresponding to the TCI state of that reference signal resource. That is, the usage time corresponding to a reference signal resource is the same as the usage time corresponding to the TCI state of that reference signal resource.

[0199] In some embodiments, the at least one reference signal resource mentioned above is a reference signal resource included in the beam report reported by the terminal.

[0200] In some embodiments, the beam report may include at least one of a reference signal resource identifier, L1-RSRP, and L1-SINR.

[0201] In some embodiments, when a terminal reports a beam report to a network device, the beam report may include at least the usage time or the number of usage times corresponding to the reference signal resource or the number of usage times.

[0202] In some embodiments, when a terminal reports an AI function or AI model it supports to a network device, it may report the usage time, the number of usage times, or the number of usage times corresponding to at least one reference signal resource output by the AI ​​function or AI model. Optionally, the terminal may report the AI ​​function or AI model it supports based on UE capability signaling.

[0203] In some embodiments, the usage time sent by the terminal to the network device can be a single usage time, meaning the number of usage times can be one, i.e., the usage time includes one usage time, and the usage time corresponding to the first information is one usage time. In this case, the TCI status corresponding to each reported reference signal resource corresponds to that usage time. Each reported reference signal resource can be a reference signal resource included in the beam report, or a reference signal resource output by an AI function or AI model. For example, a beam report can include one or more reference signal resources, but only one usage time. That is, the usage time corresponding to one or more reference signal resources included in the beam report is the same.

[0204] In some embodiments, the usage time sent by the terminal to the network device may include multiple usage times, that is, the number of usage times may be greater than or equal to 2, meaning that the usage time corresponding to the first information includes multiple usage times. Multiple usage times may include a third usage time and a fourth usage time, wherein the third usage time is less than or equal to the fourth usage time. For example, a beam report may include one or more reference signal resources, and simultaneously include multiple usage times. That is, the usage times corresponding to the one or more reference signal resources included in the beam report may be different. Optionally, each reference signal resource in the beam report corresponds to a reported usage time, but the usage times corresponding to different reference signal resources may be the same or different; or the number of reference signal resources in the beam report is greater than the number of reported usage times, for example, some reference signal resources correspond to the third usage time, and other reference signal resources correspond to the fourth usage time.

[0205] In some embodiments, the third usage time may be the same as or different from the aforementioned first usage time. The fourth usage time may be the same as or different from the aforementioned second usage time.

[0206] In some embodiments, when the reference signal resource belongs to the fifth set, the reference signal resource corresponds to the third usage time; when the reference signal resource does not belong to the fifth set, the reference signal resource corresponds to the fourth usage time; wherein, the fifth set is the set of reference signal resources configured by the network device for measurement. For example, the fifth set can be the aforementioned set B, or it can be greater than the aforementioned set B.

[0207] In some embodiments, the fifth set may be the same as or different from any one of the first, second, third, and fourth sets mentioned above.

[0208] For example, a terminal reports two usage times to the network device, or the terminal reports two usage times to the terminal. Then, the usage time corresponding to the reference signal resource for the optimal transmit beam of the network device, derived from the AI ​​model, can be one of two types, or the usage time corresponding to the reference signal resource included in the beam report can be one of two types: reference signal resources within the fifth set represent one type of usage time, meaning the terminal measured and obtained the optimal receive beam or optimal transmit beam on the terminal side; reference signal resources not within the fifth set represent another type of usage time, meaning the terminal did not obtain the optimal receive beam or optimal transmit beam on the terminal side.

[0209] In some embodiments, when the terminal reports two usage times to the network device, or when the terminal reports a total of 2 usage times to the network device, the network device can determine which usage time the reference signal resource corresponds to based on whether the reference signal resource is in the fifth set.

[0210] In some embodiments, the time value corresponding to the usage time of each of the above TCI states can be determined by network configuration or protocol.

[0211] The communication method provided in this disclosure allows network devices and terminals to maintain consistency in the usage time of the TCI state, thereby ensuring that network devices and terminals can update the TCI state simultaneously.

[0212] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2103. For example, step S2101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2101+S2102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2102+S2103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S2101+S2103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0213] In some embodiments, steps S2102 and S2103 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0214] In some embodiments, steps S2101 and S2102 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0215] In some embodiments, step S2102 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0216] In some embodiments, other optional implementations described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG2 may be referred to.

[0217] In some embodiments, the terms “reference signal resource,” “beam,” and “beam pair” can be used interchangeably.

[0218] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc., are not limited to the names described in the embodiments. Terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0219] In some embodiments, terms such as “moment,” “point in time,” “time,” and “time location” can be used interchangeably, as can terms such as “duration,” “segment,” “time window,” “window,” and “time.”

[0220] In some embodiments, “get,” “obtain,” “receive,” “transmit,” “bidirectional transmission,” and “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, obtaining through self-processing, or autonomous implementation, among other meanings.

[0221] In some embodiments, terms such as “send,” “transmit,” “report,” “distribute,” “transfer,” “bidirectional transmission,” “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably.

[0222] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain," "preset," "default," "set," "indicated," "a certain," "any," and "first" can be used interchangeably. "Certain A," "preset A," "default A," "set A," "indicated A," "a certain A," "any A," and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-defined in a protocol or the like, or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or instruction, or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, but are not limited thereto.

[0223] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (Boolean value (bool)) represented by true or false, or by a numerical comparison (e.g., a comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0224] In some embodiments, "not expecting to receive" can be interpreted as not receiving on time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources, or as not performing subsequent processing on the data after receiving it; "not expecting to send" can be interpreted as not sending, or as sending but not expecting the receiver to respond to the sent content.

[0225] Figure 3A is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3A, the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes:

[0226] Step S3101: Obtain instruction information.

[0227] The optional implementation of step S3101 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0228] In some embodiments, the terminal receives instruction information sent by a network device, but is not limited thereto; it may also receive instruction information sent by other entities.

[0229] Step S3102: Determine the usage time corresponding to the TCI status.

[0230] The optional implementation of step S3102 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0231] In some embodiments, the terminal determines the usage time corresponding to the TCI state.

[0232] Step S3103: Send the first message.

[0233] The optional implementation of step S3103 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0234] In some embodiments, the terminal sends first information to the network device.

[0235] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S3101 to S3103. For example, step S3101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3101+S3102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3102+S3103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3101+S3103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0236] In some embodiments, steps S3101 and S3102 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0237] In some embodiments, steps S3102 and S3103 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0238] In some embodiments, step S3102 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0239] Figure 3B is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3B, the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes:

[0240] Step S3201: Obtain instruction information.

[0241] The optional implementation of step S3201 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0242] In some embodiments, the terminal receives first information sent by the network device.

[0243] Figure 4A is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4A, the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes:

[0244] Step S4101: Send instruction information.

[0245] The optional implementation of step S4101 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0246] In some embodiments, the network device sends instruction information to the terminal.

[0247] Step S4102: Obtain the first information.

[0248] The optional implementation of step S4102 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2, as well as other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0249] In some embodiments, the network device receives first information sent by the terminal.

[0250] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S4101 to S4102. For example, step S4101 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, and step S4102 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0251] In some embodiments, step S4102 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0252] Figure 4B is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4B, the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which includes:

[0253] Step S4201: Send instruction information.

[0254] The optional implementation of step S4201 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0255] In some embodiments, the network device sends instruction information to the terminal.

[0256] Figure 5 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which includes:

[0257] Step S5101: The network device sends instruction information to the terminal.

[0258] The optional implementation of step S5101 can be found in step S2101 of Figure 2, step S3101 of Figure 3, step S4101 of Figure 4, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2, 3, and 4, which will not be repeated here.

[0259] In some embodiments, the above methods may include the methods of the embodiments described above on the communication system side, terminal side, network device side, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0260] This disclosure proposes a communication method that ensures the usage time of the TCI state determined by the network device and the terminal is consistent, thereby guaranteeing that the network device and the terminal can update the TCI state simultaneously.

[0261] In some embodiments, the terminal receives indication information, which is used to indicate the TCI status.

[0262] In some embodiments, the TCI state includes at least one of a unified TCI state, a combined TCI state, a downlink TCI state, and an uplink TCI state.

[0263] In some embodiments, the TCI state may indicate a reference signal resource identifier corresponding to at least one of the QCL Type A, Type B, Type C, and Type D.

[0264] In some embodiments, the terminal determines the TCI state usage time corresponding to the TCI state.

[0265] In some embodiments, the indication information also indicates the TCI status type or directly indicates the TCI status usage time corresponding to the TCI status.

[0266] In some embodiments, there is a correspondence between TCI state type and TCI state usage time, and this correspondence is determined based on preset rules of the protocol.

[0267] In some embodiments, the indication information may directly indicate the bit information corresponding to the TCI status usage time.

[0268] In some embodiments, the first type (also referred to as the first TCI state type) corresponds to the first TCI state usage time (also referred to as the first usage time), and the second type (also referred to as the second TCI state type) corresponds to the second TCI state usage time (also referred to as the second usage time).

[0269] In some embodiments, the first TCI state is used for a shorter period of time, while the second TCI state is used for a longer period of time.

[0270] In some embodiments, the indication information may include at least one of RRC, MAC CE, and DCI.

[0271] In some embodiments, the first type is the transmit beam (Rx beam) or receive beam (Tx beam) on the terminal side that the terminal knows the TCI state.

[0272] In some embodiments, a TCI state belonging to the first type can satisfy at least one of the following.

[0273] In some embodiments, the TCI state may be a TCI state that has been activated on the network side based on MAC CE, and the terminal will track and record its corresponding terminal-side best Rx beam or Tx beam.

[0274] In some embodiments, the TCI state can be a TCI state other than the TCI state activated by the network side based on MAC CE, but it is the TCI state corresponding to the reference signal resources required for the terminal-side model input (e.g., reference signal resources within set B). That is, before performing model derivation, the terminal side has already measured the reference signal resources corresponding to the TCI state and obtained the corresponding optimal Rx beam or Tx beam on the terminal side.

[0275] In some embodiments, the TCI state can be a TCI state other than the TCI state activated by the network side based on MAC CE, but it is the TCI state corresponding to the reference signal resources (e.g., reference signal resources within set B) required for the terminal-side model input. That is, before performing model derivation, the terminal side has already measured the reference signal resources corresponding to the TCI state, but has not obtained the corresponding terminal-side optimal Rx beam or Tx beam, while the model can derive the terminal-side optimal Rx beam or Tx beam corresponding to the reference signal resources.

[0276] In some embodiments, the TCI state can be a TCI state other than the TCI state activated by the network side based on MAC CE, and is not the TCI state corresponding to the reference signal resources required by the terminal side model input (e.g., reference signal resources in set B), but rather the reference signal resources in the reference signal resource set (e.g., set A) corresponding to the terminal side model output. That is, the model can deduce the optimal Rx beam or Tx beam on the terminal side corresponding to the reference signal resource.

[0277] In some embodiments, the TCI state may be a TCI state other than the TCI state activated by the network side based on MAC CE. It is not the TCI state corresponding to the reference signal resources required for the terminal side model input (e.g., reference signal resources in set B), but rather a reference signal resource in the reference signal resource set (e.g., set A) corresponding to the terminal side model output. However, this reference signal resource has a QCL relationship with a certain reference signal resource in set B, that is, it is the same as the Rx beam corresponding to a certain reference signal resource in set B, and the Rx beam corresponding to the reference signal resource in set B has been known by the measurement terminal.

[0278] In some embodiments, the second type is the Rx beam or Tx beam on the terminal side that the terminal does not know the TCI state.

[0279] In some embodiments, a TCI state belonging to the second type can satisfy at least one of the following.

[0280] In some embodiments, the TCI state may be a TCI state that has been activated on the network side based on MAC CE, but the terminal has not tracked and recorded its corresponding terminal-side best Rx beam or Tx beam.

[0281] In some embodiments, the TCI state can be a TCI state other than the one activated by the network side based on MAC CE. However, it is the TCI state corresponding to the reference signal resources (reference signal resources within set B) required for the terminal-side model input. That is, before performing model derivation, the terminal side has already measured the reference signal resources corresponding to this TCI state, but has not obtained the corresponding optimal Rx beam or Tx beam on the terminal side. For example, the terminal assumes that it has obtained the L1-RSRP corresponding to the reference signal resources within set B as model input based on other Rx beams. For example, based on a fixed Rx beam, a random Rx beam, or the optimal Rx beam corresponding to the previous measurement obtained from the previous measurement. In other words, the terminal did not measure each reference signal resource within set B with all the Rx beams to find the optimal Rx beam for each reference signal resource; that is, the terminal did not perform enough measurements.

[0282] In some embodiments, the TCI state may be a TCI state other than the TCI state activated by the network side based on MAC CE, and is not the TCI state corresponding to the reference signal resources required for the terminal side model input (reference signal resources in set B), but rather the reference signal resources in the reference signal resource set (set A) corresponding to the terminal side model output. However, the model derivation cannot derive the terminal side optimal Rx beam or Tx beam corresponding to the reference signal resource, but only derives the base station side optimal Tx beam and / or the corresponding L1-RSRP.

[0283] In some embodiments, the terminal reports the TCI status usage time corresponding to the TCI status to the network device.

[0284] In some embodiments, when reporting its supported functions or models, the terminal reports the TCI state usage time corresponding to the TCI state of the reference signal resource output by that function or model. Optionally, the terminal may report the AI ​​functions or AI models it supports based on UE capability signaling.

[0285] In some embodiments, for a function or a model, the TCI state usage time is one, two, or more.

[0286] In some embodiments, when the TCI state usage time is one, the TCI state usage time of the TCI state corresponding to the reference signal resource of the optimal beam derived based on the function or model is the same.

[0287] In some embodiments, when there are two TCI state usage times, the TCI state usage time corresponding to the reference signal resource corresponding to the optimal transmit beam of the network device derived based on the function or model has two types: for example, if the reference signal resource is within set B, it is one type of TCI state usage time, that is, the optimal Rx beam or Tx beam on the terminal side is measured and obtained; if it is not within set B, it is another type of TCI state usage time.

[0288] In some embodiments, when a terminal reports a beam report, it includes the usage time of the TCI status in the beam report.

[0289] In some embodiments, the beam report may include at least one of a reference signal resource identifier, L1-RSRP, and L1-SINR.

[0290] In some embodiments, a beam report may include one TCI status usage time, or two TCI status usage times, or multiple TCI status usage times.

[0291] In some embodiments, the beam report may simply indicate the number of TCI state usage times.

[0292] In some embodiments, when the TCI state usage time is one, the TCI state usage time of the TCI state corresponding to the reference signal resource in the beam report is the same.

[0293] In some embodiments, when there are two TCI state usage times, the TCI state usage time corresponding to the reference signal resource in the beam report has two types: for example, if the reference signal resource is within set B, it is one type of TCI state usage time, that is, the optimal Rx beam or Tx beam on the terminal side has been measured; if it is not within set B, it is another type of TCI state usage time.

[0294] In some embodiments, when there are two TCI state usage times, the network device can determine which reference signal resource corresponds to which TCI state usage time based on whether the reference signal resource is within set B.

[0295] In some embodiments, the beam report may indicate the type of TCI state usage time corresponding to each TCI state.

[0296] In some embodiments, the time value corresponding to the usage time of each of the above TCI states can be determined by network configuration or protocol agreement.

[0297] The communication method provided in this disclosure allows network devices and terminal devices to maintain consistency in TCI state usage time, thereby ensuring that network devices and terminal devices can update TCI state simultaneously.

[0298] In the embodiments disclosed herein, some or all of the steps and their optional implementations may be arbitrarily combined with some or all of the steps in other embodiments, or may be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementations in other embodiments.

[0299] This disclosure also provides an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Alternatively, another apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0300] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through a configuration file, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0301] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), a Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), or a Deep Learning Processing Unit (DPU).

[0302] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the terminal structure proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 6A, the terminal 6100 may include a transceiver module 6101. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 6101 is used to receive indication information sent by a network device. The indication information is used to indicate a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state, and the TCI state corresponds to a usage time, which is the time during which the terminal uses the TCI state. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the processing steps (e.g., steps S2101, S2103, but not limited thereto) performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0303] In some embodiments, the indication information is also used to indicate the usage time corresponding to the TCI status.

[0304] In some embodiments, the TCI state includes a first TCI state and / or a second TCI state, and the usage time indicated by the indication information includes a first usage time and / or a second usage time. The first TCI state corresponds to the first usage time, and the second TCI state corresponds to the second usage time. The first usage time is less than or equal to the second usage time.

[0305] In some embodiments, the first TCI state satisfies at least one of the following:

[0306] The first TCI state is a TCI state activated by the network device based on the Media Access Control Element (MAC CE); the reference signal resource corresponding to the first TCI state is a reference signal resource in a first set, which is a reference signal resource configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal; the first TCI state is a TCI state derived by the terminal based on an artificial intelligence (AI) model, and the output of the AI ​​model includes the optimal receive beam or optimal transmit beam of the terminal corresponding to the first TCI state; the reference signal resource corresponding to the first TCI state has a quasi-co-addressable relationship with at least one reference signal resource in a second set, which is a reference signal resource configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal.

[0307] In some embodiments, the second TCI state satisfies at least one of the following: the second TCI state is a TCI state activated by the network device based on MAC CE; the second TCI state is a TCI state other than the TCI state activated by the network device based on MAC CE; the reference signal resource corresponding to the second TCI state is a reference signal resource in a third set, wherein the reference signal resource in the third set is a reference signal resource configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal; the reference signal resource corresponding to the second TCI state is a reference signal resource other than a fourth set, wherein the reference signal resource in the fourth set is a reference signal resource configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal; the second TCI state is a TCI state derived by the terminal based on an artificial intelligence (AI) model, and the output of the AI ​​model does not include the optimal receive beam or optimal transmit beam of the terminal corresponding to the second TCI state; the second TCI state is different from the first TCI state.

[0308] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is further configured to send first information to the network device, the first information including at least one of the following: usage time corresponding to at least one reference signal resource; the number of usage times corresponding to at least one reference signal resource; and the number of usage times corresponding to at least one reference signal resource; wherein, each of the at least one reference signal resource corresponds to a TCI state, and the usage time corresponding to each reference signal resource is the usage time of the TCI state corresponding to each reference signal resource.

[0309] In some embodiments, the at least one reference signal resource is a reference signal resource included in the beam report reported by the terminal.

[0310] In some embodiments, the usage time corresponding to the first information is a usage time, and the usage time corresponding to the at least one reference signal resource is the same usage time.

[0311] In some embodiments, the usage time corresponding to the first information includes multiple usage times, including a third usage time and a fourth usage time; when the reference signal resource belongs to a fifth set, the reference signal resource corresponds to the third usage time; when the reference signal resource does not belong to the fifth set, the reference signal resource corresponds to the fourth usage time; the fifth set is a set of reference signal resources configured by the network device for measurement, and the third usage time is less than or equal to the fourth usage time.

[0312] In some embodiments, the terminal can determine the transmit beam or receive beam of the terminal corresponding to the TCI state indicated by the network device, and the TCI state corresponds to a first TCI state; if the terminal does not determine the transmit beam or receive beam of the terminal corresponding to the TCI state indicated by the network device, the TCI state corresponds to a second TCI state.

[0313] In some embodiments, the terminal may further include a processing module for performing at least one of the processing steps (such as step S2102, but not limited thereto) performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0314] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 6B, the network device 6200 may include a transceiver module 6201. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 6201 is used to send indication information to a terminal, the indication information being used to indicate a TCI state, the TCI state corresponding to a usage time, the usage time being the time the terminal uses the TCI state. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the processing steps (e.g., steps S2101, S2103, but not limited thereto) performed by the network device in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0315] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is further configured to receive at least one of the following sent by the terminal: usage time corresponding to at least one reference signal resource; the number of usage times corresponding to at least one reference signal resource; and the number of usage times corresponding to at least one reference signal resource.

[0316] In some embodiments, the network device may further include a processing module for performing at least one of the processing steps performed by the network device in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0317] In some embodiments, the processing module may be a single module or may include multiple sub-modules. Optionally, the multiple sub-modules may each perform all or part of the steps required by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module may be interchangeable with a processor.

[0318] Figure 7A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 7100 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The communication device 7100 can be a network device (e.g., access network device, core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., user equipment, etc.), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The communication device 7100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0319] As shown in Figure 7A, the communication device 7100 includes one or more processors 7101. The processor 7101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU can be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 7100 can be used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 7101 can be used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 7100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0320] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more transceivers 7102. When the communication device 7100 includes one or more transceivers 7102, the transceiver 7102 performs at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S2101, S2103, but not limited thereto) in the above method, such as sending and / or receiving, while the processor 7101 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., step S2102, but not limited thereto). In optional embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, interface, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, sending unit, transmitter, sending circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0321] In some embodiments, the communication device 7100 further includes one or more memories 7103 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memories 7103 may be located outside the communication device 7100. In optional embodiments, the communication device 7100 may include one or more interface circuits 7104. Optionally, the interface circuits 7104 are connected to the memories 7103 and can be used to receive data from the memories 7103 or other devices, and to send data to the memories 7103 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 7104 can read data stored in the memories 7103 and send the data to the processor 7101.

[0322] The communication device 7100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 7100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 7100 may not be limited by FIG. 7A. The communication device may be a standalone device or a part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC collection may also include storage components for storing data and programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0323] Figure 7B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 7200 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the communication device 7100 can be a chip or a chip system, the schematic diagram of the chip 7200 shown in Figure 7B can be referenced, but is not limited thereto.

[0324] Chip 7200 includes one or more processors 7201. Chip 7200 is used to perform any of the above methods.

[0325] In some embodiments, chip 7200 further includes one or more interface circuits 7202. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 7200 further includes one or more memories 7203 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memories 7203 may be located outside chip 7200. Optionally, interface circuit 7202 is connected to memory 7203, and interface circuit 7202 can be used to receive data from memory 7203 or other devices, and interface circuit 7202 can be used to send data to memory 7203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 7202 can read data stored in memory 7203 and send the data to processor 7201.

[0326] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 7202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps S2101, S2103, but not limited thereto). For example, the interface circuit 7202 performing the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method means that the interface circuit 7202 performs data interaction between the processor 7201, the chip 7200, the memory 7203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 7201 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., step S2102, but not limited thereto).

[0327] The modules and / or devices described in the various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be combined or separated arbitrarily as needed. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0328] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on the communication device 7100, cause the communication device 7100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0329] This disclosure also provides a program product that, when executed by the communication device 7100, causes the communication device 7100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0330] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The terminal receives indication information sent by the network device. The indication information is used to indicate the Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state. The TCI state corresponds to a usage time, which is the time during which the terminal uses the TCI state.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The indication information is also used to indicate the usage time corresponding to the TCI status.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The TCI status includes a first TCI status and / or a second TCI status, and the usage time indicated by the indication information includes a first usage time and / or a second usage time. The first TCI status corresponds to the first usage time, and the second TCI status corresponds to the second usage time. The first usage time is less than or equal to the second usage time.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The first TCI state satisfies at least one of the following: The first TCI state is the TCI state activated by the network device based on the Media Access Control Element (MAC CE). The reference signal resource corresponding to the first TCI state is the reference signal resource in the first set, and the reference signal resource in the first set is the reference signal resource configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal; The first TCI state is the TCI state derived by the terminal based on an artificial intelligence (AI) model, and the output of the AI ​​model includes the best receiving beam or the best transmitting beam of the terminal corresponding to the first TCI state. The reference signal resource corresponding to the first TCI state is quasi-co-located with at least one reference signal resource in the second set, and the reference signal resource in the second set is the reference signal resource configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The second TCI state satisfies at least one of the following: The second TCI state is the TCI state activated by the network device based on MAC CE; The second TCI state is a TCI state other than the TCI state activated by the network device based on MAC CE; The reference signal resources corresponding to the second TCI state are reference signal resources in the third set, and the reference signal resources in the third set are reference signal resources configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal; The reference signal resources corresponding to the second TCI state are reference signal resources other than the fourth set. The reference signal resources in the fourth set are the reference signal resources configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal. The second TCI state is the TCI state derived by the terminal based on the artificial intelligence (AI) model, and the output of the AI ​​model does not include the best receiving beam or the best transmitting beam of the terminal corresponding to the second TCI state. The second TCI state is different from the first TCI state.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: The terminal sends first information to the network device, the first information including at least one of the following: The usage time corresponding to at least one reference signal resource; The amount of time used corresponding to at least one reference signal resource; The usage time number corresponding to at least one reference signal resource; Wherein, each of the at least one reference signal resource corresponds to a TCI state, and the usage time of each reference signal resource is the usage time of the TCI state corresponding to each reference signal resource.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The at least one reference signal resource is the reference signal resource included in the beam report reported by the terminal.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The usage time corresponding to the first information is a usage time, and the usage time corresponding to the at least one reference signal resource is also the same usage time.

9. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The usage time corresponding to the first information includes multiple usage times, including a third usage time and a fourth usage time; When the reference signal resource belongs to the fifth set, the reference signal resource corresponds to the third usage time; When the reference signal resource does not belong to the fifth set, the reference signal resource corresponds to the fourth usage time; The fifth set is a set of reference signal resources configured by the network device for measurement, and the third usage time is less than or equal to the fourth usage time.

10. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, The terminal can determine the transmit beam or receive beam of the terminal corresponding to the TCI state indicated by the network device, and the TCI state corresponds to the first TCI state. The terminal does not determine the transmit or receive beam of the terminal corresponding to the TCI state indicated by the network device, and the TCI state corresponds to the second TCI state.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The network device sends an indication message to the terminal. The indication message is used to indicate the TCI status. The TCI status corresponds to a usage time. The usage time is the time that the terminal uses the TCI status.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The indication information is also used to indicate the usage time corresponding to the TCI status.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The TCI status includes a first TCI status and / or a second TCI status, and the usage time indicated by the indication information includes a first usage time and / or a second usage time. The first TCI status corresponds to the first usage time, and the second TCI status corresponds to the second usage time. The first usage time is less than or equal to the second usage time.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first TCI state satisfies at least one of the following: The first TCI state is the TCI state activated by the network device based on the Media Access Control Element (MAC CE). The reference signal resource corresponding to the first TCI state is the reference signal resource in the first set, and the reference signal resource in the first set is the reference signal resource configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal; The first TCI state is the TCI state derived by the terminal based on an artificial intelligence (AI) model, and the output of the AI ​​model includes the best receiving beam or the best transmitting beam of the terminal corresponding to the first TCI state. The reference signal resource corresponding to the first TCI state is quasi-co-located with at least one reference signal resource in the second set, and the reference signal resource in the second set is the reference signal resource configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The second TCI state satisfies at least one of the following: The second TCI state is the TCI state activated by the network device based on MAC CE; The second TCI state is a TCI state other than the TCI state activated by the network device based on MAC CE; The reference signal resources corresponding to the second TCI state are reference signal resources in the third set, and the reference signal resources in the third set are reference signal resources configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal; The reference signal resources corresponding to the second TCI state are reference signal resources other than the fourth set. The reference signal resources in the fourth set are the reference signal resources configured by the network device for measurement by the terminal. The second TCI state is the TCI state derived by the terminal based on the artificial intelligence (AI) model, and the output of the AI ​​model does not include the best receiving beam or the best transmitting beam of the terminal corresponding to the second TCI state. The second TCI state is different from the first TCI state.

16. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: The network device receives first information sent by the terminal, the first information including at least one of the following: The usage time corresponding to at least one reference signal resource; The amount of time used corresponding to at least one reference signal resource; The usage time number corresponding to at least one reference signal resource; Wherein, each of the at least one reference signal resource corresponds to a TCI state, and the usage time of each reference signal resource is the usage time of the TCI state corresponding to each reference signal resource.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The at least one reference signal resource is the reference signal resource included in the beam report reported by the terminal.

18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The usage time corresponding to the first information is a usage time, and the usage time corresponding to the at least one reference signal resource is also the same usage time.

19. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that, The usage time corresponding to the first information includes multiple usage times, including a third usage time and a fourth usage time; When the reference signal resource belongs to the fifth set, the reference signal resource corresponds to the third usage time; When the reference signal resource does not belong to the fifth set, the reference signal resource corresponds to the fourth usage time; The fifth set is a set of reference signal resources configured by the network device for measurement, and the third usage time is less than or equal to the fourth usage time.

20. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that, The terminal can determine the transmit beam or receive beam of the terminal corresponding to the TCI state indicated by the network device, and the TCI state corresponds to the first TCI state. The terminal does not determine the transmit or receive beam of the terminal corresponding to the TCI state indicated by the network device, and the TCI state corresponds to the second TCI state.

21. A terminal, characterized in that, include: The transceiver module is used to receive indication information sent by the network device. The indication information is used to indicate the Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) status. The TCI status corresponds to a usage time, which is the time during which the terminal uses the TCI status.

22. A network device, characterized in that, include: The transceiver module is used to send indication information to the terminal. The indication information is used to indicate the TCI status. The TCI status corresponds to a usage time, which is the time that the terminal uses the TCI status.

23. A terminal, characterized in that, include: One or more processors; The terminal is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

24. A network device, characterized in that, include: One or more processors; The network device is used to perform the method according to any one of claims 11 to 20.

25. A communication system, characterized in that, The device includes a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 10, and the network device is configured to implement the method of any one of claims 11 to 20.

26. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device performs the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10 or the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 20.

27. A program product, characterized in that, include: A computer program, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10 or the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 20.

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