Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and apparatus, which are applied in the technical field of communications. The communication method comprises: a network device sending first configuration information, and correspondingly, a terminal device receiving the first configuration information, wherein the first configuration information is used for indicating a first resource set for reporting channel information, and the first resource set comprises a first resource; and then, the terminal device autonomously determining whether to report the channel information on the first resource or the content of the reported channel information. The method facilitates a reduction in the power consumption of a terminal device.

Description

Communication methods and devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410869896.0, filed on June 29, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] Channel State Information (CSI) is used to report channel state. Network devices can configure terminal devices to report CSI periodically or semi-persistently. When periodic CSI reporting is configured, the terminal device will report CSI once every period. When semi-persistent CSI reporting is configured, the network device will send an activation message instructing the terminal device to activate semi-persistent CSI reporting. Upon receiving this activation message, the terminal device will periodically report CSI until it receives a deactivation message from the network device, instructing it to deactivate semi-persistent CSI reporting. However, using periodic or semi-persistent CSI reporting may result in wasted power consumption for the terminal device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus, which helps to reduce the power consumption of terminal devices.

[0005] Firstly, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a terminal device. The terminal device (or terminal apparatus) can refer to the terminal device itself, or to a processor, module, chip, or chip system within the terminal device that implements the method. The method includes: receiving first configuration information, which indicates a first resource set for reporting channel information, the first resource set including first resources; and autonomously deciding whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information on the first resources.

[0006] Using the method described in the first aspect, the terminal device can autonomously decide whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information. Therefore, in scenarios where the benefit of reporting channel information is low (such as in a relatively static state or a PDCCH empty detection state), the terminal device can autonomously decide whether to report channel information or report channel information with fewer bits or lower computational complexity, thereby reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0007] In one possible implementation, the reported channel information includes either first channel information or second channel information, where the number of bits in the second channel information is less than the number of bits in the first channel information, or the computational complexity of the second channel information is less than that of the first channel information. The first channel information is the channel information that needs to be reported, as indicated by the first configuration information.

[0008] Optionally, the second channel information includes some of the information in the first channel information.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending a first indication message, which instructs the terminal device not to report channel information on the second resource, or the first indication message instructs the terminal device to report second channel information on the second resource, where the second resource belongs to the first resource. When the first indication message instructs the terminal device not to report channel information on the second resource, the network device, upon receiving the first indication message, can choose not to receive channel information on the second resource. That is, the network device does not need to detect channel information on the second resource, thereby reducing network device power consumption. Meanwhile, besides the terminal device's own decision not to report channel information, there may be other reasons why the network device cannot receive channel information. For example, poor channel conditions may prevent the network device from successfully receiving channel information. The network device may have different processing strategies for different reasons. For example, if the terminal device decides to report channel information, the network device may not need to perform any operation; if poor channel conditions prevent the network device from successfully receiving channel information, the network device may reduce the data transmission rate of the terminal device or configure the terminal device to report channel information aperiodically. The first indication information enables the network device to determine that the reason for not receiving channel information on the second resource is that the terminal device autonomously decides not to report channel information, which helps avoid errors in the network device's understanding. When the first indication information instructs the terminal device to report the second channel information on the second resource as the second channel information, the first indication information enables the network device to determine that the channel information received on the second resource is indeed the second channel information. The terminal device's decision to send the second channel information is autonomous, which helps avoid errors in the network device's understanding.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the first indication information indicates the time when the second resource is located, or the time period in which the second resource is located.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving second configuration information, the second configuration information being used to indicate a second resource set for reporting channel information, the second resource set including a third resource; and first indication information further instructing the terminal device not to report channel information on the third resource, or the first indication information instructing the terminal device to report second channel information on the third resource. Based on this implementation, it is beneficial to make the configuration of network devices more flexible.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate whether the terminal device can autonomously decide on the first resource whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the time interval between two consecutive reports of channel information by the terminal device does not exceed a first time length. This implementation helps avoid prolonged uncertainty about the channel state for network devices, thus ensuring basic communication performance between network devices and terminal devices.

[0014] Optionally, the time interval between two consecutive reports of the first channel information by the terminal device shall not exceed the first time length.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the first resource set also includes a fourth resource, on which the terminal device is required to report the first channel information. Based on this implementation, the network device can stipulate that the terminal device must report the first channel information on the fourth resource, which helps ensure the communication performance between the terminal device and the network device. Further optionally, the fourth resource can be a periodic resource, thus eliminating the need for the network device to perform uniform channel interpolation calculations, reducing the computational complexity of the network device and simplifying the implementation.

[0016] Secondly, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a network device. Here, "network device" (or "network apparatus") can refer to the network device itself, or to a processor, module, chip, or chip system within the network device that implements the method. The method includes: sending first configuration information, which indicates a first resource set for reporting channel information. The first resource set includes first resources, which are resources that a terminal device can autonomously decide whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information; and detecting, receiving, or not receiving channel information on the first resources.

[0017] The beneficial effects of the second aspect and its possible implementation methods can be found in the description of the first aspect.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the reported channel information includes either first channel information or second channel information, where the number of bits in the second channel information is less than the number of bits in the first channel information, or the computational complexity of the second channel information is less than that of the first channel information. The first channel information is the channel information that needs to be reported, as indicated by the first configuration information.

[0019] Optionally, the second channel information includes some of the information in the first channel information.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving first indication information, the first indication information instructing the terminal device not to report channel information on the second resource, or the first indication information instructing the terminal device to report channel information on the second resource as second channel information, and the second resource belonging to the first resource; detecting, receiving, or not receiving channel information on the first resource, specifically: not receiving channel information on the first resource.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the first indication information indicates the time when the second resource is located, or the time period in which the second resource is located.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending second configuration information, the second configuration information being used to indicate a second resource set for reporting channel information, the second resource set including a third resource; the first indication information further instructing the terminal device not to report channel information on the third resource, or the first indication information instructing the terminal device to report channel information on the third resource as second channel information.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending a second indication message, the second indication message being used to indicate that the terminal device can autonomously decide whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information on the first resource.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the time interval between two consecutive reports of channel information by the terminal device does not exceed a first time length.

[0025] Optionally, the time interval between two consecutive reports of the first channel information by the terminal device shall not exceed the first time length.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the first resource set further includes a fourth resource, and the method further includes receiving first channel information on the fourth resource.

[0027] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide an apparatus for performing the method in any possible implementation of the first or second aspect. The apparatus includes modules for performing the method in any possible implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0028] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide an apparatus including a processing circuit for executing the method in any possible implementation of the first or second aspect. The processing circuit executes a program, and when the program is executed, the method shown in any possible implementation of the first or second aspect is performed.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the device also includes a memory for storing the program.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the memory is located outside the aforementioned device.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the memory is located within the aforementioned device.

[0032] Furthermore, the processing circuitry and memory can be integrated into a single device; that is, the processing circuitry and memory can be combined together. For example, the device can be a chip.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the above-described apparatus further includes a transceiver circuit for receiving information (or input information) or sending information (or output information).

[0034] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide an apparatus including a processing circuit and a transceiver circuit. The processing circuit can be a logic circuit, and the transceiver circuit can be an interface circuit. The logic circuit and the interface are coupled. The interface circuit is used to input and / or output information, and the logic circuit is used to execute the method of any possible implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0035] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the methods shown in the first aspect, the second aspect, or any possible implementation thereof to be executed.

[0036] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product that, when run on a computer, causes the methods shown in any possible implementation of the first or second aspect to be executed.

[0037] Eighthly, this application provides a communication system including means for performing the method described in the first aspect and means for performing the method described in the second aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0038] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 4A is a schematic diagram of a terminal device autonomously deciding whether to report channel information according to an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 4B is a schematic diagram of a terminal device autonomously deciding the content of the channel information to be reported, according to an embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the timing for sending first indication information according to an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of another timing for sending the first instruction information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of a first indication information indicating the location of a resource provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of another type of first indication information indicating resource location provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 7A is a schematic diagram of another type of first indication information indicating the location of resources provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 7B is a schematic diagram of another type of first indication information indicating resource location provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 8A is a schematic diagram of another type of first indication information indicating resource location provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 8B is a schematic diagram of another type of first indication information indicating resource location provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0051] Figure 8C is a schematic diagram of another type of first indication information indicating resource location provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 9A is a schematic diagram of the time interval between two adjacent reports of channel information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 9B is a schematic diagram of another time interval between two adjacent reports of channel information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 9C is a schematic diagram of another time interval between two adjacent reports of channel information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of another time interval between two adjacent reports of channel information provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0056] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the first and fourth resources provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0058] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0059] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0060] To facilitate understanding of the technical solution of this application, the application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0061] The terms "first" and "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used only to distinguish different objects and not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

[0062] The term "embodiment" as used herein means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0063] In this application, "at least one (item)" refers to one or more, "more than one" refers to two or more, "at least two (items)" refers to two or three or more, and "and / or" is used to describe the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be singular or plural. "Or" indicates that there can be two relationships, such as only A exists and only B exists; when A and B are not mutually exclusive, it can also mean that there are three relationships, such as only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist simultaneously. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one (item) of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items. For example, at least one (item) of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c".

[0064] In this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which can include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission via the air interface from other units or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which can include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY via the air interface from other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of a chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of a chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between network devices and terminal devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via buses, traces, or interfaces.

[0065] The following describes the communication system involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0066] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: 5th generation (5G) or new radio (NR) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, wireless local area network (WLAN) systems, satellite communication systems, future communication systems, or integrated systems of multiple systems. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), and Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems or other communication systems.

[0067] The method provided in this application can be applied between two entities in a communication system, such as one entity sending information to or receiving information sent by the other entity. In a wireless communication system, communication devices are included, and these devices can communicate wirelessly using air interface resources. Air interface resources may include at least one of time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, code resources, and spatial resources; this application does not limit this. For example, the aforementioned two entities may include a network device and a terminal device, or may include a chip that can be placed in a network device and a chip that can be placed in a terminal device, etc. Of course, as standards advance, other types of entities may emerge subsequently; this application does not limit this.

[0068] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system may include at least one network device and at least one terminal device, such as terminal device 1 to terminal device 4 in Figure 1. The terminal device and the network device can communicate via an air interface Uu link or via an NTN link, etc. For example, terminal device 3 and terminal device 4 can communicate via a D2D sidelink or other similar means. The form of the terminal device shown in Figure 1 is only an example. In a specific implementation, the terminal device may also include in-vehicle equipment or in-vehicle terminals in a vehicle network. This application embodiment does not limit the specific form of the terminal device when applied to a vehicle network or the Internet.

[0069] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 2, the scenarios of the communication system may include at least one of the following: point-to-point single connection between network devices and terminal devices, point-to-point dual connectivity (DC) between network devices and terminal devices, multi-hop single connection between network devices and terminal devices, or multi-hop dual connection between network devices and terminal devices.

[0070] Figure 1 exemplarily illustrates a network device and multiple terminal devices, and Figure 2 exemplarily illustrates single-connection and dual-connection. In specific implementations, the communication system may also include a greater number of network devices, and the coverage area of ​​each network device may include a greater or lesser number of terminal devices; this application embodiment does not limit this. The architectures shown in Figures 1 and 2 are merely examples and do not impose limitations on the network architecture applicable to this application. Any network architecture usable in this application is one where any network-side device in a cellular network communicates with or senses other devices.

[0071] The following provides a detailed description of terminal equipment and network equipment.

[0072] A terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities. It can communicate with access network equipment (or access devices, or network devices as described below) in a radio access network (RAN). Terminal devices can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, user agent, or user device, etc. In one possible implementation, the terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; or it can be deployed on water, including ships; or it can be deployed in the air, such as on airplanes, balloons, or satellites. In another possible implementation, the terminal device can be a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, vehicle-mounted device, wearable device, sensor, terminal in the Internet of Things (IoT), terminal in the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), drone, or any form of terminal device in a 5G network or future network; this application does not limit this. In another possible implementation, the terminal device can also be a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in autonomous driving, a wireless terminal in telemedicine, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in a smart city, or a wireless terminal in a smart home, etc.

[0073] In this application embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself; it can also be a device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the terminal device or used in conjunction with the terminal device. In this application embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete devices. For ease of description, when examples are mentioned below, the technical solutions provided in this application embodiment are described using the UE as an example to illustrate the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device.

[0074] A network device can be a device deployed in a wireless access network to provide wireless communication services to terminal devices. This network device can also be called an access network device, access equipment, or RAN device, etc. For example, a network device can be a next-generation node B (gNB), a next-generation evolved node B (ng-eNB), or a network device in future communications. A network device can be any device with wireless transceiver capabilities, including but not limited to the base stations mentioned above (including base stations deployed on satellites). This network device can also be a device with base station functionality in future communication systems. As an example, this network device can be an access node, wireless relay node, or wireless backhaul node in a wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) system. As another example, this network device can be a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. As yet another example, this network device can be a wearable device or vehicle-mounted device capable of providing wireless communication services. As yet another example, this network device can also be a small cell, a transmission reception point (TRP) (or a transmission point), etc. In systems using different wireless access technologies, the names of devices with network equipment functions may vary, and these will not be listed one by one in the embodiments of this application.

[0075] Network devices can be fixed or mobile. For example, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a mobile network device, and one or more cells can move according to the location of the mobile network device. In other examples, a helicopter or drone can be configured to be used as a device to communicate with another network device.

[0076] In some network device deployments, the network device may include centralized units (CUs) and distributed units (DUs). For example, some protocol layer functions of the network device may be centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions may be distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU. In other network device deployments, the CU may be divided into CU-control plane (CP) and CU-user plane (UP). In still other network device deployments, the network device may also be an open radio access network (ORAN) architecture. When the network device is an ORAN architecture, it may be a functional entity or module within the ORAN. For example, the network device may be one or more of CUs, DUs, or RUs. In an ORAN system, the CU may also be called an open (O)-CU, the DU may also be called an O-DU, the CU-CP may also be called an O-CU-CP, and the CU-UP may also be called an O-CU-UP, etc. The network device deployment methods listed here are merely examples. As standard technologies evolve, network devices may have other deployment forms, and this application does not limit these.

[0077] In some deployments, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminals in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes each implementing a portion of the access network's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be CUs, DUs, CU-CPs, CU-UPs, or RUs. CUs and DUs can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a building baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0078] RAN nodes can support one or more types of fronthaul interfaces, each corresponding to a DU and RU with different functions. If the fronthaul interface between the DU and RU is a common public radio interface (CPRI), the DU is configured to implement one or more baseband functions, and the RU is configured to implement one or more radio frequency functions. If the fronthaul interface between the DU and RU is another type of interface, relative to CPRI, some downlink and / or uplink baseband functions, such as, for downlink, precoding, digital beamforming (BF), or one or more of inverse fast fourier transform (IFFT) / cyclic prefix addition (CP), are moved from the DU to the RU; and for uplink, digital beamforming (BF), or one or more of fast fourier transform (FFT) / cyclic prefix removal (CP), are moved from the DU to the RU. In one possible implementation, the interface can be an enhanced common public radio interface (eCPRI). Under the eCPRI architecture, the segmentation between DU and RU differs, corresponding to different categories (Cat) of eCPRI, such as eCPRI Cat A, B, C, D, E, F.

[0079] Taking eCPRI Cat A as an example, for downlink transmission, layer mapping is used as the dividing line. The DU is configured to implement one or more functions preceding layer mapping (i.e., coding, rate matching, scrambling, modulation, and layer mapping itself), while other functions following layer mapping (e.g., resource element (RE) mapping, digital beamforming (BF), or one or more functions of IFFT / CP addition) are implemented in the RU. For uplink transmission, de-RE mapping is used as the dividing line. The DU is configured to implement one or more functions preceding de-mapping (i.e., decoding, rate matching de-matching, descrambling, demodulation, inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT), channel equalization, and one or more functions of de-RE mapping), while other functions following de-mapping (e.g., digital BF or FFT / CP removal) are implemented in the RU. It is understood that descriptions of the functions of the DU and RU corresponding to various types of eCPRI can be found in the eCPRI protocol and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0080] In one possible design, the processing unit in the BBU used to implement baseband functions is called the baseband high (BBH) unit, and the processing unit in the RRU / AAU / RRH used to implement baseband functions is called the baseband low (BBL) unit.

[0081] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0082] Network devices and / or terminal devices can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on airplanes, balloons, and satellites. This application does not limit the scenario in which the network devices and terminal devices are located. Furthermore, terminal devices and network devices can be hardware devices, or software functions running on dedicated hardware or general-purpose hardware, such as virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform), or entities that include dedicated or general-purpose hardware devices and software functions. This application does not limit the specific form of the terminal devices and network devices.

[0083] In this application embodiment, the device for implementing the function of the network device can be the network device itself; it can also be a device capable of supporting the network device in implementing the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the network device or used in conjunction with the network device. For ease of description, when specific examples are mentioned below, the technical solution provided in this application embodiment will be described using a base station as an example.

[0084] Using periodic or semi-persistent CSI reporting methods may lead to wasted power consumption by terminal devices. For example, a terminal device may be in a PDCCH-only state for an extended period. PDCCH-only means that the network has no uplink or downlink data requiring scheduling from the terminal device. In this case, the terminal device cannot detect scheduling information through the PDCCH, and reporting CSI will not improve the performance of network scheduling data; instead, it wastes the terminal device's power consumption. Similarly, when a terminal device is in a relatively static state, the channel state information remains largely unchanged. Reporting the same CSI for an extended period in this situation also wastes the terminal device's power consumption.

[0085] To save power consumption of terminal devices, this application proposes a communication method, as shown in Figure 3. This communication method includes steps 301 and 302. The execution entities corresponding to the method shown in Figure 3 are the terminal device and the network device; alternatively, the execution entities can be components such as chips in the terminal device and the network device. Figure 3 illustrates the method using a terminal device and a network device as examples. This application does not limit the execution entity of the communication method. The terminal device and the network device can be the terminal device and network device described in the communication systems shown in Figures 1 and 2. Wherein:

[0086] 301. The network device sends first configuration information, and the corresponding terminal device receives the first configuration information. The first configuration information is used to indicate a first resource set for reporting channel information, and the first resource set includes a first resource.

[0087] In this embodiment, the first configuration information is used to configure a first resource set for the terminal device to report channel information. It can be understood that the first resource set refers to resources that the network indicates or expects the terminal device to report channel information. The first resource can be all or part of the resources in the first resource set, without limitation.

[0088] Channel information can be used to characterize channel features or characteristic channels. For example, channel information may include at least one of the following: channel state information (CSI), channel matrix H, equivalent channel matrix, precoding matrix W (which can be derived from channel matrix H), right singular vector V of channel matrix H, and square matrix H. T The eigenvectors of H (conjugate transpose of the channel matrix H) T The eigenvectors of the matrix obtained by multiplying by the channel matrix H, at least one vector associated with the channel matrix H (such as at least one vector of the channel matrix H under a certain transformation), the time domain information of the channel, the frequency domain information of the channel, and the channel information in the delay-doppler domain, etc.

[0089] Network devices can send reference signals to terminal devices so that the terminal devices can measure the reference signals to obtain channel information. For example, the reference signal can be one of the following: channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB), or physical broadcast channel demodulation reference signal (PBCH DMRS), etc.

[0090] For example, taking Channel Information System (CSI) as an example, the first configuration information is the higher-layer parameter CSI report configuration (CSI-ReportConfig). CSI can be used to describe information related to channel quality. CSI can be used to describe the propagation process of wireless signals between the transmitter and receiver, including the effects of distance, scattering, fading, etc., on the signal. For downlink transmission, CSI can be used by the terminal device to report downlink channel quality to the network device, so that the network device can perform resource scheduling, beam management, mobility management, and other processes based on the CSI. The terminal device reports CSI to the network device through CSI report (CSI-Report).

[0091] For example, CSI may include at least one of the following: precoding matrix indicator (PMI), channel quality indicator (CQI), channel state information reference signal resource indicator (CSI-RS resource indicator, CRI), layer indicator (LI), synchronization signal block resource indicator (SS / PBCH block resource indicator, SSBRI), rank indicator (RI), layer indicator (LI), layer 1 reference signal received power (L1-RSRP), layer 1 signal-to-noise and interference ratio (L1-SINR), angle of arrival (AOA), angle of arrival spread (AAS), angle of departure (AOD), angle of departure spread (ADS), and spatial correlation.

[0092] Optionally, the resources included in the first resource set are periodic resources. It is understood that the time interval between any two adjacent resources in the time domain within the first resource set is one period. For example, the network device can configure periodic CSI or semi-persistent CSI for the terminal device. When the network device configures periodic CSI reporting for the terminal device, the terminal device will report CSI once every one period. It is understood that the first resource set includes the resources used for reporting CSI in each period. When the network device configures semi-persistent CSI reporting for the terminal device, the network device will send activation information, which instructs the terminal device to activate semi-persistent CSI reporting. After receiving the activation information, the terminal device will periodically report CSI until it receives deactivation information from the network device, which instructs the terminal device to deactivate semi-persistent CSI reporting. It is understood that the first resource set includes the resources used for reporting CSI in each period from when the terminal device receives the activation information to when it receives the deactivation information.

[0093] It should also be noted that the resources included in the first resource set may also be non-periodic resources. This application embodiment does not limit whether the resources included in the first resource set are periodic resources.

[0094] 302. The terminal device autonomously decides whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information on the first resource.

[0095] Correspondingly, network devices detect, receive, or do not receive channel information on the first resource.

[0096] In one example, the terminal device can autonomously decide whether to report channel information on the first resource. This means that the terminal device can choose to report channel information or not. Correspondingly, the network device may or may not receive channel information on the first resource.

[0097] The channel information in this example can be interpreted in three ways:

[0098] (1) Channel information can be understood as first channel information, which is the channel information that needs to be reported as indicated by the first configuration information. Furthermore, if the terminal device does not report channel information, it means that the terminal device does not report the first channel information. In this case, the terminal device can not report any type of channel information, or it can report other channel information besides the first channel information.

[0099] (2) Channel information can also be understood as first channel information and second channel information, where the number of bits in the second channel information is less than the number of bits in the first channel information, or the computational complexity of the second channel information is less than that of the first channel information. Furthermore, if the terminal device does not report channel information, it means that the terminal device does not report first channel information or second channel information. That is, in this case, the terminal device may not report any type of channel information, or it may report other types of channel information besides first and second channel information, such as fourth channel information, which has a lower computational complexity or number of bits than second channel information. The relevant descriptions of first and second channel information can be found in the subsequent descriptions and will not be detailed here.

[0100] (3) Channel information can also be understood as channel information of any type. Furthermore, the fact that the terminal device does not report channel information means that the terminal device does not report channel information of any type.

[0101] Optionally, the terminal device may decide whether to report channel information based on its own circumstances.

[0102] For example, a terminal device can decide whether to report channel information based on its distance moved over a period of time. If the distance moved by the terminal device is less than a preset value, the terminal device will not report channel information. In this case, the terminal device can be considered to be in a relatively stationary state, the channel state is basically unchanged, and not reporting saves power consumption and reduces signaling overhead. Conversely, if the distance moved by the terminal device is greater than or equal to the preset value, the terminal device will report channel information. In this case, the terminal device can be considered to be in motion, the channel state changes significantly, and timely reporting of channel information by the terminal device helps network devices to more accurately determine the current channel state.

[0103] For example, a terminal device can decide whether to report channel information based on its own data scheduling situation. If the terminal device remains in a PDCCH-only state for more than a preset time, it will decide not to report channel information. Understandably, the PDCCH carries scheduling information for downlink (DL) or uplink (UL) data. The terminal device needs to blindly check or monitor the PDCCH to obtain scheduling information. If scheduling information is detected, the terminal device will send or receive data on the corresponding resources according to the scheduling information. However, if the terminal device has no data to schedule, it still needs to periodically blindly check the PDCCH and cannot detect scheduling information; this situation is called PDCCH-only. When the terminal device is in PDCCH-only mode for an extended period, reporting channel information will not improve the performance of network device data scheduling. Therefore, the terminal device's decision not to report channel information helps save power consumption and reduce signaling overhead. Correspondingly, if the terminal device is not in PDCCH only mode, or if the terminal device is in PDCCH only mode for a period of time that does not exceed a preset value, the terminal device reports channel information, which helps to improve the performance of network device scheduling data.

[0104] It should also be noted that the terminal device can also determine whether to report channel information based on other parameters, such as the power consumption of the terminal device itself. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0105] In another example, the terminal device autonomously deciding the content of the channel information reported on the first resource means that the terminal device can determine the content of the channel information reported on the first resource. For example, the channel information reported by the terminal device can be the first channel information, or it can be the second channel information. Correspondingly, when the network device receives channel information on the first resource, it may receive the first channel information or it may receive the second channel information.

[0106] Wherein, the first channel information is the channel information that needs to be reported as indicated by the first configuration information, the number of bits of the second channel information is less than the number of bits of the first channel information, or the computational complexity of the second channel information is less than the computational complexity of the first channel information.

[0107] The following are two examples of first-channel information and second-channel information:

[0108] Example 1: The first channel information is generated based on a first codebook, and the second channel information is generated based on a second codebook. The computational complexity of the first codebook is greater than that of the second codebook, or the number of bits in the first codebook is greater than the number of bits in the second codebook. Optionally, the first codebook is a type 2 codebook, and the second codebook is a type 1 codebook. Further optionally, the first channel information can be the CSI of a type 2 codebook, and the second channel information can be the CSI of a type 1 codebook.

[0109] The CSI for a Type 1 codebook could be, for example, the CSI for the R15 Type 1 codebook, the CSI for the R16 Type 1 codebook, the CSI for the R17 Type 1 codebook, or the CSI for a Type 1 codebook in a future version of the protocol.

[0110] The CSI of a Type 2 codebook can be, for example, the CSI of the R15 Type II codebook, the CSI of the R16 Type II codebook, the CSI of the R17 Type II codebook, or the CSI of a Type 2 codebook in a future version of the protocol, etc.; or, the CSI of a Type 2 codebook can be, for example, the CSI of the R15 enhanced Type II codebook, the CSI of the R16 enhanced Type II codebook, the CSI of the R17 enhanced Type II codebook, or the CSI of an enhanced Type II codebook in a future version of the protocol, etc.; or, the CSI of a Type 2 codebook can be, for example, the CSI of the R15 further enhanced Type II codebook, the CSI of the R16 further enhanced Type II codebook, etc. The CSI of the R17 further enhanced Type II codebook, the CSI of the R16 further enhanced Type II codebook, or the CSI of the further enhanced Type II codebook in future protocol versions, etc.

[0111] Example 2: The second channel information includes some information from the first channel information. For example, the first channel information includes CRI, RI, PMI, and CQI, while the second channel information includes at most three of CRI, RI, PMI, and CQI (e.g., the second channel information includes only CRI, RI, and CQI, excluding PMI). Another example is that the first codebook used to generate the first channel information includes a first part and a second part, and the second channel information is generated based on either the first part or the second part of the first codebook.

[0112] Optionally, the terminal device can decide the content of the channel information to be reported based on its own circumstances.

[0113] For example, a terminal device can determine the content of the channel information it reports based on its distance of movement over a period of time. If the distance the terminal device moves over a period of time is less than a preset value, the terminal device determines to report second channel information. In this case, the terminal device can be considered to be in a relatively stationary state, the channel state is basically unchanged, the number of bits in the second channel information is small, or the computational complexity of the second channel information is low. Reporting the second channel information helps save power consumption and reduce signaling overhead. Conversely, if the distance the terminal device moves over a period of time is greater than or equal to a preset value, the terminal device determines to report first channel information. In this case, the terminal device can be considered to be in motion, at which point the channel state changes significantly. The first channel information has higher accuracy and includes more content. Reporting the first channel information by the terminal device helps network devices obtain high-precision channel information and more accurately determine the current channel state.

[0114] For example, a terminal device can decide the content of the channel information it reports based on its own data scheduling. If the terminal device remains in PDCCH-only mode for a longer period than a preset value, it will report second channel information. When a terminal device is in PDCCH-only mode for an extended period, reporting channel information has a relatively low impact on improving the performance of network device scheduling data. Therefore, reporting second channel information can save power consumption and reduce signaling overhead. Conversely, if the terminal device is not in PDCCH-only mode, or if the time it remains in PDCCH-only mode does not exceed the preset value, it will report first channel information. First channel information has higher precision or includes more content, which is beneficial for improving the performance of network device scheduling data.

[0115] It should also be noted that the terminal device can also determine the content of the channel information to be reported based on other parameters, such as the power consumption of the terminal device. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0116] In one possible implementation, the terminal device sends a first indication message, and the corresponding network device receives the first indication message. The first indication message instructs the terminal device not to report channel information on the second resource, or the first indication message instructs the terminal device to report channel information on the second resource as second channel information, wherein the second resource belongs to the first resource.

[0117] Understandably, the first resource is the resource on which the terminal device autonomously decides whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information. That is, the terminal device can report channel information or not report channel information on the first resource, or it can report first channel information or second channel information on the first resource. The second resource is the resource on the first resource on which the terminal device has determined not to report channel information or to report second channel information. That is, the terminal device has made a decision not to report channel information or to report second channel information on the second resource.

[0118] In one example, when a terminal device determines that it will not report channel information on the second resource, it can send a first indication message to instruct it not to report channel information on the second resource. Correspondingly, after receiving the first indication message, the network device can also choose not to receive channel information on the second resource, meaning the network device does not need to detect channel information on the second resource, thus reducing network device power consumption. However, besides the terminal device's own decision not to report channel information, there may be other reasons why the network device cannot receive channel information. For example, poor channel conditions may prevent the network device from successfully receiving channel information. The network device may have different processing strategies for different reasons. For example, if the terminal device decides to report channel information, the network device may not need to take any action; if poor channel conditions prevent the network device from successfully receiving channel information, the network device may reduce the data transmission rate of the terminal device or configure the terminal device to report channel information aperiodically. Using the first indication message to enable the network device to determine that the reason for not receiving channel information on the second resource is the terminal device's own decision not to report channel information helps avoid errors in the network device's understanding.

[0119] For example, as shown in Figure 4A, the first resource includes resource 1, resource 2, resource 3 and resource 4. The terminal device decides autonomously to report channel information on resource 1, resource 3 and resource 4, and not to report channel information on resource 2. The terminal device can send a first indication information to the network device, which instructs the terminal device not to report channel information on resource 2. Correspondingly, the network device can not detect channel information on resource 2.

[0120] In another example, when a terminal device determines that it needs to report second channel information on a second resource, it can instruct the terminal device to report the second channel information on the second resource by sending a first indication message. Correspondingly, after receiving the first indication message, the network device can determine that the channel information received on the second resource is the second channel information. The first indication message allows the network device to determine that the channel information received on the second resource is the second channel information. Since the terminal device's decision to send the second channel information is autonomous, it helps avoid errors in the network device's understanding.

[0121] For example, as shown in Figure 4B, the first resource includes resource 1, resource 2, resource 3 and resource 4. The terminal device autonomously decides to report the first channel information on resource 1, resource 3 and resource 4, and report the second channel information on resource 2. The terminal device can send a first indication information to the network device, which instructs the terminal device to report the second channel information on resource 2.

[0122] For example, the timing for the terminal device to send the first indication information may be as follows:

[0123] (1) The terminal device may send a first indication message at the time when the second resource is located. For example, as shown in Figure 5A, the first resource includes resource 1, resource 2, resource 3, and resource 4. The terminal device decides to report the first channel information on resource 1, resource 3, and resource 4, and not report channel information or report the second channel information on resource 2. The terminal device may send the first indication message on resource 2 to instruct the terminal device not to report channel information or to report the second channel information on resource 2. Correspondingly, the network device may receive the first indication message on resource 2, and can determine from the first indication message that the reason why the network device did not receive channel information or received the second channel information on resource 2 is that the terminal device decided not to report channel information or to report the second channel information on resource 2.

[0124] (2) The terminal device may also choose not to send the first indication information at the time when the second resource is located. For example, the terminal device may send the first indication information before the time when the second resource is located. For instance, as shown in Figure 5B, the first resource includes resource 1, resource 2, resource 3, and resource 4. The terminal device autonomously decides to report the first channel information on resources 1, 3, and 4, and not report channel information or report the second channel information on resource 2. The terminal device may send the first indication information before the time when resource 2 is located, instructing the terminal device not to report channel information or to report the second channel information on resource 2. Correspondingly, the network device receives the first indication information before the time when resource 2 is located, thereby determining whether to not receive channel information on resource 2 or to receive the second channel information on resource 2.

[0125] For example, the first indication information can instruct the terminal device on which resources it should not report channel information, or report the second channel information, in the following way:

[0126] (1) The first indication information indicates the time when the second resource is located. Alternatively, it can be described as follows: the first indication information indicates the first time, and the terminal device does not report channel information or reports the second channel information at the first time, where the first time is the time when the second resource is located.

[0127] For example, as shown in Figure 6A, the first resource includes resource 1, resource 2, resource 3, and resource 4. Resource 1 is located at time 1, resource 2 at time 2, resource 3 at time 3, and resource 4 at time 4. The terminal device autonomously decides whether to report first channel information on resources 1, 3, and 4, and whether to report channel information or second channel information on resource 2. The terminal device sends a first indication message indicating time 2, meaning that the terminal device will either not report channel information or report second channel information at time 2. Since resource 2 is located at time 2 in the first resource, the network device can determine whether the terminal device will not report channel information or report second channel information on resource 2 based on the first indication message.

[0128] Furthermore, the above example illustrates the case where the first indication information indicates a single moment. In reality, the first indication information can also indicate multiple moments. That is, the first indication information can instruct the terminal device not to report channel information or to report second channel information on multiple resources corresponding to multiple moments. The multiple resources corresponding to these multiple moments belong to the first resource.

[0129] The following describes an example of a first indication message indicating multiple moments: The first indication message can indicate the location of the start moment among the multiple moments and the number of moments, where the first resource is a periodic resource, and the multiple moments correspond to multiple consecutive periodic resources. The start moment among the multiple moments can be understood as the first moment among the multiple moments. Optionally, the first indication message may not need to directly indicate the start moment among the multiple moments; it can default to the moment of the first resource after sending the first indication message, which is used by the terminal device to autonomously decide whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information, as the start moment among the multiple moments. The network device can determine the location of the multiple moments based on the location of the start moment and the number of moments, thereby determining on which resources the terminal device should not report channel information or should report second channel information.

[0130] For example, as shown in Figure 6B, the first resource includes resource 1, resource 2, resource 3, and resource 4. Resource 1 is located at time 1, resource 2 at time 2, resource 3 at time 3, and resource 4 at time 4. The first resource is a periodic resource, and the time interval between any two adjacent resources is equal, with a period of T. The terminal device autonomously decides to report first channel information on resource 1, and not to report channel information or to report second channel information on resources 2, 3, and 4. The first indication information indicates a start time of time 2 and a number of times when the device either does not report or reports second channel information (3). The network device can determine, based on the period T and the location of time 2, that the three times indicated by the first indication information are time 2, time 3 (time 2 + T), and time 4 (time 2 + 2T), thereby determining whether the terminal device will not report channel information or will report second channel information on resources 2, 3, and 4.

[0131] (2) The first indication information indicates the time period in which the second resource is located, or it can be described in another way, that is, the first indication information indicates the first time period, during which the terminal device does not report channel information or reports the second channel information, wherein the second resource in the first resource is located in the first time period.

[0132] For example, as shown in Figure 7A, the first resource includes resource 1, resource 2, resource 3, and resource 4. The terminal device autonomously decides whether to report first channel information on resources 1 and 4, and whether to report channel information or second channel information on resources 2 and 3. The first indication information sent by the terminal device indicates a first time period, meaning that the terminal device will either not report channel information or report second channel information during the first time period. Since resources 2 and 3 are located within the first time period, the network device can determine whether the terminal device should report channel information or report second channel information on resources 2 and 3 based on the first indication information.

[0133] The following is an example of a first indication message indicating the location of a first time period: the first indication message indicates the start time and length of the first time period, and the network device can determine the location of the first time period based on the start time and length of the first time period. Optionally, the first indication message can indicate the offset between the time the first indication message was sent and the start time of the first time period, and the start time of the first time period can be determined based on the offset and the time the first indication message was sent; alternatively, the time the first indication message was sent can be defaulted to the start time of the first time period.

[0134] For example, as shown in Figure 7B, the first resource includes resource 1, resource 2, resource 3, and resource 4. The terminal device autonomously decides whether to report first channel information on resources 1 and 2, and whether to report channel information or second channel information on resources 3 and 4. The first indication information sent by the terminal device indicates a first offset and the length T1 of a first time period. The first offset is the offset between the time of sending the first indication information and the start time of the first time period. Based on the first offset and the time of sending the first indication information, the start time of the first time period can be calculated. Combined with the length T1 of the first time period, the location of the first time period can be determined. In the first resource, resources 3 and 4 are located within the first time period. Therefore, the network device can determine whether the terminal device should report channel information or report second channel information on resources 3 and 4 based on the first indication information.

[0135] Furthermore, the above example mainly describes the situation where the network device configures a channel information reporting configuration for the terminal device. In conjunction with the above description, this channel information reporting configuration is the first configuration information. In this case, the first indication information is assumed to be for the first configuration information, or the first indication information is associated with the first configuration information. That is, the resources indicated by the first indication information for the terminal device not to report channel information or to report the second channel information belong to the first resource set.

[0136] In other possible examples, the network device can configure multiple channel information reporting configurations for the terminal device. The first configuration information is one of these multiple channel information reporting configurations, and each channel information reporting configuration corresponds to a resource set. For example, the first configuration information corresponds to a first resource set, which is used to transmit the channel information corresponding to the first configuration information. The first indication information can target all or part of the multiple channel information reporting configurations, or it can be described as being associated with all or part of the multiple channel information reporting configurations. It is understood that the resources for the first indication information that instructs the terminal device not to report channel information or to send second channel information belong to the resource set corresponding to the channel information reporting configuration information that the first indication information targets or is associated with.

[0137] Taking the configuration information of a network device as the terminal device, which is configured with a total of M reporting channel information, as an example, where M is a positive integer greater than 1, the following is an introduction based on the different configuration information of the reporting channel information targeted by the first indication information:

[0138] (1) The first instruction information refers to all configuration information in the configuration information of the M reporting channels.

[0139] For example, M=2, and the configuration information for the two reported channel information includes first configuration information and second configuration information. That is, in addition to sending the first configuration information, the network device also sends the second configuration information, wherein the second configuration information is used to indicate the second resource set for reporting channel information. The resources included in the second resource set do not overlap with the resources in the first resource set.

[0140] In this case, the first instruction information is directed to the first configuration information and the second configuration information, or the first instruction information is associated with the first configuration information and the second configuration information. It is understood that the first instruction information not only instructs the terminal device not to report channel information or send second channel information on the second resource, but also instructs the terminal device not to report channel information or send second channel information on the third resource, wherein the third resource belongs to the set of second resources.

[0141] The first indication information described above indirectly instructs the terminal device on which resources it should not report channel information or should report second channel information by indicating a first moment or a first time period. This can also be implemented in this scenario. Taking the first indication information indicating a first time period as an example, the resources located within the first time period in the first resource set and the second resource set are the resources on which the terminal device indicated by the first indication information should not report channel information or should report second channel information. For example, if the second resource belongs to the first resource set and the third resource belongs to the second resource set, and the time domain resources where the second and third resources are located are within the first time period, then the second and third resources are the resources on which the terminal device indicated by the first indication information should not report channel information or should report second channel information.

[0142] For example, as shown in Figure 8A, the first resource set includes resources 1, 2, 3, and 4, and the second resource set includes resources 5, 6, 7, and 8. The terminal device decides whether to not report channel information or to report second channel information on resources 2, 3, 6, and 7. The terminal device sends a first indication message, which indicates a first time period and is specific to both the first and second configuration information. After receiving the first indication message, the network device determines that the time-domain resources among resources 1 to 8 that fall within the first time period are resources 2, 3, 6, and 7. Therefore, the network device can determine, based on the first indication message, whether the terminal device should not report channel information on resources 2, 3, 6, and 7, or should report second channel information.

[0143] (2) The first instruction information refers to a portion of the configuration information of the M reporting channel information. The number of this portion of configuration information can be one or more.

[0144] (2.1) In the first instruction information, one of the configuration information for the configuration information of the M reporting channels.

[0145] For example, M=2, and the configuration information for the two reported channel information includes first configuration information and second configuration information. The second configuration information has the same definition as the second configuration information described above, and is used to indicate the second resource set for reporting channel information.

[0146] In this scenario, the first indication information applies only to one of the two configuration information settings for reporting channel information. For example, the first indication information applies only to the first configuration information and not to the second configuration information. Alternatively, it can be described as the first indication information being associated with the first configuration information but not with the second configuration information. It is understood that the first indication information only instructs the terminal device on which resources in the first resource set should not report channel information or send second channel information; the resources indicated by the first indication information are unrelated to the second resource set.

[0147] The first indication information described above indirectly instructs the terminal device on which resources it should not report channel information or should report second channel information by indicating a first moment or a first time period, which can also be implemented in this scenario. Taking the first indication information indicating a first time period as an example, the resources located within the first time period in the first resource set are the resources on which the terminal device indicated by the first indication information should not report channel information or should not report second channel information.

[0148] For example, the first instruction information only applies to the first configuration information, the second resource belongs to the first resource set, the third resource belongs to the second resource set, and the time-domain resource where the second resource is located is within the first time period. That is, the second resource is the resource for which the terminal device indicated by the first instruction information either does not report channel information or reports second channel information. Since the first instruction information only applies to the first configuration information and not to the second configuration information, the resource indicated by the first instruction information is unrelated to the second resource set. Even if the time-domain resource where the third resource is located is within the first time period, the third resource is not the resource indicated by the first instruction information.

[0149] For example, as shown in Figure 8B, the first resource set includes resources 1, 2, 3, and 4, and the second resource set includes resources 5, 6, 7, and 8. The terminal device decides whether to not report channel information or to report second channel information on resources 2 and 3, and sends a first indication message. The first indication message indicates a first time period and is only applicable to the first configuration information. After receiving the first indication message, the network device determines that resources 2 and 3 are located within the first time period in the first resource set. Therefore, the network device can determine whether the terminal device should not report channel information on resources 2 and 3, or should report second channel information, based on the first indication message. Since the first indication message is not applicable to the second configuration information, even if resources 6 and 7 are located within the first time period, the network device cannot determine whether the terminal device should report channel information on resources 6 and 7, or whether the content of the channel information sent is first channel information or second channel information, before receiving other indication messages.

[0150] (2.2) The first indication information refers to N configuration information in the configuration information of M reporting channel information, where N is an integer greater than 1 and less than M.

[0151] For example, M=3, and the configuration information for the three reported channel information includes first configuration information, second configuration information, and third configuration information. The second configuration information has the same definition as the second configuration information mentioned above, and is used to indicate the second resource set for reporting channel information. Similarly, the third configuration information is sent by the network device to indicate the third resource set for reporting channel information.

[0152] In this scenario, the first indication information refers to multiple configuration information among the configuration information for the three reported channel information. For example, the first indication information refers to the first and second configuration information, but not the third configuration information. Alternatively, it can be described as the first indication information being associated with the first and second configuration information, but not with the third configuration information. It is understood that the first indication information instructs the terminal device on which resources in the first and second resource sets should not report channel information or send second channel information. The resources indicated by the first indication information are unrelated to the third resource set.

[0153] The first indication information described above indirectly instructs the terminal device on which resources it should not report channel information or should report second channel information by indicating a first moment or a first time period, which can also be implemented in this scenario. Taking the first indication information indicating a first time period as an example, the resources located within the first time period in the first resource set and the second resource set are the resources on which the terminal device indicated by the first indication information will not report channel information or will report second channel information. For example, if the second resource belongs to the first resource set, the third resource belongs to the second resource set, and the sixth resource belongs to the third resource set, and the time-domain resources where the second and third resources are located are located within the first time period, then the second and third resources are the resources on which the terminal device indicated by the first indication information will not report channel information or will report second channel information. Since the first indication information only applies to the first and second configuration information and not to the third configuration information, the resources indicated by the first indication information are unrelated to the third resource set. Even if the time-domain resource where the sixth resource is located is located within the first time period, the sixth resource is not the resource indicated by the first indication information.

[0154] For example, as shown in Figure 8C, the first resource set includes resources 1, 2, 3, and 4; the second resource set includes resources 5, 6, 7, and 8; and the third resource set includes resources 9, 10, 11, and 12. The terminal device decides whether to not report channel information or to report second channel information on resources 2, 3, 6, and 7. The terminal device sends a first indication message, which indicates a first time period and is specific to both the first and second configuration information. After receiving the first indication message, the network device determines that the time-domain resources among resources 1 to 8 that fall within the first time period are resources 2, 3, 6, and 7. Therefore, the network device can determine, based on the first indication message, whether the terminal device should not report channel information on resources 2, 3, 6, and 7, or should report second channel information.

[0155] Since the first instruction information is not directed to the third configuration information, even if resources 9 and 10 are in the first time period, the network device cannot determine whether the terminal device reports channel information on resources 9 and 10, or whether the content of the channel information sent is the first channel information or the second channel information, before receiving other instruction information.

[0156] It should also be noted that the configuration information of the reporting channel information targeted by the first indication information, or the association between the first indication information and the configuration information of the reporting channel information, can be pre-configured (e.g., the network device instructs the first indication information to be used for the configuration information of which reporting channel information through higher-layer signaling), or it can be predefined, or it can be flexibly indicated (e.g., the first indication information carries an identifier of the configuration information of the reporting channel information targeted by the first indication information), or it can be determined through negotiation between the terminal device and the network device. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0157] In one possible implementation, before performing step 302, the method further includes: the network device sending second indication information, and correspondingly, the terminal device receiving the second indication information, which is used to indicate whether the terminal device autonomously decides on the first resource whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information.

[0158] For example, the second indication information can be used as configuration information to configure whether the terminal device autonomously decides on the first resource whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information; or, the second indication information can be used as activation information to enable or activate the configuration corresponding to whether the terminal device autonomously decides on the first resource whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information. The following describes the two cases respectively:

[0159] (1) The second indication information can be used as configuration information to configure whether the terminal device autonomously decides whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information on the first resource. When the terminal device receives the second indication information, it can be considered that the autonomous decision to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information on the first resource is enabled or activated. If the second indication information is not received, it means that the autonomous decision to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information is not configured or is disabled or deactivated.

[0160] For example, the second indication information can be carried in the configuration information of the BWP, that is, the second indication information is based on a BWP (per BWP) configuration; or, the second indication information can be carried in the CSI report config information, that is, the second indication information can be based on a CSI report config (per CSI report config); or, the second indication information can be carried in the cell configuration information, that is, the second indication information can be based on a cell configuration (per cell).

[0161] Taking the second indication information as being carried in the CSI report config information as an example, the CSI report config configuration can be represented as follows:

[0162] The parameter `auto-csiReport` corresponds to the second indication information. It can be understood that if the CSI report config includes the parameter `auto-csiReport`, it means that the resources corresponding to that CSI report config are configured with the option for the terminal device to independently decide whether to report channel information or the channel information to be reported. If the CSI report config does not include the parameter `auto-csiReport`, it means that the resources corresponding to that CSI report config are not configured with the option for the terminal device to independently decide whether to report channel information or the channel information to be reported.

[0163] (2) The second indication information can serve as activation information, used to enable or activate the configuration corresponding to whether the terminal device autonomously decides on the first resource to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information. Before the network device sends the second indication information, the network device also needs to send fourth configuration information, which is used to configure whether the terminal device autonomously decides on the first resource to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information. It can be understood that in this implementation, the second indication information is used to indicate the activation of the configuration corresponding to the fourth configuration information.

[0164] After receiving the fourth configuration information, the terminal device does not indicate whether the configuration corresponding to the fourth configuration information is enabled or activated. The network device needs to send the second indication information. Only after the terminal device receives the second indication information can it enable or activate the autonomous decision on whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information on the first resource.

[0165] For example, the fourth configuration information can be carried in the configuration information of the BWP, that is, the fourth configuration information is based on a per BWP configuration; or, the fourth configuration information can be carried in the CSI report config information, that is, the fourth configuration information can be based on a per CSI report config; or, the fourth configuration information can be carried in the cell configuration information, that is, the fourth configuration information can be based on a per cell.

[0166] For example, when a network device can configure multiple channel information reporting settings for a terminal device, the first configuration information is one of these multiple channel information reporting settings. These multiple channel information reporting settings correspond to multiple resource sets, and each channel information reporting configuration corresponds to one resource set. For instance, the first configuration information corresponds to a first resource set, and the first resource set is used to transmit the channel information corresponding to the first configuration information. The second indication information can be used to instruct the terminal device to enable or activate the resources in one or more of these resource sets to autonomously decide whether to report channel information or the content configuration of the reported channel information.

[0167] For this example, the second instruction message can take the following two forms:

[0168] (a) The second instruction information is used to enable or activate the terminal device to autonomously decide whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information on all resources in the plurality of resource sets. The plurality of resource sets are the resource sets corresponding to all the channel information reporting configuration information configured by the network device for the terminal device.

[0169] Taking a network device configuring first and second configuration information for a terminal device as an example, the second configuration information is the same as described above, used to indicate a second set of resources for reporting channel information. The first resource set includes a first resource, and the second resource set includes a fifth resource. The first and fifth resources are resources configured by the network device for the terminal device to autonomously decide whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information. The second indication information is used to instruct or enable the terminal device to autonomously decide whether to report channel information or report second channel information using the first and fifth resources.

[0170] For example, the second indication information is a 1-bit information. When this 1-bit information is a first value, it indicates that the terminal device is activated or enabled to autonomously decide whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information on all resources in the multiple resource sets. The first value can be 1 or 0.

[0171] (b) Group the configuration information of multiple reporting channel information, and the configuration information of the multiple reporting channel information may carry the identifier of the group. The second indication information indicates the first identifier. The second indication information is used to enable or activate the terminal device to decide whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information on the resource set corresponding to the configuration information of the reporting channel information in the group corresponding to the first identifier.

[0172] Taking the example of a network device configuring first configuration information and second configuration information for a terminal device, the second configuration information is the same as described above. The first configuration information belongs to group 1, and the second configuration information belongs to group 2. The second indication information indicates the identifier corresponding to group 1. Since the first configuration information belongs to group 1 and the first resource belongs to the first resource set, it can be understood that the second indication information indicates whether to enable or activate the terminal device to autonomously decide on the first resource whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information.

[0173] For example, the second indication information can be a bitmap, meaning it can consist of multiple bits, each bit corresponding to a group identifier. The identifier of the group corresponding to the bit with a first value is the first identifier. This first value can be either 1 or 0.

[0174] Furthermore, taking the second indication information as a two-bit information as an example, the first bit corresponds to the identifier of group 1, and the second bit corresponds to the identifier of group 2. In these two bits, the group identifier corresponding to the bit with a value of 1 is the first identifier indicated by the second indication information. When these two bits are 0 or 1, it indicates that the second indication information indicates the identifier of group 2. That is, it can be understood that the second indication information indicates that the terminal device is activated or enabled to autonomously decide whether to report channel information or the content of the channel information to be reported on the resource set corresponding to the configuration information for reporting channel information in group 2.

[0175] Optionally, after the network device sends the second indication information, it may also send a third indication information. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the third indication information, which can serve as deactivation information, instructing the deactivation or disabling of the configuration corresponding to whether the terminal device autonomously decides on the first resource whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information. After receiving the third indication information, the terminal device will no longer autonomously decide whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information; that is, it will permanently report the first channel information on the first resource.

[0176] For example, when a network device allocates configuration information for multiple reporting channel information to a terminal device, the configuration information for the reporting channel information corresponding to the first configuration information is one of the multiple configuration information for reporting channel information. These multiple configuration information for reporting channel information correspond to multiple resource sets, and each configuration information for reporting channel information corresponds to one resource set. For instance, the first configuration information corresponds to a first resource set, and the first resource set is used to transmit the channel information corresponding to the first configuration information. The third indication information can be used to instruct the terminal device to enable or deactivate resources in one or more of the multiple resource sets, allowing it to independently decide whether to report channel information or the content configuration of the reported channel information.

[0177] For this example, the third instruction message can take the following two forms:

[0178] (a) The third indication information is used to enable or deactivate the terminal device's autonomous decision on whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information on all resources in multiple resource sets. These multiple resource sets are the resource sets corresponding to all the configuration information for reporting channel information allocated by the network device to the terminal device.

[0179] Taking a network device configuring first and second configuration information for a terminal device as an example, the second configuration information is the same as described above, used to indicate a second resource set for reporting channel information. The first resource set includes a first resource, and the second resource set includes a fifth resource. The first and fifth resources are resources configured by the network device for the terminal device to autonomously decide whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information. The third indication information is used to instruct the deactivated or deenabled terminal device to autonomously decide whether to report channel information or report second channel information based on the first and fifth resources.

[0180] For example, the third indication information is a 1-bit information. When this 1-bit information is the second value, it indicates whether to activate or deactivate the terminal device on all resources in the multiple resource sets, and whether to autonomously decide whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information. The second value can be 1 or 0, and it differs from the first value described above: when the first value is 1, the second value is 0; when the first value is 0, the second value is 1.

[0181] (b) Group the configuration information of multiple reporting channel information, and the configuration information of the multiple reporting channel information may carry the identifier of the group. The third indication information indicates the first identifier. The third indication information is used to enable or deactivate the terminal device on the resource set corresponding to the configuration information of the reporting channel information in the group corresponding to the first identifier, and to decide whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information.

[0182] Taking the configuration of first and second configuration information by the network device for the terminal device as an example, the second configuration information is the same as described above. The first configuration information belongs to group 1, and the second configuration information belongs to group 2. The third indication information indicates the identifier corresponding to group 1. Since the first configuration information belongs to group 1 and the first resource belongs to the first resource set, it can be understood that the third indication information indicates whether to enable or deactivate the terminal device to autonomously decide whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information on the first resource.

[0183] For example, the third indication information can be a bitmap, meaning it can consist of multiple bits. Each bit in these multiple bits corresponds to a group identifier. The group identifier corresponding to the bit with a second value in these multiple bits is the first identifier. This second value can be 1 or 0. The second value differs from the first value described above: when the first value is 1, the second value is 0; when the first value is 0, the second value is 1.

[0184] Furthermore, taking the third indication information as a two-bit information as an example, the first bit corresponds to the identifier of group 1, and the second bit corresponds to the identifier of group 2. In these two bits, the group identifier corresponding to the bit with a value of 0 is the first identifier indicated by the third indication information. When these two bits are 10, it indicates that the third indication information indicates the identifier of group 2. That is, it can be understood that the third indication information instructs the terminal device to activate or deactivate the resource set corresponding to the configuration information for reporting channel information in group 2, and to autonomously decide whether to report channel information or the content of the channel information to be reported.

[0185] For example, the third indication information directly indicates the group identifier. For instance, the third indication information is 2 bits and is 11, where 11 represents 3. That is, the second indication information indicates that the terminal device can autonomously decide whether to report channel information or the content of the channel information to be reported on the resource set corresponding to the configuration information for reporting channel information in the group with identifier 3.

[0186] In one possible implementation, the time interval between two consecutive reports of channel information by the terminal device does not exceed a first time length. This implementation helps avoid prolonged uncertainty about the channel state for network devices, thus ensuring basic communication performance between network devices and terminal devices.

[0187] Optionally, the first time length may be pre-configured (e.g., carried in the first configuration information or the second indication information), predefined, or determined by negotiation between the terminal device and the network device.

[0188] For example, the channel information here can be interpreted in the following three ways:

[0189] (1) The channel information here can be understood as the first channel information. Furthermore, the time interval between two adjacent reports of channel information does not exceed the first time length, which means that the time interval between two adjacent reports of the first channel information does not exceed the first time length. Alternatively, it can be described as the duration during which the terminal device does not report the first channel information not exceeding the first time length.

[0190] Understandably, during the time interval between two consecutive reports of the first channel information, it is not necessary to report any type of channel information, or it is also possible to report other types of channel information besides the first channel information. Sending other types of channel information does not interrupt the time interval between two consecutive reports of the first channel information as described here.

[0191] As shown in Figure 9A, the terminal device reports the first channel information on resource 1, does not report channel information on resource 2, does not report channel information on resource 3, and reports the first channel information on resource 4. The time interval between two adjacent reports of the first channel information refers to the time interval between the terminal device reporting the first channel information on resource 1 and the terminal device reporting the first channel information on resource 4, that is, the interval duration T between resource 1 and resource 4. This interval duration T cannot exceed the first time length.

[0192] (2) The channel information here can also be understood as the first channel information and the second channel information. Furthermore, the first channel information and the second channel information can be collectively referred to as the third channel information. The time interval between two adjacent reports of channel information does not exceed the first time length, which means that the time interval between two adjacent reports of the third channel information does not exceed the first time length. Or it can be described as that the duration for which the terminal device does not report the third channel information does not exceed the first time length.

[0193] It is understandable that during the time interval between two consecutive reports of third channel information, it is not necessary to report any type of channel information, or it is also possible to report other types of channel information besides the first and second channel information. Reporting other types of channel information besides the first and second channel information does not interrupt the time interval between two consecutive reports of first channel information as described here.

[0194] As shown in Figure 9B, the terminal device reports the first channel information on resource 1, does not report channel information on resource 2, reports the second channel information on resource 3, and reports the first channel information on resource 4. The time interval between two adjacent reports of the third channel information includes: the time interval between the terminal device reporting the first channel information on resource 1 and the terminal device reporting the second channel information on resource 2 (i.e., the interval T1 between resource 1 and resource 2), the time interval between the terminal device reporting the second channel information on resource 2 and the terminal device reporting the second channel information on resource 3 (i.e., the interval T2 between resource 2 and resource 3), and the time interval between the terminal device reporting the second channel information on resource 3 and the terminal device reporting the first channel information on resource 4 (i.e., the interval T3 between resource 3 and resource 4). T1, T2, and T3 cannot exceed the first time length.

[0195] (3) The channel information here can also be understood as channel information of any type. Furthermore, the time interval between two adjacent reports of channel information does not exceed the first time length, which means that the time interval between two adjacent reports of any type of channel information does not exceed the first time length. Or it can also be described as that the duration for which the terminal device does not report any type of channel information does not exceed the first time length.

[0196] Understandably, no channel information of any type can be reported within the time interval between two adjacent channel information reports, as sending any type of channel information will interrupt the time interval between two adjacent channel information reports described here.

[0197] As shown in Figure 9C, the terminal device reports the first channel information on resource 1, does not report channel information on resource 2, reports the second channel information on resource 3, and reports the first channel information on resource 4. The time interval between two adjacent reports of channel information includes: the time interval between the terminal device reporting the first channel information on resource 1 and the terminal device reporting the second channel information on resource 3 (i.e., the interval T1 between resource 1 and resource 3), and the time interval between the terminal device reporting the second channel information on resource 3 and the terminal device reporting the first channel information on resource 4 (i.e., the interval T2 between resource 3 and resource 4). T1 and T2 cannot exceed the first time length.

[0198] For example, when a network device allocates configuration information for multiple reporting channel information to a terminal device, the network device can set the longest time interval between two adjacent reporting channel information for each of the multiple reporting channel information configuration information.

[0199] Taking the example of a network device configuring a first configuration information and a second configuration information for a terminal device, the first configuration information indicates a first resource set, and the second configuration information indicates a second resource set. The network device can configure the longest time interval between two adjacent reports of channel information by the terminal device in the first resource set not to exceed a first time length, and the longest time interval between two adjacent reports of channel information by the terminal device in the second resource set not to exceed a second time length. The second time length and the first time length can be equal or unequal.

[0200] For example, as shown in Figure 10, the first resource set includes resource 1, resource 2, resource 3, and resource 4, and the second resource set includes resource 5, resource 6, resource 7, and resource 8. The network device is configured such that the longest time interval between two consecutive reports of the first channel information by the terminal device in the first resource set does not exceed a first time length, and the longest time interval between two consecutive reports of the first channel information by the terminal device in the second resource set does not exceed a second time length.

[0201] In the first resource set, the terminal device reports the first channel information on resource 1, does not report channel information on resource 2, does not report channel information on resource 3, and reports the first channel information on resource 4. The time interval between two adjacent reports of the first channel information refers to the time interval between the terminal device reporting the first channel information on resource 1 and the terminal device reporting the first channel information on resource 4, that is, the interval duration T1 between resource 1 and resource 4. This interval duration T1 cannot exceed the first time length.

[0202] In the second resource set, the terminal device reports the first channel information on resource 5, does not report channel information on resource 6, reports the first channel information on resource 7, and does not report channel information on resource 8. The time interval between two adjacent reports of the first channel information refers to the time interval between the terminal device reporting the first channel information on resource 5 and the terminal device reporting the first channel information on resource 7, that is, the interval duration T2 between resource 5 and resource 7. This interval duration T2 cannot exceed the second time length.

[0203] In one possible implementation, the first resource set further includes a fourth resource, on which the terminal device needs to report first channel information. It is understood that the first resource set configured by the network device includes both a fourth resource and a first resource. The fourth resource is the resource on which the terminal device needs to report the first channel information; that is, the terminal device can only report the first channel information on the fourth resource. The first resource, on the other hand, is a resource on which the terminal device can autonomously decide whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information; that is, the terminal device may report the first channel information, the second channel information, or may not report any channel information on the first resource.

[0204] For example, as shown in Figure 11, the first resource set includes resource 1, resource 2, resource 3 and resource 4, where resource 1 and resource 3 belong to the first resource, and resource 2 and resource 4 belong to the fourth resource. The terminal device can decide to not report channel information or report the second channel information on resource 1 and resource 3, while on resource 2 and resource 4, the terminal device can only report the first channel information.

[0205] Optionally, the network device sends a fourth indication information, and the corresponding terminal device receives the fourth indication information, which is used to indicate the location of the first resource and / or the fourth resource, wherein the location described herein may include a time domain location and / or a frequency domain location.

[0206] For example, the fourth indication information can be in the form of a bitmap. The first resource set includes M resources, and the fourth indication information consists of M bits, where M is an integer greater than 1. The i-th bit in the M bits corresponds to the i-th resource among the M resources. The resource corresponding to the bit with a first value belongs to the first resource, and the resource corresponding to the bit with a second value belongs to the second resource. Specifically, when the first value is 1, the second value is 0; when the first value is 0, the second value is 1. For instance, if the fourth indication information consists of 4 bits, with the bit with a value of 0 corresponding to the first resource and the bit with a value of 1 corresponding to the second resource, and the 4 bits are 0011, then it indicates that in the first resource set, the first and second resources belong to the first resource, and the third and fourth resources belong to the second resource.

[0207] For example, the fourth indication information can indicate the location of the fourth resource. The terminal device can first determine the location of the fourth resource, and then determine that all other resources in the first resource set besides the fourth resource are the first resources. Similarly, the fourth indication information can also indicate the location of the first resource, so that all other resources in the first resource set besides the first resource can be determined as the fourth resource based on the location of the first resource.

[0208] Further optionally, the fourth indication information indicates the temporal location of the fourth resource in the following manner:

[0209] For example, the fourth indication information indicates the second offset and the period of the fourth resource, where the second offset is the offset between the time the fourth indication information was sent and the first resource in the fourth resource. It is understood that the terminal device can determine the time-domain location of the fourth resource based on this second offset and the period of the fourth resource.

[0210] For example, the fourth indication information can also indicate the third offset (offset1) and the period (period1) of the fourth resource. The third offset is the interval between the start time of each period and the time when the fourth resource is located within that period. The time t when the fourth resource is located is further expressed as: tmodperiod1 = offset1.

[0211] Similarly, when the fourth instruction information indicates the first resource, the same method described above can be used, which will not be repeated here.

[0212] Based on this implementation, network devices can stipulate that terminal devices must report first channel information on the fourth resource, which helps ensure the communication performance between terminal devices and network devices. Further, optionally, the fourth resource can be a periodic resource, thus eliminating the need for network devices to perform uniform channel interpolation calculations, reducing computational complexity and simplifying implementation.

[0213] The apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below.

[0214] This application divides the device into functional modules according to the above method embodiments. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated modules can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules. It should be noted that the module division in this application is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division; other division methods may be used in actual implementation. The device of the embodiment of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 12 to 14.

[0215] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 12, the device includes a processing module 1201 and a transceiver module 1202. The transceiver module 1202 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 1201 is used to implement corresponding processing functions. For example, the transceiver module 1202 can also be referred to as an interface, a communication interface, or a communication module, etc.

[0216] In this embodiment, the device can be used to perform the actions performed by the terminal device in the method embodiment described above. In this case, the terminal device can be the terminal device itself or a chip or functional module configurable within the terminal device. The transceiver module 1202 is used to perform transceiver-related operations of the terminal device in the method embodiment described above, and the processing module 1201 is used to perform processing-related operations of the terminal device in the method embodiment described above.

[0217] For example, the transceiver module 1202 can be used to receive first configuration information, which is used to indicate a first resource set for reporting channel information, and the first resource set includes a first resource; the processing module 1201 can be used to autonomously decide whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information on the first resource.

[0218] Optionally, in the above embodiments, the device may further include a storage module, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing unit 1201 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the device can implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0219] The specific descriptions of the transceiver module and processing module shown in the above embodiments are merely examples. For the specific functions or execution steps of the transceiver module and processing module, please refer to the above method embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0220] Reusing Figure 12, in this embodiment of the application, the device can be used to perform the actions performed by the network device in the above method embodiment. In this case, the network device can be the network device itself or a chip or functional module configurable within the network device. The transceiver module 1202 is used to perform transceiver-related operations of the network device in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 1201 is used to perform processing-related operations of the network device in the above method embodiment.

[0221] For example, the transceiver module 1202 can be used to send first configuration information, which is used to indicate a first resource set for reporting channel information. The first resource set includes a first resource, which is a resource that the terminal device can decide independently whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information. The processing module 1201 can be used to detect, receive, or not receive channel information on the first resource.

[0222] Optionally, in the above embodiments, the device may further include a storage module, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing unit 1201 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the device can implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0223] The specific descriptions of the transceiver module and processing module shown in the above embodiments are merely examples. For the specific functions or execution steps of the transceiver module and processing module, please refer to the above method embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0224] The apparatus of the embodiments of this application has been described above. The possible product forms of the apparatus are described below. Any product possessing the functions of the apparatus described in FIG. 12 above falls within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application. The following description is merely illustrative and does not limit the product form of the apparatus of the embodiments of this application to this.

[0225] In one possible implementation, in the device shown in FIG12, the processing module 1201 can be one or more processing circuits, and the transceiver module 1202 can be a transceiver circuit, or the transceiver module 1202 can also be a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module can be a transmitting circuit, and the receiving module can be a receiving circuit, which are integrated into a single device, such as a transceiver circuit. In the embodiments of this application, the processing circuit and the transceiver circuit can be coupled, etc., and the connection method of the processing circuit and the transceiver circuit is not limited in the embodiments of this application. In the process of performing the above method, the process of sending information in the above method can be the process of the processing circuit outputting the above information. When outputting the above information, the processing circuit outputs the above information to the transceiver circuit so that the transceiver circuit can transmit (or output). After the above information is output by the processing circuit, it may need to undergo other processing before reaching the transceiver circuit. Similarly, the process of receiving information in the above method can be the process of the processing circuit receiving the input above information. When the processing circuit receives the input information, the transceiver circuit receives the above information and inputs it into the processing circuit. Furthermore, after the transceiver circuit receives the aforementioned information, the information may need to undergo further processing before being input into the processing circuit.

[0226] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 13, the device 130 includes one or more processing circuits 1320 and transceiver circuits 1310.

[0227] In some embodiments of this application, the apparatus can be used to perform the steps, methods, or functions performed by the terminal device described above. For example, the processing circuit 1320 can be used to perform the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 1201 shown in FIG. 12, and the transceiver circuit 1310 can be used to perform the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 1202 shown in FIG. 12. Detailed descriptions of the processing circuit 1320 and the transceiver circuit 1310 can be found in FIG. 12 or the method embodiments shown above, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0228] In other embodiments of this application, the apparatus is used to perform the steps, methods, or functions performed by the network device described above. For example, the processing circuit 1320 can be used to perform the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 1201 shown in FIG. 12, and the transceiver circuit 1310 can be used to perform the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 1202 shown in FIG. 12. Detailed descriptions of the processing circuit 1320 and the transceiver circuit 1310 can be found in FIG. 12 or the method embodiments shown above, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0229] For example, the processing circuitry may be one or more processors, or all or part of the circuitry within one or more processors. The transceiver circuitry may be a transceiver, an input / output circuit, or an interface circuit, etc.

[0230] For example, in various implementations of the apparatus shown in FIG13, the transceiver circuitry may include a receiver for performing a receiving function (or operation) and a transmitter for performing a transmitting function (or operation). The transceiver circuitry is also used to communicate with other devices / appliances via a transmission medium.

[0231] Optionally, the device 130 may further include one or more memories 1330 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memories 1330 are coupled to the processing circuitry 1320. The coupling in this embodiment is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, and can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processing circuitry 1320 may operate in conjunction with the memories 1330. The processing circuitry 1320 may execute the program instructions stored in the memories 1330. Optionally, at least one of the aforementioned memories may be included in the processing circuitry.

[0232] This application embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the transceiver circuit 1310, processing circuit 1320, and memory 1330. In this application embodiment, the memory 1330, processing circuit 1320, and transceiver circuit 1310 are connected via a bus 1340 in Figure 13. The bus is represented by a thick line in Figure 13. The connection methods between other components are only for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be limiting. The bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in Figure 13, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0233] In the embodiments of this application, the processing circuit may be a general-purpose processing circuit, a digital signal processing circuit, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc., and can implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processing circuit may be a microprocessor circuit or any conventional processing circuit, etc. The steps of the methods in conjunction with the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as the execution of the hardware processing circuit, or the execution of the steps by combining hardware and software modules in the processing circuit, etc.

[0234] In this application embodiment, the memory may include, but is not limited to, non-volatile memory such as hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), read-only memory (ROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc. Memory is any storage medium capable of carrying or storing program code having instruction or data structure forms, and capable of being read and / or written by a computer (such as the device shown in this application), but is not limited to this. The memory in this application embodiment may also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing storage functions, used to store program instructions and / or data.

[0235] For example, the processing circuit 1320 is mainly used to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire device, execute software programs, and process the data of the software programs. The memory 1330 is mainly used to store software programs and data. The transceiver circuit 1310 may include a control circuit and an antenna. The control circuit is mainly used for converting baseband signals to radio frequency signals and processing radio frequency signals. The antenna is mainly used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touch screens, displays, and keyboards, are mainly used to receive user input data and output data to the user.

[0236] When the device is powered on, the processing circuit 1320 can read the software program in the memory 1330, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processing circuit 1320 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit then performs RF processing on the baseband signal and transmits the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processing circuit 1320. The processing circuit 1320 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0237] In another implementation, the radio frequency circuit and antenna can be set up independently of the processing circuit that performs baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuit and antenna can be arranged remotely, independent of the device.

[0238] The device shown in this application embodiment may have more components than those in Figure 13, and this application embodiment does not limit this. The methods performed by the processing circuit and transceiver circuit shown above are only examples, and the specific steps performed by the processing circuit and transceiver circuit can be referred to the methods described above.

[0239] In another possible implementation, in the device shown in Figure 12, the processing module 1201 can be one or more logic circuits, and the transceiver module 1202 can be an input / output interface, or a communication interface, or an interface circuit, or an interface, etc. Alternatively, the transceiver module 1202 can also be a transmitting module and a receiving module, where the transmitting module can be an output interface and the receiving module can be an input interface, and the transmitting module and the receiving module are integrated into one module, such as an input / output interface.

[0240] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of a device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 14, the device includes a logic circuit 1401 and an interface circuit 1402. That is, the processing module 1201 can be implemented using the logic circuit 1401, and the transceiver module 1202 can be implemented using the interface circuit 1402. The logic circuit 1401 can be a chip, a processing circuit, an integrated circuit, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip, etc., and the interface circuit 1402 can be a communication interface, an input / output interface, pins, etc. For example, Figure 14 illustrates the device as a chip, which includes the logic circuit 1401 and the interface circuit 1402.

[0241] In this embodiment, the logic circuit and the interface can also be coupled to each other. The specific connection method of the logic circuit and the interface is not limited in this embodiment. For example, the logic circuit 1401 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 1201 shown in FIG. 12, and the interface circuit 1402 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 1202 shown in FIG. 12. For a detailed description of the logic circuit 1401 and the interface circuit 1402, please refer to FIG. 12 or the method embodiment shown above, which will not be detailed here.

[0242] The apparatus shown in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or software, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0243] This application also provides a communication system, which includes a terminal device and a network device, and the terminal device and the network device can be used to perform the methods in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0244] In addition, this application also provides a computer program for implementing the operations and / or processes performed by various devices in the method provided in this application.

[0245] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer code that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the operations and / or processes performed by the various devices in the methods provided in this application.

[0246] This application also provides a computer program product comprising computer code or a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the operations and / or processes performed by various entities in the method provided in this application to be executed.

[0247] In the embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of modules is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple modules or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the couplings or direct couplings or communication connections shown or discussed may be indirect couplings or communication connections through some interfaces, devices, or modules, or they may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms of connection.

[0248] The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the technical effects of the solutions provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0249] Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing module, or each module can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0250] If the integrated module is implemented as a software functional module and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a readable storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned readable storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0251] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal device, the method includes: Receive first configuration information, the first configuration information being used to indicate a first resource set for reporting channel information, the first resource set including a first resource; The system can autonomously decide whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information on the first resource.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reported channel information includes either first channel information or second channel information, wherein the number of bits in the second channel information is less than the number of bits in the first channel information, or the computational complexity of the second channel information is less than that of the first channel information, and the first channel information is the channel information that needs to be reported as indicated by the first configuration information.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second channel information includes some of the information in the first channel information.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a first indication message, which indicates that the terminal device does not report channel information on the second resource, or the first indication message indicates that the channel information reported by the terminal device on the second resource is the second channel information, and the second resource belongs to the first resource.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first indication information indicates the time when the second resource is located, or the time period when the second resource is located.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: The terminal device receives second configuration information, which is used to indicate a second resource set for reporting channel information, the second resource set including a third resource; the first indication information further indicates that the terminal device does not report channel information on the third resource, or the first indication information indicates that the channel information reported by the terminal device on the third resource is the second channel information.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a second indication message, which indicates that the terminal device on the first resource can autonomously decide whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The time interval between two consecutive reports of channel information by the terminal device shall not exceed the first time length.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The time interval between two consecutive reports of the first channel information by the terminal device does not exceed the first time length.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The first resource set also includes a fourth resource, and the terminal device needs to report the first channel information to the fourth resource.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to network devices, the method includes: Send first configuration information, the first configuration information is used to indicate a first resource set for reporting channel information, the first resource set includes a first resource, the first resource is a resource that the terminal device can decide independently whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information; On the first resource, detect, receive, or not receive channel information.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The reported channel information includes either first channel information or second channel information, wherein the number of bits in the second channel information is less than the number of bits in the first channel information, or the computational complexity of the second channel information is less than that of the first channel information, and the first channel information is the channel information that needs to be reported as indicated by the first configuration information.

13. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second channel information includes some of the information in the first channel information.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: The terminal device receives a first indication message, which indicates that it does not report channel information on the second resource, or the first indication message indicates that the channel information reported by the terminal device on the second resource is the second channel information, and the second resource belongs to the first resource. The step of detecting, receiving, or not receiving channel information on the first resource includes: Channel information is not received on the second resource.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The first indication information indicates the time when the second resource is located, or the time period when the second resource is located.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send second configuration information, the second configuration information being used to indicate a second resource set for reporting channel information, the second resource set including a third resource; the first indication information further instructs the terminal device not to report channel information on the third resource, or the first indication information instructs the terminal device to report second channel information on the third resource.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second instruction message, which is used to indicate that the terminal device on the first resource can autonomously decide whether to report channel information or the content of the reported channel information.

18. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that, The time interval between two consecutive reports of channel information by the terminal device shall not exceed the first time length.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The time interval between two consecutive reports of the first channel information by the terminal device does not exceed the first time length.

20. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 19, characterized in that, The first resource set also includes a fourth resource, and the method further includes: The first channel information is received on the fourth resource.

21. An apparatus, characterized in that, The apparatus includes a module or unit for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, or the apparatus includes a module or unit for performing the method according to any one of claims 11 to 20.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a device, 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.

23. A communication system, characterized in that, The communication system includes a first device and a second device, the first device being used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, and the second device being used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 20.

24. A computer program product, characterized in that, It includes a computer program or instructions, which, when executed, 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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