Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application discloses a communication method and apparatus. The method comprises: a terminal device determines a first mask, and sends a reference signal at a first reference signal port on the basis of the first mask, wherein the length of the first mask is d, the first mask belongs to a first mask set, the first mask set comprises at least d+1 masks, and d is a positive integer greater than 2. Because the quantity of masks in the first mask set is greater than the mask length, it can be considered that the first mask set comprises more masks, thereby enabling reference signal port expansion. Compared with achieving reference signal port expansion by increasing the frequency domain length of OCC, the present application can reduce channel estimation performance loss while ensuring DMRS port expansion.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410924238.7, filed on July 10, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0004] The demodulation reference signal (DMRS) is used to estimate channel information for the data or control channel and to apply it to data detection and demodulation. One DMRS port corresponds to one spatial layer, and each spatial layer corresponds to one transport stream. For multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmission with R transport streams, the required number of DMRS ports is R.

[0005] Future wireless communications may require more DMRS ports to support more MIMO transport streams. One method to expand the number of DMRS ports is to multiplex multiple DMRS ports based on orthogonal cover codes (OCCs). Different DMRS ports are scrambled using different OCCs to minimize mutual interference between DMRS ports.

[0006] To support a larger number of DMRS ports, the length of the OCC is increased accordingly, for example, increasing the frequency domain length of the OCC from 2 to 4. Consequently, the window length for resolving the OCC also increases, and frequency selectivity also increases. This disrupts the orthogonality between OCCs, resulting in a loss of channel estimation performance. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for reducing channel estimation performance loss when expanding DMRS port capacity.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of this application adopt the following technical solutions:

[0009] Firstly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to the terminal side, for example, to a terminal device; or, to a larger device including the terminal device; or, to a module or unit that performs some functions of the terminal device, such as circuits or chip / chip system (e.g., a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip) or other functional modules in the terminal device. For ease of description, the following example uses the method applied to a terminal device.

[0010] The communication method includes: a terminal device determining a first mask and transmitting a reference signal at a first reference signal port based on the first mask. The first mask has a length of d, belongs to a first mask set, and the first mask set contains at least d+1 masks, where d is a positive integer greater than 2.

[0011] The masks in the first mask set can be used to expand the reference signal port. In this scheme, the number of masks in the first mask set is greater than the mask length, which can be considered as the first mask set including a larger number of masks, thus enabling the expansion of the reference signal port. Compared with expanding the reference signal port by increasing the frequency domain length of the OCC, this scheme can reduce the channel estimation performance loss while ensuring the expansion of the DMRS port.

[0012] In one implementation, the first mask set comprises multiple subsets, where the masks within a subset are mutually orthogonal, and the masks contained in different subsets satisfy a first condition. Here, mask m... i and mask m j The first condition refers to the mask m i and mask m j Satisfy: |m i m j | 2 =d, i≠j.

[0013] This design allows the first mask set to include both orthogonal and non-orthogonal masks, thus supporting a larger number of reference signal ports. Furthermore, a subset can be associated with a group of reference signal ports, preventing interference between reference signal ports within a single group.

[0014] In one implementation, the first mask set contains d+1 masks. The first mask set includes a first subset and a second subset. The first subset contains d masks, and the second subset contains 1 mask. The masks in the first subset are orthogonal to each other, and the first subset contains m masks. iThe mask m contained in the second subset j Satisfy: |m i m j | 2 =d, i≠j.

[0015] In one implementation, the first mask set contains a number of masks greater than (n-1)·d+1, and the number of masks contained in the first mask set is less than or equal to n·d. The first mask set includes n subsets, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and "·" represents the dot product operation. The masks contained in each of the n subsets are mutually orthogonal, and the masks contained in different subsets satisfy the first relation.

[0016] For example, if d = 3, the first mask set includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w 3 ,w 3 ), (w 3 ,w,w 2 ), (w 3 ,w 2 ,w), (w 3 ,w,w), (w 3 ,w 2 ,w 3 ), (w 3 ,w 3 ,w 2 ), (w 3 ,w 2 ,w 2 ), (w 3 ,w,w 3 ) and (w 3 ,w 3 ,w), where w=e j2π / 3 Where, w = e j2π / 3 .

[0017] In one implementation, the first mask set includes a first subset, a second subset, and a third subset. The first subset includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w 3 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w,w 2 ),(w 3 ,w 2 The second subset includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w,w),(w 3 ,w 2 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w 3 ,w 2The third subset includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w 2 ,w 2 ), (w 3 ,w,w 3 ) and (w 3 ,w 3 ,w).

[0018] In one implementation, d = 4, and the first mask set includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,-1), (1,1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,1), (1,-1,-1,-1), (1,1,j,j), (1,1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,-j), (1,-1,-j,j), (1,j,1,j), (1,j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,-j), (1,-j,-1,j), (1,j,j,1), (1,j,-j,-1), (1,j,-j,1), (1,j,-j,1).

[0019] In this case, the first mask set includes a first subset, a second subset, a third subset, and a fourth subset. The first subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,-1), (1,1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,1), (1,-1,-1,-1). The second subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,j,j), (1,1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,-j), (1,-1,-j,j). The third subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,j,1,j), (1,j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,-j), (1,-j,-1,j). The fourth subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,j,j,1), (1,j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,-1), (1,-j,-j,1).

[0020] In one implementation, d = 4, and the first mask set includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,1), (1,1,-1,-1), (1,-1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,-1), (1,-1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,j), (1,1,j,-j), (1,1,-j,j), (1,-j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,1), (1,j,j,-1), (1,j,-j,1), (1,-j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,j), (1,j,-1,j), (1,j,1,-j).

[0021] In this case, the first mask set includes a first subset, a second subset, a third subset, and a fourth subset. Specifically, the first subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,1), (1,1,-1,-1), (1,-1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,-1). The second subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,-1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,j), (1,1,j,-j), (1,1,-j,j). The third subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,1), (1,j,j,-1), (1,j,-j,1). The fourth subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,j), (1,j,-1,j), (1,j,1,-j).

[0022] In one implementation, the method further includes: a terminal device receiving first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a first reference signal port group, the first reference signal port group including a first reference signal port and a second reference signal port. The first reference signal port corresponds to a first mask, the second reference signal port corresponds to a second mask, and the first mask and the second mask belong to the same subset.

[0023] In this scheme, the masks corresponding to reference signal ports within the same reference signal port group belong to the same subset, which avoids mutual interference between different reference signal ports within the same reference signal port group. This scheme allows masks within the same subset to be assigned to the reference signal port group of the same user, enabling different data streams of the same user to use the same frequency domain resources, thus improving resource utilization.

[0024] In one implementation, the reference signal is DMRS.

[0025] Secondly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to the network side. For example, the method can be applied to network devices, components within network devices (e.g., circuits, chips, or chip systems); or, the method can be applied to modules or units that perform some functions of access network devices, such as a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU); or, the method can be applied to larger devices including access network devices. For ease of description, the following example uses the method applied to a network device.

[0026] The communication method includes: a network device sending first indication information and receiving a reference signal at a first reference signal port according to a first mask. The first indication information indicates a first reference signal port group, which includes first reference signal ports. The first mask has a length of d, belongs to a first mask set, and the first mask set contains at least d+1 masks, where d is a positive integer greater than 2.

[0027] In one implementation, the first mask set comprises multiple subsets, where the masks within a subset are mutually orthogonal, and the masks contained in different subsets satisfy a first condition. Here, mask m... i and mask m j The first condition refers to the mask m i and mask m j Satisfy: |m i m j | 2 =d, i≠j.

[0028] In one implementation, the first mask set contains d+1 masks. The first mask set includes a first subset and a second subset. The first subset contains d masks, and the second subset contains 1 mask. The masks in the first subset are orthogonal to each other, and the first subset contains m masks. i The mask m contained in the second subset j Satisfy: |m i m j | 2 =d, i≠j.

[0029] In one implementation, the first mask set contains a number of masks greater than (n-1)·d+1, and the number of masks contained in the first mask set is less than or equal to n·d. The first mask set includes n subsets, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and "·" represents the dot product operation. The masks contained in each of the n subsets are mutually orthogonal, and the masks contained in different subsets satisfy the first relation.

[0030] In one implementation, d = 3, and the first mask set includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w 3 ,w 3 ), (w 3 ,w,w 2 ), (w 3 ,w 2 ,w), (w 3 ,w,w), (w 3 ,w 2 ,w 3 ), (w 3 ,w 3 ,w 2), (w 3 ,w 2 ,w 2 ), (w 3 ,w,w 3 ) and (w 3 ,w 3 ,w), where w=e j2π / 3 Where, w = e j2π / 3 .

[0031] In one implementation, the first mask set includes a first subset, a second subset, and a third subset. The first subset includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w 3 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w,w 2 ),(w 3 ,w 2 The second subset includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w,w),(w 3 ,w 2 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w 3 ,w 2 The third subset includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w 2 ,w 2 ), (w 3 ,w,w 3 ) and (w 3 ,w 3 ,w).

[0032] In one implementation, d = 4, and the first mask set includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,-1), (1,1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,1), (1,-1,-1,-1), (1,1,j,j), (1,1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,-j), (1,-1,-j,j), (1,j,1,j), (1,j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,-j), (1,-j,-1,j), (1,j,j,1), (1,j,-j,-1), (1,j,-j,1), (1,j,-j,1).

[0033] Optionally, the first mask set includes a first subset, a second subset, a third subset, and a fourth subset. The first subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,-1), (1,1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,1), (1,-1,-1,-1). The second subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,j,j), (1,1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,-j), (1,-1,-j,j). The third subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,j,1,j), (1,j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,-j), (1,-j,-1,j). The fourth subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,j,j,1), (1,j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,-1), (1,-j,-j,1).

[0034] In one implementation, d = 4, and the first mask set includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,1), (1,1,-1,-1), (1,-1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,-1), (1,-1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,j), (1,1,j,-j), (1,1,-j,j), (1,-j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,1), (1,j,j,-1), (1,j,-j,1), (1,-j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,j), (1,j,-1,j), (1,j,1,-j).

[0035] Optionally, the first mask set includes a first subset, a second subset, a third subset, and a fourth subset. The first subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,1), (1,1,-1,-1), (1,-1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,-1). The second subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,-1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,j), (1,1,j,-j), (1,1,-j,j). The third subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,1), (1,j,j,-1), (1,j,-j,1). The fourth subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,j), (1,j,-1,j), (1,j,1,-j).

[0036] In one implementation, the first reference signal port group further includes a second reference signal port, the first reference signal port corresponds to a first mask, the second reference signal port corresponds to a second mask, and the first mask and the second mask belong to the same subset.

[0037] In one implementation, the reference signal is DMRS.

[0038] For the beneficial effects of the second aspect, please refer to the beneficial effects of the first aspect and its various implementation methods; they will not be elaborated here.

[0039] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be executed by a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device has the function of implementing the behavior in the method example of the first aspect described above. For example, the first communication device includes corresponding means, modules, or units for executing the method of the first aspect, which can be implemented by software and / or hardware. The first communication device can be the aforementioned terminal device, and the second communication device can be the aforementioned network device. The following example uses the first communication device as a terminal device and the second communication device as a network device.

[0040] The communication method includes: a network device sending first indication information to a terminal device, the first indication information indicating a reference signal port group, the reference signal port group including a first reference signal port; the terminal device determining a first mask, and sending a reference signal to the network device at the first reference signal port according to the first mask. Wherein, the length of the first mask is d, the first mask belongs to a first mask set, and the first mask set contains at least d+1 masks, where d is a positive integer greater than 2.

[0041] For the beneficial effects of the third aspect, please refer to the beneficial effects of the first aspect and its various implementation methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0042] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that has the functionality to implement the behaviors described in any of the method examples of the first or second aspect. The beneficial effects can be found in the relevant descriptions of the first or second aspect and will not be repeated here. For example, the communication device may be a terminal device as described in the first aspect, or it may be a device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the functions required by the method provided in the first aspect; for example, the communication device may be a chip or chip system in the terminal device. As another example, the communication device may be a network device as described in the second aspect, or it may be a device capable of supporting the network device in implementing the functions required by the method provided in the second aspect; for example, the communication device may be a chip or chip system in the network device.

[0043] In one possible design, the communication device includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device.

[0044] In one possible design, the communication device includes corresponding means, modules, or units for performing the methods of the first or second aspect. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of both. For example, the communication device includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module or processor) and / or a transceiver unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module or transceiver). The transceiver unit is capable of both sending and receiving functions. When the transceiver unit performs the sending function, it can be called a sending unit (sometimes also called a sending module), and when it performs the receiving function, it can be called a receiving unit (sometimes also called a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit can be the same functional unit, referred to as the transceiver unit, which performs both sending and receiving functions; or, the sending unit and the receiving unit can be different functional units, with "transceiver unit" being a general term for these functional units. These units (modules) can perform the corresponding functions in the method examples of the first or second aspect described above, as detailed in the method examples, and will not be repeated here.

[0045] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which can be the communication device described in the fourth aspect of the above embodiments, or a chip or chip system disposed in the communication device described in the fourth aspect. The communication device includes a communication interface and a processor, and optionally, a memory. The memory is used to store computer programs, instructions, or data, and the processor is coupled to the memory and the communication interface. When the processor reads the computer program, instructions, or data, it causes the communication device to execute the method executed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments. For example, the communication device can be a terminal device, a device including a terminal device, or a functional module in a terminal device, such as a baseband chip and a radio frequency chip. Alternatively, when the processor reads the computer program, instructions, or data, it causes the communication device to execute the method executed by the network device in the above method embodiments. For example, the communication device can be a network device, a device including a network device, or a functional module in a network device, such as a baseband chip and a radio frequency chip.

[0046] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a chip system including a processor and a communication interface for implementing the methods described in the first or second aspect. Optionally, the chip system further includes a memory. The memory stores computer programs (also referred to as code or instructions). The processor retrieves and executes the computer program from the memory, causing a device equipped with the chip system to perform the methods of the first or second aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0047] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device including an input / output interface and logic circuitry. The input / output interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information. The input / output interface may be an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, pins, or related circuitry, etc. The logic circuitry is used to execute the methods described in the first or second aspect.

[0048] In practical implementation, the aforementioned communication device can be a chip, the input circuit can be an input pin, the output circuit can be an output pin, and the logic circuit can be a transistor, gate circuit, flip-flop, and various other logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example, but not limited to, a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit can be, for example, but not limited to, output to and transmitted by a transmitter. Furthermore, the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit, which is used as both the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. This application does not limit the specific implementation of the input / output interface and the logic circuit.

[0049] In one implementation, when the communication device is a wireless communication device, it can be a terminal device such as a mobile phone, or a network device such as a base station. The interface circuit can be a radio frequency processing chip in the wireless communication device, and the processing circuit can be a baseband processing chip in the wireless communication device.

[0050] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, the communication system including a terminal device and a network device, wherein the terminal device is used to implement the function of the method described in the first aspect, and the network device is used to implement the function of the method described in the second aspect.

[0051] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the methods described in the first or second aspect and any of their implementations to be implemented.

[0052] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the methods described in the first or second aspect and any of their implementations to be implemented.

[0053] The beneficial effects of the above-mentioned fourth to tenth aspects and their implementation methods can be referenced with the beneficial effects of the first aspect and any of its implementation methods. Attached Figure Description

[0054] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figures 2A and 2B are schematic diagrams of frequency domain resource mapping of the DMRS port provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0056] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0058] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of another structure of the communication device provided in the embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0059] The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as long term evolution (LTE) communication systems, the sixth generation (5G) mobile communication systems / new radio (NR) communication systems, or they can also be applied to future mobile communication systems, or other similar communication systems. Other similar communication systems may include wireless fidelity (WIFI), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, internet of things (IoT) systems, and so on.

[0060] Please refer to Figure 1, which illustrates a communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. The communication system includes a wireless access network 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system may also include an Internet 300 (Figure 1 uses this as an example).

[0061] The wireless access network 100 may include at least one network device and at least one terminal device. For example, the wireless access network 100 includes two network devices, 110a and 110b, and terminal devices 120a to 120j. The network architecture shown in Figure 1 is only schematic; the number of terminal devices and / or network devices may be fewer or more. The communication system described in the embodiments of this application is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application and does not constitute a limitation on the communication system to which the embodiments of this application are applicable. For example, the communication system may also include other devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems. When applying the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application to other communication systems, the devices, components, modules, etc. in the embodiments can be replaced with corresponding devices, components, modules in other communication systems without limitation.

[0062] In this embodiment, network equipment refers to (radio)access network ((R)AN) equipment / RAN node. In this embodiment, (R)AN and RAN are interchangeable. RAN can be a cellular system related to the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), such as a 5G / NR mobile communication system, or a future-oriented evolution system (e.g., a 6G mobile communication system). RAN can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), a virtualized RAN (vRAN), a non-terrestrial network (NTN), etc. RAN can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems. RAN equipment can also be called a RAN node, RAN entity, or access node, etc.

[0063] In one possible scenario, a RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a next-generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, or a base station in a future mobile communication system. A RAN node can also be a macro base station, a micro base station, an indoor station, a relay node, a donor / host node, or a radio controller. RAN nodes can also be servers, wearable devices, vehicles, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, in V2X technology, a RAN node can be a roadside unit (RSU).

[0064] In another possible scenario, a RAN node can be a module or unit that performs some of the functions of a base station; or multiple RAN nodes can collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes performing some of the functions of a base station. For example, a RAN node can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). The function of a CU can be implemented by a single entity or by different entities. For example, the function of a CU can be further divided, that is, the control plane and the user plane can be separated and implemented by different entities, namely the control plane CU entity (i.e., CU-control plane (CP) entity) and the user plane CU entity (i.e., CU-user plane (UP) entity). The CU-CP entity and the CU-UP entity can be coupled with the DU to jointly complete the function of the RAN node. The CU and DU can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as in the baseband unit (BBU). Any of the units among the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented by software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0065] 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. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples.

[0066] The CU and DU can be configured according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they implement: for example, the CU can be configured to implement the functions of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer and above (such as the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer and / or the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer); the DU can be configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, the Media Access Control (MAC) layer, and / or the Physical (PHY) layer). For specific descriptions of the above protocol layers, please refer to the relevant 3GPP technical specifications or the technical specifications of other applicable communication protocols.

[0067] The above division of the processing functions of CU and DU according to protocol layers is merely an example; other division methods are also possible, and this application does not limit this. For example, in one design, CU or DU can be further divided into processing functions with protocol layers. In one design, some functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layer above the RLC layer are located in the CU, while the remaining functions of the RLC layer and the functions of the protocol layer below the RLC layer are located in the DU.

[0068] In another possible design, the DU and RU collaborate to implement the PHY layer functionality, or, more specifically, a portion of the PHY layer functionality of the DU can be moved to the RU. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of the DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, the DU may be configured to implement baseband functions, and the RU may be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Alternatively, the DU may be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and the RU may be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer may include a portion of the physical layer's functionality closer to the MAC layer, and lower-level functions may include another portion of the physical layer's functionality closer to the mid-RF side. This application does not limit the specific functions of the DU and RU. The interface between the DU and RU can be called a fronthaul interface. In one design, the CU may not have a PDCP layer; for example, the CU may only include an RRC layer. The CU-CP may not have PDCP-C. The CU-UP may not have PDCP-U, or may not have a CU-UP. In one design, the DU may not have an RLC layer; for example, the DU may only have a MAC and a higher PHY layer.

[0069] When the RAN is O-RAN, it can also have artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. For example, O-RAN includes an intelligent controller. The intelligent controller can be a non-real-time RAN intelligent controller (RIC / non-RT RIC / NRT RIC) or a near-real-time RAN intelligent controller (RIC / near-RT RIC / nRT RIC). A non-real-time RIC can be used to implement non-real-time intelligent management of RAN functions, enabling workflows including model training and model updates, and guiding applications / functions in the nRT RIC based on policies. A near-real-time RIC can be used to implement near-real-time intelligent management of the RAN. Through data collection and related operations on the E2 interface, near-real-time control and optimization of O-RAN modules and resources are achieved.

[0070] In this application embodiment, anything capable of data communication with a base station can be considered a terminal device. Terminal devices are also called terminals, terminal equipment, user equipment (UE), mobile stations, or mobile terminals, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios. For example, terminal devices can be: mobile phones, computers, mobile internet devices (MID), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, stations (STA), robotic arms, cameras, robots, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, or smart home devices (such as televisions, air conditioners, robot vacuums, speakers, set-top boxes), relays, customer premises equipment (CPE), etc.

[0071] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the terminal device can also be a terminal device in an IoT system, such as a water meter or electricity meter. IoT is an important component of future information technology development. Its main technical characteristic is connecting objects to networks through communication technology, thereby realizing an intelligent network that enables human-machine interconnection and object-to-object interconnection.

[0072] When the terminal device is applied to V2X, it can also be called a V2X device, such as a smart car, digital car, unmanned car, driverless car, pilotless car, autonomous car, pure electric vehicle, hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), range-extended electric vehicle (REEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), new energy vehicle, and roadside unit (RSU).

[0073] The various terminal devices described above, if located on a vehicle (e.g., placed / installed inside the vehicle), can all be considered in-vehicle terminal devices. In-vehicle terminal devices can be built into a vehicle's in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit as one or more components or units. The vehicle can implement the methods of this application through the built-in in-vehicle module, in-vehicle component, in-vehicle chip, or in-vehicle unit. In-vehicle terminal devices can be vehicle equipment, in-vehicle modules, vehicles, on-board units (OBU), roadside units (RSU), in-vehicle systems (or in-vehicle transmitting units) (telematics boxes, T-boxes), chips, or systems on chips (SOCs), etc. These chips or SOCs can be installed in the vehicle, OBU, RSU, or T-box.

[0074] Taking a network device as a base station and a terminal device as a UE as an example, the base station and UE can be fixed or mobile. The base station and UE 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 on airplanes, balloons, and artificial satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the base station and UE.

[0075] The roles of base station and UE can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 1 can be configured as a mobile base station. For UEs 120j that access the radio access network 100 through 120i, UE 120i is a base station; however, for base station 110a, 120i is a UE, meaning that 110a and 120i communicate via a radio interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate via a base station-to-base station interface protocol. In this case, relative to 110a, 120i is also a base station. Therefore, both base station and UE can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with base station functions, and 120a-120j in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with UE functions.

[0076] The communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application has been described above. To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application, the relevant technical features involved in the embodiments of this application will be explained below. It should be noted that these explanations are intended to make the embodiments of this application easier to understand and should not be considered as a limitation on the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0077] (1) DMRS

[0078] DMRS can be used to estimate the equivalent channel experienced by a channel, or to estimate the equivalent channel matrix experienced by a channel, for data detection and demodulation. The channel can weight or modify the experienced signal (e.g., changes in amplitude, phase, or frequency). Channels include control channels, such as the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). Channels also include data channels, such as the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH).

[0079] Typically, network devices send control information to terminal devices via PDCCH to allocate data channel transmission parameters for the terminal devices. PDCCH can indicate the time-frequency resources mapped by PDSCH or PUSCH. Network devices send information to terminal devices via PDSCH on these time-frequency resources, and / or receive information sent by terminal devices via PUSCH.

[0080] Furthermore, control or data channels can also carry reference signals, such as demodulation reference signals (DMRS). Taking the data channel as an example, DMRS can be used to estimate the channel information of the data channel, thereby enabling the detection and demodulation of the data signals carried by the data channel. DMRS typically undergoes the same signal processing as the data, such as the same precoding operation (multiplying by the same precoding matrix P), ensuring that DMRS and data experience the same equivalent channel. Thus, after receiving the received signal corresponding to the data and the received signal corresponding to the DMRS, the receiver can use a channel estimation algorithm based on the known DMRS to obtain an estimate of the equivalent channel, completing the data detection and demodulation.

[0081] (2) Port

[0082] A port, also known as an antenna port, is a logical concept, usually associated with a reference signal. For example, an antenna port can be considered a transmit / receive interface on the channel through which the reference signal passes. A collection of multiple antenna ports is called a port group. In one possible design, multiple digital ports of a network device can be grouped to form multiple port groups. In another possible design, a reference signal resource has multiple ports (or digital ports), corresponding to one port group (or digital port group). Multiple reference signal resources each correspond to multiple port groups. In yet another possible design, multiple reference signal resources correspond to one port group. In yet another possible design, a port group includes antenna ports corresponding to elements connected to multiple digital ports. These multiple digital ports can be multiple digital ports corresponding to the same analog beam, with one port group corresponding to one analog beam; or, these multiple digital ports can be digital ports corresponding to multiple analog beams, with one port group corresponding to multiple analog beams. Multiple digital ports corresponding to the same analog beam can be divided into multiple subsets, each subset corresponding to a port group, and each port group corresponding to an analog beam. This port group includes antenna ports corresponding to elements connected to the digital ports within the subset. Optionally, the port group can also be described as a digital-to-analog port group.

[0083] The port used to transmit the reference signal can be called the reference signal port. For example, the port used to transmit DMRS is called the DMRS port. This application does not limit the type of reference signal. For example, the reference signal can also be a sounding reference signal (SRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), or other uplink reference signals or other downlink reference signals.

[0084] (3) Resource mapping of DMRS ports

[0085] To perform channel estimation on different resources and ensure the quality of channel estimation, typically, multiple DMRS signals need to be transmitted across multiple resources for a single DMRS port. Resources include time-domain resources and frequency-domain resources. Time-domain resources consist of one or more time units, and frequency-domain resources consist of one or more frequency units. Here, a time unit refers to a unit of time, which can be a radio frame, a subframe, a slot, a mini-slot, an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, a millisecond (ms), or a fraction of a millisecond (e.g., 1 / 32 ms). In this embodiment, an OFDM symbol can also be simply referred to as a symbol. A frequency domain unit can be a resource block (RB), a subcarrier, a resource block group (RBG), a predefined subband, a precoding resource block group (PRG), a bandwidth part (BWP), a resource element (RE) (also called a resource unit or resource particle), or a carrier, etc.

[0086] A DMRS can occupy one or more symbols in the time domain, and its bandwidth in the frequency domain is the same as the scheduling bandwidth of the scheduled data signal. The symbols can be OFDM symbols or Discrete Fourier Transform-Spread-OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) symbols. To perform channel estimation on different time-frequency resources, multiple DMRS symbols corresponding to the DMRS port can be transmitted within multiple time-frequency resources. Furthermore, to ensure the quality of channel estimation, different DMRS ports are typically orthogonal ports to avoid interference between them.

[0087] A DMRS port can correspond to multiple DMRS symbols, which can be represented by a DMRS sequence. A DMRS sequence consists of multiple DMRS sequence elements. The DMRS sequence corresponding to a DMRS port can be mapped to the corresponding time-frequency resource by multiplying it with the corresponding mask sequence using time-frequency resource mapping rules. Taking OCC as an example, for DMRS port p, the m-th DMRS sequence element r(m) in its corresponding DMRS sequence can be mapped to the resource with index r(m) according to the time-frequency resource mapping rules. On the resource element (RE). Where the index is... The RE can correspond to a time-domain symbol with index l within a time slot in the time domain, and a subcarrier with index k in the frequency domain. The time-frequency resource mapping rule can satisfy the following formula 1:

[0088] Where, p j Here is the index of the DMRS port, and μ is the subcarrier spacing parameter. To map to index RE on port p j The corresponding DMRS symbol, For the power factor, w t (l′) is the time-domain OCC element corresponding to the OFDM symbol with index l′, w f (k′) is the frequency domain OCC element corresponding to the subcarrier with index k′, m=2n+k′, Δ is the subcarrier offset factor, k′=0 or 1.

[0089] Among them, DMRS port p j The corresponding w f (k′), w t The values ​​of (l′) and Δ are related to the configuration type of DMRS. For details, please refer to the relevant introduction on the configuration type of DMRS.

[0090] (4) DMRS configuration types

[0091] DMRS configuration types can include configuration type 1 and configuration type 2. Different configuration types support different numbers of orthogonal DMRS ports and different time-frequency resource mapping rules. Configuration type 1 and configuration type 2 will be introduced below.

[0092] (4.1) Configuration Type 1

[0093] For configuration type 1, the w corresponding to DMRS port p f (k′), w t The values ​​of (l′) and Δ can be determined according to Table 1 below.

[0094] Table 1: Parameter values ​​for different DMRS ports (type 1)

[0095] Where λ is the index of the code divide multiplexing (CDM) group (also known as the orthogonal multiplexing group) to which the DMRS port p belongs. DMRS ports within the same CDM group occupy the same time-frequency resources. "Time-frequency resources occupied by the DMRS port" can also be replaced with "time-frequency resources corresponding to the DMRS port" or "time-frequency resources mapped by the DMRS port".

[0096] (4.2) Configuration Type 2

[0097] For configuration type 2, the w corresponding to DMRS port p f (k′), w t The values ​​of (l′) and Δ can be determined according to Table 2.

[0098] Table 2: Parameter values ​​for different DMRS ports (type 2)

[0099] Where λ is the index of the CDM group to which DMRS port p belongs, and DMRS ports within the same CDM group occupy the same time and frequency resources.

[0100] For configuration types 1 and 2, based on the aforementioned time-frequency resource mapping rules (i.e., Formula 1) and the values ​​of each parameter in Table 1, the time-frequency resources mapped to the DMRS sequences corresponding to different DMRS ports can be determined. For example, there are two DMRS port groups. Different DMRS port groups can be mapped to different frequency domain resources. DMRS ports within the same DMRS port group are mapped to the same time-frequency resources, and the DMRS sequences corresponding to the DMRS ports within the same DMRS port group are distinguished by mask sequences. Specifically, DMRS ports within the same DMRS port group are mapped in the frequency domain in a comb-like manner. It should be understood that mapping resources in the frequency domain in a comb-like manner means that adjacent frequency domain resources are separated by one or more subcarriers.

[0101] For ease of understanding, please refer to Figure 2A, which is a schematic diagram of the frequency domain resource mapping of the DMRS port provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2A uses OCC as an example, with the OCC length being 2.

[0102] As shown in Figure 2A, when the DMRS configuration type is Type 1, the DMRS sequence corresponding to the DMRS port is mapped in the frequency domain in a comb-like manner, within multiple non-contiguous resource sub-blocks of two subcarriers, and adjacent resource sub-blocks are separated by one subcarrier in the frequency domain. When the DMRS configuration type is Type 2, the DMRS sequence corresponding to the DMRS port is mapped in the frequency domain within multiple resource sub-blocks containing two consecutive subcarriers, and adjacent resource sub-blocks are separated by four subcarriers in the frequency domain. The two adjacent subcarriers occupied by the DMRS sequence corresponding to the DMRS port in the frequency domain correspond to a frequency domain OCC sequence of length 2.

[0103] Please refer to Figure 2B, which is a schematic diagram of the frequency domain resource mapping of the DMRS port provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2B takes an example where the mask is OCC and the length of OCC is 4.

[0104] As shown in Figure 2B, when the DMRS configuration type is Type 1, the DMRS sequence corresponding to the DMRS port is mapped in the frequency domain in a comb-like manner, within multiple non-contiguous resource sub-blocks of 4 subcarriers, with adjacent resource sub-blocks separated by 1 subcarrier in the frequency domain. When the DMRS configuration type is Type 2, the DMRS sequence corresponding to the DMRS port is mapped in the frequency domain within multiple resource sub-blocks containing 2 consecutive subcarriers, with adjacent resource sub-blocks separated by 4 subcarriers in the frequency domain. The two adjacent subcarriers occupied by the DMRS sequence corresponding to the DMRS port in the frequency domain correspond to a frequency domain OCC sequence of length 4.

[0105] (5) DMRS port indicator

[0106] When network devices and terminal devices communicate via control or data channels, the network device needs to indicate the DMRS port assigned to the terminal device. For example, the network device can indicate the DMRS port used for uplink or downlink transmissions scheduled by the DCI to the terminal device through the Antenna ports field in the Downlink Control Information (DCI).

[0107] Specifically, network devices can indicate the DMRS port allocated to a terminal device by configuring the DMRS port configuration type, the maximum symbol length occupied by the DMRS port, and the antenna port index. It is important to note that the same antenna port index can point to different DMRS ports when the configured DMRS port configuration type, the maximum symbol length occupied by the DMRS port, and the number of transport streams are different.

[0108] The following sections, in conjunction with Tables 3 and 4, will introduce some possible implementations for determining the DMRS port on terminal devices.

[0109] (1) When the configuration type is 1 and the maximum symbol length occupied by the DMRS port is 1, the terminal device can determine the DMRS port allocated to the terminal device by the network device according to Table 3 and the index value indicated by the network device. In Table 3, when the number of CDM groups without data is 1, the CDM group without data can be CDM group 0; when the number of CDM groups without data is 2, the CDM groups without data can include CDM group 0 and CDM group 1; when the number of CDM groups without data is 3, the CDM groups without data can include CDM group 0, CDM group 1, and CDM group 3. The "number of CDM groups without data" mentioned in other tables in this application embodiment can be processed with reference to this.

[0110] Table 3: Configuration Type 1, the maximum symbol length occupied by the DMRS port is 1.

[0111] As shown in Table 3, when the index value indicated by the network device is "1", the DMRS port index associated with index value "1" in Table 3 is 1. The terminal device can determine that the DMRS port allocated by the network device to the terminal device is DMRS port 1 among DMRS ports 0 to DMRS port 3 corresponding to type 1 single-symbol DMRS. When the index value indicated by the network device is "2", the DMRS port index associated with index value "2" in Table 3 is 0 and 1. The terminal device can determine that the DMRS port allocated by the network device to the terminal device includes DMRS port 0 and DMRS port 1 among DMRS ports 0 to DMRS port 3 corresponding to type 1 single-symbol DMRS.

[0112] (2) When the network device indicates configuration type 1 and the maximum symbol length occupied by the DMRS port is 2, the terminal device can determine the DMRS port allocated to the terminal device by the network device according to Table 4 and the index value indicated by the network device. Table 4 can be referred to the description of the terminal device using Table 3 above.

[0113] Table 4: Configuration Type 1, the maximum symbol length occupied by the DMRS port is 2.

[0114] Taking the case of a single codeword in Table 4 as an example, when the index value is "1", since the DMRS port index associated with index value "1" in Table 4 is 1, and the symbol length occupied by the DMRS port associated with index value "1" in Table 4 is 1, the terminal device can determine that the DMRS port allocated by the network device to the terminal device is DMRS port 1 among DMRS ports 0 to DMRS ports 3 corresponding to type 1 single-symbol DMRS. As another example, when the index value indicated by the network device is "12", since the DMRS port index associated with index value "12" in Table 4 is 0, and the symbol length occupied by the DMRS port associated with index value "12" in Table 4 is 2, the terminal device can determine that the DMRS port allocated by the network device to the terminal device is DMRS port 0 among DMRS ports 0 to DMRS ports 7 corresponding to type 1 double-symbol DMRS.

[0115] (6) In the embodiments of 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 may include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission by other units or modules via the air interface. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which may include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY by other units or modules via the air interface. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can be performed between devices, such as between access network devices and terminal devices, or within devices, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within a device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0116] In this application embodiment, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, refers to "singular nouns or plural nouns," that is, "one or more." "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A / B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means: A or B. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, and / or c means the following combinations: a exists alone, b exists alone, c exists alone, a and b exist simultaneously, a and c exist simultaneously, b and c exist simultaneously, or a, b, and c exist simultaneously, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0117] In the embodiments of this application, "when," "if," and "if" all refer to the device taking corresponding actions under certain objective circumstances, and are not time-limited, nor do they require the device to perform a judgment action, nor do they imply any other limitations. Unless otherwise specified, "if" and "if" can be substituted, and "when" and "in the case of" can be substituted. "When" and "if" / "if" can be substituted.

[0118] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design that is described as "exemplary" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of the terms "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0119] In this application, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the size, content, order, timing, priority, or importance of the multiple objects. For example, the first mask and the second mask refer to two different masks, and do not indicate a difference in the priority or importance of these two masks.

[0120] As mentioned earlier, DMRS ports can be expanded by extending the length of the OCC in the frequency domain. Future wireless communications may require more DMRS ports to support more MIMO transport streams. If the DMRS ports are expanded by extending the frequency domain length of the OCC, then the frequency domain length of the OCC will also be longer. As a result, the window length for resolving the OCC will also increase, and frequency selectivity will also increase. This will disrupt the orthogonality between OCCs, leading to a loss in channel estimation performance.

[0121] Therefore, the solution provided in the embodiments of this application is presented. In the embodiments of this application, more available masks are provided to expand the DMRS port. For example, the set of available masks is called the first mask set. The number of masks in the first mask set is greater than the mask length. Therefore, compared with the OCC set, the first mask set contains more masks. In this application, the expansion of the DMRS port is based on the first mask set. Compared with expanding the DMRS port by extending the frequency domain length of the OCC, the additional channel estimation performance loss caused by the increase of the OCC frequency domain length can be avoided.

[0122] The solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0123] In the following description, the communication method provided in this application embodiment is applied to the network architecture shown in Figure 1 as an example. The communication method provided in this application embodiment can be executed by network devices and terminal devices. The steps executed by the network device can be implemented by the RAN device itself, by components within the RAN device (such as a baseband chip, or other processing units or processor modules), or by a larger device including the RAN device. The steps executed by the terminal device can be implemented by the terminal device itself, by components within the terminal device (such as a baseband chip, or other processing units or processor modules), or by a larger device including the terminal device. There are no restrictions on the specific form of the network device and the terminal device. For example, the network device can be a chip, and the terminal device can be a device; or both the network device and the terminal device can be chips or devices. In possible scenarios, the network device can be the terminal device 120a shown in Figure 1, or it can be the chip (system) in the terminal device 120a in Figure 1; the terminal device can be the network device 110a shown in Figure 1, or it can be the chip (system) in the network device 110a in Figure 1. In possible scenarios, the network device can be the terminal device 120b shown in Figure 1, or it can be the chip (system) in the terminal device 120b in Figure 1; the terminal device can be the terminal device 120a in Figure 1, or it can be the chip (system) in the terminal device 120a in Figure 1.

[0124] In the embodiments of this application, the "·" in the formula refers to the dot product between scalars. The embodiments of this application do not limit the type of reference signal; for example, the reference signal can be DMRS or other possible reference signals. For ease of description, the following uses DMRS as an example, and correspondingly, the reference signal is also a DMRS port. Alternatively, "reference signal" and "DMRS" are interchangeable in the following text.

[0125] In this application's embodiments, "mask" can be replaced with "cover code," "mask sequence," "sequence," etc. Mask m i and mask m j The first condition refers to the mask m i and mask m j Satisfy: |m i m j | 2 =d, i≠j.

[0126] The following describes the solution provided by the embodiments of this application with reference to Figure 1.

[0127] Please refer to Figure 3, which is a flowchart illustrating the communication method 300 provided in this embodiment. Figure 3 describes the method from the perspective of interaction between network devices and terminal devices. It should be understood that the communication method can also be implemented by other devices, such as a chip or communication device with communication functions. It should be noted that this embodiment only illustrates execution through network devices and terminal devices, and is not limited to network devices and terminal devices. For example, this embodiment can also be executed through more terminal devices. When more terminal devices are involved, the execution process is the same for each of these more terminal devices. As shown in Figure 3, the communication method includes the following steps. For ease of description, the reference signal DMRS is used as an example below.

[0128] S301. The network device sends a first instruction message to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the first instruction message from the network device accordingly.

[0129] This first indication information can be used to indicate a DMRS port group. A DMRS port group includes one or more DMRS ports, and a DMRS port group is associated with an index value. Therefore, a network device can indicate a reference signal port group through the index value associated with the DMRS port group. For ease of description, this document uses the first indication information indicating a first DMRS port group as an example.

[0130] The first indication information may include an index associated with the first DMRS port group. To enable the terminal device to clearly identify the reference signal port allocated to it by the network device, the network device may also indicate to the terminal device the DMRS configuration type, the maximum symbol length occupied by the DMRS port, and the number of DMRS CDM groups. In this embodiment, the DMRS configuration type, the maximum symbol length occupied by the DMRS port, and the number of DMRS CDM groups, along with the index associated with the first DMRS port group, can be sent to the terminal device together. For example, the first indication information may also include the DMRS configuration type, the maximum symbol length occupied by the DMRS port, and the number of DMRS CDM groups. Alternatively, one or more of the DMRS configuration type, the maximum symbol length occupied by the DMRS port, and the number of DMRS CDM groups may be sent to the terminal device individually; this embodiment does not limit the scope of the indication information.

[0131] The terminal device can determine the DMRS port assigned to it by the network device based on the DMRS configuration type, the maximum symbol length occupied by the DMRS port, and the index associated with the number of DMRS CDM groups and the first DMRS port group. For details, please refer to the relevant description in the aforementioned "DMRS Port Indication" section, which will not be repeated here.

[0132] The embodiments of this application do not limit the signaling that carries the first indication information. For example, the signaling may be a message from the MAC layer (such as a MAC control element (CE)) or a message from the physical layer (such as downlink control information (DCI)).

[0133] S302, The terminal device determines the first mask.

[0134] The first mask belongs to a first mask set. In this embodiment, the number of masks included in the first mask set is greater than the length of the first mask. For example, the length of the first mask is d, and the first mask set contains at least d+1 masks, where d is a positive integer greater than 2. Compared to the OCC set, the first mask set contains more masks, and DMRS port expansion is achieved based on the first mask set. Furthermore, expanding the DMRS port based on the first mask set can avoid the additional channel estimation performance loss caused by the increase in the OCC frequency domain length while ensuring DMRS port expansion.

[0135] In this embodiment, the first mask set includes both mutually orthogonal masks and non-orthogonal masks. The set of mutually orthogonal masks can be considered a subset of the first mask set. Furthermore, masks within different subsets satisfy a first condition. Wherein, mask m... i and mask mj The first condition refers to the mask m i and mask m j Satisfy: |m i m j | 2 =d, i≠j. Masks that satisfy the first condition are not orthogonal to each other.

[0136] The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific method by which the first mask set is divided into multiple subsets. For example, the first mask set can be divided into multiple subsets according to the mask length d, as illustrated below with examples of different cases.

[0137] (1) The first mask set contains d+1 masks, and the first mask set can be divided into two subsets.

[0138] For example, the first mask set includes a first subset and a second subset, where the first subset contains d masks and the second subset contains 1 mask. The masks in the first subset are mutually orthogonal, and the first subset contains m masks. i The mask m contained in the second subset j Satisfy the primary relation.

[0139] (2) If the number of masks contained in the first mask set is greater than (n-1)·d+1 and the number of masks contained in the first mask set is less than or equal to n·d, the first mask set can be divided into n subsets, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2. "·" refers to the vector dot product operation, also known as the vector inner product.

[0140] In this system, the masks contained in each of the n subsets are mutually orthogonal, and the masks contained in different subsets satisfy the first relation. For example, when n = 2, that is, when the number of masks contained in the first mask set is greater than d + 1 and less than or equal to 2d, then the first mask set can be divided into 2 subsets. When n = 3, that is, when the number of masks contained in the first mask set is greater than 2d + 1 and less than or equal to 3d, then the first mask set can be divided into 3 subsets. When n = 4, that is, when the number of masks contained in the first mask set is greater than 3d + 1 and less than or equal to 4d, then the first mask set can be divided into 4 subsets.

[0141] The following examples, using specific lengths, illustrate the possible subsets that the first mask set may include.

[0142] (1) d = 3, the first mask set can be divided into 3 subsets. For example, these 3 subsets are the first subset, the second subset and the third subset.

[0143] For example, the first mask set may include one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w 3 ,w 3), (w 3 ,w,w 2 ), (w 3 ,w 2 ,w), (w 3 ,w,w), (w 3 ,w 2 ,w 3 ), (w 3 ,w 3 ,w 2 ), (w 3 ,w 2 ,w 2 ), (w 3 ,w,w 3 ) and (w 3 ,w 3 ,w), where w=e j2π / 3 .

[0144] The first subset may include one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w 3 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w,w 2 ),(w 3 ,w 2 The second subset may include one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w,w),(w 3 ,w 2 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w 3 ,w 2 The third subset may include one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w 2 ,w 2 ), (w 3 ,w,w 3 ) and (w 3 ,w 3 It can be seen that the masks within a subset are mutually orthogonal, and the masks of different subsets satisfy the first condition.

[0145] (2) d = 4, the first mask set can be divided into 4 subsets. For example, these 4 subsets are the first subset, the second subset, the third subset and the fourth subset.

[0146] For example, the first mask set may include one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,-1), (1,1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,1), (1,-1,-1,-1), (1,1,j,j), (1,1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,-j), (1,-1,-j,j), (1,j,1,j), (1,j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,-j), (1,-j,-1,j), (1,j,j,1), (1,j,-j,-1), (1,j,-j,1), (1,j,-j,-1), (1,-j,-j,1).

[0147] The first subset, second subset, third subset, and fourth subset can take many forms, including but not limited to the following.

[0148] (2-1) The first subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,-1), (1,1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,1), (1,-1,-1,-1). The second subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,1,j,j), (1,1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,-j), (1,-1,-j,j). The third subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,j,1,j), (1,j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,-j), (1,-j,-1,j). The fourth subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,j,j,1), (1,j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,-1), (1,-j,-j,1).

[0149] (2-2) The first subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,1,j,j), (1,1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,-j), (1,-1,-j,j). The second subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,-1), (1,1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,1), (1,-1,-1,-1). The third subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,j,1,j), (1,j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,-j), (1,-j,-1,j). The fourth subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,j,j,1), (1,j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,-1), (1,-j,-j,1).

[0150] (2-3) The first subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,j,1,j), (1,j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,-j), (1,-j,-1,j). The second subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,1,j,j), (1,1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,-j), (1,-1,-j,j). The third subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,-1), (1,1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,1), (1,-1,-1,-1). The fourth subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,j,j,1), (1,j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,-1), (1,-j,-j,1).

[0151] (2-4) The first subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,j,j,1), (1,j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,-1), (1,-j,-j,1). The second subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,1,j,j), (1,1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,-j), (1,-1,-j,j). The third subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,j,1,j), (1,j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,-j), (1,-j,-1,j). The fourth subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,-1), (1,1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,1), (1,-1,-1,-1).

[0152] (2-5) The first subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,-1), (1,1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,1), (1,-1,-1,-1). The second subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,j,1,j), (1,j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,-j), (1,-j,-1,j). The third subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,1,j,j), (1,1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,-j), (1,-1,-j,j). The fourth subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,j,j,1), (1,j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,-1), (1,-j,-j,1).

[0153] (2-6) The first subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,-1), (1,1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,1), (1,-1,-1,-1). The second subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,j,j,1), (1,j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,-1), (1,-j,-j,1). The third subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,j,1,j), (1,j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,-j), (1,-j,-1,j). The fourth subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,1,j,j), (1,1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,-j), (1,-1,-j,j).

[0154] (2-7) The first subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,-1), (1,1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,1), (1,-1,-1,-1). The second subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,1,j,j), (1,1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,-j), (1,-1,-j,j). The third subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,j,j,1), (1,j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,-1), (1,-j,-j,1). The fourth subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,j,1,j), (1,j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,-j), (1,-j,-1,j).

[0155] (3) d = 4, the first mask set can be divided into 4 subsets. For example, these 4 subsets are the first subset, the second subset, the third subset and the fourth subset.

[0156] For example, the first mask set may include one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,1), (1,1,-1,-1), (1,-1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,-1), (1,-1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,j), (1,1,j,-j), (1,1,-j,j), (1,-j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,1), (1,j,j,-1), (1,j,-j,1), (1,-j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,j), (1,j,-1,j), (1,j,1,-j).

[0157] The first subset, second subset, third subset, and fourth subset can take many forms, including but not limited to the following.

[0158] (3-1) The first subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,1), (1,1,-1,-1), (1,-1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,-1). The second subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,-1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,j), (1,1,j,-j), (1,1,-j,j). The third subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,1), (1,j,j,-1), (1,j,-j,1). The fourth subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,j), (1,j,-1,j), (1,j,1,-j).

[0159] (3-2) The first subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,-1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,j), (1,1,j,-j), (1,1,-j,j). The second subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,1), (1,1,-1,-1), (1,-1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,-1). The third subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,1), (1,j,j,-1), (1,j,-j,1). The fourth subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,j), (1,j,-1,j), (1,j,1,-j).

[0160] (3-3) The first subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,1), (1,j,j,-1), (1,j,-j,1). The second subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,-1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,j), (1,1,j,-j), (1,1,-j,j). The third subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,1), (1,1,-1,-1), (1,-1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,-1). The fourth subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,j), (1,j,-1,j), (1,j,1,-j).

[0161] (3-4) The first subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,j), (1,j,-1,j), (1,j,1,-j). The second subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,-1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,j), (1,1,j,-j), (1,1,-j,j). The third subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,1), (1,j,j,-1), (1,j,-j,1). The fourth subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,1), (1,1,-1,-1), (1,-1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,-1).

[0162] (3-5) The first subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,1), (1,1,-1,-1), (1,-1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,-1). The second subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,1), (1,j,j,-1), (1,j,-j,1). The third subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,-1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,j), (1,1,j,-j), (1,1,-j,j). The fourth subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,j), (1,j,-1,j), (1,j,1,-j).

[0163] (3-6) The first subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,1), (1,1,-1,-1), (1,-1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,-1). The second subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,j), (1,j,-1,j), (1,j,1,-j). The third subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,1), (1,j,j,-1), (1,j,-j,1). The fourth subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,-1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,j), (1,1,j,-j), (1,1,-j,j).

[0164] (3-7) The first subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,1), (1,1,-1,-1), (1,-1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,-1). The second subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,-1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,j), (1,1,j,-j), (1,1,-j,j). The third subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,j), (1,j,-1,j), (1,j,1,-j). The fourth subset may include one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,1), (1,j,j,-1), (1,j,-j,1).

[0165] The above lists some possible first mask sets and their corresponding subsets. Since the masks within a subset are mutually orthogonal, a subset can be associated with a DMRS port group, and different DMRS port groups can be associated with different subsets. For example, the first DMRS port group is associated with the first subset, and the second DMRS port group is associated with the second subset. This ensures the orthogonality of DMRS ports within a DMRS port group, allowing masks within a subset to be allocated to the same user's DMRS port group. This enables different data streams from the same user to use the same frequency domain resources, improving resource utilization.

[0166] Associating a DMRS port group with a subset means that the masks corresponding to the DMRS ports within that DMRS port group belong to the same subset. For example, a first DMRS port group includes a first DMRS port and a second DMRS port, where the first DMRS port corresponds to a first mask, and the second DMRS port corresponds to a second mask; the first mask and the second mask belong to the same subset. It should be understood that the DMRS sequences corresponding to the DMRS ports within that DMRS port group are distinguished based on the masks within the subset associated with that DMRS port group; or, the DMRS sequences corresponding to the DMRS ports within that DMRS port group are scrambled using the masks within the subset associated with that DMRS port group.

[0167] The network device assigns a first DMRS port to the terminal device, and the terminal device can determine the first mask associated with this first DMRS port. For example, assuming the first DMRS port belongs to a first DMRS port group, and this first DMRS port group is associated with a first subset, then the terminal device can determine the first mask associated with the first DMRS port from the first subset. Specifically, similar to Table 1 or Table 2, the terminal device can use the mask corresponding to the index of the first DMRS port in the first subset as the first mask based on the DMRS configuration type, CDM group index, etc.

[0168] S303. The terminal device sends a reference signal at the first reference signal port according to the first mask, and the network device receives the reference signal from the terminal device at the first reference signal port accordingly.

[0169] Taking DMRS as the reference signal as an example, the terminal device determines a first mask, scrambles the DMRS to be transmitted based on the first mask, and then transmits the scrambled DMRS at the first DMRS port. It can be understood that the terminal device transmits DMRS to the network device on the first DMRS port and on the time-frequency resources according to the DMRS symbol generation method and time-frequency resource mapping rules defined in the protocol. Correspondingly, the network device receives the DMRS from the terminal device at the first DMRS port.

[0170] It is understandable that after the terminal device determines the DMRS port allocated to it by the network device, it can also receive the DMRS sent by the network device on the corresponding DMRS port and time-frequency resources based on the allocated DMRS port and in accordance with the DMRS symbol generation method and time-frequency resource mapping rules defined in the protocol.

[0171] The methods provided in the embodiments of this application above are described using terminal devices and network devices as examples. In this application, each embodiment can be implemented independently or in combination based on certain inherent connections; in each embodiment, different implementation methods can be implemented in combination or independently. To achieve the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application above, the steps executed by the terminal device can be implemented by the terminal device itself or by different functional entities constituting the terminal device. The steps executed by the network device can be implemented by the network device itself or by different functional entities constituting the network device. For example, the network device is an access network device, which can be a CU-DU architecture, where the CU can generate first indication information and the DU can send the first indication information. To achieve the functions of the methods provided in the embodiments of this application above, the terminal device and network device can include hardware structures and / or software modules, implementing the above functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or hardware structures plus software modules. Whether a particular function is executed in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or hardware structures plus software modules depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0172] Based on the same inventive concept as the method embodiments, this application provides a communication device. The communication device used to implement the above method in the embodiments of this application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The content above can be used in subsequent embodiments, and repeated content will not be repeated.

[0173] Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 400 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 400 can correspondingly implement the functions or steps implemented by the terminal device in the various method embodiments described above. For example, the communication device 400 can be the terminal device in Figure 1; or, the communication device 400 can be a chip (system) in the terminal device; or, the communication device 400 can be a software module of the terminal device. The communication device 400 can correspondingly implement the functions or steps implemented by the network device in the various method embodiments described above. For example, the communication device 400 can be the access network device in Figure 1; or, the communication device 400 can be a chip (system) in the access network device; or, the communication device 400 can be a software module of the access network device. The communication device 400 may include a processing module 410 and a transceiver module 420. Optionally, it may also include a storage module, which can be used to store instructions (code or program) and / or data. The storage module may be, for example, a memory. The processing module 410 and the transceiver module 420 may be coupled to the storage module. For example, processing module 410 can read instructions (code or program) and / or data from the storage module to implement the corresponding method. When the communication device 400 is a chip in a terminal device or network device, the storage module can be a storage module within the chip, such as a register or cache. For example, the storage module can also be a storage module located outside the chip in the terminal device or network device, such as read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM), etc. The above-mentioned units can be set independently, or partially or completely integrated.

[0174] Processing module 410 may be a processor or controller, such as a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processing unit (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. It may implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processor may also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc. Transceiver module 420 is a transceiver, interface circuit, bus, pin, or other possible communication interface for receiving signals from other devices. For example, when the device is implemented as a chip, transceiver module 420 is an interface circuit for the chip to receive signals from other chips or devices, or an interface circuit for the chip to send signals to other chips or devices.

[0175] In one implementation, the communication device 400 can correspondingly implement the behavior and functions of the terminal device in the above method embodiments. The communication device 400 can be the terminal device itself, a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) within the terminal device, a part of a chip or chipset in the terminal device used to execute the relevant method functions, or a software module in the terminal device capable of implementing the above communication method; there are no limitations. For details, please refer to the relevant content of the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0176] For example, processing module 410 is used to determine a first mask, wherein the length of the first mask is d, the first mask belongs to a first mask set, and the first mask set contains at least d+1 masks, where d is a positive integer greater than 2. Transceiver module 420 is used to transmit a reference signal at a first reference signal port according to the first mask.

[0177] As an optional implementation, the first mask set includes multiple subsets, the masks in a subset are orthogonal to each other, and the masks contained in different subsets satisfy the first condition.

[0178] As an optional implementation, the first mask set contains d+1 masks. The first mask set includes a first subset and a second subset. The first subset contains d masks, and the second subset contains 1 mask. The masks in the first subset are mutually orthogonal, and the masks in the first subset and the masks in the second subset satisfy the first condition.

[0179] As an optional implementation, the first mask set contains a number of masks greater than (n-1)·d+1, and the number of masks contained in the first mask set is less than or equal to n·d. The first mask set includes n subsets, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and · represents the dot product operation. The masks contained in each of the n subsets are mutually orthogonal, and the masks contained in different subsets satisfy the first relation.

[0180] As an optional implementation, d=3, the first mask set includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w 3 ,w 3 ), (w 3 ,w,w 2 ), (w 3 ,w 2 ,w), (w 3 ,w,w), (w 3 ,w 2 ,w 3 ), (w 3 ,w 3 ,w 2 ), (w 3 ,w 2 ,w 2 ), (w 3 ,w,w 3 ) and (w 3 ,w 3 ,w), where w=e j2π / 3 .

[0181] As an optional implementation, the first mask set includes a first subset, a second subset, and a third subset. The first subset includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w 3 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w,w 2 ),(w 3 ,w 2 The second subset includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w,w),(w 3 ,w 2 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w 3 ,w 2 The third subset includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w 2 ,w 2 ), (w 3 ,w,w 3 ) and (w3 ,w 3 ,w).

[0182] As an optional implementation, d=4, the first mask set includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,-1), (1,1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,1), (1,-1,-1,-1), (1,1,j,j), (1,1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,-j), (1,-1,-j,j), (1,j,1,j), (1,j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,-j), (1,-j,-1,j), (1,j,j,1), (1,j,-j,-1), (1,j,-j,1), (1,j,-j,1).

[0183] As an optional implementation, the first mask set includes a first subset, a second subset, a third subset, and a fourth subset. The first subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,-1), (1,1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,1), (1,-1,-1,-1). The second subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,j,j), (1,1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,-j), (1,-1,-j,j). The third subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,j,1,j), (1,j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,-j), (1,-j,-1,j). The fourth subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,j,j,1), (1,j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,-1), (1,-j,-j,1).

[0184] As an optional implementation, d=4, the first mask set includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,1), (1,1,-1,-1), (1,-1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,-1), (1,-1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,j), (1,1,j,-j), (1,1,-j,j), (1,-j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,1), (1,j,j,-1), (1,j,-j,1), (1,-j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,j), (1,j,-1,j), (1,j,1,-j).

[0185] As an optional implementation, the first mask set includes a first subset, a second subset, a third subset, and a fourth subset. The first subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,1), (1,1,-1,-1), (1,-1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,-1). The second subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,-1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,j), (1,1,j,-j), (1,1,-j,j). The third subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,1), (1,j,j,-1), (1,j,-j,1). The fourth subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,j), (1,j,-1,j), (1,j,1,-j).

[0186] As an optional implementation, the transceiver module 420 is further configured to receive first indication information, which indicates a first reference signal port group, including a first reference signal port and a second reference signal port. The first reference signal port corresponds to a first mask, and the second reference signal port corresponds to a second mask; the first mask and the second mask belong to the same subset.

[0187] In one implementation, the communication device 400 can correspondingly implement the behavior and functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. The communication device 400 can be a network device, a component (e.g., a chip or circuit) within the network device, a part of a chip or chipset in the network device used to execute the relevant method functions, or a software module in the network device capable of implementing the above communication method; there are no limitations. For details, please refer to the relevant content of the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0188] For example, the transceiver module 420 is used to send first indication information and receive a reference signal at a first reference signal port according to a first mask. The first indication information indicates a first reference signal port group, which includes first reference signal ports. The length of the first mask is d, the first mask belongs to a first mask set, and the first mask set contains at least d+1 masks, where d is a positive integer greater than 2.

[0189] As an optional implementation, the first mask set includes multiple subsets, the masks in a subset are orthogonal to each other, and the masks contained in different subsets satisfy the first condition.

[0190] As an optional implementation, the first mask set contains d+1 masks. The first mask set includes a first subset and a second subset. The first subset contains d masks, and the second subset contains 1 mask. The masks in the first subset are mutually orthogonal, and the masks in the first subset and the masks in the second subset satisfy the first condition.

[0191] As an optional implementation, the first mask set contains a number of masks greater than (n-1)·d+1, and the number of masks contained in the first mask set is less than or equal to n·d. The first mask set includes n subsets, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and · represents the dot product operation. The masks contained in each of the n subsets are mutually orthogonal, and the masks contained in different subsets satisfy the first relation.

[0192] As an optional implementation, d=3, the first mask set includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w 3 ,w 3 ), (w 3 ,w,w 2 ), (w 3 ,w 2 ,w), (w 3 ,w,w), (w 3 ,w 2 ,w 3 ), (w 3 ,w 3 ,w 2 ), (w 3 ,w 2 ,w 2 ), (w 3 ,w,w 3 ) and (w 3 ,w 3 ,w), where w=e j2π / 3 Where, w = e j2π / 3 .

[0193] As an optional implementation, the first mask set includes a first subset, a second subset, and a third subset. The first subset includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w 3 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w,w 2 ),(w 3 ,w 2 The second subset includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w,w),(w 3 ,w 2 ,w 3 ),(w3 ,w 3 ,w 2 The third subset includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w 2 ,w 2 ), (w 3 ,w,w 3 ) and (w 3 ,w 3 ,w).

[0194] As an optional implementation, d=4, the first mask set includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,-1), (1,1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,1), (1,-1,-1,-1), (1,1,j,j), (1,1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,-j), (1,-1,-j,j), (1,j,1,j), (1,j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,-j), (1,-j,-1,j), (1,j,j,1), (1,j,-j,-1), (1,j,-j,1), (1,j,-j,1).

[0195] As an optional implementation, the first mask set includes a first subset, a second subset, a third subset, and a fourth subset. The first subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,-1), (1,1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,1), (1,-1,-1,-1). The second subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,j,j), (1,1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,-j), (1,-1,-j,j). The third subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,j,1,j), (1,j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,-j), (1,-j,-1,j). The fourth subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,j,j,1), (1,j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,-1), (1,-j,-j,1).

[0196] As an optional implementation, d=4, the first mask set includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,1), (1,1,-1,-1), (1,-1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,-1), (1,-1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,j), (1,1,j,-j), (1,1,-j,j), (1,-j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,1), (1,j,j,-1), (1,j,-j,1), (1,-j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,j), (1,j,-1,j), (1,j,1,-j).

[0197] As an optional implementation, the first mask set includes a first subset, a second subset, a third subset, and a fourth subset. The first subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,1), (1,1,-1,-1), (1,-1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,-1). The second subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,-1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,j), (1,1,j,-j), (1,1,-j,j). The third subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,1), (1,j,j,-1), (1,j,-j,1). The fourth subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,j), (1,j,-1,j), (1,j,1,-j).

[0198] As an optional implementation, the first reference signal port group also includes a second reference signal port, the first reference signal port corresponding to the first mask, the second reference signal port corresponding to the second mask, and the first mask and the second mask belonging to the same subset.

[0199] When the communication device 400 is a chip-based device or circuit, the transceiver module can be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface; the processing module is an integrated processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit.

[0200] Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 500 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 500 can be a terminal device or a network device as described in the above embodiments. For example, the communication device 500 can be the terminal device in Figure 1 or a chip (system) within a terminal device. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. Specific functions can be found in the descriptions of the above method embodiments. As another example, the communication device 500 can be an access network device in Figure 1 or a chip (system) within an access network device. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. Specific functions can be found in the descriptions of the above method embodiments.

[0201] The communication device 500 includes one or more processors 501, used to implement or support the communication device 500 in implementing the functions of the terminal device or the first access network device in the methods provided in the embodiments of this application. For details, please refer to the detailed description in the method examples, which will not be repeated here. The processor 501 can also be called a processing unit or processing module, and can implement certain control functions. The processor 501 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, etc. For example, it includes: a baseband processor, a central processing unit, an application processor, a modem processor, a graphics processor, an image signal processor, a digital signal processor, a video codec processor, a controller, a memory, and / or a neural network processor, etc. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data. The central processing unit can be used to control the communication device 500 (e.g., a network device or a terminal device), execute software programs, and / or process data. Different processors can be independent devices or integrated into one or more processors, for example, integrated on one or more application-specific integrated circuits.

[0202] In one design, processor 501 may include program 503 (sometimes referred to as code or instructions) that can be executed on processor 501 to cause communication device 500 to perform the methods described in the embodiments below. In yet another possible design, communication device 500 includes circuitry (not shown in FIG5) for implementing the functions of the terminal device or network device in the above embodiments.

[0203] In one design, the communication device 500 may include one or more memories 502 storing a program 504 (sometimes referred to as code or instructions), which can be run on the processor 501 to cause the communication device 500 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0204] In one design, the processor 501 and / or memory 502 may include an artificial intelligence (AI) module 507 and an AI module 508, which are used to implement AI-related functions. The AI ​​modules can be implemented through software, hardware, or a combination of both. For example, the AI ​​module may include a RAN intelligent controller (RIC) module. For example, the AI ​​module may be a near real-time RIC or a non-real-time RIC.

[0205] In one possible design, the processor 501 and / or memory 502 may also store data. The processor and memory may be configured separately or integrated together.

[0206] In one possible design, the communication device 500 may further include a transceiver 505 and / or an antenna 506. The processor 501, sometimes referred to as a processing unit, controls the communication device 500. The transceiver 505, sometimes referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, or transceiver, is used to implement the transmission and reception functions of the communication device 500 through the antenna 506.

[0207] In one possible design, the communication device 500 may further include one or more of the following components: a wireless communication module, an audio module, an external memory interface, internal memory, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a power management module, an antenna, a speaker, a microphone, an input / output module, a sensor module, a motor, a camera, or a display screen, etc. It is understood that in some embodiments, the communication device 500 may include more or fewer components, or some components may be integrated, or some components may be separated. These components may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0208] The communication device in the above embodiments can be a terminal device, a circuit, a chip applied in a terminal device, or other combined devices or components having the aforementioned terminal device. Alternatively, the communication device in the above embodiments can be a network device, a circuit, a chip applied in a network device, or other combined devices or components having the aforementioned network device. When the communication device is a terminal device or a network device, the transceiver module can be a transceiver, which may include an antenna and radio frequency circuits, etc., and the processing module can be a processor, such as a CPU. When the communication device is a chip system, the communication device can be an FPGA, a dedicated ASIC, a system-on-chip (SoC), a CPU, a network processor (NP), a DSP, a microcontroller unit (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD), or other integrated chips. The processing module can be the processor of the chip system. The transceiver module or communication interface can be the input / output interface or interface circuit of the chip system. For example, the interface circuit can be a code / data read / write interface circuit. The interface circuit can be used to receive code instructions (the code instructions are stored in memory and can be read directly from memory or through other devices) and transmit them to the processor; the processor can then execute the code instructions to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Alternatively, the interface circuit can also be a signal transmission interface circuit between a communication processor and a transceiver.

[0209] This application also provides a communication system, which includes at least one terminal device and at least one network device. The terminal device is a terminal device used to implement the functions related to the above-described communication method, and the network device is a network device used to implement the functions related to the above-described communication method.

[0210] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium, including instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to execute the method performed by the terminal device or network device in the above-described communication method.

[0211] This application also provides a computer program product, including computer program code, which, when executed, causes a computer to perform the method executed by the terminal device or network device in the above-described communication method.

[0212] This application provides a chip system including a processor and potentially a memory, for implementing the functions of a terminal device or network device in the aforementioned communication method. The chip system can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete components.

[0213] To achieve the functions of the communication devices shown in Figures 4 and 5, this application embodiment also provides a chip, including a processor, for supporting the communication device in implementing the functions involved in the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments. In one possible design, the chip is connected to a memory or the chip includes a memory for storing necessary computer programs, instructions, and data for the communication device.

[0214] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0215] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0216] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0217] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0218] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0219] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the essential contributing part of the technical solution of this application, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, external hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0220] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: A first mask is determined, the length of the first mask is d, the first mask belongs to a first mask set, the first mask set contains at least d+1 masks, where d is a positive integer greater than 2; A reference signal is transmitted at the first reference signal port according to the first mask.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first mask set includes multiple subsets, where the masks within a subset are mutually orthogonal, and the masks contained in different subsets satisfy a first condition, wherein the mask m i and mask m j The first condition includes: mask m i and mask m j Satisfy: |m i m j |2=d,i≠j。 3. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first mask set contains d+1 masks. The first mask set includes a first subset and a second subset. The first subset contains d masks, and the second subset contains 1 mask. Wherein, the masks contained in the first subset are mutually orthogonal, and the masks m contained in the first subset are... i The mask m contained in the second subset j Satisfy: |m i m j |2=d,i≠j。 4. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The first mask set contains a number of masks greater than (n-1)·d+1, and the number of masks in the first mask set is less than or equal to n·d. The first mask set includes n subsets, and the masks contained in each of the n subsets are mutually orthogonal. Furthermore, the masks contained in different subsets satisfy a first relation, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2, · represents a dot product operation, and the mask m... i and mask m j Satisfying the first relation includes: |m i m j | 2 =d, i≠j.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, d = 3, and the first mask set includes one or more masks as follows, where w = e j2π / 3 : (w 3 ,w 3 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w,w 2 ),(w 3 ,w 2 ,w), (w 3 ,w,w),(w 3 ,w 2 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w 3 ,w 2 ), (w 3 ,w 2 ,w 2 ),(w 3 ,w,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w 3 ,w).

6. The method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, d=3, and the first mask set includes a first subset, a second subset, and a third subset; wherein, The first subset includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w 3 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w,w 2 ),(w 3 ,w 2 ,w), The second subset includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w,w),(w 3 ,w 2 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w 3 ,w 2 ), The third subset includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w 2 ,w 2 ),(w 3 ,w,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w 3 ,w).

7. The method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, d = 4, and the first mask set includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,-1),(1,1,-1,1),(1,-1,1,1),(1,-1,-1,-1), (1,1,j,j),(1,1,-j,-j),(1,-1,j,-j),(1,-1,-j,j), (1,j,1,j),(1,j,-1,-j),(1,-j,-1,j), (1,j,j,1),(1,j,-j,-1),(1,-j,-j,1).

8. The method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The first mask set includes a first subset, a second subset, a third subset, and a fourth subset; wherein, The first subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,-1), (1,1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,1), (1,-1,-1,-1); The second subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,j,j), (1,1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,-j), (1,-1,-j,j); The third subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,j,1,j),(1,j,-1,-j),(1,-j,1,-j),(1,-j,-1,j); The fourth subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,j,j,1), (1,j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,-1), (1,-j,-j,1).

9. The method as described in claim 5, characterized in that, d = 4, and the first mask set includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,1),(1,1,-1,-1),(1,-1,-1,1),(1,-1,1,-1); (1,-1,-j,-j),(1,-1,j,j),(1,1,j,-j),(1,1,-j,j); (1,-j,-j,-1),(1,-j,j,1),(1,j,j,-1),(1,j,-j,1); (1,-j,-1,-j),(1,-j,1,j),(1,j,-1,j),(1,j,1,-j).

10. The method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The first mask set includes a first subset, a second subset, a third subset, and a fourth subset; wherein, The first subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,1), (1,1,-1,-1), (1,-1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,-1); The second subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,-1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,j), (1,1,j,-j), (1,1,-j,j); The third subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,1), (1,j,j,-1), (1,j,-j,1); The fourth subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,j), (1,j,-1,j), (1,j,1,-j).

11. The method according to any one of claims 2-10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate a first reference signal port group, the first reference signal port group includes a first reference signal port and a second reference signal port, the first reference signal port corresponds to a first mask, the second reference signal port corresponds to a second mask, and the first mask and the second mask belong to the same subset.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that, The reference signal is the demodulation reference signal DMRS.

13. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Send a first indication message, the first indication message being used to indicate a first reference signal port group, the first reference signal port group including a first reference signal port; According to the first mask, a reference signal is received at the first reference signal port. The length of the first mask is d. The first mask belongs to a first mask set, which contains at least d+1 masks, where d is a positive integer greater than 2.

14. The method as described in claim 13, characterized in that, The first mask set includes multiple subsets, where the masks within a subset are mutually orthogonal, and the masks contained in different subsets satisfy a first condition, wherein the mask m i and mask m j The first condition includes: mask m i and mask m j Satisfy: |m i m j |2=d,i≠j。 15. The method as described in claim 14, characterized in that, The first mask set contains d+1 masks. The first mask set includes a first subset and a second subset. The first subset contains d masks, and the second subset contains 1 mask. Wherein, the masks contained in the first subset are mutually orthogonal, and the masks m contained in the first subset are... i The mask m contained in the second subset j Satisfy: |m i m j | 2 =d, i≠j.

16. The method as described in claim 14, characterized in that, The first mask set contains a number of masks greater than (n-1)·d+1, and the number of masks in the first mask set is less than or equal to n·d. The first mask set includes n subsets, and the masks contained in each of the n subsets are mutually orthogonal. Furthermore, the masks contained in different subsets satisfy a first relation, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2, · represents a dot product operation, and the mask m... i and mask m j Satisfying the first relation includes: |m i m j | 2 =d, i≠j.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13-16, characterized in that, d = 3, and the first mask set includes one or more masks as follows, where w = e j2π / 3 : (w 3 ,w 3 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w,w 2 ),(w 3 ,w 2 ,w), (w 3 ,w,w),(w 3 ,w 2 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w 3 ,w 2 ), (w 3 ,w 2 ,w 2 ),(w 3 ,w,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w 3 ,w).

18. The method as described in claim 17, characterized in that, d=3, and the first mask set includes a first subset, a second subset, and a third subset; wherein, The first subset includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w 3 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w,w 2 ),(w 3 ,w 2 ,w), The second subset includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w,w),(w 3 ,w 2 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w 3 ,w 2 ), The third subset includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w 2 ,w 2 ),(w 3 ,w,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w 3 ,w).

19. The method as described in claim 17, characterized in that, d = 4, and the first mask set includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,-1),(1,1,-1,1),(1,-1,1,1),(1,-1,-1,-1), (1,1,j,j),(1,1,-j,-j),(1,-1,j,-j),(1,-1,-j,j), (1,j,1,j),(1,j,-1,-j),(1,-j,-1,j), (1,j,j,1),(1,j,-j,-1),(1,-j,-j,1).

20. The method as described in claim 19, characterized in that, The first mask set includes a first subset, a second subset, a third subset, and a fourth subset; wherein, The first subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,-1), (1,1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,1), (1,-1,-1,-1); The second subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,j,j), (1,1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,-j), (1,-1,-j,j); The third subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,j,1,j),(1,j,-1,-j),(1,-j,1,-j),(1,-j,-1,j); The fourth subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,j,j,1), (1,j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,-1), (1,-j,-j,1).

21. The method as described in claim 17, characterized in that, d = 4, and the first mask set includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,1),(1,1,-1,-1),(1,-1,-1,1),(1,-1,1,-1); (1,-1,-j,-j),(1,-1,j,j),(1,1,j,-j),(1,1,-j,j); (1,-j,-j,-1),(1,-j,j,1),(1,j,j,-1),(1,j,-j,1); (1,-j,-1,-j),(1,-j,1,j),(1,j,-1,j),(1,j,1,-j).

22. The method as described in claim 21, characterized in that, The first mask set includes a first subset, a second subset, a third subset, and a fourth subset; wherein, The first subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,1), (1,1,-1,-1), (1,-1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,-1); The second subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,-1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,j), (1,1,j,-j), (1,1,-j,j); The third subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,1), (1,j,j,-1), (1,j,-j,1); The fourth subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,j), (1,j,-1,j), (1,j,1,-j).

23. The method according to any one of claims 14-22, characterized in that, The first reference signal port group further includes a second reference signal port, the first reference signal port corresponds to a first mask, the second reference signal port corresponds to a second mask, and the first mask and the second mask belong to the same subset.

24. The method according to any one of claims 13-23, characterized in that, The reference signal is the demodulation reference signal DMRS.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The processing module is used to determine a first mask, the length of which is d, the first mask belongs to a first mask set, the first mask set contains at least d+1 masks, and d is a positive integer greater than 2; The transceiver module transmits a reference signal at the first reference signal port according to the first mask.

26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 25, characterized in that, The first mask set includes multiple subsets, where the masks within a subset are mutually orthogonal, and the masks contained in different subsets satisfy a first condition, wherein the mask m i and mask m j The first condition includes: mask m i and mask m j Satisfy: |m i m j |2=d,i≠j。 27. The apparatus as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that, The first mask set contains d+1 masks. The first mask set includes a first subset and a second subset. The first subset contains d masks, and the second subset contains 1 mask. Wherein, the masks contained in the first subset are mutually orthogonal, and the masks m contained in the first subset are... i The mask m contained in the second subset j Satisfy: |m i m j |2=d,i≠j。 28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that, The first mask set contains a number of masks greater than (n-1)·d+1, and the number of masks in the first mask set is less than or equal to n·d. The first mask set includes n subsets, and the masks contained in each of the n subsets are mutually orthogonal. Furthermore, the masks contained in different subsets satisfy a first relation, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2, · represents a dot product operation, and the mask m... i and mask m j Satisfying the first relation includes: |m i m j | 2 =d, i≠j.

29. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 25-28, characterized in that, d = 3, and the first mask set includes one or more masks as follows, where w = e j2π / 3 : (w 3 ,w 3 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w,w 2 ),(w 3 ,w 2 ,w), (w 3 ,w,w),(w 3 ,w 2 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w 3 ,w 2 ), (w 3 ,w 2 ,w 2 ),(w 3 ,w,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w 3 ,w).

30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 29, characterized in that, d=3, and the first mask set includes a first subset, a second subset, and a third subset; wherein, The first subset includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w 3 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w,w 2 ),(w 3 ,w 2 ,w), The second subset includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w,w),(w 3 ,w 2 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w 3 ,w 2 ), The third subset includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w 2 ,w 2 ),(w 3 ,w,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w 3 ,w).

31. The apparatus as claimed in claim 29, characterized in that, d = 4, and the first mask set includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,-1),(1,1,-1,1),(1,-1,1,1),(1,-1,-1,-1), (1,1,j,j),(1,1,-j,-j),(1,-1,j,-j),(1,-1,-j,j), (1,j,1,j),(1,j,-1,-j),(1,-j,-1,j), (1,j,j,1),(1,j,-j,-1),(1,-j,-j,1).

32. The apparatus as claimed in claim 31, characterized in that, The first mask set includes a first subset, a second subset, a third subset, and a fourth subset; wherein, The first subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,-1), (1,1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,1), (1,-1,-1,-1); The second subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,j,j), (1,1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,-j), (1,-1,-j,j); The third subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,j,1,j),(1,j,-1,-j),(1,-j,1,-j),(1,-j,-1,j); The fourth subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,j,j,1), (1,j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,-1), (1,-j,-j,1).

33. The apparatus as claimed in claim 29, characterized in that, d = 4, and the first mask set includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,1),(1,1,-1,-1),(1,-1,-1,1),(1,-1,1,-1); (1,-1,-j,-j),(1,-1,j,j),(1,1,j,-j),(1,1,-j,j); (1,-j,-j,-1),(1,-j,j,1),(1,j,j,-1),(1,j,-j,1); (1,-j,-1,-j),(1,-j,1,j),(1,j,-1,j),(1,j,1,-j).

34. The apparatus as claimed in claim 33, characterized in that, The first mask set includes a first subset, a second subset, a third subset, and a fourth subset; wherein, The first subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,1), (1,1,-1,-1), (1,-1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,-1); The second subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,-1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,j), (1,1,j,-j), (1,1,-j,j); The third subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,1), (1,j,j,-1), (1,j,-j,1); The fourth subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,j), (1,j,-1,j), (1,j,1,-j).

35. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 26-34, characterized in that, The transceiver module is also used for: Receive first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate a first reference signal port group, the first reference signal port group includes a first reference signal port and a second reference signal port, the first reference signal port corresponds to a first mask, the second reference signal port corresponds to a second mask, and the first mask and the second mask belong to the same subset.

36. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 25-35, characterized in that, The reference signal is the demodulation reference signal DMRS.

37. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A transceiver module is used to send first indication information and receive a reference signal at a first reference signal port according to a first mask; wherein, the first indication information is used to indicate a first reference signal port group, the first reference signal port group includes a first reference signal port; the length of the first mask is d, the first mask belongs to a first mask set, the first mask set contains at least d+1 masks, and d is a positive integer greater than 2; A processing module is used to determine the reference signal.

38. The apparatus as claimed in claim 37, characterized in that, The first mask set includes multiple subsets, where the masks within a subset are mutually orthogonal, and the masks contained in different subsets satisfy a first condition, wherein the mask m i and mask m j The first condition includes: mask m i and mask m j Satisfy: |m i m j |2=d,i≠j。 39. The apparatus as claimed in claim 38, characterized in that, The first mask set contains d+1 masks. The first mask set includes a first subset and a second subset. The first subset contains d masks, and the second subset contains 1 mask. Wherein, the masks contained in the first subset are mutually orthogonal, and the masks m contained in the first subset are... i The mask m contained in the second subset j Satisfy: |m i m j |2=d,i≠j。 40. The apparatus as claimed in claim 38, characterized in that, The first mask set contains a number of masks greater than (n-1)·d+1, and the number of masks in the first mask set is less than or equal to n·d. The first mask set includes n subsets, and the masks contained in each of the n subsets are mutually orthogonal. Furthermore, the masks contained in different subsets satisfy a first relation, where n is an integer greater than or equal to 2, · represents a dot product operation, and the mask m... i and mask m j Satisfying the first relation includes: |m i m j | 2 =d, i≠j.

41. The apparatus according to any one of claims 37-40, characterized in that, d = 3, and the first mask set includes one or more masks as follows, where w = e j2π / 3 : (w 3 ,w 3 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w,w 2 ),(w 3 ,w 2 ,w), (w 3 ,w,w),(w 3 ,w 2 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w 3 ,w 2 ), (w 3 ,w 2 ,w 2 ),(w 3 ,w,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w 3 ,w).

42. The apparatus as claimed in claim 41, characterized in that, d=3, and the first mask set includes a first subset, a second subset, and a third subset; wherein, The first subset includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w 3 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w,w 2 ),(w 3 ,w 2 ,w), The second subset includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w,w),(w 3 ,w 2 ,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w 3 ,w 2 ), The third subset includes one or more masks as follows: (w 3 ,w 2 ,w 2 ),(w 3 ,w,w 3 ),(w 3 ,w 3 ,w).

43. The apparatus as claimed in claim 41, characterized in that, d = 4, and the first mask set includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,-1),(1,1,-1,1),(1,-1,1,1),(1,-1,-1,-1), (1,1,j,j),(1,1,-j,-j),(1,-1,j,-j),(1,-1,-j,j), (1,j,1,j),(1,j,-1,-j),(1,-j,-1,j), (1,j,j,1),(1,j,-j,-1),(1,-j,-j,1).

44. The apparatus as claimed in claim 43, characterized in that, The first mask set includes a first subset, a second subset, a third subset, and a fourth subset; wherein, The first subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,-1), (1,1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,1), (1,-1,-1,-1); The second subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,j,j), (1,1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,-j), (1,-1,-j,j); The third subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,j,1,j),(1,j,-1,-j),(1,-j,1,-j),(1,-j,-1,j); The fourth subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,j,j,1), (1,j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,-1), (1,-j,-j,1).

45. The apparatus as claimed in claim 41, characterized in that, d = 4, and the first mask set includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,1),(1,1,-1,-1),(1,-1,-1,1),(1,-1,1,-1); (1,-1,-j,-j),(1,-1,j,j),(1,1,j,-j),(1,1,-j,j); (1,-j,-j,-1),(1,-j,j,1),(1,j,j,-1),(1,j,-j,1); (1,-j,-1,-j),(1,-j,1,j),(1,j,-1,j),(1,j,1,-j).

46. ​​The apparatus as claimed in claim 45, characterized in that, The first mask set includes a first subset, a second subset, a third subset, and a fourth subset; wherein, The first subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,1,1,1), (1,1,-1,-1), (1,-1,-1,1), (1,-1,1,-1); The second subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,-1,-j,-j), (1,-1,j,j), (1,1,j,-j), (1,1,-j,j); The third subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-j,-1), (1,-j,j,1), (1,j,j,-1), (1,j,-j,1); The fourth subset includes one or more masks as follows: (1,-j,-1,-j), (1,-j,1,j), (1,j,-1,j), (1,j,1,-j).

47. The apparatus according to any one of claims 38-44, characterized in that, The first reference signal port group further includes a second reference signal port, the first reference signal port corresponds to a first mask, the second reference signal port corresponds to a second mask, and the first mask and the second mask belong to the same subset.

48. The apparatus according to any one of claims 37-47, characterized in that, The reference signal is the demodulation reference signal DMRS.

49. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes at least one processor and at least one memory, the at least one memory being used to store a computer program, and the at least one processor being used to execute the computer program stored in the memory, causing the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, or causing the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 13 to 24.

50. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, or causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 13 to 24.

51. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, or causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 13 to 24.

52. A chip or chip system, characterized in that, The chip or chip system includes: At least one processor and an interface, the at least one processor being configured to call and execute instructions from the interface, wherein when the at least one processor executes the instructions, it implements the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, or implements the method as described in any one of claims 13 to 24.

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