Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of wireless communications, and provides a communication method and an apparatus. A terminal device receives first indication information, the first indication information being used for indicating that: the number of radio frequency channels of a network device corresponding to a second frequency domain resource when a downlink signal is carried on both a first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource configured by the network device for the terminal device is less than or equal to the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when the downlink signal is carried on the second frequency domain resource, the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource belonging to different frequency domain resource groups; and on the basis of the first indication information, the terminal device receives the downlink signal from the network device on the first frequency domain resource and / or the second frequency domain resource. In the present application, the terminal device can flexibly select a reasonable downlink signal receiving manner on the basis of a downlink communication rule indicated by the first indication information.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410914864.8, filed on July 8, 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 wireless communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0004] In wireless communication systems, communication can be categorized into different types based on the types of transmitting and receiving nodes. Generally, signals sent from network devices to terminal devices are called downlink signals, and signals sent from terminal devices to network devices are called uplink signals.

[0005] Currently, network devices support transmitting and receiving signals on multiple frequency bands. Network devices can configure multiple frequency domain resources across different frequency bands for terminal devices, enabling them to transmit downlink signals to and receive uplink signals from terminal devices on these same resources. Furthermore, network devices can include multiple radio frequency channels, allowing them to transmit and receive signals. When a network device includes multiple radio frequency channels and is configured with multiple frequency domain resources across different frequency bands for a terminal device, the question of how the network device and the terminal device transmit and / or receive signals becomes a problem that needs to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for enabling a terminal device to rationally select a downlink signal reception method when the network device includes multiple radio frequency channels and multiple frequency domain resources of different frequency bands are configured for the terminal device.

[0007] Firstly, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a terminal device, such as a terminal device or a communication module within a terminal device, or a circuit or chip in the terminal device responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SoC) chip). Package (SIP) chip); Taking the application of this method to a terminal device as an example, the method may include: the terminal device receiving first indication information; the first indication information is used to indicate that: when downlink signals are carried on both the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource configured by the network device for the terminal device, the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource is less than the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when downlink signals are carried on the second frequency domain resource; or, the first indication information is used to indicate that: when downlink signals are carried on both the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource configured for the terminal device, the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource is equal to the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when downlink signals are carried on the second frequency domain resource; the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource belong to different frequency domain resource groups; the terminal device receives downlink signals from the network device on the first frequency domain resource and / or the second frequency domain resource according to the first indication information.

[0008] Using the above method, the terminal device receives first indication information sent by the network device. This first indication information can be used to indicate different downlink communication rules. For example, the first downlink communication rule is: when downlink signals are carried on both the first and second frequency domain resources configured for the terminal device by the network device, the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource is less than the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when downlink signals are carried only on the second frequency domain resource; the second downlink communication rule is: when downlink signals are carried on both the first and second frequency domain resources configured for the terminal device by the network device, the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource is less than the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when downlink signals are carried only on the second frequency domain resource. After receiving the first indication information, the terminal device can determine the downlink communication rule indicated by the network device. Based on the downlink communication rule indicated by the network device, the terminal device can flexibly select a reasonable downlink signal reception method, thereby reducing communication performance loss.

[0009] In one possible design, the terminal device receives second indication information, which indicates that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share at least one radio frequency channel of the network device.

[0010] Through the above design, the terminal device can determine, based on the second indication information, that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share at least one radio frequency channel of the network device, thereby allowing the terminal device to select the corresponding downlink signal reception method and reduce communication performance loss.

[0011] In one possible design, the radio frequency channel of the network device includes a transmit radio frequency channel for transmitting the downlink signal; the second indication information includes first information, which indicates that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share the transmit radio frequency channel.

[0012] In one possible design, the radio frequency channel of the network device includes a receive radio frequency channel for receiving uplink signals; the second indication information includes second information for indicating that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share the receive radio frequency channel.

[0013] In one possible design, the frequency domain resource group includes one of carrier, bandwidth portion, frequency band, and cell.

[0014] Secondly, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a network device, such as a network device or a communication module within a network device, or a circuit, chip, or chip system within a network device responsible for communication functions. Taking the application of this method to a network device as an example, the network device determines a first frequency domain resource and a second frequency domain resource configured for a terminal device, wherein the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource belong to different frequency domain resource groups. The network device sends first indication information. The first indication information indicates that when downlink signals are carried on both the first and second frequency domain resources, the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource is less than the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when downlink signals are carried on the second frequency domain resource. Alternatively, the first indication information indicates that when downlink signals are carried on both the first and second frequency domain resources, the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource is equal to the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when downlink signals are carried on the second frequency domain resource.

[0015] In one possible design, the network device sends a second indication message, which indicates that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share at least one radio frequency channel of the network device.

[0016] In one possible design, the radio frequency channel of the network device includes a transmit radio frequency channel for transmitting the downlink signal; the second indication information includes first information, which indicates that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share the transmit radio frequency channel.

[0017] In one possible design, the radio frequency channel of the network device includes a receive radio frequency channel for receiving uplink signals; the second indication information includes second information for indicating that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share the receive radio frequency channel.

[0018] In one possible design, the frequency domain resource group includes one of carrier, bandwidth portion, frequency band, and cell.

[0019] Thirdly, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a terminal device, such as a terminal device or a communication module within the terminal device, or a circuit or chip (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core) responsible for communication functions within the terminal device. Taking the application of this method to a terminal device as an example, the method may include: if the terminal device does not receive a first indication information within a first time period, it determines to use a first downlink communication rule; the first indication information indicates a second downlink communication rule; the first downlink communication rule is: when downlink signals are carried on both the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource configured by the network device for the terminal device, the second frequency domain resource corresponds to... The number of radio frequency channels of the network device is less than the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when carrying downlink signals on the second frequency domain resource; the second downlink communication rule is: when carrying downlink signals on both the first and second frequency domain resources, the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource is equal to the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when carrying downlink signals on the second frequency domain resource; the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource belong to different frequency domain resource groups; the terminal device receives downlink signals from the network device on the first frequency domain resource and / or the second frequency domain resource according to the first downlink communication rule.

[0020] Fourthly, this application provides a communication method that can be applied to a terminal device, such as a terminal device or a communication module within the terminal device, or a circuit or chip (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core) responsible for communication functions within the terminal device. Taking the application of this method to a terminal device as an example, the method may include: if the terminal device does not receive a first indication information within a second time period, it determines to use a second downlink communication rule; the first indication information indicates a first downlink communication rule; the first downlink communication rule is: when downlink signals are carried on both the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource configured by the network device for the terminal device, the second frequency domain resource corresponds to... The number of radio frequency channels of the network device is less than the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when carrying downlink signals on the second frequency domain resource; the second downlink communication rule is: when carrying downlink signals on both the first and second frequency domain resources, the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource is equal to the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when carrying downlink signals on the second frequency domain resource; the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource belong to different frequency domain resource groups; the terminal device receives downlink signals from the network device on the first frequency domain resource and / or the second frequency domain resource according to the second downlink communication rule.

[0021] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device that has the function of implementing any one of the first to fourth aspects described above. The communication device may include modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations involved in any one of the first to fourth aspects. Specifically, the modules, units, or means may be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. For example, the communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit to perform any one of the first to fourth aspects, or to perform any possible implementation of the first to fourth aspects. The communication unit is used to perform transmit and receive operations, such as functions related to sending and receiving; the communication unit may be called a transmit and receive unit; optionally, the communication unit includes a receiving unit and a sending unit. The processing unit is used to perform processing operations.

[0022] In one design, the communication device is a communication chip, the processing unit can be one or more processors or processor cores, and the communication unit can be the input / output circuit, input / output interface or antenna port of the communication chip.

[0023] In another design, the communication unit can be a transmitter and a receiver, or the communication unit can be a transmitter and a receiver.

[0024] Optionally, the communication device may further include modules that can be used to perform any one of the first to fourth aspects described above, or to perform any one of the possible implementations of the first to fourth aspects.

[0025] Sixthly, a communication device is provided, which can be the aforementioned terminal device or network device. The communication device may include a processor and a memory to execute any one of the first to fourth aspects, or any possible implementation thereof. Optionally, it may also include a transceiver, the memory for storing computer programs or instructions, and the processor for retrieving and running the computer program or instructions from the memory. When the processor executes the computer program or instructions in the memory, the communication device executes any one of the first to fourth aspects, or any possible implementation thereof. Optionally, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories.

[0026] Optionally, the memory can be integrated with the processor, or the memory can be set up separately from the processor.

[0027] Optionally, the transceiver may include a transmitter and a receiver.

[0028] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, which may be the aforementioned terminal device or network device. The communication device may include a processor to execute any one of the first to fourth aspects, or to execute any possible implementation of the first to fourth aspects. The processor is coupled to a memory. Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0029] In one implementation, when the communication device is a terminal device or a network device, the communication interface can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0030] In another implementation, when the communication device is a chip or chip system, the communication interface can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip or chip system. The processor can also be manifested as a processing circuit or logic circuit.

[0031] Eighthly, this application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and may further include a storage medium storing a computer program or instructions. When executed by the processor, the computer program or instructions are used to implement the methods in any of the possible designs in the first to fourth aspects described above. The communication device may be a chip system. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0032] Ninth aspect, a communication system is provided, the communication system including terminal equipment of the first aspect, the third aspect or the fourth aspect and network equipment of the second aspect.

[0033] In a tenth aspect, this application also provides a chip including a processor coupled to a memory for reading and executing a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, so that the chip implements the method in any of the possible designs in the first to fourth aspects described above.

[0034] In one aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions, which, when read and executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the possible designs in the first to fourth aspects described above.

[0035] In a twelfth aspect, this application provides a computer program product that, when read and executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the possible designs in the first to fourth aspects described above.

[0036] For the various aspects from the second to the twelfth aspects mentioned above, and the technical effects that each aspect may achieve, please refer to the above description of the technical effects that various possible solutions for the first aspect or aspects may achieve, which will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0038] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of another communication system architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0039] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a sensing scene provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0040] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of frequency bands supported by a network device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of a multi-band non-shared radio frequency channel provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of a shared radio frequency channel for multiple frequency bands provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0046] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0047] The network architecture and business scenarios described in this application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0048] In this application embodiment, "multiple" can refer to two or more. Therefore, in this application embodiment, "multiple" can also be understood as "at least two". "At least one" can be understood as one or more, such as one, two or more. For example, "including at least one" means including one, two or more. For example, including at least one of A, B and C, then it can include A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A, B and C. "And / or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects. Specifically, there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone.

[0049] The ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are generally used to distinguish different objects, and are not used to limit the order, sequence, priority, or importance of multiple objects. For example, the first instruction information and the second instruction information in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish two pieces of information, and do not limit the priority or importance of these two pieces of information.

[0050] This application will present embodiments relating to a system comprising multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood that the system may include other unmentioned devices, components, modules, etc., or may include only some of the devices, components, or modules mentioned in the embodiments.

[0051] The communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application will be introduced below.

[0052] The technical solutions of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), short-range wireless communication systems (such as sidelink, wireless fidelity, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.), wired networks, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, device-to-device (D2D) communication systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, 4th generation (4G) mobile communication systems (such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems), LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems (such as New Radio (NR) systems), Future Communication Systems, or other similar communication systems, without limitation. This application describes the communication system shown in Figure 1 as an example. When applying the technical solution of this application to other communication systems, the devices, components, modules, etc. in the embodiment can be replaced with corresponding devices, components, modules in other communication systems without limitation.

[0053] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an optional communication system architecture applied in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system includes an access network 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system may also include an Internet 300. The access network 100 may include at least one radio access network (RAN) node, such as 110a and 110b in Figure 1, and may also include at least one terminal device, such as 120a-120j in Figure 1. Specifically, 110a is a base station, 110b is a micro-station, 120a, 120e, 120f, and 120j are mobile phones, 120b is a car, 120c is a fuel dispenser, 120d is a home access point (HAP) deployed indoors or outdoors, 120g is a laptop computer, 120h is a printer, and 120i is a drone. The same terminal device or network device can provide different functions in different application scenarios. For example, the mobile phones in Figure 1 are 120a, 120e, 120f and 120j. Mobile phone 120a can access base station 110a, connect to car 120b, communicate directly with mobile phone 120e and access HAP. Car 120b can access HAP and communicate directly with mobile phone 120a. Mobile phone 120f can access micro-station 110b, connect to laptop 120g and printer 120h. Mobile phone 120j can control drone 120i.

[0054] A network device is a network-side device with wireless transceiver capabilities. This network device can be a unit in a radio access network (RAN) that provides wireless communication functionality to terminal devices, referred to as RAN equipment; alternatively, it can also be a core network device. For ease of understanding, the following explanation uses RAN equipment as an example. RAN can be an access network in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 4G, 5G, or future communication networks. RAN can also be an open access network (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a communication network combining two or more of these. RAN equipment can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G mobile communication system, a base station in a future communication system, an access node in a WiFi system, a wireless relay node, or a wireless backhaul node, etc.

[0055] RAN equipment can also be modules or units that perform some of the functions of a base station. For example, it can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). Here, the CU performs the functions of the base station's Radio Resource Control Protocol (RRC) and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), and can also perform the functions of the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP). The DU performs the functions of the base station's Radio Link Control (RAN) and Medium Access Control (MAC) layers, and can also perform some or all of the physical layer functions. For specific descriptions of the above protocol layers, please refer to the relevant technical specifications of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The CU and DU can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as in the baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH). In different systems, CU, DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meanings. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (Open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, and RU can also be called O-RU. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules. The network device can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 1, 110a), a micro base station or an indoor station (as shown in Figure 1, 110b), or a relay node or donor node, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or specific device form used in the network device.

[0056] In the embodiments of this application, the functions of the network device can be executed by modules (such as chips) within the network device, or by a control subsystem that includes the functions of the network device. This control subsystem, which includes the functions of the network device, can be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities.

[0057] A terminal device is a user-side device with wireless transceiver capabilities. Terminal devices can also be called terminals, user equipment (UE), user terminals, user devices, user units, user stations, access terminals, access stations, UE stations, remote stations, wireless communication equipment, mobile stations, or mobile terminals, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) or machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, self-driving, remote medical care, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, and smart cities. Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc.

[0058] In the embodiments of this application, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself, or it can be any device that supports the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system or a combination of devices or components that can implement the functions of the terminal device. This device can be installed in the terminal device. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal device.

[0059] Network devices and terminal devices can be fixed in location or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on airplanes, balloons, and artificial satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the network devices and terminal devices.

[0060] Network devices and terminal devices can communicate via air interface protocols. The air interface can be simply referred to as the air interface. Network devices can communicate with each other via network device-to-network device interface protocols. Terminal devices can communicate with each other via licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously, without limitation.

[0061] The roles of network devices and terminal devices can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 1 can be configured as a mobile network device. For terminal devices 120j that access the wireless access network 100 via 120i, terminal device 120i is a network device; however, for network device 110a, 120i is a terminal device. That is, 110a and 120i communicate via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate via a network device-to-network device interface protocol. In this case, relative to 110a, 120i is also a network device. Therefore, both network devices and terminal devices can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with network device functions, and 120a-120j in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with terminal device functions.

[0062] In the evolution of 5G mobile communication systems towards 5G-A technology, integrated communication and sensing technology is considered one of the key technologies for expanding the service capabilities of mobile communication networks. The core idea of ​​this integrated communication and sensing technology is to add sensing capabilities to the mobile communication network, building capabilities such as target detection, tracking, and imaging, thereby integrating communication and sensing capabilities into a single network to achieve harmonious coexistence and mutual benefit.

[0063] The technical principles of sensing differ somewhat from those of communication. In communication, the transmitting end modulates information onto radio waves and sends it to the receiving end, which then demodulates the signal to obtain the information. Sensing, however, requires the transmitting end to send radio waves in a specific direction. When these radio waves strike a target surface, they are reflected, and the receiving end receives and processes these reflected waves to obtain information such as the target's position, speed, and type.

[0064] Sensing technology can generally be divided into two modes: single-site sensing and dual-site sensing. Single-site sensing refers to a single device that transmits the sensing signal and receives the echo signal. In other words, in single-site sensing, the transmitting device both transmits the sensing signal and receives the echo signal reflected from the surface of the sensing target. Therefore, this single-site sensing mode can also be called a self-transmitting and self-receiving mode, without limitation. Dual-site sensing refers to two different devices that transmit the sensing signal and receive the echo signal. In other words, sensing station A transmits the sensing signal, and the echo signal reflected from the surface of the sensing target is received by sensing station B. Therefore, this dual-site sensing mode can also be called the A-transmitting and B-receiving mode. It should be noted that the echo signal is obtained by reflecting the sensing signal from the surface of the sensing target; therefore, this echo signal can still be called the sensing signal.

[0065] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of another optional communication system architecture applied in the embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 2, the communication system includes a network device 400 and at least one terminal device (410a, 410b, and 410c in Figure 2). In the integrated communication and sensing system, the network device and the terminal device can sense objects that do not have communication capabilities while communicating. The sensing target can be any tangible object in the environment that can reflect electromagnetic waves; the sensing target can also be called a target, a detected target, a sensed object, a sensed device, etc., without limitation. For example, the sensed target includes, but is not limited to, moving targets such as vehicles, low-altitude drones, and pedestrians, as well as stationary objects in the environment, such as buildings and the ground. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific implementation form of the sensing target.

[0066] Network device 400 can be the RAN device mentioned above, and the RAN device and terminal device can be found in the description above.

[0067] Figure 3 illustrates a schematic diagram of the sensing scenarios applicable to the embodiments of this application. Figure 3 provides six optional sensing scenarios: a scenario where network device A sends a sensing signal and network device A receives an echo signal, as shown in (1) of Figure 3; a scenario where terminal device A sends a sensing signal and terminal device A receives an echo signal, as shown in (2) of Figure 3; a scenario where network device A sends a sensing signal and network device B receives an echo signal, as shown in (3) of Figure 3; a scenario where terminal device A sends a sensing signal and terminal device B receives an echo signal, as shown in (4) of Figure 3; a scenario where network device A sends a sensing signal and terminal device A receives an echo signal, as shown in (5) of Figure 3; and a scenario where terminal device A sends a sensing signal and network device A receives an echo signal, as shown in (6) of Figure 3. Figure 3 uses a vehicle as the sensing target and a smartphone as the terminal device as an example.

[0068] In the communication scenario between the network device and the terminal device in this application embodiment, as shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2 above, the network device sends downlink signals to the terminal device, and the terminal device sends uplink signals to the network device. The downlink and uplink signals can be communication signals or sensing signals. The network device can support receiving and transmitting signals on multiple frequency bands. As shown in Figure 4, the network device supports receiving and transmitting signals on the 6GHz frequency band and the 26GHz frequency band.

[0069] In addition, network devices may include multiple radio frequency (RF) channels, through which they can transmit and receive signals. The RF channels in this application embodiment can generally be understood as channels in RF modules such as remote radio units (RRUs) or active antenna units (AAUs), or as channels in other RF modules. They can be coupled to the antenna array via jumpers and to the baseband module via optical fiber.

[0070] When a network device transmits and / or receives signals on multiple supported frequency bands, each radio frequency (RF) channel of the network device can correspond to a separate frequency band, and multiple frequency bands do not share RF channels. As shown in Figure 5A, the network device supports frequency band 1 and frequency band 2, and includes RF channel 1 and RF channel 2. The network device can transmit downlink signals to the terminal device on frequency band 1 and frequency band 2, or receive uplink signals transmitted by the terminal device on frequency band 1 and frequency band 2. Frequency band 1 and frequency band 2 each correspond to one RF channel; for example, frequency band 1 corresponds to RF channel 1, and frequency band 2 corresponds to RF channel 2. RF channel 1 is only used for communication on frequency band 1; that is, the network device carries downlink signals to the terminal device on frequency band 1 through RF channel 1, or the network device receives uplink signals carried on frequency band 1 by the terminal device through RF channel 1. Radio frequency channel 2 is used only for communication on frequency band 2. That is, network devices use radio frequency channel 2 to carry downlink signals to terminal devices on frequency band 2, or network devices use radio frequency channel 2 to receive uplink signals carried on frequency band 2 from terminal devices.

[0071] Alternatively, when a network device transmits and / or receives signals on multiple supported frequency bands, each radio frequency channel of the network device can be shared across multiple frequency bands. As shown in Figure 5B, the network device supports frequency band 1 and frequency band 2, and includes radio frequency channel 1 and radio frequency channel 2. The network device can transmit downlink signals to the terminal device on frequency band 1 and frequency band 2, or receive uplink signals transmitted by the terminal device on frequency band 1 and frequency band 2. Frequency band 1 and frequency band 2 can share some or all of the network device's radio frequency channels. For example, radio frequency channel 1 can be used for communication on frequency band 1 and frequency band 2; that is, the network device carries downlink signals to the terminal device on frequency band 1 and frequency band 2 through radio frequency channel 1, or the network device receives uplink signals transmitted by the terminal device on frequency band 1 and frequency band 2 through radio frequency channel 1. Radio frequency channel 2 can be used for communication on frequency band 1 and frequency band 2; that is, network devices can carry downlink signals to terminal devices on frequency band 1 and frequency band 2 through radio frequency channel 2, or network devices can receive uplink signals carried on frequency band 1 and frequency band 2 by terminal devices through radio frequency channel 2.

[0072] When a network device includes multiple radio frequency channels and is configured with multiple frequency domain resources of different frequency bands for a terminal device, the network device can transmit downlink signals on different frequency bands through multiple radio frequency channels. The terminal device may not be able to determine the number of radio frequency channels corresponding to the downlink signal on each frequency band, which may result in the terminal device being unable to select a reasonable reception method to receive the downlink signal transmitted by the network device.

[0073] As shown in Figure 6, this application embodiment provides a communication method, which may specifically include the following steps:

[0074] Step 601: The terminal device receives the first instruction information. Accordingly, the network device sends the first instruction information to the terminal device.

[0075] In the communication method provided in this application embodiment, the network device configures multiple frequency domain resources for the terminal device. Optionally, the multiple frequency domain resources include a first frequency domain resource and a second frequency domain resource.

[0076] Optionally, the communication method in this application embodiment may further include the following steps: the network device determines the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources configured for the terminal device.

[0077] The number of first frequency domain resources can be one or more, the number of second frequency domain resources can be one or more, and the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources belong to different frequency domain resource groups.

[0078] The frequency domain resource group in this application embodiment includes one of a carrier, a bandwidth portion, a frequency band, and a cell. For example, when the frequency domain resource group is a carrier, the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource can be different carriers; for instance, the first frequency domain resource is a primary carrier, and the second frequency domain resource is a secondary carrier. When the frequency domain resource group is a bandwidth portion (BWP), the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource can be different BWPs, or the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource belong to frequency domain resources of different BWPs; for instance, the first frequency domain resource is a frequency domain resource in BWP1, and the second frequency domain resource is a frequency domain resource in BWP2. When the frequency domain resource group is a frequency band, the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource can belong to frequency domain resources of different frequency bands; for instance, the first frequency domain resource is a frequency domain resource in frequency band 1, and the second frequency domain resource is a frequency domain resource in frequency band 2. When the frequency domain resource group is a cell, the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource can belong to frequency domain resources of different cells.

[0079] Optionally, the network device can send resource configuration information to the terminal device, configuring a first frequency domain resource and / or a second frequency domain resource for the terminal device through the resource configuration information. In one possible implementation, the network device can configure the first and second frequency domain resources to the terminal device through a single resource configuration information. In another possible implementation, the network device can configure the first and second frequency domain resources to the terminal device separately through different resource configuration information; for example, the network device sends first resource configuration information to the terminal device to configure the first frequency domain resource, and then sends second resource configuration information to the terminal device to configure the second frequency domain resource; for example, the first frequency domain resource is the primary carrier, and the second frequency domain resource is the secondary carrier; the network device sends primary carrier configuration information to the terminal device to configure the primary carrier, and the network device sends secondary carrier configuration information to the terminal device to configure the secondary carrier.

[0080] The network device includes multiple radio frequency channels, through which it can communicate with terminal devices. For example, the network device transmits downlink signals to the terminal device through the multiple radio frequency channels, or receives uplink signals transmitted by the terminal device through the multiple radio frequency channels. Optionally, the downlink signals transmitted by the network device to the terminal device through the multiple radio frequency channels can be carried on first frequency domain resources and / or second frequency domain resources; the uplink signals received by the network device through the multiple radio frequency channels can be carried on first frequency domain resources and / or second frequency domain resources.

[0081] In step 601, the network device sends first indication information to the terminal device. This first indication information can indicate that: when downlink signals are carried on both the first and second frequency domain resources configured for the terminal device by the network device, the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource is less than the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when downlink signals are carried on only the second frequency domain resource. Alternatively, the first indication information can indicate that: when downlink signals are carried on both the first and second frequency domain resources configured for the terminal device, the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource is equal to the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when downlink signals are carried on only the second frequency domain resource.

[0082] Based on the first indication information, the network device can indicate different downlink communication rules to the terminal device. For ease of description, the following description uses the first indication information to indicate different downlink communication rules. For example, the first indication information is used to indicate a first downlink communication rule, wherein the first downlink communication rule is: when downlink signals are carried on both the first and second frequency domain resources configured by the network device for the terminal device, the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource is less than the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when downlink signals are carried on the second frequency domain resource. Alternatively, the first indication information is used to indicate a second downlink communication rule, wherein the second downlink communication rule is: when downlink signals are carried on both the first and second frequency domain resources configured for the terminal device, the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource is equal to the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when downlink signals are carried on the second frequency domain resource.

[0083] The downlink communication rules in this application define the relationship between the number of radio frequency channels corresponding to the second frequency domain resources under two different scenarios. The two different scenarios include: Scenario 1, where the network device carries downlink signals on both the first and second frequency domain resources configured for the terminal device; and Scenario 2, where downlink signals are carried on the second frequency domain resources. Scenario 2 can be understood as carrying downlink signals only on the second frequency domain resources, or as carrying downlink signals on the second frequency domain resources but not on the first frequency domain resources. The first indication information can be used to indicate that the number of radio frequency channels corresponding to the second frequency domain resources in Scenario 1 is less than the number of radio frequency channels corresponding to the second frequency domain resources in Scenario 2; or, the first indication information can be used to indicate that the number of radio frequency channels corresponding to the second frequency domain resources in Scenario 1 is equal to the number of radio frequency channels corresponding to the second frequency domain resources in Scenario 2.

[0084] Optionally, the first indication information can be carried in the resource configuration information used to configure the first frequency domain resources and / or the second frequency domain resources; correspondingly, after receiving the resource configuration information, the terminal device can obtain the first indication information from the resource configuration information. When the network device configures the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources to the terminal device using different resource configuration information, for example, the network device configures the first frequency domain resources to the terminal device using the first resource configuration information, and the network device configures the second frequency domain resources to the terminal device using the second resource configuration information; the network device can carry the first indication information through either the first or second resource configuration information. For example, if the first frequency domain resource is the primary carrier and the second frequency domain resource is the secondary carrier, the network device can carry the first indication information through the secondary carrier configuration information.

[0085] When a network device instructs a terminal device on different downlink communication rules through a first indication message, embodiments of this application can provide a variety of different implementation methods. These will be described below.

[0086] Implementation Method 1: Network devices indicate different downlink communication rules by carrying different information content in the first instruction information.

[0087] Optionally, when the first indication information carries a first parameter, the first indication information is used to indicate a first downlink communication rule; when the first indication information carries a second parameter, the first indication information is used to indicate a second downlink communication rule.

[0088] For example, the first indication information is a 1-bit first field, and different information content carried by the first field can indicate different downlink communication rules. As shown in Table 1, when the information content carried by the first field is 0, the first indication information can be used to indicate the first downlink communication rule; when the information content carried by the first field is 1, the first indication information can be used to indicate the second downlink communication rule. Alternatively, as shown in Table 2, when the information content carried by the first field is 0, the first indication information can be used to indicate the second downlink communication rule; when the information content carried by the first field is 1, the first indication information can be used to indicate the first downlink communication rule.

[0089] Table 1

[0090] Table 2

[0091] In this implementation, the network device and the terminal device can pre-agree on the content of the downlink communication rules, or the network device and the terminal device can predefine the content of the downlink communication rules. For example, the network device and the terminal device pre-agree or predefine the first downlink communication rule as follows: when downlink signals are carried on both the first and second frequency domain resources configured by the network device for the terminal device, the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource is less than the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when downlink signals are carried on only the second frequency domain resource; the network device and the terminal device pre-agree or predefine the second downlink communication rule as follows: when downlink signals are carried on both the first and second frequency domain resources configured for the terminal device, the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource is equal to the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when downlink signals are carried on only the second frequency domain resource.

[0092] Based on this, after receiving the first indication information, the terminal device can determine whether the network device indicates a first downlink communication rule or a second downlink communication rule according to the information content carried in the first indication information. For example, as shown in Table 1 above: if the terminal device determines that the information content carried in the first indication information is 0 after receiving the first indication information, then it determines that the network device indicates a first downlink communication rule; if the terminal device determines that the information content carried in the first indication information is 1 after receiving the first indication information, then it determines that the network device indicates a second downlink communication rule.

[0093] Implementation Method 2: When the network device instructs the first downlink communication rule or the second downlink communication rule, it sends the first instruction information to the terminal device.

[0094] In this second implementation, when the network device determines that it needs to instruct the terminal device on the first downlink communication rule, it sends a first instruction message to the terminal device. Accordingly, upon receiving the first instruction message, the terminal device determines that the network device has instructed the first downlink communication rule; if the terminal device does not receive the first instruction message, it determines that the network device has instructed the second downlink communication rule.

[0095] Alternatively, in this second implementation, when the network device determines that it needs to instruct the terminal device to use the second downlink communication rule, it sends the first instruction information to the terminal device. Accordingly, upon receiving the first instruction information, the terminal device determines that the network device has instructed the second downlink communication rule; if the terminal device does not receive the first instruction information, it determines that the network device has instructed the first downlink communication rule.

[0096] It should be understood that the terminal device not receiving the first instruction information could mean that the terminal device did not receive the first instruction information at the set time, or that the terminal device did not receive the first instruction information within the first time period.

[0097] The timing setting can be the time when the terminal device receives the resource configuration information. For example, the first indication information can be carried within the resource configuration information. When the terminal device receives the resource configuration information sent by the network device, it retrieves the first indication information from the resource configuration information. If the resource configuration information does not include the first indication information, the terminal device determines that it has not received the first indication information. For instance, if the first frequency domain resource is the primary carrier and the second frequency domain resource is the secondary carrier, the network device can carry the first indication information through the secondary carrier configuration information. If the terminal device receives the secondary carrier configuration information and determines that the secondary carrier configuration information does not include the first indication information, then the terminal device determines that it has not received the first indication information.

[0098] The first time period can be a set duration. For example, the set duration can be a time slot, a subframe, or a specific duration, such as 1ms, 0.5ms, etc. When the first indication information is carried in the resource configuration information, the first time period can be the set duration after the terminal device receives the resource configuration information sent by the network device. If the terminal device determines that it has not received the first indication information, it can be understood that the terminal device has not received the first indication information within the set duration after receiving the resource configuration information sent by the network device.

[0099] Step 602: The terminal device receives downlink signals from the network device on the first frequency domain resources and / or the second frequency domain resources according to the first instruction information.

[0100] After receiving the first indication information, the terminal device can determine the downlink communication rules indicated by the network device, such as a first downlink communication rule or a second downlink communication rule, based on the first indication information. The terminal device can then receive downlink signals from the network device on the first frequency domain resources and / or the second frequency domain resources according to the determined first downlink communication rule or second downlink communication rule.

[0101] For example, in the embodiments of this application, the downlink signal sent by the network device to the terminal device can be a communication signal, or the downlink signal can also be a sensing signal or the echo signal corresponding to the sensing signal.

[0102] Since the terminal device may receive downlink signals in different ways when the network device instructs different downlink communication rules, the terminal device can flexibly choose a reasonable receiving method based on the first instruction information sent by the network device, thereby reducing communication performance loss.

[0103] Optionally, the radio frequency channel of the network device in this application embodiment may include a transmitting radio frequency channel and / or a receiving radio frequency channel; wherein, the transmitting radio frequency channel is used for the network device to send downlink signals to the terminal device, and the receiving radio frequency channel is used for the network device to receive uplink signals sent by the terminal device.

[0104] In cases where the radio frequency channel of a network device includes a transmit radio frequency channel and / or a receive radio frequency channel, the radio frequency channel in the first downlink communication rule and the second downlink communication rule mentioned above can be a transmit radio frequency channel.

[0105] When a network device includes multiple radio frequency channels, and the network device configures first and second frequency domain resources for the terminal device, as described above, the first and second frequency domain resources can share a radio frequency channel, or the first and second frequency domain resources can each correspond to a radio frequency channel. If the terminal device cannot know whether the network device is using a shared radio frequency channel to transmit downlink signals, the terminal device cannot select a suitable receiving method to receive the downlink signal.

[0106] Based on this, the network device in this application embodiment can indicate to the terminal device whether to share the radio frequency channel. The method by which the network device indicates to the terminal device whether to share the radio frequency channel is described in detail below.

[0107] Shared RF channel indication method 1: The network device sends a second indication information to the terminal device; the second indication information is used to indicate whether the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources share at least one RF channel of the network device.

[0108] Optionally, the second indication information can be carried in the resource configuration information used to configure the first frequency domain resources and / or the second frequency domain resources; correspondingly, after receiving the resource configuration information, the terminal device can obtain the second indication information from the resource configuration information. When the network device configures the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources to the terminal device using different resource configuration information, for example, the network device configures the first frequency domain resources to the terminal device using the first resource configuration information, and the network device configures the second frequency domain resources to the terminal device using the second resource configuration information; the network device can carry the second indication information through either the first or second resource configuration information. For example, if the first frequency domain resource is the primary carrier and the second frequency domain resource is the secondary carrier, the network device can carry the second indication information through the secondary carrier configuration information.

[0109] The question of whether the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources share at least one radio frequency channel of the network device can be understood as: the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources share at least one radio frequency channel of the network device, or the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources do not share the radio frequency channel of the network device.

[0110] Network devices can indicate whether the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources share the network device's radio frequency channel by carrying different information content in the second indication information.

[0111] Optionally, when the second indication information carries a third parameter, the second indication information is used to indicate at least one radio frequency channel of the network device that shares the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources; when the second indication information carries a fourth parameter, the second indication information is used to indicate the radio frequency channel of the network device that does not share the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources.

[0112] For example, the second indication information is a 1-bit second field. Different information content carried by the second field can indicate whether the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share the radio frequency channel of the network device. As shown in Table 3, when the information content carried by the second field is 0, the second indication information can be used to indicate that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share at least one radio frequency channel of the network device; when the information content carried by the second field is 1, the second indication information can be used to indicate that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource do not share the radio frequency channel of the network device. Alternatively, as shown in Table 4, when the information content carried by the second field is 0, the second indication information can be used to indicate that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource do not share the radio frequency channel of the network device; when the information content carried by the second field is 1, the second indication information can be used to indicate that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share at least one radio frequency channel of the network device.

[0113] Table 3

[0114] Table 4

[0115] Based on this, after receiving the second indication information, the terminal device can determine whether the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share the radio frequency channel of the network device according to the information content carried by the second indication information. For example, as shown in Table 3 above: if the terminal device determines that the information content carried in the second indication information is 0 after receiving the second indication information, then it determines that the network device indicates that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share at least one radio frequency channel of the network device; if the terminal device determines that the information content carried in the second indication information is 1 after receiving the second indication information, then it determines that the network device indicates that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource do not share the radio frequency channel of the network device.

[0116] Based on the shared radio frequency channel indication method 1, if the radio frequency channel of the network device includes a transmitting radio frequency channel and a receiving radio frequency channel, when the network device indicates to the terminal device whether the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources share a radio frequency channel, it can indicate to the terminal device whether the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources share a transmitting radio frequency channel and whether they share a receiving radio frequency channel, respectively.

[0117] Optionally, the second indication information includes first information and / or second information. Wherein: the first information indicates whether the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share the transmit radio frequency channel of the network device; the second information indicates whether the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share the receive radio frequency channel of the network device.

[0118] The question of whether the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources share the network device's transmit radio frequency channel can be understood as follows: the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources share at least one transmit radio frequency channel of the network device, or the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources do not share the network device's transmit radio frequency channel. Similarly, the question of whether the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources share the network device's receive radio frequency channel can be understood as follows: the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources share at least one receive radio frequency channel of the network device, or the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources do not share the network device's receive radio frequency channel.

[0119] When the first information is used to indicate whether the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources share the transmission radio frequency channel of the network device, the network device can indicate whether the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources share the transmission radio frequency channel of the network device by carrying different information content in the first information.

[0120] For example, the first information is a third field including 1 bit. Different information content carried by the third field can indicate whether the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share the transmission radio frequency channel of the network device. For instance, when the information content carried by the third field is 0, the first information can be used to indicate that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share the transmission radio frequency channel of the network device; when the information content carried by the third field is 1, the first information can be used to indicate that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource do not share the transmission radio frequency channel of the network device. Alternatively, when the information content carried by the third field is 0, the first information can be used to indicate that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource do not share the transmission radio frequency channel of the network device; when the information content carried by the third field is 1, the first information can be used to indicate that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share the transmission radio frequency channel of the network device.

[0121] When the second information is used to indicate whether the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources share the receiving radio frequency channel of the network device, the network device can indicate whether the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources share the receiving radio frequency channel of the network device by carrying different information content in the second information.

[0122] For example, the second information is a fourth field including 1 bit. Different information content carried by the fourth field can indicate whether the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share the receiving radio frequency channel of the network device. For instance, when the information content carried by the fourth field is 0, the second information can be used to indicate that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share the receiving radio frequency channel of the network device; when the information content carried by the fourth field is 1, the second information can be used to indicate that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource do not share the receiving radio frequency channel of the network device. Alternatively, when the information content carried by the fourth field is 0, the second information can be used to indicate that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource do not share the receiving radio frequency channel of the network device; when the information content carried by the fourth field is 1, the second information can be used to indicate that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share the receiving radio frequency channel of the network device.

[0123] Shared RF channel indication method 2: When the network device indicates that the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources share the network device's RF channel, or indicates that the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources do not share the network device's RF channel, it sends a second indication information to the terminal device.

[0124] In the shared radio frequency channel indication method 2, when the network device determines that it intends to indicate to the terminal device that the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources of the network device share the radio frequency channel of the network device, it sends a second indication message to the terminal device. Accordingly, upon receiving the second indication message, the terminal device determines that the network device indicates that the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources share the radio frequency channel of the network device; if the terminal device does not receive the second indication message, it determines that the network device indicates that the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources do not share the radio frequency channel of the network device.

[0125] Alternatively, in shared radio frequency channel indication method 2, when the network device determines that it intends to indicate to the terminal device that the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources do not share the network device's radio frequency channel, it sends a second indication message to the terminal device. Accordingly, if the terminal device receives the second indication message, it determines that the network device has indicated that the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources do not share the network device's radio frequency channel; if the terminal device does not receive the second indication message, it determines that the network device has indicated that the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources share the network device's radio frequency channel.

[0126] It should be understood that the terminal device not receiving the second instruction information could mean that the terminal device did not receive the second instruction information at the set time, or that the terminal device did not receive the second instruction information within the second time period.

[0127] The timing setting can be the time when the terminal device receives the resource configuration information. For example, the second indication information can be carried within the resource configuration information. When the terminal device receives the resource configuration information sent by the network device, it retrieves the second indication information from the resource configuration information. If the resource configuration information does not include the second indication information, the terminal device determines that it has not received the second indication information. For instance, if the first frequency domain resource is the primary carrier and the second frequency domain resource is the secondary carrier, the network device can carry the second indication information through the secondary carrier configuration information. If the terminal device receives the secondary carrier configuration information and determines that the secondary carrier configuration information does not include the second indication information, the terminal device determines that it has not received the second indication information.

[0128] The second time period can be a set duration. For example, the set duration can be a time slot, a subframe, or a specific duration, such as 1ms, 0.5ms, etc. When the second indication information is carried in the resource configuration information, the second time period can be the set duration after the terminal device receives the resource configuration information sent by the network device. If the terminal device determines that it has not received the second indication information, it can be understood that the terminal device has not received the second indication information within the set duration after receiving the resource configuration information sent by the network device.

[0129] Based on the shared radio frequency channel indication method 2, if the radio frequency channel of the network device includes a transmitting radio frequency channel and a receiving radio frequency channel, when the network device indicates to the terminal device whether the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources share a radio frequency channel, it can indicate to the terminal device whether the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources share a transmitting radio frequency channel and whether they share a receiving radio frequency channel, respectively.

[0130] Regarding whether the first and second frequency domain resources share the transmit radio frequency channel:

[0131] When a network device determines that it needs to instruct a terminal device to share a transmission radio frequency channel between a network device that shares first and second frequency domain resources, it sends first information to the terminal device. Accordingly, if the terminal device receives the first information, it determines that the network device has instructed a transmission radio frequency channel between a network device that shares first and second frequency domain resources; if the terminal device does not receive the first information, it determines that the network device has instructed a transmission radio frequency channel between a network device that does not share first and second frequency domain resources. Alternatively, if the network device determines that it needs to instruct a terminal device to share a transmission radio frequency channel between a network device that does not share first and second frequency domain resources, it sends first information to the terminal device. Accordingly, if the terminal device receives the first information, it determines that the network device has instructed a transmission radio frequency channel between a network device that does not share first and second frequency domain resources; if the terminal device does not receive the first information, it determines that the network device has instructed a transmission radio frequency channel between a network device that shares first and second frequency domain resources.

[0132] It should be understood that the terminal device not receiving the first information could mean that the terminal device did not receive the first information at the set time, or that the terminal device did not receive the first information within the third time period.

[0133] The timing setting can be the time when the terminal device receives the resource configuration information. For example, the first information can be carried within the resource configuration information. When the terminal device receives the resource configuration information sent by the network device, it retrieves the first information from the resource configuration information. If the resource configuration information does not include the first information, the terminal device determines that it has not received the first information. For instance, if the first frequency domain resource is the primary carrier and the second frequency domain resource is the secondary carrier, the network device can carry the first information through the secondary carrier configuration information. If the terminal device receives the secondary carrier configuration information and determines that the secondary carrier configuration information does not include the first information, the terminal device determines that it has not received the first information.

[0134] The third time period can be a set duration. For example, the set duration can be a time slot, a subframe, or a specific duration, such as 1ms, 0.5ms, etc. When the first information is carried in the resource configuration information, the third time period can be the set duration after the terminal device receives the resource configuration information sent by the network device. If the terminal device determines that it has not received the first information, it can be understood that the terminal device has not received the first information within the set duration after receiving the resource configuration information sent by the network device.

[0135] Regarding whether the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources share the receiving radio frequency channel:

[0136] When a network device determines that it intends to instruct a terminal device to share the receiving radio frequency channel of a network device with first and second frequency domain resources, it sends a second message to the terminal device. Accordingly, if the terminal device receives the second message, it determines that the network device has indicated that the receiving radio frequency channel of the network device with first and second frequency domain resources is shared; if the terminal device does not receive the second message, it determines that the network device has indicated that the receiving radio frequency channel of the network device with first and second frequency domain resources is not shared. Alternatively, if the network device determines that it intends to instruct a terminal device to share the receiving radio frequency channel of a network device with first and second frequency domain resources, it sends a second message to the terminal device. Accordingly, if the terminal device receives the second message, it determines that the network device has indicated that the receiving radio frequency channel of the network device with first and second frequency domain resources is not shared; if the terminal device does not receive the second message, it determines that the network device has indicated that the receiving radio frequency channel of the network device with first and second frequency domain resources is shared.

[0137] It should be understood that the terminal device not receiving the second information could mean that the terminal device did not receive the second information at a set time, or that the terminal device did not receive the second information within a third time period.

[0138] The timing setting can be the time when the terminal device receives the resource configuration information. For example, the second information can be carried within the resource configuration information. When the terminal device receives the resource configuration information sent by the network device, it retrieves the second information from the resource configuration information. If the resource configuration information does not include the second information, the terminal device determines that it has not received the second information. For instance, if the first frequency domain resource is the primary carrier and the second frequency domain resource is the secondary carrier, the network device can carry the first information through the secondary carrier configuration information. If the terminal device receives the secondary carrier configuration information and determines that the secondary carrier configuration information does not include the second information, then the terminal device determines that it has not received the second information.

[0139] The third time period can be a set duration. For example, the set duration can be a time slot, a subframe, or a specific duration, such as 1ms, 0.5ms, etc. When the second information is carried in the resource configuration information, the third time period can be the set duration after the terminal device receives the resource configuration information sent by the network device. If the terminal device determines that it has not received the second information, it can be understood that the terminal device has not received the second information within the set duration after receiving the resource configuration information sent by the network device.

[0140] In this embodiment of the application, the network device indicates to the terminal device whether the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources share a radio frequency channel (which may include a transmit radio frequency channel and a receive radio frequency channel). In this way, the terminal can flexibly select a reasonable downlink signal reception method based on whether the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources share a radio frequency channel.

[0141] In one possible implementation, the network device can send a first indication message to the terminal device in a scenario where the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share a radio frequency channel. The first indication message indicates to the terminal device that the number of radio frequency channels corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when downlink signals are carried on both the first and second frequency domain resources is less than the number of radio frequency channels corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when downlink signals are carried on the second frequency domain resource alone. Alternatively, the first indication message indicates to the terminal device that the number of radio frequency channels corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when downlink signals are carried on both the first and second frequency domain resources is equal to the number of radio frequency channels corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when downlink signals are carried on the second frequency domain resource alone.

[0142] Based on the same technical concept, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes a module / unit / means for performing the methods executed by any network function and entity in the above-described method embodiments. This module / unit / means can be implemented in software, or in hardware, or implemented in hardware executing corresponding software.

[0143] For example, referring to FIG7, the communication device 700 may include a communication unit 701 and a processing unit 702.

[0144] For example, when the communication device 700 is a terminal device or located in a terminal device:

[0145] The communication unit 701 is configured to receive first indication information; the first indication information indicates that: when downlink signals are carried on both the first and second frequency domain resources configured by the network device for the terminal device, the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource is less than the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when downlink signals are carried on the second frequency domain resource; or, the first indication information indicates that: when downlink signals are carried on both the first and second frequency domain resources configured for the terminal device, the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource is equal to the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when downlink signals are carried on the second frequency domain resource; the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource belong to different frequency domain resource groups;

[0146] Processing unit 702 is configured to receive downlink signals from the network device on the first frequency domain resources and / or the second frequency domain resources according to the first indication information.

[0147] For example, when the communication device 700 is a network device or located in a network device:

[0148] Processing unit 702 is configured to determine a first frequency domain resource and a second frequency domain resource configured for a terminal device, wherein the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource belong to different frequency domain resource groups;

[0149] The communication unit 701 is configured to transmit first indication information; the first indication information indicates that: when downlink signals are carried on both the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource, the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource is less than the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when downlink signals are carried on the second frequency domain resource; or, the first indication information indicates that: when downlink signals are carried on both the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource, the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource is equal to the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when downlink signals are carried on the second frequency domain resource.

[0150] A more detailed description of the communication unit 701 and the processing unit 702 can be obtained directly from the relevant descriptions in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0151] Based on the same technical concept, this application also provides a communication device, as shown in FIG8. The communication device 800 includes a processor 801 and a memory 802; the memory 802 is used to store computer execution instructions; the processor 801 is used to execute the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 802, so that the communication device can realize the functions of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments.

[0152] The number of memory modules 802 can be one or more. Memory modules 802 may include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), and disk storage, etc. Memory modules 802 can be used to store program code required by the processor 801 to perform tasks, and can also be used to store data, etc. Note that memory modules 802 are optional, not mandatory, functional modules.

[0153] The processor 801 and memory 802 can be connected via a bus or via a dedicated cable; there are no restrictions on this.

[0154] By designing and programming the processor 801, the code corresponding to the methods described above is embedded into the chip, enabling the chip to execute the methods shown in the aforementioned embodiments during operation. How to design and program the processor 801 is a technique well-known to those skilled in the art and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0155] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or software. When implemented in hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, integrated circuit, etc. When implemented in software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor, implemented by reading software code stored in memory.

[0156] For example, the processor can be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0157] It should be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as Static RAM (SRAM), Dynamic RAM (DRAM), Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), Double Data Rate Synchronous DRAM (DDR SDRAM), Enhanced Synchronous DRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and Direct Rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0158] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated into the processor.

[0159] It should be noted that the memory described in this application is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0160] Based on the same technical concept, embodiments of this application also provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions that, when executed, cause the method performed by the terminal device or network device as described in the above method embodiments to be implemented.

[0161] Based on the same technical concept, this application embodiment also provides a chip coupled to a memory for reading and executing program instructions stored in the memory to implement the methods performed by the terminal device or network device as described in the above method embodiments.

[0162] Based on the same technical concept, this application also provides a computer program product containing instructions, which stores instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods performed by the terminal device or network device as described in the above method embodiments.

[0163] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0164] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or one or more blocks of the block diagrams.

[0165] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0166] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0167] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope and intent of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application is also intended to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The system receives first indication information; the first indication information indicates that: when downlink signals are carried on both the first and second frequency domain resources configured for the terminal device by the network device, the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource is less than the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when downlink signals are carried on the second frequency domain resource; or, the first indication information indicates that: when downlink signals are carried on both the first and second frequency domain resources configured for the terminal device, the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource is equal to the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when downlink signals are carried on the second frequency domain resource; the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource belong to different frequency domain resource groups; According to the first indication information, downlink signals are received from the network device on the first frequency domain resource and / or the second frequency domain resource.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a second indication message, the second indication message being used to indicate that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share at least one radio frequency channel of the network device.

3. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The radio frequency channel of the network device includes a transmit radio frequency channel for transmitting the downlink signal; The second indication information includes the first information, which is used to indicate that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share the transmission radio frequency channel.

4. The method as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The radio frequency channel of the network device includes a receiving radio frequency channel for receiving uplink signals; The second indication information includes second information, which is used to indicate that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share the receiving radio frequency channel.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The frequency domain resource group includes one of the following: carrier, bandwidth portion, frequency band, and cell.

6. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource are determined to be configured for the terminal device, and the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource belong to different frequency domain resource groups; Send a first indication message; the first indication message is used to indicate that: when downlink signals are carried on both the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource, the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource is less than the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when downlink signals are carried on the second frequency domain resource; or, the first indication message is used to indicate that: when downlink signals are carried on both the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource, the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource is equal to the number of radio frequency channels of the network device corresponding to the second frequency domain resource when downlink signals are carried on the second frequency domain resource.

7. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second indication message, the second indication message being used to indicate that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share at least one radio frequency channel of the network device.

8. The method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The radio frequency channel of the network device includes a transmit radio frequency channel for transmitting the downlink signal; The second indication information includes the first information, which is used to indicate that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share the transmission radio frequency channel.

9. The method as described in claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The radio frequency channel of the network device includes a receiving radio frequency channel for receiving uplink signals; The second indication information includes second information, which is used to indicate that the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource share the receiving radio frequency channel.

10. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that, The frequency domain resource group includes one of the following: carrier, bandwidth portion, frequency band, and cell.

11. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes modules or units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, or modules or units included in performing the method as described in any one of claims 6 to 10.

12. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes one or more processors; the one or more processors are configured to execute a computer program in memory, causing the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, or to cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 6 to 10.

13. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a computer, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, or the method as described in any one of claims 6 to 10.

14. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer reads and executes the computer program product, it causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, or the method as described in any one of claims 6 to 10.

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