Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, used for determining the correspondence between spatial vectors and codewords. The method comprises: a first communication apparatus determines first information, wherein the first information is used for indicating that a first spatial vector and a second spatial vector correspond to a first codeword, the first spatial vector and the second spatial vector are included among a plurality of spatial vectors, the plurality of spatial vectors correspond to at least two codewords, the first codeword is one codeword among at least two codewords, each spatial vector among the plurality of spatial vectors corresponds to at least one transmission layer among K transmission layers, and at least one spatial vector among the plurality of spatial vectors corresponds to two transmission layers among the K transmission layers, K being a positive integer greater than or equal to 5; and the first communication apparatus may also send the first information.

Description

Communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202410973597.1, filed on July 18, 2024, and entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates to the field of mobile communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0004] In a Type I codebook, a terminal can select a set of orthogonal spatial domain vectors that are common to multiple transmission layers, and the set of orthogonal spatial domain vectors includes multiple spatial domain vectors. For the multiple transmission layers, each transmission layer corresponds to a spatial domain vector in the set of orthogonal spatial domain vectors. In addition, in Type I codebook feedback, the mapping relationship between a codeword (CW) and a transmission layer is fixed by agreement, and since the mapping relationship between the spatial domain vector and the transmission layer is uncertain, two spatial domain vectors with large energy differences may correspond to the same codeword, resulting in reduced transmission performance.

[0005] At present, how to determine the correspondence between the spatial domain vector and the codeword is a technical problem to be solved. SUMMARY

[0006] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus to determine the mapping relationship between the spatial domain vector and the codeword.

[0007] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first communication apparatus, or in other words, the method can be applied to the first communication apparatus. In the absence of special description, the "first communication apparatus" in the present application can refer to the first device itself, or a component (for example, a functional module, a communication module, a processor, a circuit, a chip, or a chip system, etc.) in the first device, or a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the first device. The first device can be a terminal. Taking the first communication apparatus as an execution subject, the method includes:

[0008] The first communication device determines first information, the first information being used to indicate that a first spatial domain vector and a second spatial domain vector correspond to a first codeword, the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector being included in a plurality of spatial domain vectors, the plurality of spatial domain vectors corresponding to at least two codewords, the first codeword being one of the at least two codewords, each spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors corresponding to at least one of K transmission layers, and at least one spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors corresponding to two of the K transmission layers, K being a positive integer greater than or equal to 5; and the first communication device can further transmit the first information.

[0009] Based on the method, the first communication device can indicate the correspondence between the spatial domain vectors and the codewords, so as to determine the correspondence between the spatial domain vectors and the codewords.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the first communication device can measure the channel state information according to the reference signal, determine the energy of each spatial domain vector according to the channel state information, and thus determine the correspondence between the spatial domain vectors and the codewords. For example, the first communication device can select two spatial domain vectors with similar energy as the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector, that is, select two spatial domain vectors with similar energy to correspond to the same codeword, so as to avoid that two spatial domain vectors with too large energy difference correspond to the same codeword.

[0011] K is a rank number. For example, K = 5, K = 6, K = 7, or K = 8.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the first information can include: an index of a combination of the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector; an index of the first spatial domain vector and an index of the second spatial domain vector; an index of a third spatial domain vector; or an index of a combination of the third spatial domain vector; the third spatial domain vector being a spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors other than the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector.

[0013] Based on the implementation, the correspondence between the spatial domain vectors and the codewords can be flexibly indicated.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the size of the first information is related to K. In other words, the size of the first information is related to RI. For example, when the first information is an index of a combination of the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector, the size of the first information can be 2 bits when K = 5 or RI = 6, and the size of the first information can be 3 bits when K = 7 or RI = 8. In this application, the size of the information can refer to the number of bits occupied by the information, which can also be referred to as the length of the information or the bit length.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the first communication device can further send second information, the second information being used to indicate the K; the second information is carried in a first part of the channel state information, and the first information is carried in a second part of the channel state information.

[0016] Based on the implementation, the second information can be a rank indication (RI). The first information and the RI can be carried in different parts of the channel state information. Accordingly, after receiving the channel state information, the second communication device can parse the RI in the first part of the channel state information to obtain the value of the K, and then determine the size of the first information according to the K values, so as to parse the first information from the second part of the channel state information, thereby reducing the receiving complexity of the first information.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the first communication device can further send third information, the third information being used to indicate that the first spatial domain vector corresponds to one of the K transmission layers. In other words, the first spatial domain vector is a single-layer spatial domain vector.

[0018] Based on the implementation, the first communication device can indicate the single-layer spatial domain vector. In a possible implementation, the first communication device can measure the channel state information according to the reference signal, and determine the energy of each spatial domain vector according to the channel state information, so as to determine the spatial domain vector for the single layer. For example, the first communication device can determine the spatial domain vector with the weakest energy as the single-layer spatial domain vector. For another example, the first communication device can determine the spatial domain vector with the largest energy difference from other spatial domain vectors as the single-layer spatial domain vector according to the differences between the spatial domain vectors.

[0019] In a possible implementation, the third information is an index of the first spatial domain vector.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the index of the first spatial domain vector is an index of the first spatial domain vector in the first spatial domain vector and a second spatial domain vector. For example, in a case where the first communication device indicates the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector through the first information, the third information can occupy 1 bit, and be used to indicate the first spatial domain vector from the two spatial domain vectors of the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector. Based on the implementation, flexible indication of the first spatial domain vector can be implemented, and the indication overhead can be reduced in some scenarios.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the first information is an index of the second spatial domain vector.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the index of the second spatial domain vector is an index of the second spatial domain vector in the spatial domain vectors other than the first spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors. For example, in the case that the first communication device indicates the first spatial domain vector through the third information, the first information can be used to indicate the second spatial domain vector from the spatial domain vectors other than the first spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors. Based on this implementation, flexible indication of the first spatial domain vector can be implemented, and indication overhead can be reduced in some scenarios.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the plurality of spatial domain vectors correspond to the first code word and the second code word, the spatial domain vectors corresponding to the first code word and the spatial domain vectors corresponding to the second code word are different spatial domain vectors, and the plurality of spatial domain vectors include spatial domain vectors in at least two codebooks, and the spatial domain vectors in each codebook of the at least two codebooks correspond to at least one of the L transmission layers, where L is a positive integer less than or equal to 4.

[0024] Based on this implementation, the plurality of spatial domain vectors can be a plurality of spatial domain vectors in a high-rank codebook, and the plurality of spatial domain vectors can be constituted by spatial domain vectors in at least two low-rank codebooks, where there is no repetition of spatial domain vectors corresponding to different code words in the plurality of spatial domain vectors. That is, when a low-rank codebook is spliced into a high-rank codebook, the same spatial domain vector is avoided from being mapped to different code words.

[0025] In a possible implementation, K=6, the number of the plurality of spatial domain vectors is 3, and each spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors corresponds to two transmission layers; the first code word corresponds to the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector, and the second code word corresponds to a third spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors.

[0026] Based on this implementation, when the number of the plurality of spatial domain vectors is 3, the first code word in the plurality of code words corresponds to two spatial domain vectors, that is, the first code word corresponds to four transmission layers, and the second code word corresponds to one spatial domain vector, that is, the second code word corresponds to two transmission layers, and repetition between spatial domain vectors corresponding to the plurality of code words can be avoided.

[0027] In a possible implementation, K=6, the number of the plurality of spatial domain vectors is 4; the first code word corresponds to the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector, and the second code word corresponds to a fourth spatial domain vector and a fifth spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors.

[0028] The fourth spatial domain vector and the fifth spatial domain vector are one spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors except the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector. Based on the implementation, when the number of the plurality of spatial domain vectors is 4, in the plurality of code words, the first code word corresponds to two spatial domain vectors, and the second code word corresponds to two spatial domain vectors, wherein the first code word and the second code word both correspond to 3 transmission layers, and the repetition between the spatial domain vectors corresponding to the plurality of code words can be avoided.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the first information, the second information and the third information can be determined according to a reference signal sent by the second communication apparatus. That is, the first communication apparatus can further receive the reference signal from the second communication apparatus, and determine at least one of the first information, the second information or the third information according to the reference signal.

[0030] It can be understood that the method shown in the first aspect and any possible implementation can be replaced by an execution subject such as a first device, a terminal or a chip of the terminal.

[0031] In the second aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, which can be executed by the second communication apparatus, or in other words, the method can be applied to the second communication apparatus. In the absence of special description, the "second communication apparatus" in the present application can refer to the second device itself, or a component (for example, a functional module, a communication module, a processor, a circuit, a chip or a chip system) in the second device, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the second device. The second device can be a network device such as a base station. Taking the second communication apparatus as an execution subject, the method comprises the following steps.

[0032] The second communication apparatus receives first information, the first information being used to indicate that a first spatial domain vector and a second spatial domain vector correspond to a first code word, the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector being included in a plurality of spatial domain vectors, the plurality of spatial domain vectors corresponding to at least two code words, the first code word being one code word in the at least two code words, each spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors corresponding to at least one transmission layer in K transmission layers, and at least one spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors corresponding to two transmission layers in the K transmission layers, K being a positive integer greater than or equal to 5; and the second communication apparatus can further determine, according to the first information, that the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector correspond to the first code word.

[0033] In a possible implementation, the first information comprises at least one of the following: an index of a combination of the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector; an index of the first spatial domain vector and an index of the second spatial domain vector; an index of a third spatial domain vector; or, an index of a combination of a third spatial domain vector; wherein the third spatial domain vector is a spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors other than the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector.

[0034] In a possible implementation, a size of the first information is related to K.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the second communication device can further receive second information, the second information being used to indicate the K; the second information being carried in a first part of channel state information, and the first information being carried in a second part of channel state information.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the second communication device can further receive third information, the third information being used to indicate that the first spatial domain vector corresponds to one of the K transmission layers.

[0037] In a possible implementation, the third information is an index of the first spatial domain vector.

[0038] In a possible implementation, the index of the first spatial domain vector is an index of the first spatial domain vector in the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector.

[0039] In a possible implementation, the first information is an index of the second spatial domain vector.

[0040] In a possible implementation, the index of the second spatial domain vector is an index of the second spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors other than the first spatial domain vector.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the plurality of spatial domain vectors correspond to the first codeword and a second codeword, spatial domain vectors corresponding to the first codeword and spatial domain vectors corresponding to the second codeword are different spatial domain vectors, the plurality of spatial domain vectors comprise spatial domain vectors in at least two codebooks, spatial domain vectors in each codebook of the at least two codebooks correspond to at least one of L transmission layers, L being a positive integer less than or equal to 4.

[0042] In a possible implementation, K=6, a quantity of the plurality of spatial domain vectors is 3, wherein each spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors corresponds to two transmission layers; the first codeword corresponds to the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector, and the second codeword corresponds to a third spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors.

[0043] In a possible implementation, K=6, the number of the plurality of spatial domain vectors is 4; the first codeword corresponds to the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector, and the second codeword corresponds to the fourth spatial domain vector and the fifth spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors.

[0044] In a possible embodiment, the second communication device can further transmit a reference signal. The above first information, second information and third information can be determined according to the reference signal transmitted by the second communication device.

[0045] It can be understood that the method shown in the second aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof can be replaced by an execution subject such as a second device, a network device or a chip of the network device.

[0046] In a third aspect, a communication device is provided. The device can implement the method in any one of the above first aspect to the second aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof. The device has the functions of the above first communication device or the second communication device. The device is, for example, a terminal device, or a component in the terminal device, or a network device or a component in the network device, etc. The component in the present application can be a part of a device, for example, the component can include a functional module, a communication module, a processor, a circuit, a chip or a chip system, etc.

[0047] In an optional implementation, the device can include a module corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions in any one of the first aspect to the second aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof. The component can be a hardware circuit, or software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

[0048] In an optional implementation, the component includes a processing unit (sometimes also referred to as a processing module) and a communication unit (sometimes also referred to as a transceiving module, a communication module, etc.) and other functional modules. The transceiving unit can implement a sending function and a receiving function. When the transceiving unit implements the sending function, it can be referred to as a sending unit (sometimes also referred to as a sending module). When the transceiving unit implements the receiving function, it can be referred to as a receiving unit (sometimes also referred to as a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit can be the same functional module, which is referred to as a transceiving unit and can implement the sending function and the receiving function. Alternatively, the sending unit and the receiving unit can be different functional modules, and the transceiving unit is a general term for these functional modules.

[0049] For example, when the device is used to implement the method described in any one of the first aspect to the second aspect, the device can include a communication unit and a processing unit.

[0050] In a fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present application further provide a communication apparatus, including a processor configured to execute a computer program (or computer executable instructions) stored in a memory, when the computer program (or computer executable instructions) is executed, causing the apparatus to perform the method according to any one of the first aspect to the second aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the processor and the memory are integrated together.

[0052] In another possible implementation, the memory is located outside the communication apparatus.

[0053] The communication apparatus further includes a communication interface configured to enable the communication apparatus to communicate with other devices, such as transmitting or receiving data and / or signals. For example, the communication interface can be a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module or other types of communication interface.

[0054] In a fifth aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, the computer readable storage medium is configured to store a computer program or instructions, when the computer program or instructions is executed, causing the method according to any one of the first aspect to the second aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof and the method shown in any possible implementation manner thereof to be implemented.

[0055] In a sixth aspect, a computer program product including instructions is provided, when the computer program product is executed on a computer, causing the method according to any one of the first aspect to the second aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof to be implemented.

[0056] In a seventh aspect, the embodiments of the present application further provide a communication apparatus configured to perform the method according to any one of the first aspect to the second aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof.

[0057] In an eighth aspect, a chip system is provided, which includes a logic circuit (or can be understood as including a processor, which can include the logic circuit, etc.), and can further include an input / output interface. The input / output interface can be used for inputting a message, and can also be used for outputting a message. The input / output interface can be the same interface, i.e., the same interface can realize both the sending function and the receiving function; or the input / output interface includes an input interface and an output interface, the input interface is used to realize the receiving function, i.e., is used to receive a message; and the output interface is used to realize the sending function, i.e., is used to send a message. The logic circuit can be used to perform operations other than the transceiving function in the method described in any one of the first aspect to the second aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof; and the logic circuit can also be used to transmit a message to the input / output interface, or receive a message from the input / output interface from other communication devices. The chip system can be used to implement the method described in any one of the first aspect to the second aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0058] Optionally, the chip system can further include a memory, which can be used to store instructions, and the logic circuit can call the instructions stored in the memory to realize corresponding functions.

[0059] In a ninth aspect, a communication method is provided, which can include the method implemented by the first communication device in the first aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof, and the method implemented by the second communication device in the second aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof.

[0060] In a tenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which can include a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device can be used to implement the method shown in the first aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof, and the second communication device can be used to implement the method shown in the second aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof. For example, the first communication device is a terminal or a chip in the terminal, and the second communication device is a network device or a chip in the terminal.

[0061] The technical effects brought by the second aspect to the tenth aspect above can be referred to the description of the beneficial effects of the corresponding solutions in the first aspect above, which will not be described herein again. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0062] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a channel state information reporting process provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a wireless communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of a spatial domain vector coordinate provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a correspondence between a spatial domain vector and a code word according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] FIG. 5 is a diagram of the same spatial domain vector between different code words according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a scheme of combining a low-rank codebook into a high-rank codebook according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] FIG. 7 is a diagram of another scheme of combining a low-rank codebook into a high-rank codebook according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] FIG. 8 is a diagram of a structure of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] FIG. 9 is a diagram of a structure of another communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] The specific implementation manners of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

[0073] The embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems. For example, the communication system can include a cellular system, such as a long term evolution (LTE) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, an LTE time division duplex (TDD), a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), a 5G system or a new radio (NR), or a future communication system or other similar communication system. For another example, the communication system can include a non-cellular system, such as an ultra wide band (UWB) system, a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WIMAX) communication system or a WiFi system.

[0074] Fig. 1 shows a possible, non-limiting, schematic illustration of a system. As shown in Fig. 1, the communication system 1000 includes a wireless access network 100 and a core network 200, and optionally, the communication system 1000 can also include an Internet 300. The wireless access network 100 can include at least one wireless access network device (e.g., 110a and 110b in Fig. 1) and at least one terminal (e.g., 120a-120j in Fig. 1). The terminal is connected to the wireless access network device in a wireless manner, and the wireless access network device is connected to the core network in a wireless or wired manner. The core network device and the wireless access network device can be independent and different physical devices, or the functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the wireless access network device can be integrated on the same physical device, or a physical device can integrate the functions of part of the core network device and part of the wireless access network device. The terminals can be connected to each other in a wired or wireless manner, and the wireless access network devices can be connected to each other in a wired or wireless manner. Fig. 1 is only a schematic diagram, and the communication system can also include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Fig. 1.

[0075] The wireless access network device can be a base station (BS), 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 mobile communication system, or an AP in a WiFi system, etc. The wireless access network device can also be an open access network (O-RAN or ORAN), or a cloud radio access network (CRAN). The wireless access network device can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems. The wireless access network device can be a macro base station (e.g., 110a in Fig. 1), a micro base station or an indoor station (e.g., 110b in Fig. 1), a relay node or a donor node, etc.

[0076] In this application, a network device can represent a base station or other wireless access network device unless otherwise specified.

[0077] In addition, the radio access network device can also be a module or unit that completes the function of the base station part, for example, can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU can also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand its meaning. For example, in the ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as O-CU (open CU), the DU can also be referred to as O-DU, the CU-CP can also be referred to as O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be referred to as O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be referred to as O-RU. For the convenience of description, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU are taken as examples for description in this application. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0078] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the radio access network device.

[0079] It can be understood that the network device can be referred to as a communication apparatus. For example, the network device can be understood as an apparatus having the function of the network device. For example, the apparatus for implementing the function of the network device can be the network device; or part of the elements in the network device, for example, the CU, the DU or the RU, etc. The apparatus for implementing the function of the network device can also be an apparatus capable of supporting the network device to implement the function, for example, a chip system, a hardware circuit, a software module, or a hardware circuit plus a software module, which can be installed in the network device or can be used with the network device. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0080] The terminal can also be referred to as a terminal device, user equipment (UE), station (STA), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc. The terminal can be widely applied to various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle to everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), internet of things (IOT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, automatic driving, remote medical treatment, smart power grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation, smart city, etc. The terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, wearable device, vehicle, unmanned aerial vehicle, helicopter, airplane, ship, robot, mechanical arm, smart home device, etc.

[0081] Embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal. It can be understood that the terminal can be referred to as a communication apparatus. For example, the terminal can be understood as an apparatus with terminal functions. For example, the apparatus for implementing the functions of the terminal can be a terminal; it can also be an apparatus capable of supporting the terminal to implement the functions, such as a chip system, a hardware circuit, a software module, or a hardware circuit plus a software module, which can be installed in the terminal or can be used in matching with the terminal.

[0082] The network device and the terminal can be fixed in position or movable. The network device and / or the terminal can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on water surface; can also be deployed on airplanes, balloons and artificial satellites. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the application scenarios of the network device and the terminal.

[0083] The roles of the network device and the terminal can be relative, for example, the helicopter or unmanned aerial vehicle 120i in FIG. 1 can be configured as a mobile base station or an AP, and for the terminal 120j that accesses the wireless access network 100 through 120i, the unmanned aerial vehicle 120i is a network device; but for the network device 110a, 120i is a terminal, that is, 110a and 120i communicate through a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate through an interface protocol between network devices and network devices, at this time, relative to 110a, 120i is also a network device. Therefore, the network device and the terminal can be collectively referred to as a communication apparatus, 110a and 110b in FIG. 1 can be referred to as a communication apparatus with network device functions, and 120a-120j in FIG. 1 can be referred to as a communication apparatus with terminal functions.

[0084] In this application, the network device and the terminal, the network device and the network device, the terminal and the terminal can communicate through the licensed spectrum, or through the unlicensed spectrum (or called the license-free spectrum), or through the licensed spectrum and the unlicensed spectrum at the same time; can communicate through the spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), or through the spectrum above 6 GHz, or through the spectrum below 6 GHz and the spectrum above 6 GHz at the same time. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the spectrum resources used by wireless communication.

[0085] In this application, the network device and the terminal, the network device and the network device, the terminal and the terminal can communicate through the licensed spectrum, or through the unlicensed spectrum (or called the license-free spectrum), or through the licensed spectrum and the unlicensed spectrum at the same time; can communicate through the spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), or through the spectrum above 6 GHz, or through the spectrum below 6 GHz and the spectrum above 6 GHz at the same time. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the spectrum resources used by wireless communication.

[0086] The "second communication device" can be understood as a network device such as a base station, or a device with network device function, or a device implementing network device function. For example, the second communication device is a network device, or the second communication device can be a module, a chip or a circuit applicable to a network device, etc. For another example, the second communication device can also be a module or unit (such as CU, DU or RU), a logic module or software, etc. that implements all or part of the network device function.

[0087] In addition, the "first communication device" can also be replaced by "first device", or "first apparatus". The "second communication device" can also be replaced by "second device", or "second apparatus".

[0088] In this application, "sending" and "receiving" represent the direction of signal transmission. For example, "sending information to XX" can be understood as that the destination of the information is XX, and "sending information" can include direct sending or indirect sending through other communication devices, communication apparatuses, units or modules. "Receiving information from YY" can be understood as that the source of the information is YY, and "receiving information" can include direct receiving from YY or indirect receiving from YY through other communication devices, communication apparatuses, units or modules. In addition, "sending" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receiving" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, "sending" or "receiving" can be performed between devices, for example, sending or receiving between a base station and a terminal through an air interface, or "sending" or "receiving" can be performed within a device, for example, sending or receiving between components, modules, chips, software modules or hardware modules within a device through a bus, a wire or an interface.

[0089] In this application, "for indicating" can include for directly indicating and for indirectly indicating. When describing that some "information" is for indicating A, it can include that the information directly indicates A or indirectly indicates A, and does not mean that A must be carried in the information.

[0090] The information indicated by one information is called to-be-indicated information. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the to-be-indicated information, for example but not limited to, the to-be-indicated information can be directly indicated, such as the to-be-indicated information itself or an index of the to-be-indicated information. The to-be-indicated information can also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, where the other information and the to-be-indicated information have an association relationship. The to-be-indicated information can also be only indicated in part, and the other part of the to-be-indicated information is known or agreed in advance. For example, the indication of a specific information can also be achieved by means of the arrangement order of each information agreed in advance (for example, specified by a protocol), thereby reducing the indication overhead to a certain extent. At the same time, the common part of each information can be identified and uniformly indicated to reduce the indication overhead caused by separately indicating the same information.

[0091] In addition, the specific indication manner can also be various existing indication manners, for example but not limited to, the above-mentioned indication manners and various combinations thereof. The specific details of various indication manners can refer to the prior art, and will not be described herein. As can be known from the above, for example, when multiple information of the same type needs to be indicated, the indication manner of different information can not be the same. In the specific implementation process, the required indication manner can be selected according to the specific needs, and the selected indication manner is not limited by the embodiments of the present application. In this way, the indication manner involved in the embodiments of the present application should be understood as covering various methods that can enable the to-be-indicated party to know the to-be-indicated information.

[0092] The to-be-indicated information can be sent as a whole or can be divided into multiple sub-information and sent separately, and the sending period and / or sending occasion of the sub-information can be the same or different. The specific sending method is not limited in the present application. The sending period and / or sending occasion of the sub-information can be predefined, for example, predefined according to a protocol, or configured by the transmitting end device to the receiving end device through sending configuration information. Taking the configuration of the access network device to the UE as an example, the configuration information can include, for example but not limited to, one or a combination of at least two of radio resource control (RRC) signaling (or RRC message), MAC layer signaling and physical (PHY) layer signaling. The MAC layer signaling includes, for example, media access control (MAC) control element (CE). The PHY layer signaling includes, for example, at least one of downlink control information (DCI).

[0093] In the embodiments shown below, the first, second and various numbers are only used for differentiation for convenience of description, and do not limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. For example, different indication information is distinguished.

[0094] “Pre-set” or “pre-defined” or “pre-configured” can be implemented by pre-saving corresponding codes, tables or other means for indicating related information in a device (for example, including a terminal and a network device), and can also be pre-specified in a protocol. The specific implementation method is not limited in the present application. The “saving” can mean saving in one or more memories. The one or more memories can be separately set or integrated in the encoder or decoder, processor or communication device. The one or more memories can be part of the separately set and part of the integrated in the decoder, processor or communication device. The type of memory can be any form of storage medium, which is not limited in the present application.

[0095] The “protocol” involved in the embodiments of the present application can refer to a standard protocol in the communication field, which can include, for example, the LTE protocol (such as technical specification (TS) 36, i.e. the technical specification of TS36 series) of 3GPP, the NR protocol (such as the technical specification of TS38 series) and the related protocol applied to the future communication system, which is not limited in the present application.

[0096] The network architecture and service scenarios described in the embodiments of the present application are used to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application. Those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of network architecture and the appearance of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0097] The technical terms and related technical solutions in the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0098] In a communication system using multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technology for communication, the data received by the receiving end of the data can be the data after the sending end pre-encodes the data. The sending end can pre-encode the data according to the channel state information (CSI) reported by the receiving end of the data.

[0099] The following first introduces the process of CSI reporting provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0100] Please refer to FIG. 2A, which is a flowchart of the process of CSI reporting provided by the embodiments of the present application. As shown in FIG. 2A, the process of CSI reporting includes the following steps S1-S4:

[0101] S1, the network device sends channel measurement configuration information to the terminal.

[0102] The channel measurement configuration information is used to indicate channel measurement and configuration parameters for channel measurement, such as parameters for configuring time domain resources and frequency domain resources. For example, the channel measurement configuration information can indicate resources for carrying channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS), i.e., CSI-RS resources.

[0103] S2, the network device sends CSI-RS to the terminal on the CSI-RS resources. Correspondingly, the terminal receives CSI-RS from the network device on the CSI-RS resources.

[0104] In a communication system, such as an NR system, the network device sends CSI-RS on the CSI-RS resources, which is used for the terminal to detect the downlink channel, and the terminal receives CSI-RS on the pre-configured CSI-RS resources to perform channel estimation.

[0105] S3, the terminal obtains CSI according to the CSI-RS.

[0106] The implementation principle of S3 can refer to the related method for acquiring CSI in the prior art, which will not be described here.

[0107] S4, the terminal reports the CSI to the network device.

[0108] The CSI includes information for indicating a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) Type I codebook, and the information can indicate the Type I codebook by indicating beam information corresponding to each transmission layer, such as a spatial domain vector.

[0109] In this application, the rank can be used to indicate the maximum flow number. The rank indication (RI) can be carried in the CSI to indicate the rank.

[0110] In addition, the "beam" and "spatial domain vector" in this application can be replaced with each other, that is, one beam corresponds to one spatial domain vector. The spatial domain vector can be a spatial domain (SD) base vector.

[0111] In the Type I codebook with a large number of transmission layers, the terminal can select a set of orthogonal spatial domain vectors (also referred to as a set of orthogonal beams) shared by multiple transmission layers. The set of orthogonal beams includes multiple spatial domain vectors, and any two spatial domain vectors in the multiple spatial domain vectors are orthogonal to each other. It can be understood that the transmission layer is relative to the terminal and the network device. The set of spatial domain vectors can also be referred to as a set of spatial domain vectors. For example, the set of orthogonal spatial domain vectors can also be referred to as a set of orthogonal spatial domain vectors, which will not be described hereinafter.

[0112] For example, in the current CSI, the terminal needs to indicate multiple spatial domain vectors selected from the set of orthogonal spatial domain vectors. For RI=v, the terminal can freely select orthogonal spatial domain vectors from the set of spatial domain vectors by using a combination number indication method. represents rounding up to x. That is, for RI=5 or RI=6, the terminal can indicate 3 orthogonal spatial domain vectors by using bits. Wherein, a number of combinations can be defined, each combination includes 3 spatial domain vectors in the set of orthogonal spatial domain vectors, each combination has an index, such as 0, 1, 2,..., and after selecting 3 spatial domain vectors, the terminal can indicate the binary value of the index of the combination corresponding to the 3 orthogonal spatial domain vectors by using the bits. For RI=7 or RI=8, 4 orthogonal spatial domain vectors can be indicated by using bits.

[0113] In this application, N1 represents the number of logical antenna ports in a certain direction of the same polarization, generally referring to the number of logical antenna ports in the horizontal direction. N2 represents the number of logical antenna ports in another direction of the same polarization, generally referring to the number of logical antenna ports in the vertical direction.

[0114] N1 and N2 correspond to the physical meaning that when beamforming is performed, N1*N2 weight value vectors can be formed in the horizontal dimension and the vertical dimension, and these weight value vectors are mutually orthogonal, that is, there is no interference between the beams formed by weighting these weight value vectors.

[0115] In addition, in this application, O1 represents the DFT oversampling multiple in the direction (horizontal direction) where N1 is located. O2 represents the DFT oversampling multiple in the direction (vertical direction) where N2 is located.

[0116] The physical meaning of O1 and O2 is that the number of weight value vectors is increased in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction through DFT oversampling, so that more weight value vectors can be generated. The values of O1 and O2 also determine the beam density in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction when the antenna form is determined, that is, when N1 and N2 are determined. Among them, the greater the values of O1 and O2, the smaller the step size of the beam when beam scanning is performed, and the higher the accuracy, but the cost is that the weight value vectors are no longer orthogonal, that is, there is interference between the beams.

[0117] For Type I codebook extended to more ports, such as 64 ports or 128 ports, the value of the logical antenna port number (that is, N1 and N2) in the existing standard can be expanded to realize it. The number of CSI-RS antenna ports supported by the codebook = 2*N1*N2. For example, in order to support 64-port CSI measurement, the possible value of new configuration (N1, N2) is (8, 4), and 32 orthogonal weight value vectors are generated in each polarization direction when the horizontal and vertical oversampling multiples are 1, that is, the values of O1 and O2 are 1. In order to support 128-port CSI measurement, the possible value of new configuration (N1, N2) is (8, 8) or (16, 4), and 64 orthogonal weight value vectors are generated in each polarization direction.

[0118] It can be understood that after a beam is determined in each polarization direction, there are N1*N2 beams in total including the orthogonal beams and the beam itself. Therefore, it can be considered that the orthogonal spatial vector group contains N1*N2 spatial vectors.

[0119] In addition, by introducing O1 and O2, the number of vectors can be increased in each direction. For example, O1 = 4 and O2 = 4, as shown in the coordinate system of FIG. 2B, the horizontal axis represents N1*O1, and the vertical axis represents N2*O2, i.e., a total of N1*O1*N2*O2 spatial domain vectors can be constructed. Among them, each orthogonal spatial domain vector group contains N1*N2 spatial domain vectors, i.e., a total of O1*O2 orthogonal spatial domain vector groups can be supported. In FIG. 2B, the spatial domain vectors in each dashed grid represent O1*O2 spatial domain vectors corresponding to one N1 and one N2, i.e., the O1*O2 spatial domain vectors correspond to the same N1 and N2. For example, the spatial domain vectors corresponding to the black solid circles belong to the same orthogonal spatial domain vector group, and the spatial domain vectors corresponding to the dashed circles belong to another orthogonal spatial domain vector group.

[0120] In this application, the value of the spatial domain vector in the coordinate system can be used to represent the spatial domain vector. For example, v l,m represents one spatial domain vector, where l represents the horizontal coordinate of the spatial domain vector in the coordinate system shown in FIG. 2B; m represents the vertical coordinate of the spatial domain vector in the coordinate system shown in FIG. 2B. For example, the spatial domain vector corresponding to the black solid circle in the lower left corner of FIG. 2B can be represented as v 0,0 .

[0121] In addition, in this application, v l,m , v l′,m′ , v l″,m″ , and v l″′,m″′ , etc. represent different spatial domain vectors. For example, v l,m and v l′,m′ , v l,m and v l′,m′ satisfy: l≠l′, and / or, m≠m′.

[0122] In the Type I codebook feedback, the mapping relationship between the code word and the transmission layer is determined by the protocol and is relatively fixed. For example, as shown in Table 1, when RI = 5 in the codebook, code word 1 corresponds to the first 2 transmission layers, and code word 2 corresponds to the last 3 transmission layers; when RI = 7, code word 1 corresponds to the first 3 transmission layers, and code word 2 corresponds to the last 4 transmission layers.

[0123] Table 1

[0124] However, the corresponding relationship between the spatial domain vector and the transmission layer is uncertain, i.e., any spatial domain vector can correspond to any transmission layer, which leads to the uncertainty of the corresponding relationship between the spatial domain vector and the code word, and any two spatial domain vectors can correspond to the same code word.

[0125] For example, when RI = 5, the spatial domain selected by the terminal from the orthogonal spatial domain vector group includes 3 spatial domain vectors, which are represented as spatial domain vectors v l,m, the spatial domain vector v l′,m′ , the spatial domain vector v l″,m″ .

[0126] It is assumed that any two of the spatial domain vector 1, the spatial domain vector 2 and the spatial domain vector 3 can correspond to the same code word. Among them, if the energy difference of the two spatial domain vectors corresponding to the same code word is large, it can cause the transmission performance to decline. For example, the signal energy detected by the terminal on the three spatial domain vectors of the spatial domain vector 1, the spatial domain vector 2 and the spatial domain vector 3 decreases, and when the energy difference between the spatial domain vector 1 and the spatial domain vector 3 is large, if the spatial domain vector 1 and the spatial domain vector 3 correspond to the same code word, it can cause the decoding performance of the code word to decrease.

[0127] In summary, how to determine the correspondence between the spatial domain vector and the code word is a technical problem to be solved.

[0128] In order to solve the above technical problem, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. In the method, the terminal can indicate or provide the correspondence between the code word and the spatial domain vector to the network device, so as to realize the determination of the correspondence between the spatial domain vector and the code word.

[0129] The technical solution in the present application will be described below in combination with the flow shown in S101-S103 shown in FIG. 3.

[0130] In FIG. 3, the first communication device and the second communication device are taken as examples for introduction. Among them, the first communication device can be a terminal, or a component (such as a functional module or a chip, etc.) applicable to the terminal, and the second communication device can be a network communication device (such as a base station), or a component (such as a functional module or a chip, etc.) applicable to the network device.

[0131] S101: The first communication device determines first information.

[0132] In the present application, the first information is used to indicate that the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector correspond to the first code word.

[0133] Among them, the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector can be two spatial domain vectors in a plurality of spatial domain vectors. The plurality of spatial domain vectors all exist corresponding transmission layers. The determination manner of the plurality of spatial domain vectors is, for example, the first communication device selects a plurality of spatial domain vectors from N1*N2 spatial domain vectors in an orthogonal spatial domain vector group based on a reference signal (RS), and can indicate the plurality of spatial domain vectors through the indication manner of the combination number, and the plurality of spatial domain vectors can include the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector.

[0134] The reference signal can be a CSI-RS. In addition, the selected spatial domain vectors can further include a third spatial domain vector in addition to the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector (hereinafter, for convenience of description, can be referred to as a third spatial domain vector). That is, the spatial domain vectors selected by the first communication device are the first spatial domain vector, the second spatial domain vector, and the third spatial domain vector. The third spatial domain vector can include one or more spatial domain vectors, which are not specifically limited.

[0135] As an example, when RI = 5 or RI = 6, the number of spatial domain vectors selected by the first communication device is 3, and the 3 spatial domain vectors are the first spatial domain vector, the second spatial domain vector, and the third spatial domain vector.

[0136] In another example, when the plurality of spatial domain vectors further include two spatial domain vectors in addition to the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector, the third spatial domain vector includes the two spatial domain vectors, which are respectively referred to as a fourth spatial domain vector and a fifth spatial domain vector. For example, when RI = 7 or RI = 8, the plurality of spatial domain vectors selected by the first communication device include the first spatial domain vector, the second spatial domain vector, the fourth spatial domain vector, and the fifth spatial domain vector.

[0137] It can be understood that two spatial domain vectors in the orthogonal spatial domain vector group are orthogonal. Alternatively, the inner product of the two spatial domain vectors is less than an interference threshold. The interference threshold can be corresponding to a scene, and when the communication quality is high and the communication delay is low, the interference threshold is set to be small, and when the communication quality requirement is not so high, the interference threshold is large. Alternatively, the two spatial domain vectors can be orthogonal, which means that the inner product of the two spatial domain vectors is 0. In the embodiment of the present application, one spatial domain vector corresponds to one beam direction.

[0138] The first communication device can further indicate the plurality of spatial domain vectors to the second communication device. For example, the first communication device sends indication information of the spatial domain vectors to the second communication device through CSI. The indication information can be an index of a combination of the plurality of spatial domain vectors in all combinations formed by all spatial domain vectors. As described above, when RI = 5 or RI = 6, the first communication device can indicate 3 orthogonal spatial domain vectors in the N1*N2 spatial domain vectors of the orthogonal spatial domain vector group to the second communication device through bit indication information. When RI = 7 or RI = 8, the first communication device can indicate 4 orthogonal spatial domain vectors in the N1*N2 spatial domain vectors of the orthogonal spatial domain vector group to the second communication device through bit indication information.

[0139] Any (or each) of the plurality of spatial domain vectors corresponds to at least one of the K transmission layers. Wherein, K is the number of transmission layers, i.e., the rank, or in other words, RI = K. Wherein, the number of transmission layers is determined according to the measurement result of the reference signal, which will not be repeated here. For multi-layer transmission, K is a positive integer greater than 1. In some embodiments, K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 5. For example, K = 5, or K = 6, or K = 7, or K = 8. It can be understood that the value of K here is for example, and in actual implementation, K can also have other values, such as K can be an integer greater than 8.

[0140] In the following, RI and K can be replaced with each other.

[0141] In one possible implementation, the number of spatial domain vectors in the plurality of spatial domain vectors is related to K. Or in other words, the number of spatial domain vectors in the plurality of spatial domain vectors is determined according to the number of transmission layers.

[0142] For example, when RI = 5 or RI = 6, the terminal can select 3 spatial domain vectors, and the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector can be one of the 3 spatial domain vectors, respectively. The third spatial domain vector can be one of the 3 spatial domain vectors other than the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector.

[0143] For another example, when RI = 7 or RI = 8, the terminal can select 4 spatial domain vectors, and the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector can be one of the 4 spatial domain vectors, respectively. The third spatial domain vector can be two of the 4 spatial domain vectors other than the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector.

[0144] In addition, in the plurality of spatial domain vectors, at least one spatial domain vector corresponds to two of the K transmission layers. Optionally, one spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors corresponds to one of the K transmission layers. The spatial domain vector corresponding to one transmission layer can also be referred to as a single-layer spatial domain vector. For example, when RI = 5 or RI = 7, there is one spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors that corresponds to only one transmission layer. While when RI = 6 or RI = 8, each spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors corresponds to two transmission layers, i.e., there is no single-layer spatial domain vector.

[0145] It can be understood that the first code word can be any one of a plurality of (such as 2) code words, i.e., the first code word is not limited to the first code word or the second code word. Any code word in the plurality of code words corresponds to one or more spatial domain vectors in the plurality of spatial domain vectors.

[0146] In the example shown in FIG. 4, for the codebook when RI = 5, the first code word is code word (codeword, CW) 1, and the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector are vl′,m′ and v l″,m″ , CW1 corresponds to v l′,m′ and v l″,m″ ; in addition, the second code word CW0 corresponds to the spatial domain vectors v l,m . For the codebook when RI = 6, the first code word is CW0, the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector are v l,m and v l′,m′ , CW0 corresponds to v l,m and v l′,m′ ; or, the first code word is CW1, the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector are v l″,m″ and v l″′,m″′ , CW1 corresponds to v l″,m″ and v l″′,m″′ . For the codebook when RI = 7, the first code word is CW0, the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector are v l,m and v l′,m′ , CW0 corresponds to v l,m and v l′,m′ ; or, the first code word is CW1, the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector are v l″,m″ and v l″′,m″′ , CW1 corresponds to v l″,m″ and v l″′,m″′ . For the codebook when RI = 7, the first code word is CW0, the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector are v l,m and v l′,m′ , CW0 corresponds to v l,m and v l′,m′ ; or, the first code word is CW1, the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector are v l″,m″ and v l″′,m″′ , CW1 corresponds to v l″,m″ and v l″′,m″′ . Wherein, l, m, l', m', l", m", l'", m'" can refer to the description related to FIG. 2B, which will not be repeated. It can be understood that in the drawings in the present application, multiple spatial domain vectors in the same rectangular frame correspond to the same code word. ′ ,m" ′ Please refer to the description related to FIG. 2B, which will not be repeated. It can be understood that in the drawings in the present application, multiple spatial domain vectors in the same rectangular frame correspond to the same code word.

[0147] The possible form of the first information is introduced below.

[0148] In a possible implementation, the first information can be independent of the indication information of the spatial domain vectors. That is, in the CSI, the indication information of the spatial domain vectors can be included, which is used to indicate multiple spatial domain vectors including the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector, in addition, the first information is included in the CSI, which is used to indicate the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector.

[0149] In this implementation, the first information can be implemented by any one or any combination of the following manners (1) to (4). The manners (1) to (4) are introduced below in combination with different RI values, wherein in any manner, the size of the first information is related to the RI value. In this application, the size of the information can refer to the number of bits occupied by the information, and can also be referred to as the length or bit length of the information.

[0150] In the manner (1), the first information is a first index, and the first index is an index of a combination of the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector. The combinations of two vectors in the plurality of spatial domain vectors can be sorted (or numbered), and each combination corresponds to an index, so that any combination can be indicated by the index of the combination. In this application, the index is only exemplary, and the index can be replaced by identification, name or serial number, etc. The application is not specifically limited.

[0151] Taking RI=5 or RI=6 as an example, the first communication device can select 3 spatial domain vectors from the combination of orthogonal spatial domain vectors, which are denoted as spatial domain vector a, spatial domain vector b and spatial domain vector c. The number of combinations of 2 spatial domain vectors in the 3 spatial domain vectors is 3, that is, the vector combinations include: {spatial domain vector a, spatial domain vector b}, {spatial domain vector a, spatial domain vector c} and {spatial domain vector b, spatial domain vector c}. The indexes of the 3 vector combinations are 0, 1 and 2 respectively, so that any one of the combinations can be indicated by 2 bits. In the manner (1), when RI=5 or RI=6, the first information can include 2 bits, and the 2 bits are used to indicate a combination, and the two spatial domain vectors in the combination are the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector.

[0152] Similarly, when RI=7 or RI=8, the first communication device can select 4 spatial domain vectors from the combination of orthogonal spatial domain vectors, and correspondingly, there are 6 combinations of 2 spatial domain vectors, so that any one of the combinations can be indicated by 3 bits. In the manner (1), when RI=7 or RI=8, the first information can include 3 bits, and the 3 bits are used to indicate a combination, and the two spatial domain vectors in the combination are the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector.

[0153] It can be understood that the indexes of the combinations of spatial domain vectors are 0, 1, 2, …, which are taken as examples for description, and in some implementations, the indexes of the combinations of spatial domain vectors can also be 1, 2 and 3, ….

[0154] The first information in the manner (2) is an index of the first spatial domain vector and an index of the second spatial domain vector. The index of the first spatial domain vector can be an index of the first spatial domain vector in the combination of the plurality of spatial domain vectors. In this application, the index of the spatial domain vector is also replaced by the identification, name or serial number of the spatial domain vector, and other information used to identify the spatial domain vector. The application does not make specific limitations.

[0155] Taking RI=5 or RI=6 as an example, the three spatial domain vectors are spatial domain vector a, spatial domain vector b and spatial domain vector c. Correspondingly, the indexes of the spatial domain vector a, the spatial domain vector b and the spatial domain vector c in the order can be 0, 1 and 2 respectively. It can be seen that in the manner (2), when RI=5 or RI=6, the first information can include 4 bits, wherein the index of the first spatial domain vector and the index of the second spatial domain vector occupy 2 bits respectively.

[0156] Similarly, when RI=7 or RI=8, the indexes of the four spatial domain vectors selected by the first communication device are 0, 1, 2 and 3 respectively, so that any one of the spatial domain vectors can be indicated by 2 bits. It can be seen that in the manner (2), when RI=7 or RI=8, the first information can include 4 bits, wherein the index of the first spatial domain vector and the index of the second spatial domain vector occupy 2 bits respectively.

[0157] It can be understood that the indexes of the spatial domain vectors are 0, 1, 2, …, for example, in some implementation manners, the indexes of the spatial domain vectors can also be 1, 2 and 3, ….

[0158] The first information in the manner (3) is an index of the third spatial domain vector. The index of the third spatial domain vector can be an index of the third spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors, which can refer to the description of the index of the first spatial domain vector and the index of the second spatial domain vector.

[0159] For example, when RI=5 or RI=6, the first communication device can indicate three spatial domain vectors to the second communication device through the indication information of the spatial domain vector, wherein the third spatial domain vector can be one spatial domain vector other than the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector. In the manner (3), when RI=5 or RI=6, the first information can include 2 bits, which are used to indicate the index of the third spatial domain vector. Correspondingly, the other two spatial domain vectors in the three spatial domain vectors, except the spatial domain vector indicated by the 2 bits, are the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector.

[0160] When RI = 7 or RI = 8, the first communication device selects 4 spatial domain vectors, wherein the third spatial domain vector can be two spatial domain vectors other than the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector, respectively referred to as a fourth spatial domain vector and a fifth spatial domain vector, and the first information can be an index of the fourth spatial domain vector and an index of the fifth spatial domain vector. In the manner (3), when RI = 7 or RI = 8, the first information can include 4 bits, wherein the index of the fourth spatial domain vector and the index of the fifth spatial domain vector each occupy 2 bits.

[0161] It can be understood that, here, the indexes of the spatial domain vectors are taken as 0, 1, 2, …, for example, in some implementation modes, the indexes of the spatial domain vectors can also be recorded as 1, 2, and 3, ….

[0162] The manner (4) is that the first information is an index of a combination of the third spatial domain vector. Wherein, the index of the combination of the third spatial domain vector can refer to an index of a combination formed by two spatial domain vectors when the third spatial domain vector includes two spatial domain vectors.

[0163] For example, when RI = 7 or RI = 8, the first communication device can indicate 4 spatial domain vectors to the second communication device through the indication information of the spatial domain vectors, wherein the third spatial domain vector can be two spatial domain vectors other than the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector, for example, respectively referred to as a fourth spatial domain vector and a fifth spatial domain vector. At this time, the first information can include a combination index of the fourth spatial domain vector and the fifth spatial domain vector. As explained in the manner (1), when there are 4 spatial domain vectors, the number of combinations formed by 2 spatial domain vectors is 6, so the first information can indicate any one of the combinations through 3 bits. Therefore, in the manner (4), when RI = 7 or RI = 8, the first information can include 3 bits, which are used to indicate a combination, and the two spatial domain vectors in the combination are the fourth spatial domain vector and the fifth spatial domain vector, and the other two spatial domain vectors in the 4 spatial domain vectors indicated by the indication information of the spatial domain vectors are the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector, respectively.

[0164] Based on the above manners (1) to (4), when RI = 5 or RI = 6, in order to reduce the bit number of the first information and reduce the indication overhead, the scheme shown in the manner (1) or the manner (3) can be used to realize the first information. When RI = 7 or RI = 8, in order to reduce the bit number of the first information and reduce the complexity, the scheme shown in the manner (1) or the manner (4) can be used to realize the first information.

[0165] It can be understood that the above manners (1) to (4) are not as a limited manner to implement the first information, and if similar effects are achieved by permutation and combination of any two or more of the above manners (1) to (4), the scheme obtained by permutation and combination still belongs to the embodiment range of the present application.

[0166] In addition, in the above manners (1) to (4), the first codeword corresponding to the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector can be defaulted as the first codeword in the codebook, or the first codeword corresponding to the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector can be defaulted as the second codeword in the codebook. For example, the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector can be defaulted as corresponding to CW0 of the codebook, that is, the CW0 is the first codeword.

[0167] Therefore, it can also be said that in the above manner (1) or manner (2), the first information is used to indicate the correspondence between the first spatial domain vector, the second spatial domain vector and the first codeword. In addition, in the manner (3) or the manner (4), the first information can be considered to indicate the correspondence between the third spatial domain vector and the second codeword, which is a codeword different from the first codeword.

[0168] In another possible implementation, the first information can be implemented in combination with the indication information of the spatial domain vector. In some scenarios, the scheme of implementing the first information in combination with the indication information of the spatial domain vector can further reduce the indication overhead. In this implementation, the first information can be considered as part of the indication information of the spatial domain vector.

[0169] In this implementation, the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector can be indicated by the first information, and the third spatial domain vector can be indicated by the indication information of the third spatial domain vector. That is, the first spatial domain vector, the second spatial domain vector and the third spatial domain vector are multiple spatial domain vectors. Or, the first information and the indication information of the third spatial domain vector indicated by the indication information of the third spatial domain vector are multiple spatial domain vectors selected by the first communication device, or the first information and the indication information of the third spatial domain vector can be considered as the indication information of the spatial domain vector.

[0170] Optionally, the first information and / or the indication information of the third spatial domain vector can be carried in the CSI.

[0171] The scheme of implementing the first information in combination with the indication information of the spatial domain vector when RI=5, RI=6, RI=7 and RI=8 will be described below. In any of the manners, the size of the first information is related to the RI value.

[0172] (1) When RI = 5, the first communication device can select one spatial vector from N1*N2 spatial vectors for the first codeword. This spatial vector is the spatial vector corresponding to the first codeword. Therefore, it can be said that this spatial vector is the third spatial vector. The first communication device can... The bit indicates the third spatial vector to the second communication device, wherein... The bit represents the indication information of the third spatial vector. Furthermore, the first communication device can select two spatial vectors from the remaining (N1*N2-1) spatial vectors for the second codeword. The first communication device can... Each bit indicates two spatial vectors. These two spatial vectors can be a first spatial vector and a second spatial vector, respectively. Bits represent the first piece of information. Therefore, this... The bits indicate the first and second spatial vectors, and the The third spatial vector indicated by the bit is selected as one of the three spatial vectors by the first communication device.

[0173] In this example, when RI = 5, the first codeword is the second codeword, and the second codeword is the first codeword. Furthermore, the first and second codewords can be interchanged. For example, the first communication device selects two spatial vectors from N1*N2 spatial vectors for the first codeword; these two spatial vectors are the first and second spatial vectors. The first communication device further selects one spatial vector from the remaining N1*N2-2 spatial vectors for the second codeword; this spatial vector is the third spatial vector.

[0174] (2) When RI = 6, the first communication device can select two spatial vectors from N1*N2 spatial vectors for the first codeword. These two spatial vectors are the spatial vectors corresponding to the first codeword. The first communication device can also... The bit indicates these two spatial vectors to the second communication device. These two spatial vectors can serve as the first spatial vector and the second spatial vector, and correspondingly, the first codeword can serve as the first codeword. Bits can be used as the first piece of information.

[0175] Furthermore, the first communication device can select one spatial vector from the remaining (N1*N2-2) spatial vectors for the second codeword. The first communication device can... Each bit indicates a spatial vector. This spatial vector can serve as a third spatial vector, and correspondingly, the second codeword can serve as the second codeword. Bits can serve as indication information for a third spatial vector.

[0176] In this example, when RI=6, the first codeword is the first codeword and the second codeword is the second codeword. In addition, the first codeword and the second codeword can also be replaced with each other. For example, the first communication device selects 1 spatial domain vector for the first codeword from the N1*N2 spatial domain vectors, and this spatial domain vector is the third spatial domain vector. The first communication device further selects 2 spatial domain vectors for the second codeword from the remaining N1*N2-1 spatial domain vectors, and the two spatial domain vectors are the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector.

[0177] (3) When RI=7 or RI=8, the first communication device can select 2 spatial domain vectors for the first codeword from the N1*N2 spatial domain vectors, and the two spatial domain vectors are the spatial domain vectors corresponding to the first codeword. The first communication device can indicate the two spatial domain vectors to the second communication device through bits. Further, the first communication device can select 2 spatial domain vectors for the second codeword from the remaining (N1*N2-2) spatial domain vectors, and the first communication device can indicate the 2 spatial domain vectors through bits.

[0178] In this example, the two spatial domain vectors corresponding to the first codeword can be the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector, respectively, and correspondingly, the first codeword can be the first codeword, and the bits indicating the two spatial domain vectors can be the first information. The two spatial domain vectors corresponding to the second codeword can be the third spatial domain vector, and correspondingly, the second codeword can be the second codeword, and the bits indicating the two spatial domain vectors can be the third information. In this example, the two spatial domain vectors corresponding to the first codeword can be the third spatial domain vector, and correspondingly, the first codeword can be the second codeword, and the bits indicating the two spatial domain vectors can be the third information. The two spatial domain vectors corresponding to the second codeword can be the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector, respectively, and correspondingly, the second codeword can be the first codeword, and the bits indicating the two spatial domain vectors can be the first information.

[0179] In this example, the two spatial domain vectors corresponding to the first codeword can be the third spatial domain vector, and correspondingly, the first codeword can be the second codeword, and the bits indicating the two spatial domain vectors can be the third information. The two spatial domain vectors corresponding to the second codeword can be the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector, respectively, and correspondingly, the second codeword can be the first codeword, and the bits indicating the two spatial domain vectors can be the first information. In this example, the two spatial domain vectors corresponding to the first codeword can be the third spatial domain vector, and correspondingly, the first codeword can be the second codeword, and the bits indicating the two spatial domain vectors can be the third information. The two spatial domain vectors corresponding to the second codeword can be the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector, respectively, and correspondingly, the second codeword can be the first codeword, and the bits indicating the two spatial domain vectors can be the first information.

[0180] S102: The first communication device transmits the first information.

[0181] Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the first information.

[0182] In S102, the first communication device can transmit a CSI, and the CSI can include the first information.

[0183] ​​In addition, the CSI can further include second information, which can be used to indicate K, for example, the second information is the RI. The second information can be included in the first part of the CSI, and the first information can be included in the second part of the CSI. The second communication device can determine the RI according to the second information, and determine the size of the first information according to the RI, so as to parse the first information from the second part of the CSI. For example, for the foregoing mode (1), when RI = 5 or RI = 6, the first information occupies 2 bits.

[0184] S103: The second communication device determines that the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector correspond to the first codeword according to the first information.

[0185] Based on S101 to S103, the first communication device can indicate the correspondence between the spatial domain vector and the codeword to the second communication device, so as to realize the determination of the correspondence between the spatial domain vector and the codeword.

[0186] In a possible embodiment, the first communication device can measure the channel state information according to the reference signal such as the CSI-RS sent by the second communication device, and determine the energy of each spatial domain vector according to the channel state information, and further determine the correspondence between the codeword and the spatial domain vector according to the energy. For example, the first communication device can select two spatial domain vectors with similar energy as the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector, that is, select two spatial domain vectors with similar energy to correspond to the same codeword, so as to avoid that two spatial domain vectors with too large energy difference correspond to the same codeword.

[0187] In addition, the first communication device can also determine that the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector correspond to the same codeword according to the existing setting or pre-configuration mode. For example, the first communication device knows that the energy of the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector is similar according to the previous communication process, and accordingly determines that the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector correspond to the same codeword.

[0188] In a possible embodiment, the first communication device can further send third information to the second communication device. In the present application, the third information can be used to indicate a single-layer spatial domain vector, which corresponds to one of the K transmission layers. When RI = 5 or RI = 7, the plurality of spatial domain vectors selected by the first communication device includes the single-layer spatial domain vector.

[0189] As a possible implementation, the first communication device can determine the spatial domain vector with the weakest energy as the single-layer spatial domain vector. For example, the energy of the spatial domain vector #1 is greater than the energy of the spatial domain vector #2, and the energy of the spatial domain vector #2 is greater than the energy of the spatial domain vector #3, and the spatial domain vector #3 can be determined as the single-layer spatial domain vector.

[0190] As another possible implementation, the first communication device can determine the difference between each of the selected multiple spatial domain vectors, and compare the energy difference between the spatial domain vector and other spatial domain vectors, and take the spatial domain vector with the largest energy difference from other spatial domain vectors as the single-layer spatial domain vector. For example, the energy of spatial domain vector #1 is greater than the energy of spatial domain vector #2, and the energy of spatial domain vector #2 is greater than the energy of spatial domain vector #3, wherein the difference between the energy of spatial domain vector #2 and the energy of spatial domain vector #3 is greater than the difference between the energy of spatial domain vector #1 and the energy of spatial domain vector #2, and spatial domain vector #3 can be taken as the single-layer spatial domain vector.

[0191] The implementation of the third information is described below.

[0192] In this application, the single-layer spatial domain vector corresponds to another spatial domain vector for the same code word, so it can also be considered that the single-layer spatial domain vector is the first spatial domain vector and the other spatial domain vector is the second spatial domain vector, or that the single-layer spatial domain vector is the second spatial domain vector and the other spatial domain vector is the first spatial domain vector.

[0193] Therefore, it can be considered that the third information is the index of the first spatial domain vector.

[0194] As a possible implementation of the third information, the first information can be sent independently of the third information. For example, the first information and the third information are carried in different fields in the CSI. Wherein, the first information can refer to the description in S101, for example, the first information can adopt any one or a combination of multiple of the modes (1) to (4). As an example, the first information includes the index of the combination of the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector. The third information can be the index of the first spatial domain vector. In order to reduce the indication overhead, the third information can indicate one spatial domain vector from the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector by 1 bit, that is, it is not necessary to indicate the first spatial domain vector from the multiple spatial domain vectors selected by the first communication device, and the spatial domain vector can be taken as the first spatial domain vector.

[0195] Taking RI=5 as an example, the number of spatial domain vectors selected by the first communication device is 3, referring to the description in mode (1), the first communication device can indicate the index of the combination of the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector by 2 bits, which is the first information. In addition, the first communication device can also indicate one spatial domain vector from the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector by 1 bit, which is the third information, and the spatial domain vector indicated by the 1 bit is the first spatial domain vector, or the spatial domain vector indicated by the 1 bit is the single-layer spatial domain vector.

[0196] ​Taking RI=7 as an example, the number of the spatial domain vectors selected by the first communication device is 4, and according to the description in mode (1), the first communication device can indicate the combination of the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector by 3 bits, i.e., the first information. In addition, the first communication device can also indicate one of the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector by 1 bit, i.e., the third information. The spatial domain vector indicated by the 1 bit is the first spatial domain vector, or in other words, the spatial domain vector indicated by the 1 bit is the single-layer spatial domain vector. The 3 bits indicate the index of the combination of the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector, i.e., the first information. In addition, the first communication device can also indicate one of the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector by 1 bit, i.e., the third information. The spatial domain vector indicated by the 1 bit is the first spatial domain vector, or in other words, the spatial domain vector indicated by the 1 bit is the single-layer spatial domain vector.

[0197] It can be understood that the above examples of RI=5 or RI=7 are described by taking mode (1) as an example, and in other examples, the implementation mode of the first information can also be replaced by one or more of modes (2) to (4), which does not affect the implementation mode of the third information, and thus will not be described again.

[0198] As another possible implementation mode of the third information, the first information can be implemented in combination with the third information. For example, when the CSI contains the third information, and the third information is the index of the first spatial domain vector, the first information can indicate the second spatial domain vector, or in other words, the first information can be used to indicate that the second spatial domain vector and the first spatial domain vector indicated by the third information correspond to the same codeword. For example, the first information can be the index of the second spatial domain vector. In this implementation mode, the first spatial domain vector does not need to be repeatedly indicated, and thus the indication overhead can be reduced in some cases.

[0199] Taking the example of RI=5, the number of the spatial domain vectors selected by the first communication device is 3, and the 3 spatial domain vectors are the first spatial domain vector, the second spatial domain vector and the third spatial domain vector. According to the description in Mode (2), any one of the spatial domain vectors can be indicated by 2 bits. Therefore, the third information can occupy 2 bits, which is used to indicate the first spatial domain vector from the 3 selected spatial domain vectors. The first communication device can indicate the 3 selected spatial domain vectors to the second communication device by the indication information of the spatial domain vectors. In addition, the first information can be used to indicate the second spatial domain vector. For example, the first information can be used to indicate the second spatial domain vector from the 2 spatial domain vectors (i.e. the second spatial domain vector and the third spatial domain vector) other than the first spatial domain vector from the 3 selected spatial domain vectors, and in this case, the first information can be the index of the second spatial domain vector, which occupies 1 bit. The index of the second spatial domain vector can be understood as the index of the second spatial domain vector in the set composed of the second spatial domain vector and the fourth spatial domain vector. For example, the index of the second spatial domain vector in the set composed of the second spatial domain vector and the third spatial domain vector is 0, and the index of the third spatial domain vector is 1, and in this case, the second spatial domain vector can be represented by the index 0. It can be seen that, in order to reduce the indication overhead, the first information in this example does not need to carry the index of the first spatial domain vector, nor the index of the combination of the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector. Correspondingly, after receiving the third information and the first information, the second communication device can know from the third information that the first spatial domain vector is a single-layer spatial domain vector, and in addition, the second communication device can know from the first information that the second spatial domain vector corresponds to the same codeword as the first spatial domain vector.

[0200] Taking the example of RI=7, the number of the spatial domain vectors selected by the first communication device is 4, and the 4 spatial domain vectors are the first spatial domain vector, the second spatial domain vector, the fourth spatial domain vector and the fifth spatial domain vector. The third information can occupy 2 bits, which is used to indicate the first spatial domain vector from the 4 selected spatial domain vectors. The first communication device can indicate the 4 selected spatial domain vectors to the second communication device by the indication information of the spatial domain vectors. In one implementation, the first information can be used to indicate the second spatial domain vector. For example, the first information can be used to indicate the second spatial domain vector from the 3 spatial domain vectors (i.e. the second spatial domain vector, the fourth spatial domain vector and the fifth spatial domain vector) other than the first spatial domain vector from the 4 selected spatial domain vectors, and in this case, the first information can be the index of the second spatial domain vector in the 3 spatial domain vectors, which occupies 2 bits. Correspondingly, after receiving the third information and the first information, the second communication device can know from the third information that the first spatial domain vector is a single-layer spatial domain vector, and in addition, the second communication device can know from the first information that the second spatial domain vector corresponds to the same codeword as the first spatial domain vector.

[0201] For example, taking the case of RI=7, in another implementation, the first information can be used to indicate the second spatial domain vector from 4 selected spatial domain vectors, and in this case, the first information can be the index of the second spatial domain vector in the 4 spatial domain vectors, occupying 2 bits.

[0202] In a possible embodiment, the plurality of spatial domain vectors shown in the present application can constitute a first codebook. Each spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors corresponds to at least one transmission layer. The rank of the first codebook is, for example, 5, 6, 7, or 8, or a higher value. It can be understood that a high-rank codebook is generated by splicing two low-rank codebooks. Assuming that the rank of the low-rank codebook is L, and the rank of the high-rank codebook is K, where L is a positive integer less than or equal to 4, and K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 5, or in other words, L is less than K.

[0203] The splicing process generates two low-rank codebooks for the first communication device, and directly splices the two low-rank codebooks into a high-rank codebook. Taking the case of a codebook with a rank of 6 as an example, the protocol requires that the codebook can only use 3 spatial domain vectors, that is, 3 spatial domain vectors are mapped to 6 transmission layers, where 3 of the 6 transmission layers correspond to a first code word, and the other 3 transmission layers correspond to a second code word. As shown in FIG. 5, when two codebooks with a rank of 3 are spliced into a codebook with a rank of 6, there must be a same spatial domain vector v l′,m′ between the two code words, and there is strong interference between the two same spatial domain vectors, thus increasing the transmission interference between CW0 and CW1.

[0204] To solve the technical problem, in the method provided by the embodiments of the present application, there is no repeated spatial domain vector between the spatial domain vectors corresponding to different code words in the plurality of spatial domain vectors in the spliced high-rank codebook. For example, the plurality of spatial domain vectors in the spliced high-rank codebook correspond to a first code word and a second code word, and the spatial domain vectors corresponding to the first code word and the second code word do not contain the same spatial domain vector. Specifically, in the splicing process, the mapping relationship between the transmission layers and the code words can be changed, or the number of spatial domain vectors applicable to the codebook can be changed. The two implementation manners are introduced below.

[0205] In a possible implementation manner, the mapping relationship between the transmission layers and the code words in the spliced high-rank codebook can be changed. For example, a codebook with a rank of 6 can only contain 3 different spatial domain vectors, which are a first spatial domain vector, a second spatial domain vector, and a third spatial domain vector. At this time, the mapping relationship between the transmission layers and the code words can be changed, so that in the two code words, the first code word corresponds to 2 transmission layers, that is, the first code word corresponds to 1 spatial domain vector (such as the third spatial domain vector), and the second code word corresponds to 4 transmission layers (such as the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector), that is, the second code word corresponds to 2 spatial domain vectors.

[0206] As shown in FIG. 6, the codebook with rank 6 can contain spatial domain vectors v l,m , v l′,m′ and v l″,m″ , wherein two code words of the codebook correspond to 1 spatial domain vector and 2 spatial domain vectors respectively, i.e. it is no longer required that both the first code word and the second code word correspond to 3 transmission layers. As shown in codebook (1) in FIG. 6, the first code word CW0 corresponds to 2 transmission layers, and the 2 transmission layers correspond to spatial domain vector v l,m . In addition, the second code word CW1 of codebook (1) corresponds to 4 transmission layers, and the first 2 transmission layers correspond to spatial domain vector v l′,m′ , and the last 2 transmission layers correspond to spatial domain vector v l″,m″ . It can be seen that there is no repeated spatial domain vector between the spatial domain vector corresponding to CW0 and the spatial domain vector corresponding to CW1 of codebook (1), and thus there is no strong interference between the two code words. Spatial domain vector v l,m in codebook (1) can be taken as an example of a third spatial domain vector, spatial domain vector v l′,m′ may be taken as an example of a first spatial domain vector, and spatial domain vector v l″,m″ may be taken as an example of a second spatial domain vector.

[0207] In addition, the first code word can correspond to 4 transmission layers, i.e. the first code word corresponds to 2 spatial domain vectors (such as a first spatial domain vector and a second spatial domain vector), and the second code word corresponds to 2 transmission layers, i.e. the second code word corresponds to 1 spatial domain vector (such as a third spatial domain vector) in the two code words. As shown in codebook (2) in FIG. 6, the first code word CW0 corresponds to 4 transmission layers, and the first 2 transmission layers correspond to spatial domain vector v l,m , and the last 2 transmission layers correspond to spatial domain vector v l′,m′ . The second code word CW1 of codebook (2) corresponds to 2 transmission layers, and the 2 transmission layers correspond to spatial domain vector v l″,m″ . It can be seen that there is no repeated spatial domain vector between the spatial domain vector corresponding to CW0 and the spatial domain vector corresponding to CW1 of codebook (2), and thus there is no strong interference between the two code words. Spatial domain vector v l″,m″ in codebook (2) can be taken as an example of a third spatial domain vector, spatial domain vector v l,m may be taken as an example of a first spatial domain vector, and spatial domain vector v l′,m′ may be taken as an example of a second spatial domain vector.

[0208] In another possible implementation, the number of spatial domain vectors in the spliced high rank codebook can be changed. For example, only 3 different spatial domain vectors can be contained in the current codebook with rank 6. If 4 spatial domain vectors are allowed to be contained in the codebook with rank 6, different spatial domain vectors can be selected for the first codeword and the second codeword. For example, the 4 spatial domain vectors are the first spatial domain vector, the second spatial domain vector, the fourth spatial domain vector and the fifth spatial domain vector, wherein the first codeword corresponds to the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector, and the second spatial domain vector corresponds to the fourth spatial domain vector and the fifth spatial domain vector, wherein the first spatial domain vector to the fourth spatial domain vector can come from the two low rank codebooks.

[0209] As shown in FIG. 7, the codebook with rank 6 can contain 4 spatial domain vectors v l,m , v l′,m′ , v l″,m″ and v l″′,m″′ , wherein the first codeword CW0 corresponds to the spatial domain vectors v l,m and v l′,m′ , and the second codeword CW1 corresponds to v l″,m″ and v l″′,m″′ . It can be seen that in the codebook (1) and the codebook (2) in FIG. 7, there is no repeated spatial domain vector between the spatial domain vectors corresponding to CW0 and the spatial domain vectors corresponding to CW1, and thus there is no strong interference between the two codewords. In the codebook (1) and the codebook (2) shown in FIG. 7, CW0 can be taken as an example of the first codeword, and the spatial domain vectors v l,m and v l′,m′ may be taken as the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector respectively; CW1 can be taken as an example of the second codeword, and the spatial domain vectors v l″,m″ and v l″′,m″′ may be taken as the fourth spatial domain vector and the fifth spatial domain vector respectively. In addition, CW1 can also be taken as the first codeword, and the spatial domain vectors v l″,m″ and v l″′,m″′ may be taken as the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector respectively; CW0 is taken as the first codeword, and the spatial domain vectors v l,m and v l′,m′ may be taken as the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector respectively.

[0210] It can be understood that the above scheme of splicing multiple low rank codebooks into a high rank codebook can be implemented in combination with the flow shown in FIG. 3, or can be implemented independently of the flow shown in FIG. 3, and the present application is not specifically limited.

[0211] It can also be understood that the spatial domain vectors in each codebook and the correspondence between the spatial domain vectors and the codewords shown in the present application are exemplary and should not be understood as the present application being limited to implementing the codebooks shown in the above examples.

[0212] It can be understood that, in order to implement the functions in the above embodiments, the terminal device or the network device comprises a hardware structure and / or a software module corresponding to each function. Those skilled in the art should easily understand that, in combination with the units and method steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in the present application, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is implemented in hardware or computer software driven hardware depends on the specific application scenarios and design constraints of the technical solutions.

[0213] FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are structural schematic diagrams of possible communication apparatuses provided by the embodiments of the present application. The communication apparatuses can be used to implement the functions of the terminal (or the first communication apparatus) or the network device (or the second communication apparatus) in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication apparatus can be a terminal or a network device, and can also be a module (such as a chip) applied to a terminal device or a network device. For example, the communication apparatus can be used to implement the functions of the first communication apparatus and / or the second communication apparatus in the flow shown in FIG. 3.

[0214] The communication apparatus 800 shown in FIG. 8 comprises a processing unit 810 and a transceiver unit 820. The communication apparatus 800 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device or the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0215] When the communication apparatus 800 is used to implement the functions of the first communication apparatus in the above method embodiments, the processing unit 810 and / or the transceiver unit 820 can be used to determine the first information. The transceiver unit 820 can be used to send the first information. In the first information, the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector can be used to indicate that they correspond to the first codeword.

[0216] When the communication apparatus 800 is used to implement the functions of the second communication apparatus in the above method embodiments, the transceiver unit 820 can be used to receive the first information, and determine, according to the first information, that the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector correspond to the first codeword.

[0217] In a possible implementation method, when the communication apparatus 800 is used to implement the functions of the first communication apparatus in the above method embodiments, the transceiver unit 820 can also be used to send the second information and / or the third information, which can be referred to the description in the method embodiments.

[0218] In a possible implementation method, when the communication apparatus 800 is used to implement the functions of the second communication apparatus in the above method embodiments, the transceiver unit 820 can also be used to receive the second information and / or the third information, which can be referred to the description in the method embodiments.

[0219] For more details of the processing unit 810 and the transceiver unit 820, please refer to the description of the related features in the above method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0220] The communication apparatus 900 shown in FIG. 9 includes a processor 910 and an interface circuit 920. The processor 910 and the interface circuit 920 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 920 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication apparatus 900 can further include a memory 930 for storing instructions executed by the processor 910 or storing input data required by the processor 910 to run instructions or storing data generated after the processor 910 runs instructions.

[0221] When the communication apparatus 900 is used to implement the above method embodiments, the processor 910 is configured to implement the functions of the above processing unit 810, and the interface circuit 920 is configured to implement the functions of the above transceiver unit 820.

[0222] It can be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), microprocessors without interlocked piped stages architecture (MIPS), advanced reduced instruction set computer (RISC) machines (ARM), network processors (NP), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0223] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a terminal device or a network device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the access network device or the terminal.

[0224] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. A computer program refers to a set of instructions for instructing an electronic computer or other device with message processing capability to perform each step, usually written in a certain programming language, and running on a certain target architecture. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on the computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments are performed. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable devices. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another, for example, the computer program or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via a wired or wireless manner. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. integrated with one or more available media. The available media can be a magnetic medium, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape; an optical medium, for example, a digital video disc; or a semiconductor medium, for example, a solid-state disk. The computer-readable storage medium can be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or can include both volatile and non-volatile storage media.

[0225] Based on the same technical concept, the embodiment of the present application further provides a computer readable storage medium, comprising a program or instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the method in the above method embodiment to be performed.

[0226] Based on the same technical concept, the embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, comprising instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the method in the above method embodiment to be performed.

[0227] Based on the same technical concept, the embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, which can comprise a first communication device and a second communication device. In the communication system, the first communication device and the second communication device can be respectively used to implement the method flow in FIG. 3. As an example, the first communication device can be a terminal or a chip of a terminal, and the second communication device can be a network device or a chip of a network device. Optionally, the communication system can further comprise other communication devices, for example, the communication system comprises one network device and multiple terminal devices.

[0228] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as a method, a system, or a computer program product. Therefore, the present application can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Moreover, the present application can take the form of a computer program product implemented 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.

[0229] In various embodiments of the present application, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referred to each other if there is no special description and logical conflict, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0230] In the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent the following three cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the literal description of the present application, the character " / ", generally represents that the associated objects before and after it are in an "or" relationship; in the formula of the present application, the character " / ", represents that the associated objects before and after it are in a "division" relationship.

[0231] It can be understood that various digital numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only distinguished for convenience of description, and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The size of the serial number of the above processes does not mean the order of execution, and the execution order of the processes should be determined according to its function and inherent logic.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The application is applied to a first communication device, comprising: determining first information, the first information being used to indicate that a first spatial domain vector and a second spatial domain vector correspond to a first code word, the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector being included in a plurality of spatial domain vectors, the plurality of spatial domain vectors corresponding to at least two code words, the first code word being one of the at least two code words, each spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors corresponding to at least one of K transmission layers, and at least one spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors corresponding to two of the K transmission layers, K being a positive integer greater than or equal to 5; sending the first information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first information comprises at least one of the following information: an index of a combination of the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector; an index of the first spatial domain vector and an index of the second spatial domain vector; an index of a third spatial domain vector; or an index of a combination of a third spatial domain vector; wherein the third spatial domain vector is a spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors other than the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The size of the first information is related to the K.

4. The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The method further comprises: sending second information, the second information being used to indicate the K; The second information is carried in a first part of channel state information, and the first information is carried in a second part of channel state information.

5. The method of any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The method further comprises: sending third information, the third information being used to indicate that the first spatial domain vector corresponds to one of the K transmission layers.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The third information is an index of the first spatial domain vector.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The index of the first spatial domain vector is an index of the first spatial domain vector in the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector.

8. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein, The first information is an index of the second spatial domain vector.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The index of the second spatial domain vector is an index of the second spatial domain vector in a spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors other than the first spatial domain vector.

10. The method of any one of claims 1-9, wherein, The plurality of spatial domain vectors correspond to the first code word and a second code word, spatial domain vectors corresponding to the first code word and spatial domain vectors corresponding to the second code word are different spatial domain vectors, and the plurality of spatial domain vectors include spatial domain vectors in at least two codebooks, spatial domain vectors in each codebook of the at least two codebooks correspond to at least one of L transmission layers, L being a positive integer less than or equal to 4.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, K=6, the number of the plurality of spatial domain vectors is 3, wherein each spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors corresponds to two transmission layers; The first code word corresponds to the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector, and the second code word corresponds to a third spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein, K=6, the number of the plurality of spatial domain vectors is 4; The first code word corresponds to the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector, and the second code word corresponds to a fourth spatial domain vector and a fifth spatial domain vector in the plurality of spatial domain vectors.

13. A method of communication, comprising: The application is applied to a second communication device, comprising: receiving first information, the first information being used for indicating that a first spatial domain vector and a second spatial domain vector correspond to a first codeword, the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector being included in a plurality of spatial domain vectors, the plurality of spatial domain vectors corresponding to at least two codewords, the first codeword being one of the at least two codewords, each spatial domain vector of the plurality of spatial domain vectors corresponding to at least one of K transmission layers, and at least one spatial domain vector of the plurality of spatial domain vectors corresponding to two of the K transmission layers, K being a positive integer greater than or equal to 5; determining, according to the first information, that the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector correspond to the first codeword.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, the first information comprises at least one of the following: an index of a combination of the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector; an index of the first spatial domain vector and an index of the second spatial domain vector; or an index of a third spatial domain vector; an index of a combination of a third spatial domain vector; wherein the third spatial domain vector is a spatial domain vector of the plurality of spatial domain vectors other than the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector.

15. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein, a size of the first information is related to the K.

16. The method of any one of claims 13-15, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving second information, the second information being used for indicating the K; the second information being carried in a first part of channel state information, and the first information being carried in a second part of channel state information.

17. The method of any one of claims 13-16, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving third information, the third information being used for indicating that the first spatial domain vector corresponds to one of the K transmission layers.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The third information is an index of the first spatial domain vector.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The index of the first spatial domain vector is an index of the first spatial domain vector in the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector.

20. The method of claim 18 or 19, wherein, The first information is an index of the second spatial domain vector.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The index of the second spatial domain vector is an index of the second spatial domain vector in a spatial domain vector of the plurality of spatial domain vectors other than the first spatial domain vector.

22. The method of any one of claims 13-21, wherein, The plurality of spatial domain vectors correspond to the first codeword and a second codeword, spatial domain vectors corresponding to the first codeword and spatial domain vectors corresponding to the second codeword are different spatial domain vectors, the plurality of spatial domain vectors include spatial domain vectors in at least two codebooks, spatial domain vectors of each codebook of the at least two codebooks correspond to at least one of L transmission layers, L being a positive integer less than or equal to 4.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein, K = 6, the number of the plurality of spatial domain vectors is 3, wherein each spatial domain vector of the plurality of spatial domain vectors corresponds to two transmission layers; The first codeword corresponds to the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector, and the second codeword corresponds to a third spatial domain vector of the plurality of spatial domain vectors.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein, K = 6, the number of the plurality of spatial domain vectors is 4; The first codeword corresponds to the first spatial domain vector and the second spatial domain vector, and the second codeword corresponds to a fourth spatial domain vector and a fifth spatial domain vector of the plurality of spatial domain vectors.

25. A communications device, characterized by comprising means or modules for performing the method of any one of claims 1-12, or comprising means or modules for performing the method of any one of claims 13-24.

26. A communications device, characterized by comprising a processor for executing computer programs or instructions to implement the method of any one of claims 1-12, or to implement the method of any one of claims 13-24.

27. A computer readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium has stored therein computer programs or instructions which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method of any one of claims 1-12, or implement the method of any one of claims 13-24.

28. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-12, or the method of any one of claims 13-24.

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