Communication method and apparatus for updating parameter of reference signal

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus for updating a parameter of a reference signal. The method comprises: a first apparatus may receive a configuration message, the configuration message being used for configuring a parameter of a first reference signal. The first apparatus may receive a first message, the first message being used for updating some or all parameters of the first reference signal, and the first message being a MAC CE or DCI. Then, the first apparatus may send or receive the first reference signal on the basis of an updated parameter of the first reference signal. According to the described method, a parameter of a reference signal can be updated by means of low-layer signaling such as a MAC CE or DCI, so that the parameter of the reference signal can be quickly updated, and the delay in updating the parameter of the reference signal is reduced, thereby preventing or reducing performance loss caused by delay in parameter update in a mobile scenario.

Description

A communication method and apparatus for updating parameters of a reference signal.

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410973558.1, filed on July 18, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus for Updating Parameters of a Reference Signal", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0004] In a mobile communication system, a transmitting device may transmit a reference signal. A receiving device may perform measurements and estimations based on the received reference signal. For example, the receiving device may utilize channel heterogeneity to obtain a channel estimation result between the transmitting and receiving devices, thereby enabling communication based on the channel estimation result.

[0005] During communication, the parameters of the reference signal may change. How to update the parameters of the reference signal requires further research. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for reducing the time delay in updating parameters of a reference signal.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a first device. The first device may be a terminal, or a device that is part of a terminal (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core or a system-in-package (SIP) chip), a chip system, or a processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal functions. The method may include: the first device receiving a configuration message, the configuration message being used to configure parameters of a first reference signal; the first device receiving a first message, the first message being used to update some or all parameters of the first reference signal, the first message being a medium access control-control element (MAC CE) or downlink control information (DCI); and the first device sending or receiving the first reference signal according to the updated parameters of the first reference signal.

[0008] This method can update the parameters of the reference signal via low-layer signaling such as MAC CE or DCI. The transmission latency of low-layer signaling such as MAC CE or DCI is relatively low, thus enabling rapid updating of the reference signal parameters, reducing the latency of updating the reference signal parameters, and avoiding or minimizing performance loss caused by parameter update latency in mobile scenarios.

[0009] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a second device. The second device may be an access network device, or a component of an access network device (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), chip system, or processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the access network device. The method may include: the second device sending a configuration message, the configuration message being used to configure parameters of a first reference signal; the second device sending a first message, the first message being used to update some or all parameters of the first reference signal, the first message being a MAC CE or DCI; and the second device receiving or sending the first reference signal according to the updated parameters of the first reference signal.

[0010] This method can update the parameters of the reference signal via low-layer signaling such as MAC CE or DCI. The transmission latency of low-layer signaling such as MAC CE or DCI is relatively low, thus enabling rapid updating of the reference signal parameters, reducing the latency of updating the reference signal parameters, and avoiding or minimizing performance loss caused by parameter update latency in mobile scenarios.

[0011] Based on the first or second aspect, in one possible design, the parameters include a combination of one or more of the following: the transmission timing of the first reference signal, the transmit beam of the first reference signal, or the receive beam of the first reference signal. This design allows for rapid updates to one or more of the following: the transmission timing of the first reference signal, the transmit beam of the first reference signal, or the receive beam of the first reference signal.

[0012] Based on the first or second aspect, in one possible design, some or all of the parameters include the timing of the transmission of the first reference signal, and the first message is used to indicate one of the following:

[0013] 1. The time unit corresponding to the updated transmission timing. Through this design, the first device can accurately determine the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal based on the first message. Furthermore, in this design, the first message can directly indicate the time unit corresponding to the updated transmission timing of the first reference signal. Thus, the first device can determine the updated transmission timing of the first reference signal without calculation, thereby reducing the computational complexity of the first device.

[0014] 2. First offset: The first offset is the offset between the time unit corresponding to the updated transmission timing and the reference time unit. With this design, the first device can accurately determine the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal based on the first message. Furthermore, in this design, the first message can indicate the offset between the time unit corresponding to the updated first reference signal's transmission timing and the reference time unit, or it can omit indicating the time unit corresponding to the updated first reference signal's transmission timing. This allows for indicating the updated first reference signal's transmission timing with fewer bits, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0015] Based on the first or second aspect, in one possible design, the reference time unit includes: a time unit for sending a first message; a time unit for receiving a first message; a time unit for sending a feedback message corresponding to the first message; a time unit for receiving the feedback message corresponding to the first message; a time unit for sending a first reference signal; or, a time unit for receiving a first reference signal. This design provides multiple implementations of the reference time unit, offering considerable flexibility.

[0016] Based on the first or second aspect, in one possible design, some or all of the parameters include the transmission timing of the first reference signal, a first message indicating a first resource, and the first resource and a first association relationship used to determine the updated transmission timing of the first reference signal. The first association relationship is an association between at least one resource and at least one transmission timing, and the at least one resource includes the first resource. With this design, the first device can accurately determine the updated transmission timing of the first reference signal based on the first message and the first association relationship. Furthermore, in this design, the first device can determine two parameters (i.e., the first resource and the updated transmission timing of the first reference signal) based on one parameter indicated by the first message (i.e., the first resource). The first device and the second device can transmit these two parameters separately, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0017] Based on either the first or second aspect, in one possible design, the first resource is one of the following: beam resources, SSB resources, or channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) resources. This design provides multiple possible ways to utilize the first resource, offering considerable flexibility. The full name of SSB can be synchronization signal block or synchronization signal (SS) / physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block (SS / PBCH block).

[0018] Based on the first or second aspect, in one possible design, the configuration message is also used to configure the first association. Through this design, the first device can accurately determine the first association based on the configuration message. Furthermore, in this design, the first association can be configured by the second device for the first device, thereby enabling flexible management of the first device by the second device.

[0019] Based on the first or second aspect, in one possible design, some or all parameters include the transmission timing of the first reference signal. A configuration message is used to configure parameters of multiple reference signals, and a second association exists between the multiple reference signals and the multiple transmission timings. A first message is used to indicate a first reference signal among the multiple reference signals; the transmission timing of the first reference signal is the transmission timing corresponding to the first reference signal among the multiple transmission timings. Through this design, the first device can accurately determine the transmission timing of the first reference signal based on the first message and the second association. Furthermore, in this design, the first device can determine the transmission timing of the first reference signal based on the first reference signal indicated by the first message, and the transmission timing of the first reference signal may not be transmitted between the first device and the second device, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0020] Based on the first or second aspect, in one possible design, some or all of the parameters include the transmission beam of the first reference signal. The first message is used to indicate one or more of the following combinations: spatial relationship parameters corresponding to the updated transmission beam of the first reference signal, transmission configuration indication status parameters, SSB resources, or CSI-RS resources. With this design, the first message can accurately indicate the updated transmission beam of the first reference signal. Thus, the first device can accurately determine the updated transmission beam of the first reference signal based on the first message.

[0021] Based on the first or second aspect, in one possible design, some or all of the parameters include the received beam of the first reference signal. The first message is used to indicate one or more of the following: spatial relationship parameters corresponding to the updated received beam of the first reference signal, transmission configuration indication status parameters, SSB resources, or CSI-RS resources. With this design, the first message can accurately indicate the updated received beam of the first reference signal. Thus, the first device can accurately determine the updated received beam of the first reference signal based on the first message.

[0022] Based on the first or second aspect, in one possible design, the first message is also used to indicate the first reference signal. Thus, the first device can determine which reference signals(s) need to have their parameters updated.

[0023] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a first device. The first device may be a terminal, or a device that is part of a terminal (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), chip system, or processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal functions. The method may include: the first device receiving a configuration message, the configuration message being used to configure parameters of multiple reference signals, and a second association relationship existing between the multiple reference signals and multiple transmission timings. The first device receiving a first message, the first message being used to indicate a first reference signal, the first message being a MAC CE or DCI. The first device sending or receiving the first reference signal according to the parameters of the first reference signal.

[0024] This method can indicate a first reference signal via low-layer signaling such as MAC CE or DCI, thereby enabling the first device and the second device to communicate based on the transmission timing of the first reference signal. Since the transmission delay of low-layer signaling such as MAC CE or DCI is relatively small, the transmission timing of the first reference signal can be quickly indicated (or activated), reducing the delay in indicating (or activating) the transmission timing of the first reference signal and avoiding or reducing performance loss caused by the delay in updating the parameters of the reference signal (e.g., the transmission timing of the reference signal) in mobile scenarios.

[0025] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a second device. The second device may be an access network device, or a component of an access network device (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), chip system, or processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the access network device. The method may include: the second device sending a configuration message, the configuration message being used to configure parameters of multiple reference signals, and a second association relationship existing between the multiple reference signals and multiple transmission timings; the second device sending a first message, the first message being used to indicate a first reference signal, the first message being a MAC CE or DCI; and the second device receiving or sending the first reference signal according to the parameters of the first reference signal.

[0026] This method can indicate a first reference signal via low-layer signaling such as MAC CE or DCI, thereby enabling the first device and the second device to communicate based on the transmission timing of the first reference signal. Since the transmission delay of low-layer signaling such as MAC CE or DCI is relatively small, the transmission timing of the first reference signal can be quickly indicated (or activated), reducing the delay in indicating (or activating) the transmission timing of the first reference signal and avoiding or reducing performance loss caused by the delay in updating the parameters of the reference signal (e.g., the transmission timing of the reference signal) in mobile scenarios.

[0027] Based on any one of the first to fourth aspects, in one possible design, the first reference signal includes: a sounding reference signal (SRS), an SSB, a CSI-RS, a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), or a phase tracking reference signal (PTRS). This design provides multiple possible forms of the first reference signal, offering considerable flexibility.

[0028] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device. In some examples, the communication device can be a terminal, or a device that can be a terminal (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), chip system, or processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal functions. The communication device has the functions to implement the first or third aspects described above. In other examples, the communication device can be an access network device, or a device that can be an access network device (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), chip system, or processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the access network device functions. The communication device has the functions to implement the second or fourth aspects described above.

[0029] In one possible design, the communication device includes modules, units, or means that perform the operations involved in any of the first to fourth aspects described above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of both. For example, the communication device includes an interface unit and a processing unit. The interface unit can be used to send and receive signals to enable communication between the communication device and other devices; the processing unit can be used to perform some internal operations of the communication device. The functions performed by the processing unit and the interface unit can correspond to the operations involved in any of the first to fourth aspects described above.

[0030] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor. The processor is capable of executing computer programs or instructions that, when executed, cause the communication device to implement the methods in any of the possible designs of any of the first to fourth aspects described above.

[0031] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and a memory, the memory of which can store necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions involved in any of the first to fourth aspects described above. The processor can execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, and when the computer programs or instructions are executed, cause the communication device to implement the methods in any of the possible designs of any of the first to fourth aspects described above.

[0032] In one possible design, the communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and to execute the methods in any possible design of any of the first to fourth aspects described above.

[0033] Sixthly, this application provides a communication system that may include a first device and a second device. The first device may execute the communication method provided in the first aspect, and the second device may execute the communication method provided in the second aspect; or, the first device may execute the communication method provided in the third aspect, and the second device may execute the communication method provided in the fourth aspect.

[0034] In some possible designs, the first device is a terminal and the second device is an access network device.

[0035] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions, wherein when the computer program or instructions are executed, a method in any possible design of any of the first to fourth aspects described above is implemented.

[0036] Eighthly, this application provides a computer program product comprising computer program code, wherein when the computer program code is run, a method in any possible design of any of the first to fourth aspects described above is implemented.

[0037] Ninthly, this application provides a chip for reading a computer program stored in a memory to execute a method in any possible design of any of the first to fourth aspects described above.

[0038] The technical effects that can be achieved by any of the fifth to ninth aspects mentioned above can be described with reference to the technical effects that can be achieved by any of the possible designs in the first to fourth aspects mentioned above. The repetitions will not be discussed. Attached Figure Description

[0039] Figures 1A and 1B are architectural diagrams of several communication systems provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0040] Figure 1C is an architecture diagram of an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN) device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0041] Figure 2 is a flowchart of a downlink beam management method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0042] Figure 3 is a flowchart of an uplink beam management method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0043] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a beam management method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0044] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an SRS measurement timing provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 7 is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figures 8 to 11 are structural diagrams of several communication devices provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0048] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as wireless local area networks (WLANs), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi or WiFi) systems, fourth-generation (4G) mobile communication systems (such as long-term evolution (LTE) systems), fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication systems (such as new radio (NR) systems), or future communication systems. The methods provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to terrestrial network communication systems or non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication systems. NTN communication systems can be, for example, satellite communication systems, and may also include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), and other aerial access network equipment; this application does not limit these aspects.

[0049] This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features relating to systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that individual systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these approaches are also possible.

[0050] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, FIG1A illustrates a possible, non-limiting system schematic diagram. As shown in FIG1A, the communication system 10 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. Optionally, the communication system 10 may also include the Internet 300.

[0051] RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 1A, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (120a-120j in Figure 1A, collectively referred to as 120). RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay equipment and / or wireless backhaul equipment (not shown in Figure 1A). Terminal 120 is wirelessly connected to RAN node 110. RAN node 110 is wirelessly or wired connected to core network 200. The core network equipment in core network 200 and RAN node 110 in RAN 100 can be different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and wireless access network logical functions.

[0052] RAN 100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 4G, 5G mobile communication systems, or future-oriented evolution systems. RAN 100 can also be ORAN, cloud radio access network (CRAN), or WiFi system. RAN 100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0053] RAN node 110, sometimes referred to as RAN entity or access node, constitutes part of the communication system and assists terminals in achieving wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 110 in communication system 10 can be of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of RAN node 110 and terminal 120 are relative. For example, network element 120i in Figure 1A can be a helicopter or drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120j accessing RAN 100 through network element 120i, network element 120i is a base station; but for base station 110a, network element 120i is a terminal. RAN node 110 and terminal 120 are sometimes both referred to as communication devices. For example, network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 1A can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0054] RAN nodes can also be described in different ways, such as access network equipment. Unless otherwise specified in this application, access network equipment will be used as the term.

[0055] Access network equipment can be devices or modules located on the network side of the aforementioned communication system and possessing corresponding communication functions. Access network equipment typically contains communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform the corresponding communication functions. Access network equipment may also be configured with programs or instructions for performing the corresponding communication functions, as well as the corresponding programs or instructions themselves.

[0056] In one possible scenario, access network equipment can be a base station (BS), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission point (TP), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (or transmit / receive point, TRP), a mobile switching center, a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a next-generation base station in a future communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. Access network equipment can also be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 1A, 110a), a micro base station or indoor station (as shown in Figure 1A, 110b), a relay node or donor node, a radio controller in a CRAN scenario, a satellite, a drone, a balloon, or an aircraft. Optionally, access network equipment can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology, the access network equipment can be a roadside unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the access network device in this application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0057] In another possible scenario, multiple access network devices collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, with each device performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, the access network devices 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). The CU and DU can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0058] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called an open CU (O-CU), DU can also be called an open DU (O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called an open RU (O-RU). Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0059] A terminal is a device or module that connects to the aforementioned communication system and possesses corresponding communication functions. A terminal can also be called a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, wireless terminal device, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, remote station, user terminal, user agent, or user device, etc. A terminal typically contains communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform the corresponding communication functions. The terminal may also be configured with programs or instructions for performing these communication functions.

[0060] Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), V2X communication, machine-type communications (MTC), the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, and smart cities. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc. Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices or smart wearable devices, are a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables. Terminals used in vehicles are called in-vehicle terminal devices, which include, for example, transportation vehicles with wireless communication capabilities, communication modules, or on-board units (OBUs).

[0061] For example, a terminal may include a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone), a computer with a mobile terminal device, or a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, or computer-embedded mobile device. For instance, a terminal may be a Personal Communication Service (PCS) phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or other similar devices. A terminal may also include restricted devices, such as devices with limited power consumption, limited storage capacity, or limited computing power. For example, a terminal may be an information sensing device such as a barcode scanner, radio frequency identification (RFID), a sensor, a global positioning system (GPS), or a laser scanner. The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form of the terminal.

[0062] In this application, core network equipment refers to equipment in the core network that provides service support to terminals. For example, in the case where CN200 is the core network of a future communication system, a 5G core network, or an evolved 5G core network, some examples of core network equipment include: access and mobility management function (AMF) entities, session management function (SMF) entities, user plane function (UPF) entities, policy control function (PCF) entities, etc., which are not listed here. Among them, the AMF entity can be responsible for terminal access management and mobility management; the SMF entity can be responsible for session management, such as user session establishment; the UPF entity can be a user plane functional entity, mainly responsible for connecting to external networks. For example, in the case of CN200 as a 4G core network, some core network devices include: Mobile Management Entity (MME), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Serving Gateway (S-GW), Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), Public Data Network Gateway (PDN Gateway, P-GW), etc., which will not be listed here. It should be noted that in this application, entities can also be referred to as network elements or functional entities. For example, an AMF entity can also be called an AMF network element or AMF functional entity, and similarly, an SMF entity can also be called an SMF network element or SMF functional entity. The aforementioned core network devices can operate independently or be combined to implement certain control functions. For example, AMF, SMF, and PCF can be combined into a single core network device.

[0063] Figure 1B illustrates an exemplary ORAN system architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. The ORAN system in this embodiment may include components other than those shown in Figure 1B. As shown in Figure 1B, access network devices can communicate with the core network (CN) via a backhaul link and with terminals via an air interface. For example, a BBU in the access network device communicates with the core network via a backhaul link, and an RU in the access network device communicates with at least one terminal via an air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU via a fronthaul link; the BBU and RU may or may not be co-located. The BBU includes at least one CU and at least one DU, which can communicate via at least one midhaul link.

[0064] Figure 1C illustrates, exemplarily, a network element function division and protocol layer structure diagram of an ORAN device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0065] In some possible implementations, the CU is a logical node that carries the radio resource control (RRC) layer, service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and other control functions of the access network equipment. The CU can connect to network nodes such as the core network through interfaces (e.g., E2 interfaces). Optionally, the CU may have some core network functions. The CU (e.g., the PDCP layer and higher layers of the CU) connects to the DU (e.g., the radio link control (RLC) layer and lower layers of the DU) through interfaces (e.g., the F1 interface). For example, the F1 interface can provide control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane) functions (e.g., interface management, system information management, UE context management, RRC message transmission, etc.). F1AP is the application protocol of the F1 interface, and in some examples, it defines the signaling procedures of F1. The F1 interface supports both the F1 control plane (F1-C) and the F1 user plane (F1-U).

[0066] In some examples, a CU may include CU-CP and CU-UP. CU-CP is a logical node carrying the control plane (PDCP-C) layer, which carries the RRC layer and the Packet Data Convergence Protocol layer, and is used to implement the CU's control plane functions. CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement control plane functions. These network elements in the core network can be Access and Mobility Function (AMF) network elements, such as the AMF in a 5G system. CU-UP is a logical node carrying the user plane (PDCP-U) layer, which carries the SDAP layer and the Packet Data Convergence Protocol layer, and is used to implement the CU's user plane functions. CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement user plane functions. These network elements in the core network are, for example, the UPF in a 5G system.

[0067] In some possible implementations, the DU is a logical node that carries the RLC layer, the medium access control (MAC) layer, the higher physical layer (Higher PHY) layer, and other functions. In some examples, the DU can control at least one RU. The DU connects to the RU through some interface (e.g., a fronthaul interface). In some examples, the Higher PHY layer includes the physical layer (PHY) processing, such as forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation, and demodulation.

[0068] The above configurations of CU and DU are merely examples; the functions of CU and / or DU can be configured as needed. For instance, CU or DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or to have only some protocol layer processing functions. For example, some RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions above the RLC layer can be placed in the CU, while the remaining RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions below the RLC layer can be placed in the DU. Furthermore, the functions of CU or DU can be divided according to service type or other system requirements, such as by latency, placing functions that need to meet low latency requirements in the DU and functions that do not need to meet such latency requirements in the CU.

[0069] In some possible implementations, the RU is a logical node that carries both the lower physical layer (Lower PHY) and radio frequency (RF) processing. In some examples, the RU may be a 3GPP TRP or RRH, or other similar functional entity. In some examples, the Low-PHY includes PHY processing functions such as Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT), digital beamforming, and filtering. The RU communicates with one or more terminals via a wireless link.

[0070] The DU and RU can be co-located or not. The DU and RU exchange control plane and user plane information via a fronthaul link through a Lower-Layer Split CUS-Plane (LLS-CUS or LLS-C / U / S) interface. LLS-CUS may include a Lower-Layer Split C-Plane (LLS-C) interface providing the control plane (C-Plane) and a Lower-Layer Split U-Plane (LLS-U) interface providing the user plane (U-Plane). In some examples, the control plane refers to real-time control between the DU and RU. The DU and RU exchange management information via a Lower-Layer Split management (LLS-M) interface on the fronthaul link. The management plane (M-Plane) refers to non-real-time management operations between the DU and RU.

[0071] DU and RU can cooperate to implement the functions of the PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, a DU can be configured to implement baseband functions, and an RU can be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Another example is that a DU can be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and an RU can be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer can include a portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the MAC layer, while lower-level functions in the physical layer can include another portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the mid-RF side.

[0072] The communication systems and service scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0073] The relevant terms used in the embodiments of this application will be explained below. It should be noted that these explanations are for the purpose of making the embodiments of this application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0074] 1. Beam:

[0075] Mobile communication systems (such as 5G mobile communication systems) can employ high-frequency communication, meaning they use high-frequency signals to transmit data. A major problem with high-frequency communication is that signal energy decreases sharply with transmission distance, resulting in short transmission ranges. To overcome this problem, high-frequency communication uses analog beamforming technology. By weighting the antenna array, the signal energy is concentrated within a small angular range, forming a beam-like signal (called an analog beam, or simply a beam), thereby increasing the transmission distance. Access network equipment and terminals can both use beamforming for transmission.

[0076] In protocols (e.g., NR protocol), beams can be referred to as spatial domain filters, spatial filters, spatial domain parameters, spatial parameters, spatial domain settings, spatial settings, quasi-co-location (QCL) information, QCL assumptions, or QCL indications, etc. Beams can also be represented by transmission configuration indicator state parameters or spatial relation parameters. The English terms for transmission configuration indicator state include transmission configuration indicator state (TCI-state), transmission configuration indication state (TCI-state), and transmission configuration index state (TCI-state), etc. Therefore, in this application, "beam" can be replaced by spatial filter, spatial filter, spatial parameter, spatial parameter, spatial setting, spatial setting, QCL information, QCL assumption, QCL indication, TCI-state (e.g., downlink TCI-state, DL TCI-state, and / or uplink TCI-state, UL TCI-state), or spatial relationship, etc. The above terms are also equivalent to each other. "Beam" can also be replaced with other beam-related terms, which are not limited in this application.

[0077] The beam used to transmit signals can be called a transmission beam (Tx beam), a spatial domain transmission filter, a spatial transmission filter, a spatial domain transmission parameter, a spatial transmission parameter, a spatial domain transmission setting, or a spatial transmission setting.

[0078] For uplink communication, the transmit beam can also be referred to as the uplink transmit beam. For example, the uplink transmit beam can be indicated by any of the following: spatial relation, uplink TCI-state, or SRS resource (indicating the transmit beam using that SRS). The uplink transmit beam can also be replaced by an SRS resource.

[0079] For downlink communication, the transmit beam can also be referred to as the downlink transmit beam. For example, the downlink transmit beam can be indicated by any of the following: spatial relation, CSI-RS resource, downlink TCI-state, SSB resource, or tracking reference signal (TRS) resource.

[0080] The beam used to receive signals can be called a reception beam (Rx beam), a spatial domain reception filter, a spatial reception filter, a spatial domain reception parameter, a spatial reception parameter, a spatial domain reception setting, or a spatial reception setting.

[0081] The transmitting beam can refer to the distribution of signal strength in different directions in space after a signal is transmitted through an antenna, while the receiving beam can refer to the distribution of signal strength in different directions in space of a wireless signal received from an antenna.

[0082] Furthermore, the beam can be a wide beam, a narrow beam, or other types of beam. The beamforming technology can be beamforming technology or other technologies. Beamforming technology can be, for example, digital beamforming technology, analog beamforming technology, or hybrid digital / analog beamforming technology, etc.

[0083] Beams are generally associated with resources. For example, during beam measurement, access network devices measure different beams using different resources. The terminal provides feedback on the measured resource quality, allowing the access network device to determine the quality of the corresponding beam. During data transmission, beam information is also indicated through its corresponding resources. For instance, access network devices use the Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) field in the DCI to indicate the terminal's Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) beam information. The English term for Transmission Configuration Indicator can be Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI), Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI), or Transmission Configuration Index (TCI), etc.

[0084] Optionally, multiple beams with the same or similar communication characteristics can be considered as a single beam. A beam may include one or more antenna ports for transmitting data channels, control channels, and detection signals, etc. One or more antenna ports forming a beam can also be considered as a set of antenna ports.

[0085] 2. Resources:

[0086] In this application, a relationship exists between resources and beams; therefore, resources can be used to implicitly describe beams. For example, in beam measurement, a relationship exists between beams and resources. An access network device transmitting its corresponding resource using a beam is equivalent to at least one of the following: the access network device transmitting a signal using a resource corresponding to the beam, or the access network device transmitting a signal using the beam corresponding to the resource. A terminal measuring the quality of a resource is equivalent to at least one of the following: the terminal measuring the quality of the beam corresponding to the resource, the terminal measuring the quality of the signal transmitted on the resource, or the terminal measuring the quality of the signal transmitted on the beam corresponding to the resource.

[0087] Resources can be uplink signal resources and / or downlink signal resources. Uplink signals include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: SRS or DMRS. Downlink signals include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: CSI-RS, cell specific reference signal (CS-RS), user equipment specific reference signal (US-RS), DMRS, or SSB.

[0088] Resources can be configured via RRC signaling. In terms of configuration structure, a resource is a data structure that includes one or more parameters related to its corresponding uplink / downlink signal, such as the type of uplink / downlink signal, the resource element (RE) carrying the uplink / downlink signal, the transmission time and period of the uplink / downlink signal, and the number of ports used to transmit the uplink / downlink signal. Each resource for an uplink / downlink signal has a unique index to identify that resource. It is understood that the resource index can also be called the resource identifier, and this application does not impose any limitation on this.

[0089] 3. Reference signal (RS):

[0090] The reference signal can also be called the pilot signal. In communication systems, estimating the uplink or downlink channel is crucial for transmitting and receiving data, obtaining system synchronization and feedback channel information. Channel estimation refers to the process of reconstructing or recovering the received signal to compensate for signal distortion caused by channel fading and noise fading. It uses known reference signals from the transmitting and receiving equipment to determine the time and frequency domain variations of the channel. This reference signal is also called the reference signal. Optionally, the reference signal can be distributed across one or more REs in the time-frequency two-dimensional space within an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, and has known amplitude and phase.

[0091] Reference signals may include uplink reference signals and downlink reference signals. Uplink reference signals may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: SRS, uplink DMRS, or uplink PTRS. Downlink reference signals may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: SSB, CSI-RS, downlink DMRS, or downlink PTRS.

[0092] 4. Beam Management:

[0093] Beam management is a measurement procedure in a protocol (e.g., release 15, R15 protocol) that can include downlink beam management and uplink beam management. These are described below.

[0094] 4.1 Downlink Beam Management:

[0095] As shown in Figure 2, downlink beam management methods may include:

[0096] S201: The access network device sends measurement configuration information to the terminal.

[0097] The measurement configuration information can be carried in the RRC signaling sent by the access network device to the terminal.

[0098] Optionally, measurement configuration information includes resource configuration information and reporting configuration information. Resource configuration information is related to measurement resources and can be used to configure them. In the protocol, this measurement resource can be configured through a three-level structure: resource configuration (resourceConfig or resourceSetting), resource set (resourceSet), and resource (resource). For example, an access network device can configure one or more resource configurations for a terminal. Each resource configuration includes one or more resource sets, and each resource set can include one or more resources. Each resource configuration / resource set / resource includes its own index. Furthermore, each resource configuration / resource set / resource also includes other parameters, such as the resource's period and the signal type corresponding to the resource. Reporting configuration information refers to information related to the reporting of measurement results, which can be configured through reporting configuration (ReportConfig) in the protocol. An access network device can configure one or more reporting configurations for a terminal. Each reporting configuration includes reporting indicators, reporting time and period, reporting format, and other reporting-related information. In addition, the reporting configuration also includes an index of the resource configuration, used to indicate which measurement resources(s) were used to measure the reported results.

[0099] For ease of understanding, the following example shows resource configuration information and reported configuration information in the R15 protocol.

[0100] An example of resource configuration information in the R15 protocol is as follows:

[0101] The following is an explanation of some of the parameters in this example:

[0102] CSI-ResourceConfig is the resource configuration for channel state information (CSI). A resource configuration includes one or more resource sets, and a resource set includes one or more resources.

[0103] csi-ResourceConfigId is an index for CSI resource configuration.

[0104] csi-RS-ResourceSetList is a list of resource sets for CSI-RS. This list can be a list of nzp-CSI-RS-SSB (or Non-zero-power (NZP) CSI-RS-SSB) resource sets, or a list of csi-IM (or Channel State Information Interference Measurement (CSI-IM)) resource sets.

[0105] The nzp-CSI-RS-SSB-ResourceSetList is a list of nzp-CSI-RS-SSB resource sets, which may include multiple nzp-CSI-RS (or NZP CSI-RS) resource sets or multiple csi-SSB (or CSI-SSB) resource sets, or multiple nzp-CSI-RS resource sets and multiple csi-SSB resource sets.

[0106] csi-IM-ResourceSetList is a list of csi-IM resource sets, which may include one or more csi-IM resource sets.

[0107] bwp-Id is the identifier for the bandwidth part (BWP). A cell's frequency is divided into multiple BWPs, and bwp-id is used to indicate a BWP.

[0108] resourceType is the resource type, which can be used to indicate the time-domain transmission characteristics of the resource in the resource configuration, such as whether it is periodically transmitted, semi-continuously transmitted, or non-periodically transmitted.

[0109] It should be understood that the example of this resource configuration information is for illustrative purposes only. In practical applications, a resource set may include one or more resources; an nzp-CSI-RS resource set may include one or more nzp-CSI-RS resources, a csi-SSB resource set may include one or more SSB resources, and a csi-IM resource set may include one or more csi-IM resources. Due to the large number of resource set types, they will not be elaborated upon here.

[0110] An example of reporting configuration information in the R15 protocol is as follows:

[0111] The following is an explanation of some of the parameters in this example:

[0112] CSI-ReportConfig is the CSI reporting configuration.

[0113] reportConfigId is the index of the reporting configuration.

[0114] resourcesForChannelMeasurement is an identifier for the resource configuration used to measure channel information.

[0115] csi-IM-ResourcesForInterference is an identifier for the resource configuration used to measure interference information. All resources included in this configuration are of the csi-IM type.

[0116] nzp-CSI-RS-ResourcesForInterference is an identifier for the resource configuration used to measure interference information. All resources included in this configuration are of the nzp-CSI-RS type.

[0117] The reportQuantity is the reported parameter, which may include, for example, the reference signal received power (RSRP) and / or the channel quality indicator (CQI).

[0118] `groupBasedBeamReporting` can be a packet-based reporting criterion and can be configured to be enabled or disabled. When enabled, the access network device does not need to configure other details; the terminal can report CSI-RS resource indicators (CRI) and / or SSB resource indicators (SSBRI), and both CRI and SSBRI can be received simultaneously. When disabled, the access network device also configures the number of beams to be reported, which can be configured to one of 1 to 4. For example, with a configured reporting beam count of 4, the terminal can report 4 resource identifiers, which do not need to be received simultaneously; or, these 4 resource identifiers can be received separately.

[0119] S202: The access network device sends downlink signals on the resource granules corresponding to the resources configured in the resource configuration information.

[0120] S203: The terminal measures the downlink signal according to the measurement configuration information.

[0121] For example, the terminal can measure the downlink signal based on the resource configuration information in the measurement configuration information, thereby determining the quality of each resource.

[0122] S204: The terminal sends a beam measurement report to the access network equipment.

[0123] The beam measurement report may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: indexes of one or more resources, resource quality, etc. Table 1 shows the format of the beam measurement report in the R15 protocol. The CRI and SSBRI fields can be used to indicate the resource indexes to be reported. Terminals may report either CRI or SSBRI, or both. and These are the lengths of the CRI and SSBRI fields, respectively. RSRP represents the quality of a resource. RSRP reporting can use a differential reporting criterion. For example, the RSRP of the best resource can be reported using 7-bit quantization through the RSRP field in Table 1, while other RSRPs can be reported using 4-bit quantization through the differential RSRP field in Table 1.

[0124] Optionally, beam measurement reports can be carried in the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) or the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH).

[0125] Table 1

[0126] 4.2 Uplink Beam Management:

[0127] As shown in Figure 3, the uplink beam management method may include:

[0128] S301: The access network device sends uplink signal resource configuration information to the terminal.

[0129] The following explanation uses SRS resource configuration information as an example to illustrate the concept.

[0130] This SRS resource configuration information can be used to configure one or more SRS resource sets (SRS-ResourceSets) for uplink beam management; alternatively, access network devices can configure one or more SRS resource sets for uplink beam management for terminals. Each SRS resource set may include one or more SRS resources (SRS-Resources). Each SRS resource is associated with (or corresponds to or is related to) a beam. Each SRS resource includes (or carries) one SRS. Access network devices can perform uplink beam measurements by measuring the SRS corresponding to these SRS resources.

[0131] For ease of understanding, an example of SRS resource configuration information in the R15 protocol is shown below.

[0132] The following is an explanation of some of the parameters in this example:

[0133] SRS-ResourceSet is an SRS resource set.

[0134] srs-ResourceSetId is the index of the SRS resource set.

[0135] srs-ResourceIdList is a list of SRS resource indexes used to indicate the SRS resources included in an SRS resource set.

[0136] The resourceType in srs-ResourceIdList is used to indicate the type of SRS resource set, such as aperiodic, semi-static, or periodic.

[0137] The usage is used to indicate the purpose of the SRS resource set, such as: beam management, codebook-based uplink transmission, non-codebook-based uplink transmission, or uplink channel measurement.

[0138] srs-ResourceId is the SRS resource index.

[0139] nrofSRS-Ports represents the number of antenna ports for the SRS resource.

[0140] resourceMapping is the location of the time-frequency resource corresponding to the SRS resource.

[0141] The resourceType in SRS-Resource indicates the type of SRS resource, such as aperiodic, semi-static, or periodic.

[0142] spatialRelationInfo is the spatial information of an SRS resource set, used to indicate the transmission spatial parameters of that SRS resource set.

[0143] It should be understood that the example of this SRS resource configuration information is for illustrative purposes only. In practical applications, an SRS resource set may include one or more SRS resources, which will not be elaborated on here.

[0144] S302: For each SRS resource, the terminal uses the uplink transmission beam associated with that SRS resource to transmit the SRS associated with that SRS resource.

[0145] S303: The access network equipment measures the quality of each SRS resource sent by the terminal.

[0146] 5. Determine the beam used for communication:

[0147] When performing uplink and / or downlink communication (e.g., uplink and / or downlink data transmission), access network devices and terminals need to use specific beams. The specific beam used for transmission is determined through a beam measurement process. Optionally, the access network device can configure multiple measurement resources for the terminal via RRC signaling, such as the resources configured in the resource configuration information in S201. Each measurement resource corresponds to a reference signal. For each measurement resource, the access network device transmits the reference signal corresponding to that measurement resource through a beam. The terminal measures the reference signal transmitted by each beam to obtain the quality of each beam (or measurement resource), such as RSRP, thereby determining the optimal access network device beam and the optimal terminal beam. The optimal access network device beam and the optimal terminal beam can be the pair of beams with the best quality, for example, the pair of beams with the highest RSRP.

[0148] The following describes a possible implementation process. As shown in Figure 4, the access network device has M beams, and the terminal has N beams. M and N are positive integers. The access network device configures M measurement resources for the terminal, each corresponding to one of the M access network device beams. In each measurement cycle, the access network device transmits the M reference signals through the M beams, and the terminal uses one beam to receive and measure the M reference signals. Through N measurement cycles, the terminal sequentially uses the N beams to measure the M reference signals transmitted by the access network device, thereby completing the channel measurement between the M access network device beams and the N terminal beams. Based on the above measurements, the terminal can determine the optimal access network device beam and the optimal terminal beam, and report this to the access network device.

[0149] During downlink communication, the access network device uses the optimal access network device beam for transmission, and the terminal uses the optimal terminal beam for reception. During uplink communication, the terminal uses the optimal terminal beam for transmission, and the access network device uses the optimal access network device beam for reception.

[0150] 6. SRS measurement:

[0151] In uplink communication, SRS measurement can be performed to allow access network devices to obtain channel information from the terminal. Optionally, the terminal can use the optimal terminal beam to transmit SRS, and the access network device can use the corresponding optimal access network device beam to receive the SRS and perform channel measurement.

[0152] In a cell with multiple users, the optimal access network (ANR) beam for each user may be different. For each terminal, the ANR device can use the optimal ANR beam corresponding to that terminal to receive the SRS transmitted by that terminal. Since the ANR device typically can only use a single receiving beam at a time, it must use different beams at different times to receive SRS transmitted by different terminals.

[0153] For example, as shown in Figure 5, during SRS transmission time #1, the access network device can receive SRS through access network device beam #1; during SRS transmission time #2, the access network device can receive SRS through access network device beam #2. When access network device beam #1 and terminal #1's transmit beam #1 are the optimal access network device beam and optimal terminal beam, during SRS transmission time #1, terminal #1 can transmit SRS through terminal #1's transmit beam #1, and the access network device can receive SRS from terminal #1 through access network device beam #1. When access network device beam #2 and terminal #2's transmit beam #2 are the optimal access network device beam and optimal terminal beam, during SRS transmission time #2, terminal #2 can transmit SRS through terminal #2's transmit beam #2, and the access network device can receive SRS from terminal #2 through access network device beam #2.

[0154] 7. Timing of reference signal transmission:

[0155] In this application, the time when the receiving device receives the reference signal can be referred to as the transmission timing of the reference signal. For example, the time when the access network device receives the SRS can be referred to as the SRS transmission timing. It should be understood that the transmission timing of the reference signal may also have other names, such as the reception timing of the reference signal, the transmission time of the reference signal, or the reception time of the reference signal. As long as they have the same function, they are all within the protection scope of this application.

[0156] The timing of reference signal transmission may include reference signal transmission time resources. These transmission time resources may include transmission time units. In this application, a time unit may be a unit of time-domain resources. Exemplarily, a time unit may include at least one of the following: a system frame, a subframe, a slot, or a symbol (e.g., an OFDM symbol).

[0157] Optionally, the timing of reference signal transmission may also include the transmission frequency domain unit of the reference signal. This transmission frequency domain resource may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: cell, BWP, resource block (RB), resource block group (RBG), or RE, etc.

[0158] 8. Beam resources:

[0159] In this application, beam resources can be reference signal resources used to determine the beam. For example, beam resources can be a combination of one or more of the following: SSB resources, CSI-RS resources, SRS resources, DMRS resources, or PTRS resources, etc. Wherein, SSB resources can be resources used to transmit SSB; CSI-RS can be resources used to transmit CSI-RS; SRS resources can be resources used to transmit SRS; DMRS resources can be resources used to transmit DMRS; and PTRS can be resources used to transmit PTRS.

[0160] 9. In this application, "instruction" or "for instruction" may include explicit instruction (or direct instruction) and implicit instruction (or indirect instruction). When describing information for instructing A, it may include whether the information explicitly instructs A or implicitly instructs A, but does not necessarily mean that the information carries A.

[0161] The indication methods involved in the embodiments of this application should be understood to cover various methods that enable the party to be indicated to obtain the information to be indicated. The information to be indicated can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information and sent separately. Moreover, the sending period and / or sending time of these sub-information can be the same or different, without limitation.

[0162] In the embodiments of this application, "information" can be an explicit indication, that is, a direct indication through signaling, or obtained by combining other rules or parameters with parameters indicated by signaling, or by deduction. It can also be an implicit indication, that is, obtained based on rules or relationships, or based on other parameters, or by deduction. No limitation is imposed.

[0163] 10. In this application, communication between different devices can refer to direct communication between different devices (i.e., without the need for relaying or forwarding by other devices), or communication between different devices through other devices (i.e., requiring relaying or forwarding by other devices), or communication between a functional unit within a device and other devices through another functional unit. For example, "sending information to…(terminal)" can be understood as the destination of the information being the terminal, and may include sending information directly or indirectly to the terminal. "Receiving information from…(terminal)" can be understood as the source of the information being the terminal, and may include receiving information directly or indirectly from the terminal. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, digital-to-analog conversion, amplification, filtering, etc., but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood in a similar way, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0164] 11. In this application, the words "exemplarily," "for example," "for instance," and "example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. It should be understood that the examples in this application may also be implemented in other ways.

[0165] 12. In this application, any two of the programs, instructions and code may be substituted for one another.

[0166] 13. In this application, the association relationship and the correspondence relationship can be interchanged.

[0167] Currently, in mobile communication systems, transmitting devices can transmit reference signals. Receiving devices can perform measurements and estimations based on the received reference signals. For example, the receiving device can utilize channel heterogeneity to obtain channel estimation results between the transmitting and receiving devices, thereby enabling communication based on the channel estimation results.

[0168] During communication, the parameters of the reference signal may change. For example, as mentioned earlier, the terminal can use the optimal terminal beam to transmit the SRS, and the access network device can use the corresponding optimal access network device beam to receive the SRS and perform channel measurements. As the terminal moves, the optimal terminal beam and / or the optimal access network device beam may change, and the SRS transmission timing may also change with the change in the optimal access network device beam. In this case, the terminal needs to use a new optimal terminal beam to transmit the SRS at the new SRS transmission timing, and the access network device needs to use a new optimal access network device beam to receive and measure the SRS transmitted by the terminal at the new SRS transmission timing. For the terminal, it needs to determine the new SRS transmission beam and / or transmission timing.

[0169] Currently, access network devices can update the SRS transmission beam and transmission timing through the RRC reconfiguration process. For example, the access network device sends an RRC reconfiguration message to the terminal, which indicates the new SRS transmission beam and transmission timing. Upon receiving the RRC reconfiguration message, the terminal can determine the new SRS transmission beam and transmission timing, and then use the new SRS transmission beam to transmit SRS at the new transmission timing. The access network device can then use the access network device beam corresponding to the new SRS transmission timing to receive and measure SRS.

[0170] This method updates the SRS transmission beam and timing through the RRC reconfiguration process. Since the RRC reconfiguration message is a Layer 3 signaling message, the latency during Layer 3 signaling interaction between the access network device and the terminal is relatively large, resulting in a significant delay in updating the SRS transmission beam and timing. During the transmission of the RRC reconfiguration message, the terminal still uses the optimal terminal beam before the update to transmit the SRS at the previous transmission timing. Because the quality of the optimal terminal beam before the update is lower than that after the update, this leads to a loss of transmission performance.

[0171] Further research is needed on how to update the parameters of the reference signal.

[0172] This application provides a communication method. Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in this application. Figure 6 uses a first device and a second device as examples of the execution entities in this interaction to illustrate the method. The first device can be a terminal or a device within a terminal (e.g., a module, circuit, chip (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software that implements all or part of the terminal's functions. The second device can be an access network device or a device within an access network device (e.g., a module, circuit, chip (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software that implements all or part of the access network device's functions.

[0173] As shown in Figure 6, the method includes:

[0174] S601: The second device sends a configuration message; correspondingly, the first device receives the configuration message.

[0175] The configuration message can be used to configure the parameters of the first reference signal; correspondingly, the first device can determine the parameters of the first reference signal according to the configuration information. The first reference signal can be a traditional reference signal, for example, it can be one of the following: SRS, SSB, CSI-RS, DMRS, or PTRS. The name of the traditional reference signal may change or remain the same during subsequent standard evolution, all of which are within the scope of protection of this application. Alternatively, the first reference signal can be an evolution of a traditional reference signal; the name of the evolved reference signal may change or remain the same, all of which are within the scope of protection of this application. Or, the first reference signal can be a new reference signal or a reference signal defined in the future. Optionally, the SRS can be a combination of one or more of the following: a beam management SRS, a codebook SRS, a non-codebook SRS, or an antenna switch SRS. The parameters of the first reference signal may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: the period of the first reference signal, the transmission beam of the first reference signal, the transmission timing of the first reference signal, or the frequency domain position corresponding to the first reference signal, etc.

[0176] This application does not limit the specific process of configuring the parameters of the first reference signal in the configuration message. For example, if the first reference signal is SRS, the configuration message may include the SRS resource configuration information in S301. Or, for example, if the first reference signal is CSI-RS, the configuration message may include the resource configuration information in S201.

[0177] Configuration messages can be traditional messages or new messages, without restriction. For example, configuration messages can be RRC signaling, such as RRC configuration messages or RRC reconfiguration messages.

[0178] Configuration messages may have other names, as long as they have the same function, they are all within the scope of protection of this application.

[0179] S602: The second device sends the first message; correspondingly, the first device receives the first message.

[0180] The first message can be used to update some or all of the parameters of the first reference signal; correspondingly, the first device can update some or all of the parameters of the first reference signal according to the first message. The specific content of "the first message can be used to update some or all of the parameters of the first reference signal" will be explained below and will not be elaborated here.

[0181] The first message can be MAC CE or DCI.

[0182] Optionally, some or all of these parameters may include a combination of one or more of the following: the timing of transmission of the first reference signal, the transmitting beam of the first reference signal, or the receiving beam of the first reference signal.

[0183] For example, some or all of these parameters may include the timing of the transmission of the first reference signal.

[0184] For example, some or all of these parameters may include: the timing of the transmission of the first reference signal, and the transmission beam of the first reference signal.

[0185] For example, some or all of these parameters may include the transmission beam of the first reference signal.

[0186] For example, some or all of these parameters may include the receiving beam of the first reference signal.

[0187] The first message may have other names, as long as it has the same function, it is within the scope of protection of this application.

[0188] S603: The first device sends or receives the first reference signal according to the updated parameters of the first reference signal; correspondingly, the second device receives or sends the first reference signal according to the updated parameters of the first reference signal.

[0189] In some possible ways, the first device transmits the first reference signal according to the updated parameters of the first reference signal; correspondingly, the second device receives the first reference signal according to the updated parameters of the first reference signal.

[0190] In some examples, this parameter, or all of it, may include: the timing of the transmission of the first reference signal. After receiving the first message, the first device may transmit the first reference signal at the updated transmission timing of the first reference signal; correspondingly, after transmitting the first message, the second device may receive the first reference signal at the updated transmission timing of the first reference signal. For example, the first reference signal is SRS. The first message indicates that the updated transmission timing of the SRS is SRS transmission timing #2 in Figure 5. After receiving the first message, the first device may transmit the SRS at SRS transmission timing #2; correspondingly, after transmitting the first message, the second device may receive the SRS at SRS transmission timing #2.

[0191] In other examples, some or all of these parameters may include: the transmission timing of the first reference signal and the transmission beam of the first reference signal. After receiving the first message, the first device may transmit the first reference signal at the updated transmission timing of the first reference signal and through the updated transmission beam of the first reference signal; correspondingly, after transmitting the first message, the second device may receive the first reference signal at the updated transmission timing of the first reference signal and through the receiving beam corresponding to the updated transmission timing of the first reference signal, or, after transmitting the first message, the second device may receive the first reference signal at the updated transmission timing of the first reference signal and through the receiving beam corresponding to the updated transmission beam of the first reference signal. For example, the first reference signal is SRS. The first message indicates: the updated transmission timing of the SRS is SRS transmission timing #2 in Figure 5; the updated transmission beam of the SRS is the terminal's transmission beam #1. After receiving the first message, the first device can transmit SRS at SRS transmission time #2 via transmitting beam #1; correspondingly, after transmitting the first message, the second device can receive SRS at SRS transmission time #2 via receiving beam corresponding to SRS transmission time #2, or, after transmitting the first message, the second device can receive SRS at SRS transmission time #2 via receiving beam corresponding to transmitting beam #1.

[0192] In some examples, this parameter may include, or may not include, the transmission beam of the first reference signal. After receiving the first message, the first device may transmit the first reference signal via the updated transmission beam of the first reference signal; correspondingly, after transmitting the first message, the second device may receive the first reference signal via the receiving beam corresponding to the current transmission timing of the first reference signal, or, after transmitting the first message, the second device may receive the first reference signal via the receiving beam corresponding to the updated transmission beam of the first reference signal. For example, the first reference signal is SRS. The first message indicates that the transmission beam of the updated SRS is the terminal's transmission beam #1. Before receiving the first message, the transmission timing of the SRS is SRS transmission timing #2. After receiving the first message, the first device may transmit the SRS via transmission beam #1 at SRS transmission timing #2; correspondingly, after transmitting the first message, the second device may receive the SRS via the receiving beam corresponding to SRS transmission timing #2 at SRS transmission timing #2, or, after transmitting the first message, the second device may receive the SRS via the receiving beam corresponding to transmission beam #1 at SRS transmission timing #2.

[0193] In other possible embodiments, the second device transmits the first reference signal based on the updated parameters of the first reference signal; correspondingly, the first device receives the first reference signal based on the updated parameters of the first reference signal.

[0194] In some examples, this parameter, or all of it, may include: the timing of the transmission of the first reference signal. After sending the first message, the second device may send the first reference signal at the updated transmission timing of the first reference signal; correspondingly, after receiving the first message, the first device may receive the first reference signal at the updated transmission timing of the first reference signal. For example, the first reference signal is CSI-RS. The first message indicates: the updated transmission timing of CSI-RS is CSI-RS transmission timing #1. After sending the first message, the second device may send CSI-RS at CSI-RS transmission timing #1; correspondingly, after receiving the first message, the first device may receive CSI-RS at CSI-RS transmission timing #1.

[0195] In other examples, some or all of these parameters may include: the transmission timing of the first reference signal and the transmission beam of the first reference signal. After sending the first message, the second device may transmit the first reference signal at the updated transmission timing of the first reference signal and through the updated transmission beam of the first reference signal; correspondingly, after receiving the first message, the first device may receive the first reference signal at the updated transmission timing of the first reference signal and through the receiving beam corresponding to the updated transmission timing of the first reference signal, or, after receiving the first message, the first device may receive the first reference signal at the updated transmission timing of the first reference signal and through the receiving beam corresponding to the updated transmission beam of the first reference signal. For example, the first reference signal is CSI-RS. The first message indicates: the updated transmission timing of CSI-RS is CSI-RS transmission timing #1; the updated transmission beam of CSI-RS is the transmission beam #3 of the second device. After sending the first message, the second device can send CSI-RS at CSI-RS transmission time #1 via the transmitting beam #3; correspondingly, after receiving the first message, the first device can receive CSI-RS at CSI-RS transmission time #1 via the receiving beam corresponding to CSI-RS transmission time #1, or, after receiving the first message, the first device can receive CSI-RS at CSI-RS transmission time #1 via the receiving beam corresponding to the transmitting beam #3.

[0196] In some other examples, this parameter may include, or not include, the transmission beam of the first reference signal. After transmitting the first message, the second device may transmit the first reference signal via the updated transmission beam of the first reference signal; correspondingly, after receiving the first message, the first device may receive the first reference signal via the receiving beam corresponding to the current transmission timing of the first reference signal, or, after receiving the first message, the first device may receive the first reference signal via the receiving beam corresponding to the updated transmission beam of the first reference signal. For example, the first reference signal is CSI-RS. The first message indicates that the updated transmission beam of CSI-RS is the transmission beam #3 of the second device. Before transmitting the first message, the transmission timing of CSI-RS is CSI-RS transmission timing #2. After sending the first message, the second device can send CSI-RS at CSI-RS transmission time #2 via the transmitting beam #3; correspondingly, after receiving the first message, the first device can receive CSI-RS at CSI-RS transmission time #2 via the receiving beam corresponding to CSI-RS transmission time #2, or, after receiving the first message, the first device can receive CSI-RS at CSI-RS transmission time #2 via the receiving beam corresponding to the transmitting beam #3.

[0197] Optionally, S602 can be after S601, and S603 can be after S602.

[0198] The method shown in Figure 6 can update the parameters of the reference signal via low-layer signaling such as MAC CE or DCI. The transmission latency of low-layer signaling such as MAC CE or DCI is relatively low, thus enabling rapid updating of the reference signal parameters, reducing the latency of updating the reference signal parameters, and avoiding or minimizing performance loss caused by parameter update latency in mobile scenarios.

[0199] As mentioned earlier, the first message can be used to update some or all of the parameters of the first reference signal. The following describes how the first message is used to update each parameter in the part or all of the parameters.

[0200] 1. The first message is used to update the transmission timing of the first reference signal; or, some or all of the parameters include the transmission timing of the first reference signal.

[0201] There are several ways to use the first message to update the transmission timing of the first reference signal, such as at least one of modes a1 to a4.

[0202] Method a1: The first message is used to indicate the time unit corresponding to (occupied or present) the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal. Accordingly, the first device can determine that the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal is the time unit indicated by the first message.

[0203] For example, the first message indicates that the time unit corresponding to the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal is time slot #1. The first device can determine that the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal is time slot #1, and thus can transmit and / or receive the first reference signal in time slot #1.

[0204] For example, the first message indicates that the time unit corresponding to the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal is symbol #1. The first device can determine that the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal is symbol #1, and thus can transmit and / or receive the first reference signal on symbol #1.

[0205] For example, the first message indicates that the time unit corresponding to the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal is symbol #1 on time slot #1. The first device can determine that the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal is symbol #1 on time slot #1, and thus can transmit and / or receive the first reference signal on symbol #1 on time slot #1.

[0206] The first message may explicitly indicate the time unit corresponding to the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal. For example, the first message may include the time unit corresponding to the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal. Alternatively, the first message may implicitly indicate the time unit corresponding to the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal. For example, the first message may include information that corresponds to the time unit corresponding to the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal.

[0207] In method a1, the first device can accurately determine the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal based on the first message. Furthermore, in this method, the first message can directly indicate the time unit corresponding to the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal. Thus, the first device can determine the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal without calculation, thereby reducing the computational complexity of the first device.

[0208] Method a2: The first message indicates a first offset, which is the offset between the time unit corresponding to the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal and the reference time unit. Accordingly, the first device can determine the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal based on the first offset and the reference time unit.

[0209] The first offset can be positive, negative, or 0. The unit of the first offset can be a time unit.

[0210] For example, the first offset is two time slots; the reference time unit is the first time slot. The first device can determine that the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal is the third time slot.

[0211] Optionally, the reference time unit may be one of the following: the time unit for sending the first message; the time unit for receiving the first message; the time unit for sending the feedback message corresponding to the first message; the time unit for receiving the feedback message corresponding to the first message; the time unit for sending the first reference signal; or, the time unit for receiving the first reference signal. These will be explained below.

[0212] 1. First message sending time unit:

[0213] For example, the second device transmits the first message in the first time slot; in other words, the transmission time unit of the first message is the first time slot. If the first message indicates that the first offset is two time slots, then the first device can determine that the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal is the third time slot.

[0214] 2. First message reception time unit:

[0215] For example, the first device receives the first message in the first time slot; in other words, the reception time unit of the first message is the first time slot. If the first message indicates that the first offset is two time slots, then the first device can determine that the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal is the third time slot.

[0216] 3. The time unit for sending the feedback message corresponding to the first message:

[0217] Optionally, the feedback message corresponding to the first message may be an acknowledgment (ACK) message for the first message, used to indicate that the first device has successfully received and / or decoded the first message.

[0218] For example, the first device receives the first message in the first time slot and sends the feedback message corresponding to the first message in the fourth time slot. If the first message indicates that the first offset is two time slots, then the first device can determine that the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal is the sixth time slot.

[0219] 4. The time unit for receiving the feedback message corresponding to the first message:

[0220] Optionally, the feedback message corresponding to the first message may be an ACK message for the first message, used to indicate that the first device has successfully received and / or decoded the first message.

[0221] For example, the first device receives the first message in the first time slot, and the second device receives the feedback message corresponding to the first message in the fourth time slot. If the first message indicates that the first offset is two time slots, then the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal is the sixth time slot.

[0222] 5. Transmission time unit of the first reference signal:

[0223] Optionally, the transmission time unit of the first reference signal can be the transmission time unit of the first reference signal configured in the configuration message, or it can be the transmission time unit of the first reference signal after the last update.

[0224] For example, the transmission time unit of the first reference signal is the first time slot. If the first message indicates that the first offset is two time slots, then the first device can determine that the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal is the third time slot.

[0225] Optionally, the transmission time unit of the first reference signal can be replaced with at least one of the following: the transmission time unit currently used by the first reference signal, or the transmission time unit of the first reference signal before the update.

[0226] 6. Reception time unit of the first reference signal:

[0227] Optionally, the reception time unit of the first reference signal can be the reception time unit of the first reference signal configured in the configuration message, or it can be the reception time unit of the first reference signal after the last update.

[0228] For example, the reception time unit of the first reference signal is the first time slot. If the first message indicates that the first offset is two time slots, then the first device can determine that the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal is the third time slot.

[0229] Optionally, the reception time unit of the first reference signal can be replaced with at least one of the following: the reception time unit currently used by the first reference signal, or the reception time unit of the first reference signal before the update.

[0230] In method a2, the first device can accurately determine the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal based on the first message. Furthermore, in this method, the first message can indicate the offset between the time unit corresponding to the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal and the reference time unit, or it can omit indicating the time unit corresponding to the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal. This allows for indicating the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal with fewer bits, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0231] Method a3: The first message is used to indicate the first resource, and the first resource and the first association relationship can be used to determine the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal. Accordingly, the first device can determine the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal based on the first resource and the first association relationship.

[0232] The first association relationship can be an association between at least one resource and at least one transmission timing, where the at least one resource includes the first resource. Accordingly, the first device can determine the first transmission timing among the at least one transmission timings determined with respect to the first resource based on the first resource and the first association relationship, and determine the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal as the first transmission timing. The first association relationship can be represented in various ways, for example, it can be represented by a table. Table 2 shows a possible example of the first association relationship. For example, the first resource indicated by the first message is resource #1. The first device can determine the correspondence between resource #1 and transmission timing #a1 based on the first association relationship shown in Table 2, thereby determining the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal as transmission timing #a1.

[0233] Table 2

[0234] It should be understood that Table 2 is only an example, and in actual applications, the number of resources and transmission opportunities in the first association may be more or less.

[0235] Optionally, the first association can also be understood as: the association between the identifier or index of at least one resource and at least one transmission event. In this case, the resources in Table 2 can be replaced with the identifier or index of the resource.

[0236] The first association can be pre-defined, for example, as specified by a protocol. Alternatively, the first association can be determined by the first device, in which case the first device can send indication information of the first association to the second device. Or, the first association can be notified to the first device by another device (e.g., a core network device or the second device). For example, in S601, the configuration message sent by the second device to the first device is also used to configure the first association; for example, the configuration message includes indication information of the first association. It should be understood that the second device can also configure the first association through messages other than configuration messages, without limitation.

[0237] Optionally, in the first association, at least one resource can correspond one-to-one with at least one transmission opportunity, thereby saving transmission resources and / or storage resources of the first association and reducing the time required to find the transmission opportunity corresponding to the first resource.

[0238] Optionally, the at least one resource may be at least one resource associated with (or corresponding to or related to) the reference signal. For example, the at least one resource may be one of the following: at least one beam resource, at least one SSB resource, or at least one CSI-RS resource. And / or, the first resource may be associated with (or corresponding to or related to) the first reference signal. For example, the first resource may be one of the following: a beam resource, an SSB resource, or a CSI-RS resource. The specific details of beam resources, SSB resources, and CSI-RS resources can be found in the explanation of beam resources, SSB resources, and CSI-RS resources in the terminology section above, and will not be repeated here.

[0239] As previously stated, there is an association between resources and beams; therefore, the first resource and at least one of the resources in mode a3 can be replaced with a beam. For example, mode a3 can be replaced by: a first message indicating a first beam, the first beam and the first association being used to determine the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal. Accordingly, the first device can determine the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal based on the first beam and the first association.

[0240] Table 3 shows one possible example of the first association. For example, the first beam indicated by the first message is beam #a1. The first device can determine the correspondence between beam #a1 and transmission timing #a1 based on the first association shown in Table 3, thereby determining the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal as transmission timing #a1.

[0241] Table 3

[0242] It should be understood that Table 3 is only an example, and in actual applications, the number of beams and transmission opportunities in the first association may be more or less.

[0243] Optionally, the first beam may be the receiving beam of the first reference signal. For example, if the first reference signal is SRS, the first beam may be the receiving beam of the SRS; or, in other words, the first beam may be the beam used by the second device to receive the SRS.

[0244] In mode a3, the first device can accurately determine the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal based on the first message and the first association relationship. Furthermore, in this mode, the first device can determine two parameters (i.e., the first resource and the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal) based on one parameter indicated by the first message (i.e., the first resource). The first device and the second device can transmit these two parameters at different times, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0245] Method a4: The configuration message in S601 can be used to configure parameters of multiple reference signals, which have a second association with multiple transmission opportunities. A first message can be used to indicate a first reference signal among the multiple reference signals; correspondingly, the first device can determine the transmission opportunity of the first reference signal based on the first reference signal and the second association. The transmission opportunity of the first reference signal is the transmission opportunity corresponding to the first reference signal among the multiple transmission opportunities (hereinafter referred to as the second transmission opportunity); correspondingly, the first device can determine the transmission opportunity of the first reference signal as the second transmission opportunity based on the first reference signal and the second association. In S603, the first device can send and / or receive the first reference signal during the second transmission opportunity; correspondingly, the second device can receive and / or send the first reference signal during the second transmission opportunity.

[0246] The specific content of the configuration message that can be used to configure the parameters of multiple reference signals can be found in the description of "the configuration message can be used to configure the parameters of the first reference signal" in S601, except that the multiple reference signals are replaced with the first reference signal, and will not be repeated here.

[0247] The multiple reference signals can be conventional reference signals, such as multiple SRS, multiple SSB, multiple CSI-RS, multiple DMRS, or multiple PTRS. In subsequent standard evolution, the names of conventional reference signals may change or remain the same, all of which are within the scope of protection of this application. Alternatively, the multiple reference signals can be evolutions of conventional reference signals, and the names of the evolved reference signals may change or remain the same, all of which are within the scope of protection of this application. Or, the multiple reference signals can be new reference signals or reference signals defined in the future.

[0248] As previously described, the first device can determine the transmission timing of the first reference signal based on the first reference signal and the second correlation. The second correlation can be represented in various ways, for example, by a table. Table 4 shows a possible example of the second correlation. For example, the first reference signal indicated by the first message is SRS#1. The first device can determine the transmission timing #b1 corresponding to SRS#1 based on the second correlation shown in Table 4. The first device can send SRS#1 at transmission timing #b1; correspondingly, the second device can receive SRS#1 at transmission timing #b1.

[0249] Table 4

[0250] It should be understood that Table 4 is only an example, and in actual applications, the number of SRS and transmission opportunities in the second association may be more or less.

[0251] Table 5 illustrates another possible example of the second association. For example, the first reference signal indicated by the first message is CSI-RS#1. The first device can determine the transmission timing #b1 corresponding to CSI-RS#1 according to the second association shown in Table 5. The second device can send CSI-RS#1 at transmission timing #b1; correspondingly, the first device can receive CSI-RS#1 at transmission timing #b1.

[0252] Table 5

[0253] It should be understood that Table 5 is only an example, and in actual applications, the number of CSI-RS and transmission opportunities in the second association may be more or less.

[0254] Optionally, the second association can also be understood as the association between the identifiers or indices of multiple reference signals and multiple transmission timings. In this case, the SRS in Table 4 can be replaced with the identifiers or indices of the SRS, and the CSI-RS in Table 5 can be replaced with the identifiers or indices of the CSI-RS.

[0255] The second association can be pre-defined, for example, as specified by a protocol. Alternatively, the second association can be determined by the first device, in which case the first device can send indication information of the second association to the second device. Or, the second association can be notified to the first device by another device (e.g., a core network device or the second device). For example, in S601, the configuration message sent by the second device to the first device is also used to configure the second association; for example, the configuration message includes indication information of the second association. It should be understood that the second device can also configure the second association through messages other than configuration messages, without limitation.

[0256] Optionally, in the second association, multiple reference signals and multiple transmission opportunities can correspond one-to-one, thereby saving transmission resources and / or storage resources of the second association and reducing the time required to find the transmission opportunity corresponding to the first reference signal.

[0257] In method a4, the first device can accurately determine the transmission timing of the first reference signal based on the first message and the second association relationship. Furthermore, in this method, the first device can determine the transmission timing of the first reference signal based on the first reference signal indicated by the first message, and the first device and the second device may not need to transmit the transmission timing of the first reference signal, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0258] Optionally, the first message can be used to update one or more transmission timings of the first reference signal, and the update method for each transmission timing can be one of methods a1 to a4. For example, the first message can indicate multiple offsets, each offset used to determine an updated transmission timing of the first reference signal according to method a2. Or, for example, the first message can indicate multiple resources, each resource and a first association relationship used to determine an updated transmission timing of the first reference signal according to method a3.

[0259] 2. The first message is used to update the transmission beam of the first reference signal; or, some or all of the parameters include the transmission beam of the first reference signal.

[0260] The first message can be used to indicate one or more of the following combinations: the spatial relation parameters corresponding to the updated transmission beam of the first reference signal, the TCI-state parameters, or beam resources. The beam resources may be, for example, a combination of one or more SSB resources or CSI-RS resources. Accordingly, the first device can determine the updated transmission beam of the first reference signal based on the first message.

[0261] In some examples, the spatial relationship parameter corresponding to the transmitted beam of the updated first reference signal can be: the spatial relationship index corresponding to the transmitted beam of the updated first reference signal. The first device can determine the transmitted beam of the updated first reference signal according to the spatial relationship index indicated by the first message. For example, if the first message indicates that the spatial relationship index corresponding to the transmitted beam of the updated first reference signal is spatial relationship index #1, the first device can determine that the transmitted beam of the updated first reference signal is the beam corresponding to spatial relationship index #1.

[0262] In other examples, the TCI-state parameter corresponding to the updated first reference signal's transmission beam can be: the TCI-state index corresponding to the updated first reference signal's transmission beam. The first device can determine the updated first reference signal's transmission beam based on the TCI-state index indicated by the first message. For example, if the first message indicates that the TCI-state index corresponding to the updated first reference signal's transmission beam is TCI-state index #1, the first device can determine that the updated first reference signal's transmission beam is the beam corresponding to TCI-state index #1.

[0263] In some other examples, the first message indicates that the beam resource corresponding to the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal is beam resource #1, and the first device can determine that the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal is the beam corresponding to beam resource #1.

[0264] In other examples, the first message indicates that the SSB resource corresponding to the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal is SSB resource #1, and the first device can determine that the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal is the beam corresponding to SSB resource #1.

[0265] In some other examples, the first message indicates that the CSI-RS resource corresponding to the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal is CSI-RS resource #1, and the first device can determine that the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal is the beam corresponding to CSI-RS resource #1.

[0266] Using this method, the first message can accurately indicate the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal. Thus, the first device can accurately determine the transmission beam of the updated first reference signal based on the first message.

[0267] 3. The first message is used to update the receiving beam of the first reference signal; or, some or all of the parameters include the receiving beam of the first reference signal.

[0268] The first message indicates one or more of the following combinations: spatial relationship parameters corresponding to the received beam of the updated first reference signal, TCI-state parameters, or beam resources. The beam resources may be, for example, a combination of one or more SSB resources or CSI-RS resources. Accordingly, the first device can determine the transmitted beam of the updated first reference signal based on the first message. For details, please refer to the above description of "the first device can determine the transmitted beam of the updated first reference signal based on the first message," except that the transmitted beam is replaced with the received beam, and will not be repeated here.

[0269] Using this method, the first message can accurately indicate the receiving beam of the updated first reference signal. Thus, the first device can accurately determine the receiving beam of the updated first reference signal based on the first message.

[0270] Optionally, the first message may also be used to indicate the first reference signal, so that the first device can know which reference signal(s) parameters need to be updated.

[0271] It should be understood that the above explanation uses the example of the first message being used to update a reference signal. The first message can be used to update some or all of the parameters of at least one reference signal. For the specific content of the first message being used to update some or all of the parameters of each of the at least one reference signal, please refer to the explanation of "the first message can be used to update some or all of the parameters of the first reference signal" above, which will not be repeated here.

[0272] Optionally, when the first message is used to update some or all of the parameters of at least one reference signal, the first message may indicate the at least one reference signal; accordingly, the first device may determine the at least one reference signal based on the first message, thereby updating some or all of the parameters of the at least one reference signal.

[0273] In some examples, the first message may include the index of the at least one reference signal. For example, the first message includes the indexes of reference signal #1 and reference signal #2, and is used to update some or all of the parameters of reference signal #1 and reference signal #2. The first device can determine the updated parameters of reference signal #1 and reference signal #2 based on the first message, thereby updating some or all of the parameters of reference signal #1 and reference signal #2. Through this example, the first device can accurately determine the at least one reference signal based on the first message. Alternatively, in this approach, the first message may directly include the index of the at least one reference signal, thus allowing the first device to determine the at least one reference signal without calculation, thereby reducing the computational complexity of the first device.

[0274] In other examples, the first message may indicate the at least one reference signal via a bitmap. The bitmap may include multiple bits, each corresponding to a reference signal, indicating whether the reference signal corresponding to that bit belongs to the at least one reference signal. Optionally, the first bit can be any of the multiple bits. When the first bit is a first value (e.g., 1 or 0), the reference signal corresponding to the first bit belongs to the at least one reference signal; when the first bit is a second value (e.g., 0 or 1), the reference signal corresponding to the first bit does not belong to the at least one reference signal. The first and second values ​​are different. For example, the bitmap includes four bits, corresponding to reference signals #1 through #4 respectively. When the four bits are all 1100, the first value is 1, and the second value is 0, the first message is used to update some or all of the parameters of reference signals #1 and #2. Through this example, the first device can accurately determine the at least one reference signal based on the first message. Furthermore, in this approach, the first message may indicate the at least one reference signal via a bitmap, and may not include the index of each of the at least one reference signals, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0275] In some possible approaches, S602 is an optional step; alternatively, the method shown in FIG6 may include S601 and S603. In this approach, the first device may determine a first resource. The first resource and the first association relationship can be used to determine the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal. Accordingly, the first device may determine the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal based on the first resource and the first association relationship. For details, please refer to the description of "the first device may determine the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal based on the first resource and the first association relationship" in approach a3, which will not be repeated here.

[0276] Optionally, the first device may determine a first resource based on the beam measurement process. This first resource may be the beam resource corresponding to the optimal access network device beam. For example, the first device may determine the optimal access network device beam; the specific process can be found in the explanation of "determining the beam used for communication" in the terminology section above, and will not be repeated here. The first device may determine the first resource as the beam resource corresponding to the optimal access network device beam.

[0277] As previously mentioned, there is an association between resources and beams; therefore, resources in this approach can be replaced by beams. For example, the first device can determine a first beam. The first beam and the first association can be used to determine the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal. Accordingly, the first device can determine the transmission timing of the updated first reference signal based on the first beam and the first association. Optionally, the first beam can be the optimal access network device beam.

[0278] In this manner, the first device can accurately determine the timing of transmitting the updated first reference signal based on the first resource and the first association relationship. Furthermore, in this method, the first and second devices do not need to transmit messages for updating the parameters of the reference signal, thereby reducing signaling overhead.

[0279] In some possible approaches, the reference signal in the method shown in Figure 6 can be replaced by a channel. For example, this channel can be, but is not limited to, a combination of one or more of the following: physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), PDSCH, PBCH, PUCCH, PUSCH, or physical random access channel (PRACH). This approach allows for updating channel parameters via low-layer signaling such as MAC CE or DCI. The transmission delay of low-layer signaling such as MAC CE or DCI is relatively small, thus enabling rapid updating of channel parameters, reducing the latency of updating channel parameters, and avoiding or minimizing performance loss caused by parameter update delays.

[0280] This application provides a communication method. Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in this application. Figure 7 uses a first device and a second device as examples of the execution entities in this interaction to illustrate the method. The specific details of the first and second devices can be found in the description of the first and second devices in the method shown in Figure 6, and will not be repeated here.

[0281] As shown in Figure 7, the method includes:

[0282] S701: The second device sends a configuration message; correspondingly, the first device receives the configuration message.

[0283] The configuration message can be used to configure parameters for multiple reference signals. The specific details of these multiple reference signals can be found in the explanation of multiple reference signals in method a4, and will not be repeated here. A second association may exist between the multiple reference signals and the multiple transmission timings; the specific details of this second association can be found in the explanation of the second association in method a4, and will not be repeated here.

[0284] For details of S701, please refer to S601, except that the first reference signal is replaced with multiple reference signals, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0285] S702: The second device sends the first message; correspondingly, the first device receives the first message.

[0286] The first message can be used to indicate the first reference signal. Correspondingly, the first device can determine the transmission timing of the first reference signal based on the first reference signal and the second correlation relationship. For details, please refer to the explanation in method a4 regarding "the first device can determine the transmission timing of the first reference signal based on the first reference signal and the second correlation relationship," which will not be repeated here. The transmission timing of the first reference signal is the transmission timing corresponding to the first reference signal among multiple transmission timings (hereinafter referred to as the second transmission timing).

[0287] Optionally, the first message can be MAC CE or DCI.

[0288] S703: The first device sends or receives the first reference signal according to the parameters of the first reference signal; correspondingly, the second device receives or sends the first reference signal according to the parameters of the first reference signal.

[0289] For details of S703, please refer to S603, except that "updated" has been removed, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0290] Optionally, the first device may transmit and / or receive the first reference signal during the second transmission period; correspondingly, the second device may receive and / or transmit the first reference signal during the second transmission period.

[0291] The following example illustrates the implementation process of the method shown in Figure 7.

[0292] For example, the configuration message sent by the second device to the first device can be used to configure the parameters of SRS#1 to SRS#3. The second association is shown in Table 4 above. The first message #1 sent by the second device to the first device indicates SRS#1. After receiving the first message #1, the first device can send SRS#1 at transmission time #b1; correspondingly, after sending the first message #1, the second device can receive SRS#1 at transmission time #b1. The second device sends a first message #2 to the first device, which can indicate SRS#2. After receiving the first message #2, the first device can send SRS#2 at transmission time #b2; correspondingly, after sending the first message #2, the second device can receive SRS#2 at transmission time #b2.

[0293] For example, a configuration message sent by the second device to the first device can be used to configure parameters of CSI-RS#1 to CSI-RS#3. The second association is shown in Table 5 above. The first message #1 sent by the second device to the first device indicates CSI-RS#1. After sending the first message #1, the second device can send CSI-RS#1 at transmission time #b1; correspondingly, after receiving the first message #1, the first device can receive CSI-RS#1 at transmission time #b1. The second device sends a first message #2 to the first device, which can indicate CSI-RS#2. After sending the first message #2, the second device can send CSI-RS#2 at transmission time #b2; correspondingly, after receiving the first message #2, the first device can receive CSI-RS#2 at transmission time #b2.

[0294] The method shown in Figure 7 can indicate a first reference signal via low-level signaling such as MAC CE or DCI, thereby enabling the first device and the second device to communicate according to the transmission timing of the first reference signal. Since the transmission delay of low-level signaling such as MAC CE or DCI is relatively small, the transmission timing of the first reference signal can be quickly indicated (or activated), reducing the delay in indicating (or activating) the transmission timing of the first reference signal and avoiding or reducing performance loss caused by the delay in updating the parameters of the reference signal (e.g., the transmission timing of the reference signal) in mobile scenarios.

[0295] Based on the same technical concept as the above-described method embodiments, this application provides a corresponding communication device that can be used to perform the functions of the relevant steps in the above-described method embodiments. This function can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. The communication device can be a terminal or access network device, or a device within the terminal or access network device (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), chip system, or processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal or access network device.

[0296] In one possible implementation, the communication device provided in this application embodiment has the structure shown in FIG8, including a processing unit 802. Optionally, the communication device further includes an interface unit 801. The functions of each unit in the communication device 800 are described below.

[0297] Interface unit 801 is used for inputting and / or outputting information. Input information can be replaced by received information, and output information can be replaced by transmitted information. When outputting information, interface unit 801 can output information to other devices outside of communication device 800, or to other units within communication device 800. In some embodiments, interface unit 801 can be implemented through at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, and an input / output interface. In other embodiments, interface unit 801 can be implemented through an interface circuit, such as a mobile communication module. The mobile communication module may include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier (LNA), etc. Interface unit 801 is used to perform the receiving and transmitting operations in the above method embodiments.

[0298] In this application, the interface unit 801 may also have other names, such as a transceiver unit or a communication unit. Optionally, the interface unit 801 may include a receiving unit and a sending unit, used for inputting information and outputting information, respectively. The receiving unit is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments. The sending unit is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments.

[0299] The processing unit 802 can be used to support the communication device 800 in performing the processing actions in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 802 can be implemented by one or more processors. For example, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), microprocessors (MCUs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The processing unit 802 is used to perform processing-related operations in the above method embodiments, for example, to instruct operations other than receiving and sending operations in the above method embodiments.

[0300] In one embodiment, the communication device 800 is applied to the first device in the embodiment of this application shown in FIG6. The specific functions of the processing unit 802 in this embodiment will be described below.

[0301] The processing unit 802 is configured to: receive a configuration message through the interface unit 801, the configuration message being used to configure the parameters of the first reference signal; receive a first message through the interface unit 801, the first message being used to update some or all of the parameters of the first reference signal, the first message being MAC CE or DCI; and send or receive the first reference signal through the interface unit 801 according to the updated parameters of the first reference signal.

[0302] In another embodiment, the communication device 800 is applied to the second device in the embodiment of this application shown in FIG6. The specific functions of the processing unit 802 in this embodiment will be described below.

[0303] The processing unit 802 is configured to: send a configuration message through the interface unit 801, the configuration message being used to configure the parameters of the first reference signal; send a first message through the interface unit 801, the first message being used to update some or all of the parameters of the first reference signal, the first message being MAC CE or DCI; and receive or send the first reference signal through the interface unit 801 according to the updated parameters of the first reference signal.

[0304] In another embodiment, the communication device 800 is applied to the first device in the embodiment of this application shown in FIG7. The specific functions of the processing unit 802 in this embodiment will be described below.

[0305] The processing unit 802 is configured to: receive a configuration message through the interface unit 801, wherein the configuration message is used to configure parameters of multiple reference signals, and there is a second correlation between the multiple reference signals and multiple transmission timings; receive a first message through the interface unit 801, wherein the first message is used to indicate a first reference signal among the multiple reference signals; and send or receive the first reference signal through the interface unit 801 according to the parameters of the first reference signal.

[0306] In another embodiment, the communication device 800 is applied to the second device in the embodiment of this application shown in FIG7. The specific functions of the processing unit 802 in this embodiment will be described below.

[0307] The processing unit 802 is configured to: send a configuration message through the interface unit 801, wherein the configuration message is used to configure the parameters of multiple reference signals, and there is a second correlation between the multiple reference signals and multiple transmission timings; send a first message through the interface unit 801, wherein the first message is used to indicate a first reference signal among the multiple reference signals; and receive or send the first reference signal through the interface unit 801 according to the parameters of the first reference signal.

[0308] In one possible design, when the communication device 800 is a communication equipment or a communication module within a communication equipment, the functionality of the processing unit 802 can be implemented by one or more processors. For example, the processor may include a modem chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a modem core. The functionality of the interface unit 801 can be implemented by transceiver circuitry.

[0309] In one possible design, when the communication device 800 is a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in a communication device, such as a modem chip or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a modem core, the function of the processing unit 802 can be implemented by a circuit system in the aforementioned chip that includes one or more processors or processor cores. The function of the interface unit 801 can be implemented by the interface circuit or data transceiver circuit on the aforementioned chip.

[0310] The communication device can be a terminal or an access network device.

[0311] A more detailed description of the processing unit 802 and the interface unit 801 can be obtained directly from the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown in Figures 6 and 7, and will not be repeated here.

[0312] It should be noted that the module division in the above embodiments of this application is illustrative and only represents a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, exist as separate physical units, or have two or more units integrated into one unit. The integrated units can be implemented in hardware, as software functional units, or in a combination of hardware and software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0313] For example, the functional unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as one or more ASICs, one or more CPUs, one or more MCUs, one or more DSPs, or one or more FPGAs, or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0314] If the integrated units described above are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0315] In one possible implementation, the communication device provided in this application embodiment is shown in FIG9. The communication device 900 includes a processor 902. Optionally, the communication device 900 further includes an interface circuit 901 and a memory 903. The interface circuit 901, the processor 902, and the memory 903 are coupled to each other.

[0316] Optionally, the interface circuit 901, processor 902, and memory 903 are coupled to each other via bus 904. Bus 904 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. Buses can be divided into address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in Figure 9, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0317] Interface circuit 901 is used for inputting and / or outputting information. Input information can be replaced by received information, and output information can be replaced by transmitted information. When outputting information, interface circuit 901 can output information to other devices outside of communication device 900, or to other units within communication device 900. Exemplarily, interface circuit 901 can be implemented through at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, an input / output interface, and a mobile communication module. The mobile communication module may include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, an LNA, etc. Interface circuit 901 is used to perform the receiving and transmitting operations in the above method embodiments.

[0318] Interface circuit 901 may be one of the following: a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, a communication circuit, an interface, a communication interface, or an input / output interface (e.g., a chip's input / output interface). Interface circuit 901 may include input interface circuitry and output interface circuitry, used for inputting information and outputting information, respectively. The input interface circuitry is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments. The output interface circuitry is used to perform the transmitting operation in the above method embodiments.

[0319] The transceiver can be used for communication with other communication devices. For example, if communication device 900 is a terminal, the transceiver can be used to communicate with access network equipment or with another terminal. As another example, if communication device 900 is an access network device, the transceiver can be used to communicate with a terminal or with another access network device.

[0320] Optionally, the transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments. The transmitter is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments.

[0321] Optionally, the transceiver can be integrated with the processor 902 or exist independently and be coupled to the processor 902 through the interface circuit of the communication device 900. This application embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0322] Processor 902 can be used to support communication device 900 in performing the processing actions in the above method embodiments. When communication device 900 is used to implement the above method embodiments, processor 902 can also be used to implement the functions of processing unit 802. Processor 902 can be a CPU, or other general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. General-purpose processors can be microprocessors or any conventional processor. Processor 902 is used to perform processing-related operations in the above method embodiments, for example, to instruct operations other than receiving and sending operations in the above method embodiments.

[0323] In one embodiment, the communication device 900 is applied to the first device in the embodiment of this application shown in FIG6. The specific functions of the processor 902 in this embodiment are described below.

[0324] The processor 902 is configured to: receive a configuration message via an interface circuit 901, the configuration message being used to configure the parameters of a first reference signal; receive a first message via an interface circuit 901, the first message being used to update some or all of the parameters of the first reference signal, the first message being MAC CE or DCI; and send or receive the first reference signal via an interface circuit 901 according to the updated parameters of the first reference signal.

[0325] In another embodiment, the communication device 900 is applied to the second device in the embodiment of this application shown in FIG6. The specific functions of the processor 902 in this embodiment are described below.

[0326] The processor 902 is configured to: send a configuration message via the interface circuit 901, the configuration message being used to configure the parameters of the first reference signal; send a first message via the interface circuit 901, the first message being used to update some or all of the parameters of the first reference signal, the first message being MAC CE or DCI; and receive or send the first reference signal via the interface circuit 901 according to the updated parameters of the first reference signal.

[0327] In another embodiment, the communication device 900 is applied to the first device in the embodiment of this application shown in FIG7. The specific functions of the processor 902 in this embodiment are described below.

[0328] The processor 902 is configured to: receive a configuration message via an interface circuit 901, the configuration message being used to configure parameters of multiple reference signals, wherein there is a second association between the multiple reference signals and multiple transmission timings; receive a first message via the interface circuit 901, the first message being used to indicate a first reference signal among the multiple reference signals; and send or receive the first reference signal via the interface circuit 901 according to the parameters of the first reference signal.

[0329] In another embodiment, the communication device 900 is applied to the second device in the embodiment of this application shown in FIG7. The specific functions of the processor 902 in this embodiment are described below.

[0330] The processor 902 is configured to: send a configuration message via an interface circuit 901, the configuration message being used to configure parameters of multiple reference signals, wherein there is a second association between the multiple reference signals and multiple transmission timings; send a first message via the interface circuit 901, the first message being used to indicate a first reference signal among the multiple reference signals; and receive or send the first reference signal via the interface circuit 901 according to the parameters of the first reference signal.

[0331] The specific functions of processor 902 can be found in the description of the communication methods provided in the above embodiments and examples of this application, as well as the specific functional description of communication device 800 in the embodiment of this application shown in Figure 8, which will not be repeated here.

[0332] Memory 903 is used to store program instructions and / or data. Specifically, program instructions may include program code, which includes computer operation instructions. Memory 903 may include RAM and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device. Processor 902 executes the program instructions stored in memory 903 and uses the data stored in memory 903 to implement the above-mentioned functions, thereby realizing the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. Memory 903 may be integrated with processor 902 or may be a memory outside the communication device.

[0333] It is understood that the memory 903 in Figure 9 of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be RAM, which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0334] This application also provides a communication device 1000, which can be a terminal, a processor in the terminal, or a chip. The communication device 1000 can be used to perform the operations performed by the first device in the above method embodiments.

[0335] When the communication device 1000 is a terminal, Figure 10 shows a schematic diagram of the terminal structure. As shown in Figure 10, the terminal includes a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The memory can store computer program code, and the transceiver includes a transmitter 1031, a receiver 1032, a radio frequency circuit (not shown in the figure), an antenna 1033, and input / output devices (not shown in the figure).

[0336] The processor is mainly used to process communication protocols and communication data; control terminals; execute software programs; and process data from software programs.

[0337] Memory is mainly used to store software programs and data.

[0338] Radio frequency (RF) circuits are mainly used for the conversion between baseband signals and RF signals, as well as for the processing of RF signals.

[0339] Antennas are primarily used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves.

[0340] Input / output devices can include touchscreens, displays, or keyboards. They are primarily used to receive user input and output data to the user. It should be noted that some types of terminals may not have input / output devices.

[0341] When data needs to be transmitted, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs a baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit then processes the baseband signal and transmits it outwards as electromagnetic waves via an antenna. When data is sent to the terminal, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna. The RF circuit converts the RF signal back into a baseband signal and outputs it to the processor. The processor converts the baseband signal back into data and processes that data.

[0342] For ease of explanation, Figure 10 shows only one memory, processor, and transceiver. In actual terminal products, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories. Memory may also be called storage medium or storage device, etc. Memory may be set up independently of the processor or integrated with the processor; this application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

[0343] In the embodiments of this application, the antenna and radio frequency circuit with transceiver function can be regarded as the interface unit of the terminal, and the processor with processing function can be regarded as the processing unit of the terminal.

[0344] As shown in Figure 10, the terminal includes a processor 1010, a memory 1020, and a transceiver 1030. The processor 1010 may also be referred to as a processing board, processing module, or processing device. The transceiver 1030 may also be referred to as an interface circuit, transceiver, or transceiver device. The processor 1010 is used to execute the processing operations on the first device side in the above method embodiments. The transceiver 1030 is used to execute the transmit and receive operations on the first device side in the above method embodiments.

[0345] Optionally, the device in transceiver 1030 used for receiving functions can be considered a receiver, and the device in transceiver 1030 used for transmitting functions can be considered a transmitter; that is, transceiver 1030 includes a receiver 1032 and a transmitter 1031. A receiver may also be called a receiver module or receiving circuit, etc. A transmitter may also be called a transmitter, transmitting module, or transmitting circuit, etc. The receiver is used to perform the receiving operation on the first device side in the above method embodiments. The transmitter is used to perform the transmitting operation on the first device side in the above method embodiments.

[0346] It should be understood that Figure 10 is merely an example and not a limitation, and the terminal may not depend on the structure shown in Figure 10.

[0347] When the communication device 1000 is a chip, the chip includes a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The transceiver can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processor can be a processing module integrated on the chip, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit. In the above method embodiments, the transmitting operation of the first device can be understood as the chip's output, and the receiving operation of the first device in the above method embodiments can be understood as the chip's input.

[0348] This application also provides a communication device 1100, which can be an access network device or a chip. The communication device 1100 can be used to perform the operations performed by the second device in the above method embodiments.

[0349] When the communication device 1100 is an access network device, such as a base station, Figure 11 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of an access network device. The access network device includes part 1110, part 1120, and part 1130.

[0350] The 1110 section is mainly used for baseband processing and controlling access network equipment; the 1110 section is usually the control center of the base station, which can be called a processor, and is used to control the access network equipment to perform the processing operations on the second device side in the above method embodiment.

[0351] Section 1120 is primarily used to store computer program code and data.

[0352] Section 1130 is primarily used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals, as well as converting RF signals to baseband signals. Section 1130 is commonly referred to as a transceiver module, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, or transceiver unit. Section 1130 may include an antenna 1133 and RF circuitry (not shown in the figure), where the RF circuitry is mainly used for RF processing. Section 1130 can be used to perform the transmit and receive operations on the second device side in the above method embodiments.

[0353] Optionally, the device used to implement the receiving function in part 1130 can be regarded as a receiver, and the device used to implement the transmitting function can be regarded as a transmitter; that is, part 1130 includes receiver 1132 and transmitter 1131. The receiver can also be called a receiving module, receiver circuit, etc., and the transmitter can be called a transmitting module, transmitter, or transmitting circuit, etc. The receiver is used to perform the receiving operation on the second device side in the above method embodiments. The transmitter is used to perform the transmitting operation on the second device side in the above method embodiments.

[0354] Sections 1110 and 1120 may include one or more single boards, each single board may include one or more processors and one or more memories. The processor is used to read and execute programs in the memory to implement baseband processing functions and control access network devices. If multiple single boards exist, they can be interconnected to enhance processing capabilities. As an optional implementation, multiple single boards may share one or more processors, multiple single boards may share one or more memories, or multiple single boards may simultaneously share one or more processors.

[0355] It should be understood that Figure 11 is merely an example and not a limitation, and access network devices may not depend on the structure shown in Figure 11.

[0356] When the communication device 1100 is a chip, the chip includes a transceiver, a memory, and a processor. The transceiver can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processor can be a processor integrated on the chip, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit. In the above method embodiments, the transmitting operation of the second device can be understood as the chip's output, and the receiving operation of the second device in the above method embodiments can be understood as the chip's input.

[0357] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a computer program product including computer-executable instructions, which, when run, causes the methods provided in the above embodiments to be executed.

[0358] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods provided in the above embodiments.

[0359] The storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access. For example, but not limited to, a computer-readable medium can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

[0360] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a chip for reading a computer program stored in a memory and implementing the method provided in the above embodiments.

[0361] Based on the above embodiments, this application provides a chip system including a processor for supporting a computer device in implementing the functions involved in the devices in the above embodiments. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing necessary programs and data of the computer device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete components.

[0362] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0363] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or one or more blocks of the block diagrams.

[0364] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0365] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0366] In this application, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably. "At least one item" refers to one or more items, and "more than one item" refers to two or more items. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0367] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

[0368] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The application is applied to a first device, comprising: receiving a configuration message, the configuration message being used for configuring parameters of a first reference signal; receiving a first message, the first message being used for updating part or all of the parameters of the first reference signal, the first message being a medium access control-control element (MAC CE) or a downlink control information (DCI); transmitting or receiving the first reference signal according to the updated parameters of the first reference signal.

2. A communication method characterized by comprising: The application is applied to a second device, comprising: transmitting a configuration message, the configuration message being used for configuring parameters of a first reference signal; transmitting a first message, the first message being used for updating part or all of the parameters of the first reference signal, the first message being a medium access control-control element (MAC CE) or a downlink control information (DCI); receiving or transmitting the first reference signal according to the updated parameters of the first reference signal.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The part or all of the parameters comprise a combination of one or more of the following: a transmission occasion of the first reference signal, a transmission beam of the first reference signal, or a reception beam of the first reference signal.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The part or all of the parameters comprise a transmission occasion of the first reference signal, and the first message is used for indicating: a time unit corresponding to the updated transmission occasion; or a first offset, the first offset being an offset between a time unit corresponding to the updated transmission occasion and a reference time unit.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The reference time unit comprises: a transmission time unit of the first message; a reception time unit of the first message; a transmission time unit of a feedback message corresponding to the first message; a reception time unit of the feedback message corresponding to the first message; a transmission time unit of the first reference signal; or a reception time unit of the first reference signal.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The part or all of the parameters comprise a transmission occasion of the first reference signal, the first message indicates a first resource, and the first resource and a first association relationship are used for determining the updated transmission occasion of the first reference signal; wherein the first association relationship is an association relationship between at least one resource and at least one transmission occasion, and the at least one resource comprises the first resource.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The first resource is one of the following: a beam resource, a synchronization signal block (SSB) resource, or a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) resource.

8. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein, The configuration message is also used for configuring the first association relationship.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The part or all of the parameters comprise a transmission occasion of the first reference signal, the configuration message is used for configuring parameters of a plurality of reference signals, and a second association relationship exists between the plurality of reference signals and a plurality of transmission occasions; the first message is used for indicating a first reference signal in the plurality of reference signals; the transmission occasion of the first reference signal is a transmission occasion corresponding to the first reference signal in the plurality of transmission occasions.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The part or all of the parameters comprise a transmission beam of the first reference signal, and the first message is used for indicating a combination of one or more of the following: a spatial relationship parameter corresponding to the updated transmission beam of the first reference signal, a transmission configuration indication state (TCI-state) parameter, an SSB resource, or a CSI-RS resource; and / or The partial or full parameters comprise a receive beam of the first reference signal, and the first message is used to indicate a combination of one or more of: an updated spatial relation parameter, a TCI-state parameter, a SSB resource, or a CSI-RS resource corresponding to the receive beam of the first reference signal.

11. A communications device, characterized by A computer program product comprising computer readable instructions for causing a processor to perform the method of any of claims 1-10.

12. A communications device, characterized by An apparatus comprising a processor configured to execute computer program or instructions to cause the apparatus to perform the method of any of claims 1-10.

13. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, A computer readable storage medium having stored computer program or instructions, which when executed, implement the method of any of claims 1-10.

14. A computer program product, characterised in that, A computer program product comprising computer program code which, when executed, implements the method of any of claims 1-10. A computer program product comprising computer program code which, when executed, implements the method of any of claims 1-10.

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