Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a related apparatus. In the communication method provided by the present application, a network device configures, in a downlink signal for a terminal device, a signal that corresponds to a Wi-Fi device and is used for channel estimation, and the Wi-Fi device receives the signal, performs channel estimation on the basis of the signal, and performs interference cancellation processing on the downlink signal, thereby improving the communication quality of the Wi-Fi device in a co-frequency deployment state and improving spectrum utilization.

Description

Communication method and related apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority from the Chinese patent application No. 202411025663.9 filed on July 26, 2024, and entitled "Communication method and related apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication, and in particular to a communication method and related apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] With the upper 6GHz (U6GHz) band being identified as part of the international mobile telecommunications (IMT) band, IMT base stations and wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) devices can need to share the U6GHz band. However, when the IMT base stations and the Wi-Fi devices are deployed in the same frequency band, the communication quality of the Wi-Fi devices is poor. SUMMARY

[0004] The present application provides a communication method and related apparatus to enable a Wi-Fi device to perform interference cancellation processing based on a signal configured by a network device for channel estimation, thereby improving the communication quality of the Wi-Fi device in a co-frequency deployment state.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method applied to a first network device, the method comprising:

[0006] configuring a first signal, the first signal being a signal required for channel estimation by a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) device; and transmitting a downlink signal, the downlink signal comprising the first signal.

[0007] The first network device configures a signal required for channel estimation for the Wi-Fi device, so that the Wi-Fi device performs channel estimation based on the first signal, which is conducive to interference cancellation processing by the Wi-Fi device, thereby improving the communication quality of the Wi-Fi device when the first network device and the Wi-Fi device work in the same frequency band.

[0008] In some implementations, the transmitting of the downlink signal comprises:

[0009] In a case where the first network device continuously transmits the downlink signal, the downlink signal is a signal carried in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

[0010] The first signal is included in the downlink signal, and in a case where the first network device continuously transmits the downlink signal, the first signal is continuously transmitted. The Wi-Fi device can continuously detect the first signal, and thus can better perform interference cancellation processing based on the first signal, and improve the communication quality of the Wi-Fi device.

[0011] In some implementations, the first signal is located at a predetermined time-frequency position of the downlink signal.

[0012] The first network device and the Wi-Fi device agree to embed the first signal at a predetermined time-frequency position of the downlink signal, so that the Wi-Fi device can quickly determine the first signal from the received downlink signal, and improve the efficiency of the Wi-Fi device in performing interference cancellation processing based on the first signal.

[0013] In some implementations, transmitting the downlink signal includes:

[0014] In a case where the first network device periodically transmits the downlink signal, the downlink signal is a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) or a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB).

[0015] The first signal is included in the downlink signal, and in a case where the first network device periodically transmits the downlink signal, the first signal is periodically transmitted. The Wi-Fi device can periodically detect the first signal, and can save the communication overhead required for the first network device to transmit the downlink signal, on the premise of guaranteeing accurate channel estimation based on the first signal.

[0016] In some implementations, the periodic interval of transmitting the first signal is the same as the periodic interval of transmitting the CSI-RS or the SSB.

[0017] In some implementations, the first signal is located at a predetermined time-frequency position of the downlink signal.

[0018] In some implementations, the first signal includes at least one of the following signals corresponding to the Wi-Fi device: a pilot subcarrier, a training sequence, a pilot symbol, or a beacon frame.

[0019] The pilot subcarrier, the training sequence, the pilot symbol, or the beacon frame is a signal content included in a pilot signal corresponding to the Wi-Fi device, and when the first signal includes at least one of the above signals, the corresponding known signal is stored in the Wi-Fi device, so that channel estimation is performed according to the first signal and the corresponding known signal.

[0020] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method applied to a Wi-Fi device, the method comprising:

[0021] Receiving a first signal, the first signal being a signal required for channel estimation of the Wi-Fi device; and performing channel estimation based on the first signal.

[0022] The first signal is a signal required for channel estimation of the Wi-Fi device, and the Wi-Fi device performs channel estimation based on the first signal, which is conducive to subsequent interference cancellation processing based on channel characteristics and parameters obtained through channel estimation.

[0023] In some implementations, the method further includes:

[0024] Switching the frequency band in a case where a ratio of the power of the first signal to the power of the interference signal is not lower than a first threshold.

[0025] The Wi-Fi device performs power comparison based on the first signal and the interference signal and switches the frequency band, which can reduce the occurrence of inaccurate detection in an indoor environment, thereby improving the probability of spectrum switching of the Wi-Fi device. Further, considering the case of working in the same frequency band, the Wi-Fi device as a terminal device interferer can also avoid the downlink signal transmitted by the Wi-Fi device from causing interference to the terminal device in the indoor environment to receive the downlink signal from the first network device.

[0026] In some implementations, the power of the interference signal includes the power of the Wi-Fi device noise and / or the power of a second signal, and the second signal is a signal required for channel estimation of the Wi-Fi device configured by the second network device.

[0027] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, including a module or unit for implementing the method in the first aspect and any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, or including a module for implementing the method in the second aspect and any possible implementation manner of the second aspect. Each module or unit can implement the corresponding function by executing a computer program.

[0028] Exemplarily, the communication apparatus in the third aspect is a Wi-Fi device, or a component, such as a chip, a chip system, a processor, etc., configured in the Wi-Fi device, or the communication apparatus in the third aspect is a network device, or a component, such as a chip, a chip system, a processor, etc., configured in the network device.

[0029] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, including a processor, which is configured to execute the communication method in the first aspect and any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, or execute the communication method in the second aspect and any possible implementation manner of the second aspect.

[0030] Optionally, the apparatus can further include a memory for storing instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, and the processor can implement the method described in the above aspects when executing the instructions stored in the memory.

[0031] Optionally, the apparatus further comprises a communication interface for the apparatus to communicate with other communication apparatuses, which can be exemplified as a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module, a pin or other types of communication interface.

[0032] The communication apparatus of the fourth aspect can be exemplified as a chip or a chip system.

[0033] In the fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which comprises a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface is used to receive signals from other communication apparatuses outside the communication apparatus in the fifth aspect and transmit the signals to the processor, or send signals from the processor to other communication apparatuses outside the communication apparatus in the fifth aspect, and the processor realizes the communication method in the first aspect and any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, or realizes the communication method in the second aspect and any possible implementation manner of the second aspect by logic circuit or executing code instructions. The communication interface can be exemplified as a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module, a pin or other types of communication interface.

[0034] Optionally, the apparatus further comprises a memory for storing instructions and data. The memory is coupled with the processor, and the processor can realize the communication method in the first aspect and any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, or realize the communication method in the second aspect and any possible implementation manner of the second aspect when executing the instructions stored in the memory.

[0035] In the sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication apparatus, which comprises a processor and a memory for storing instructions and data, and the processor can realize the communication method in the first aspect and any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, or realize the communication method in the second aspect and any possible implementation manner of the second aspect when executing the instructions stored in the memory.

[0036] Optionally, the apparatus further comprises a communication interface for the apparatus to communicate with other communication apparatuses, which can be exemplified as a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module, a pin or other types of communication interface.

[0037] The communication apparatus in the fifth aspect and the sixth aspect can be exemplified as a Wi-Fi device or a network device.

[0038] In the seventh aspect, the present application provides a chip system, which comprises at least one processor for supporting the functions involved in the above-mentioned first aspect and any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, or for supporting the functions involved in the above-mentioned second aspect and any possible implementation manner of the second aspect, such as receiving or processing the data and / or information involved in the above-mentioned methods.

[0039] In a possible design, the chip system further includes a memory configured to store program instructions and data, and the memory is located in the processor or outside the processor.

[0040] The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0041] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer readable storage medium, including a computer program, when the computer program is run on a computer, the computer program causes the computer to implement the method in the first or second aspect and any possible implementation manner of the first or second aspect.

[0042] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, the computer program product includes: a computer program (also can be called code, or instruction), when the computer program is run, the computer program causes the computer to execute the method in the first or second aspect and any possible implementation manner of the first or second aspect.

[0043] The third aspect to the tenth aspect of the present application correspond to the technical solutions of the first aspect and the second aspect of the present application, the beneficial effects obtained by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation manner are similar, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0044] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present application.

[0045] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication scenario to which embodiments of the present application are applied;

[0046] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a communication method according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0049] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a communication method according to yet another embodiment of the present application;

[0050] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication apparatus according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0052] The above-described accompanying drawings have shown the explicit embodiments of the present application, and will be described in more detail hereinafter. These accompanying drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the concept of the present application by any means, but to illustrate the concept of the present application to those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0053] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0054] It should be understood that the use of prefixes such as "first" and "second" in this application is merely for the purpose of distinguishing and describing different things belonging to the same category of names, and does not constrain the order, size, or quantity of things. For example, "first parameter" and "second parameter" are simply different parameters, and there is no temporal or quantitative relationship between them.

[0055] 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.

[0056] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplarily" and "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design scheme described as an "example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of the term "example" is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. In the embodiments of this application, "of," "corresponding, relevant," and "corresponding" may sometimes be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent unless their distinction is emphasized.

[0057] The communication system used in the embodiments of this application can be a cellular system related to the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), such as a 5G mobile communication system, a 5.5G mobile communication system, or a future-oriented evolution system. It can also be a cloud radio access network (CRAN), a Wi-Fi system, or a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0058] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication scenario to which embodiments of the present application are applied. FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a possible, non-limiting communication scenario. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication scenario includes a base station 110, a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) device 120, and a terminal device 130.

[0059] In the communication scenario to which embodiments of the present application are applied, two deployment modes can be distinguished. One of them is shown in (A) of FIG. 1, in which the base station 110 is deployed in the same area, and the Wi-Fi device 120 and the terminal device 130 are deployed at a distance from the area where the base station 110 is located, and the terminal device 130 and the Wi-Fi device 120 are isolated from each other from the area where the base station 130 is located. The other is shown in (B) of FIG. 1, in which the base station 110, the Wi-Fi device 120, and the terminal device 130 are deployed in the same area.

[0060] The base station 110 can be an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point, a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a next generation base station in a 6G mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, etc.

[0061] As an example, the base station in the embodiments of the present application can be an international mobile telecommunications (IMT) base station. The IMT base station is a device deployed in a radio access network (RAN) to provide wireless communication functions for terminal devices. The IMT base station is used to receive uplink signals from terminal devices or transmit downlink signals to terminal devices.

[0062] The Wi-Fi device 120 can include a Wi-Fi access point (AP) and a wireless terminal device. The Wi-Fi AP provides wireless access for the wireless terminal device in accordance with the Wi-Fi protocol, and connects the wireless terminal device to a wired network or accesses the Internet. The main function of the Wi-Fi AP is to receive uplink signals from wireless terminal devices that comply with the Wi-Fi protocol and can be authenticated, or to transmit downlink signals to wireless terminal devices that comply with the Wi-Fi protocol and can be authenticated.

[0063] The wireless terminal device is a user-side entity for receiving or transmitting signals, which supports the Wi-Fi protocol and can establish a wireless connection with the Wi-Fi AP. The wireless terminal device is used to send uplink signals to the Wi-Fi AP or receive downlink signals from the Wi-Fi AP. The wireless terminal device can be a device of a 3GPP network or a device of a non-3GPP network, and the main functions include collecting data (part of the terminal device), receiving control information and downlink data of the Wi-Fi AP, and sending uplink data to the Wi-Fi AP. In the application scenario shown in FIG. 1, the wireless terminal device communicates with the Wi-Fi AP.

[0064] The terminal device 130 can also be referred to as a terminal, a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a mobile terminal, etc. The terminal device 130 can be widely applied to various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), internet of things (IOT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, remote medical treatment, smart power grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wear, smart transportation, smart city, etc.

[0065] The terminal device 130 is connected to the base station 110 in a wireless manner. In some possible scenarios, when the terminal device 130 is connected to the base station 110 and the Wi-Fi AP in a wireless manner at the same time, the terminal device 130 is used to send uplink signals to the Wi-Fi AP or receive downlink signals from the Wi-Fi AP, and at this time, the terminal device 130 can be regarded as a wireless terminal device included in the Wi-Fi device 120.

[0066] At present, the international telecommunication union (ITU) has identified the upper half of the 6GHz frequency band (upper 6GHz, U6GHz), i.e., the frequency band of 6425 megahertz (MHz) to 7125 MHz, as part of the IMT frequency band. When the IMT base station and the Wi-Fi device are deployed in the same frequency band, the IMT base station and the Wi-Fi device can need to perform in-band coexistence in the U6GHz frequency band. Here, the meaning of in-band coexistence is that the IMT base station and the Wi-Fi device work in the same frequency band.

[0067] According to the communication scenario shown in FIG. 1, when the IMT base station communicates with the terminal device, the IMT base station is configured to send a downlink signal to the terminal device. Due to the high transmission power of the IMT base station and the proximity of the positions of the Wi-Fi device and the terminal device, the Wi-Fi device inevitably receives the downlink signal sent by the IMT base station. Considering that the IMT base station and the Wi-Fi device are deployed in the same frequency band, at this time, the IMT base station is equivalent to the interfering end of the Wi-Fi device, and the downlink signal sent by the IMT base station to the terminal device is equivalent to the interference signal of the Wi-Fi device. When the interference signal exists, the communication performance of the Wi-Fi device is lost.

[0068] For example, the IMT base station communicates with the terminal device A, and the terminal device B communicates with the Wi-Fi AP as the wireless terminal device in the scenario shown in FIG. 1. When the IMT base station sends a downlink signal to the terminal device A, the terminal device B receives a downlink signal from the Wi-Fi AP, or the terminal device B sends an uplink signal to the Wi-Fi AP. Since the IMT base station and the Wi-Fi device (i.e., the terminal device B and the Wi-Fi AP) are deployed in the same frequency band, the downlink signal sent by the IMT base station to the terminal device A interferes with the terminal device B receiving the downlink signal from the Wi-Fi AP, or the downlink signal sent by the IMT base station to the terminal device A interferes with the Wi-Fi AP receiving the uplink signal from the terminal device B.

[0069] Alternatively, the IMT base station communicates with the terminal device A, and the terminal device A communicates with the Wi-Fi AP as the wireless terminal device. When the IMT base station sends a downlink signal to the terminal device A, the Wi-Fi AP receives an uplink signal sent by the terminal device A. Since the IMT base station and the Wi-Fi AP are deployed in the same frequency band, the downlink signal sent by the IMT base station to the terminal device A interferes with the Wi-Fi AP receiving the uplink signal from the terminal device A. In summary, the downlink signal sent by the IMT base station to the terminal device is equivalent to the interference signal of the Wi-Fi device.

[0070] To reasonably use the U6GHz frequency band, one method is to perform energy detection (ED) for the Wi-Fi device. The Wi-Fi device can detect the sum of the powers of all interference signals received in the current channel through energy detection. When the sum of the powers of the interference signals exceeds a predefined energy threshold, the Wi-Fi device can determine that the current channel is busy, and switch to other frequency bands, so as to avoid receiving the interference signal from the IMT base station.

[0071] However, if the sum of the powers of the several interference signals does not exceed the predefined energy threshold, the Wi-Fi device continues to use the current frequency band, and the downlink signals transmitted by the IMT base station still cause interference to the Wi-Fi device since the Wi-Fi device and the IMT base station are deployed in the same frequency band.

[0072] Another method is that the IMT base station transmits a broadcast signal, and the broadcast signal is used to indicate that the IMT base station operates in the U6GHz frequency band. The Wi-Fi device detects whether the broadcast signal can be received in each detection time window. If the Wi-Fi device receives the broadcast signal, the Wi-Fi device is directly deployed in other frequency bands other than the U6GHz frequency band, thereby avoiding coexistence with the IMT base station in the same frequency band and avoiding receiving the interference signals from the IMT base station.

[0073] However, the above method of transmitting the broadcast signal by the IMT base station causes a low probability of the Wi-Fi device operating in the U6GHz frequency band, and reduces the utilization rate of the U6GHz spectrum resource by the Wi-Fi device. In addition, the IMT base station frequently transmitting the broadcast signal also needs to occupy a large communication overhead.

[0074] To solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a communication method and related apparatus, so that the Wi-Fi device performs interference cancellation processing by using the signal for channel estimation configured by the network device, thereby improving the communication quality of the Wi-Fi device in the co-frequency deployment state.

[0075] The technical concept of the present application is that the network device configures the signal for channel estimation corresponding to the Wi-Fi device in the downlink signal for the terminal device, the Wi-Fi device receives the signal and performs channel estimation based on the signal, and performs interference cancellation processing on the downlink signal, thereby improving the communication quality of the Wi-Fi device in the co-frequency deployment state.

[0076] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. As an example, as shown in FIG. 2, the communication method can include S201 to S203.

[0077] S201, a first network device configures a first signal, and the first signal is a signal required for channel estimation by a Wi-Fi device.

[0078] As an example, the first network device is the IMT base station in the application scenario shown in FIG. 1, and the Wi-Fi device is a Wi-Fi AP that provides wireless access conforming to the Wi-Fi protocol for a terminal device. The terminal device simultaneously communicates with the first network device and the Wi-Fi device, and the first network device and the Wi-Fi device operate in the same frequency band.

[0079] When the first network device sends a downlink signal to the terminal device, the Wi-Fi device inevitably receives the downlink signal sent by the first network device due to the high transmission power of the first network device and the proximity of the location where the Wi-Fi device and the terminal device are located. When the terminal device communicates with the Wi-Fi device, the terminal device is used to send an uplink signal to the Wi-Fi device, and the downlink signal in the same frequency band causes interference to the reception of the uplink signal sent by the terminal device by the Wi-Fi device, affecting the communication quality between the Wi-Fi device and the terminal device.

[0080] It can be understood that a channel is a medium or channel for signal transmission, and the signal will be affected by the channel during transmission, such as multipath effect, fading, and interference, etc., resulting in signal distortion. Channel estimation can obtain the characteristics and parameters of the channel by estimating the channel state, so as to realize subsequent signal processing and interference cancellation.

[0081] In this step, the first signal configured by the first network device is a signal required for channel estimation by the Wi-Fi device, that is, the Wi-Fi device can perform channel estimation on the channel carrying the first signal based on the first signal, so as to realize interference cancellation on various interference signals that can be carried on the channel.

[0082] It should be noted that the first network device also needs to configure a signal required for channel estimation by the terminal device in the process of communicating with the terminal device. The difference lies in that the signal required for channel estimation by the terminal device complies with the relevant standards formulated by the 3rd generation partnership project (3rd generation partnership project, 3GPP) organization, while the first signal in the present application as a signal required for channel estimation by the Wi-Fi device complies with the relevant standards formulated by the institute of electrical and electronics engineers (institute of electrical and electronics engineers, IEEE).

[0083] In some implementations, the first signal can be a pilot signal of the Wi-Fi device. The pilot signal is a known signal, and as the receiving end of the Wi-Fi device, the characteristics of the channel carrying the pilot signal, such as the gain and phase of the channel, can be estimated by detecting the pilot signal.

[0084] Exemplarily, the first signal includes at least one of the following signals corresponding to the Wi-Fi device: a pilot subcarrier, a training sequence, a pilot symbol, or a beacon frame.

[0085] The pilot subcarrier is a special subcarrier in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system, occupies a specific position in an OFDM symbol, and carries a known signal sequence. The training sequence (TS) is a signal sequence used for a specific purpose in a communication system, and usually contains a series of predefined signal samples known at the receiving end. The pilot symbol is a representation of the pilot signal in the time domain, usually embedded in the OFDM symbol of data transmission. The beacon frame is a management frame periodically sent in a wireless local area network (WLAN).

[0086] In S202, the first network device sends a downlink signal, and the downlink signal includes the first signal.

[0087] In this step, when the first network device communicates with the terminal device in downlink, the first network device sends a downlink signal to the terminal device. Since the first network device has high transmit power and the Wi-Fi device is close to the terminal device, the Wi-Fi device can receive the downlink signal from the first network device.

[0088] The channel through which the terminal device sends an uplink signal to the Wi-Fi device is different from the channel through which the downlink signal sent by the first network device reaches the Wi-Fi device. When the Wi-Fi device communicates with the terminal device, it is mainly interfered by the downlink signal in the same frequency band. By performing channel estimation on the channel carrying the downlink signal, the downlink signal can be subjected to interference cancellation processing. The downlink signal includes the signal required for channel estimation by the Wi-Fi device, that is, the first signal.

[0089] In some implementations, when the first network device continuously sends a downlink signal, the downlink signal can be a signal carried in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). The first network device can punch some subcarriers of the PDSCH or the PDCCH, embed the configured first signal on the subcarriers, so that the downlink signal includes the first signal.

[0090] In some implementations, the first signal is located at a predetermined time-frequency position of the downlink signal when the first network device continuously transmits the downlink signal. For example, when the downlink signal is a signal carried on a PDSCH or a PDCCH, the first network device can embed the first signal on every {1, 2, 4} symbols in the time domain and every {2, 4} resource blocks (RBs) in the frequency domain.

[0091] When the first network device continuously transmits the downlink signal, the first network device embeds the configured first signal into the downlink signal. The first network device continuously transmits the downlink signal means that the Wi-Fi device continuously receives the first signal in the downlink signal, and thus performs channel estimation according to the first signal. The Wi-Fi device continuously detects the first signal, and can better perform channel estimation based on the first signal, and thus performs interference cancellation processing on the downlink signal.

[0092] In some implementations, the downlink signal can be a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) or a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) when the first network device periodically transmits the downlink signal.

[0093] In some implementations, the first signal is located at a predetermined time-frequency position of the downlink signal when the first network device periodically transmits the downlink signal. For example, when the downlink signal is a CSI-RS or an SSB, the first network device can embed the first signal on every {2, 4} RBs in the frequency domain.

[0094] As a possible implementation, the periodic interval of transmitting the first signal is the same as the periodic interval of transmitting the CSI-RS or the SSB. When the first network device periodically transmits the downlink signal, the first network device can embed the configured first signal into the downlink signal each time the downlink signal is transmitted. When the downlink signal is a CSI-RS or an SSB, the periodic interval of transmitting the first signal is consistent with the periodic interval of the CSI-RS or the SSB.

[0095] It can be understood that, in the case that the first network device periodically transmits the downlink signal, the first network device can embed the configured first signal into the downlink signal at a period interval. For example, the transmission period of the SSB can be configured as 5 milliseconds (ms), 10 ms and 20 ms, the first network device periodically transmits the SSB at a period interval of 5 ms, and the first network device can embed the first signal into the SSB at a period interval, so that the Wi-Fi device is equivalent to receiving the first signal at an interval of 10 ms, and the period interval at which the first network device transmits the first signal is the same as the period interval of the SSB configured as 10 ms.

[0096] In the case that the first network device periodically transmits the downlink signal, the first network device embeds the configured first signal into the downlink signal. In this way, the Wi-Fi device can periodically detect the first signal, and the communication overhead required by the first network device for transmitting the downlink signal is saved on the premise of guaranteeing channel estimation based on the first signal.

[0097] As a possible implementation, the first network device can broadcast indication information, and the indication information is used to indicate that the first network device embeds the configured first signal at a predetermined time-frequency position of the downlink signal.

[0098] S203, the Wi-Fi device performs channel estimation based on the first signal.

[0099] According to step S202, the Wi-Fi device can receive the downlink signal from the first network device. The first network device embeds the first signal into the downlink signal, so that the Wi-Fi device receiving the downlink signal is equivalent to receiving the first signal.

[0100] It should be noted that, in this step, the Wi-Fi device performs channel estimation based on the first signal, which can be divided into two steps. The first step is shown in step S203-1 in FIG. 3, in which the Wi-Fi device can perform channel estimation according to the first signal and a locally known signal used for channel estimation. For example, the Wi-Fi device stores a known sequence in the frame structure of the physical layer, and the Wi-Fi device can estimate the channel response by least square estimation or maximum likelihood estimation by combining the first signal and the known sequence. It can be understood that, in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system, the channel response can be represented as a channel estimation matrix.

[0101] In the second step, as shown in step S203-2 in FIG. 3, the Wi-Fi device can perform interference cancellation processing based on the channel estimation matrix. As an example, the Wi-Fi device can perform autocorrelation processing based on the channel estimation matrix, thereby obtaining a covariance matrix of the noise and interference. Generally, the Wi-Fi device includes an interference rejection combining (IRC) receiver.

[0102] In the MIMO system, the IRC receiver can receive signals through multiple antennas and combine the received signals through a signal processing algorithm (such as weight matrix calculation) to suppress interference signals and enhance target signals. The IRC can also be used in combination with other interference cancellation techniques (such as multi-user MIMO, channel coding and modulation techniques) to further suppress interference signals.

[0103] In this embodiment, the Wi-Fi device receives the first signal transmitted by the first network device and performs channel estimation, thereby reducing the interference of the first network device to the Wi-Fi device, facilitating the deployment of the first network device and the Wi-Fi device in the same frequency band, and improving the spectrum utilization. On the other hand, when the first network device and the Wi-Fi device work in the same frequency band, the Wi-Fi device can avoid reducing the transmission power of the first network device through interference cancellation processing.

[0104] It should be noted that the Wi-Fi device can perform channel estimation based on the first signal to implement interference cancellation processing. However, the interference cancellation processing has a limit on the processing of the downlink signal transmitted by the first network device. When the strength of the interference signal received by the Wi-Fi device exceeds a certain limit, it is difficult for the first network device and the Wi-Fi device to work in the same frequency band. The following describes embodiments of the present application which are beneficial to further solve the above problems.

[0105] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a communication method provided by another embodiment of the present application. After step S203-1, as shown in step S203-3 in FIG. 4, the Wi-Fi device switches the frequency band in the case that the received interference signal is greater than the energy detection threshold.

[0106] In step S203-1, after the Wi-Fi device performs channel estimation based on the first signal, the Wi-Fi device can determine the power of the interference signal carried on the channel where the first signal is located. In the case that the power is greater than a preset energy detection threshold, it indicates that the interference cancellation processing performed by the Wi-Fi device has limited effect, and the Wi-Fi device directly switches to another frequency band different from the current frequency band to avoid being deployed in the same frequency band as the first network device. Alternatively, the Wi-Fi device can also stop working in the current frequency band.

[0107] It can be understood that, according to step S203-3, if the Wi-Fi device switches the frequency band or stops working in the current frequency band, it is equivalent to that the Wi-Fi device works in a different frequency band from the first network device, and at this time, the downlink signal sent by the first network device will not cause interference to the Wi-Fi device. Accordingly, the Wi-Fi device does not need to perform the interference cancellation processing, that is, step S203-2 does not need to be executed.

[0108] However, the Wi-Fi device is usually arranged indoors, and when the first network device sends the downlink signal, due to the influence of obstacles such as walls, the detection may not be accurate when the energy detection is performed according to step S203-3 in FIG. 4. Therefore, the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application further provides a new energy detection method.

[0109] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a communication method provided by another embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 5, the communication method can include the following steps.

[0110] S501, the first network device configures a first signal, and the first signal is a signal required for channel estimation of the Wi-Fi device.

[0111] S502, the first network device sends a downlink signal, and the downlink signal includes the first signal.

[0112] The steps S501 and S502 are consistent with the steps S201 and S202 in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and will not be described here.

[0113] S503-1, the Wi-Fi device performs channel estimation according to the first signal and a signal known locally for channel estimation.

[0114] This step is consistent with step S203-1 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, and will not be described here.

[0115] S503-2, in the case that the ratio of the power of the first signal to the power of the interference signal is not lower than a first threshold, the Wi-Fi device switches the frequency band.

[0116] In this step, in the case that the ratio of the power of the first signal to the power of the interference signal is not lower than the first threshold, it indicates that the interference cancellation processing performed by the Wi-Fi device has limited effect, and the Wi-Fi device can directly switch to another frequency band different from the current frequency band to avoid being deployed in the same frequency band as the first network device. Alternatively, the Wi-Fi device can also stop working in the current frequency band.

[0117] In some implementations, the power of the interference signal includes the power of the Wi-Fi device noise floor and / or the power of the second signal, which is a signal required by the Wi-Fi device configured by the second network device for channel estimation.

[0118] According to the application scenario shown in FIG. 1, it can be known that there can be more than one network device in the deployment area. In addition to the downlink signal sent by the first network device, when the second network device is deployed on the same frequency band as the Wi-Fi device, the downlink signal sent by the second network device also causes interference to the Wi-Fi device. Accordingly, the second network device configures a second signal, which is a signal required by the Wi-Fi device for channel estimation.

[0119] It should be noted that the second network device can be used to indicate one or more network devices. Accordingly, the power of the second signal can be considered as the sum of the powers of the signals required by the Wi-Fi devices configured by the plurality of network devices for channel estimation.

[0120] For example, the ratio of the power of the first signal to the power of the interference signal satisfies any one of the following relationships:

[0121] where I0 is the power of the first signal, I other is the power of the second signal. Considering that the second network device can be used to indicate one or more network devices, the power of the second signal can also be understood as the sum of the powers of the signals required by the Wi-Fi devices configured by the other network devices except the first network device for channel estimation. N is the power of the Wi-Fi device noise floor, and PDT is a preset pilot detection threshold (PDT), which is equivalent to a preset first threshold.

[0122] When the ratio of the power of the first signal to the power of the interference signal satisfies any one of the above relationships, it indicates that the effect of the interference cancellation processing performed by the Wi-Fi device is limited, and the Wi-Fi device can directly switch to another frequency band different from the current frequency band to avoid being deployed on the same frequency band as the first network device. Alternatively, the Wi-Fi device can also stop working in the current frequency band.

[0123] As a possible implementation, with reference to the energy detection method, the Wi-Fi device can also directly determine the relationship between the power of the first signal and a preset second threshold. In the case where the power of the first signal is not lower than the preset second threshold, the Wi-Fi device switches the frequency band. It should be noted that considering that the Wi-Fi device is arranged indoors, the power of the interference signal is attenuated due to the obstruction, and the power of the preset second threshold should be lower than the energy detection power set in an open outdoor environment.

[0124] S503-3, the Wi-Fi device performs interference cancellation processing based on the channel estimation matrix.

[0125] This step is consistent with step S203-2 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, and will not be described here again.

[0126] It can be understood that, according to step S503-2, if the Wi-Fi device switches the frequency band or stops working in the current frequency band, it is equivalent to that the Wi-Fi device and the first network device work in different frequency bands, and at this time, the downlink signal sent by the first network device will no longer interfere with the Wi-Fi device. Correspondingly, the Wi-Fi device does not need to perform interference cancellation processing, that is, step S503-3 does not need to be executed.

[0127] In this embodiment, the Wi-Fi device performs power comparison based on the first signal and the interference signal, which can reduce the occurrence of inaccurate detection in an indoor environment, thereby improving the probability of spectrum switching of the Wi-Fi device.

[0128] It should be noted that, when the first network device and the terminal device perform downlink communication, the first network device sends a downlink signal to the terminal device, and when the Wi-Fi device and the terminal device perform downlink communication, the Wi-Fi device also sends a downlink signal to the terminal device. When the first network device and the Wi-Fi device are deployed in the same frequency band, the downlink signal sent by the Wi-Fi device interferes with the downlink signal sent by the first network device. In this embodiment, the Wi-Fi device switches to other frequency bands after power comparison based on the first signal and the interference signal, which can avoid the downlink signal sent by the Wi-Fi device from interfering with the terminal device in the indoor environment to receive the downlink signal from the first network device.

[0129] It can be understood that, in the above embodiments, the application scenario in which the IMT base station and the Wi-Fi device work in the same frequency band is described, and the communication method proposed in the embodiments of the present application can also be extended to the application scenario in which the IMT base station and other mobile or fixed communication systems are deployed in the same frequency band, for example, the communication method can be extended to the application scenario in which the IMT base station communicates with a satellite.

[0130] FIGS. 6 and 7 are structural schematic diagrams of possible communication apparatuses provided by the embodiments of the present application. These communication apparatuses can be used to implement the functions of the Wi-Fi device or the network device in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication apparatus can be the Wi-Fi device or the network device in the method embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, or can be a component (such as a chip, a chip system, a processor, etc.) configured in the Wi-Fi device or the network device, or can be a logic module or software capable of implementing part or all of the functions of the Wi-Fi device or the network device.

[0131] FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 6, the communication apparatus 600 includes a processing module 610 and a transceiver module 620.

[0132] The transceiver module 620 can implement corresponding communication functions. The transceiver module 620 can also be referred to as an input / output interface or a communication unit. The processing module 610 can be configured to perform processing operations. It should be understood that if the apparatus 600 is a component (e.g., a chip) configured in a network device or a Wi-Fi device, the transceiver module 620 can be an input / output interface.

[0133] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 620 can include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module can be configured to perform the sending operations of the network device or the Wi-Fi device in FIGS. 2-5. The receiving module can be configured to perform the receiving operations of the network device or the Wi-Fi device in FIGS. 2-5.

[0134] It should be understood that if the apparatus 600 is a component (e.g., a chip) configured in a network device or a Wi-Fi device, the sending module can be an output interface, and the sending operations of the embodiments of the present application can be performed by the output interface. The receiving module can be an input interface, and the receiving operations of the embodiments of the present application can be performed by the input interface.

[0135] In some embodiments, the apparatus 600 can further include a storage module. The storage module in the apparatus 600 can be configured to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 610 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module, so that the apparatus implements the method embodiments shown in FIGS. 2-5.

[0136] As a possible design, the apparatus 600 can be configured to implement the functions of the Wi-Fi device in the method embodiments shown in FIGS. 2-5. Alternatively, the apparatus 600 can include a unit for implementing any function or operation of the Wi-Fi device in the method embodiments shown in FIGS. 2-5. The unit can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof.

[0137] When the apparatus 600 is configured to implement the functions of the Wi-Fi device in the method embodiments shown in FIGS. 2-5, the transceiver module 620 (specifically, the receiving module) can be configured to perform step S202, in which the Wi-Fi device receives a first signal. The processing module 610 can be configured to perform step S203, in which the Wi-Fi device performs channel estimation based on the first signal.

[0138] In another possible design, the apparatus 600 can be used to implement the functions of the network device in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, or the apparatus 600 can include units for implementing any function or operation of the network device in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, which can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof, in whole or in part.

[0139] When the apparatus 600 is used to implement the functions of the network device in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, the transceiver module 620 (specifically, a sending module) can be used to perform step S202, in which the first network device sends a downlink signal including the first signal; and the processing module 610 can be used to perform step S201, in which the first network device configures the first signal, which is a signal required for channel estimation by the Wi-Fi device.

[0140] More detailed descriptions of the processing module 610 and the transceiver module 620 can be directly obtained by referring to the related descriptions in the method embodiments shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, which will not be repeated here.

[0141] It should be noted that the transceiver module can also be referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, a transceiver device, or the like. The processing module can also be referred to as a processor, a processing board, a processing unit, or the like. Alternatively, the transceiver module can be used to perform the sending operation and the receiving operation of the terminal device or the network device in the above method, and the devices in the communication module used to implement the receiving function can be regarded as a receiving module, and the devices in the communication module used to implement the sending function can be regarded as a sending module, that is, the transceiver module includes the receiving module and the sending module.

[0142] In addition, in a possible design, the foregoing transceiver module and / or processing module can be implemented by a virtual module, for example, the processing module can be implemented by a software function module or a virtual device, and the transceiver module can be implemented by a software function module or a virtual device. In another possible design, the processing module or the transceiver module can also be implemented by an entity device, for example, if the apparatus is implemented by a chip / chip circuit, the transceiver module can be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, which performs an input operation (corresponding to the foregoing receiving operation) and an output operation (corresponding to the foregoing sending operation); and the processing module is an integrated processor or a microprocessor or an integrated circuit.

[0143] It should be understood that the division of the modules in the embodiments of the present application is schematic, and is merely a logical functional division. In actual implementation, another division manner can be used. In addition, each functional module in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated in one processor, or can be physically separated, or two or more modules can be integrated in one module. The integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software function module.

[0144] FIG. 7 is a structural diagram of a communication apparatus provided by another embodiment of the present application. The apparatus 700 can be a chip system, or can also be an apparatus configured with a chip system for implementing the above-mentioned method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be constituted by a chip, or can also include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0145] As shown in FIG. 7, the apparatus 700 can be implemented by a processing system including one or more processors 701. The processor 701 includes a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a graphic processing unit (GPU), a programmable logic device (PLD), a state machine, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform various functions. That is, the processor used in the apparatus 700 can be used to implement any one or more of the above-described embodiments.

[0146] The processing system in the apparatus 700 can be implemented by a bus architecture, generally represented by a bus 702. The bus 702 can include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges, depending on the specific application of the processing system and the overall design constraints. The bus 702 communicatively couples various circuitry including one or more processors 701 (generally represented by processor), memory 703, and computer-readable media 704 (generally represented by computer-readable media). The bus 702 can also link various other circuitry, such as a timing source, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuitry, which are well known in the art and, as such, will not be further described. A bus interface 705 provides an interface between the bus 702 and a transceiver and between the bus 702 and an interface. The bus interface 705 can use, but is not limited to, a transceiver such as a transceiver to enable communication between the apparatus 700 and other devices or apparatuses.

[0147] The transceiver provides a communication interface or means for communicating with various other apparatuses over a wireless transmission medium. The transceiver can be coupled to an antenna array, and the transceiver and antenna array can be used together to communicate with a corresponding network type. At least one interface (e.g., a network interface and / or a user interface) provides a communication interface or means for communicating over an internal bus or via an external transmission medium.

[0148] The processor 701 is responsible for managing the bus 702 and general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium 704. The software, when executed by the processor 701, causes the processing system to perform the various functions described below for any particular apparatus.

[0149] The functions that the processor 701 and the memory 703 and the computer-readable medium 704 can implement can be encoding, decoding, rate matching, de-rate matching, scrambling, de-scrambling, modulation, demodulation, layer mapping, fast fourier transform (FFT), inverse fast fourier transform (IFFT), inverse discrete fourier transform (IDFT), precoding, resource element (RE) mapping, channel equalization, de-RE mapping, digital beam forming (BF), adding cyclic prefix (CP), removing CP, and the like.

[0150] The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as hardware code processing executed by a coded processor, or a combination of hardware and software modules in the coded processor. The software modules can be located in storage media such as random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, or other mature storage media in the art.

[0151] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer-readable storage medium, which stores computer instructions. When the processor executes the computer instructions, each step of the above-mentioned method is implemented.

[0152] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product, which includes computer instructions. When the processor executes the computer instructions, each step of the above-mentioned method is implemented.

[0153] It should be noted that the modules or components shown in the above embodiments can be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, for example, one or more application-specific integrated circuits, or one or more microprocessors, or one or more field-programmable gate arrays, and the like. For another example, when a certain module above is implemented in the form of a processing element calling program code, the processing element can be a general-purpose processor such as a central processing unit or other processor capable of calling program code, such as a controller. For another example, these modules can be integrated together in the form of a system on a chip (SOC).

[0154] In the embodiments described above, all or some of the steps can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, all or some of the steps can be stored in or performed in relation to one or more computer program products and can be implemented as one or more computer programs. The computer program product can be a computer program product stored in a computer readable storage medium (storage), which can be one or more of a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a ROM, a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), a flash memory, a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, a digital versatile disc (DVD), a Blu-ray disc, a hard disk, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired computer program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. The computer program product can be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer program code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. The computer program product can be executed by one or more computers.

[0155] Other embodiments of the present application will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the application disclosed herein. The specification and examples given are exemplary only and the true scope and spirit of the application is indicated by the claims. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present application can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the application is indicated by the appended claims, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalents are intended to be embraced therein.

[0156] It is to be understood that the application is not limited to the precise construction described in the specification and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes can be effected therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the application. The scope of the application is to be defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method applied to a first network device comprises: configuring a first signal, the first signal being a signal required for channel estimation of a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) device; sending a downlink signal, the downlink signal comprising the first signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The sending of the downlink signal comprises: in a case where the first network device continuously sends the downlink signal, the downlink signal being a signal carried in a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The first signal is located at a predetermined time-frequency position of the downlink signal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, The sending of the downlink signal comprises: in a case where the first network device periodically sends the downlink signal, the downlink signal being a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) or a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB).

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, A periodic interval of sending the first signal is the same as a periodic interval of sending the CSI-RS or the SSB.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The first signal is located at a predetermined time-frequency position of the downlink signal.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first signal comprises at least one of the following signals corresponding to the Wi-Fi device: a pilot subcarrier, a training sequence, a pilot symbol, or a beacon frame.

8. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method applied to a Wi-Fi device comprises: receiving a first signal, the first signal being a signal required for channel estimation of the Wi-Fi device; performing channel estimation based on the first signal.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The method further comprises: in a case where a ratio of a power of the first signal to a power of an interference signal is not lower than a first threshold, the Wi-Fi device switches a frequency band.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The power of the interference signal comprises a power of a noise floor of the Wi-Fi device and / or a power of a second signal, the second signal being a signal configured by a second network device and required for channel estimation of the Wi-Fi device.

11. A communications device, characterized by The communication apparatus comprises a module for implementing the communication method of any one of claims 1 to 7, or a module for implementing the communication method of any one of 8 to 10.

12. A communications device, characterized by comprises: a processor and a memory; the memory stores computer-executed instructions; the processor executes the computer-executed instructions stored in the memory, so that the communication apparatus executes the communication method of any one of claims 1 to 7, or the communication method of any one of 8 to 10.

13. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executed instructions, which, when executed by a processor, are used to implement the communication method of any one of claims 1 to 7, or the communication method of any one of 8 to 10.

14. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program, when executed by a processor, implements the communication method of any one of claims 1 to 7, or the communication method of any one of 8 to 10.

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