Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus. In the method, a new format is introduced, and the format is used for configuring link directions of symbols in a time slot. For example, the format is specifically that one or more symbols at the beginning of a time slot are uplink symbols, and one or more symbols at the end of the time slot are downlink symbols. The format is used in conjunction with a current third format. Subband full duplex (SBFD) of an access network device on SBFD symbols can be flexibly implemented.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202411081764.8, filed on August 7, 2024, and entitled “A communication method and apparatus”, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0004] In a wireless communication system, a time domain symbol can be configured as a subband full duplex (SBFD) symbol, which can be used for both uplink transmission and downlink transmission. For example, when the SBFD symbol is used for uplink transmission, the terminal transmits uplink information in the SBFD symbol and its corresponding uplink subband; when the SBFD symbol is used for downlink transmission, the terminal receives downlink information in the SBFD symbol and its corresponding downlink subband. How the terminal and the access network device communicate on the SBFD symbol is a research direction. SUMMARY

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, the execution subject of the method is a terminal, or an apparatus, module, unit, or component (for example, a chip, chip system, processor, circuit, or other) applied in the terminal, and the method comprises: receiving first information from an access network device, the first information being used to configure a link direction of a first time unit comprising symbols, the first time unit comprising at least one SBFD symbol; wherein the link direction of the first time unit comprising symbols configured by the first information satisfies a first format, the first format being one of a plurality of formats, the plurality of formats comprising a second format, the second format satisfying: the link direction of X1 symbols at the beginning of a time unit is uplink, and / or the link direction of Y1 symbols at the end of the time unit is downlink, X1 and Y1 are positive integers, and the sum of X1 and Y1 is less than or equal to the total number of symbols in the time unit; and communicating with the access network device in the SBFD symbol according to the link direction of the SBFD symbol, the link direction of the SBFD symbol being determined according to the first information.

[0006] By the above design, a new format is added, which is used to configure the link direction of symbols in a time slot. The format is opposite to the link direction of the above-mentioned third format. For example, one or more symbols at the beginning of a time slot are uplink symbols, and one or more symbols at the end of the time slot are downlink symbols. The format and the above-mentioned third format can be used in combination to flexibly implement the full duplex of the access network device in the subband of the SBFD symbol. For example, for a time slot including an SBFD symbol: the link direction of the time slot including symbols is configured for terminal 1 according to the above-mentioned format 3; and the link direction of the time slot including symbols is configured for terminal 2 according to the newly added format. Since the link direction at the beginning of the time slot is downlink for terminal 1 and the link direction at the beginning of the time slot is uplink for terminal 2, the full duplex of the access network device can be implemented. Similarly, the link direction at the end of the time slot is uplink for terminal 1, and the link direction at the end of the time slot is downlink for terminal 2, so that the full duplex of the access network device can be implemented.

[0007] In a possible design, the plurality of formats further includes at least one of the following formats: the link direction of all symbols in a time unit is downlink; the link direction of all symbols in a time unit is uplink; or the link direction of the first X2 symbols in a time unit is downlink, and / or the link direction of the last Y2 symbols in the time unit is uplink, X2 and Y2 are positive integers, and the sum of X2 and Y2 is less than or equal to the total number of symbols included in the time unit.

[0008] In a possible design, the first format is the same as the second format.

[0009] In a possible design, the link direction of the SBFD symbol is downlink, and the communication between the SBFD symbol and the access network device includes: being configured or instructed to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and receiving the downlink information from the access network device in the SBFD symbol and a first frequency domain resource range, the first frequency domain resource being a downlink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol.

[0010] In a possible design, the SBFD symbol is also configured or instructed to send uplink information, and in the SBFD symbol, the sending of the uplink information to the access network device is not performed; or the SBFD symbol is not expected to be configured or instructed to send uplink information.

[0011] In a possible design, the link direction of the SBFD symbol is downlink, and the communication between the SBFD symbol and the access network device includes: no configuration or indication of receiving downlink information at the SBFD symbol, and configuration or indication of sending uplink information at the SBFD symbol, and sending the uplink information to the access network device within a range of the SBFD symbol and a second frequency domain resource, the second frequency domain resource being an uplink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol.

[0012] In a possible design, the link direction of the SBFD symbol is uplink, and the communication between the SBFD symbol and the access network device includes: configuration or indication of sending uplink information at the SBFD symbol, and sending the uplink information to the access network device within a range of the SBFD symbol and a second frequency domain resource, the second frequency domain resource being an uplink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol.

[0013] In a possible design, the SBFD symbol is further configured or indicated to receive downlink information, and the SBFD symbol does not perform receiving of the downlink information from the access network device, or is not expected to be configured or indicated to receive downlink information.

[0014] In a possible design, the link direction of the SBFD symbol is uplink, and the communication between the SBFD symbol and the access network device includes: no configuration or indication of sending uplink information at the SBFD symbol, and configuration or indication of receiving downlink information at the SBFD symbol, and receiving the downlink information from the access network device within a range of the SBFD symbol and a first frequency domain resource, the first frequency domain resource being a downlink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol.

[0015] In a possible design, a link direction of the SBFD symbol is flexible, and the SBFD symbol communicates with the access network device by being configured or instructed to: send uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and send the uplink information to the access network device in a second frequency domain resource range of the SBFD symbol, where the second frequency domain resource is an uplink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol; or receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and receive the downlink information from the access network device in a first frequency domain resource range of the SBFD symbol, where the first frequency domain resource is a downlink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol; or be configured or instructed to send uplink information and receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol: according to a first criterion, send the uplink information to the access network device in the SBFD symbol and the second frequency domain resource range, or receive the downlink information from the access network device in the SBFD symbol and the first frequency domain resource range, where the first criterion is predefined or configured or instructed to the terminal.

[0016] In a possible design, the first information is carried in a parameter in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal.

[0017] In a possible design, the first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of downlink control information (DCI).

[0018] The second aspect is a method for configuring a terminal, and the advantages are as described above with reference to the first aspect. The second aspect provides a communication method, and an execution subject of the method is an access network device, or an apparatus, module, unit, or component (such as a chip, chip system, circuit, processor, or other) applied in the access network device, and the method includes the following steps. The access network device sends first information to a terminal, where the first information is used to configure a link direction of a first time unit including a symbol, and the first time unit includes at least one sub-band full duplex (SBFD) symbol. The link direction of the first time unit including the symbol configured by the first information satisfies a first format, the first format is one of a plurality of formats, and the plurality of formats includes a second format. The second format satisfies that a link direction of X1 symbols at a beginning of a time unit is uplink, and / or a link direction of Y1 symbols at an end of the time unit is downlink, X1 and Y1 are positive integers, and a sum of X1 and Y1 is less than or equal to a total number of symbols in the time unit. The access network device communicates with the terminal according to the link direction of the SBFD symbol.

[0019] In one possible design, the plurality of formats further includes at least one format in which the link direction of all symbols of a time unit is downlink, the link direction of all symbols of a time unit is uplink, or the link direction of the first X2 symbols of a time unit is downlink and / or the link direction of the last Y2 symbols of the time unit is uplink, where X2 and Y2 are positive integers and the sum of X2 and Y2 is less than or equal to the total number of symbols in the time unit.

[0020] In one possible design, the first format is the same as the second format.

[0021] In one possible design, the link direction of the SBFD symbol is downlink, and the communication between the SBFD symbol and the terminal includes configuring or indicating the terminal to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol and transmitting the downlink information to the terminal in the SBFD symbol and a first frequency domain resource range, where the first frequency domain resource is a downlink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol.

[0022] In one possible design, the terminal is further configured or indicated to transmit uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and the communication between the SBFD symbol and the terminal does not include receiving the uplink information from the terminal in the SBFD symbol.

[0023] In one possible design, the link direction of the SBFD symbol is downlink, and the communication between the SBFD symbol and the access network device includes not configuring or indicating the terminal to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and configuring or indicating the terminal to transmit uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and receiving the uplink information from the terminal in the SBFD symbol and a second frequency domain resource range, where the second frequency domain resource is an uplink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol.

[0024] In one possible design, the link direction of the SBFD symbol is uplink, and the communication between the SBFD symbol and the terminal includes configuring or indicating the terminal to transmit uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and receiving the uplink information from the terminal in the SBFD symbol and a second frequency domain resource range, where the second frequency domain resource is an uplink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol.

[0025] In one possible design, the terminal is further configured or indicated to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and the communication between the SBFD symbol and the terminal does not include transmitting the downlink information to the terminal in the SBFD symbol.

[0026] In a possible design, the link direction of the SBFD symbol is uplink, and the communication between the SBFD symbol and the terminal includes: no configuration or indication for the terminal to send uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and configuration or indication for the terminal to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and sending the downlink information to the terminal in a first frequency domain resource range, the first frequency domain resource being a downlink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol.

[0027] In a possible design, the link direction of the SBFD symbol is flexible, and the communication between the SBFD symbol and the terminal includes: configuration or indication for the terminal to send uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and receiving the uplink information from the terminal in a second frequency domain resource range, the second frequency domain resource being an uplink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol; or, configuration or indication for the terminal to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and sending the downlink information to the terminal in a first frequency domain resource range, the first frequency domain resource being a downlink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol; or, configuration or indication for the terminal to send uplink information and receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol: according to a first criterion, receiving the uplink information from the terminal in the SBFD symbol and the second frequency domain resource range, or sending the downlink information to the terminal in the SBFD symbol and the first frequency domain resource range, the first criterion being predefined or configured or indicated to the access network device.

[0028] In a possible design, the first information is carried in a parameter in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal.

[0029] In a possible design, the first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of downlink control information (DCI).

[0030] In a third aspect, a device is provided, which can implement the method in the first aspect. For example, the device includes modules, units, or components corresponding to the method described in the first aspect. The modules, units, or components can be implemented by hardware, or by software, or by a combination of hardware and software.

[0031] In a design, the device includes units for performing the method in the first aspect.

[0032] In one design, the apparatus includes a processor configured to implement the method of the first aspect described above. Optionally, the apparatus further includes a memory coupled with the processor, and the processor is configured to execute computer program or instructions stored in the memory to cause the apparatus to implement the method of the first aspect described above.

[0033] In one design, the apparatus includes a processor and an interface circuit configured to receive signals from other apparatuses outside the apparatus and transmit the signals to the processor or send signals from the processor to the other apparatuses outside the apparatus, and the processor is configured to implement the method of the first aspect described above by logic circuit or executing code instructions.

[0034] In one design, the apparatus can be the first apparatus, or a module, unit or component (e.g., a chip, chip system, circuit or processor, etc.) in the first apparatus that implements the method / operation / step / action described in the first aspect one-to-one, or can be used in matching with the first apparatus.

[0035] In one design, the apparatus can be the second apparatus, or a module, unit or component (e.g., a chip, chip system, circuit or processor, etc.) in the second apparatus that implements the method / operation / step / action described in the second aspect one-to-one, or can be used in matching with the second apparatus.

[0036] In one design, the apparatus includes a unit configured to implement the method of the second aspect described above.

[0037] In one design, the apparatus includes a processor configured to implement the method of the second aspect described above. Optionally, the apparatus further includes a memory coupled with the processor, and the processor is configured to execute computer program or instructions stored in the memory to cause the apparatus to implement the method of the second aspect described above.

[0038] In one design, the apparatus includes a processor and an interface circuit configured to receive signals from other apparatuses outside the apparatus and transmit the signals to the processor or send signals from the processor to the other apparatuses outside the apparatus, and the processor is configured to implement the method of the second aspect described above by logic circuit or executing code instructions.

[0039] In one design, the apparatus can be the second apparatus, or a module, unit or component (e.g., a chip, chip system, circuit or processor, etc.) in the second apparatus that implements the method / operation / step / action described in the second aspect one-to-one, or can be used in matching with the second apparatus.

[0040] In a fifth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instructions, when the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, causing the computer to implement the method of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0041] In a sixth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes a computer program or instructions, when the computer program or instructions are run on a computer, causing the method of the first aspect or the second aspect to be performed.

[0042] In a seventh aspect, a chip is provided, which includes a processor, and is configured to implement the method of any one of the first aspect or the second aspect. Optionally, the chip further includes a memory, and the processor is coupled to the memory, and is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, so that the chip implements the method of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0043] In an eighth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes a first communication device and a second communication device; wherein the first communication device is configured to implement the method of the first aspect; and the second communication device is configured to implement the method of the second aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0044] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an ORAN system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an access network device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a DL time slot and a UL time slot according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are schematic diagrams of SBFD symbols according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of time slot symbol link directions configured by an access network device for a terminal according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are schematic diagrams of structures of devices according to embodiments of the present application;

[0052] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a terminal chip according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an access network device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] In order to make the purposes, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the embodiments of the present application are further described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The specific operation methods, function descriptions, etc. in the method embodiments can also be applied to the device embodiments or system embodiments.

[0055] In the embodiments of the present application, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, represents "a singular noun or a plural noun", i.e. "one or more". "At least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent the following three cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of the present application, the character " / ", generally represents that the associated objects before and after it are in an "or" relationship; in the formula of the present application, the character " / ", represents that the associated objects before and after it are in a "division" relationship. "Including at least one of A, B or C" or similar expressions can represent: including A; including B; including C; including A and B; including A and C; including B and C; including A, B and C, where A, B, C can be singular or plural.

[0056] In the embodiments of the present application, various numbers involved are distinguished for the convenience of description, and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The size of the serial number of the above processes does not mean the execution order, and the execution order of the processes should be determined according to its function and inherent logic. The ordinal numbers "first", "second", etc. involved in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and do not limit the size, order, time sequence, priority or importance of the multiple objects.

[0057] Figure 1 shows a possible, non-limiting system schematic diagram. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 1000 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. Optionally, the communication system 1000 also includes the Internet 300.

[0058] Among them, the RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (such as 110a and 110b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (such as 120a-120j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 120). The RAN 100 can also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1), etc.

[0059] Terminal 120 is connected to RAN node 110 wirelessly. RAN node 110 is connected to core network 200 wirelessly or via wired connection. 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 radio access network logical functions.

[0060] RAN100 can be used for cellular systems related to the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP), such as 4th generation (4G). th generation, 4G), fifth generation (5 th RAN100 can be a generation (5G) mobile communication system, or a future-oriented evolution system (such as a future communication network). RAN100 can also be an open access network (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. RAN100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0061] RAN node 110, forming part of the communication system, is used to help terminals achieve wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 110 in the communication system 1000 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 1 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.

[0062] In a possible scenario, the RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future communication network, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc. The RAN node can be a macro base station (such as 110a in FIG. 1), a micro base station or an indoor station (such as 110b in FIG. 1), a relay node or a donor node, or a wireless controller in a CRAN scenario. Alternatively, the RAN node can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle or a vehicle-mounted device, etc. For example, an access network device in vehicle to everything (V2X) technology can be a road side unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the RAN node in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (such as a cloud platform). The RAN node in the embodiments of the present application can also be a logical node, a logical module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the RAN node.

[0063] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes cooperate to assist a terminal to implement wireless access, and different RAN nodes respectively implement part of the functions of a base station. For example, the RAN node can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and the DU can be separately arranged, or can be included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in a radio frequency device or a radio frequency unit, such as a radio frequency remote unit (RRU), an active antenna processing unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0064] It can be understood that the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU can also have different names in different systems, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as an open CU (O-CU), the DU can also be referred to as an open DU (O-DU), the CU-CP can also be referred to as an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), the CU-UP can also be referred to as an open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and the RU can also be referred to as an open RU (O-RU). For the convenience of description, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU are taken as examples for description in the present application. Any one of the CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in the embodiments of the present application can be realized by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0065] The terminal 120 is a device with wireless transceiving function. The terminal 120 can also be referred to as a terminal device, a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a mobile terminal, etc. The terminal 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. The terminal can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiving function, a wearable device, a vehicle, a drone, a helicopter, an airplane, a ship, a robot, a mechanical arm, a smart home device, etc. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the device form of the terminal.

[0066] The RAN nodes 110 and the terminals 120 can be fixed in position or movable. The RAN nodes 110 and the terminals 120 can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on the water surface; can also be deployed on aircraft, balloons and artificial satellites in the air. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the application scenarios of the RAN nodes 110 and the terminals 120. The RAN nodes 110 and the terminals 120 can be deployed in the same scenario or different scenarios, for example, the RAN nodes 110 and the terminals 120 are deployed on land at the same time; or the RAN nodes 110 are deployed on land and the terminals 120 are deployed on the water surface, etc., which will not be exemplified one by one.

[0067] The RAN nodes 110 and the terminals 120 can communicate through licensed spectrum, through unlicensed spectrum, or through both licensed spectrum and unlicensed spectrum; for example, the RAN nodes 110 and the terminals 120 can communicate through sub-6 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum, through above-6 GHz spectrum, or through both sub-6 GHz spectrum and above-6 GHz spectrum. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the spectrum resources used by wireless communication.

[0068] The RAN nodes 110 and the terminals 120 can be referred to as communication apparatuses; for example, the network elements 110a and 110b in FIG. 1 can be understood as communication apparatuses having base station functions; for example, the communication apparatuses can be base stations, or modules, units, or components (for example, chips, chip systems, processors, circuits, or others) applied to base stations. A chip system is composed of a chip, and can also include a chip and other discrete devices. The network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication apparatuses having terminal functions; for example, the communication apparatuses can be terminals, or modules, units, or components (for example, chips, chip systems, processors, circuits, or others) applied to terminals.

[0069] The schemes of embodiments of the present application can be applied to the communication system 1000 shown in FIG. 1, which can correspond to a terrestrial network (TN). Alternatively, the schemes of embodiments of the present application can also be applied to a non terrestrial network (NTN). In the communication system of the NTN, the “RAN node” in FIG. 1 can be replaced by “satellite and ground station”. The satellite is deployed in space, and the ground station is deployed on the ground, which can be understood as a base station deployed on the ground, and the ground station can also be referred to as a gateway (GW). The link between the satellite and the terminal is referred to as a user link, the link between the satellite and the ground station is referred to as a feeder link, and the link between different satellites is referred to as an inter-satellite link. The working mode of the satellite includes transparent and regenerative.

[0070] When the satellite works in the transparent mode, the satellite has the function of signal forwarding, and the ground station has all or part of the functions of a base station, and the ground station can be regarded as a base station. It can be understood that the ground station can be one device (for example, a macro base station, or a micro base station, etc.), or the ground station can implement corresponding functions by multiple RAN nodes (for example, CUs and DUs, etc.), for specific reference to the foregoing description. Alternatively,

[0071] When the satellite works in the regenerative mode, the satellite has the ability to process digital signals, the satellite has all or part of the functions of the base station, and the satellite can be regarded as a base station. Further, for the regenerative mode, it can be subdivided into: all functions of the base station are deployed on the satellite, which is referred to as base station full function (such as CU and DU) on satellite, or part of the functions of the base station are deployed on the satellite, which is referred to as base station partial function (such as DU) on satellite, and the remaining functions of the base station (such as CU) are implemented on the ground station.

[0072] The satellite and the ground station can be referred to as communication devices, for example, the satellite can be understood as a communication device with satellite functions, and the ground station can be understood as a communication device with ground station functions.

[0073] It can be understood that in the communication system corresponding to the TN, the RAN node is used to help the terminal to implement wireless access, and it can also have other different descriptions, such as RAN entity, ORAN device, access node, access network device, etc.; in the communication system corresponding to the NTN, the satellite and the ground station help the terminal to implement wireless access. In the subsequent description of the embodiments of the present application, if there is no special description, the node or device that helps the terminal to implement wireless access is referred to as "access network device" for description.

[0074] It can be understood that in the scheme of the embodiments of the present application, the functions of the access network device can also be performed by a module, unit or component (such as a chip) in the access network device, or by a control subsystem containing the functions of the access network device. The control subsystem containing the functions of the access network device herein can be a control center in the above-mentioned application scenarios such as smart grid, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart city. The functions of the terminal can also be performed by a module, unit or component (such as a chip or modem) in the terminal, or by a device containing the functions of the terminal.

[0075] FIG. 2 shows a possible, non-limiting schematic diagram of an ORAN system. As shown in FIG. 2, the ORAN system includes a core network device, an access network device, and a terminal. The access network device communicates with the core network device through a backhaul link and communicates with the terminal through an air interface.

[0076] The access network device includes a BBU and an RU, and the BBU communicates with at least one RU through a fronthaul link. The BBU and the RU can be co-located or not co-located. Specifically, the BBU communicates with the core network device through the backhaul link, and the RU communicates with the terminal through the air interface. The BBU includes at least one CU and at least one DU, and they can communicate through at least one midhaul link.

[0077] FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a possible, non-limiting node function split and protocol layer structure of an access network device. It can be understood that the access network device adopts an ORAN architecture, and the access network device can also be referred to as an ORAN device, which is used to implement wireless access of a terminal.

[0078] It can be understood that the communication between the access network device and the terminal follows a certain protocol layer structure. The protocol layer structure can include a control plane protocol layer structure and a user plane protocol layer structure. For example, the control plane protocol layer structure can include the functions of protocol layers such as a radio resource control (RRC) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, a media access control (MAC) layer, and a physical layer. For example, the user plane protocol layer structure can include the functions of protocol layers such as a PDCP layer, an RLC layer, a MAC layer, and a physical layer, and in a possible implementation, a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer can be further included above the PDCP layer.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 3, the access network device includes logical nodes such as a CU, a DU, and an RU. The CU can be connected to a core network through an interface, for example, the interface can be referred to as an E2 interface. Alternatively, the CU can have part of the functions of the core network. The CU can control at least one DU, and the CU can be connected to the DU through an interface, for example, the interface can be referred to as an F1 interface. Further, a control panel (CP) interface can be referred to as an F1-C, and a user panel (UP) interface can be referred to as an F1-U. The DU can control at least one RU, and the DU can be connected to the RU through an interface, for example, the interface can be a fronthaul interface.

[0080] 1. CU

[0081] The CU can be a logical node that carries the RRC layer, the SDAP layer, the PDCP layer, and other control functions of the access network device. That is, the CU can implement the functions of the RRC layer, the SDAP layer, the PDCP layer, and certain control functions.

[0082] Further, the CU can be split into a CU-CP and a CU-UP. Referring to FIG. 3, the CU-CP is a logical node carrying a control plane part of PDCP (PDCP-C) of an RRC layer and a PDCP layer, for implementing a control plane function of the CU. The CU-CP can interact with a network element for implementing a control plane function in a core network. The network element for implementing the control plane function in the core network can be an access and mobility function network element, for example, an access and mobility management function (AMF) in a 5G communication system. Continuing to refer to FIG. 3, the CU-UP is a logical node carrying a user plane part of PDCP (PDCP-U) layer of an SDAP layer and a PDCP layer, for implementing a user plane function of the CU. The CU-UP can interact with a network element for implementing a user plane function in a core network. The network element for implementing the user plane function in the core network, for example, a user plane function (UPF) in a 5G communication system.

[0083] 2、DU

[0084] The DU can be a logical node carrying an RLC layer, a MAC layer, a higher physical (Higher PHY) layer, and other functions. For example, the higher physical layer can include partial processing functions of the PHY layer, such as forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, and the like. That is, the DU can implement the functions of the RLC layer, the MAC layer, the higher physical layer, and other functions.

[0085] It can be understood that the above configuration of the CU and the DU is merely an example, and the CU and the DU can be configured to have functions as needed. For example, the CU or the DU can be configured to have functions of more protocol layers, or the CU or the DU can be configured to have partial processing functions of the protocol layers. For example, partial functions of the RLC layer and functions of protocol layers above the RLC layer are provided in the CU, and the remaining functions of the RLC layer and functions of protocol layers below the RLC layer are provided in the DU. For another example, the functions of the CU or the DU can be divided according to a service type or other system requirements, for example, according to a delay requirement. Functions that need to meet a relatively low delay requirement in terms of processing time are provided in the DU, and functions that do not need to meet the delay requirement are provided in the CU.

[0086] 3、RU

[0087] The RU can be a logical node that carries lower physical layer (Lower PHY) and radio frequency (RF) chain processing. For example, the lower physical layer includes partial processing functions of the physical layer, such as fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse fast Fourier transformation (IFFT), digital beamforming, and filtering, etc. That is, the RU can implement the functions of the physical layer and the radio frequency.

[0088] In one possible implementation, the RU can be a 3GPP transmission reception point (TRP) or a remote radio head (RRH) or other similar functional entity. The RU communicates with one or more terminals over a wireless link.

[0089] The DU and the RU can be co-located or not co-located, without limitation. Referring to FIG. 3, the DU and the RU can include an O-RAN control user and synchronization (CUS-Plane) plane and an O-RAN management plane (M-Plane). The O-RAN CUS plane can be referred to as the CUS plane, and the O-RAN management plane can be referred to as the management plane. Further, the CUS plane can be split into a control plane (C-Plane) and a user plane (U-Plane). Optionally, the control plane refers to a real-time control plane between the DU and the RU. The management plane refers to a non-real-time management operation between the DU and the RU.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 3, the DU and the RU exchange information of the control plane and information of the user plane through a lower-layer split CUS-Plane (LLS-CUS) interface via a fronthaul link. Further, the LLS-CUS interface can include an LLS-C interface corresponding to the control plane and an LLS-U interface corresponding to the user plane. The DU and the RU exchange information of the management plane through an LLS-M interface of the fronthaul link. Referring to FIG. 3, the LLS-M interface can also be connected to an external management system.

[0091] It can be appreciated that the DU and the RU can cooperate to jointly implement the functions of the physical layer. One DU can be connected with one or more RUs. The functions of the DU and the RU can be configured in multiple ways according to design. For example, the DU is configured to implement baseband functions, and the RU is configured to implement radio frequency functions. For another example, the DU is configured to implement high-layer functions in the physical layer, and the RU is configured to implement low-layer functions in the physical layer or implement the low-layer functions and radio frequency functions. The high-layer functions in the physical layer can include a part of the functions of the physical layer that are closer to the MAC layer, and the low-layer functions in the physical layer can include another part of the functions of the physical layer that are closer to the radio frequency side.

[0092] In 5G new radio (NR), a wireless communication system is usually deployed in a high frequency band, and a large bandwidth is used to achieve high data rate and low latency. In a time division duplex (TDD) system, the downlink (DL) link usually occupies the main time resource, which causes an imbalance in the coverage between the DL and the uplink (UL) link. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, in a TDD cycle, there are 4 DL slots and 1 UL slot. Compared with a frequency division duplexing (FDD) system, the uplink coverage of the TDD system is poor, and the latency is large. To solve the above problems of the TDD system, a subband full duplex (SBFD) scheme is introduced in Release-19 (Rel-19, referred to as R19) of the 3GPP standard.

[0093] In the SBFD scheme, a carrier is divided into multiple subbands, and the link directions of the multiple subbands are different. For example, the multiple subbands include downlink subbands and uplink subbands. The downlink subbands are used for downlink transmission, and the uplink subbands are used for uplink transmission. A typical SBFD scheme is shown in FIG. 5. A carrier is divided into 3 subbands, the middle subband is an uplink subband (UL subband), and the two side subbands are downlink subbands (DL subbands). Another typical SBFD scheme is shown in FIG. 6. A carrier is divided into 2 subbands, the uplink subband is a downlink subband (DL subband), and the downlink subband is an uplink subband (UL subband).

[0094] It can be understood that the SBFD scheme also has the concept of time domain, and the SBFD uplink / downlink subband can be configured on a certain time slot or a certain symbol. Meanwhile, R19 also stipulates that the SBFD uplink / downlink subband can be configured on a downlink symbol or a flexible symbol. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, one TDD cycle includes 5 time slots (slots), and the SBFD uplink / downlink subband is configured on the 2nd / 3rd / 4th time slot of the TDD cycle; the 1st time slot and the 5th time slot of the TDD cycle are not configured with the SBFD uplink / downlink subband, the 1st time slot is a downlink time slot (DL time slot), and the 5th time slot is an uplink time slot (UL time slot), and the time slot configured with the SBFD uplink / downlink subband is referred to as an SBFD time slot.

[0095] In addition, in R19, the technical route of "subband full duplex on the side of the access network device and subband half duplex on the side of the terminal" is adopted.

[0096] It can be understood that when the link direction of the SBFD symbol is uplink, the terminal transmits uplink information on the SBFD symbol and the uplink subband. Or, when the link direction of the SBFD symbol is downlink, the terminal receives downlink information on the SBFD symbol and the downlink subband. The so-called subband half duplex on the side of the terminal means that the terminal can only receive downlink information on the downlink subband or transmit uplink information on the uplink subband on one SBFD symbol, and cannot receive and transmit simultaneously.

[0097] For one SBFD symbol, the access network device side can schedule / configure the link direction of the SBFD symbol to be different for multiple terminals. For example, for terminal A, the access network device schedules / configures the link direction of the SBFD symbol to be uplink, and terminal A transmits uplink information to the access network device on the SBFD symbol and the uplink subband. For terminal B, the access network device schedules / configures the link direction of the SBFD symbol to be downlink, and terminal B receives downlink information from the access network device on the SBFD symbol and the downlink subband. The access network device receives uplink information from terminal A on the uplink subband and transmits downlink information to terminal B on the downlink subband on the SBFD symbol. The so-called subband full duplex on the side of the access network device means that the access network device can simultaneously transmit downlink information on the downlink subband and receive uplink information on the uplink subband on the SBFD symbol. Of course, the terminal receiving downlink information on the SBFD symbol and the downlink subband and the terminal transmitting uplink information on the SBFD symbol and the uplink subband are different terminals.

[0098] By introducing the SBFD scheme: on the side of the access network device, the access network device can realize simultaneous transmission and reception through different frequency domain resource subbands on the SBFD symbol. On the side of the terminal, since the downlink symbol or the flexible symbol is configured as the SBFD symbol, the available uplink time domain transmission resources of the terminal are increased, which can effectively improve the uplink coverage and reduce the uplink delay.

[0099] In one scheme, for a time slot including SBFD symbols, the access network device can configure the link direction of the symbols in the time slot. Regardless of the form in which the access network device specifically configures the link direction of the symbols in the time slot, the link direction of the symbols in the time slot satisfies any one of the following three formats:

[0100] 1. Full downlink, the link direction of all symbols in the time slot is downlink;

[0101] 2. Full uplink, the link direction of all symbols in the time slot is uplink;

[0102] 3. The link direction of the first X2 symbols of the time slot is downlink, and the link direction of the last Y2 symbols of the time slot is uplink.

[0103] It can be understood that if the first X2 symbols of the time slot are not configured with a link direction, the time slot has no downlink symbols, and in one understanding, the link direction of the first X2 symbols described above can be considered flexible. Or if the last Y2 symbols of the time slot are not configured with a link direction, the time slot has no uplink symbols, and in one understanding, the link direction of the last Y2 symbols described above can be considered flexible. X2 and Y2 are positive integers, and the sum of X2 and Y2 is less than or equal to the total number of symbols included in a time slot. For example, if the values of X2 and Y2 are less than the total number of symbols included in a time slot, the remaining symbols in the time slot are flexible symbols.

[0104] Since the access network device can only configure the link direction of the symbols in the time slot according to the above three formats, for a time slot including SBFD symbols, the flexibility of configuring the link direction of the symbols in the time slot is poor, and the access network device cannot flexibly implement sub-band full-duplex in the SBFD symbols. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the access network device configures the link direction of the symbols in a time slot for terminal 1, terminal 2, and terminal 3 according to the format 3 described above. It can be seen that for the above three terminals: the link direction of the first P symbols of the time slot is downlink, and the access network device can only send downlink information on the first P symbols of the time slot; the link direction of the last Q symbols of the time slot is uplink, and the access network device can only receive uplink information on the last Q symbols of the time slot; the access network device cannot implement sub-band full-duplex on the first P symbols and the last Q symbols of the time slot.

[0105] In view of the above, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, in which: a new format is added, which is used to configure the link direction of the symbols in a slot, and the format is opposite to the link direction of the above-mentioned third format, for example: one or more symbols at the beginning of a slot are uplink symbols, and one or more symbols at the end of the slot are downlink symbols; the format and the above-mentioned third format can be used in combination to flexibly realize the full-duplex of the access network device in the sub-band of the SBFD symbol. For example, for a slot including an SBFD symbol: the link direction of the symbols in the slot is configured for terminal 1 according to the above-mentioned format 3; the link direction of the symbols in the slot is configured for terminal 2 according to the newly added format; because for terminal 1, the link direction at the beginning of the slot is downlink, and for terminal 2, the link direction at the beginning of the slot is uplink, the full-duplex of the access network device can be realized; similarly, for terminal 1, the link direction at the end of the slot is uplink, and for terminal 2, the link direction at the end of the slot is downlink, the full-duplex of the access network device can be realized.

[0106] In each flowchart of the embodiments of the present application, the execution subject can be a terminal, an access network device, or a module, unit or component (for example, a chip, a chip system, a processor, a circuit or the like) in the terminal or the access network device. Hereinafter, the execution subject is taken as a terminal and an access network device for example. When the execution subject is a module, unit or component in the terminal or the access network device, the receiving / sending can be understood as inputting / outputting, that is, the module communicates with other modules or components of the terminal or the access network device. In addition, the processing performed by a single execution subject can also be divided into processing performed by multiple execution subjects, which can be logically and / or physically separated. For example, the processing performed by the access network device can be divided into processing performed by at least one of a CU, a DU, an RU and the like.

[0107] FIG. 8 is a schematic interaction diagram of a communication method 8000 provided by the embodiments of the present application. It can be understood that steps 810 to 830 are only for describing the process of the communication method 8000, and should not constitute a limitation on the method 8000. Steps 810 to 830 can be divided into more steps, or combined into fewer steps, and the order of steps 810 to 830 is not limited.

[0108] Step 810: The access network device sends first information, and the terminal receives the first information.

[0109] The first information is used to configure a link direction of the first time unit including a symbol. In some descriptions, the link direction of the symbol can be replaced by a symbol type of the symbol; for example, the first information is used to configure a symbol type of the first time unit including a symbol. In some descriptions, the link direction of the first time unit including a symbol can be replaced by a format of the first time unit. For example, the first information is used to configure a format of the first time unit. It can be understood that the first time unit can be a slot, and the above description can be replaced by: the first information is used to configure a format of a slot.

[0110] In a possible implementation, the first time unit includes a plurality of symbols. The access network device can configure, through the first information, a link direction of a part of the plurality of symbols or all of the plurality of symbols. For example, the access network device can configure, through the first information, that the link directions of the plurality of symbols are all uplink, or the link directions of the plurality of symbols are all downlink, or a part of the link directions of the plurality of symbols are uplink, and / or a part of the link directions of the plurality of symbols are downlink. It can be understood that, for a symbol, if the link direction of the symbol is neither configured as an uplink direction nor configured as a downlink direction, or described as the symbol is not configured with a link direction, the link direction of the symbol is flexible.

[0111] In the embodiment of the present application, the first time unit includes one or more symbols: if a symbol is configured with SBFD uplink and downlink subbands or SBFD operation, the symbol can be referred to as an SBFD symbol. In a possible implementation, the SBFD uplink and downlink subbands or SBFD operation can be configured on a downlink symbol or a flexible symbol, that is, the SBFD symbol can be a downlink symbol or a flexible symbol. It can be understood that the downlink symbol or the flexible symbol can be a symbol configured by a high-layer parameter time division duplex-uplink-downlink-configuration common (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon) in RRC signaling, which will be described in detail below. If a symbol is not configured with SBFD uplink and downlink subbands or SBFD operation, the symbol is referred to as a non-SBFD symbol. It can be understood that, for uplink transmission, the non-SBFD symbol can be an uplink symbol or a flexible symbol, and for downlink transmission, the non-SBFD symbol can be a downlink symbol or a flexible symbol.

[0112] The first time unit includes at least one SBFD symbol, and there is no limitation on whether the first time unit includes a non-SBFD symbol. For example, in an embodiment of the present application, the first time unit includes a plurality of SBFD symbols and does not include a non-SBFD symbol, which corresponds to the SBFD configuration mode 1 below. Alternatively, the first time unit includes both SBFD symbols and non-SBFD symbols, which corresponds to the SBFD configuration mode 2 below. Regarding the SBFD configuration mode, the following applies:

[0113] SBFD configuration mode 1: The symbols included in the first time unit can all be configured as SBFD symbols or all be configured as non-SBFD symbols.

[0114] SBFD configuration mode 2: The symbols included in the first time unit are configured as SBFD symbols in one part and as non-SBFD symbols in another part.

[0115] It can be understood that there is another case for the SBFD configuration mode 1: the first time unit includes a plurality of non-SBFD symbols and does not include SBFD symbols. Since the present application focuses on determining the link direction and transmission of the "SBFD symbol", no further description is provided for the above case.

[0116] The SBFD symbol corresponds to a frequency domain resource (for example, one carrier) that can include a downlink subband and an uplink subband. The downlink subband is used for downlink transmission, and the uplink subband is used for uplink transmission. There is no limitation on whether there is a guard band between the downlink subband and the uplink subband and whether transmission can be performed on the guard band. In addition, the present application does not limit whether the downlink subband and the uplink subband overlap.

[0117] In some descriptions, the first time unit refers to a period of time in the time domain. For example, the first time unit can refer to a time slot. It can be understood that a time slot can include one or more symbols. For example, a time slot can include 14 symbols under normal cyclic prefix (CP), and a time slot can include 12 symbols under extended CP. That is, the first time unit in an embodiment of the present application can include one or more symbols, for example, 14 symbols, or 12 symbols, etc. In an embodiment of the present application, a symbol can be an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol or a discrete fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-s-OFDM) symbol, and there is no limitation.

[0118] In a possible implementation, the first time unit of the first information configuration includes that the link directions of the symbols satisfy a first format, and the first format is one of a plurality of formats, for example, the plurality of formats are specifically as follows:

[0119] Format 1: the link directions of all symbols of one time unit are downlink;

[0120] Format 2: the link directions of all symbols of one time unit are uplink;

[0121] Format 3: the link directions of the first X2 symbols of one time unit are downlink, and / or, the link directions of the last Y2 symbols of one time unit are uplink, X2 and Y2 are positive integers, and the sum of X2 and Y2 is less than or equal to the total number of symbols included in one time unit.

[0122] For format 3, the link directions of the first X2 symbols and the link directions of the last Y2 symbols can be configured at the same time. If the sum of X2 and Y2 is less than the total number of symbols included in one time unit, the link directions of the symbols other than the first X2 symbols and the last Y2 symbols in the time unit are not limited, for example, the link directions of the symbols other than the first X2 symbols and the last Y2 symbols are flexible. Alternatively, the link directions of the first X2 symbols can be configured, and the link directions of the last Y2 symbols are not configured. The link directions of the symbols other than the first X2 symbols in the time unit are not limited, for example, the link directions of the symbols other than the first X2 symbols can be flexible. Alternatively, the link directions of the last Y2 symbols can be configured, and the link directions of the first X2 symbols are not configured. The link directions of the symbols other than the last Y2 symbols in the time unit are not limited, for example, the link directions of the symbols other than the last Y2 symbols can be flexible.

[0123] Format 4: the link directions of the first X1 symbols of one time unit are uplink, and / or, the link directions of the last Y1 symbols of one time unit are downlink, X1 and Y1 are positive integers, and the sum of X1 and Y1 is less than or equal to the total number of symbols included in one time unit.

[0124] For format 4, the link directions of the first X1 symbols and the last Y1 symbols can be configured simultaneously. If the sum of X1 and Y1 is less than the total number of symbols included in a time unit, the link directions of the symbols other than the first X1 symbols and the last Y1 symbols in the time unit are flexible. Alternatively, the link directions of the first X1 symbols can be configured, and the link directions of the last Y1 symbols can not be configured. The link directions of the symbols other than the first X1 symbols in the time unit are not limited, for example, the link directions of the symbols other than the first X1 symbols can be flexible. Alternatively, the link directions of the last Y1 symbols can be configured, and the link directions of the first X1 symbols can not be configured. The link directions of the symbols other than the last Y1 symbols in the time unit are not limited, for example, the link directions of the symbols other than the last Y1 symbols can be flexible.

[0125] In one understanding, the access network device selects any one of the above four formats, and configures the link directions of the symbols included in the first time unit according to any one of the above formats. Then, the access network device sends first information to the terminal, and the link directions of the symbols included in the first time unit configured by the first information can satisfy any one of the above formats. For example, in one description, the link directions of the symbols included in the first time unit configured by the first information satisfy the first format, and it can be understood that the first format can be any one of the above four formats. In some descriptions, the above format 4 can be referred to as a second format, and when the above first format satisfies the above format 4, the first format is the same as the second format, and both are essentially one format.

[0126] Step 820: The terminal communicates with the access network device according to the link directions of the SBFD symbols.

[0127] In one possible implementation, the above "the first information is used to configure the link directions of the symbols included in the first time unit" specifically means that the first information is used to configure the link directions of the SBFD symbols included in the first time unit. Therefore, the terminal can determine the link directions of the SBFD symbols included in the first time unit according to the first information. The first information is not limited to whether it is used to configure the link directions of the non-SBFD symbols included in the first time unit.

[0128] In another possible implementation, the above "the first information is used to configure the link directions of the symbols included in the first time unit" specifically means that the first information is used to configure the link directions of the SBFD symbols and the non-SBFD symbols included in the first time unit. For example, the terminal can determine the link directions of all the symbols included in the first time unit according to the first information. Since the symbols included in the first time unit include SBFD symbols, the terminal can determine the link directions of the SBFD symbols.

[0129] It can be seen that in the above two possible implementation manners, the link direction of the SBFD symbol is determined according to the first information.

[0130] Optionally, in step 830, the access network device communicates with the terminal according to the link direction of the SBFD symbol.

[0131] In one understanding, since the access network device configures the terminal with the link direction of the symbol in the first time unit, and the first time unit includes at least one SBFD symbol, the access network device can obtain the link direction configured for the SBFD symbol; or described as: the link direction of the SBFD symbol is determined according to the link direction of the symbol in the first time unit, or described as: the link direction of the SBFD symbol is determined according to the first information.

[0132] Specifically, the link direction of the SBFD symbol can be downlink, uplink, or flexible. In the following, the embodiments of the present application are described taking three cases of the link direction of the SBFD symbol as downlink, uplink, and flexible.

[0133] Example 1: The link direction of the SBFD symbol is downlink.

[0134] 1.1: The link direction of the SBFD symbol is downlink. If the access network device configures or instructs the terminal to perform downlink transmission in the SBFD symbol, the terminal can perform downlink transmission in the SBFD symbol and the frequency domain resource (for example, the first frequency domain resource) corresponding to the SBFD symbol. In one description, the terminal performs downlink transmission or uplink transmission in the SBFD symbol and the frequency domain resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol, which can be replaced by: the terminal performs downlink transmission or uplink transmission in the frequency domain resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol. On this basis, further, if the access network device further configures or instructs the terminal to perform uplink transmission in the SBFD symbol, the terminal can not perform the operation of sending uplink information on the SBFD symbol. Or, described as: the terminal does not expect to be configured or instructed to send uplink information in the SBFD symbol.

[0135] For example, the access network device configures or instructs the terminal to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and the access network device sends downlink information to the terminal in the SBFD symbol and the first frequency domain resource; correspondingly, the terminal is configured or instructed to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and the terminal receives the downlink information from the access network device in the SBFD symbol and the first frequency domain resource. Wherein, the first frequency domain resource is the downlink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol. For example, the first frequency domain resource is the downlink sub-band of the SBFD symbol.

[0136] On the basis of the above, further, the access network device also configures or instructs the terminal to send uplink information on the SBFD symbol, on which the access network device does not perform the operation of receiving uplink information from the terminal; correspondingly, the terminal is also configured or instructed to send uplink information on the SBFD symbol, on which the terminal does not perform the operation of sending uplink information to the access network device. For example, the terminal cancels sending uplink information on the SBFD symbol, postpones sending uplink information on the SBFD symbol, for example, sends uplink information on other symbols after the SBFD symbol, which can be SBFD symbols or non-SBFD symbols, without limitation, or discards the uplink information, for example, the terminal can discard the uplink information corresponding to the SBFD symbol, or discard the entire uplink transmission corresponding to the uplink information. For example, the access network device configures or instructs the terminal to send uplink information on M symbols at a time, which includes the SBFD symbol; if the link direction of the SBFD symbol is downlink and the terminal is configured or instructed to send uplink information on the SBFD symbol, the terminal can discard the uplink information corresponding to the M symbols.

[0137] 1.2: Although the link direction of the SBFD symbol is downlink, if the terminal is not configured or instructed to perform downlink transmission on the SBFD symbol, and the terminal is configured or instructed to perform uplink transmission on the SBFD symbol, the terminal can perform uplink transmission within the range of the SBFD symbol and the frequency domain resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol (for example, the second frequency domain resource), thereby improving the utilization of the SBFD symbol and its corresponding frequency domain resource.

[0138] For example, the access network device does not configure or instruct the terminal to receive downlink information on the SBFD symbol, and configures or instructs the terminal to send uplink information on the SBFD symbol, then the access network device receives uplink information from the terminal within the range of the SBFD symbol and the second frequency domain resource. Correspondingly, the terminal is not configured or instructed to receive downlink information on the SBFD symbol, and the terminal is configured or instructed to send uplink information on the SBFD symbol, then the terminal sends uplink information to the access network device within the range of the SBFD symbol and the second frequency domain resource. Wherein, the second frequency domain resource is the uplink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol. For example, the second frequency domain resource can be the uplink sub-band of the SBFD symbol.

[0139] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the downlink information can refer to downlink data information and / or downlink control information, that is, the access network device can configure or instruct the terminal to receive the downlink data information and / or the downlink control information from the access network device on the SBFD symbol; according to the configuration or instruction of the access network device, the terminal can receive the downlink data information and / or the downlink control information from the access network device within the SBFD symbol and the first frequency domain resource range. The uplink information can refer to uplink data information or uplink control information, that is, the access network device can configure or instruct the terminal to send the uplink data information or the uplink control information on the SBFD symbol; according to the configuration or instruction of the access network device, the terminal can send the uplink data information or the uplink control information to the access network device on the SBFD symbol and the second frequency domain resource.

[0140] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, "configuration" can refer to semi-static configuration, for example, the access network device configures the terminal to send the uplink information or receive the downlink information on the SBFD symbol in the manner of configured grant (CG). "Indication" can refer to dynamic scheduling, for example, the access network device sends the downlink control information (DCI) to the terminal, and the DCI is used to schedule the terminal to send the uplink information or receive the downlink information on the SBFD symbol.

[0141] Example 2: The link direction of the SBFD symbol is uplink.

[0142] 2.1: The link direction of the SBFD symbol is uplink. If the access network device configures or instructs the terminal to perform uplink transmission on the SBFD symbol, the terminal performs uplink transmission within the SBFD symbol and the corresponding second frequency domain resource range. On this basis, further, if the access network device also configures or instructs the terminal to perform downlink transmission on the SBFD symbol, the terminal can not perform the operation of receiving the downlink information on the SBFD symbol. Or, the description is: the terminal does not expect to be configured or instructed to receive the downlink information on the SBFD symbol.

[0143] For example, the access network device configures or instructs the terminal to send the uplink information on the SBFD symbol, and the access network device receives the uplink information from the terminal within the SBFD symbol and the second frequency domain resource range; correspondingly, the terminal is configured or instructed to send the uplink information on the SBFD symbol, and the terminal sends the uplink information to the access network device within the SBFD symbol and the second frequency domain resource range.

[0144] On the basis of the above, further, the access network device also configures or instructs the terminal to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and the access network device does not perform sending the downlink signal to the terminal in the SBFD symbol. Correspondingly, the terminal is also configured or instructed to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and the terminal does not perform receiving the downlink information from the access network device in the SBFD symbol. For example, the terminal postpones receiving the downlink information, for example, the terminal receives the downlink information on other symbols after the SBFD symbol, which can be an SBFD symbol or a non-SBFD symbol, without limitation. Or, the terminal discards the downlink information, such as the terminal discards the downlink information of the SBFD symbol, or the terminal discards all the downlink information currently configured or instructed, and the like.

[0145] 2.2: Although the link direction of the SBFD symbol is uplink, if the terminal is not configured or instructed to perform uplink transmission on the SBFD symbol, and the terminal is configured or instructed to perform downlink transmission on the SBFD symbol, the terminal can perform downlink transmission on the SBFD symbol and the corresponding first frequency domain resource, thereby improving the utilization of the SBFD symbol and the corresponding frequency domain resource.

[0146] For example, the access network device does not configure or instruct the terminal to send uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and configures or instructs the terminal to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and the access network device sends the downlink information to the terminal in the SBFD symbol and the first frequency domain resource range. Correspondingly, the terminal is not configured or instructed to send uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and the terminal is configured or instructed to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and the terminal receives the downlink information from the access network device in the SBFD symbol and the first frequency domain resource range.

[0147] Example 3: The link direction of the SBFD symbol is flexible.

[0148] In one understanding, if the first information does not configure the link direction of the SBFD symbol, or the first information does not configure the link direction of the SBFD symbol as uplink or downlink, it is considered that the link direction of the SBFD symbol is flexible. In another understanding, the first information can configure the link direction of the SBFD symbol as flexible. In one possible implementation, the following two scenarios can cause the SBFD symbol to be not configured with a link direction:

[0149] 1) The first information does not include the indication information corresponding to the first time unit, and the terminal can consider that the link direction of the SBFD symbol included in the first time unit is flexible.

[0150] 2) The first information indicates that the link direction of part of the symbols in the first time unit is uplink or downlink, and other symbols are not indicated to be uplink or downlink, and the other symbols include SBFD symbols, and it is considered that the link direction of the SBFD symbols is flexible.

[0151] It can be understood that when the link direction of the SBFD symbol is flexible, the terminal performs uplink transmission or downlink transmission according to whether the SBFD symbol is configured or indicated by the network device. For example, the network device configures the terminal to perform uplink transmission in the SBFD symbol, and the terminal transmits uplink information in the SBFD symbol and the second frequency domain resource range. Alternatively, the network device configures the terminal to perform downlink transmission in the SBFD symbol, and the terminal receives downlink information in the SBFD symbol and the first frequency domain resource range. Alternatively, the network device configures the terminal to perform uplink transmission and downlink transmission in the SBFD symbol, and the terminal determines uplink transmission or downlink transmission according to a first criterion, and performs corresponding transmission. The first criterion can be a link conflict criterion, and the first criterion is predefined or configured or indicated to the terminal, for example, the network device determines the first criterion and configures or indicates the first criterion to the terminal. Details are as follows:

[0152] 3.1: The network device configures or indicates the terminal to transmit uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and the network device receives the uplink information from the terminal in the SBFD symbol and the second frequency domain resource. Correspondingly, the terminal is configured or indicated to transmit uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and the terminal transmits the uplink information to the network device in the SBFD symbol and the second frequency domain resource range.

[0153] 3.2: The network device configures or indicates the terminal to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and the network device transmits the downlink information to the terminal in the SBFD symbol and the first frequency domain resource range. Correspondingly, the terminal is configured or indicated to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and the terminal receives the downlink information from the network device in the SBFD symbol and the first frequency domain resource range.

[0154] 3.3: The network device configures or indicates the terminal to transmit uplink information and receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and the network device determines uplink transmission or downlink transmission according to a first criterion. If uplink transmission is determined, the network device receives the uplink information from the terminal in the SBFD symbol and the second frequency domain resource. Alternatively, if downlink transmission is determined, the network device transmits the downlink information to the terminal in the SBFD symbol and the first frequency domain resource range.

[0155] In a possible implementation, the first criterion includes one or more of the following criteria:

[0156] 1. If a dynamically scheduled downlink reception and a semi-statically configured uplink transmission collide, the terminal cancels the uplink transmission and performs the downlink reception.

[0157] 2. If a semi-statically configured downlink reception and a dynamically scheduled uplink transmission collide, the terminal cancels the downlink reception and performs the uplink transmission.

[0158] 3. If a semi-statically configured downlink reception and a semi-statically configured uplink transmission collide, the terminal considers it as an error case. Optionally, in the case that the terminal considers it as an error case, the terminal can neither perform the downlink reception nor the uplink transmission, or the terminal can perform one of the downlink reception or the uplink transmission without limitation.

[0159] 4. If a dynamically scheduled downlink reception and a dynamically scheduled uplink transmission collide, the terminal considers it as an error case. Optionally, in the case that the terminal considers it as an error case, the terminal can neither perform the downlink reception nor the uplink transmission, or the terminal can perform one of the downlink reception or the uplink transmission without limitation.

[0160] 5. If a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SSB) and a dynamically scheduled or semi-statically configured uplink transmission collide, the SSB is prioritized over the uplink transmission. Specifically, there are the following implementation manners:

[0161] Implementation manner one, a time slot containing an SSB is considered as a downlink time slot, i.e., the terminal can only perform the downlink reception in the time slot containing the SSB, and cannot perform the uplink transmission.

[0162] Implementation manner two, in a symbol where the SSB is located, the terminal performs the downlink reception and does not perform the uplink transmission, and in a symbol other than the symbol where the SSB is located in the time slot where the SSB is located, the terminal can perform the uplink transmission or the downlink reception.

[0163] If a dynamically or semi-statically configured downlink reception and a valid random access occasion collide, the terminal can perform the downlink reception or initiate random access using the random access occasion.

[0164] Correspondingly, the terminal is configured or instructed to send uplink information and receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and the terminal determines uplink transmission or downlink transmission according to a first criterion; if it is determined that the uplink transmission, the terminal sends the uplink information to the access network device in the SBFD symbol and the second frequency domain resource range; or if it is determined that the downlink transmission, the terminal receives the downlink information from the access network device in the SBFD symbol and the first frequency domain resource.

[0165] In a possible implementation, in addition to sending downlink information in the SBFD symbol and the first frequency domain resource range, the access network device can also send downlink information in the SBFD symbol and other frequency domain resources except the first frequency domain resource. For example, the downlink information is broadcast information or user groupcast information. In one understanding, for a terminal supporting SBFD, the downlink information can be received in the SBFD symbol and the first frequency domain resource range; for a terminal not supporting the SBFD symbol, the downlink information can be received in the SBFD symbol and other frequency domain resources except the first frequency domain resource.

[0166] In a possible implementation, in addition to receiving uplink information in the SBFD symbol and the second frequency domain resource range, the access network device can also receive uplink information in the SBFD symbol and other frequency domain resources except the second frequency domain resource. In one understanding, for a terminal supporting SBFD, the uplink information can be sent in the SBFD symbol and the second frequency domain resource range; for a terminal not supporting SBFD, the uplink information can be sent in the SBFD symbol and other frequency domain resources except the second frequency domain resource.

[0167] In a possible implementation, before step 810 in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the following steps are further included:

[0168] The access network device can configure a link direction of a symbol in a time unit (for example, a time slot) for the terminal. For example, the access network device configures the link direction of the symbol included in each time unit in a TDD cycle. For example, the access network device can configure a TDD cycle for the terminal, and the TDD cycle includes a plurality of time units, and the access network device configures the link direction of the symbol included in each time unit in the TDD cycle.

[0169] For example, the access network device sends an RRC message to the terminal, the RRC message includes a high layer parameter, for example, the high layer parameter is a time division duplex-uplink-downlink-common configuration (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon). The high layer parameter is used to configure the link direction of each time unit including symbols in a TDD cycle. Optionally, the high layer parameter can be a cell-common TDD configuration or a cell-specific TDD configuration, and the access network device configures the high layer parameter in a cell unit. For example, the access network device broadcasts an RRC message in a cell, and all terminals in the cell can receive the RRC message to obtain the high layer parameter included in the RRC message, and determine the TDD configuration according to the high layer parameter. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the access network device configures a TDD cycle for the terminal to include five time slots, and the link direction of symbols in the first time slot to the fourth time slot is all downlink (which can be referred to as the first time slot to the fourth time slot as downlink UL time slots), and the link direction of symbols in the fifth time slot is all uplink (which can be referred to as the fifth time slot as an uplink UL time slot).

[0170] It can be understood that the link direction of symbols in a time unit can be configured to be the same (as shown in FIG. 4), or the link direction of symbols in a time slot can be configured to be different, without limitation. For example, a time slot includes a plurality of symbols: the link direction of the plurality of symbols can be configured to be all downlink, or the link direction of the plurality of symbols can be configured to be all uplink, or the link direction of the plurality of symbols can be configured to be flexible; or the link direction of the plurality of symbols is a combination of any two or three of the following three ways: a part of the symbols is configured to be uplink, a part of the symbols is configured to be downlink; a part of the symbols is configured to be flexible.

[0171] Further, on a downlink symbol or a flexible symbol, the access network device can configure an SBFD uplink-downlink subband or an SBFD operation. That is, the access network device can configure an SBFD uplink-downlink subband or an SBFD operation on a symbol configured as downlink or flexible by the above-mentioned high layer parameter; the SBFD symbol can refer to a symbol configured with an SBFD uplink-downlink subband or an SBFD symbol, and the SBFD symbol can be a downlink symbol or a flexible symbol.

[0172] After the above-mentioned step 810, the access network device can send first information to the terminal, and the first information can be used to configure the link direction of symbols in a first time unit, and the first time unit includes at least one SBFD symbol. It can be understood that the first time unit can be any time unit including an SBFD symbol.

[0173] It can be understood that since the above high layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon) configures the link direction of the symbol in the time unit in TDD cycle. The terminal can determine the link direction of the symbol in the first time unit according to the high layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon); then, in step 810, the access network device sends the first information to the terminal, and the first information can configure the link direction of the symbol in the first time unit. In one understanding, the first information only configures the link direction of the SBFD symbol in the first time unit. Alternatively, in another understanding, the first information simultaneously configures the link direction of the SBFD symbol and the non-SBFD symbol in the first time unit. The first information can have a corresponding validity principle, for example:

[0174] 1. The symbol configured as uplink by the high layer parameter (for example, the uplink symbol), the first information cannot reconfigure the link direction of the symbol, or in other words, the first information cannot reconfigure the link direction of the uplink symbol, or in other words, for the uplink symbol, the first information cannot change the link direction of the symbol, or in other words, for the symbol configured as uplink by the high layer parameter, even if it is reconfigured as downlink by the first information, the configuration cannot take effect, that is, the link direction of the symbol remains uplink. For example, for a symbol, the high layer parameter configures the link direction of the symbol as uplink: if the first information configures the link direction of the symbol as different from uplink, the configuration cannot take effect; for example, the first information configures the link direction of the symbol as downlink, the configuration of the first information does not take effect, and the link direction of the symbol remains uplink.

[0175] 2、the downlink or flexible symbol is not configured as an SBFD symbol (it can be understood that a symbol is configured with SBFD uplink-downlink subband or SBFD operation, and the symbol is referred to as an SBFD symbol), the configuration of the link direction of the downlink or flexible symbol can refer to the current scheme. For example, in the current scheme, the flexible symbol supports reconfiguration, and the flexible symbol can be reconfigured as a downlink symbol or an uplink symbol. The downlink symbol does not support reconfiguration, and the downlink symbol cannot be reconfigured as an uplink symbol or a flexible symbol. Alternatively, if the downlink symbol or the flexible symbol is configured as an SBFD symbol, the downlink symbol or the flexible symbol can support reconfiguration. For example, the first information can reconfigure the link direction of the above-mentioned downlink symbol or flexible symbol, or in other words, for the above-mentioned downlink symbol or flexible symbol, the first information can change the link direction of the symbol. For example, for a symbol, the high-layer parameter configures the link direction of the symbol as downlink or flexible, and the downlink symbol or the flexible symbol is configured as an SBFD symbol, and the first information can reconfigure the link direction of the symbol. For example, for a downlink symbol that is an SBFD symbol, the first information can reconfigure the symbol as an uplink symbol. For a flexible symbol that is an SBFD symbol, the first information can reconfigure the symbol as an uplink symbol or a downlink symbol.

[0176] In the above-mentioned validity principle of the first information, the high-layer parameter includes a high-layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon); further, the high-layer parameter also includes a high-layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated). It can be understood that, since the SBFD symbol is configured on the flexible symbol or the downlink symbol configured by the high-layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon), in the above-mentioned validity principle of the first information, the configuration of the first information reconfiguring the link direction of the flexible symbol or the downlink symbol can be valid, and the link direction of the SBFD symbol can be reconfigured by the first information. For example, the SBFD uplink-downlink subband or the SBFD operation is configured on the downlink symbol X, and the downlink symbol X can be referred to as an SBFD symbol; the first information reconfigures the link direction of the downlink symbol X as an uplink, and it is determined that the link direction of the downlink symbol X, i.e., the SBFD symbol, is uplink.

[0177] In one understanding, the symbol configured with the SBFD uplink / downlink subband or the SBFD operation is referred to as an SBFD symbol, because the SBFD uplink / downlink subband or the SBFD operation is configured in the flexible symbol or the downlink symbol configured by the high-layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon). The link direction of the SBFD symbol is not clear. In the embodiments of the present application, the first information can configure the link direction of the SBFD symbol. For example, the link direction reconfigured on the flexible symbol or the downlink symbol configured by the high-layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon) by the first information can take effect, thereby solving the problem that the terminal cannot determine the link direction of the SBFD symbol.

[0178] In one possible implementation, the first information can be carried in an RRC message. For example, the first information is carried in a parameter in an RRC message for determining the uplink / downlink TDD configuration of the terminal. For example, the parameter can be a high-layer parameter, which can be TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated.

[0179] For example, the access network device sends an RRC message to the terminal, and the RRC message includes a high-layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated) carrying the first information. The first information is used to configure the link direction of the SBFD symbol in the first time unit. For example, the terminal can determine the link direction of the SBFD symbol in the first time unit according to the first information. Further, the first information can also optionally configure the link direction of the non-SBFD symbol in the first time unit. For example, the terminal can also determine the link direction of the non-SBFD symbol in the first time unit according to the first information.

[0180] In one understanding, the high-layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated) is used to semi-statically configure the TDD configuration of one terminal, or referred to as semi-statically configuring the terminal-specific TDD configuration. For example, the TDD configuration can add time slots in the TDD period configured by the cell in common, and / or delete time slots, to form a new TDD period. Further, the link direction of each time slot including symbols is configured in the new TDD period. Or, the link direction of each time slot including symbols is reconfigured in the TDD period configured by the cell in common, and the symbols include the SBFD symbol and the non-SBFD symbol. It can be understood that the TDD period configured by the cell in common refers to the TDD period configured by the high-layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon). It can be understood that in the above description, the time unit is taken as an example of the time slot. In the description of the present application, the description of the time unit and the time slot is not distinguished, and the description of the time unit and the time slot can be replaced with each other, unless otherwise specified.

[0181] In a current solution, the validity principle of the higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated) is as follows:

[0182] 1. For a symbol configured as uplink or downlink by the higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon), the higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated) cannot change the link direction of the symbol; that is, the higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated) cannot configure the opposite link direction for the uplink symbol or the downlink symbol.

[0183] 2. For a symbol configured as flexible by the higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon), the higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated) can reconfigure the flexible symbol as a downlink symbol or an uplink symbol. In some descriptions, “reconfigure” is also replaced by “rewrite” or “reconfigure” and the like.

[0184] Since the SBFD symbol is configured on a downlink symbol or a flexible symbol, and the higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon) can only reconfigure the link direction on the flexible symbol, the higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon) can only configure the link direction of the SBFD symbol on the flexible symbol, and cannot configure the link direction of the SBFD symbol on the downlink symbol.

[0185] In view of the above, the validity principle of the higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated) is modified; in the embodiments of the present application, the validity principle of the modified higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated) is as follows:

[0186] 1. The symbol configured as uplink by the higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon) (uplink symbol), the higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated) cannot reconfigure the link direction of the symbol; that is, for the uplink symbol, the higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated) cannot reconfigure the link direction thereof. For example, for the symbol configured as uplink by the higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon), the higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated) can not reconfigure the link direction thereof, or the link direction of the above uplink symbol is still reconfigured as uplink. For the higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated) that cannot reconfigure the link direction of the uplink symbol, other descriptions can be replaced, and specific reference is made to the description in the validity principle of the first information.

[0187] 2. The symbol configured as downlink or flexible by the higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon) (downlink symbol or flexible symbol): if the downlink symbol or the flexible symbol is not configured as an SBFD symbol, the validity principle of the configuration of the downlink symbol or the flexible symbol can refer to the above current scheme. Or, if the downlink symbol or the flexible symbol is configured as an SBFD symbol, the higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated) can reconfigure the link direction of the above uplink symbol or the flexible symbol; for example, the symbol configured as flexible by the higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated), if the flexible symbol is configured as an SBFD symbol, the higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated) can reconfigure the link direction thereof as downlink or uplink. For the higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated) that can reconfigure the link direction of the downlink symbol or the flexible symbol, other descriptions can be replaced, and specific reference is made to the description in the validity principle of the first information.

[0188] In the embodiment of the present application, the higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated) carries the first information. In some descriptions, the validity principle of the higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated) can be replaced by: the validity principle of the first information.

[0189] It can be understood that, since the SBFD symbol is configured on the downlink symbol or the flexible symbol, the link direction of the downlink symbol or the flexible symbol configured by the high-layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated) can be made effective by the above-mentioned effective principle, and further the link direction of the SBFD symbol configured by the high-layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated) can be made effective.

[0190] In another possible implementation, the first information can be carried in the DCI. For example, the first information is carried in a slot format indicator (SFI) field of the DCI. For example, the access network device sends the DCI to the terminal, the DCI includes the SFI field, and the SFI field includes or carries the first information. The first information is used to configure the link direction of the SBFD symbol in the first time unit, and the terminal can determine the link direction of the SBFD symbol in the first time unit according to the first information. Further, the first information is also used to configure the link direction of the non-SBFD symbol in the first time unit, and the terminal can also determine the link direction of the non-SBFD symbol in the first time unit according to the first information.

[0191] In some descriptions, the first information can be referred to as SFI. In the following description, the first information is taken as SFI for example:

[0192] The SFI is used to dynamically indicate the terminal-specific TDD configuration. For example, the SFI is used to indicate the link direction of the symbol in the first time unit (the first time unit is a time slot in the TDD period). For example, for a time slot, the SFI includes multiple values, and each value corresponds to a time slot format. As shown in Table 1 or Table 2, under normal CP, a time slot includes 14 symbols, and the indexes of the 14 symbols are 0 to 13. The value range of the SFI is 0 to 255, and the access network device can indicate any time slot format in Table 1 or Table 2 to the terminal. In Table 1 or Table 2, each row can be regarded as a time slot format; in the time slot format of each row, D represents that the link direction of a symbol is downlink (D), U represents that the link direction of a symbol is uplink (U), and F represents that the link direction of a symbol is flexible (F). For example, the value of the SFI sent by the access network device to the terminal is 20, and the terminal can determine that the link direction of symbol 0 and symbol 1 in the first time unit is downlink D, the link direction of symbol 2 to symbol 12 is flexible F, and the link direction of symbol 13 is uplink U. In one understanding, in Table 1, when the value of the SFI is 0 to 55, each SFI value corresponds to a time slot format. In Table 2, when the value of the SFI is 56 to 96, each SFI value corresponds to a time slot format.

[0193] In one understanding, the slot format included in Table 1 meets any of the current three formats, and the slot format included in Table 2 meets the newly added format 4 in the embodiments of the present application. For example, in the slot format of Table 2, the slot format of any one slot meets the following format: the link direction of the first X1 symbols of a slot is uplink U, and / or the link direction of the last Y1 symbols of a slot is downlink D, that is, it meets the newly added format 4 in the embodiments of the present application.

[0194] In one understanding, Table 1 can be considered as the current slot format, and Table 2 is the enhanced / newly added slot format in the embodiments of the present application. Specifically, the access network device can select any one of the slot formats in Table 1 or Table 2, determine the index (that is, SFI or first information) of the selected slot format, and send it to the terminal. The terminal determines the link direction of the SBFD symbol according to the indicated slot format, and communicates with the access network device on the SFBD symbol.

[0195] Table 1

[0196] Table 2

[0197] In one understanding, the access network device sends DCI to the terminal, and the DCI includes SFI. The terminal determines the slot format of the first time unit according to the value of the SFI. When the first time unit includes SBFD symbols, the terminal can determine the link direction of the SBFD symbols included in the first time unit.

[0198] In one possible implementation, before the access network device sends the DCI including SFI to the terminal: the access network device sends an RRC message including a high-layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon) to the terminal, which is used to configure the link direction of the symbols included in the first time unit; further, the access network device also sends an RRC message including a high-layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated) to the terminal, which is used to configure the link direction of the symbols included in the first time unit. In one current scheme, the validity principle of SFI in DCI is as follows:

[0199] 1. The symbols configured as uplink or downlink by the high-layer parameters (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon) and (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated) (if present) cannot change the link direction of the above-mentioned symbols by the SFI in DCI, or in other words, the SFI in DCI cannot reconfigure the opposite link direction for the above-mentioned uplink symbols or downlink symbols.

[0200] 2. The symbol configured as flexible by higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon) and (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated) (if exist), the SFI in DCI can reconfigure or indicate the above flexible symbol as downlink symbol or uplink symbol.

[0201] Since the SBFD symbol is configured on the downlink symbol or the flexible symbol, and the SFI can only reconfigure the link direction on the flexible symbol, the SFI can only configure the link direction of the SBFD symbol on the flexible symbol, and cannot configure the link direction of the SBFD symbol on the downlink symbol.

[0202] In view of the above, the validity principle of the SFI in the DCI is modified, and in the embodiments of the present application, the validity principle of the SFI in the modified DCI is as follows:

[0203] 1. The symbol configured as uplink by higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon) and (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated) (if exist), the SFI in DCI cannot reconfigure the link direction of the uplink symbol. As to the SFI in DCI cannot reconfigure the link direction of the uplink symbol, other descriptions can be replaced, and specific reference can be made to the description in the validity principle of the first information.

[0204] 2. The symbol configured as downlink or flexible by higher layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon) and (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated) (if exist): if the downlink symbol or the flexible symbol is not configured as SBFD symbol, the validity principle of the configuration of the downlink symbol or the flexible symbol can be referred to the above current scheme. Or, if the downlink symbol or the flexible symbol is configured as SBFD symbol, the SFI in DCI can reconfigure the link direction of the above downlink symbol or flexible symbol. As to the SFI in DCI can reconfigure the link direction of the downlink symbol or the flexible symbol, other descriptions can be replaced, and specific reference can be made to the description in the validity principle of the first information.

[0205] It can be understood that since the SBFD symbol is configured on the downlink symbol or the flexible symbol, through the above validity principle, the link direction of the downlink symbol or the flexible symbol configured by the SFI is valid, and then the link direction of the SBFD symbol configured by the SFI is valid. For example, the downlink symbol Y is configured with SBFD uplink and downlink subband or SBFD operation, and the downlink symbol Y can be referred to as SBFD symbol. The SFI in DCI indicates the link direction of the downlink symbol Y as uplink, and then determines that the link direction of the downlink symbol Y, i.e. the SBFD symbol, is uplink.

[0206] In a possible implementation, the access network device in the embodiments of the present application can adopt an ORAN architecture, and the access network device includes logical nodes such as a CU, a DU, and a RU. The CU and the DU can generate first information, which is processed by the RU and then transmitted to the terminal through the air interface.

[0207] For example, the first information is carried in a parameter in an RRC message for determining the uplink / downlink TDD configuration of the terminal. The CU can generate the RRC message. Further, for example, the CU-CP is a logical node carrying an RRC layer and a PDCP-C layer, and is used to implement the control plane function of the CU. The CU-CP can generate an RRC message including a parameter for configuring the uplink / downlink TDD configuration of the terminal, for example, the parameter is a high-layer parameter (TDD-UL-DL-ConfigDedicated), and the first information is carried in the parameter; the CU-CP transmits the RRC message to the DU. The DU is a logical node carrying an RLC layer, a MAC layer, a Higher PHY, and other functions. The DU processes the RRC message generated by the CU-CP at the RLC layer, the MAC layer, and the Higher PHY, and transmits the RRC message to the RU; the RU is a logical node carrying a lower PHY and RF processing. The RU can process the RRC message generated by the CU-CP at the lower PHY and the RF, and transmit the RRC message to the terminal through the air interface.

[0208] For another example, the first information is carried in an SFI field in DCI. The DU can generate DCI, the SFI field of which carries the first information, and transmit the DCI to the RU. After processing by the RU, the DCI is transmitted to the terminal through the air interface.

[0209] In the embodiments of the present application, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application is introduced from the perspective of interaction between the terminal and the access network device. In order to implement the functions in the method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the terminal or the access network device can include hardware structures and / or software modules to implement the above-mentioned functions in the form of hardware structures, software modules, or hardware structures and software modules. Whether a certain function in the above-mentioned functions is executed in the form of hardware structure, software module, or hardware structure and software module depends on the design constraint conditions of the specific application of the technical solution.

[0210] Based on the same concept as the above method embodiments, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are structural schematic diagrams of possible communication apparatuses provided in the embodiments of the present application. These communication apparatuses can implement the functions of the terminal device or the network device and the like in the above method embodiments, and thus can achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication apparatus can be a terminal device or a network device, or a unit, a module or a component and the like (such as a chip, a chip system, a circuit, a processor or other components) applied in a terminal device or a network device. In the following description, the "unit" is taken as an example. For example, in the following description, the communication apparatus is taken as an example which includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit. The processing unit in the following description can also be replaced by a processing module or a processing component and the like. The transceiver unit can also be replaced by a transceiver unit or a transceiver component. For example, the transceiver component can refer to a communication module.

[0211] As shown in FIG. 9, the communication apparatus 9000 includes a processing unit 9010 and a transceiver unit 9020. The communication apparatus 9000 is configured to implement the functions of the terminal device or the access network device in FIG. 8.

[0212] Optionally, the transceiver unit 9020 can also be referred to as an output unit, an interface unit, or a communication unit and the like. In a possible implementation manner, the transceiver unit 9020 includes at least one of a sending unit or a receiving unit. The sending unit and the receiving unit can be integrated together, or be two independent units and the like.

[0213] When the communication apparatus 9000 is configured to implement the functions of the terminal device in FIG. 8, specifically: the transceiver unit 9020 is configured to receive first information from an access network device, the first information being used for configuring a link direction of a first time unit including symbols, the first time unit including at least one sub-band full duplex (SBFD) symbol; wherein the link direction of the first time unit configured by the first information satisfies a first format, the first format being one of a plurality of formats, the plurality of formats including a second format, the second format satisfying that a link direction of X1 symbols at a beginning of one time unit is uplink, and / or a link direction of Y1 symbols at an end of the one time unit is downlink, X1 and Y1 are positive integers, and a sum of X1 and Y1 is less than or equal to a total number of symbols included in the one time unit; and the processing unit 9010 is configured to communicate with the access network device in the SBFD symbol according to the link direction of the SBFD symbol, the link direction of the SBFD symbol being determined according to the first information.

[0214] In one possible design, the plurality of formats further includes at least one format in which the link direction of all symbols of a time unit is downlink; the link direction of all symbols of a time unit is uplink; or the link direction of the first X2 symbols of a time unit is downlink and / or the link direction of the last Y2 symbols of the time unit is uplink, where X2 and Y2 are positive integers and the sum of X2 and Y2 is less than or equal to the total number of symbols included in the time unit.

[0215] In one possible design, the first format is the same as the second format.

[0216] In one possible design, the link direction of the SBFD symbol is downlink, and the communication between the SBFD symbol and the access network device includes being configured or indicated to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and receiving the downlink information from the access network device in a first frequency domain resource range of the SBFD symbol, where the first frequency domain resource is a downlink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol.

[0217] In one possible design, the SBFD symbol is further configured or indicated to transmit uplink information, and the communication between the SBFD symbol and the access network device includes not performing transmission of the uplink information to the access network device in the SBFD symbol, or not being expected to be configured or indicated to transmit uplink information in the SBFD symbol.

[0218] In one possible design, the link direction of the SBFD symbol is downlink, and the communication between the SBFD symbol and the access network device includes not being configured or indicated to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and being configured or indicated to transmit uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and transmitting the uplink information to the access network device in a second frequency domain resource range of the SBFD symbol, where the second frequency domain resource is an uplink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol.

[0219] In one possible design, the link direction of the SBFD symbol is uplink, and the communication between the SBFD symbol and the access network device includes being configured or indicated to transmit uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and transmitting the uplink information to the access network device in a second frequency domain resource range of the SBFD symbol, where the second frequency domain resource is an uplink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol.

[0220] In one possible design, the SBFD symbol is further configured or indicated to receive downlink information, and the communication between the SBFD symbol and the access network device includes not performing reception of the downlink information from the access network device in the SBFD symbol, or not being expected to be configured or indicated to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol.

[0221] In a possible design, the link direction of the SBFD symbol is uplink, and the communication between the SBFD symbol and the access network device includes: no uplink information is configured or indicated to be sent in the SBFD symbol, and downlink information is configured or indicated to be received in the SBFD symbol; and the downlink information from the access network device is received in the SBFD symbol and a first frequency domain resource range, the first frequency domain resource being a downlink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol.

[0222] In a possible design, the link direction of the SBFD symbol is flexible, and the communication between the SBFD symbol and the access network device includes: uplink information is configured or indicated to be sent in the SBFD symbol, and the uplink information is sent to the access network device in the SBFD symbol and a second frequency domain resource range, the second frequency domain resource being an uplink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol; or downlink information is configured or indicated to be received in the SBFD symbol, and the downlink information from the access network device is received in the SBFD symbol and a first frequency domain resource range, the first frequency domain resource being a downlink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol; or the SBFD symbol is configured or indicated to send uplink information and receive downlink information: according to a first criterion, the uplink information is sent to the access network device in the SBFD symbol and the second frequency domain resource range, or the downlink information from the access network device is received in the SBFD symbol and the first frequency domain resource range, the first criterion being predefined or configured or indicated to the terminal.

[0223] In a possible design, the first information is carried in a parameter in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal.

[0224] In a possible design, the first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of downlink control information (DCI).

[0225] When the communication apparatus 9000 is configured to implement the functions of the access network device in FIG. 8, specifically: the transceiver 9020 is configured to send first information to a terminal, the first information being used for configuring a link direction of a first time unit including symbols, the first time unit including at least one sub-band full duplex (SBFD) symbol; wherein the link direction of the first time unit including symbols configured by the first information satisfies a first format, the first format being one of a plurality of formats, the plurality of formats including a second format, the second format satisfying: a link direction of X1 symbols at a beginning of a time unit being uplink, and / or a link direction of Y1 symbols at an end of the time unit being downlink, X1 and Y1 being positive integers, and a sum of X1 and Y1 being less than or equal to a total number of symbols included in the time unit; and the processor 9010 is configured to communicate with the terminal in the SBFD symbol according to the link direction of the SBFD symbol.

[0226] In a possible design, the plurality of formats further includes at least one of the following formats: a link direction of all symbols of a time unit being downlink; a link direction of all symbols of a time unit being uplink; or, a link direction of X2 symbols at a beginning of a time unit being downlink, and / or a link direction of Y2 symbols at an end of the time unit being uplink, X2 and Y2 being positive integers, and a sum of X2 and Y2 being less than or equal to a total number of symbols included in the time unit.

[0227] In a possible design, the first format is the same as the second format.

[0228] In a possible design, the link direction of the SBFD symbol is downlink, and the communicating with the terminal in the SBFD symbol includes: configuring or instructing the terminal to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and sending the downlink information to the terminal in a range of a first frequency domain resource and the SBFD symbol, the first frequency domain resource being a downlink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol.

[0229] In a possible design, the terminal is further configured or instructed to send uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and the SBFD symbol does not perform receiving the uplink information from the terminal.

[0230] In a possible design, the link direction of the SBFD symbol is downlink, and the communication with the access network device in the SBFD symbol includes: no configuration or indication of the terminal to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and configuration or indication of the terminal to send uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and receiving the uplink information from the terminal in the SBFD symbol and a second frequency domain resource range, the second frequency domain resource being an uplink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol.

[0231] In a possible design, the link direction of the SBFD symbol is uplink, and the communication with the terminal in the SBFD symbol includes: configuration or indication of the terminal to send uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and receiving the uplink information from the terminal in the SBFD symbol and a second frequency domain resource range, the second frequency domain resource being an uplink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol.

[0232] In a possible design, the terminal is further configured or indicated to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and no sending of the downlink information to the terminal is performed in the SBFD symbol.

[0233] In a possible design, the link direction of the SBFD symbol is uplink, and the communication with the terminal in the SBFD symbol includes: no configuration or indication of the terminal to send uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and configuration or indication of the terminal to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and sending the downlink information to the terminal in the SBFD symbol and a first frequency domain resource range, the first frequency domain resource being a downlink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol.

[0234] In a possible design, a link direction of the SBFD symbol is flexible, and the SBFD symbol communicates with the terminal, including: configuring or instructing the terminal to send uplink information in the SBFD symbol, receiving the uplink information from the terminal in a range of the SBFD symbol and a second frequency domain resource, the second frequency domain resource being an uplink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol; or configuring or instructing the terminal to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, sending the downlink information to the terminal in a range of the SBFD symbol and a first frequency domain resource, the first frequency domain resource being a downlink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol; or configuring or instructing the terminal to send uplink information and receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol: according to a first criterion, receiving the uplink information from the terminal in a range of the SBFD symbol and the second frequency domain resource, or sending the downlink information to the terminal in a range of the SBFD symbol and the first frequency domain resource, the first criterion being predefined or configured or instructed to an access network device.

[0235] In a possible design, the first information is carried in a parameter in a radio resource control (RRC) message used for determining an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal.

[0236] In a possible design, the first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of downlink control information (DCI).

[0237] It can be understood that the division of units in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, and is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, another division manner can be used. In addition, each functional unit in the embodiments of the present application can be integrated in one physical device (for example, a processor), or each functional unit can be a separate physical device, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit for implementation. The integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware, or in the form of a software functional module, and the like.

[0238] As shown in FIG. 10, the communication apparatus 10000 includes a processor 1010 and an interface circuit 1020. The processor 1010 and the interface circuit 1020 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 1020 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication apparatus 10000 can further include a memory 1030, used for storing instructions executed by the processor 1010 or storing input data required by the processor 1010 for executing instructions or storing data generated after the processor 1010 executes instructions.

[0239] When the communication apparatus 10000 is used to implement the method shown in FIG. 8, the processor 1010 is configured to implement the functions of the processing unit 9010 described above, and the interface circuit 1020 is configured to implement the functions of the transceiver unit 9020 described above.

[0240] When the communication apparatus is a chip applied to a terminal, the chip implements the functions of the terminal in the method embodiments described above. The chip receives information sent by an access network device to the terminal through other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal; or the chip sends information to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal, and the information is sent by the terminal to the access network device.

[0241] When the communication apparatus is a module applied to an access network device, the module implements the functions of the access network device in the method embodiments described above. The module receives information from other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the access network device, and the information is sent by a terminal to the access network device; or the module sends information to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the access network device, and the information is sent by the access network device to the terminal. The module of the access network device herein can be a chip of the access network device, or a DU or other module. The DU herein can be a DU under the O-RAN architecture.

[0242] Embodiments of the present application also provide a communication apparatus, which includes a processor configured to implement the functions of the terminal or the access network device in FIG. 8 described above. Optionally, the communication apparatus further includes a memory, the processor and the memory are coupled, and the processor is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in the memory to implement the functions of the terminal or the access network device in FIG. 8 described above. Optionally, the communication apparatus can be a chip or a chip system.

[0243] Embodiments of the present application also provide a communication apparatus, which includes a processor and an interface circuit configured to receive signals from other devices outside the apparatus and transmit the signals to the processor, or send signals from the processor to other devices outside the apparatus, and the processor is configured to implement the functions of the terminal or the access network device in FIG. 8 described above through logic circuits or execution of code instructions.

[0244] Embodiments of the present application also provide a computer readable storage medium, which stores instructions, the instructions can also be referred to as computer programs, computer program codes, etc. The instructions run on a computer, so that the computer executes the functions of the terminal or the access network device in FIG. 8 described above.

[0245] Embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product, which includes computer programs or instructions, and when the computer programs or instructions run on a computer, the functions of the terminal or the access network device in FIG. 8 described above are implemented.

[0246] It can be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0247] The memory in the embodiments of the present application can be a random access memory (RAM), a flash memory, a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically EPROM (EEPROM), a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium well known in the art.

[0248] The embodiments of the present application also provide a chip, which can be a chip applied to a terminal, referred to as a terminal chip, and the chip is used to implement the functions of the terminal in the flow of FIG. 8. For example, the terminal chip can be a baseband chip. As shown in FIG. 11:

[0249] The terminal chip includes at least one processor for implementing the functions of the terminal in the flow of FIG. 8. For example, in FIG. 11, the plurality of processors are represented as processor #1 to processor #N, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. For example, the processor can be a microprocessor such as X86 or ARM, a microcontroller, a DSP, an FPGA, a GPU, a programmable logic device, a state machine, a gate logic, a discrete hardware circuit and other suitable hardware configured to perform suitable functions.

[0250] The terminal chip can further include at least one memory for storing computer program instructions and / or data. The memory is coupled with the processor. The coupling in the embodiments of the present application is indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms, and is used for information interaction between devices, units or modules. The processor cooperates with the memory, and the processor is used to execute program instructions stored in the memory to realize the method of the terminal in the flow of FIG. 8. At least one of the at least one memory can be included in the processor.

[0251] The terminal chip can further include at least one communication interface for communicating with other devices (for example, an access network device) through a transmission medium, for example, receiving first information from the access network device in the flow of FIG. 8. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication interface can be a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module or other types of communication interfaces, and the communication interface can be referred to as a bus interface. In the embodiments of the present application, when the communication interface is a transceiver, the transceiver can include a separate receiver, a separate transmitter, a transceiver integrated with transceiving functions, or an interface circuit.

[0252] In the embodiments of the present application, the connection medium between the processor, the memory and the communication interface is not limited. Optionally, in FIG. 11, the processor, the memory and the communication interface are connected through a bus. The bus can include an address bus, a data bus and a control bus, etc. In FIG. 11, only one thick line is used for representation, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus. In a possible implementation, the bus can include any number of interconnected buses and bridges, depending on the specific application of the terminal chip and the overall design constraints. The bus couples various circuits together, such as the processor, the memory and the communication interface. The bus can also link various other circuits, such as a timing source, peripherals, voltage regulators and power management circuits, which are well known in the art, and therefore will not be further described.

[0253] The embodiments of the present application also provide an access network device for realizing the functions of the access network device in the flow of FIG. 8. For example, as shown in FIG. 12:

[0254] The access network device includes logical nodes such as CU, DU and RU. Among them, the CU communicates with the core network through the backhaul link, the CU communicates with the DU through the midhaul link, and the DU communicates with the RU through the fronthaul link. The CU performs layer 2 (L2) and layer 3 (L3) functions, the DU performs layer 1 (L1) and part of L2 functions, and the RU performs L1 calculation and RF digital part functions; the integrated DU includes the above-mentioned DU and RU functions.

[0255] Among them, the CU includes a processor and one or more hardware accelerators. For example, the processor can be a multi-core processor, such as an X86 or ARM-based CPU. The hardware accelerator is a FPGA / GPU-based hardware accelerator. The interface between the processor and the hardware accelerator is a PCIe interface.

[0256] The DU includes a processor and one or more hardware accelerators. Among them, part of the DU protocol stack can be implemented in software running on the processor, and the calculation-intensive L1 and L2 functions can be offloaded to the hardware accelerator; or all L1 functions are offloaded to the hardware accelerator, and other protocol stack contents are implemented in software running on the processor; or all protocol stacks are implemented in software running on the processor. The hardware accelerator supports interconnection with an x86 or non-x86 processor. Similarly, the accelerator has a multi-channel PCIe interface pointing to the CPU, and is externally connected through GbE.

[0257] The RU includes an O-RAN processing unit (OPU), a digital processing unit (DPU) of the O-RU, and an RF processing unit. Among them, the OPU is used to receive data frames (such as eCPRI frames) from the O-RAN fronthaul interface and perform fronthaul interface, the lowest layer L1 (encoding, scrambling, modulation, layer mapping, precoding), synchronization, beamforming and resource unit mapping, etc. Among them, the OPU can be implemented by a CPU, FPGA or ASIC processor. The DPU is used to perform synchronization, DDC (digital down conversion in UL), DUC (digital up conversion in DL), CFR and DPD to improve power amplifier efficiency by reducing PAPR / ACLR of the RF front end; the DPU can be implemented by a FPGA or ASIC processor. The RF processing unit includes a transceiver module, an up / down converter, a power amplifier (PA), a low noise amplifier (LNA), a transmit / receive (Tx / Rx) filter.

[0258] In a possible implementation, when the access network device shown in FIG. 12 is used to implement the function of the access network device in the flow in FIG. 8: the CU and / or DU, etc. can generate the first information, which is sent to the terminal through the air interface after being processed by the RU.

[0259] For example, when the first information is carried in a parameter of an RRC message used to determine the uplink / downlink TDD configuration of the terminal. The CU can generate the RRC message. The DU processes the RRC message generated by the CU and sends it to the RU; the RU can process the RRC message accordingly and send it to the terminal through the air interface. For another example, the first information is carried in the SFI field in the DCI. The DU can generate the DCI, the SFI field of which carries the first information, and send it to the RU. After being processed by the RU, the DCI is sent to the terminal through the air interface.

[0260] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions executable by a processor. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, so that the processor can read information from and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC.

[0261] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer programs or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of the present application are performed. The computer can be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment or other programmable apparatus. The computer programs or instructions can be stored in a computer readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another computer readable storage medium, for example, the computer programs or instructions can be transmitted from one website site, computer, server or data center to another website site, computer, server or data center through wired or wireless manner. The computer readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center and the like integrated with one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape; or an optical medium, for example, a digital video disc; or a semiconductor medium, for example, a solid state disk. The computer readable storage medium can be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or can include both volatile and non-volatile storage media.

[0262] In various embodiments of the present application, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referred to each other if there is no special description and logical conflict, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

Claims

A communication method characterized by comprising: Comprising: receiving first information from an access network device, the first information being used for configuring link directions of a first time unit comprising symbols, the first time unit comprising at least one sub-band full duplex, SBFD, symbol; wherein the link directions of the first time unit comprising symbols configured by the first information satisfy a first format, the first format being one of a plurality of formats, the plurality of formats comprising a second format, the second format satisfying that link directions of X1 symbols at a beginning of a time unit are uplink, and / or link directions of Y1 symbols at an end of the time unit are downlink, X1 and Y1 are positive integers, and a sum of X1 and Y1 is less than or equal to a total number of symbols in the time unit; communicating with the access network device in the SBFD symbol according to the link direction of the SBFD symbol, the link direction of the SBFD symbol being determined according to the first information. The method of claim 1, wherein The plurality of formats further comprises at least one of the following formats: link directions of all symbols of a time unit are downlink; link directions of all symbols of a time unit are uplink; or link directions of X2 symbols at a beginning of a time unit are downlink, and / or link directions of Y2 symbols at an end of the time unit are uplink, X2 and Y2 are positive integers, and a sum of X2 and Y2 is less than or equal to a total number of symbols in the time unit. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein The first format is the same as the second format. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The link direction of the SBFD symbol is downlink, and the communicating with the access network device in the SBFD symbol comprises: being configured or indicated to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and receiving the downlink information from the access network device in a first frequency domain resource range of the SBFD symbol, the first frequency domain resource being a downlink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol. The method of claim 4, wherein being further configured or indicated to transmit uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and not performing transmitting the uplink information to the access network device in the SBFD symbol; or not being expected to be configured or indicated to transmit uplink information in the SBFD symbol. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The link direction of the SBFD symbol is downlink, and the communicating with the access network device in the SBFD symbol comprises: not being configured or indicated to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and being configured or indicated to transmit uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and transmitting the uplink information to the access network device in a second frequency domain resource range of the SBFD symbol, the second frequency domain resource being an uplink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The link direction of the SBFD symbol is uplink, and the communicating with the access network device in the SBFD symbol comprises: being configured or indicated to transmit uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and transmitting the uplink information to the access network device in a second frequency domain resource range of the SBFD symbol, the second frequency domain resource being an uplink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol. The method of claim 7, wherein The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. A communication method characterized by comprising: The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The method of claim 13, wherein The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of a downlink control information (DCI). The first information is carried in a radio All symbols of one time unit are uplink; or, The first X2 symbols of one time unit are downlink, and / or the last Y2 symbols of one time unit are uplink, X2 and Y2 are positive integers, and the sum of X2 and Y2 is less than or equal to the total number of symbols included in one time unit. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein The first format is the same as the second format. The method of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein The link direction of the SBFD symbol is downlink, and the SBFD symbol is used for communication between the terminal and the access network device, including: The terminal is configured or instructed to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and the terminal is configured or instructed to send the downlink information to the terminal in the SBFD symbol and a first frequency domain resource range, the first frequency domain resource being a downlink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol. The method of claim 16, wherein The terminal is further configured or instructed to send uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and the terminal is not configured or instructed to receive the uplink information from the terminal in the SBFD symbol. The method of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein The link direction of the SBFD symbol is downlink, and the SBFD symbol is used for communication between the terminal and the access network device, including: The terminal is not configured or instructed to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and the terminal is configured or instructed to send uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and the terminal is configured or instructed to receive the uplink information from the terminal in the SBFD symbol and a second frequency domain resource range, the second frequency domain resource being an uplink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol. The method of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein The link direction of the SBFD symbol is uplink, and the SBFD symbol is used for communication between the terminal and the access network device, including: The terminal is configured or instructed to send uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and the terminal is configured or instructed to receive the uplink information from the terminal in the SBFD symbol and a second frequency domain resource range, the second frequency domain resource being an uplink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol. The method of claim 19, wherein The terminal is further configured or instructed to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and the terminal is not configured or instructed to send the downlink information to the terminal in the SBFD symbol. The method of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein The link direction of the SBFD symbol is uplink, and the SBFD symbol is used for communication between the terminal and the access network device, including: The terminal is not configured or instructed to send uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and the terminal is configured or instructed to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and the terminal is configured or instructed to send the downlink information to the terminal in the SBFD symbol and a first frequency domain resource range, the first frequency domain resource being a downlink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol. The method of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein The link direction of the SBFD symbol is flexible, and the SBFD symbol is used for communication between the terminal and the access network device, including: The terminal is configured or instructed to send uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and the terminal is configured or instructed to receive the uplink information from the terminal in the SBFD symbol and a second frequency domain resource range, the second frequency domain resource being an uplink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol; or, The terminal is not configured or instructed to send uplink information in the SBFD symbol, and the terminal is configured or instructed to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and the terminal is configured or instructed to receive the downlink information from the terminal in the SBFD symbol and a first frequency domain resource range, the first frequency domain resource being a downlink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol. The terminal is configured or instructed to receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol, and the downlink information is transmitted to the terminal in the SBFD symbol and a first frequency domain resource range, the first frequency domain resource being a downlink transmission resource corresponding to the SBFD symbol; or The terminal is configured or instructed to transmit uplink information and receive downlink information in the SBFD symbol: according to a first criterion, the uplink information from the terminal is received in the SBFD symbol and the second frequency domain resource range, or the downlink information is transmitted to the terminal in the SBFD symbol and the first frequency domain resource range, the first criterion being predefined or configured or instructed to the access network device. The method of any one of claims 13 to 22, wherein The first information is carried in a parameter in a radio resource control (RRC) message used to determine an uplink / downlink time division duplex (TDD) configuration of the terminal. The method of any one of claims 13 to 22, wherein The first information is carried in a slot format indication (SFI) field of downlink control information (DCI). A communication device, characterized by The apparatus comprises means for implementing the method of any one of claims 1 to 12. A communication device, characterized by The apparatus comprises a processor configured to cause the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 12. A communication device, characterized by The apparatus comprises means for implementing the method of any one of claims 13 to 24. A communication device, characterized by The apparatus comprises a processor configured to cause the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 13 to 24. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized by, The computer-readable storage medium has stored instructions that, when executed, cause a communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 12 or the method of any one of claims 13 to 24. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises instructions that, when executed, cause a communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 12 or the method of any one of claims 13 to 24.

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