Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method can be applied to the field of communications. The method comprises: sending first capability information to a network device, wherein the first capability information is used for indicating that a terminal device can receive M carriers by means of a first radio frequency link, the M carriers are located in a first frequency band, the M carriers are discontinuous in the frequency domain of the first frequency band, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2; receiving first configuration information sent by a network device, wherein the first configuration information is used for instructing the terminal device to receive the M carriers by means of the first radio frequency link. By means of the method, the terminal device can report a capability of receiving a plurality of discontinuous carrier aggregated frequency bands by means of a radio frequency link, so that the network device can effectively configure and use all available frequency bands, thereby improving spectrum utilization efficiency.

Description

Communication method and communication apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202411083627.8, filed on August 8, 2024, entitled "Communication method and communication apparatus", the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly, to a communication method and a communication apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0003] The 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) introduced a non-contiguous carrier aggregation technology for evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) and new radio (NR),

[0004] to further enhance the spectrum utilization efficiency and performance of the communication system. This technology allows devices to simultaneously use carriers of non-contiguous frequency bands, effectively combining them into a wider frequency band, thereby increasing data transmission rates and system capacity.

[0005] In the application of the non-contiguous carrier aggregation technology, the terminal device has high requirements for the radio frequency link. When the operator has multiple frequency bands of spectrum, each frequency band needs to occupy at least 2 radio frequency links. Since the total number of radio frequency links of the terminal device is limited, when the number of radio frequency links required by multiple frequency bands exceeds the total number of radio frequency links of the terminal device, the network device cannot effectively configure and utilize all available frequency bands, which reduces the utilization efficiency of the spectrum. SUMMARY

[0006] The present application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus, the terminal device can report the capability of receiving multiple non-contiguous carrier aggregated frequency bands through one radio frequency link, so that the network device can effectively configure and utilize all available frequency bands, and improve the utilization efficiency of the spectrum.

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: sending first capability information to a network device, the first capability information being used to indicate that a terminal device can receive M carriers through a first radio frequency link, the M carriers being located within a first frequency band, and the M carriers being non-contiguous in the frequency domain of the first frequency band, M being an integer greater than or equal to 2; receiving first configuration information sent by the network device, the first configuration information being used to indicate that the terminal device receives the M carriers through the first radio frequency link.

[0008] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can report the capability of receiving multiple non-contiguous aggregated frequency bands through one radio frequency link, so that the network device can effectively configure and utilize all available frequency bands, and improve the utilization efficiency of the frequency spectrum.

[0009] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the first capability information is further used to indicate a difference between an upper boundary of a transmission bandwidth of a first carrier and a lower boundary of a transmission bandwidth of a second carrier, wherein the first carrier is a carrier with the highest transmission frequency among the M carriers, and the second carrier is a carrier with the lowest transmission frequency among the M carriers.

[0010] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can further report the maximum frequency interval that can be supported by the terminal device to the network device through the first capability information, in this way, the maximum working bandwidth constraint of some devices in the first radio frequency link can be met, and the network device can more effectively configure the available frequency bands to fully utilize the operator frequency.

[0011] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the first capability information is further used to indicate the number of maximum downlink multiple-input multiple-output layers that can be supported by the M carriers respectively.

[0012] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can further report the number of maximum downlink multiple-input multiple-output layers that can be supported by the terminal device in the first frequency band to the network device through the first capability information, in this way, the network device can timely learn the number of maximum downlink multiple-input multiple-output layers that can be supported by the terminal device in the first frequency band, so that the network device can more effectively configure the available frequency bands and improve the single-user capacity.

[0013] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending second capability information to the network device, the second capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device can receive the M carriers through M radio frequency links.

[0014] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can further report the capability of receiving the M carriers through the M radio frequency links to the network device, in this way, the network device can configure the terminal device to receive the M carriers according to the service demand of the terminal device, so that the capability of the terminal device can be better exerted.

[0015] In combination with the first aspect, in some implementation manners of the first aspect, the second capability information is further used to indicate that the terminal device includes N radio frequency links, wherein N is greater than or equal to M, and the N radio frequency links include the first radio frequency link and the M radio frequency links.

[0016] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can further report the total number of radio frequency links that it can support to the network device through the second capability information. In this way, the network device can configure the terminal device to receive M carriers according to its service requirements and the total number of radio frequency links that the terminal device can support, so as to better exert the capability of the terminal device.

[0017] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending third capability information to the network device, the third capability information being used to indicate the capability of the terminal device in processing the gap interference between the M carriers when receiving the M carriers through the first radio frequency link.

[0018] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can further report its capability in processing the gap interference between the M carriers to the network device through the third capability information, so that the network device can flexibly configure the way in which the terminal device receives carriers based on the third capability information.

[0019] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving first indication information sent by the network device, the first indication information being used to instruct the terminal device to measure the strength of the gap interference between the M carriers; and sending a measurement quantity of the strength of the gap interference to the network device according to the first indication information, the measurement quantity of the strength of the gap interference including at least one of the following: an interference reference signal received power, a difference between the interference reference signal received power and a target reference signal received power, or an interference received signal strength indication.

[0020] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can measure the strength of the gap interference between the M carriers based on the first indication information sent by the network device, and feed back a measurement quantity of the strength of the gap interference to the network device, so that the network device can flexibly configure the way in which the terminal device receives carriers based on the measurement quantity of the strength of the gap interference.

[0021] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the difference between the time delays at which the terminal device receives the M carriers is less than or equal to a first threshold, and / or the power difference between the M carriers received by the terminal device is less than or equal to a second threshold.

[0022] In the embodiments of the present application, the special conditions are used to avoid the existence of a large time delay difference or a large power difference between the M carriers, thereby improving the performance of the terminal device in receiving the M carriers through the first radio frequency link.

[0023] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method comprises: receiving first capability information sent by a terminal device, the first capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device is capable of receiving M carriers through a first radio frequency link, the M carriers being located in a first frequency band, and the M carriers being discontinuous in a frequency domain of the first frequency band, M being an integer greater than or equal to 2; and sending first configuration information to the terminal device according to the first capability information, the first configuration information being used to instruct the terminal device to receive the M carriers through the first radio frequency link.

[0024] In the embodiments of the present application, the network device can send the first configuration information to the terminal device based on the first capability information reported by the terminal device, in this way, the network device can effectively configure and utilize all available frequency bands, and the utilization efficiency of the frequency spectrum is improved.

[0025] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first capability information is further used to indicate a difference between a transmission bandwidth upper boundary of a first carrier and a transmission bandwidth lower boundary of a second carrier, wherein the first carrier is a carrier with the highest transmission frequency among the M carriers, and the second carrier is a carrier with the lowest transmission frequency among the M carriers.

[0026] In the embodiments of the present application, the network device can also learn the maximum frequency interval that can be supported by the terminal device through the first capability information, in this way, it is beneficial for the network device to more effectively configure the available frequency bands to fully utilize the operator frequency.

[0027] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first capability information is further used to indicate a number of maximum downlink multiple-input multiple-output layers that can be supported by the M carriers respectively.

[0028] In the embodiments of the present application, the network device can also learn the number of maximum downlink multiple-input multiple-output layers that can be supported by the terminal device in the first frequency band through the first capability information, so that the network device can more effectively configure the available frequency bands to improve the single-user capacity.

[0029] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further comprises: receiving second capability information sent by the terminal device, the second capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device is capable of receiving the M carriers through M radio frequency links.

[0030] In the embodiments of the present application, the network device can learn, through the second capability information sent by the terminal device, that the terminal device has the capability of receiving the M carriers in the first frequency band through M radio frequency links, in this way, the network device can configure the terminal device to receive the M carriers according to its own business needs, so as to better exert the capability of the terminal device.

[0031] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the second capability information further indicates that the terminal device comprises N radio frequency links, where N is greater than or equal to M, and the N radio frequency links comprise the first radio frequency link and the M radio frequency links.

[0032] In the embodiments of the present application, the network device can further obtain the total number of radio frequency links that the terminal device can support through the second capability information sent by the terminal device. In this way, the network device can configure the terminal device to receive M carriers according to the business requirements of the network device and the total number of radio frequency links that the terminal device can support, so as to better exert the capability of the terminal device.

[0033] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further comprises: receiving third capability information sent by the terminal device, where the third capability information indicates the capability of the terminal device for processing the gap interference between the M carriers when the terminal device receives the M carriers through the first radio frequency link.

[0034] In the embodiments of the present application, the network device can further obtain the capability of the terminal device for processing the gap interference between the M carriers through the third capability information, so that the network device can flexibly configure the terminal device to receive carriers based on the third capability information.

[0035] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further comprises: sending first indication information to the terminal device, where the first indication information indicates that the terminal device measures the gap interference strength between the M carriers; receiving a measurement quantity of the gap interference strength sent by the terminal device, where the measurement quantity of the gap interference strength comprises at least one of the following: an interference reference signal received power, a difference between the interference reference signal received power and a target reference signal received power, or an interference received signal strength indication; and sending the first configuration information to the terminal device according to the first capability information comprises: sending the first configuration information to the terminal device according to the first capability information, the third capability information, and the measurement quantity of the gap interference strength.

[0036] In the embodiments of the present application, the network device can flexibly configure the terminal device to receive carriers based on the first capability information, the third capability information, and the measurement quantity of the gap interference strength sent by the terminal device.

[0037] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the terminal device receives the M carriers with a time delay difference less than or equal to a first threshold value, and / or the terminal device receives the M carriers with a power difference less than or equal to a second threshold value.

[0038] In the embodiments of the present application, by means of special condition constraints, a large time delay difference or power difference between the M carriers is avoided, thereby improving the performance of the terminal device in receiving the M carriers through the first radio frequency link.

[0039] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The method comprises: sending, to a network device, first capability information and second capability information, the first capability information being used to indicate that a terminal device is capable of receiving M carriers through a first radio frequency link, and the second capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device is capable of receiving the M carriers through M radio frequency links, the M carriers being located in a first frequency range and being discontinuous in the frequency domain of the first frequency range, and M being an integer greater than or equal to 2; and receiving second configuration information sent by the network device, the second configuration information being used to indicate that the terminal device receives the M carriers through the first radio frequency link, or being used to indicate that the terminal device receives the M carriers through the M radio frequency links.

[0040] In a possible implementation, the terminal device can report the first capability information and the second capability information simultaneously, or report the first capability information and the second capability information separately.

[0041] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can report to the network device that it has the capability of receiving the M carriers through the first radio frequency link or the M radio frequency links, so that the network device can configure the terminal device to receive the M carriers according to its own business needs, thereby better exerting the capability of the terminal device.

[0042] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the first capability information is further used to indicate a difference between a transmission bandwidth upper boundary of a first carrier and a transmission bandwidth lower boundary of a second carrier, wherein the first carrier is a carrier with the highest transmission frequency among the M carriers, and the second carrier is a carrier with the lowest transmission frequency among the M carriers.

[0043] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the first capability information is further used to indicate a maximum number of downlink multiple-input multiple-output layers that can be supported by the M carriers respectively.

[0044] In combination with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the second capability information is further used to indicate that the terminal device comprises N radio frequency links, wherein N is greater than or equal to M, and the N radio frequency links comprise the first radio frequency link and the M radio frequency links.

[0045] In some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: sending, to the network device, third capability information, the third capability information being used to indicate a capability of the terminal device for processing gap interference between the M carriers when the terminal device receives the M carriers through the first radio frequency chain.

[0046] In some implementations of the third aspect, the method further includes: receiving first indication information sent by the network device, the first indication information being used to indicate that the terminal device measures a strength of the gap interference between the M carriers; and sending, to the network device, a measurement quantity of the strength of the gap interference according to the first indication information, the measurement quantity of the strength of the gap interference including at least one of an interference reference signal received power, a difference between the interference reference signal received power and a target reference signal received power, or an interference received signal strength indication.

[0047] In some implementations of the third aspect, the terminal device receives a time delay difference between the M carriers being less than or equal to a first threshold value, and / or the terminal device receives a power difference between the M carriers being less than or equal to a second threshold value.

[0048] A fourth aspect provides a communication method, the method including: receiving first capability information and second capability information sent by a terminal device, the first capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device is capable of receiving M carriers through a first radio frequency chain, the second capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device is capable of receiving the M carriers through M radio frequency chains, the M carriers being located in a first frequency band, and the M carriers being discontinuous in a frequency domain of the first frequency band, M being an integer greater than or equal to 2; and sending, to the terminal device, second configuration information according to the first capability information and the second capability information, the second configuration information being used to indicate that the terminal device receives the M carriers through the first radio frequency chain, or being used to indicate that the terminal device receives the M carriers through the M radio frequency chains.

[0049] In the embodiments of the present application, the network device can learn, based on the first capability information and the second capability information reported by the terminal device, that the terminal device has the capability of receiving the M carriers through the first radio frequency chain or the M radio frequency chains, so that the network device can configure the terminal device to receive the M carriers according to a service requirement of the network device, thereby better exerting the capability of the terminal device.

[0050] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, in combination with the fourth aspect, the first capability information further indicates a difference between a transmission bandwidth upper boundary of the first carrier and a transmission bandwidth lower boundary of the second carrier, wherein the first carrier is a carrier with a highest transmission frequency among the M carriers, and the second carrier is a carrier with a lowest transmission frequency among the M carriers.

[0051] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, in combination with the fourth aspect, the first capability information further indicates a maximum number of downlink multiple-input multiple-output layers that can be supported by the M carriers respectively.

[0052] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, in combination with the fourth aspect, the second capability information further indicates that the terminal device comprises N radio frequency chains, wherein N is greater than or equal to M, and the N radio frequency chains comprise the first radio frequency chain and the M radio frequency chains.

[0053] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, in combination with the fourth aspect, the method further comprises: receiving third capability information sent by the terminal device, the third capability information indicating a capability of the terminal device for processing gap interference between the M carriers when the terminal device receives the M carriers through the first radio frequency chain.

[0054] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, in combination with the fourth aspect, the method further comprises: sending, to the terminal device, first indication information indicating that the terminal device measures a gap interference intensity between the M carriers; receiving a measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity sent by the terminal device, the measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity comprising at least one of an interference reference signal received power, a difference between the interference reference signal received power and a target reference signal received power, or an interference received signal strength indication; and sending, to the terminal device, the second configuration information according to the first capability information and the second capability information comprises: sending, to the terminal device, the second configuration information according to the first capability information, the second capability information, and the measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity.

[0055] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, in combination with the fourth aspect, the terminal device receives a time delay difference between the M carriers being less than or equal to a first threshold value, and / or the terminal device receives a power difference between the M carriers being less than or equal to a second threshold value.

[0056] In a fifth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising: a receiving unit and a sending unit; the sending unit is configured to send, to a network device, first capability information, the first capability information being used to indicate that a terminal device is capable of receiving M carriers through a first radio frequency chain, the M carriers being located in a first frequency band, and the M carriers being discontinuous in a frequency domain of the first frequency band, M being an integer greater than or equal to 2; and the receiving unit is configured to receive first configuration information sent by the network device, the first configuration information being used to indicate that the terminal device receives the M carriers through the first radio frequency chain.

[0057] With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the first capability information is further used to indicate a difference between a transmission bandwidth upper boundary of a first carrier and a transmission bandwidth lower boundary of a second carrier, wherein the first carrier is a carrier with the highest transmission frequency among the M carriers, and the second carrier is a carrier with the lowest transmission frequency among the M carriers.

[0058] With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the first capability information is further used to indicate a number of maximum downlink multiple-input multiple-output layers that can be supported by the M carriers respectively.

[0059] With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the sending unit is further configured to send, to the network device, second capability information, the second capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device is capable of receiving the M carriers through M radio frequency chains.

[0060] With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the second capability information is further used to indicate that the terminal device comprises N radio frequency chains, wherein N is greater than or equal to M, and the N radio frequency chains comprise the first radio frequency chain and the M radio frequency chains.

[0061] With reference to the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the sending unit is further configured to send, to the network device, third capability information, the third capability information being used to indicate a capability of the terminal device for processing gap interference between the M carriers when the terminal device receives the M carriers through the first radio frequency chain.

[0062] In some implementations of the fifth aspect, the apparatus further includes a processing unit; and the receiving unit is further configured to receive first indication information sent by the network device, the first indication information being used to instruct the terminal device to measure a gap interference strength between the M carriers; and the processing unit is configured to send a measurement quantity of the gap interference strength to the network device according to the first indication information, the measurement quantity of the gap interference strength including at least one of an interference reference signal received power, a difference between the interference reference signal received power and a target reference signal received power, or an interference signal strength indication.

[0063] In some implementations of the fifth aspect, the terminal device receives a time delay difference between the M carriers being less than or equal to a first threshold value, and / or the terminal device receives a power difference between the M carriers being less than or equal to a second threshold value.

[0064] In some implementations of the sixth aspect, the first capability information is further used to indicate a difference between a transmission bandwidth upper boundary of a first carrier and a transmission bandwidth lower boundary of a second carrier, where the first carrier is a carrier with the highest transmission frequency among the M carriers, and the second carrier is a carrier with the lowest transmission frequency among the M carriers.

[0065] In some implementations of the sixth aspect, the first capability information is further used to indicate a maximum number of downlink multiple-input multiple-output layers that can be supported by the M carriers respectively.

[0066] In some implementations of the sixth aspect, the first capability information is further used to indicate a maximum number of downlink multiple-input multiple-output layers that can be supported by the M carriers respectively.

[0067] In some implementations of the sixth aspect, the receiving unit is further configured to receive second capability information sent by the terminal device, the second capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device can receive the M carriers through M radio frequency chains.

[0068] In some implementations of the sixth aspect, in combination with the sixth aspect, the second capability information further indicates that the terminal device comprises N radio frequency links, where N is greater than or equal to M, and the N radio frequency links comprise the first radio frequency link and the M radio frequency links.

[0069] In some implementations of the sixth aspect, in combination with the sixth aspect, the receiving unit is further configured to receive third capability information sent by the terminal device, where the third capability information indicates a capability of the terminal device for processing gap interference between the M carriers when the terminal device receives the M carriers via the first radio frequency link.

[0070] In some implementations of the sixth aspect, in combination with the sixth aspect, the apparatus further comprises a sending unit, where the sending unit is configured to send, to the terminal device, first indication information, where the first indication information indicates that the terminal device is required to measure a gap interference intensity between the M carriers; the receiving unit is further configured to receive a measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity sent by the terminal device, where the measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity comprises at least one of an interference reference signal received power, a difference between an interference reference signal received power and a target reference signal received power, or an interference received signal strength indication; and the processing unit is specifically configured to send, to the terminal device, the first configuration information according to the first capability information, the third capability information, and the measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity.

[0071] In some implementations of the sixth aspect, in combination with the sixth aspect, the terminal device receives a time delay difference between the M carriers that is less than or equal to a first threshold value, and / or the terminal device receives a power difference between the M carriers that is less than or equal to a second threshold value.

[0072] In a seventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises a sending unit and a receiving unit, where the sending unit is configured to send, to a network device, first capability information and second capability information, where the first capability information indicates that a terminal device is capable of receiving M carriers via a first radio frequency link, and the second capability information indicates that the terminal device is capable of receiving the M carriers via M radio frequency links, where the M carriers are located in a first frequency band, the M carriers are discontinuous in a frequency domain of the first frequency band, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2; and the receiving unit is configured to receive second configuration information sent by the network device, where the second configuration information indicates that the terminal device receives the M carriers via the first radio frequency link, or indicates that the terminal device receives the M carriers via the M radio frequency links.

[0073] In some implementations of the seventh aspect, in conjunction with the seventh aspect, the first capability information further indicates a difference between a transmission bandwidth upper boundary of the first carrier and a transmission bandwidth lower boundary of the second carrier, wherein the first carrier is a carrier with a highest transmission frequency among the M carriers, and the second carrier is a carrier with a lowest transmission frequency among the M carriers.

[0074] In some implementations of the seventh aspect, in conjunction with the seventh aspect, the first capability information further indicates a maximum number of downlink multiple-input multiple-output layers that the M carriers can support respectively.

[0075] In some implementations of the seventh aspect, in conjunction with the seventh aspect, the second capability information further indicates that the terminal device comprises N radio frequency chains, wherein N is greater than or equal to M, and the N radio frequency chains comprise the first radio frequency chain and the M radio frequency chains.

[0076] In some implementations of the seventh aspect, in conjunction with the seventh aspect, the sending unit is further configured to send, to the network device, third capability information, the third capability information indicating a capability of the terminal device for processing gap interference between the M carriers when the terminal device receives the M carriers through the first radio frequency chain.

[0077] In some implementations of the seventh aspect, in conjunction with the seventh aspect, the apparatus further comprises a processing unit, and the receiving unit is configured to receive first indication information sent by the network device, the first indication information indicating that the terminal device measures a strength of the gap interference between the M carriers, and the processing unit is configured to send, to the network device, a measurement quantity of the strength of the gap interference according to the first indication information, the measurement quantity of the strength of the gap interference comprising at least one of an interference reference signal received power, a difference between the interference reference signal received power and a target reference signal received power, or an interference received signal strength indication.

[0078] In some implementations of the seventh aspect, in conjunction with the seventh aspect, the terminal device receives a time delay difference between the M carriers being less than or equal to a first threshold value, and / or the terminal device receives a power difference between the M carriers being less than or equal to a second threshold value.

[0079] In an eighth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising: a receiving unit, configured to receive first capability information and second capability information sent by a terminal device, the first capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device is capable of receiving M carriers through a first radio frequency chain, the second capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device is capable of receiving the M carriers through M radio frequency chains, the M carriers being located in a first frequency range, and the M carriers being discontinuous in a frequency domain of the first frequency range, M being an integer greater than or equal to 2; and a processing unit, configured to send second configuration information to the terminal device according to the first capability information and the second capability information, the second configuration information being used to indicate that the terminal device receives the M carriers through the first radio frequency chain, or being used to indicate that the terminal device receives the M carriers through the M radio frequency chains.

[0080] With reference to the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the first capability information is further used to indicate a difference between a transmission bandwidth upper boundary of a first carrier and a transmission bandwidth lower boundary of a second carrier, the first carrier being a carrier with the highest transmission frequency among the M carriers, and the second carrier being a carrier with the lowest transmission frequency among the M carriers.

[0081] With reference to the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the first capability information is further used to indicate a maximum number of downlink multiple-input multiple-output layers that can be supported by the M carriers respectively.

[0082] With reference to the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the second capability information is further used to indicate that the terminal device comprises N radio frequency chains, N being greater than or equal to M, and the N radio frequency chains comprising the first radio frequency chain and the M radio frequency chains.

[0083] With reference to the eighth aspect, in some implementations of the eighth aspect, the receiving unit is further configured to receive third capability information sent by the terminal device, the third capability information being used to indicate a capability of the terminal device for processing gap interference between the M carriers when the terminal device receives the M carriers through the first radio frequency chain.

[0084] In a seventh aspect, in some implementations of the seventh aspect, the apparatus further includes a sending unit configured to send, to the terminal device, first indication information, the first indication information being used to instruct the terminal device to measure a gap interference strength between the M carriers; the receiving unit is configured to receive a measurement quantity of the gap interference strength sent by the terminal device, the measurement quantity of the gap interference strength including at least one of the following: an interference reference signal received power, a difference between the interference reference signal received power and a target reference signal received power, or an interference received signal strength indication; and the processing unit is specifically configured to send the second configuration information to the terminal device according to the first capability information, the second capability information, and the measurement quantity of the gap interference strength.

[0085] In a seventh aspect, in some implementations of the seventh aspect, the terminal device receives a time delay difference between the M carriers being less than or equal to a first threshold value, and / or the terminal device receives a power difference between the M carriers being less than or equal to a second threshold value.

[0086] In a ninth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, including at least one processor and a communication interface, the at least one processor being coupled with the communication interface, configured to control the communication interface to communicate with other devices, so that the apparatus implements the method in any one of the implementation manners of the first aspect to the fourth aspect.

[0087] In a ninth aspect, in some implementations of the ninth aspect, the apparatus further includes a memory, the at least one processor being coupled with the memory, configured to read and execute instructions in the memory, so that the apparatus implements the method in any one of the implementation manners of the first aspect to the fourth aspect.

[0088] In a ninth aspect, in some implementations of the ninth aspect, the communication interface is a receiver or a transmitter, or an input / output interface.

[0089] In a tenth aspect, a chip is provided, including a circuit configured to execute the method in any one of the implementation manners of the first aspect to the fourth aspect.

[0090] In a tenth aspect, in some implementations of the tenth aspect, the circuit is a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

[0091] In a tenth aspect, in some implementations of the tenth aspect, the chip further includes an input / output interface, and the circuit is configured to control the input / output interface to implement communication with other devices.

[0092] In a eleventh aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program code, and when the computer program code is run on a computer, the computer program code causes the computer to perform the method in any one of the implementation forms of the first aspect to the fourth aspect.

[0093] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which comprises a computer program, and when the computer program is run, the computer program causes a computer to perform the method in any one of the implementation forms of the first aspect to the fourth aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0094] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a member carrier aggregation provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0095] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a single frequency band allocated to different operators provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0096] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a type 3 receiver architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0097] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a type 2 receiver architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0098] FIG. 5 is a diagram of an application scenario to which a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application is applied;

[0099] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a terminal device supporting a type 1 receiver architecture provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0100] FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0101] FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0102] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0103] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of another communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0104] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, for example: a global system of mobile communication (GSM) system, a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, a general packet radio service (GPRS), a long term evolution (LTE) system, an LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, a TDD, a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, a 5th generation (5G) system or a new radio (NR), and the like.

[0105] The terminal device in the embodiments of the present application can refer to a user equipment, an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent or a user apparatus. The terminal device can also be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a 5G network or a terminal device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), and the like, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0106] The network device in the embodiments of the present application can be a device for communicating with a terminal device. The network device can be a base station (base transceiver station, BTS) in a global system of mobile communication (GSM) system or a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, can be a base station (NodeB, NB) in a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, can be an evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE system, can be a next generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G system or an NR system, can be a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, or the network device can be a relay station, an access point, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, and a future network device or a network device in a future evolved PLMN network, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited.

[0107] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0108] To meet the requirements of single-user rate and system capacity improvement, the LTE system introduces a carrier aggregation (CA) technology when facing the growing demand for data. The carrier aggregation technology can aggregate 2 to 5 component carriers (CCs) of E-UTRA together to achieve several times the growth of transmission bandwidth. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, five 20MHz component carriers are aggregated together to obtain a total of 100MHz effective bandwidth. Such a processing manner can improve the uplink and downlink transmission rate.

[0109] In the subsequent evolution of wireless communication technology, carrier aggregation technology is also applied to vehicle to everything (V2X), NR and other technologies. In the 5G new air interface system, the terminal device can report different types of CA combinations, the number of bands in each CA in the CA combination, and the number of member carriers in each band according to its own capabilities, such as intra-band contiguous CA (CA), intra-band non-contiguous CA (CA), inter-band CA (CA), etc. So that the network device can allocate and utilize spectrum resources more accurately according to the capabilities and needs of the terminal device.

[0110] For intra-band contiguous CA, several member carriers in a band are allocated continuously in the frequency domain, and the number of member carriers and the total transmission bandwidth can be determined by the CA bandwidth class as shown in Table 1. For example, CA_n7B can represent that the terminal device supports aggregation of 2 contiguous member carriers in frequency band n7, and the total transmission bandwidth cannot exceed 100MHz.

[0111] Table 1

[0112] For intra-band non-contiguous CA, a band contains two or more sub-blocks separated by a gap, each sub-block can be composed of a single member carrier or multiple contiguous member carriers, for example, CA_n7(2A) can represent that the terminal device supports aggregation of two non-contiguous member carriers in frequency band n7.

[0113] For inter-band CA, member carriers come from different bands, and each band can include a single member carrier or multiple aggregated contiguous or non-contiguous member carriers, for example, CA_n7(2A)-n25(2A)-n66(2A)-n77(2A) represents that the terminal device supports two non-contiguous member carriers in each of the frequency bands n7, n25, n66, n77, that is, the terminal device supports aggregation of a total of 8 member carriers.

[0114] In the 5G New Radio system, the dual connectivity technology of (E-UTRA-NR dual connectivity, EN-DC) of the E-UTRA and NR systems is also defined, that is, the terminal device supports the joint transmission / reception of multiple carriers on the E-UTRA frequency band and the NR frequency band. The EN-DC dual connectivity technology also supports different types of combinations such as intra-band contiguous EN-DC, intra-band non-contiguous EN-DC, inter-band EN-DC, etc. For example, the intra-band contiguous EN-DC combination DC_(n)7B indicates that the terminal device supports the aggregation of two contiguous member carriers on the E-UTRA frequency band 7 and the NR frequency band n7; for another example, the intra-band non-contiguous EN-DC combination DC_(n)7AA indicates that the terminal device supports the aggregation of two non-contiguous member carriers on the E-UTRA frequency band 7 and the NR frequency band n7; for another example, the inter-band EN-DC combination DC_7(2A)-25(2A)_n66(2A)-n77(2A) indicates that the terminal device supports the aggregation of a total of 8 member carriers, each of which is two non-contiguous member carriers in the E-UTRA frequency band 7, 25 and the NR frequency band n66, n77.

[0115] For the three types of CA or EN-DC dual connectivity of intra-band contiguous, intra-band non-contiguous and inter-band, the frequency interval, transmission bandwidth, etc. of the member carriers are quite different, and the terminal device usually adopts different hardware implementation architectures, and the 3GPP also defines different reception performance indexes accordingly, including but not limited to the reference sensitivity (REFSENS), the adjacent channel selectivity (ACS), the in-band blocking index (IBB), the out-of-band blocking index (OOBB), the maximum receive timing difference index (MRTD), the cell activation delay index, the interruption index, etc.

[0116] It should be noted that there are some cases where the frequency band numbers are different but the frequency ranges partially overlap in the E-UTRA or NR system. For example, the frequency range of E-UTRA frequency band 40 is 3400-3600 MHz, and the frequency range of NR frequency band n78 is 3300-3800 MHz, and the two frequency bands overlap in the range of 3400-3600 MHz. When the terminal device supports EN-DC dual connectivity between the two frequency bands, the implementation and reception performance of the terminal device is by default referred to the relevant indicators of in-band EN-DC.

[0117] It should also be noted that when the terminal device reports that it supports a certain CA / EN-DC combination, the network device considers that the terminal device can support the corresponding fallback CA / EN-DC combination by default, unless otherwise specified. For in-band contiguous aggregated carriers, the higher transmission bandwidth level in the same fallback group in Table 1 can fallback to the lower transmission bandwidth level. For in-band non-contiguous aggregated carriers, the fallback rule for contiguous aggregated carriers in each sub-block can also be applied from N sub-blocks to N-1 sub-blocks. For inter-band aggregated carriers of M frequency bands, the fallback rule for in-band contiguous / non-contiguous aggregated carriers in each frequency band can also be applied from M aggregated carriers to M-1 aggregated carriers. If the terminal device cannot support a certain fallback CA / EN-DC combination, it needs to report the capability to the network separately.

[0118] It should also be noted that as a public resource, the spectrum is uniformly managed and allocated by regulatory agencies in various countries and regions. Based on the rhythm of spectrum allocation, a single frequency band may be allocated to different operators in stages, resulting in the phenomenon of fragmented carriers. FIG. 2 shows the allocation of NR frequency band n66 in a certain country. Each color represents the spectrum allocated to an operator, and each grid represents 5 MHz. As can be seen, several operators have obtained two non-contiguous spectrums, and there is an overlap between the spectrums of different operators. This means that when non-contiguous CA technology is applied to the two non-contiguous spectrums of an operator, there is in-gap interference from different operators between the two sub-blocks.

[0119] The receiver architecture adopted by the terminal device is described in detail below.

[0120] 3GPP introduced a non-continuous carrier aggregation technology for E-UTRA, and defines a reference receiver architecture as shown in FIG. 3. As can be seen from FIG. 3, two member carriers share an antenna and a low noise amplifier (LNA), while a mixer, a low pass filter (LPF), and an analog / digital converter (A / D) are used independently by the two member carriers. For the convenience of description, the receiver architecture shown in FIG. 3 is referred to as a fragment type 3 receiver architecture in the embodiments of the present application. In another implementation, some products can also use a receiver architecture as shown in FIG. 4, that is, two member carriers use completely independent radio frequency links to receive signals. In the embodiments of the present application, the receiver architecture shown in FIG. 4 can also be referred to as a fragment type 2 receiver architecture.

[0121] However, the fragment type 2 and type 3 architectures have high requirements for radio frequency links, which limits the total number of frequency bands and the number of member carriers supported by the terminal device. Specifically, when the terminal device implements non-continuous carrier aggregation of two sub-blocks based on the fragment type 2 and type 3 architectures, a single frequency band receiving member carrier needs to occupy 2 radio frequency links. When an operator has multiple frequency bands of spectrum, and the number of required radio frequency links for the multiple frequency bands exceeds the total number of radio frequency links of the terminal device, the network device cannot effectively configure and utilize all available frequency bands, which reduces the utilization efficiency of the spectrum. For example, Table 2 is the spectrum of a certain operator. When the terminal device applies the fragment type 2 or type 3 architecture, even if the terminal device does not support 2-layer or 4-layer downlink multiple input multiple output (MIMO) reception, 9 radio frequency links need to be set, which greatly increases the difficulty of implementation of the terminal device, and even cannot support the combinations shown in Table 2.

[0122] Table 2

[0123] In addition, the fragment type 2 and type 3 architectures may not support high-order (more layers) downlink MIMO reception when supporting non-continuous carrier aggregation. This is because when the terminal device needs to support high-order downlink MIMO reception on one or more frequency bands, the number of required radio frequency links will increase exponentially. For the fragment type 2 or type 3 architecture, the reception of each layer of each sub-block needs a set of independent mixers, low pass filters, and analog / digital converters, and the fragment type 2 architecture also needs an independent antenna. Therefore, when the number of radio frequency links is limited, the terminal device may need to sacrifice the capability of high-order downlink MIMO reception to support non-continuous carrier aggregation.

[0124] The embodiment of the present application provides a communication method and a communication device, and the terminal device can report the capability of receiving multiple non-continuous carrier aggregated bands through one radio frequency link, so that the network device can effectively configure and utilize all available bands, and improve the utilization efficiency of the spectrum.

[0125] FIG. 5 is an application scenario of a communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application.

[0126] As shown in FIG. 5, the terminal device can establish EN-DC dual connectivity with the E-UTRA base station and the NR base station 1, and can also establish NR CA connection with the NR base station 2, and the two or more member carriers for aggregation come from the co-sited base station. In the scenario shown in FIG. 5, there can also be in-gap interference signals generated by base stations of different operators.

[0127] It should be understood that the application scenario shown in FIG. 5 is only an exemplary description, and should not be understood as limiting the scenario to which the embodiment of the present application is applicable.

[0128] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a receiver architecture of a terminal device supporting type 1 according to the embodiment of the present application.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 6, in the system architecture, the terminal device can include multiple radio frequency links, each of which is composed of at least a radio frequency front end (antenna switch, band filter and time division duplex (TDD) uplink / downlink switch or duplexer), low noise amplifier, frequency mixer, low pass filter, analog / digital converter and the like, wherein the radio frequency front end is the starting point of the radio frequency link and is responsible for processing the received or transmitted radio frequency signals; the low noise amplifier is used to enhance the weak signal received from the antenna at the receiving end, while reducing the introduction of noise as much as possible; the frequency mixer is used to convert the radio frequency signal to an intermediate frequency (IF) or baseband frequency at the receiving end; the low pass filter is used to filter the signal and remove the unwanted high frequency components or harmonics; the analog / digital converter is responsible for converting the analog signal to a digital signal in the downlink radio frequency link. In addition, each radio frequency link can also include a local oscillator (LO) and an automatic gain controller (AGC), the local oscillator can provide a local oscillation signal for frequency conversion, support frequency conversion and mixing process; the automatic gain controller can effectively improve the performance of the receiver and the reliability of the overall system by stabilizing the signal strength, suppressing interference, optimizing the dynamic range and improving the system sensitivity.

[0130] One or several of the plurality of radio frequency links can receive non-contiguous component carriers from within one frequency band, for example, the three radio frequency links included in Figure 6, the first and second radio frequency links (the main receiver and the diversity receiver on frequency band A) can both receive component carriers CC1 and CC2, which are non-contiguous component carriers from within frequency band A, and correspondingly, the third radio frequency link can receive non-contiguous component carriers from frequency band B.

[0131] The terminal device supporting the type 1 architecture can communicate with at least one network device, which can support downlink non-contiguous component carrier aggregation functions, including EN-DC dual connectivity or NR CA. The non-contiguous component carriers can come from the same network device (for example, from the same gNB) or different network devices (for example, from one eNB and one gNB), and the network devices involved need to meet the co-site condition.

[0132] Figure 7 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method 700 can include steps S701 and S702.

[0133] S701, the terminal device sends first capability information to the network device.

[0134] The first capability information is used to indicate that the terminal device can receive M carriers through a first radio frequency link, the M carriers are located within a first frequency band, and the M carriers are non-contiguous in the frequency domain of the first frequency band, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2, i.e., the terminal device can inform the network device that it supports type 1 architecture in the first frequency band. The above M carriers can be understood as non-contiguous component carriers in the first frequency band.

[0135] In a possible implementation, when the terminal device supports non-contiguous carrier aggregation through type 1 architecture on multiple frequency bands, the terminal device can report to the network device through the first capability information which frequency bands it supports non-contiguous carrier aggregation in type 1.

[0136] For example, the first capability information is also used to indicate that the terminal device receives Q carriers through a second radio frequency link, the Q carriers are located within a second frequency band, and the Q carriers are non-contiguous in the second frequency band, and Q is an integer greater than or equal to 2, i.e., the terminal device can inform the network device that it supports type 1 architecture in the first frequency band and the second frequency band.

[0137] In a possible implementation, when the terminal device reports to the network device which frequency bands it supports type 1 discontinuous CA aggregation, the terminal device can also inform the network device of the conditions under which the terminal device supports discontinuous CA aggregation in the frequency bands (for example, the frequency bands support type 1 discontinuous CA aggregation under a specific CA combination). In the current NR capability reporting system, the CA / DC combination capability of the terminal device includes two parts. The first part is the frequency bands and CA types involved in the combination, which can be reported through a band list (bandList), for example, CA_nX(2A)-nY(2A)-nZA. The second part is the related capability supported by each frequency band or each member carrier under the combination, which is reported through a feature set (featureSet), for example, the bandwidth that can be supported by the terminal device on each member carrier.

[0138] In a possible implementation, the terminal device reports the first capability information to the network device as part of the featureSet. For example, when the terminal device reports support for a certain CA / DC combination, the terminal device reports a combination including K frequency bands in the bandList, and reports the first capability in the featureSet. The first capability includes K fields, and each field indicates the capability of a frequency band. For example, one field can include 1 bit, and the bit is 1 when the corresponding frequency band supports type 1 implementation of discontinuous CA reception. One field can also include multiple bits, indicating different terminal implementation types such as type 1, type 2, type 3, or type 2 / 3, and the bit is 1 when the terminal supports the implementation.

[0139] In a possible implementation, the terminal device reports the first capability information to the network device as part of the bandList. For example, a new NR transmission bandwidth level is defined. When a certain frequency band reports the new NR transmission bandwidth level, the terminal device can implement type 1 discontinuous CA reception on the frequency band. For example, new NR levels Z2, Z3, Z4, and the like are defined. Z2 indicates that the terminal device can implement type 1 discontinuous CA reception of 2 member carriers on the frequency band, Z3 indicates that the terminal device can implement type 1 discontinuous CA reception of 3 member carriers on the frequency band, and the like. When the terminal device reports a combination CA_nX(Z2)-nY(Z3), it indicates that the terminal supports type 1 implementation of discontinuous CA reception of 2 member carriers on the frequency band nX, and supports type 1 implementation of discontinuous CA reception of 3 member carriers on the frequency band nY.

[0140] It should be noted that when the terminal device supports non-continuous carrier aggregation through the type 1 architecture on one or more frequency bands, the filter bandwidth in the radio frequency link needs to include all non-continuous member carriers and the frequency range between the member carriers, so that the interference signals in the gap between the non-continuous member carriers cannot be filtered out by the filter, which may cause the radio frequency receiving performance of the terminal device to decrease. In order to ensure that the network device performance is not affected, when reporting support for the type 1 architecture implementation, the terminal device needs to ensure that the performance indicators defined for the type 1 architecture (for example, adjacent channel selectivity and in-band blocking interference) can be met.

[0141] In a possible implementation, the first capability information is further used to indicate a difference between a transmission bandwidth upper boundary of the first carrier and a transmission bandwidth lower boundary of the second carrier, where the first carrier is a carrier with the highest transmission frequency in the M carriers, and the second carrier is a carrier with the lowest transmission frequency in the M carriers. This is because when the terminal device receives non-continuous member carriers using the same radio frequency link, some devices in the radio frequency link have a maximum bandwidth constraint, and therefore, the frequency interval of the non-continuous member carriers is required to be constrained in the type 1 architecture implementation.

[0142] Optionally, n frequency interval levels can be defined, for example, as follows:

[0143] Frequency interval level 1: ≤ 100 MHz;

[0144] Frequency interval level 2: ≤ 200 MHz;

[0145] Frequency interval level 3: ≤ 400 MHz.

[0146] In a possible implementation, the first capability information is further used to indicate a maximum number of downlink multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) layers that the terminal device can support on each member carrier of the first frequency band, and the number of MIMO layers that different member carriers can support can be different.

[0147] For example, when the terminal device can support 2-layer or 4-layer downlink MIMO on each member carrier of the first frequency band, the first capability information can be used to inform the network device that it can support 2-layer or 4-layer MIMO layers on the first frequency band.

[0148] Optionally, when the terminal device supports non-continuous carrier aggregation through the type 1 architecture on multiple frequency bands, the terminal device can inform the network device of a maximum number of MIMO layers that the terminal device can support on each member carrier of each frequency band of the target CA combination.

[0149] Optionally, when the terminal device reports the first capability information, a time delay difference between the M carriers is required to be less than or equal to a first threshold value, and / or a power difference between the M carriers is required to be less than or equal to a second threshold value, that is, the M carriers satisfy the co-sited condition.

[0150] It should be noted that the terminal device receives the non-contiguous member carriers using the same radio frequency link, and if there is a large time delay difference (for example, a receiving interval between the non-contiguous member carriers is greater than a cyclic prefix (CP) length) or a large power difference between the non-contiguous member carriers, the receiving performance of the member carrier with relatively low power will be reduced. Therefore, when the terminal device supports the architecture of type 1, it can be required that the non-contiguous member carriers need to be in the co-sited scenario.

[0151] S702, the network device sends first configuration information to the terminal device according to the first capability information.

[0152] The first configuration information is used to instruct the terminal device to receive the M carriers through the first radio frequency link. After receiving the first configuration information, the terminal device can receive the M carriers through the first radio frequency link.

[0153] In a possible implementation, before step S702, the terminal device can send second capability information to the network device, the second capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device can receive the M carriers through the M radio frequency links. Then, in step S702, the network device can send the first configuration information to the terminal device according to the first capability information and the second capability information.

[0154] Optionally, the second capability information is further used to indicate that the terminal device includes N radio frequency links, where N is greater than or equal to M, and the N radio frequency links include the first radio frequency link and the M radio frequency links.

[0155] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can report the capability of receiving a plurality of non-contiguous carrier aggregated frequency bands through one radio frequency link, so that the network device can effectively configure and utilize all available frequency bands, and improve the utilization efficiency of the frequency spectrum.

[0156] In one embodiment, when the terminal device receives the non-contiguous member carriers based on the architecture of type 1, the interference of the gap will cause the receiving performance of the terminal device to decrease. In order to avoid the above situation, the terminal device can inform the network device of its actual receiving performance and report the actual interference strength in the network, so as to assist the network device to flexibly configure the receiving mode of the terminal device.

[0157] In a possible implementation, before step S702, the terminal device can send third capability information to the network device, where the third capability information is used to indicate a capability of the terminal device for processing the gap interference between the M carriers when the terminal device receives the M carriers through the first radio frequency chain, that is, the terminal device can report its gap interference suppression capability to the network device.

[0158] Optionally, the capability of the terminal device for processing the gap interference between the M carriers reported by the terminal device is a maximum interference intensity that the terminal device can process at a specific reception performance level. For example, when the sensitivity decreases by W_1 dB, the capability level I of the terminal device indicates that the terminal device can process an interference intensity higher than a useful signal Int_1 dB, and the capability level II of the terminal device indicates that the terminal device can process an interference intensity higher than a useful signal Int_2 dB, where Int_1 is not equal to Int_2.

[0159] Optionally, the capability of the terminal device for processing the gap interference between the M carriers reported by the terminal device is a reception performance level of the terminal device at a specific interference intensity. For example, when an interference signal is higher than a useful signal Int_3 dB, the terminal capability level I indicates that the sensitivity decreases by W_2 dB, and the terminal device capability level II indicates that the sensitivity decreases by W_3 dB, where W_2 is not equal to W_3.

[0160] Optionally, the capability of the terminal device for processing the gap interference between the M carriers reported by the terminal device is whether the terminal device can meet a specific interference suppression level. For example, when an interference intensity is higher than a useful signal Int_4 dB, the sensitivity decreases by no more than W_4 dB.

[0161] In an embodiment, in order to obtain more accurate gap interference intensity information, the network device can configure the terminal device to measure and report the gap interference intensity.

[0162] In a possible implementation, before step S702, the network device can send first indication information to the terminal device, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to measure the gap interference intensity between the M carriers. Accordingly, the terminal device can measure the gap interference intensity according to the first indication information and report a measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity.

[0163] Optionally, the network device can be configured based on a current inter-frequency measurement framework. Under the current inter-frequency measurement framework, if the network device configures an s-measConfig message in the first indication information, the terminal device can only start the inter-frequency measurement when at the cell edge, but the above constraint cannot be applied to the gap interference intensity measurement and reporting, that is, the terminal device is not controlled by the s-measConfig message when starting the inter-frequency measurement.

[0164] Optionally, the first indication information can specify the gap interference frequency point to be measured, and the terminal device is required to perform interference received signal strength indication (RSSI) measurement.

[0165] Optionally, the measurement quantity of the gap interference strength can be interference reference signal receiving power (RSRP), a difference between interference RSRP and target RSRP, or RSSI.

[0166] Alternatively, the terminal device can report the gap interference strength based on an existing measurement reporting framework, or the terminal device can report the gap interference strength based on uplink assistance information (UAI), or the terminal device can request the network device to release a certain cell based on UAI, because the gap interference strength exceeds the processing capability of the terminal device.

[0167] In one embodiment, after the terminal device reports the third capability information and the measurement quantity of the gap interference strength to the network device, step S702 includes: the network device sends first configuration information to the terminal device according to the third capability information and the gap interference measurement quantity reported by the terminal device.

[0168] FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method 800 can include steps S801 and S802.

[0169] S801, the terminal device sends first capability information and second capability information to the network device.

[0170] The first capability information is used to indicate that the terminal device can receive M carriers through a first radio frequency chain, and the second capability information is used to indicate that the terminal device can receive M carriers through M radio frequency chains, the M carriers are located in a first frequency band, and the M carriers are discontinuous in the frequency domain of the first frequency band, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2, that is, the terminal device can inform the network device that it supports type 1 architecture in the first frequency band, and supports type 2 / type 3 architecture in the first frequency band. The above M carriers can be understood as non-continuous member carriers in the first frequency band.

[0171] Optionally, the terminal device can report the first capability information and the second capability information simultaneously, or report the first capability information and the second capability information respectively.

[0172] Optionally, the second capability information is further used to indicate that the terminal device includes N radio frequency chains, where N is greater than or equal to M, and the N radio frequency chains include the first radio frequency chain and the M radio frequency chains.

[0173] In a possible implementation, when the terminal device supports non-continuous carrier aggregation through type 1 architecture on multiple frequency bands, the terminal device can report to the network device, through the first capability information, which frequency bands the terminal device supports non-continuous carrier aggregation in type 1.

[0174] For example, the first capability information is also used to indicate that the terminal device receives Q carriers through the second radio frequency chain, the Q carriers are located in the second frequency band, and the Q carriers are discontinuous on the second frequency band, Q is an integer greater than or equal to 2, that is, the terminal device can inform the network device that it supports type 1 architecture in the first frequency band and the second frequency band.

[0175] In a possible implementation, when the terminal device supports non-continuous carrier aggregation through type 2 / 3 architecture on multiple frequency bands, the terminal device can report to the network device, through the second capability information, which frequency bands the terminal device supports non-continuous carrier aggregation in type 2 / 3.

[0176] In a possible implementation, when the terminal device reports to the network device which frequency bands the terminal device supports non-continuous carrier aggregation in type 1, the terminal device can also inform the network device of the conditions for supporting non-continuous carrier aggregation in these frequency bands (for example, these frequency bands support non-continuous carrier aggregation in type 1 under a specific CA combination). In the current NR capability reporting system, the CA / DC combination capability of the terminal device includes two parts. The first part is the frequency bands and CA types involved in the combination, which can be reported through a band list (bandList), for example, CA_nX(2A)-nY(2A)-nZA. The second part is the related capability supported by each frequency band or each member carrier under the combination, which is reported through a feature set (featureSet), for example, the bandwidth that the terminal device can support on each member carrier.

[0177] In a possible implementation, the terminal device reports the first capability information to the network device as part of the featureSet. For example, when the terminal device reports support for a certain CA / DC combination, the combination including K frequency bands is reported in the bandList, and the first capability is reported in the featureSet. The first capability includes K fields, and each field indicates the capability of a frequency band. For example, a field can include 1 bit, and when the bit is 1, it indicates that the corresponding frequency band supports non-continuous CA reception implemented in type 1. A field can also include multiple bits, indicating different terminal implementation types such as type 1, type 2, type 3, or type 2 / 3, and the bit is reported as 1 when the terminal supports the implementation.

[0178] In a possible implementation, the terminal device reports the first capability information to the network device as part of bandList. For example, a new NR transmission bandwidth level is defined, and when a certain frequency band reports the new NR transmission bandwidth level, the terminal device can implement non-continuous CA reception of type 1 on the frequency band. For example, new NR levels Z2, Z3, Z4, and the like are defined, Z2 indicates that the terminal device can implement non-continuous CA reception of type 1 of two member carriers on the frequency band, Z3 indicates that the terminal device can implement non-continuous CA reception of type 1 of three member carriers on the frequency band, and the like. When the terminal device reports a combination of CA_nX(Z2)-nY(Z3), it indicates that the terminal supports non-continuous CA reception of type 1 of two member carriers on the frequency band nX and supports non-continuous CA reception of type 1 of three member carriers on the frequency band nY.

[0179] It should be noted that when the terminal device supports non-continuous carrier aggregation through the type 1 architecture on one or more frequency bands, the filter bandwidth in the radio frequency link needs to include all non-continuous member carriers and the frequency range between the member carriers, so that the interference signals in the gap between the non-continuous member carriers cannot be filtered out by the filter, which may cause the radio frequency reception performance of the terminal device to decrease. To ensure that the network device performance is not affected, the terminal device needs to ensure that the performance indicators defined for the type 1 architecture (for example, adjacent channel selectivity and in-band blocking interference) can be met when reporting support for the type 1 architecture implementation.

[0180] In a possible implementation, the first capability information further indicates a difference between an upper boundary of a transmission bandwidth of the first carrier and a lower boundary of a transmission bandwidth of the second carrier, where the first carrier is a carrier with the highest transmission frequency among the M carriers, and the second carrier is a carrier with the lowest transmission frequency among the M carriers. This is because when the terminal device receives non-continuous member carriers using the same radio frequency link, some devices in the radio frequency link have a maximum bandwidth constraint, and therefore, the frequency interval of the non-continuous member carriers is required to be constrained in the type 1 architecture implementation.

[0181] Optionally, n frequency interval levels can be defined, for example, as follows:

[0182] Frequency interval level 1: ≤100MHz;

[0183] Frequency interval level 2: ≤200MHz;

[0184] Frequency interval level 3: ≤400MHz.

[0185] In a possible implementation, the first capability information is further used to indicate a maximum number of downlink multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) layers that the terminal device can support on each component carrier in the first frequency band, and the number of MIMO layers that different component carriers can support can be different.

[0186] For example, when the terminal device can support 2-layer or 4-layer downlink MIMO on each component carrier in the first frequency band, the first capability information can be used to inform the network device that it can support 2-layer or 4-layer MIMO layers in the first frequency band.

[0187] Optionally, when the terminal device supports non-contiguous carrier aggregation through the type 1 architecture in multiple frequency bands, the terminal device can inform the network device of a maximum number of MIMO layers that it can support on each component carrier in each frequency band of the target CA combination.

[0188] Optionally, when the terminal device reports the first capability information, a time delay difference between M carriers is required to be less than or equal to a first threshold value, and / or a power difference between the M carriers is required to be less than or equal to a second threshold value, that is, the M carriers satisfy the co-sited condition.

[0189] It should be noted that if the terminal device receives non-contiguous component carriers using the same radio frequency link, and if there is a large time delay difference (for example, a receiving interval between the non-contiguous component carriers is greater than a cyclic prefix (CP) length) or a large power difference between the non-contiguous component carriers, the receiving performance of the component carrier with relatively low power will be reduced. Therefore, when the terminal device supports the type 1 architecture implementation, it is required that the non-contiguous component carriers are in the co-sited scenario.

[0190] S802, the network device dynamically configures a manner of receiving M carriers according to the first capability information and the second capability information.

[0191] Since the type 1 architecture implementation needs to set additional constraint conditions compared with the type 2 and type 3 architecture implementations, for example, the requirements of co-sited and frequency interval, on the other hand, the type 1 architecture can support a higher number of downlink MIMO layers under the same radio frequency link condition, therefore, in step S802, the network device can configure the terminal device to dynamically switch the type 1 and type 2 / 3 architecture implementations according to the service requirement.

[0192] In a possible implementation, step S802 includes: the network device sends second configuration information to the terminal device according to the first capability information and the second capability information, the second configuration information is used to instruct the terminal device to receive M carriers through a first radio frequency link, or is used to instruct the terminal device to receive M carriers through M radio frequency links.

[0193] For example, the first capability information indicates that the terminal device can receive two non-contiguous carriers (named A1 and A2 respectively) through one radio frequency chain (first radio frequency chain), and the second capability information indicates that the terminal device can receive A1 and A2 through two radio frequency chains (second radio frequency chain and third radio frequency chain respectively). In step S802, the network device can send the second configuration information to the terminal device according to the first capability information and the second capability information, indicating that the terminal device receives A1 and A2 through the first radio frequency chain, or indicating that the terminal device receives A1 through the second radio frequency chain and receives A2 through the third radio frequency chain.

[0194] For example, the first capability information indicates that the terminal device can receive two non-contiguous carriers (named A1 and A2 respectively) through one radio frequency chain (first radio frequency chain), and the second capability information indicates that the terminal device can receive A1 and A2 through two radio frequency chains (second radio frequency chain and third radio frequency chain respectively). In step S802, the network device can send the second configuration information to the terminal device according to the first capability information and the second capability information, indicating that the terminal device receives A1 and A2 through the first radio frequency chain, or indicating that the terminal device receives A1 through the first radio frequency chain and receives A2 through the second radio frequency chain.

[0195] In a possible implementation, the terminal device can notify the network device of the CA combinations and the corresponding downlink MIMO layers that it can support in different types of implementation modes based on the dynamic switching capability of the type 1, type 2 and type 3 architectures of the terminal device, and accordingly, the network device can dynamically configure the receiving mode of M carriers based on the CA combinations and the corresponding downlink MIMO layers that the terminal device can support in different types of implementation modes.

[0196] For example, the total number of downlink of the terminal device is 5, which can report to the network device that the type 1 architecture can support the CA_nX(2A)-nY(2A)-nZA combination (such as combination 1 in Table 3), where the frequency bands nX and nY are non-contiguous carrier aggregation, that is, the frequency band nX can be the first frequency band, the frequency band nY can be the second frequency band, M = Q = 2, and at this time, 2 layers of downlink MIMO can be supported on nX and nY, and the total number of downlink applied on frequency bands nX, nY and nZ is 5. Combination 2 in Table 3 is a fallback CA combination of combination 1, when the terminal device reports the capability of supporting combination 1, it is considered to have supported the capability of combination 2 without separate description, and other possible fallback CA combinations are not listed one by one.

[0197] If the terminal device supports type 2 and / or type 3 discontinuous carrier aggregation on frequency band X and / or frequency band Y, one or more of combinations 3 to 7 can be reported again. For example, in combination 3, the terminal device uses type 2 / 3 discontinuous carrier aggregation on frequency band Y, compared with combination 1, the total number of discontinuous member carriers that can be received is the same, but since two downlinks are used to receive two discontinuous sub-blocks respectively, there is not enough downlink for downlink MIMO reception, and therefore only 1-layer downlink MIMO can be supported. Combination 4 is similar to combination 3, type 2 / 3 discontinuous carrier aggregation is used on frequency band X, and only 1-layer downlink MIMO is supported. Combination 5 uses type 2 / 3 discontinuous carrier aggregation on both frequency bands X and Y, and only 1-layer downlink MIMO is supported. Combinations 3, 4 and 5 all have the same number of CA aggregated carriers as combination 1, but because the number of downlink MIMO is different, they cannot be used as fallback CA combinations of combination 1, and the capability needs to be reported separately.

[0198] Combinations 6 and 7 use type 2 / 3 discontinuous carrier aggregation on frequency band X, and support 2-layer downlink MIMO, at this time the terminal device has only 1 downlink left, and therefore cannot simultaneously receive frequency bands Y and Z. In combination 6, the terminal device supports type 1 discontinuous carrier aggregation on frequency band Y, and only 1-layer downlink MIMO is supported. In combination 7, the terminal device supports a single carrier on frequency band Z. Combinations 6 and 7 have less number of CA aggregated carriers and downlink MIMO layers than combination 1, but since type 1 to type 2 / 3 switching on frequency band X is involved, there are certain requirements for the radio frequency implementation of the terminal device, and therefore they cannot be used as fallback CA combinations of combination 1, and the capability needs to be reported separately.

[0199] When the network device determines that the constraints required by type 1 cannot be met (such as non-co-site, or the member carrier frequency interval exceeds the terminal device capability), the network device can configure the terminal device to fallback to non-CA mode, such as combination 2 in Table 3. If the network device determines that the terminal device can obtain higher data rate through CA compared with downlink MIMO on nX and / or nY, the network device can also configure the terminal device to support CA using type 2 / 3, but reduce the number of downlink MIMO layers, such as combinations 3, 4 and 5 in Table 3. When the network device determines that the constraints required by type 1 cannot be met on nX, but the terminal device can obtain better data rate through CA and downlink MIMO on this frequency band, the network device can configure the terminal device to use type 2 / 3 to support CA on nX, and perform 2-layer downlink MIMO reception at the same time. At this time, because the total number of radio frequency links is limited, the network device can only additionally configure one of frequency bands nY or nZ to be aggregated with nX, such as combinations 6 and 7 in Table 3.

[0200] Table 3

[0201] For example, the terminal device can report combination 1 in Table 3 through the first capability information, and report that the terminal device can receive downlink non-continuous aggregated carriers nX (2A) and nY (2A) on frequency bands nX and nY through type 1, and report that the terminal device can support a total number of radio frequency links of 5 through the second capability information, and report that it can receive two carriers (i.e., type 2 / 3 implementation) through 2 radio frequency links on frequency bands nX and nY respectively, at this time, combinations 2-7 can be used as fallback CA combinations of combination 1, and do not need to be reported separately. Step S802 can include that the network device can configure one of combinations 1-7 in Table 3 for the terminal device according to actual service requirements.

[0202] In a possible implementation, when the terminal device reports its capability of supporting type 1 implementation and MIMO layer number on a lower-order CA combination, a high-order CA combination containing the low-order combination can support the same type 1 and MIMO layer number capability under certain conditions.

[0203] For example, when the total number of downlink links of the terminal device is 5, and the terminal device reports a low-order CA combination: CA_nX (2A)-nY (2A) (such as combination 1 in Table 4), wherein the frequency bands nX and nY can support type 1 non-continuous carrier aggregation. When the required link number does not exceed the total number of downlink links of the terminal device, any high-order CA combination containing the low-order CA combination can support the same capability, such as combinations 2, 3 and 4 in Table 4. Step S802 can include that the network device can configure one of combinations 1-4 in Table 4 for the terminal device according to actual service requirements.

[0204] Table 4

[0205] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can report to the network device that it has the capability of receiving M carriers through the first radio frequency link or M radio frequency links, so that the network device can configure the terminal device to receive M carriers according to its service requirements, thereby better exerting the capability of the terminal device.

[0206] In one embodiment, when the terminal device receives non-continuous member carriers based on the architecture of type 1, the interference of the gap can cause the reception performance of the terminal device to decrease. In order to avoid the above situation, the terminal device can inform the network device of its actual reception performance, and report the actual interference strength existing in the network, thereby assisting the network device to flexibly configure the way in which the terminal device receives carriers.

[0207] In a possible implementation, before step S802, the terminal device can send third capability information to the network device, where the third capability information is used to indicate a capability of the terminal device for processing the gap interference between the M carriers when the terminal device receives the M carriers through the first radio frequency chain, that is, the terminal device can report its gap interference suppression capability to the network device.

[0208] Optionally, the capability of the terminal device for processing the gap interference between the M carriers reported by the terminal device is a maximum interference intensity that can be processed by the terminal device at a specific reception performance level. For example, when the sensitivity decreases by W_1 dB, the capability level I of the terminal device indicates that the terminal device can process an interference intensity higher than the useful signal Int_1 dB, and the capability level II of the terminal device indicates that the terminal device can process an interference intensity higher than the useful signal Int_2 dB, where Int_1 is not equal to Int_2.

[0209] Optionally, the capability of the terminal device for processing the gap interference between the M carriers reported by the terminal device is a reception performance level of the terminal device at a specific interference intensity. For example, when the interference signal is higher than the useful signal Int_3 dB, the terminal capability level I indicates that the sensitivity decreases by W_2 dB, and the terminal device capability level II indicates that the sensitivity decreases by W_3 dB, where W_2 is not equal to W_3.

[0210] Optionally, the capability of the terminal device for processing the gap interference between the M carriers reported by the terminal device is whether the terminal device can meet a specific interference suppression level. For example, when the interference intensity is higher than the useful signal Int_4 dB, the sensitivity decreases by no more than W_4 dB.

[0211] In an embodiment, in order to obtain more accurate gap interference intensity information, the network device can configure the terminal device to measure and report the gap interference intensity.

[0212] In a possible implementation, before step S802, the network device can send first indication information to the terminal device, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to measure the gap interference intensity between the M carriers.

[0213] Optionally, the network device can be configured based on the current inter-frequency measurement framework. Under the current inter-frequency measurement framework, if the network device configures the s-measConfig message in the first indication information, the terminal device can only start the inter-frequency measurement when at the cell edge, but the above constraint cannot be applied to the gap interference intensity measurement and reporting, that is, the terminal device is not controlled by the s-measConfig message when starting the inter-frequency measurement.

[0214] Optionally, the first indication information can specify the to-be-measured gap interference frequency point, and require the terminal device to perform interference received signal strength indication (RSSI) measurement.

[0215] Correspondingly, the terminal device can measure the gap interference strength according to the first indication information and report the measurement quantity of the gap interference strength.

[0216] Optionally, the measurement quantity of the gap interference strength can be interference reference signal receiving power (RSRP), a difference between interference RSRP and target RSRP, or RSSI.

[0217] Alternatively, the terminal device can report the gap interference strength based on an existing measurement reporting framework, or the terminal device can report the gap interference strength based on uplink assistance information (UAI), or the terminal device can request the network device to release a certain cell based on UAI, because the gap interference strength exceeds the processing capability of the terminal device.

[0218] In one embodiment, after the terminal device reports the third capability information and the measurement quantity of the gap interference strength to the network device, step 802 comprises: the network device dynamically configures the receiving mode of M carriers according to the first capability information, the second capability information, the third capability information, and the measurement quantity of the gap interference strength.

[0219] For example, when the terminal device reports the combination of CA_nX(3A)-nYA, wherein the type 1 non-contiguous carrier aggregation is supported on the frequency band nX, and the total number of downlink radio frequency chains of the terminal device is 3, and the three member carriers on the frequency band nX are A1, A2, and A3, i.e., the frequency band nX is the first frequency band, and M=3.

[0220] When A1 and A2 satisfy the constraint condition of the type 1 architecture implementation, and the network device judges that the gap interference will not cause obvious performance degradation of the terminal device in combination with the third capability information and the measurement quantity of the gap interference strength reported by the terminal device, the network device can configure CA_nX(A1-A2)-nYA for the terminal device, at this time, A1 and A2 two member carriers on the frequency band nX are based on the type 1 architecture implementation; or the network device can configure CA_nX(A1-A2-A3)-nYA for the terminal device, at this time, A1 and A2 two member carriers on the frequency band nX are based on the type 1 architecture implementation, and A3 is based on the type 2 / 3 architecture implementation.

[0221] When A1 to A3 all satisfy the constraint condition of the architecture implementation of Type 1, and the network device judges that the gap interference will not cause the performance of the terminal device to decrease obviously in combination with the third capability information and the measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity reported by the terminal device, the network device can configure CA_nX(A1-A2-A3)-nYA for the terminal device, at this time, A1 to A3 three member carriers on the frequency band nX can be implemented based on the architecture of Type 1; or the network device can configure CA_nX(A1-A2-A3)-nYA for the terminal device, at this time, A1 and A2 two member carriers on the frequency band nX are implemented based on the architecture of Type 1, and A3 is implemented based on the architecture of Type 2 / 3.

[0222] When A1 to A3 all do not satisfy the constraint condition of the architecture of Type 1, or the network device judges that the gap interference will cause the performance of the terminal device to decrease obviously in combination with the third capability information and the measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity reported by the terminal device, the network device can configure CA_nX(A1)-nYA or CA_nX(A1-A2)-nYA for the terminal device, at this time, A1 to A2 two member carriers on the frequency band nX are implemented based on the architecture of Type 2 / 3.

[0223] It should be noted that the non-continuous member carriers in the above method can come from non-continuous member carriers in one frequency band, or from member carriers in two different frequency bands with overlapping spectrum, or from member carriers in two different frequency bands without overlapping spectrum but with close frequency.

[0224] It should be understood that, in various embodiments of the present application, the terms and / or descriptions of various 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.

[0225] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus 900 provided by an embodiment of the present application, which can include a receiving unit 910, a sending unit 920 and a processing unit 930. The receiving unit 910 is configured to receive instructions and / or data, and the sending unit 920 is configured to send instructions and / or data. The receiving unit 910 and the sending unit 920 can also be referred to as a communication interface, a communication unit or a transceiver unit. The processing unit 930 is configured to perform data processing, so that the apparatus 900 implements the foregoing communication method.

[0226] Optionally, the apparatus 900 further includes a storage unit configured to implement a corresponding storage function and store corresponding instructions and / or data.

[0227] As a design, the apparatus 900 can perform the actions performed by the terminal device in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0228] In an embodiment, the apparatus 900 comprises: a receiving unit 910 and a sending unit 920; the sending unit 920 is configured to send first capability information to a network device, the first capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device can receive M carriers through a first radio frequency link, the M carriers being located in a first frequency band, and the M carriers being discontinuous in the frequency domain of the first frequency band, M being an integer greater than or equal to 2; and the receiving unit 910 is configured to receive first configuration information sent by the network device, the first configuration information being used to indicate that the terminal device receives the M carriers through the first radio frequency link.

[0229] In a possible implementation, the first capability information is further used to indicate a difference between a transmission bandwidth upper boundary of a first carrier and a transmission bandwidth lower boundary of a second carrier, wherein the first carrier is a carrier with the highest transmission frequency among the M carriers, and the second carrier is a carrier with the lowest transmission frequency among the M carriers.

[0230] In a possible implementation, the first capability information is further used to indicate a maximum number of downlink multiple-input multiple-output layers that can be supported by the terminal device for the M carriers respectively.

[0231] In a possible implementation, the sending unit 920 is further configured to send second capability information to the network device, the second capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device can receive the M carriers through M radio frequency links.

[0232] In a possible implementation, the second capability information is further used to indicate that the terminal device comprises N radio frequency links, wherein N is greater than or equal to M, and the N radio frequency links comprise the first radio frequency link and the M radio frequency links.

[0233] In a possible implementation, the sending unit 920 is further configured to send third capability information to the network device, the third capability information being used to indicate a capability of the terminal device for processing gap interference between the M carriers when the terminal device receives the M carriers through the first radio frequency link.

[0234] In a possible implementation, the apparatus further comprises a processing unit 930; and the receiving unit 910 is further configured to receive first indication information sent by the network device, the first indication information being used to indicate that the terminal device measures a gap interference intensity between the M carriers; and the processing unit 930 is configured to send a measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity to the network device according to the first indication information, the measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity comprising at least one of the following: an interference reference signal received power, a difference between the interference reference signal received power and a target reference signal received power, or an interference received signal strength indication.

[0235] Optionally, the processing unit 930 is configured to send the measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity to the network device according to the first indication information, which can be understood as that the processing unit 930 controls the sending unit 920 to send the measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity according to the first indication information.

[0236] In a possible implementation, the terminal device receives that a time delay difference between the M carriers is less than or equal to a first threshold value, and / or the terminal device receives that a power difference between the M carriers is less than or equal to a second threshold value.

[0237] In an embodiment, the apparatus 900 includes a receiving unit 910 and a processing unit 930. The receiving unit 910 is configured to receive first capability information sent by a terminal device, where the first capability information is used to indicate that the terminal device is capable of receiving M carriers through a first radio frequency chain, the M carriers are located in a first frequency range, the M carriers are discontinuous in a frequency domain of the first frequency range, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2. The processing unit 930 is configured to send first configuration information to the terminal device according to the first capability information, where the first configuration information is used to instruct the terminal device to receive the M carriers through the first radio frequency chain.

[0238] In a possible implementation, the first capability information is further used to indicate a difference between an upper boundary of a transmission bandwidth of a first carrier and a lower boundary of a transmission bandwidth of a second carrier, where the first carrier is a carrier with the highest transmission frequency among the M carriers, and the second carrier is a carrier with the lowest transmission frequency among the M carriers.

[0239] In a possible implementation, the first capability information is further used to indicate a maximum number of downlink multiple-input multiple-output layers that can be supported by the M carriers respectively.

[0240] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 910 is further configured to receive second capability information sent by the terminal device, where the second capability information is used to indicate that the terminal device is capable of receiving the M carriers through M radio frequency chains.

[0241] In a possible implementation, the second capability information is further used to indicate that the terminal device includes N radio frequency chains, where N is greater than or equal to M, and the N radio frequency chains include the first radio frequency chain and the M radio frequency chains.

[0242] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 910 is further configured to receive third capability information sent by the terminal device, where the third capability information is used to indicate a capability of the terminal device for processing gap interference between the M carriers when the terminal device receives the M carriers through the first radio frequency chain.

[0243] In a possible implementation, the apparatus 900 further includes a sending unit 920, configured to send, to the terminal device, first indication information, where the first indication information is used to instruct the terminal device to measure the gap interference strength between the M carriers; the receiving unit 910 is further configured to receive, from the terminal device, a measurement quantity of the gap interference strength, where the measurement quantity of the gap interference strength includes at least one of the following: an interference reference signal received power, a difference between the interference reference signal received power and a target reference signal received power, or an interference received signal strength indication; and the processing unit 930 is specifically configured to send, to the terminal device, first configuration information according to the first capability information, the third capability information, and the measurement quantity of the gap interference strength.

[0244] In a possible implementation, the terminal device receives a time delay difference between the M carriers being less than or equal to a first threshold value, and / or receives a power difference between the M carriers being less than or equal to a second threshold value.

[0245] As a design, the apparatus 800 can perform actions performed by the network device in the method embodiments described above.

[0246] In an embodiment, the apparatus 800 includes a receiving unit 810 and a processing unit 830, where the receiving unit 810 is configured to receive, from a terminal device, first capability information, where the first capability information is used to instruct that the terminal device can receive M carriers through a first radio frequency chain, the M carriers are located in a first frequency range, the M carriers are discontinuous in a frequency domain of the first frequency range, and M is an integer greater than or equal to 2; and the processing unit 830 is configured to send, to the terminal device, first configuration information according to the first capability information, where the first configuration information is used to instruct the terminal device to receive the M carriers through the first radio frequency chain.

[0247] Optionally, the processing unit 830 sending, to the terminal device, the first configuration information according to the first capability information can be understood as: the processing unit 830 controls the sending unit 820 to send, to the terminal device, the first configuration information according to the first capability information.

[0248] In a possible implementation, the first capability information is further used to instruct a difference between a transmission bandwidth upper boundary of a first carrier and a transmission bandwidth lower boundary of a second carrier, where the first carrier is a carrier with the highest transmission frequency among the M carriers, and the second carrier is a carrier with the lowest transmission frequency among the M carriers.

[0249] In a possible implementation, the first capability information is further used to instruct a maximum number of downlink multiple-input multiple-output layers that the terminal device can support in the first frequency range respectively.

[0250] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 810 receives second capability information sent by the terminal device, and the second capability information is used to indicate that the terminal device can receive M carriers through M radio frequency chains.

[0251] In a possible implementation, the second capability information is further used to indicate that the terminal device comprises N radio frequency chains, where N is greater than or equal to M, and the N radio frequency chains comprise the first radio frequency chain and the M radio frequency chains.

[0252] In a possible implementation, the receiving unit 810 is further configured to receive third capability information sent by the terminal device, and the third capability information is used to indicate a capability of the terminal device for processing gap interference between M carriers when the terminal device receives the M carriers through the first radio frequency chain.

[0253] In a possible implementation, the apparatus further comprises a sending unit 820, which is configured to send, to the terminal device, first indication information used to instruct the terminal device to measure a gap interference intensity between M carriers; the receiving unit 810 is further configured to receive a measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity sent by the terminal device, and the measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity comprises at least one of the following: an interference reference signal received power, a difference between the interference reference signal received power and a target reference signal received power, or an interference received signal strength indication; and the processing unit 830 is specifically configured to send, to the terminal device, first configuration information according to the first capability information, the third capability information, and the measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity.

[0254] Optionally, the processing unit 830 sending, to the terminal device, the first configuration information according to the first capability information, the third capability information, and the measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity can be understood as: the processing unit 830 controls the sending unit 820 to send, to the terminal device, the first configuration information according to the first capability information, the third capability information, and the measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity.

[0255] In a possible implementation, a time delay difference between the M carriers received by the terminal device is less than or equal to a first threshold value, and / or a power difference between the M carriers received by the terminal device is less than or equal to a second threshold value.

[0256] In an embodiment, the apparatus 800 comprises: a sending unit 820, configured to send, to a network device, first capability information and second capability information, the first capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device is capable of receiving M carriers through a first radio frequency link, the second capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device is capable of receiving M carriers through M radio frequency links, the M carriers being located in a first frequency band, and the M carriers being discontinuous in the frequency domain of the first frequency band, M being an integer greater than or equal to 2; and a receiving unit 810, configured to receive second configuration information sent by the network device, the second configuration information being used to indicate that the terminal device receives the M carriers through the first radio frequency link, or being used to indicate that the terminal device receives the M carriers through the M radio frequency links.

[0257] In a possible implementation, the first capability information is further used to indicate a difference between a transmission bandwidth upper boundary of a first carrier and a transmission bandwidth lower boundary of a second carrier, wherein the first carrier is a carrier with the highest transmission frequency among the M carriers, and the second carrier is a carrier with the lowest transmission frequency among the M carriers.

[0258] In a possible implementation, the first capability information is further used to indicate a maximum number of downlink multiple-input multiple-output layers that can be supported by the M carriers respectively.

[0259] In a possible implementation, the second capability information is further used to indicate that the terminal device comprises N radio frequency links, wherein N is greater than or equal to M, and the N radio frequency links comprise the first radio frequency link and the M radio frequency links.

[0260] In a possible implementation, the sending unit 820 is further configured to send, to the network device, third capability information, the third capability information being used to indicate a capability of the terminal device for processing gap interference between the M carriers when the terminal device receives the M carriers through the first radio frequency link.

[0261] In a possible implementation, the apparatus further comprises a processing unit 830, and the receiving unit 810 is configured to receive first indication information sent by the network device, the first indication information being used to indicate that the terminal device measures a gap interference intensity between the M carriers, and the processing unit 830 is configured to send, to the network device, a measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity according to the first indication information, the measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity comprising at least one of the following: an interference reference signal received power, a difference between the interference reference signal received power and a target reference signal received power, or an interference received signal strength indication.

[0262] In a possible implementation, a time delay difference between the M carriers received by the terminal device is less than or equal to a first threshold value, and / or a power difference between the M carriers received by the terminal device is less than or equal to a second threshold value.

[0263] Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of another communication apparatus 1000 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0264] The apparatus 1000 includes a memory 1010, a processor 1020, and a communication interface 1030. The memory 1010, the processor 1020, and the communication interface 1030 are connected through an internal connection path. The memory 1010 is configured to store instructions. The processor 1020 is configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory 1010 to control the communication interface 1030 to acquire information or to enable the apparatus 1000 to implement the communication method described above. Optionally, the memory 1010 can be coupled to the processor 1020 through an interface or integrated with the processor 1020.

[0265] It should be noted that the communication interface 1030 uses a transceiving device such as but not limited to a transceiver. The communication interface 1030 can also include an input / output interface.

[0266] The processor 1020 stores one or more computer programs including instructions. When the instructions are executed by the processor 1020, the apparatus 1000 performs the communication method in the embodiments described above.

[0267] In the implementation process, the steps of the method described above can be completed by integrated logic circuits of hardware in the processor 1020 or instructions in the form of software. The method disclosed in combination with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as hardware processor execution completion or combined execution completion by hardware and software modules in the processor. The software module can be located in a mature storage medium in the art such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, register, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory 1010. The processor 1020 reads the information in the memory 1010 and combines the hardware to complete the steps of the method described above. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0268] Optionally, the communication interface 1030 in Fig. 10 can implement the receiving unit 910 and the sending unit 920 in Fig. 9. The processor 1020 in Fig. 10 can implement the processing unit 930 in Fig. 9.

[0269] The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer readable storage medium storing a computer program code. When the computer program code is run on a computer, the computer executes the method shown in Fig. 7 or Fig. 8.

[0270] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which comprises a computer program, and when the computer program is executed, the computer program enables a computer to execute the method shown in Fig. 7 or Fig. 8.

[0271] The embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, comprising: a circuit, which is configured to execute the method shown in Fig. 7 or Fig. 8.

[0272] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand the specific working process of the system, device and unit described above for the convenience and brevity, and the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0273] In several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device and method can be implemented by other manners. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic, for example, the division of the units is only a logical function division, and actual implementation can have another division manner, for example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the units shown or discussed can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, and can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0274] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separate, and the components shown as units can or can not be physical units, that is, can be located in one place, or can be distributed on a plurality of network units. According to actual needs, part or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of the embodiment scheme.

[0275] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application can be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit can be physically present separately, or two or more units can be integrated in one unit.

[0276] If the functions are implemented in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the present application essentially or the parts that contribute to the prior art or parts of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes a plurality of instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media that can store program codes.

[0277] The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: sending first capability information to a network device, the first capability information being used to indicate that a terminal device can receive M carriers through a first radio frequency link, the M carriers being located in a first frequency band, and the M carriers being discontinuous in a frequency domain of the first frequency band, M being an integer greater than or equal to 2; receiving first configuration information sent by the network device, the first configuration information being used to indicate that the terminal device receives the M carriers through the first radio frequency link.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first capability information is also used to indicate a difference between an upper boundary of a transmission bandwidth of a first carrier and a lower boundary of a transmission bandwidth of a second carrier, wherein the first carrier is a carrier with the highest transmission frequency among the M carriers, and the second carrier is a carrier with the lowest transmission frequency among the M carriers.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first capability information is also used to indicate a maximum number of downlink multiple-input multiple-output layers that can be supported by the M carriers respectively.

4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The method further comprises: sending second capability information to the network device, the second capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device can receive the M carriers through M radio frequency links.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The second capability information is also used to indicate that the terminal device comprises N radio frequency links, wherein N is greater than or equal to M, and the N radio frequency links comprise the first radio frequency link and the M radio frequency links.

6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The method further comprises: sending third capability information to the network device, the third capability information being used to indicate a capability of the terminal device for processing gap interference between the M carriers when the terminal device receives the M carriers through the first radio frequency link.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving first indication information sent by the network device, the first indication information being used to indicate that the terminal device measures a gap interference intensity between the M carriers; according to the first indication information, sending a measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity to the network device, the measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity comprising at least one of the following: an interference reference signal received power, a difference between the interference reference signal received power and a target reference signal received power, or an interference received signal strength indication.

8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The terminal device receives a time delay difference between the M carriers that is less than or equal to a first threshold value, and / or the terminal device receives a power difference between the M carriers that is less than or equal to a second threshold value.

9. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: receiving first capability information sent by a terminal device, the first capability information being used to indicate that the terminal device can receive M carriers through a first radio frequency link, the M carriers being located in a first frequency band, and the M carriers being discontinuous in a frequency domain of the first frequency band, M being an integer greater than or equal to 2; according to the first capability information, sending first configuration information to the terminal device, the first configuration information being used to indicate that the terminal device receives the M carriers through the first radio frequency link.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The first capability information is also used to indicate a difference between an upper boundary of a transmission bandwidth of a first carrier and a lower boundary of a transmission bandwidth of a second carrier, wherein the first carrier is a carrier with the highest transmission frequency among the M carriers, and the second carrier is a carrier with the lowest transmission frequency among the M carriers.

11. The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein, The first capability information is further used for indicating a maximum number of downlink multiple-input multiple-output layers that can be supported by the M carriers respectively.

12. The method of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving second capability information sent by the terminal device, the second capability information being used for indicating that the terminal device can receive the M carriers through M radio frequency chains.

13. The method of any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein, The second capability information is further used for indicating that the terminal device comprises N radio frequency chains, where N is greater than or equal to M, and the N radio frequency chains comprise the first radio frequency chain and the M radio frequency chains.

14. The method of any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving third capability information sent by the terminal device, the third capability information being used for indicating a capability of the terminal device for processing gap interference between the M carriers when the terminal device receives the M carriers through the first radio frequency chain.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The method further comprises: sending first indication information to the terminal device, the first indication information being used for instructing the terminal device to measure a gap interference intensity between the M carriers; receiving a measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity sent by the terminal device, the measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity comprising at least one of the following: an interference reference signal received power, a difference between the interference reference signal received power and a target reference signal received power, or an interference received signal strength indication; The sending, to the terminal device, of the first configuration information according to the first capability information comprises: sending, to the terminal device, the first configuration information according to the first capability information, the third capability information, and the measurement quantity of the gap interference intensity.

16. The method of any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein, The terminal device receives a time delay difference between the M carriers that is less than or equal to a first threshold value, and / or the terminal device receives a power difference between the M carriers that is less than or equal to a second threshold value.

17. A communications device, characterized by comprise means or modules for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 8, or 9 to 16.

18. A communications device, characterized by comprise: a processor and a memory, the processor being coupled to the memory and being configured to read and execute instructions in the memory to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 8.

19. A communications device, characterized by comprise: a processor and a memory, the processor being coupled to the memory and being configured to read and execute instructions in the memory to perform the method of any one of claims 9 to 16.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer readable storage medium stores program codes which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 16.

21. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer product comprises a computer program which, when executed, causes a computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 16.

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