Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of communications, and provides a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method comprises: a terminal apparatus obtains, by receiving first information from a network apparatus, a first offset indicated by the first information. Thus, the terminal apparatus can obtain the first offset without periodically receiving information periodically sent by the network apparatus for measuring the first offset. In this way, power consumption of the terminal apparatus can be reduced. The terminal apparatus sends or receives information on the basis of the first offset, so that the terminal apparatus can accurately demodulate data in downlink information, and the network apparatus can accurately demodulate data in uplink information.

Description

Communication methods and communication devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411182945.X, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on August 26, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Communication Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and particularly to communication methods and devices in the field of communications. Background Technology

[0003] In some communication systems, data transmission between network devices and terminal devices introduces time and / or frequency offsets during air interface wireless propagation. Both time and frequency offsets affect data demodulation. Time offset can be simply referred to as timing offset, and frequency offset as frequency offset.

[0004] In some implementations, the terminal device can measure the time and frequency offsets of the signals transmitted by the network device, and use the measured time and frequency offsets to compensate for channel estimation and data demodulation, thereby improving the demodulation performance of the terminal device. However, this implementation method suffers from the problem of high power consumption of the terminal device. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and a communication device for reducing the power consumption of terminal devices.

[0006] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method applied to a terminal device, the method comprising: receiving first information, the first information indicating a first offset, the first offset including a first time offset and / or a first frequency offset; and transmitting and / or receiving information based on the first offset.

[0007] The communication method of this application allows a terminal device to obtain a first offset indicated by first information received from a network device. This eliminates the need for the terminal device to periodically receive information from the network device periodically sent to measure the first offset, thus reducing the power consumption of the terminal device. Based on the first offset, the terminal device can accurately demodulate data in downlink information, and the network device can also accurately demodulate data in uplink information.

[0008] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some embodiments of the first aspect, the terminal device is not configured or activated with a second signal used for measuring the first offset.

[0009] In this way, the terminal device does not need to measure or estimate the first offset itself, which can reduce the power consumption and scheduling latency of the terminal device.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some embodiments of the first aspect, the first information includes a first offset. Alternatively, the first information includes a first difference and / or a second difference. Wherein, the first difference is the difference between a first time offset and a second time offset, the second time offset being determined prior to the first time offset; and the second difference is the difference between a first frequency offset and a second frequency offset, the second frequency offset being determined prior to the first frequency offset.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first information is determined by perception.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending a first signal for measuring a first offset.

[0013] This allows the network device to measure the first offset using the first signal sent by the terminal device.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some embodiments of the first aspect, the first signal includes one or more of the following: a preamble, a probe reference signal SRS, a signal transmitted via the physical uplink control channel PUCCH, a signal transmitted via the physical uplink shared channel PUSCH, an uplink reference signal URS, or an uplink pilot signal.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending second information, the second information being used to request a second signal, the second signal being used for time offset measurement and / or frequency offset measurement. The block error rate, for example, the Physical Downlink Control Channel Block Error Rate (PDCCH BLER).

[0016] In this way, when the data demodulation performance of the terminal device is poor, the terminal device can send a second message to the network device to obtain a second signal, so that the terminal device can use the second signal to measure the time-frequency offset and improve the demodulation performance of the data.

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some embodiments of the first aspect, sending the second information may include: sending the second information based on a bit error rate greater than a first threshold, and / or based on a block bit error rate greater than a second threshold.

[0018] Thus, if the bit error rate is greater than the first threshold and / or the block bit error rate is greater than the second threshold, it can indicate that there is a large deviation between the time-frequency offset introduced by the downlink information received by the terminal device and the time-frequency offset in the first offset obtained by the terminal device. The terminal device can obtain a second signal by sending a second information and use the second signal to measure the time-frequency offset in order to improve the demodulation performance of the data.

[0019] Optionally, the method further includes receiving fifth information. The fifth information is used to configure a second signal, which is used for time offset measurement and / or frequency offset measurement.

[0020] In this way, the terminal device can track the second signal sent by the network device upon receiving the fifth information, so as to use the second signal to measure the time offset and / or frequency offset in a timely manner.

[0021] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending third information, the third information being used to request termination of the configuration second signal.

[0022] Thus, if the terminal device has good data demodulation performance, it can send a third message to the network device to instruct the network device to stop sending the second signal. The terminal device does not need to receive the second signal, nor does it need to measure the time-frequency offset using the second signal. The terminal device can continue to use the time-frequency offset (such as the first offset) sent by the network device for data demodulation. This further reduces the terminal device's power consumption and scheduling latency.

[0023] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some embodiments of the first aspect, sending third information includes: sending third information based on a bit error rate less than or equal to a first threshold, and / or based on a block bit error rate less than or equal to a second threshold, the third information being used to request termination of the configuration second signal.

[0024] In this way, the terminal device does not need to receive the second signal, nor does it need to measure the time-frequency offset using the second signal. The terminal device can continue to use the time-frequency offset (such as the first offset) sent by the network device for data demodulation. This can further reduce the power consumption and scheduling latency of the terminal device.

[0025] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some embodiments of the first aspect, before receiving the first information, the method further includes: sending fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate that a second signal is not configured, the second signal being used for time offset measurement and / or frequency offset measurement.

[0026] In this way, by sending the fourth information, the terminal device can enter a low-power mode. For example, the terminal device can use the received first offset for data demodulation without receiving the second signal or using the second signal to measure the time-frequency offset itself. This can reduce the power consumption and scheduling latency of the terminal device.

[0027] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some embodiments of the first aspect, the first information is carried in one or more of the following: a Media Access Control Layer Control Unit (MAC CE), a Radio Resource Control (RRC) or Downlink Control Information (DCI).

[0028] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some embodiments of the first aspect, the first information is carried in a predefined instruction field.

[0029] Secondly, this application provides a communication method applied to a network device, the method comprising: receiving a first signal, the first signal being used to measure a first offset, the first offset including a first time offset and / or a first frequency offset; and transmitting first information, the first information being used to indicate the first offset.

[0030] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some embodiments of the second aspect, the first information includes a first offset. Alternatively, the first information includes a first difference and / or a second difference. Wherein, the first difference is the difference between a first time offset and a second time offset, the second time offset being determined prior to the first time offset; and the second difference is the difference between a first frequency offset and a second frequency offset, the second frequency offset being determined prior to the first frequency offset.

[0031] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first information is determined through perception.

[0032] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some embodiments of the second aspect, before receiving the first signal, the method includes: transmitting the first signal, which includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: a synchronization signal block (SSB), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), a linear frequency modulation (LFM) signal, or an orthogonal time-frequency spatial modulation (OTFS) signal.

[0033] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some embodiments of the second aspect, the first signal is transmitted or reflected by a tag disposed on a terminal device, and the first signal also includes information for instructing the terminal device.

[0034] In this way, when the network device determines the first offset based on the first signal, it can send the first offset to the terminal device indicated by the first signal (i.e., the terminal device corresponding to the information of the terminal device). This reduces the probability of the network device sending the first offset to a terminal device that has not sent the first signal, and thus reduces the probability of the terminal device having poor data demodulation performance.

[0035] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some embodiments of the second aspect, the first signal includes one or more of the following: a preamble, a probe reference signal SRS, a signal transmitted via the physical uplink control channel PUCCH, a signal transmitted via the physical uplink shared channel PUSCH, an uplink reference signal URS, or an uplink pilot signal.

[0036] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some embodiments of the second aspect, the first information is carried in one or more of the following: Media Access Control Layer Control Unit (MAC CE), Radio Resource Control (RRC), or Downlink Control Information (DCI).

[0037] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some embodiments of the second aspect, the first information is carried in a predefined instruction field.

[0038] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some embodiments of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending fifth information, the fifth information being used to configure a second signal, the second signal being used for time offset measurement and / or frequency offset measurement.

[0039] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some embodiments of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving second information, the second information requesting a second signal, the second signal being used for time offset measurement and / or frequency offset measurement.

[0040] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some embodiments of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving third information, the third information being used to request termination of the configuration second signal.

[0041] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some embodiments of the second aspect, before sending the first information, the method further includes: receiving fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate that a second signal is not configured, the second signal being used for time offset measurement and / or frequency offset measurement.

[0042] Thirdly, this application provides a communication method applied to a terminal device, comprising: sending second information, the second information being used to request a second signal, the second signal being used for time offset measurement and / or frequency offset measurement; receiving the second signal; and determining a first offset based on the second signal, the first offset including: a first time offset and / or a first frequency offset.

[0043] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some embodiments of the third aspect, sending the second information includes: sending the second information based on the bit error rate being greater than a first threshold and / or the block bit error rate being greater than a second threshold.

[0044] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some embodiments of the third aspect, after receiving the second signal, the method further includes:

[0045] Send a third message, which is used to request the termination of the configuration second signal.

[0046] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some embodiments of the third aspect, sending third information includes: sending third information based on a bit error rate less than or equal to a first threshold and / or a block bit error rate less than or equal to a second threshold.

[0047] Fourthly, a communication apparatus is provided for performing the method in any of the possible implementations of the first, second, or third aspects described above. Specifically, the apparatus includes a module for performing the method in any of the possible implementations of the first, second, or third aspects described above.

[0048] Fifthly, this application provides another communication device, including a processor capable of executing instructions to implement the methods in any of the possible implementations of the first, second, or third aspects described above. Optionally, the device further includes a memory, with the processor coupled to the memory, and the memory storing the instructions. Optionally, the device further includes a communication interface, with the processor coupled to the communication interface.

[0049] In one implementation, the device is a terminal device or a network device. The aforementioned communication interface can be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0050] In another implementation, the device is a chip configured in a terminal device or a chip configured in a network device. When the device is a chip configured in a terminal device or a chip configured in a network device, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0051] A sixth aspect provides a processor, comprising: an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive signals through the input circuit and transmit signals through the output circuit, causing the processor to execute the method in any of the possible implementations of the first, second, or third aspects described above.

[0052] In the specific implementation process, the processor can be a chip, the input circuit can be an input pin, the output circuit can be an output pin, and the processing circuit can be a transistor, gate circuit, flip-flop, and various logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example, but not limited to, a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit can be output to, for example, but not limited to, a transmitter and transmitted by the transmitter. Furthermore, the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit, which is used as the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. This application does not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0053] A seventh aspect provides a processing apparatus including a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to read instructions stored in the memory and to receive signals via a receiver and transmit signals via a transmitter to execute the methods in any of the possible implementations of the first, second, or third aspects described above.

[0054] Optionally, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories.

[0055] Alternatively, the memory can be integrated with the processor, or the memory can be set up separately from the processor.

[0056] In the specific implementation process, the memory can be a non-transitory memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), which can be integrated with the processor on the same chip or set on different chips. This application does not limit the type of memory or the way the memory and processor are set.

[0057] It should be understood that the relevant data interaction process, such as sending instruction information, can be a process of outputting instruction information from the processor, and receiving capability information can be a process of the processor receiving input capability information. Specifically, the processed output data can be output to the transmitter, and the input data received by the processor can come from the receiver. Here, the transmitter and receiver can be collectively referred to as transceivers.

[0058] The processing device mentioned in the seventh aspect above can be a chip. This processor can be implemented in hardware or software. When implemented in hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, integrated circuit, etc. When implemented in software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor that reads software code stored in memory. This memory can be integrated into the processor or located outside the processor and exist independently.

[0059] Eighthly, a computer program product is provided, comprising: a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when executed, causes a computer to perform the methods in any of the possible implementations of the first, second, or third aspects described above.

[0060] Ninthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods of any of the possible implementations of the first, second, or third aspects described above.

[0061] In a tenth aspect, a communication system is provided, including the aforementioned terminal device and network device. Attached Figure Description

[0062] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system applied in an embodiment of this application;

[0063] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a TRS configuration provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0064] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0065] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of determining time offset and frequency offset according to an embodiment of this application;

[0066] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a DCI configuration provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0067] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0068] Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0069] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0070] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a network device and a terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0071] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of an O-RAN system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0072] Figure 11 is a diagram showing the network element function division and protocol layer structure of an O-RAN device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0073] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0074] In the embodiments of this application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish identical or similar items with essentially the same function and effect. For example, the first value and the second value are only used to distinguish different values ​​and do not limit their order. Those skilled in the art will understand that terms such as "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and that terms such as "first" and "second" do not necessarily imply that they are different.

[0075] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, the words "exemplarily" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplarily" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of the words "exemplarily" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0076] In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone, where A and B may be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or a similar expression refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single item(s) or plural item(s). For example, at least one of a, b, or c may represent: a, b, c, a - b, a - c, b - c, or a - b - c, where a, b, and c may be single or multiple.

[0077] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: the fourth generation mobile communication system (4G), the long term evolution (LTE) system, the LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, the LTE time division duplex (TDD), the universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), the worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, the 5th generation (5G) system, the new radio (NR), or future evolved communication systems, etc.

[0078] The communication system in the embodiments of the present application may include at least one network device and at least one terminal device.

[0079] Exemplarily, FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system to which the embodiments of the present application are applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system may include at least one network device, such as the network device 110 shown in FIG. 1; the communication system may further include at least one terminal device, such as the terminal device 120 shown in FIG. 1. The network device 110 and the terminal device 120 may communicate through a wireless link. In one possible case, the network device 110 may be a sending end, and the terminal device 120 may be a receiving end, and the network device 110 sends a signal to the terminal device 120; in another possible case, the network device 110 may be a receiving end, and the terminal device 120 may be a sending end, and the terminal device 120 sends a signal to the network device 110.

[0080] Figure 1 exemplarily illustrates multiple network devices 110 and a terminal device 120. Optionally, the communication system may further include multiple network devices and / or multiple terminal devices. Network devices 110 may be routers, base stations, etc., and terminal devices 120 may be mobile phones, tablets, smart bracelets, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit the scope of these devices.

[0081] The aforementioned communication devices, such as network device 110 or terminal device 120 in Figure 1, can be configured with multiple antennas. These multiple antennas may include at least one transmitting antenna for transmitting signals and at least one receiving antenna for receiving signals. Additionally, each communication device also includes a transmitter chain and a receiver chain, which, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, may include multiple components related to signal transmission and reception (e.g., processors, modulators, multiplexers, demodulators, demultiplexers, or antennas). Therefore, network device 110 and terminal device 120 can communicate via multi-antenna technology.

[0082] Optionally, the above-mentioned communication system may also include other network entities such as network controllers and mobility management entities, and the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto.

[0083] It should also be understood that the methods provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to a variety of communication systems, including 5G new radio (NR) systems. The communication systems are only examples, and this application does not limit the specific architecture of the applicable system, nor does it limit the number and form of various devices contained in each communication system.

[0084] The terminal equipment in this application embodiment can also be referred to as: user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), access terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device, etc.

[0085] Terminal devices can be devices that provide voice / data connectivity to users, such as handheld devices with wireless connectivity, in-vehicle devices, etc. Currently, examples of terminal devices include: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, laptop computers, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving cars, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, smartphones, cordless phones, wireless data cards, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and machine-type communication devices. This application does not limit the scope to terminal devices such as communication (MTC) terminals, handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks, or terminal devices in future evolved public land mobile networks (PLMNs).

[0086] By way of example and not limitation, in this application, the terminal device can be a terminal device in an Internet of Things (IoT) system. The Internet of Things is an important component of future information technology development. Its main technical characteristic is connecting objects to networks through communication technologies, thereby realizing an intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and object-to-object interconnection. Exemplarily, the terminal device in the embodiments of this application can be a wearable device. Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices, are a general term for devices that apply wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices that can be worn directly on the body or integrated into a user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not merely hardware devices; they can also achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly defined, wearable smart devices include those with comprehensive functions, large size, and the ability to achieve complete or partial functions without relying on a smartphone, such as smartwatches or smart glasses, as well as those focused on a specific application function and requiring the use of other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0087] By way of example and not limitation, in the embodiments of this application, the terminal device can also be a terminal device in machine-type communication (MTC). Furthermore, the terminal device can also be an on-board module, on-board component, on-board chip, or on-board unit built into a vehicle as one or more components or units. The vehicle can implement the methods provided in this application through the built-in on-board module, on-board component, on-board chip, or on-board unit. Therefore, the embodiments of this application can also be applied to vehicle networking, such as vehicle-to-everything (V2X), long-term evolution-vehicle (LTE-V) technology, and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) technology.

[0088] The network equipment involved in this application can be a device that communicates with terminal devices. This network equipment can be referred to as access network equipment or radio access network (RAN) equipment. It can be a transmission reception point (TRP), a base transceiver station (BTS) in a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a base station (NodeB, NB) in a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) network, an evolved NodeB (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE system, a home base station (e.g., home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), a base band unit (BBU), or a cloud radio access network. The wireless controller in the network (CRAN) scenario, or the network device can be a relay station, access point, vehicle-mounted equipment, wearable device, or network device in a 5G network or a network device in a future evolved PLMN network, etc. It can also be an access point (AP) in a WLAN, or a 5G base station (gNodeB, gNB) in an NR system. The above-mentioned network devices can also be urban base stations, micro base stations, pico base stations, femto base stations, etc., and this application does not limit them.

[0089] First, let's introduce some of the technical terms and symbols used in this application.

[0090] 1. Time offset and frequency offset

[0091] Time offset, also known as timing deviation, is the difference between the arrival time and the expected time of a signal during transmission, caused by various factors such as clock drift, channel variations, transmission delay, and synchronization issues. In communication systems, timing deviation can lead to phase changes in the signal, affecting signal synchronization and signal processing at the receiver, thus impacting communication quality. Signal synchronization can include frequency synchronization, phase synchronization, and time synchronization. Phase changes include, for example, phase offset. Phase offset can also be called phase deviation.

[0092] Frequency offset, also known as frequency deviation, can be understood as the deviation between the signal frequency and the reference frequency. In frequency modulation (FM) communication, frequency offset typically refers to the amplitude of the FM wave frequency swing, i.e., the maximum frequency offset, which affects the FM wave's spectral bandwidth. The presence of frequency offset may cause changes in the signal frequency, thereby affecting the signal transmission quality and the demodulation accuracy at the receiver.

[0093] Wireless communication can utilize time-frequency resources. Before transmitting data, the two ends of a communication, such as the receiver and transmitter, need to synchronize their time and frequency. In current 5G NR systems, time-frequency synchronization can include downlink synchronization and uplink synchronization. Synchronization ensures that the receiver and transmitter are aligned on time-frequency resources. If the receiver and transmitter are not aligned on time-frequency resources, the communication performance between them will degrade; if the time offset and / or frequency offset is too large, decoding may even fail.

[0094] Time-frequency offsets in communication typically include those caused by crystal oscillators, those caused by channel multipath propagation, and / or those caused by Doppler. Crystal-oscillator-induced time-frequency offsets can include those caused by the transmitting crystal oscillator and / or those caused by the receiving crystal oscillator.

[0095] A crystal oscillator can be understood as an electronic component that generates a resonant frequency. Crystal oscillators provide frequency signals to circuits and are characterized by stability and good anti-interference performance. Crystal oscillators can include quartz crystal resonators or ceramic resonators. A quartz crystal resonator can be a component made by cutting thin slices from a quartz crystal at specific orientations, then adding integrated circuits (ICs) to the slices to form an oscillation circuit and packaging it. A quartz crystal resonator can be simply referred to as a quartz crystal, crystal, or crystal oscillator. They are generally packaged in metal casings, but glass, ceramic, or plastic casings are also used. Surface mount packaging is the most common. Crystal oscillators can be used in conjunction with phase-locked loops (PLLs). The PLL uses the reference frequency provided by the crystal oscillator for frequency synthesis and phase synchronization to achieve frequency control and signal synchronization. A PLL can include a phase detector (PD), a loop filter (LF), and a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). Network devices and / or terminal equipment chips can use PLLs to implement multi-frequency, highly stable clocks.

[0096] For example, the system clocks of both the receiver and transmitter are derived from their respective crystal oscillators. Frequency deviations in the crystal oscillators themselves can cause clock misalignment between the receiver and transmitter, resulting in a communication carrier frequency offset. For instance, with a transmit carrier frequency of 7 GHz and crystal granularity of 20 ppm for both the receiver and transmitter, the communication carrier frequency offset caused by the crystal oscillators at the receiver and transmitter would be 7 GHz × 20 ppm × 2 = 280 kHz.

[0097] Channel multipath propagation causing time-frequency offset can be understood as follows: when a signal arrives at the receiver through multiple paths, the signals on each path differ in time and phase, causing signal delay, phase change, and frequency response changes at the receiver, resulting in a time-frequency offset of the received signal.

[0098] For example, during communication, if there is relative movement between the receiving end and the transmitting end, it will also cause a frequency offset phenomenon, where the received signal frequency is too high or too low. The higher the movement speed, the more severe the frequency offset. The frequency offset or frequency change caused by relative movement between the receiving end and the transmitting end can be called Doppler frequency shift. The movement speed and Doppler frequency shift satisfy the formula:

[0099] Where v is the relative speed and λ is the wavelength of the transmitted carrier. For example, with a minimum wavelength of 4.3 cm for a 7 GHz transmitted carrier (λ = 4.3 cm), and a relative speed of v = 350 km / h between the receiver and transmitter, the frequency offset f of the received signal is... d It is 2.26 kHz.

[0100] Timing and / or frequency offset can affect communication quality, such as affecting signal decoding.

[0101] For example, frequency offset can cause constellation rotation. Constellation rotation affects signal demodulation and decoding. A rotated constellation may reduce the distance between symbols, increasing the bit error rate. Constellation rotation can also cause the received signal to deviate from the expected signal, resulting in signal distortion. That is, the effects of frequency offset accumulate over time, meaning that the more orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols there are in the Physical layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) time domain, the larger the error vector magnitude (EVM) on the constellation.

[0102] Frequency offset can also disrupt the orthogonality between OFDM subcarriers, affecting the demodulation of other subcarriers. Subcarrier non-orthogonality can cause inter-carrier interference.

[0103] 2. Bit error rate (BER) and block error rate (BLER)

[0104] Bit error rate (BER) is a metric used to measure receiver characteristics. It can be understood as the ratio of the number of erroneous bits to the total number of bits during data transmission.

[0105] Block error rate (BLER) can be understood as the probability of errors in a transmitted block after cyclic redundancy check (CRC) during data transmission; that is, the ratio of erroneous blocks to the total number of received blocks. BLER can be used to measure system performance testing, especially in communication systems. BLER is used for performance testing of W-CDMA / LTE, demodulation testing under multipath conditions, etc. A block can be understood as an independent unit divided during network communication or data transmission. Block error rate is also called block error rate.

[0106] During data transmission, if a single bit is incorrect, these errors accumulate to a certain extent (such as within a data block), causing the entire data block to fail to pass verification, thus affecting the BLER value.

[0107] In wireless communication, the control channel is typically a critical or core component of the system. Therefore, using the bit error rate or block error rate of the control channel to measure the current system performance is reasonable.

[0108] In addition, other system metrics can also be used to measure system performance, such as throughput, signal quality, and interference level.

[0109] Data transmission between the receiver and transmitter introduces time delay, Doppler frequency offset, and / or phase offset during air interface wireless propagation. Higher frequencies result in greater time offset, frequency offset, and / or phase offset errors, thus affecting channel demodulation performance. Therefore, timely tracking and correction of these errors are necessary to improve channel demodulation performance.

[0110] The following explanation uses a network device (such as a base station) as the transmitting end and a terminal device as the receiving end as an example to illustrate time and frequency offset correction.

[0111] In one possible implementation of this application, to address time offset, when a terminal device accesses the network, it can transmit a random access preamble on the physical random access channel (PRACH). A network device (such as a base station) can receive the preamble, measure the signal arrival time, and calculate the timing advance (TA) based on the signal arrival time and the expected time difference. The base station can feed back the TA value to the terminal device. The terminal device can adjust the timing of its signal transmission based on the received TA value to compensate for the signal propagation delay in the air, thus achieving air interface timing offset correction. After the terminal device accesses the network, since the terminal device may move, the base station can use demodulation reference signal timing advance (DMRS TA) measurement and / or sounding reference signal timing advance (SRS TA) measurement to achieve timely tracking and feedback of TA, thereby compensating for the signal propagation delay in the air.

[0112] To address frequency and phase offset, the receiver can correct these errors using reference signal measurements. For example, in a 5G system, the receiver can use phase tracking reference signal (PTRS) and / or tracking reference signal (TRS) measurements for frequency and phase offset correction. The PTRS is inserted into the data channel, allowing the receiver to correct for frequency and phase offset during data decoding. The transmitter can flexibly adjust the symbol allocation of the PTRS reference signal based on data channel conditions and / or data transmission status. For instance, more symbols result in more accurate frequency and phase offset tracking. While PTRS can reduce frequency offset issues in near-point basic data transmission, during air interface propagation, the beam weights of the data channel differ from those of other channels, and channel correlation also affects demodulation performance. It's possible that the data channel may not be out of sync while other channels are, potentially leading to dropped calls. To address this, the TRS beam can be added as a "clock source" for air interface timing across all channels, reducing the impact of channel correlation on demodulation performance.

[0113] In another possible implementation of this application, the 4G system can use a cell-specific reference signal (CRS) for time-frequency synchronization and time-frequency offset estimation, in order to use the estimated time-frequency offset compensated channel estimation and data demodulation. The 5G system can use a synchronization signal block (SSB) for coarse time-frequency synchronization and time-frequency offset estimation, in order to use the estimated time-frequency offset compensated channel estimation and data demodulation. The 5G NR system can use a TRS for fine time-frequency synchronization and time-frequency offset estimation, in order to use the estimated time-frequency offset compensated channel estimation and data demodulation.

[0114] Taking the example that a 5G NR system can use TRS for precise time-frequency synchronization and time-frequency offset estimation, and use the estimated time-frequency offset to compensate for channel estimation and data demodulation, Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a configuration of TRS provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0115] The base station can be configured to periodically send TRS to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device can periodically receive TRS from the base station for time-frequency synchronization and time-frequency offset estimation.

[0116] For example, as shown in Figure 2, the base station can send a TRS to the terminal device every 3 time slots. Correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the TRS from the base station every 3 time slots.

[0117] With a time slot duration of 1 millisecond (ms), the transmission period of a TRS can be 4 ms. Within the time slot for transmitting a TRS, two symbols in the symbol sequence corresponding to that time slot can be used to carry the TRS. The symbols carrying the TRS are shown in Figure 3.

[0118] For example, the base station can periodically send multiple TRSs to the terminal device, and then transmit downlink control information (DCI) and data to the terminal device so that the terminal device can use the TRS sent by the base station to perform time-frequency offset estimation, and use the estimated time-frequency offset to compensate for channel estimation and data demodulation, thereby improving demodulation performance.

[0119] As shown in Figure 2, the base station can send TRS to the terminal device in the 2nd time slot (i.e., time slot 2), the 6th time slot (i.e., time slot 6), and the 10th time slot (i.e., time slot 10), respectively. Correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the TRS sent by the base station in these three time slots. After the terminal device uses the received TRS to estimate the time-frequency offset, it can use the estimated time-frequency offset to compensate for subsequent channel estimation and data demodulation to achieve data transmission and demodulation. For example, the terminal device can use the estimated time-frequency offset to demodulate the data sent by the base station in the 13th time slot to improve data demodulation performance.

[0120] Regardless of whether there is data transmission between the base station and the terminal device, the base station will periodically send TRS to the terminal device. The terminal device needs to periodically receive the TRS from the base station and use the received TRS for time-frequency offset estimation. When the terminal device is in sleep mode, it will also periodically wake up to receive TRS from the base station. The periodic wake-up of the terminal device can be achieved by a wake-up signal sent by the network side (such as the base station or core network equipment), or by waking up at a preset time in each PDC cycle to receive TRS according to the paging discontinuity cycle (PDC) pre-configured for the UE by the network side.

[0121] Terminal devices periodically receive TRS (Transmission Signals), especially when terminal devices in sleep mode are periodically woken up to receive TRS, resulting in high power consumption for the terminal devices. Furthermore, when a terminal device in sleep mode requires a wake-up signal from the network device, the periodic waking up of the terminal device also increases the power consumption of the network device.

[0122] Similar to the implementation principle of using TRS for fine time-frequency synchronization and time-frequency offset estimation in 5G NR systems, in 4G systems where CRS is used for time-frequency synchronization and time-frequency offset estimation, the base station also periodically sends CRS to the terminal device for time-frequency synchronization and time-frequency offset estimation. Similarly, in 5G systems where SSB is used for coarse time-frequency synchronization and time-frequency offset estimation, the base station also periodically transmits SSB to the terminal device for coarse time-frequency synchronization and time-frequency offset estimation.

[0123] Therefore, the periodic reception of CRS or SSB signals from the base station by the terminal device also results in higher power consumption for the terminal device. Similarly, the periodic waking up of the terminal device by the network device also results in higher power consumption for the network device.

[0124] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a terminal device or a network device. The terminal device receives first information from the network device, obtains a first time offset and / or a first frequency offset indicated by the first information, and sends or receives information based on the obtained first time offset and / or first frequency offset to improve data demodulation performance. By obtaining the first time offset and / or first frequency offset by receiving the first information, the terminal device does not need to periodically receive TRS, CRS, or SSB signals periodically sent by the network device, which can reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0125] In the embodiments of this application, measuring or estimating time-frequency offset can also be referred to as time-frequency offset measurement or time-frequency offset estimation. Time-frequency offset estimation may include time-frequency offset measurement and / or calculation.

[0126] It should be understood that a terminal device may include a terminal equipment, a chip with terminal equipment functions, a chip system with terminal equipment functions, a processor with terminal equipment functions, and / or logic modules or software with terminal equipment functions, etc. A network device may include a network device, a chip with network equipment functions, a chip system with network equipment functions, a processor with network equipment functions, and / or logic modules or software with network equipment functions, etc.

[0127] The following describes the communication method of this application in detail, using a terminal device as the terminal equipment and a network device as the network equipment, in conjunction with Figures 3 to 7. The embodiments shown in this application illustrate the communication method provided by this application from the perspective of device interaction. The specific forms and quantities of the devices shown are merely examples and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation of the method provided in this application.

[0128] Figure 3 shows a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0129] As shown in Figure 3, the communication method provided in this application embodiment may include S301-S302.

[0130] S301. The network device may send first information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device may receive the first information from the network device. The first information may be used to indicate a first offset.

[0131] For example, the first offset may include: a first time offset and / or a first frequency offset.

[0132] Optionally, the first offset may further include: a first power offset, a first angle offset, a first beam offset, a first code offset, a first time delay offset, a first Doppler offset, a first power spectrum offset, a first phase offset, a first amplitude offset, a first velocity offset, and / or a first range offset.

[0133] Power offset can be understood as the difference between the received signal power and the expected power. Power offset can be caused by factors such as path loss, shadowing effect, or multipath fading.

[0134] Angle offset can be understood as the difference between the angle at which a signal arrives at the receiving antenna and the expected angle. Angle offset can be caused by reflection, refraction, or scattering.

[0135] Beam offset can be understood as the difference between the direction of an antenna beam and its intended direction. Beam offset is caused by calibration errors of the antenna array or environmental changes.

[0136] Code offset can be understood as a time shift in the spreading code or pilot code, causing the code sequences at the receiving end and the transmitting end to be out of sync. Code offset can affect the performance of spread spectrum communication systems.

[0137] Delay offset can be understood as the time shift caused by the propagation delay of a signal along different paths during transmission. Delay offset may result in the signal received at the receiver being out of sync with the signal sent by the transmitter.

[0138] Doppler shift can be understood as a frequency change caused by the relative motion between the transmitter and receiver. The Doppler effect may cause the received signal frequency to differ from the transmitter's signal frequency.

[0139] Power spectrum offset can be understood as a change in the spectral characteristics of a signal, resulting in a power spectral density that differs from the expected value. Power spectrum offset can be caused by nonlinear effects or bandwidth limitations.

[0140] Phase offset can be understood as the difference between the phase of a signal and the expected phase. Phase offset can affect the demodulation accuracy of phase-modulated signals.

[0141] Amplitude offset can be understood as the difference between the signal's amplitude and the expected amplitude. Amplitude offset can affect the demodulation accuracy of amplitude-modulated signals.

[0142] Velocity offset can be understood as the change in signal characteristics caused by the relative velocity change between the transmitter and receiver. Velocity offset may be related to the Doppler effect.

[0143] Distance offset can be understood as the difference between the length of the signal propagation path and the expected path length. Distance offset can affect the signal's arrival time and strength.

[0144] For example, the terminal device is not configured or activated with a second signal. The second signal can be used for measuring the first offset; for example, the second signal can be used for time offset measurement and / or frequency offset measurement. The second signal may include TRS, SSB, and / or CRS.

[0145] In this way, the terminal device does not need to measure the first offset, which can reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0146] For example, the first information may or may not include the second signal.

[0147] When the first information includes the second signal, the terminal device obtains the first offset based solely on the first information. The terminal device does not need to perform time offset and frequency offset measurements based on the second signal in the first information.

[0148] S302, The terminal device can send or receive information based on the first offset.

[0149] For example, a network device can send downlink information to a terminal device, and the terminal device can receive the downlink information from the network device and use a first offset-compensated channel estimation and data demodulation to recover the original data in the downlink information. For example, the downlink information may include information carried by the physical layer downlink control channel (PDCCH) and / or the physical layer downlink share channel (PDSCH).

[0150] For example, the terminal device may send uplink information to the network device based on a first offset. Correspondingly, the network device may receive uplink information from the terminal device. For example, the uplink information may include a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and / or a physical uplink share channel (PUSCH).

[0151] As shown in Figure 3, the communication method provided in this application embodiment allows a terminal device to obtain a first offset indicated by the first information received from a network device. This eliminates the need for the terminal device to periodically receive information (such as a second signal) periodically sent by the network device to measure the first offset, thus reducing the power consumption of the terminal device. In cases where the network device sends a wake-up signal to wake up the terminal device, the communication method provided in this application embodiment can further reduce the power consumption of the network device periodically waking up the terminal device. Based on the first offset compensation channel estimation and data demodulation, the terminal device can achieve accurate demodulation of downlink information. Alternatively, the terminal device can send uplink information to the network device based on the first offset, enabling the network device to achieve accurate demodulation of the uplink information. The terminal device does not need to measure or estimate the first offset itself, further reducing scheduling latency, resource overhead, and / or angle latency. This can improve the throughput performance of the terminal device. Measuring or estimating the first offset can be achieved, for example, through time-frequency offset measurement or estimation.

[0152] The following describes the communication method shown in S301-S302, taking as an example that the first offset includes the first time offset and / or the first frequency offset, or the offset includes the time offset and / or the frequency offset.

[0153] First, we will explain how network devices obtain the first offset.

[0154] Referring to Figure 4, the method by which the network device determines the first offset through sensing will be explained. Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of determining time offset and frequency offset according to an embodiment of this application.

[0155] As shown in Figure 4a, network device 310 can receive a first signal. Network device 310 can determine a first offset based on the received first signal. For example, network device 310 can use the received first signal to measure or estimate the first offset.

[0156] As shown in Figure 4, the first signal received by network device 310 can be a signal sensed by network device 310. The signal sensed by the network device can be called a sensing signal.

[0157] For example, network device 310 may send a first signal to terminal device 320. The first signal may be a downlink signal. For instance, the first signal may include one or more of the following: a synchronization signal / PBCH block (SSB), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), a linear frequency modulation (LFM) signal, an orthogonal time-frequency space modulation (OTFS) signal, or an on-off keying (OOK) signal. Optionally, the first signal may also be a signal transmitted by the network device through any channel in the NR system or any signal sent by the network device in the NR system.

[0158] The first signal received by network device 310 can be a signal sensed by network device 310. The signal sensed by network device 310 may be, for example, a reflected signal of the first signal sent by network device 310 reflected by terminal device 320, a scattered signal of the first signal sent by network device 310 scattered by terminal device 320, or a refracted signal of the first signal sent by network device 310 refracted by terminal device 320.

[0159] The reflected, scattered, and refracted signals can all be transmitted, reflected, scattered, or refracted by the tag on the terminal device 320. Each of these signals can include information indicating the terminal device. The tag on the terminal device 320 can be a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The information on the terminal device can include its identifier. RFID tags can also be called electronic tags.

[0160] In this way, when the network device determines the first offset based on the first signal, it can send the first offset to the terminal device indicated by the first signal (i.e., the terminal device corresponding to the identifier of the terminal device). This reduces the probability of the network device sending the first offset to a terminal device that has not sent the first signal, and thus reduces the probability of the terminal device having poor data demodulation performance.

[0161] For example, a network device can broadcast a first signal. When a network device receives a first signal from multiple terminal devices, it can use the first signal sent by each terminal device to measure the corresponding first offset for each terminal device and send the corresponding first offset to that terminal device. For example, the multiple terminal devices include terminal device A and terminal device B. The network device can determine the first offset of terminal device A based on the first signal returned by terminal device A and send the first offset of terminal device A to terminal device A. Similarly, the network device can determine the first offset of terminal device B based on the first signal returned by terminal device B and send the first offset of terminal device B to terminal device B. This reduces the probability of the network device sending the first offset of terminal device B to terminal device A, and / or reducing the probability of the network device sending the first offset of terminal device A to terminal device B, thereby reducing the probability of poor demodulation performance of data by terminal device A, and / or reducing the probability of poor demodulation performance of data by terminal device B.

[0162] Network device 310 can use the received first signal to measure the first offset. Taking the first offset as including the first time offset and the first frequency offset as an example, when the first signal received by network device 310 is a sensing signal, the first offset can be determined by sensing.

[0163] For example, network device 310 can use a cross-correlation function to match the received first signal and the transmitted first signal to determine the optimal matching point between the received and transmitted first signals, thereby determining the peak position of the cross-correlation function. The time difference corresponding to the peak position of the cross-correlation function is the first time offset. The first time offset, for example, is the time offset δτ between the first signal at time t1 and the first signal at time t2, as shown in Figure 4b. t *2. Time t1 can be the time when network device 310 sends the first signal. Time t2 can be the time when network device 310 receives the first signal. The position of terminal device 320 at time t1 is different from the position of terminal device 320 at time t2. δτ t *2 can also satisfy:

[0164] δτ t *2=t2-t1

[0165] Network device 310 can determine the first frequency offset by performing spectrum analysis on the received first signal.

[0166] For example, network device 310 can perform a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) on the received first signal to transform it from the time domain to the frequency domain, obtaining the spectrum of the received first signal. Network device 310 can also perform a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) on the transmitted first signal to obtain its spectrum. Network device 310 can calculate the first frequency offset based on the spectra of the received and transmitted first signals. The first frequency offset δf is defined as follows. c Satisfy the following formula:

[0167] δf c =f r -f o

[0168] Among them, f r f is the frequency of the first received signal. o The frequency of the first signal transmitted.

[0169] The first frequency offset, for example, is the frequency offset δf between the first signal at time t1 and the first signal at time t2 shown in Figure 4b. c .

[0170] As shown in Figure 4, network devices obtain the first offset through sensing, which can reduce the complexity of time and frequency synchronization.

[0171] Alternatively, the network device may determine the first offset in a manner other than sensing. The first signal received by network device 310 may not be a signal sensed by network device 310.

[0172] For example, terminal device 320 may send a first signal to network device 310. The first signal may include one or more of the following: a preamble, a sounding reference signal (SRS), a signal transmitted via the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a signal transmitted via the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), an uplink reference signal (URS), or an uplink pilot signal. It should be understood that the uplink reference signal (URS) may include a demodulation reference signal (DM-RS) and / or an SRS.

[0173] Network device 310 can use the received first signal to measure or estimate the first offset. Taking the first offset as including the first time offset and the first frequency offset as an example, when the first signal received by network device 310 is not a sensing signal, network device 310 can detect the time offset (i.e., the first time offset) of the first signal by performing correlation analysis on the received first signal or by using other time-domain methods, and detect the frequency offset (i.e., the first frequency offset) of the first signal by Fourier transform or by using other frequency-domain methods.

[0174] For example, taking the first signal as a preamble, the network device 310 (such as a base station) can perform frequency domain analysis on the received preamble signal. For example, the network device 310 can use the FFT method to convert the first signal to the frequency domain and estimate the frequency offset based on the frequency spectrum offset.

[0175] Alternatively, if the preamble contains known Pilot symbols, the network device 310 can estimate the frequency offset by detecting phase changes in these Pilot symbols.

[0176] Alternatively, network device 310 can estimate the frequency offset by detecting the phase difference between the cyclic prefix and the main sequence, based on the cyclic prefix in the preamble (i.e., the end of the preamble sequence is the same as the content of the cyclic prefix).

[0177] Time and frequency offsets are interrelated, and network device 310 can simultaneously estimate time and frequency offsets based on the preamble. Network device 310 can estimate the time offset by analyzing the time-domain characteristics of the preamble signal, such as the autocorrelation function or cross-correlation function.

[0178] For example, taking the SRS signal as the first signal, network device 310 (such as a base station) can use the SRS signal to perform channel estimation and obtain channel state information. The channel state information may include channel amplitude, phase, and time delay. Based on the channel estimation, network device 310 can perform frequency domain analysis on the SRS signal, such as FFT transformation, and then estimate the frequency offset by comparing the difference between the expected frequency of the SRS signal and the actual received frequency. Network device 310 can accomplish this by analyzing the time domain characteristics of the SRS signal, such as using the periodicity or a specific time domain structure of the SRS signal to estimate the time offset.

[0179] Optionally, the first signal received by the network device 310 may not be a signal perceived by the network device 310; instead, the first signal may be sent by a tag on the terminal device 320. The first signal may also include information for indicating the terminal device.

[0180] The implementation method of S301 will be explained below.

[0181] For example, the first information may be carried in one or more of the following: media access control control element (MAC CE), radio resource control (RRC), or downlink control information (DCI).

[0182] For example, the information used to carry the first information may include predefined indication fields. The first information may be carried in the predefined indication fields. The information used to carry the first information may be, for example, MAC CE, RRC, and / or DCI.

[0183] For example, the first information may include a first offset. Alternatively, the first information may include a first difference and / or a second difference.

[0184] The first difference can be the difference between a first time offset and a second time offset, where the second time offset can be determined before the first time offset. The second difference can be the difference between a first frequency offset and a second frequency offset, where the second frequency offset is determined before the first frequency offset. Both the first and second time offsets can be absolute values ​​of time offset. The first difference can be a relative value of time offset. Both the first and second frequency offsets can be absolute values ​​of frequency offset. The second difference can be a relative value of frequency offset.

[0185] Taking the first information carried in the DCI, and the first offset including the first time offset and the first frequency offset as an example, Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of a DCI configuration provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0186] For example, a network device can send a Data Interface (DCI) to a terminal device. The DCI may carry first information. Correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the DCI from the network device to obtain the first information carried in the DCI. It should be understood that the network device can send the DCI to the terminal device periodically. The network device may also send the DCI to the terminal device non-periodically. For example, the network device can send the DCI to the terminal device when sending data. The data may be, for example, data carried on a PDSCH.

[0187] As shown in Figure 5, the network device can periodically send DCI to the terminal device in a cycle of 4 time slots. For example, the network device can send DCI to the terminal device in time slots 2, 6, and 10 respectively.

[0188] The first information carried in DCI can be the first time offset and the first frequency offset, or it can be the first difference and the second difference.

[0189] Time offset and frequency offset can be referred to as time-frequency offset. Taking the time-frequency offset information determined by the network device at the first moment as an example, it can be transmitted to the terminal device through DCI in time slot 2; the time-frequency offset information determined by the network device at the second moment can be transmitted to the terminal device through DCI in time slot 6; and the time-frequency offset information determined by the network device at the third moment can be transmitted to the terminal device through DCI in time slot 10.

[0190] For example, the network device may carry a time-frequency offset determined at a first moment in the DCI sent to the terminal device in time slot 2. The network device may carry a time-frequency offset determined at a second moment in the DCI sent to the terminal device in time slot 6. The network device may carry a time-frequency offset determined at a third moment in the DCI sent to the terminal device in time slot 10.

[0191] Optionally, the network device may carry the time-frequency offset determined at the first moment in the DCI sent to the terminal device in time slot 2. The network device may carry the difference between the time offset determined at the second moment and the time offset determined at the first moment, and the difference between the frequency offset determined at the second moment and the frequency offset determined at the first moment, in the DCI sent to the terminal device in time slot 10.

[0192] It should be understood that the time offset used to determine the target time can be the first time offset, and the time offset used to determine the time of the time preceding the target time can be the second time offset. Similarly, the frequency offset used to determine the target time can be the first frequency offset, and the frequency offset used to determine the frequency of the time preceding the target time can be the second frequency offset. The target time can be the first, second, or third time.

[0193] For example, if the first time offset is the time offset determined at the second time, then the second time offset is the time offset determined at the first time. The difference between the time offset determined at the second time and the time offset determined at the first time is the first difference value.

[0194] If the first frequency offset is the frequency offset determined at the second time step, then the second frequency offset is the frequency offset determined at the first time step. The difference between the frequency offset determined at the second time step and the frequency offset determined at the first time step is the second difference value.

[0195] Optionally, if the offset (such as time-frequency offset) subsequently measured by the network device is the same as the first offset when the network device sends the first information to the terminal device, the network device does not need to send the first information to the terminal device again.

[0196] For example, if the time-frequency offset determined at the second time and the time-frequency offset determined at the third time are the same as the time-frequency offset determined at the first time, the network device can carry the time-frequency offset determined at the first time in the DCI sent to the terminal device in time slot 2. The network device can choose not to carry the time-frequency offset in the DCI sent to the terminal device in time slots 6 and 10 respectively. For example, the predefined indication fields of the DCIs sent by the network device to the terminal device in time slots 6 and 10 respectively can both contain null values ​​(nul).

[0197] For example, if the time-frequency offset determined at the second time moment is the same as the time-frequency offset determined at the first time moment, but the time-frequency offset determined at the third time moment is different from the time-frequency offset determined at the second time moment, the network device may carry the time-frequency offset determined at the first time moment in the DCI sent to the terminal device in time slot 2. The network device may not carry the time-frequency offset in the DCI sent to the terminal device in time slot 6. The network device may carry the information of the time-frequency offset determined at the third time moment in the DCI sent to the terminal device in time slot 10. It should be understood that the information of the time-frequency offset determined at the third time moment can be the time-frequency offset determined at the third time moment. The information of the time-frequency offset determined at the third time moment can also be the difference between the time offset determined at the third time moment and the time offset determined at the second time moment (or the first time moment), and the difference between the frequency offset determined at the third time moment and the frequency offset determined at the second time moment (or the first time moment).

[0198] If the network device has already sent the time-frequency offset measured by the network device to the terminal device, the network device does not need to send the same time-frequency offset as the one already sent to the terminal device. That is, if the DCI sent by the network device to the terminal device does not carry time-frequency offset information, it can indicate that the time-frequency offset measured by the network device is the same as the time-frequency offset most recently sent by the network device to the terminal device, and there is no need to repeatedly send the same time-frequency offset as the one already sent to the terminal device. This reduces the amount of information transmitted, and thus reduces the occupation of time-frequency domain resources.

[0199] If the DCI received by the terminal device does not carry information indicating the frequency offset (such as the first information), or if the predefined indication field in the DCI received by the terminal device is empty, the terminal device may use the offset of the last received information to send or receive information.

[0200] When the DCI received by the terminal device carries a first difference and a second difference, the terminal device can obtain the time offset corresponding to the first difference and the frequency offset corresponding to the second difference based on the first difference, the second difference, and the time-frequency offset determined by the terminal device in the previous reception. Specifically, the time offset corresponding to the first difference = first difference + time offset determined by the terminal device in the previous reception. The frequency offset corresponding to the second difference = second difference + frequency offset determined by the terminal device in the previous reception. The time-frequency offset determined by the terminal device in the previous reception can be: the time-frequency offset carried in the DCI received by the terminal device in the previous reception, or the time-frequency offset calculated by the terminal device based on the difference corresponding to the time-frequency offset carried in the previously received DCI.

[0201] For example, in the DCI received by the terminal device from the network device in time slot 6, the time offset is 2 microseconds (µs) and the frequency offset is 282.26 kilohertz (kHz).

[0202] In the DCI received by the terminal device from the network device in time slot 10, the first difference value is -0.2us and the second difference value is -2.26KHz.

[0203] The terminal device can determine, based on 2µs, 282.26kHz, -0.2µs, and -2.26kHz, that the time offset corresponding to the first difference received in time slot 10 is 1.8µs, and the frequency offset corresponding to the second difference received in time slot 10 is 280kHz. Where 1.8µs = 2µs + (-0.2µs), and 280kHz = 282.26kHz + (-2.26kHz).

[0204] The communication methods shown in S301-S302 will be explained below.

[0205] In one embodiment of this application, the communication method may further include: a terminal device sending second information to a network device, the second information being used to request a second signal, the second signal being used for time offset measurement and / or frequency offset measurement. Correspondingly, the network device receives the second information from the terminal device. The second signal may be a TRS (Time Offset Signal).

[0206] For example, prior to S301, the terminal device sends second information to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the second information from the terminal device. Thus, when the terminal device has a high battery level, it sends the second information to the network device to obtain a second signal, which the terminal device uses to measure the time-frequency offset, and then uses the measured time-frequency offset to send and / or receive information.

[0207] Alternatively, after S302, the terminal device sends second information to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the second information from the terminal device. Thus, when the terminal device communicates according to the communication methods shown in S301-S302, but the terminal device's data demodulation performance is poor, the terminal device can send second information to the network device to obtain a second signal. This allows the terminal device to use the second signal to measure the time-frequency offset and use the measured time-frequency offset to send and / or receive information, thereby improving the data demodulation performance.

[0208] For example, the terminal device can perform bit error rate (BER) monitoring and / or block bit error rate monitoring.

[0209] The terminal device may send second information to the network device based on a bit error rate greater than a first threshold, and / or based on a block bit error rate greater than a second threshold. The second information is used to request a second signal, which is used for time offset measurement and / or frequency offset measurement. Correspondingly, the network device may receive the second information from the terminal device.

[0210] When a terminal device receives downlink information from a network device based on a first offset, and performs channel estimation and data demodulation using the first offset compensation, if the bit error rate (BER) is greater than a first threshold, and / or the block BER is greater than a second threshold, it indicates a deviation between the time-frequency offset introduced during downlink information transmission and the first offset obtained by the terminal device. The terminal device can then send second information to the network device to request a second signal based on the BER being greater than the first threshold, and / or the block BER being greater than the second threshold. This allows the terminal device to obtain the second signal, enabling it to measure the time-frequency offset and use the measured offset to send and / or receive information, thereby improving data demodulation performance.

[0211] Optionally, the network device may send fifth information to the terminal device. This fifth information is used to configure the second signal. Correspondingly, the terminal device may receive the fifth information from the network device. For example, the fifth information may be used to indicate the transmission period of the second signal, so that the terminal device periodically receives the second signal from the network device according to the transmission period of the second signal.

[0212] The network device can periodically send the second signal to the terminal device according to the transmission period of the second signal indicated by the fifth information. Correspondingly, the terminal device can periodically receive the second signal from the network device.

[0213] The terminal device can use a second signal to measure time offset and / or frequency offset. The terminal device can use the measured time offset and / or frequency offset to compensate for channel estimation and data demodulation, thereby achieving data demodulation of downlink information from the network device. The terminal device can also send uplink information to the network device based on the measured time offset and / or frequency offset.

[0214] Optionally, the communication method provided in this application embodiment may further include: sending third information, the third information being used to request termination of the configuration of the second signal.

[0215] For example, when a terminal device measures the time-frequency offset using a second signal sent from a network device, and the terminal device has low battery power, the terminal device can send a third message to the network device to instruct the network device to stop sending the second signal. The terminal device does not need to receive the second signal and does not need to measure the time-frequency offset itself. The terminal device can continue to use the time-frequency offset (such as the first offset) sent by the network device for data demodulation. This can further reduce the power consumption and scheduling latency of the terminal device.

[0216] Alternatively, if the terminal device has good data demodulation performance, it can send a third message to the network device to instruct the network device to stop sending the second signal. The terminal device does not need to receive the second signal, nor does it need to use the second signal to measure the time-frequency offset itself. The terminal device can continue to use the time-frequency offset (such as the first offset) sent by the network device for data demodulation. This can further reduce the power consumption and scheduling latency of the terminal device.

[0217] For example, when a terminal device monitors that the bit error rate is less than or equal to a first threshold, and / or, based on the block bit error rate being less than or equal to a second threshold, in order to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device periodically receiving the second signal, the terminal device may send third information to the network device based on the bit error rate being less than or equal to the first threshold, and / or, based on the block bit error rate being less than or equal to the second threshold. The third information is used to request termination of configuring the second signal. Correspondingly, the network device may receive the third information from the terminal device. The network device may terminate sending the second signal to the terminal device, which can reduce the power consumption of the network device.

[0218] Upon receiving third information from the terminal device, the network device may continue to execute S301 so that the terminal device can send and / or receive information based on the first offset.

[0219] In one possible implementation of this application, when the network device periodically sends a second signal to the terminal device, the terminal device can send a fourth message to the network device before entering a low-power mode. The fourth message indicates that the second signal is not configured. Correspondingly, the network device can receive the fourth message from the terminal device. The network device can then terminate sending the second signal to the terminal device. The low-power mode may include a mode using the communication method shown in S301-S302 or a sleep mode, etc. This reduces the power consumption of both the terminal device and the network device.

[0220] Optionally, when the terminal device switches from a low-power mode to a non-low-power mode, the terminal device may send a second message to the network device. Alternatively, after the network device receives the fourth message and then receives uplink information from the terminal device, the network device may periodically send a second signal to the terminal device, or the network device may execute S301. This reduces the probability of demodulation performance degradation of the terminal device. The non-low-power mode may include the following TRS mode.

[0221] Taking the second signal as TRS and the block error rate as the Physical Downlink Control Channel Block Error Rate (PDCCH BLER) as an example, the communication method shown in S301-S302 will be explained in conjunction with Figure 6.

[0222] Figure 6 shows another flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0223] As shown in Figure 6, the communication method provided in this application embodiment may include S301-S302 and S601-S605:

[0224] S301. The network device can send first information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the first information from the network device.

[0225] S302, The terminal device can send or receive information based on the first offset.

[0226] Steps S301-S302 can be optional. In one possible implementation of this application, the terminal device can determine the first offset based on a signal sensed by the terminal device. The signal sensed by the terminal device is, for example, an uplink signal sent by the terminal device to the network device, or a signal reflected, scattered, or refracted by the network device. The uplink signal includes, for example, a preamble, SRS, a signal transmitted via PUCCH, a signal transmitted via PUSCH, URS, or an uplink pilot signal.

[0227] S601, The terminal equipment can perform physical downlink control channel block bit error rate monitoring (PDCCH BLER monitor).

[0228] The specific implementation principle of the terminal device sending or receiving information based on the first offset can be found in the specific implementation principle of S302, and will not be repeated here.

[0229] If the Physical Downlink Control Channel Block Bit Error Rate (PDCCH BLER) is greater than the second threshold, the terminal device can execute S602. A PDCCH BLER greater than the second threshold indicates that the time offset introduced into the downlink information received by the terminal device deviates significantly from the first time offset in the first offset, and / or, the frequency offset introduced into the downlink information received by the terminal device deviates significantly from the first frequency offset in the first offset. Using the first offset to compensate for channel estimation and data demodulation results in poor demodulation performance, and the terminal device can request to measure the time offset and / or frequency offset itself.

[0230] If the PDCCH BLER is less than or equal to the second threshold, the terminal device can execute S301 and / or S302. A PDCCH BLER less than or equal to the second threshold indicates that the time offset introduced in the downlink information received by the terminal device deviates little or no from the first time offset in the first offset, and / or that the frequency offset introduced in the downlink information received by the terminal device deviates little or no from the first frequency offset in the first offset. Therefore, channel estimation and data demodulation are compensated using the first offset, resulting in better demodulation performance.

[0231] The second threshold can be 10%. Alternatively, the second threshold can be other predefined values, such as 8% or 12%.

[0232] S602. Based on the PDCCH BLER being greater than the second threshold, the terminal device can send second information to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device can receive the second information from the terminal device to request TRS or request to enter TRS mode.

[0233] TRS mode refers to a mode in which network devices periodically send TRS messages to terminal devices. TRS mode can also be called on-demand TRS mode. Therefore, the second piece of information can also be used to request entry into TRS mode; this second piece of information can be an on-demand TRS request.

[0234] In this way, the terminal device can obtain the TRS, which will enable the terminal device to measure the time offset and / or frequency offset, reducing the probability that the network device will have poor accuracy in determining the first offset due to the weak first signal received, thus resulting in poor demodulation performance of the terminal device.

[0235] S603. The network device can send fifth or sixth information to the terminal device. The fifth information can be used to configure the TRS, indicating the configuration information of the TRS. The configuration information of the TRS may include the transmission period of the TRS (i.e., the configuration period) and information about the symbols carrying the TRS, etc. Correspondingly, the terminal device can receive the fifth or sixth information from the network device.

[0236] It should be understood that both the fifth and sixth messages can be responses to the second message. Alternatively, the fifth or sixth message can be a response to a request to enter TRS mode (responding to the same AP / SP-TRS).

[0237] Optionally, the first information sent by the network device to the terminal device in S301 may include an inactive TRS. The sixth information may be used to indicate the activation of the TRS. It should be understood that in S302, the terminal device sends or receives information based on a first offset, which is obtained by the terminal device only based on the first information, such as a first offset read from the first information, and not measured or estimated based on an inactive TRS in the first information.

[0238] S604. The terminal device can perform TRS tracking.

[0239] For example, when a network device sends a fifth message to a terminal device, the network device can periodically send a TRS to the terminal device according to the TRS transmission cycle. Correspondingly, the terminal device can periodically receive TRS from the network device to measure time offset and / or frequency offset.

[0240] The specific implementation principle of the network device periodically sending TRS to the terminal device can be found in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, which will not be elaborated here.

[0241] Optionally, when the network device sends the sixth information to the terminal device, the network device may activate the TRS from the first information of the network device to perform time offset and / or frequency offset measurement or estimation.

[0242] Terminal devices can supplement channel estimation and data demodulation with measured time and / or frequency offsets to demodulate downlink information from network devices. Terminal devices can also send uplink information to network devices based on measured or estimated time and / or frequency offsets.

[0243] S605. If the terminal device detects that the PDCCH BLER is less than or equal to the second threshold, the terminal device may send third information to the network device based on the PDCCH BLER being less than or equal to the second threshold. Correspondingly, the network device may receive the third information from the terminal device.

[0244] The third message can be information used to indicate the termination of TRS mode; for example, the third message can be an on-demand TRS release message.

[0245] Upon receiving third information from the terminal device, the network device can stop sending TRS to the terminal device, which can reduce the power consumption of the terminal device periodically receiving TRS and also reduce the power consumption of the network device.

[0246] If the network device terminates sending TRS to the terminal device, the network device may perform the steps of the network device in the communication method shown in S301-S302, so that the network device and the terminal device can communicate according to the communication method shown in S301-S302.

[0247] As shown in the embodiment of Figure 6, in the communication method provided in this application, the terminal device can use the first offset compensation channel estimation and data demodulation sent by the network device. The terminal device can also monitor the PDCCH BLER. When the PDCCH BLER is greater than a second threshold, the terminal device can request the network device to enter TRS mode. The network device can periodically send TRS to the terminal device so that the terminal device can use the TRS from the network device to measure or estimate the time offset and / or frequency offset, thereby reducing the probability that the first offset determined by the network device is inaccurate due to the weak first signal received, which would lead to poor demodulation performance of the terminal device and improve the time and frequency offset compensation performance. When the PDCCH BLER is less than or equal to the second threshold, the terminal device can request the network device to terminate the TRS mode and resume communication using the communication method shown in S301-S302. This can reduce the power consumption of the terminal device. During the communication process of the terminal device according to the communication method shown in S301-S302, the terminal device does not need to measure or estimate the first offset itself, which can also reduce the scheduling delay of the terminal device.

[0248] Taking the second signal as TRS as an example, and referring to Figure 7, the communication method shown in S301-S302 will be explained.

[0249] Figure 7 shows another schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0250] As shown in Figure 7, the communication method provided in this application embodiment may include S701, S301-S302, and S601-S605.

[0251] The difference between the embodiment shown in Figure 7 and the embodiment shown in Figure 6 is that in the communication method of the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the terminal device communicates with the network device according to the communication methods shown in S301-S302 and S601-S605 when the terminal device enters a low power mode, specifically see S701.

[0252] S701. When the terminal device enters a low-power mode, it can send a fourth message to the network device. This fourth message can be used to indicate that a TRS (Transmission Control System) is not configured, i.e., it can be used to request entry into a TRS-free mode. Correspondingly, the network device can receive the fourth message from the terminal device. The network device can then stop sending TRS messages to the terminal device.

[0253] No TRS mode, for example, the mode of communication according to the communication methods shown in S301-S302, or the mode of communication according to the communication methods shown in S301-S302 and S601-S605. No TRS mode can also be understood as a mode in which the terminal device does not measure time offset and / or frequency offset on its own.

[0254] The specific implementation principles of each step in S301-S302 and S601-S605 of the embodiment shown in Figure 7 can be found in the specific implementation principles of the corresponding steps in the embodiment shown in Figure 6, and will not be repeated here.

[0255] Understandably, prior to S701, terminal devices could be in non-low power mode or TRS mode.

[0256] As shown in the embodiment of Figure 7, in the communication method provided in this application, the terminal device can communicate with the network device in TRS mode. The specific implementation principle of the terminal device communicating with the network device in TRS mode can be found in the embodiment shown in Figure 2. When the terminal device enters a low-power mode, it can send fourth information to the network device to enter a non-TRS mode. This reduces the power consumption of the terminal device and also reduces the probability of demodulation performance degradation. During communication by the terminal device according to the communication method shown in S301-S302, the terminal device does not need to measure or estimate the first offset itself, which also reduces the scheduling latency of the terminal device.

[0257] Optionally, the communication method provided in this application embodiment may include S701, S301-S302. This can also reduce the power consumption and scheduling latency of the terminal device.

[0258] Optionally, the communication method provided in this application embodiment may include S601-S605. For example, the terminal device may use a signal obtained by the terminal device for measuring time-frequency offset, measure the time-frequency offset, and use the measured time-frequency offset compensation signal to estimate and demodulate data. It may also use the measured time-frequency offset to send uplink information. The terminal device may obtain the signal for measuring time-frequency offset when receiving downlink data. The downlink data may be downlink user plane data. The terminal device may execute the steps and / or processes corresponding to the terminal device in S601-S605. In this way, when the demodulation performance is poor (e.g., PDCCH BLER is greater than the second threshold), it can enter TRS mode to improve demodulation performance. When the demodulation performance is good or stable, the terminal device may request to terminate TRS mode to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0259] It should be noted that the order of the methods listed above does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

[0260] The communication method of the embodiments of this application has been described in detail above with reference to Figures 2 to 7. The communication device of the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 8 to 11. The communication device includes modules or units for executing the corresponding parts of each of the above embodiments. Modules or units can be software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The following only provides a brief illustrative example of the communication device; for details of the implementation, please refer to the description of the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated below.

[0261] Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8, the communication device may include a transceiver module 802 and a processing module 801. The communication device may be the aforementioned terminal device or network device.

[0262] In one possible implementation, the communication device is used to implement the steps corresponding to the terminal device in the communication methods shown in S301-S302 above.

[0263] The transceiver module 802 can be used to receive first information, which is used to indicate a first offset, including a first time offset and / or a first frequency offset.

[0264] The transceiver module 802 can also be used to send and / or receive information based on a first offset.

[0265] For example, transceiver module 802 can be used to receive downlink information from network devices. Processing module 801 can be used to perform first offset-compensated channel estimation and data demodulation to obtain the downlink information data.

[0266] The transceiver module 802 can also be used to send uplink information to the network device based on the first offset.

[0267] Optionally, the terminal device is not configured or activated with a second signal used for measuring the first offset.

[0268] Optionally, the first information includes a first offset. Or, the first information includes a first difference and / or a second difference. Wherein, the first difference is the difference between a first time offset and a second time offset, the second time offset being determined before the first time offset; and the second difference is the difference between a first frequency offset and a second frequency offset, the second frequency offset being determined before the first frequency offset.

[0269] Optionally, the first information is determined through perception.

[0270] Optionally, the transceiver module 802 can also be used to send a first signal, which is used to measure a first offset.

[0271] Optionally, the first signal includes one or more of the following: preamble, SRS, signal transmitted via PUCCH, signal transmitted via PUSCH, URS, or uplink pilot signal.

[0272] Optionally, the transceiver module 802 can also be used to send a second message, which is used to request a second signal, and the second signal is used for time offset measurement and / or frequency offset measurement.

[0273] Optionally, the transceiver module 802 can also be used to send second information based on the bit error rate being greater than a first threshold and / or based on the block bit error rate being greater than a second threshold. The second information is used to request a second signal, and the second signal is used for time offset measurement and / or frequency offset measurement.

[0274] Optionally, the transceiver module 802 can also be used to receive fifth information, which is used to configure the second signal.

[0275] Optionally, the transceiver module 802 can also be used to send third information, which is used to request the termination of the configuration second signal.

[0276] Optionally, the transceiver module 802 can also be used to send third information based on the bit error rate being less than or equal to a first threshold, and / or based on the block bit error rate being less than or equal to a second threshold, the third information being used to request the termination of the configuration second signal.

[0277] Optionally, before receiving the first information, the transceiver module 802 can also be used to send a fourth information. The fourth information is used to indicate that the second signal is not configured, and the second signal is used for time offset measurement and / or frequency offset measurement.

[0278] Optionally, the first information is carried in one or more of the following: MAC CE, RRC, or DCI.

[0279] Optionally, the first information is carried in a predefined instruction field.

[0280] In another possible implementation, the communication device is used to implement the steps corresponding to the network device in the communication methods shown in S301-S302.

[0281] The transceiver module 802 can be used to receive a first signal, which is used to measure a first offset, including a first time offset and / or a first frequency offset. The processing module 801 can be used to determine the first offset based on the first signal.

[0282] The transceiver module 802 can also be used to send first information, which is used to indicate a first offset.

[0283] Optionally, before receiving the first signal, the transceiver module 802 can also be used to transmit the first signal, which includes one or more of the following: synchronization signal block SSB, channel state information reference signal CSI-RS, demodulation reference signal DMRS, linear frequency modulation (LFM) signal, or orthogonal time-frequency spatial modulation (OTFS) signal.

[0284] Optionally, the first signal is sent by a tag set on the terminal device, and the first signal also includes information for instructing the terminal device.

[0285] Optionally, the first signal includes one or more of the following: preamble, SRS, signal transmitted via PUCCH, signal transmitted via PUSCH, URS, or uplink pilot signal.

[0286] Optionally, the transceiver module 802 can also be used to send fifth information, which is used to configure the second signal, and the second signal is used for time offset measurement and / or frequency offset measurement.

[0287] Optionally, the transceiver module 802 can also be used to receive second information, which requests a second signal.

[0288] Optionally, the transceiver module 802 can also be used to receive third information, which is used to request the termination of the configuration second signal.

[0289] Optionally, the transceiver module 802 can also be used to receive a fourth message before sending the first message. The fourth message is used to indicate that the second signal is not configured, and the second signal is used for time offset measurement and / or frequency offset measurement.

[0290] It should be understood that the communication device described here is embodied in the form of a functional module. The term "module" here can refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), electronic circuitry, a processor (e.g., a shared processor, a proprietary processor, or a group processor, etc.) and memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuitry, and / or other suitable components supporting the described functions. In an alternative example, those skilled in the art will understand that the communication device can specifically be the terminal device or network device in the above embodiments. The communication device can be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments; to avoid repetition, these will not be elaborated further here.

[0291] The aforementioned communication device has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the terminal device or network device in the above method; the above functions can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. In embodiments of this application, the communication device in FIG8 can also be a chip, such as a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

[0292] Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of a network device and a terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0293] As shown in Figure 9, the terminal device may include a processor 911. The network device may include a processor 921.

[0294] When the processor 911 calls the computer program code, it can cause the terminal device to execute the process and / or steps corresponding to the terminal device in the above method embodiment.

[0295] When the processor 921 calls the computer program code, it can cause the network device to execute the process and / or steps corresponding to the network device in the above method embodiment.

[0296] Optionally, the terminal device may also include a memory 912. Optionally, the terminal device may also include a transceiver 913.

[0297] Optionally, the network device may also include a memory 922. Optionally, the network device may also include a transceiver 923.

[0298] Memory can be used to store instructions, such as computer program code. Memory, for example, memory 912 or memory 922. Memory may include read-only memory and random access memory, and provides instructions and data to the processor. A portion of the memory may also include non-volatile random access memory. For example, memory may also store device type information.

[0299] The processor can be used to execute instructions stored in memory to control the transceiver to send and / or receive signals. The processor, for example, is processor 911 or processor 921. The transceiver, for example, is transceiver 913 or transceiver 923.

[0300] When processor 911 calls the computer program code in memory 912, the terminal device can execute the processes and / or steps corresponding to the terminal device in the above method embodiments. Memory 922 can be used to store computer program code. When processor 921 calls the computer program code in memory 922, the network device can execute the processes and / or steps corresponding to the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0301] Transceiver 913 may include transmitter 9131, receiver 9132, and antenna 9133. Transceiver 923 may include transmitter 9231, receiver 9232, and antenna 9233.

[0302] A transmitter can be used to implement the various steps and / or procedures corresponding to its transceiver unit for performing the transmission action. For example, a transmitter can be used to send information to another device via an antenna. A receiver can be used to implement the various steps and / or procedures corresponding to its transceiver unit for performing the reception action. For example, a receiver can be used to receive information from another device via an antenna.

[0303] For example, receiver 9132 can be used to receive information from a network device, such as transmission control information, via antenna 9133. Transmitter 9131 can be used to send information to a network device, such as transmission feedback information, via antenna 9133. Transmitter 9231 can be used to send transmission control information to a terminal device via antenna 9233. Receiver 9232 can be used to receive transmission feedback information sent by a terminal device via antenna 9233.

[0304] It is understood that the network device in the embodiments of this application can also be replaced by a chip in the network device. The terminal device in the embodiments of this application can be replaced by a chip in the terminal device. For example, the chip in the network device may include a processor 921, a memory 922, and a transceiver 923. As another example, the chip in the terminal device may include a processor 911, a memory 912, and a transceiver 913.

[0305] It should be understood that, in the embodiments of this application, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), or it may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc.

[0306] In implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as execution by a hardware processor, or as a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor. The software modules can reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor executes the instructions in the memory, combining them with its hardware to complete the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are omitted here.

[0307] Figure 10 shows a schematic diagram of an O-RAN system provided in an embodiment of this application. The O-RAN system may also include other components besides those shown in Figure 10.

[0308] As shown in Figure 10, the network device in this embodiment can also be called an access network device. The access network device (i.e., RAN, such as eNB or gNB) can communicate with the core network (CN) through the backhaul link, and can also communicate with the terminal device (such as UE) through the air interface.

[0309] Specifically, the baseband unit (BBU) in the access network equipment communicates with the core network equipment via a backhaul link; the radio unit (RU) in the access network equipment communicates with at least one terminal device via an air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU via a fronthaul link; the BBU and RU may or may not be co-located.

[0310] The BBU includes at least one control unit (CU) and at least one distributed unit (DU), which can communicate via at least one midhaul link.

[0311] Figure 11 shows a network element function division and protocol layer structure diagram of an O-RAN device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0312] As shown in Figure 11, the access network equipment may include a CU, a DU, and at least one RU.

[0313] In some examples, the CU is a logical node that carries the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer, Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, and other control functions of the access network equipment. The CU connects to network nodes such as core network equipment through interfaces, which may be E2 interfaces, etc. Optionally, the CU may possess some of the functions of the core network equipment. The CU (e.g., PDCP layer and higher layers) connects to the DU (e.g., RLC layer and lower layers) through interfaces, which may be F1 interfaces, etc. In some examples, these interfaces (e.g., F1 interfaces) can provide control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane) functions, such as interface management, system information management, UE context management, and RRC message transmission. F1AP is the application protocol of the F1 interface, defining the F1 signaling procedures in some examples. The F1 interface supports control plane F1-C and user plane F1-U.

[0314] In some examples, the CU can be split into CU-CP (control unit-control plane) and CU-UP (control unit-user plane). CU-CP is a logical node carrying the RRC layer and PDCP-C (control plane part of PDCP) layer, used to implement the CU's control plane functions. CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement control plane functions. These network elements in the core network can be access and mobility function (AMF) network elements, such as the access and mobility management function (AMF) in a 5G system. AMF network elements are responsible for mobility management in the mobile network, such as terminal device location updates, terminal device registration with the network, and terminal device handover. CU-UP is a logical node carrying the SDAP layer and PDCP-U (user plane part of PDCP) layer, used to implement the CU's user plane functions. CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement user plane functions. These network elements in the core network, such as the UPF (user plane function) in a 5G system, are responsible for data forwarding and receiving in terminal devices. The above CU and DU configurations are merely examples; the functions of the CU and DU can be configured as needed. For instance, the CU or DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or only some protocol layer processing functions. For example, some RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions above the RLC layer can be placed in the CU, while the remaining RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions below the RLC layer can be placed in the DU. Furthermore, the functions of the CU or DU can be divided according to service type or other system requirements, such as by latency. Functions that require low latency can be placed in the DU, while functions that do not require low latency can be placed in the CU.

[0315] In some examples, a DU is a logical node that carries the radio link control (RLC) layer, medium access control (MAC) layer, higher physical layer (PHY) layer, and other functions. In some examples, a DU can control at least one RU. The DU connects to the RU through interfaces, which may be fronthaul interfaces. In some examples, the higher PHY layer includes the PHY layer processing, such as forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation, and demodulation.

[0316] In some examples, the RU is a logical node carrying both lower physical layer (PHY) and radio frequency (RF) processing, also known as RF chain. In some examples, the RU can be a 3GPP transmission reception point (TRP), a remote radio head (RRH), or other similar entities. In some examples, the low-PHY includes PHY processing functions such as fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT), digital beamforming, and filtering. The RU communicates with one or more UEs via a radio link.

[0317] The DU and RU can be co-located or not. The DU and RU exchange control plane and user plane information via a lower-layer split-control, user, and synchronization (LLS-CUS) interface through a fronthaul link. LLS-CUS may include LLS-C and LLS-U interfaces, respectively providing the control plane (C-plane) and user plane (U-plane). In some examples, the control plane (C-plane) refers to real-time control between the DU and RU. The DU and RU exchange management information via an LLS-M interface on the fronthaul link; the management plane (M-plane) refers to non-real-time management operations between the DU and RU.

[0318] DU and RU can cooperate to implement the functions of the PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, a DU can be configured to implement baseband functions, and an RU can be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Another example is that a DU can be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and an RU can be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or to implement both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer can include a portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the MAC layer, while lower-level functions in the physical layer can include another portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the mid-RF side.

[0319] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples.

[0320] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program for implementing the methods shown in the above-described method embodiments.

[0321] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when run on a computer, enables the computer to perform the methods shown in the above-described method embodiments.

[0322] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the modules and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0323] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and modules described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0324] In the embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of modules is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple modules or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or modules may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0325] The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. Similarly, the components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules; they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment, depending on actual needs.

[0326] In addition, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing module, or each module can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module.

[0327] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional modules and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0328] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the protection scope of the embodiments of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the embodiments of this application should be included within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of the embodiments of this application should be determined by the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal device, the method includes: Receive first information, the first information being used to indicate a first offset, the first offset including: a first time offset and / or a first frequency offset; Based on the first offset, send and / or receive information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The terminal device is not configured or activated with a second signal, which is used for measuring the first offset.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information includes the first offset; or, The first information includes a first difference and / or a second difference; wherein the first difference is the difference between the first time offset and the second time offset, the second time offset being determined before the first time offset, and the second difference is the difference between the first frequency offset and the second frequency offset, the second frequency offset being determined before the first frequency offset.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first piece of information was determined through perception.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: A first signal is sent, which is used to measure the first offset.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first signal includes one or more of the following: a preamble, a probe reference signal (SRS), a signal transmitted via the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a signal transmitted via the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), an uplink reference signal (URS), or an uplink pilot signal.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second message, which is used to request a second signal, which is used for time offset measurement and / or frequency offset measurement.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a third message, which is used to request termination of the configuration of the second signal.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, Before receiving the first information, the method further includes: Send a fourth message indicating that the second signal, used for time offset measurement and / or frequency offset measurement, is not configured.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The first information is carried in one or more of the following: Media Access Control Layer Control Unit (MAC CE), Radio Resource Control (RRC), or Downlink Control Information (DCI).

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The first information is carried in a predefined indication field.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a network device, the method includes: Receive a first signal, the first signal being used to measure a first offset, the first offset including a first time offset and / or a first frequency offset; Send a first message, which indicates the first offset.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The first piece of information was determined through perception.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The first information includes the first offset; or, The first information includes a first difference and / or a second difference; wherein the first difference is the difference between the first time offset and the second time offset, the second time offset being determined before the first time offset, and the second difference is the difference between the first frequency offset and the second frequency offset, the second frequency offset being determined before the first frequency offset.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that, Before receiving the first signal, the process includes: Send a first signal, which includes one or more of the following: a synchronization signal block (SSB), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), a linear frequency modulation (LFM) signal, or an orthogonal time-frequency spatial modulation (OTFS) signal.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The first signal is transmitted or reflected by a tag located on the terminal device, and the first signal also includes information for indicating the terminal device.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that, The first signal includes one or more of the following: a preamble, a probe reference signal (SRS), a signal transmitted via the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a signal transmitted via the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), an uplink reference signal (URS), or an uplink pilot signal.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that, The first information is carried in one or more of the following: Media Access Control Layer Control Unit (MAC CE), Radio Resource Control (RRC), or Downlink Control Information (DCI).

19. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that, The first information is carried in a predefined indication field.

20. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 19, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a second message, the second message requests a second signal, the second signal is used for time offset measurement and / or frequency offset measurement.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a third message, which is used to request termination of the configuration of the second signal.

22. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 21, characterized in that, Before sending the first information, the method further includes: Receive fourth information, which indicates that a second signal is not configured, the second signal being used for time offset measurement and / or frequency offset measurement.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, include: Includes modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, or the method as described in any one of claims 12 to 22.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A processor, when invoking a computer program, causes the apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 11, or the method of any one of claims 12 to 22.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, Used to store computer programs, the computer programs including instructions for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, or the method as described in any one of claims 12 to 22.

26. A computer program product, the computer program product comprising instructions, characterized in that, When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer causes the computer to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, or the method as described in any one of claims 12 to 22.

Images