Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus for use in realizing flexible configuration of guard intervals between symbols. The method comprises: a first communication apparatus obtains P data symbols, P being a positive integer; and the first communication apparatus processes a first set to obtain a first waveform symbol and outputs the first waveform symbol, the P data symbols being located at set positions in the first set, wherein the first set is composed of K0 symbols, K0=M0+M1+N0+N1+N2, wherein N0, N1 and N2 are non-negative integers, at least one of N0, N1 and N2 is non-zero, and M0 and M1 are positive integers; the set positions comprise an N0-th symbol to an (N0+M0-1)-th symbol in the first set, and an (N0+M0+N1)-th symbol to an (N0+M0+N1+M1-1)-th symbol in the first set, wherein M0+M1=P.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411199822.7, filed on August 28, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of mobile communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0004] In wireless communication systems, the medium through which signals propagate from the transmitter to the receiver is called the channel. Multipath propagation is a phenomenon where radio signals travel through two or more paths to reach the receiver. Causes of multipath propagation may include atmospheric waveguides, ionospheric reflection and refraction, or reflection from water bodies and land objects (such as mountains and buildings). Because multiple components of a signal travel different distances under multipath propagation, they arrive at the receiver at different times, with different components corresponding to different paths. The time difference between the arrival of the first and last components of the same signal is called the maximum delay spread (DS).

[0005] Multipath signal propagation can lead to inter-symbol interference (ISI) and inter-carrier interference (ICI), resulting in degraded communication performance. To eliminate ISI and ICI between symbols, a guard interval (GI) is typically inserted between symbols. However, how to flexibly configure the guard interval between symbols still requires further research. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for flexibly configuring the guard interval between symbols.

[0007] Firstly, a communication method is provided. This method can be implemented by a first communication device. The first communication device can be used to transmit signals, for example, it is a transmitting end. For example, the first communication device can be a terminal device or an access network device (or replaced by a network device, such as a base station). The first communication device can also be a component in a terminal device or a component in an access network device. The components in this application may include, for example, at least one of a chip, a chip system, a processor, a transceiver, a processing unit, or a transceiver unit. Taking the execution entity as a first communication device as an example, the communication method provided in this application may include the following steps: the first communication device obtains P data symbols, where P is a positive integer; the first communication device processes a first waveform symbol according to a first set, wherein the P data symbols are located at a predetermined position in the first set, wherein the first set consists of K0 symbols, K0 = M0 + M1 + N0 + N1 + N2, N0, N1, and N2 are non-negative integers, and at least one of N0, N1, and N2 is not zero, and M0 and M1 are positive integers; the predetermined position includes the N0th symbol to the N0+M0-1th symbol in the first set, and the N0+M0+N1th symbol to the N0+M0+N1+M1-1th symbol in the first set, where M0+M1 = P; the first communication device outputs the first waveform symbol.

[0008] Based on this implementation, P data symbols are located at predetermined positions in the first set, and at least one symbol among the 0th to N0-1th symbols, the N0+M0th to N0+M0+N1-1th symbols, or the N0+M0+N1+M1th to N0+M0+N1+M1+N2-1th symbols in the first set is not a data symbol (it can be called a placeholder symbol, reserved symbol, etc.). This symbol can be used as an equivalent CP or an equivalent protection interval. Therefore, this method can be used to flexibly generate protection intervals between symbols.

[0009] In one possible embodiment, the first set includes the P data symbols and at least one other symbol besides the P data symbols, namely a placeholder symbol or a reserved symbol.

[0010] In one possible embodiment, the method further includes: a first communication device sending or receiving first information, the first information being used to indicate the set location and / or reserved location. The reserved location may be the location of a placeholder symbol or a reserved symbol.

[0011] Based on this implementation method, the network device can send indication information of setting location and / or reserving location to the terminal device, that is, the network device can configure setting location and / or reserving location.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the first information is used to indicate the set position, including: the first information includes: the symbol position of the set position in the first set; the symbol position in the first set that does not belong to the P data symbols; or, the symbol position of the set position in the first set and the symbol position in the first set that does not belong to the P data symbols.

[0013] This implementation method allows for flexible indication of the set location.

[0014] In one possible implementation, at least one symbol other than the P data symbols includes at least one of a first symbol, a second symbol, and a third symbol; wherein the first symbol is located from the 0th symbol to the (N0-1)th symbol in the first set, where N0 is a positive integer; the second symbol is located from the (N0+M0)th symbol to the (N0+M0+N1-1)th symbol in the first set, where N1 is a positive integer; and the third symbol is located from the (N0+M0+N1+M1)th symbol to the (N0+M0+N1+M1+N2-1)th symbol in the first set, where N2 is a positive integer.

[0015] Based on this implementation, when a first symbol is present, inter-symbol interference caused by multipath delay to the first waveform symbol from the preceding waveform symbol can be reduced, or waveform interference to the third symbol can be reduced. The waveform interference refers to the interference of the first symbol to the third symbol during the generation of the first waveform symbol. When a second symbol is present, the CP length can be effectively extended, thereby reducing inter-carrier interference. When a third symbol is present, inter-symbol interference caused by multipath delay to the first waveform symbol from the next waveform symbol can be reduced, or the CP length of the next symbol can be effectively extended.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the first waveform symbol is the first waveform symbol among a series of consecutive waveform symbols, or the first waveform symbol is the next waveform symbol after the pilot symbol among the series of consecutive waveform symbols, and at least one symbol other than the P data symbols includes the first symbol. In another possible implementation, the first waveform symbol is the last waveform symbol among a series of consecutive waveform symbols, and at least one symbol other than the P data symbols includes the third symbol. In one possible implementation, the third symbol is a zero sequence, which can further reduce inter-symbol interference.

[0017] Based on this implementation method, the placeholder symbol can be determined according to the position of the first waveform among multiple waveform symbols.

[0018] In this application, the first waveform symbol belongs to a series of consecutive waveform symbols, and these multiple waveform symbols constitute a time slot or a data transmission opportunity. Alternatively, a placeholder symbol can be determined based on the position of the first waveform symbol within the time slot or transmission opportunity.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the first communication device may also send or receive second information, the second information being used to indicate at least one of the first symbol (or the content of the first symbol), the second symbol (or the content of the second symbol), and the third symbol (or the content of the third symbol).

[0020] Based on this implementation method, the content of placeholder symbols or reserved symbols can be configured by the network device. That is, the sending end and the receiving end can know the content of the placeholder symbols or reserved symbols. The receiving end can demodulate and obtain data based on the content of the placeholder symbols or reserved symbols, further reducing inter-symbol interference.

[0021] In one possible implementation, at least one of the first symbol (or the content of the first symbol), the second symbol (or the content of the second symbol), and the third symbol (or the content of the third symbol) is related to the position of the first waveform symbol among a plurality of consecutive waveform symbols.

[0022] Based on this implementation method, the content of placeholder symbols or reserved symbols can be flexibly determined according to the position of the first waveform symbol among multiple waveform symbols, so as to further reduce inter-symbol interference. In other words, the content of placeholder symbols or reserved symbols can be determined according to the position of the first waveform symbol in a time slot or transmission timing.

[0023] In one possible implementation, at least two of the first symbol (or the content of the first symbol), the second symbol (or the content of the second symbol), and the third symbol (or the content of the third symbol) are identical to reduce scheme complexity. For example, at least two of the first, second, or third symbols are zero sequences.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: the first communication device can also send or receive third information, the third information being used to activate the method.

[0025] Based on this implementation, the network device can instruct the terminal device to activate the method shown in the first aspect.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: a first communication device determining to activate the method based on at least one of the following: modulation order; modulation coding scheme index; code rate; bandwidth; subcarrier spacing; carrier frequency; or, indication information of the set position.

[0027] Based on this implementation, the first communication device can determine the activation of the method shown in the first aspect without relying on third information.

[0028] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: obtaining at least one of the following: a modulation order threshold, wherein the modulation order is greater than or equal to the modulation order threshold; a modulation coding scheme index threshold, wherein the modulation coding scheme index is greater than or equal to the modulation coding scheme index threshold; a code rate threshold, wherein the code rate is greater than or equal to the code rate threshold; a bandwidth threshold, wherein the bandwidth is greater than or equal to the bandwidth threshold; a subcarrier spacing threshold, wherein the subcarrier spacing is greater than or equal to the subcarrier spacing threshold; or, a carrier frequency threshold, wherein the carrier frequency is greater than or equal to the carrier frequency threshold.

[0029] Based on this implementation, the first communication device can flexibly determine the activation method shown in the first invention. It is understood that a better interference reduction effect can be achieved when the above threshold conditions are met. Here, "acquiring" can be predefined information, such as acquiring a threshold defined by a protocol, or it can be received from a network device.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: a first communication device receiving capability information of a second communication device; or, the first communication device sending capability information of the first communication device, the capability information being used to indicate that the first communication device supports the method.

[0031] Based on this implementation, capability information can be used to indicate whether a terminal device supports executing the method shown in the first aspect. Wherein, if the first communication device is a terminal device or a component within a terminal device, the first communication device can send capability information. If the first communication device is a network device or a component within a network device, the first communication device can receive capability information from a second communication device, where the second communication device can be a terminal device or a component within a terminal device.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the capability information is associated with at least one of the following: modulation order; modulation coding scheme index; code rate; bandwidth; subcarrier spacing; or, carrier frequency.

[0033] Based on this implementation method, the capability information of the terminal device can be flexibly determined according to one or more parameters.

[0034] Secondly, a communication method is provided. This method can be implemented by a second communication device. The second communication device can be used to receive signals, for example, the second communication device is a receiving end. For example, the second communication device can be an access network device or a terminal device. The second communication device can also be a component in the access network device or a component in the terminal device. Taking the second communication device as the executing entity as an example, the communication method provided in this application may include the following steps: the second communication device acquires a first waveform symbol and processes it according to the first waveform symbol to obtain a first set, wherein the first set consists of K0 symbols, K0 = M0 + M1 + N0 + N1 + N2, N0, N1, and N2 are non-negative integers, and at least one of N0, N1, and N2 is not zero, and M0 and M1 are positive integers; the second communication device obtains P data symbols from a predetermined position in the first set, the predetermined position including the N0th symbol to the N0+M0-1th symbol in the first set, and the N0+M0+N1th symbol to the N0+M0+N1+M1-1th symbol in the first set, M0+M1 = P.

[0035] In one possible implementation, the first set includes the P data symbols and at least one other symbol besides the P data symbols.

[0036] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving or sending first information, the first information being used to indicate the set location.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the first information is used to indicate the set position, including: the first information includes: the symbol position of the set position in the first set; the symbol position in the first set that does not belong to the P data symbols; or, the symbol position of the set position in the first set and the symbol position in the first set that does not belong to the P data symbols.

[0038] In one possible implementation, at least one symbol other than the P data symbols includes at least one of a first symbol, a second symbol, and a third symbol; wherein the first symbol is located from the 0th symbol to the (N0-1)th symbol in the first set, where N0 is a positive integer; the second symbol is located from the (N0+M0)th symbol to the (N0+M0+N1-1)th symbol in the first set, where N1 is a positive integer; and the third symbol is located from the (N0+M0+N1+M1)th symbol to the (N0+M0+N1+M1+N2-1)th symbol in the first set, where N2 is a positive integer.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the first waveform symbol is the first waveform symbol among a series of consecutive waveform symbols, or the first waveform symbol is the next waveform symbol after the pilot symbol among the series of consecutive waveform symbols, and at least one symbol other than the P data symbols includes the first symbol.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the first waveform symbol is the last waveform symbol among a series of consecutive waveform symbols, and at least one symbol other than the P data symbols includes the third symbol.

[0041] In one possible implementation, the third symbol is a zero sequence.

[0042] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0043] Receive or send second information, the second information being used to indicate at least one of the first symbol (or the content of the first symbol), the second symbol (or the content of the second symbol), and the third symbol (or the content of the third symbol).

[0044] In one possible implementation, at least one of the first symbol (or the content of the first symbol), the second symbol (or the content of the second symbol), and the third symbol (or the content of the third symbol) is related to the position of the first waveform symbol among a plurality of consecutive waveform symbols.

[0045] In one possible implementation, at least two of the first symbol (or the content of the first symbol), the second symbol (or the content of the second symbol), and the third symbol (or the content of the third symbol) are identical.

[0046] In one possible implementation, the method further includes receiving or sending third information, the third information being used to activate the method.

[0047] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: determining activation of the method based on at least one of the following: modulation order; modulation coding scheme index; code rate; bandwidth; subcarrier spacing; carrier frequency; or, indication information of the set position.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: obtaining at least one of the following: a modulation order threshold, wherein the modulation order is greater than or equal to the modulation order threshold; a modulation coding scheme index threshold, wherein the modulation coding scheme index is greater than or equal to the modulation coding scheme index threshold; a code rate threshold, wherein the code rate is greater than or equal to the code rate threshold; a bandwidth threshold, wherein the bandwidth is greater than or equal to the bandwidth threshold; a subcarrier spacing threshold, wherein the subcarrier spacing is greater than or equal to the subcarrier spacing threshold; or, a carrier frequency threshold, wherein the carrier frequency is greater than or equal to the carrier frequency threshold.

[0049] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving capability information of a first communication device; or, sending capability information of a second communication device, the capability information being used to indicate that the second communication device supports the method.

[0050] In one possible implementation, the capability information is associated with at least one of the following: modulation order; modulation coding scheme index; code rate; bandwidth; subcarrier spacing; or, carrier frequency.

[0051] In one possible implementation, the first waveform symbol belongs to a series of consecutive waveform symbols, which together form a time slot or a data transmission opportunity.

[0052] Thirdly, a communication device is provided. The device can implement the methods described in any one of the first to second aspects and any possible implementations thereof. The device possesses the functions of the first or second communication device described above. The device is, for example, a terminal device, a functional module within a terminal device, or a network device or a functional module within a network device, etc. The first communication device can be a signal or data transmitter, and the second communication device can be a signal or data receiver.

[0053] In one optional implementation, the device may include modules corresponding one-to-one with the methods / operations / steps / actions described in any of the first to second aspects and any possible implementations thereof. These modules may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software. In another optional implementation, the device includes a processing unit (sometimes also called a processing module) and a communication unit (sometimes also called a transceiver module, communication module, etc.). The transceiver unit is capable of both sending and receiving functions. When the transceiver unit performs the sending function, it may be called a sending unit (sometimes also called a sending module); when it performs the receiving function, it may be called a receiving unit (sometimes also called a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit may be the same functional module, referred to as the transceiver unit, which performs both sending and receiving functions; or, the sending unit and the receiving unit may be different functional modules, with the transceiver unit being a collective term for these functional modules.

[0054] For example, when the apparatus is used to perform the method described in any one of the first to second aspects, the apparatus may include a communication unit and a processing unit.

[0055] Fourthly, embodiments of this application also provide a communication device, including a processor for executing a computer program (or computer-executable instructions) stored in a memory, which, when executed, causes the device to perform the method as described in any one of the first to second aspects and any possible implementation thereof.

[0056] In one possible implementation, the processor and memory are integrated together;

[0057] In another possible implementation, the memory is located outside the communication device.

[0058] The communication device also includes a communication interface for communicating with other devices, such as sending or receiving data and / or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface.

[0059] Fifthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided for storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the methods described in any of the first to second aspects and any possible implementations thereof, and the methods shown in any possible implementations thereof, to be implemented.

[0060] A sixth aspect provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on a computer, enables the method described in any of the first to second aspects and any possible implementation thereof to be implemented.

[0061] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a communication device for performing the method described in any one of the first to second aspects and any possible implementation thereof.

[0062] Eighthly, a chip system is provided, comprising logic circuitry (or, as understood, a processor, which may include logic circuitry, etc.), and further comprising input / output interfaces. The input / output interfaces can be used to input messages or to output messages. The input / output interfaces can be the same interface, i.e., the same interface can implement both sending and receiving functions; or, the input / output interface includes an input interface and an output interface, the input interface being used to implement the receiving function, i.e., to receive messages; and the output interface being used to implement the sending function, i.e., to send messages. The logic circuitry can be used to perform operations other than the sending and receiving functions in the methods described in any of the first to second aspects and any possible implementations thereof; the logic circuitry can also be used to transmit messages to the input / output interfaces or to receive messages from other communication devices from the input / output interfaces. The chip system can be used to implement the methods described in any of the first to second aspects and any possible implementations thereof. The chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete devices.

[0063] Optionally, the chip system may also include a memory, which can be used to store instructions, and the logic circuits can call the instructions stored in the memory to implement the corresponding functions.

[0064] Ninth aspect, a communication method is provided, which may include the method implemented by a first communication device as shown in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, and the method implemented by a second communication device as shown in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0065] A tenth aspect provides a communication system that may include a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device may be used to implement the method shown in the first aspect and any possible implementation thereof, and the second communication device may be used to implement the method shown in the second aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0066] The technical effects brought about by the third to tenth aspects above can be found in the descriptions of the beneficial effects of the corresponding solutions in the first and second aspects above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0067] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a wireless communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0068] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of CP in a symbol provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0069] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a waveform symbol transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0070] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of another waveform symbol transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0071] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an equivalent CP formation method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0072] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0073] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the first set provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0074] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a first waveform symbol provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0075] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of interference between a previous waveform symbol and a first waveform symbol provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0076] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the interference of a first waveform symbol to a next waveform symbol provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0077] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0078] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0079] This application provides a communication method and apparatus. The method and apparatus are based on the same inventive concept. Since the principles by which the method and apparatus solve the problem are similar, their implementations can be mutually referenced, and repeated details will not be elaborated further.

[0080] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, 4th generation (4G) mobile communication system such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system such as New Radio (NR) system, and future evolution communication systems, etc.

[0081] In particular, the embodiments of this application are applicable to scenarios with severe high-frequency phase noise. This application can be applied to the following scenarios: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), multi-site transmission (the same terminal device transmits signals with multiple sites), backhaul scenarios, wireless broadband to the home (WTTx), device to device (D2D), or other scenarios with high timing requirements or high transmission rate requirements.

[0082] This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features relating to systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that individual systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these approaches may also be used. Additionally, in the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplarily," "for example," etc., are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as an "example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of the term "example" is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. In the embodiments of this application, "of," "corresponding / relevant," and "corresponding" may sometimes be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent unless their distinction is emphasized.

[0083] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application will be described in detail first using the communication system shown in FIG1 as an example. As shown in FIG1, the communication system may include one or more network devices and one or more terminal devices. The interface between the network device and the terminal device may be a Uu interface (or air interface), and data transmission between the network device and the terminal device can be performed through air interface resources.

[0084] Figure 1 illustrates exemplary scenarios applicable to the embodiments of this application, namely eMBB (shown by solid lines in Figure 1), multi-site transmission (shown by dashed line ① in Figure 1), backhaul scenario (shown by dashed line ② in Figure 1), and D2D (shown by dashed line ③ in Figure 1). It should be understood that the four scenarios shown in Figure 1 are merely examples, and the embodiments of this application do not limit the scope of the application.

[0085] In one possible scenario, the network device can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. The network device can be a macro base station, a micro base station or indoor station, a relay node or donor node, or a radio controller in an open radio access network (O-RAN / ORAN) or cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. Optionally, the network device can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the network device in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the network device in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The network device in this application can also be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the network device functions.

[0086] In another possible scenario, multiple network devices collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, with each network device performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, network devices can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), or radio units (RUs), etc. CUs and DUs can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0087] 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 O-RAN 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. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0088] Terminal equipment can also be called user equipment (UE), terminal device, user apparatus, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal unit, terminal station, terminal apparatus, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user apparatus.

[0089] For example, the terminal device in this application embodiment may be a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA) computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a drone, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a machine type communication (MTC) terminal device, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, an internet of things (IoT) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical care, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, a wireless terminal device in a smart home (such as game consoles, smart TVs, smart speakers, smart refrigerators, and fitness equipment), an in-vehicle terminal device, or an RSU with terminal device functionality.

[0090] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified, "terminal device" can refer to the terminal device itself or a component in the terminal device, such as a system-on-a-chip (SoC); "network device" can refer to the network device itself or a component in the network device, such as an SoC.

[0091] Furthermore, network devices and terminals can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the network devices and terminal devices.

[0092] The communication systems and scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0093] In this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX. "Send information" can include direct transmission or indirect transmission through other communication devices, communication apparatuses, units, or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY. "Receive information" can include direct reception from YY or indirect reception from YY through other communication devices, communication apparatuses, units, or modules. Furthermore, "send" can also be understood as the "output" of a chip interface, and "receive" can be understood as the "input" of a chip interface. In other words, "send" or "receive" can occur between devices, such as network devices and terminals transmitting or receiving data via an air interface. "Send" or "receive" can also occur within a device, such as transmitting or receiving data between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within a device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0094] In this application, "for indicating" can include both direct and indirect indication. When describing "information" for indicating A, it can include whether the information directly indicates A or indirectly indicates A, but does not necessarily mean that the information carries A.

[0095] The information indicated by a given piece of information is called the information to be indicated. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be indicated, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be indicated, such as the information to be indicated itself or its index. It can also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, where there is a relationship between the other information and the information to be indicated. It can also indicate only a part of the information to be indicated, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the indication of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement of various pieces of information, thereby reducing the indication overhead to some extent. At the same time, common parts of various pieces of information can be identified and indicated uniformly to reduce the indication overhead caused by individually indicating the same information.

[0096] Furthermore, the specific indication method can also be any existing indication method, such as, but not limited to, the above-mentioned indication methods and their various combinations. Specific details of various indication methods can be found in existing technologies, and will not be repeated here. As described above, for example, when multiple pieces of information of the same type need to be indicated, the indication methods for different pieces of information may differ. In the specific implementation process, the required indication method can be selected according to specific needs. This application embodiment does not limit the selected indication method; therefore, the indication methods involved in this application embodiment should be understood to cover various methods that enable the party to be indicated to obtain the information to be indicated.

[0097] The information to be indicated can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information messages, and the sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be the same or different. This application does not limit the specific sending method. The sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be predefined, for example, according to a protocol, or configured by the transmitting device by sending configuration information to the receiving device. Taking the configuration of the UE by the access network device as an example, the configuration information can include, but is not limited to, one or a combination of at least two of the following: radio resource access (RRC) signaling (or RRC messages), media access control (MAC) layer signaling, and physical layer signaling. MAC layer signaling includes, for example, MAC control elements (CE). Physical layer signaling includes, for example, downlink control information (DCI) and other signaling or messages carried on the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), and may also include downlink data (e.g., data transmitted on the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)).

[0098] "Preset," "predefined," or "preconfigured" can be achieved by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means of indicating relevant information in the device (e.g., including terminals and network devices), or by pre-defining them in a protocol. This application does not limit the specific implementation method. "Stored" can refer to storing in one or more memories. These memories can be separate installations or integrated into the encoder, decoder, processor, or communication device. Alternatively, some memories can be separate installations, while others are integrated into the decoder, processor, or communication device. The type of memory can be any form of storage medium, and this application does not limit this.

[0099] The following is an explanation of the relevant terms used in the embodiments of this application. Unless otherwise specified, these explanations are provided to support the meaning of the relevant terms and to make the embodiments of this application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as a strict limitation of the relevant terms within the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0100] (1) Fourier Transform

[0101] The Fourier transform is one of the most important tools for signal processing in communication systems, used to convert signals between the time domain and the frequency domain.

[0102] Commonly used Fourier transforms include the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT), Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Inverse Discrete Fourier Transform (IDFT), and Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT).

[0103] Among them, DFT converts a time-domain signal into a frequency-domain signal, and FFT is a fast calculation method for DFT. IDFT converts a frequency-domain signal into a time-domain signal, and IFFT is a fast calculation method for IDFT. In this application, DFT can also be called transform precode, that is, DFT and transform precode are interchangeable.

[0104] (2) Cyclic prefix / cyclic suffix

[0105] For a signal (or sequence) S of length N, such as S = [s_1, s_2, ..., s_N], CP refers to extracting the last L elements of sequence S (L represents the length of CP) and appending the extracted sequence of length L to the beginning of the original sequence S. The sequence after adding CP is: S_CP = [s_N-L+1, ..., s_N, s_1, s_2, ..., S_N], where CP is: [s_N-L+1, ..., s_N].

[0106] For a signal (or sequence) S of length N, such as S = [s_1, s_2, ..., s_N], a cyclic suffix (CS) is to extract the first L elements of sequence S (where L represents the length of CS) and append the extracted sequence of length L to the end of the original sequence S. The sequence after adding CS is: S_CS = [s_1, s_2, ..., S_N, s_1, s_2, ..., s_L], where CS is [s_1, s_2, ..., s_L].

[0107] (3) Oversampling and undersampling

[0108] Oversampling, also known as upsampling, involves increasing the number of sampling points. Undersampling, also known as downsampling, involves reducing the number of sampling points.

[0109] When the waveform used for communication between the transmitter and receiver is a single-carrier waveform, the transmitter can perform oversampling during signal processing; correspondingly, the receiver can perform undersampling. For example, if the number of effective subcarriers in the scheduling bandwidth is 256, after oversampling, the output IFFT length can be 1024. The oversampling factor (or upsampling factor) can be equal to the ratio of the IFFT length to the number of effective subcarriers, i.e., 1024 / 256 = 4. The IFFT length can be equal to the sampling rate / subcarrier width, and can be an integer power of 2, 3, 5, or 7.

[0110] (4) Reference signal

[0111] Network devices and terminal devices can communicate through control channels and / or data channels. Control channels can be, for example, PDCCH or physical uplink control channel (PUCCH); data channels can be, for example, physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) or physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[0112] Reference signals can be carried in the control channel or data channel. These reference signals can be, for example, demodulation reference signal (DMRS), channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), sounding reference signal (SRS), tracking reference signal (TRS), primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), or random access signal.

[0113] It is understandable that the above example uses control and data channels. Network devices and terminal devices can also communicate through other possible channels, such as the physical broadcast channel (PBCH).

[0114] (5) Modulation and coding scheme (MCS)

[0115] Typically, network devices can indicate the MCS to terminal devices, and then the network devices and terminal devices can perform uplink and / or downlink communication based on the MCS.

[0116] There are several ways for a network device to indicate the MCS (Modulation Sequence) to a terminal device. One possible implementation is that the network device can send indication information 1 and indication information 2 to the terminal device. Indication information 1 can be used to indicate a target MCS table, and indication information 2 can be used to indicate a target MCS within that table. For example, indication information 2 may include the index value of the target MCS. The terminal device then selects the target MCS table from multiple MCS tables based on indication information 1, and determines the target MCS from the target MCS table based on indication information 2. The target MCS table may include multiple MCS indices (e.g., MCS indices 0 to 27), each corresponding to a modulation order and a target code rate. For example, if indication information 2 includes a target MCS index value of 18, the terminal device can determine the target MCS as MCS18. For instance, MCS18 corresponds to a modulation order of 4 and a target code rate of 490; therefore, MCS18 can also be represented as MCS(4, 490).

[0117] (6) Multicarrier waveforms and single-carrier waveforms

[0118] In the communication system shown in Figure 1, taking the communication between network devices and terminal devices as an example, the signal transmitter can be the terminal device, and the signal receiver can be the network device; alternatively, the signal transmitter can be the network device, and the signal receiver can be the terminal device. The waveform used for communication between network devices and terminal devices can be a multi-carrier waveform or a single-carrier waveform. The following describes multi-carrier waveforms and single-carrier waveforms respectively.

[0119] In this context, multi-carrier refers to arranging the transmitted signals in parallel and forming the transmitted signal using an IFFT (In-Flight Interruption Flow) method. Single-carrier refers to convolving the serially arranged transmitted signals with a roll-off filter to form the transmitted signal.

[0120] (1) Multicarrier waveform

[0121] When network devices and terminal devices communicate using multicarrier waveforms, the transmitting end (such as the terminal device) arranges the transmitted signals in parallel and forms the transmitted signal using IFFT. As shown in Figure 2, time-domain symbol n includes a sequence of data symbols, and the time-domain symbol n and time-domain symbol n-1 include a CP (cushioning interval) of the data symbol sequence. The CP can serve as a guard interval between symbol n and symbol n-1. For example, the multicarrier waveform can be an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) waveform.

[0122] (2) Single carrier waveform

[0123] For example, a single-carrier waveform can be a single-carrier-quadrature amplitude modulation (SC-QAM) waveform. Furthermore, a DFT-s-OFDM waveform is almost equivalent to a traditional single-carrier waveform, but it uses a multi-carrier implementation, making it easily compatible with OFDM, while its essence remains a single-carrier waveform.

[0124] The following diagram illustrates a possible signal processing flow for network and terminal devices, using OFDM waveforms as an example. One of the network or terminal devices can act as the transmitter, and the other as the receiver.

[0125] As shown in Figure 3, the transmitting end can convert serial data into M-dimensional data blocks S through serial-to-parallel (S-to-P) conversion. k =[S k [0],S k [1],…,S k [M-1] T In this context, the subscript k represents the OFDM symbol number. Serial data can contain one or more data symbols, which can contain information or data that the transmitter needs to send. Through subcarrier mapping, S... k The M symbols carried modulate M of the N subcarriers, while the remaining (NM) subcarriers can be understood as being modulated by 0, resulting in an N-dimensional symbol vector X. k X k A set of N complex time-domain sampling points x is obtained through N-point IDFT and parallel-to-serial (p-to-s) conversion. k =[x k [0],x k [1],…,x k[N-1] T Furthermore, a guard interval is inserted at the beginning of the OFDM symbol to eliminate ISI and ICI caused by multipath propagation. The guard interval is obtained by adding a guard commutator (CP) at the beginning of the symbol. Specifically, this is achieved by copying x... k The last G samples are appended to x. k At the beginning, the time-domain OFDM signal is obtained. Therefore, an OFDM symbol contains valid data x. k And cyclic prefixes (redundant data). In this application, M and M can be considered to have the same meaning, and therefore they can be substituted for each other. Furthermore, N and N can be considered to have the same meaning, and therefore they can be substituted for each other.

[0126] This section introduces the concept of the CP cutoff point. CP and x k The last G sample points (i.e., x k [NG],…,x k [N-1]) are equal. The CP cutoff point corresponds to x. k The sampling index is NG-1. That is, the next sample value of the CP intercept point is equal to the first value of CP.

[0127] The time-domain signal is then converted from serial to parallel, and a cyclic prefix (CP) is added before being sent to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and a radio frequency (RF) filter for transmission. The signal transmitted from the transmitter is transmitted to the receiver via an antenna. The receiver sends the received signal to an RF filter and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to obtain a sampled signal. After removing the CP from the sampled signal, it undergoes a serial-to-parallel conversion. Following this conversion, an N-point Directional Fourier Transform (DFT) is performed to transform the time-domain signal to the frequency domain. M useful signals are extracted from the subcarriers in the frequency domain; this process is called subcarrier demapping. The resulting time-domain signal is then converted from parallel to serial to obtain a serial time-domain modulated signal.

[0128] Assuming the receiver can achieve time and frequency synchronization, the CP removal operation (i.e., removing the first G samples from the received signal) yields a data block containing N samples completely free of ISI. Furthermore, the data block is also an OFDM symbol x. k Circular convolution with the channel impulse response. The circular convolution can be effectively converted into a frequency domain multiplication operation using FFT, and then channel equalization can be performed with low complexity using frequency domain single-tap equalization.

[0129] Optionally, for DFT-s-OFDM waveforms, in addition to the transmission process of the OFDM waveform in Figure 3, the transmitting and receiving ends need to perform M-point DFT and M-point IDFT, respectively. This operation gives the DFT-s-OFDM signal the characteristics of a single carrier, resulting in a peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) far lower than that of multi-carrier signals such as OFDM. Therefore, with the same power amplifier, DFT-s-OFDM can provide greater output power and higher power amplifier efficiency, thereby improving coverage and reducing power consumption. The coverage and power consumption advantages of DFT-s-OFDM are particularly evident on the terminal device side; therefore, in current versions of LTE and NR, DFT-s-OFDM is used for uplink transmission.

[0130] Figure 4 shows a possible signal processing flow diagram for network devices and terminal devices when using single-carrier frequency domain equalization (SC-FDE) waveforms. In this diagram, one of the network devices and the other terminal device can act as the transmitter, and the other as the receiver.

[0131] At the transmitting end, the phase shift keying (PSK) symbol stream (such as binary phase shift keying (BPSK) symbols, π / 2-BPSK symbols, quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) symbols, etc.) or quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) symbol stream is divided into a series of data blocks s of length M by the partitioning module. k Furthermore, the sender adds a Q-length CP to each data block, i.e., replicates s. k The last Q symbols to s k Before this (at this point, the CP intercept point corresponds to symbol index MQ-1), further shaping filtering is performed, including upsampling and filtering (such as root-raised cosine pulse shaping filtering). Finally, the transmitter transmits the generated signal. Due to the addition of CP, the linear convolution of the multipath channel is converted into a circular convolution, thus allowing the receiver to use low-complexity single-tap frequency domain channel equalization.

[0132] In Figure 4, the CP is added before the shaping filter. In fact, adding a CP with Q symbols before the shaping filter is equivalent to adding a CP with Q symbols after the pulse shaping filter. or CP of sampled values, where P up This represents the upsampling factor. This represents the floor operation. In other words, or It can be understood as equal to G.

[0133] It is understood that in this application, the upsampling factor for the DFT-s-OFDM waveform is N / M. Furthermore, it can be assumed that the SC-FDE symbol and the DFT-s-OFDM symbol have the same sampling rate, i.e.

[0134] Currently, the design of CP length mainly considers the following factors:

[0135] (1) In order to completely eliminate ISI, the length of CP must be greater than or equal to the maximum delay spread.

[0136] In other words, taking OFDM symbols as an example, it can be required that: In this application, N d This indicates the number of sampling points included in the maximum delay spread. T d Indicates the maximum delay spread. T s Indicates the sampling interval. This represents the floor function. G is the number of sampling points occupied by CP.

[0137] As shown in Figure 2, the specific implementation is to copy x. k (The corresponding signal time domain length is represented as T) u The last G samples (corresponding to a signal time domain length denoted as T) CP And append them to x k At the beginning, the time-domain OFDM signal is obtained. The time-domain length of the symbol is denoted as T. symb Therefore, an OFDM symbol contains valid data x. k And cyclic prefixes (i.e. redundant data).

[0138] In other words, when the length of the CP is greater than or equal to the delay spread, ISI can be avoided and the linear convolution of the channel can be converted into a circular convolution, enabling low-complexity frequency domain channel equalization.

[0139] Furthermore, using CP comes at the cost of reduced spectral efficiency because the CP portion carries redundant data. The loss of spectral efficiency can be expressed as T. CP / T symb T CP For the duration of CP, and Tsymb The duration of an OFDM symbol. T symb =T CP +T u T u =NT s = 1 / Δf, where Δf is the subcarrier spacing. T u The physical meaning is effective data x k The duration.

[0140] Furthermore, for SC-FDE waveforms, the shaping pulse also introduces ISI when using non-Nyquist pulses. For SC-FDE, DFT-s-OFDM, and OFDM modulation, the filtering also introduces ISI when using non-Nyquist pulses in the RF filter. In this application, the baseband and RF shaping pulses can be considered as part of the channel, meaning that the maximum delay spread (DS) includes multipath propagation introduced by non-Nyquist pulses.

[0141] (2) Timing error should also be considered in the design of CP length.

[0142] Consider the uplink scenario. The base station informs the UE of the timing advance via a timing advance command, ensuring the uplink signal arrives at the base station (or access point) at the expected time, and that the maximum delay spread (DS) does not exceed the CP length. For example, the base station measures any useful uplink signal to determine the propagation delay, and thus determines the timing advance. Mathematically, this requirement can be modeled as: 0 ≤ T d -t TA +τ prop ≤T CP ;

[0143] Among them, t TA For timing advance, and τ prop For propagation delay. Ideally, -t TA +τ prop =0. However, due to base station propagation delay measurement errors, quantization errors of indicated timing advance information, and crystal oscillator frequency drift of the UE and base station, the uplink signal experiences a reception timing error, i.e., t TA It may be greater than τ prop It may also be less than τ. prop If T CP =T d The timing error causes τ prop Greater than t TA At this time, T d -t TA +τ prop Will be greater than T CP The symbol will be subject to ISI and ICI.

[0144] In this application, ISI occurs for example when a portion of the previous symbol falls within the receiving window of the current symbol. ICI occurs for example when the signal corresponding to some paths (such as the last path) cannot fall completely within the receiving end's FFT (RX FFT) window. It is understood that when the receiving end uses FFT to convert a signal from the time domain to the frequency domain, the start and end positions of the receiving end's FFT window are determined.

[0145] Furthermore, to minimize the negative impact of ISI in the presence of timing errors, receivers often shift the position of the receiving FFT window forward. This forward shift is typically 10% to 20% of the CP length; that is, in the absence of timing errors, the CP length is effectively reduced by 10% to 20%. If T... d If the lead time of the receiving FFT window exceeds the CP length, the symbol will also be affected by ISI and ICI.

[0146] In coordinated multipoint transmission (CoMP) scenarios, the UE and primary access point can achieve zero timing error. However, due to geographical distance between the primary and secondary access points, timing errors occur between them. If the timing error between the UE and secondary access point is not considered, in some cases, such as when the timing error plus the maximum delay spread (DS) exceeds the CP length, the symbol will be subject to ISI and ICI. For simplicity, this application refers to the situation where the timing error plus the maximum delay spread exceeds the CP length as "user-inadequate CP".

[0147] Based on the above considerations regarding CP length, the current 3GPP related protocols describe the CP length as... Where l∈ This indicates the index number of the symbol within the subframe, where This indicates the number of OFDM symbols contained in a slot, while This indicates the number of slots included in a subframe (1 ms in duration) with parameter set μ. Additionally, the OFDM symbol period is described in the protocol as... The formal expression is as follows:

[0148] Where κ = 64. It can be seen that NR supports two CP lengths: normal CP (NCP) and extended CP (ECP). The overhead of NCP is approximately 144 / (2048+144) = 6.6%, while the overhead of ECP is approximately 512 / (512+2048) = 20%. Therefore, the overhead of ECP is much higher than that of NCP. Furthermore, currently NR specifies that NCP or ECP can only be used when μ = 2, i.e., the subcarrier spacing is 60kHz; NCP is used when μ has other values.

[0149] It can be understood that μ is the index for configuring the parameter set (Numerology). At the sampling interval T... s Given a specific timeframe, this application may describe the timeframe by including the number of sampling points within it.

[0150] (7) Supplementary CP (SCP)

[0151] For cases where the maximum delay spread exceeds the CP length, an SCP needs to be added to the symbol to extend the CP length. The SCP, together with the CP, serves as an equivalent CP. For example, as shown in Figure 5, in two serially transmitted symbols, the D2 portion of the previous symbol k-1 serves as the SCP of the current symbol k, and this SCP, together with the CP of the current symbol k, serves as an equivalent CP.

[0152] For illustrative purposes, the length of the added SCP is denoted as N in this application. SCP .

[0153] (8) Unique word (UW)

[0154] Unique words are generated by inserting a sequence into the output symbols of IDFT or IFFT. UW can be used as an SCP to form an equivalent CP, thus allowing for a larger protection interval on top of the CP.

[0155] For example, in the x shown in Figure 3 k It can contain one or two UWs.

[0156] Currently, neither the LTE nor NR communication protocols can flexibly configure the protection interval (or protection domain, etc.) according to user needs, resulting in less than ideal mitigation of ISI and ICI in some scenarios. The protection interval can be at least one of CP, UW, and CS.

[0157] For example, in the current protocol's definition of CP and CS, the lengths of CP and CS are relatively fixed, making it impossible to flexibly configure them for each symbol. For instance, it's currently not possible to set different lengths of CP or CS for different symbol lengths and / or different symbol positions. Furthermore, the insertion method of UW is relatively fixed; for example, currently only one or two UWs are specified for inserting into intermediate symbols of PDSCH or PUSCH, and the type and / or length of UWs cannot be flexibly set according to transmission requirements.

[0158] Therefore, there is a need to enable flexible setting of protection intervals to adapt to different protection interval requirements.

[0159] To flexibly configure the protection interval and adapt to transmission requirements, this application provides a communication method. The execution entities of this method can be a sending end and a receiving end. The sending end can be a terminal device or a module within a terminal device, and the receiving end can be a network device or a module within a network device; alternatively, the sending end can be a network device or a module within a network device, and the receiving end can be a terminal device or a module within a terminal device. The method is described below with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 illustrates this method using the sending end and receiving end as examples. As needed, the sending end can be replaced with a terminal device or terminal apparatus, a network device, a network apparatus, or an access network apparatus, etc. Similarly, the receiving end can be replaced with a terminal device or terminal apparatus, a network device, a network apparatus, or an access network apparatus, etc., as needed.

[0160] As shown in Figure 6, the method may include the following steps:

[0161] S101: The transmitting end obtains P data symbols and processes them according to a first set to obtain a first waveform symbol. The first set includes the P data symbols and at least one symbol other than the P data symbols. The at least one symbol other than the P data symbols can also be a symbol in the first set that does not belong to the P data symbols.

[0162] It can be understood that data symbols can be modulation symbols obtained from the information or data to be transmitted. P data symbols can refer to the data symbols to be transmitted occupying P symbols. The P data symbols can be some or all of the data symbols to be transmitted in a single transmission process at the transmitting end. These P data symbols correspond to (or are carried on) the same waveform symbol, that is, they correspond to the first waveform symbol; or, in other words, the P data symbols, after modulation, are carried on the same waveform symbol, which is the first waveform symbol.

[0163] In this application, the waveform symbol can be a segment of signal obtained through the modulation process at the transmitting end. For example, it can be an OFDM symbol. As shown in Figure 4, the transmitting end obtains the first waveform symbol after performing operations such as subcarrier mapping, IDFT, P-to-S, and adding CP on the first set.

[0164] As an example, the data symbol can be the data symbol in the signal processing flow example of Figure 3 or Figure 4.

[0165] In this application, P data symbols can be located (or occupy) predetermined positions in a first set. As an example, the predetermined positions include the N0th symbol to the N0+M0-1th symbol in the first set, and the N0+M0+N1th symbol to the N0+M0+N1+M1-1th symbol in the first set. It can be assumed that M0+M1=P.

[0166] The first set can occupy K0 symbols, K0 = M0 + M1 + N0 + N1 + N2, where N0, N1 and N2 are non-negative integers, and at least one of N0, N1 and N2 is not zero, and M0 and M1 are positive integers.

[0167] The first set may contain P data symbols, plus at least one symbol not specified in the given position. This at least one symbol may be called a placeholder symbol or a reserved symbol, etc. For example, a placeholder symbol may include at least one of the first, second, and third symbols. Alternatively, the symbols in the first set that are not part of the P data symbols include at least one of the first, second, and third symbols. Unless otherwise specified, the length of any one of the first, second, and third symbols in the first set is not zero.

[0168] Since P data symbols are located at predetermined positions in the first set, it can be assumed that at least one of the first, second, and third symbols is located at a position other than the predetermined position. For ease of explanation, these positions other than the predetermined positions can be referred to as reserved positions. Reserved positions are not used to carry data symbols.

[0169] When the first set includes the first symbol, the first symbol can be located from the 0th symbol to the (N0-1)th symbol in the first set, where N0 is a positive integer. When the first set includes the second symbol, the second symbol can be located from the (N0+M0)th symbol to the (N0+M0+N1-1)th symbol in the first set, where N1 is a positive integer. When the first set includes the third symbol, the third symbol can be located from the (N0+M0+N1+M1)th symbol to the (N0+M0+N1+M1+N2-1)th symbol in the first set, where N2 is a positive integer.

[0170] When the first set contains the first symbol, the second symbol, and the third symbol, the structure of the first set is shown in Figure 7. The first segment N0 signal is the first symbol, denoted as: The second segment, point N1, is the second symbol, denoted as: The third segment, point N2, is the third symbol, denoted as: and Let there be P data symbols. Then, the first set can be represented as:

[0171] It is understood that at least two of the first, second, or third symbols may be the same or different.

[0172] Optionally, at the transmitting end, all data symbols in a single transmission process can generate (or correspond to) multiple sets, each set corresponding to a waveform symbol, wherein each set can contain multiple modulation symbols. That is, each set, after processing, yields a waveform symbol. Each set can contain multiple data symbols, and multiple data symbols in a set are carried in the same waveform symbol. It can be understood that all data symbols can include the P data symbols in S101, and optionally may also include other data symbols.

[0173] If all data symbols are modulated to obtain multiple consecutive waveform symbols in the time domain, or if the transmitter sends multiple waveform symbols, then the first waveform symbol can be the first waveform symbol, the last waveform symbol, or an intermediate waveform symbol located between the first and last waveform symbols.

[0174] The following describes how to obtain the first waveform symbol based on the first set.

[0175] In S101, the modulation of the first set by the transmitting end can refer to the transmitting end processing the first set through at least one of S-to-P, subcarrier mapping, IDFT (or IFFT), P-to-S, adding CP, DAC, or RF to obtain a first waveform symbol. The first waveform symbol can be an OFDM symbol.

[0176] Taking Figure 7 as an example, a DFT transform is performed on the first set with a total length of K0 = M0 + M1 + N0 + N1 + N2 to obtain the frequency domain signal at point K0. Optionally, the frequency domain signal at point K0 can be mapped onto the subcarrier at point K1. Specifically, when K0 ≥ K1, the frequency domain signal at point K0 can be truncated. When K0 < K1, the frequency domain signal at point K0 is cyclically expanded. Then, a K-point IFFT can be performed on all subcarrier signals where K > K1 to obtain the time domain signal. Adding CP yields the first waveform symbol.

[0177] As shown in Figure 8, if the first set contains a first symbol, a second symbol, and a third symbol, the first waveform symbol can include the waveform symbol corresponding to the first symbol, the waveform symbol corresponding to the second symbol, and the waveform symbol corresponding to the third symbol. Specifically, the waveform symbol corresponding to the first symbol can be located after the CP in the first waveform symbol; the waveform symbol corresponding to the second symbol is located within the waveform symbol corresponding to the data; and the waveform symbol corresponding to the third symbol can be located at the end of the first waveform symbol.

[0178] When a first symbol is present, inter-symbol interference caused by multipath delay to the first waveform symbol from the preceding waveform symbol can be reduced, or waveform interference to the third symbol can be reduced. The waveform interference refers to the interference of the first symbol to the third symbol during the generation of the first waveform symbol. When a second symbol is present, the CP length can be effectively extended, thereby reducing inter-carrier interference. When a third symbol is present, inter-symbol interference caused by multipath delay to the first waveform symbol from the next waveform symbol can be reduced, or the CP length of the next symbol can be effectively extended.

[0179] The position of the waveform symbol corresponding to the second symbol can be determined based on the length of the CP in the first waveform symbol. In Figure 8, "D" represents the waveform symbol corresponding to P data symbols. The position of the waveform symbol corresponding to the second symbol is related to the position of the CP cutoff point, which in turn is related to the CP length in the first waveform symbol. For example, the index of the CP cutoff point in the sampling points of the first waveform symbol is NG-1, where N is the total number of sampling points in the first waveform symbol, and G is the number of sampling points included in the CP length of the first waveform symbol. As an example, the position of the waveform symbol corresponding to the second symbol is also related to at least one of the length of the waveform symbol corresponding to the third symbol and the length of the first SCP. The first SCP can be the length of the SCP required for the next waveform symbol of the first waveform symbol; that is, the first SCP can correspond to the next waveform symbol, and the length of the first SCP can be configured by the network device. By flexibly determining the position of the second symbol, it is helpful to construct a circular convolution to mitigate ICI caused by insufficient CP.

[0180] As an example, the waveform symbol corresponding to the second symbol can be located before the CP cutoff point of the first waveform symbol. For example, the end position of the signal corresponding to the second symbol is the CP cutoff point. The CP cutoff point in the first waveform symbol and the N preceding the CP cutoff point... SCP -1 sampling points can take the value of zero, which is used to reduce ICI.

[0181] This can also be described as follows: the first waveform symbol, excluding the CP portion, is equivalent to upsampling the K0 symbols in the first set by a factor of K / K0, changing the point from K0 to K. Therefore, the range of P data symbols corresponds to N0K / K0 to (N0+M0-1)K / K0 and (N0+M0+N1)K / K0 to (N0+M0+N1+M1-1)K / K0 in the first waveform symbol. The first symbol corresponds to the range 0 to (N0-1)K / K0 in the first waveform symbol, the second symbol corresponds to the range (N0+M0)K / K0 to (N0+M0+N1-1)K / K0 in the first waveform symbol, and the third symbol corresponds to the range (N0+M0+N1+M1)K / K0 to (N0+M0+N1+M1+N2-1)K / K0 in the first waveform symbol.

[0182] In this application, if the first waveform symbol belongs to a series of consecutive waveform symbols, the series of waveform symbols can form a time slot or a data transmission opportunity to reduce interference between time slots or between transmission opportunities.

[0183] S102: The transmitting end outputs the first waveform symbol.

[0184] Accordingly, the first waveform symbol is received.

[0185] In this application, the output signal can be understood as being sent via an air interface or via an interface between modules.

[0186] Taking the signal transmission process shown in Figure 4 as an example, the transmitting end can transmit the wireless signal corresponding to the first waveform symbol through the air interface channel. This wireless signal can be processed by components such as DAC and RF based on the first waveform symbol. Correspondingly, the receiving end can receive the wireless signal corresponding to the first waveform symbol.

[0187] At the receiving end, the first waveform symbol can be the signal obtained by the receiving end through RF, DAC and other operations on the wireless signal.

[0188] S103: The receiving end processes the first waveform symbol to obtain the first set.

[0189] Taking Figure 4 as an example, the demodulation process performed upon receiving the signal may include removing the CP from the first waveform symbol, performing S-to-P transformation, DFT, and subcarrier demapping. Optionally, the demodulation process may also include IDFT.

[0190] S104: The receiving end obtains P data symbols from the set position of the first set.

[0191] The receiving end can know the set position, so after obtaining the first set, it can obtain data symbols from the set position.

[0192] The following section will introduce the methods by which the sending and receiving ends obtain the set location, based on the method of determining the set location.

[0193] In the process shown in Figure 6 above, P data symbols are located at predetermined positions in the first set, and at least one placeholder symbol exists among the symbols from the 0th to the N0-1th, the N0+M0th to the N0+M0+N1-1th, or the N0+M0+N1+M1th to the N0+M0+N1+M1+N2-1th in the first set. The placeholder symbol can be used as an equivalent CP, so the cyclic prefix can be flexibly configured according to the transmission requirements to achieve flexible configuration of the protection interval between symbols.

[0194] The following section describes the relationship between the positions of the symbols other than the data symbols in the first set and the first waveform symbol.

[0195] In one possible embodiment, the symbols included in the first set are related to the position of the first waveform symbol. The position of the first waveform symbol refers to its position within a plurality of consecutive waveform symbols.

[0196] In this application, multiple consecutive waveform symbols can constitute a time slot or a transmission opportunity. Alternatively, the symbols included in the first set are related to the position of the first waveform symbol within the time slot or transmission opportunity.

[0197] In one possible implementation, the first set includes the first symbol if the first waveform symbol is the first of a series of consecutive waveform symbols, or if the first waveform symbol is the next waveform symbol after a pilot symbol in a series of consecutive waveform symbols, or if there are no other waveform symbols of the terminal device preceding the first waveform symbol. The pilot symbol is a waveform symbol that transmits a pilot signal, such as a DMRS.

[0198] As shown in Figure 9, a waveform symbol from a device or user other than the transmitter (the preceding waveform symbol shown in Figure 9) precedes the first waveform symbol. To avoid or reduce interference from the preceding waveform symbol caused by multipath delay, the first set includes the first symbol; that is, the first waveform symbol includes the waveform symbol corresponding to the first symbol. This ensures that the interference from the multipath delay of the preceding waveform symbol mainly affects the parsing of the first symbol, without affecting the parsing of the data symbols in the first set. Since the receiver does not need to parse the first symbol, the interference of the preceding waveform symbol on the data in the first waveform symbol can be reduced. Optionally, the first waveform symbol may also include a second symbol and / or a third symbol; that is, the first waveform symbol may optionally include the waveform symbol corresponding to the second symbol and / or the waveform symbol corresponding to the third symbol.

[0199] In another possible implementation, if the first waveform symbol is the last waveform symbol in a series of consecutive waveform symbols, then the first set includes the third symbol, and the third symbol is a zero sequence.

[0200] As shown in Figure 10, after the first waveform symbol, there are waveform symbols from devices or users other than the transmitter (the next waveform symbol shown in Figure 10). To avoid or reduce the interference caused by multipath delay on the next waveform symbol from the first waveform symbol, the first set includes a third symbol with a value of 0. That is, the first waveform symbol includes the waveform symbol corresponding to the first symbol, and the signal amplitude is 0, making the end of the first waveform symbol a zero signal. Therefore, since the interference caused by multipath delay on the next waveform symbol is mainly interference from the zero signal, the interference on the next waveform symbol can be reduced. Optionally, the first waveform symbol may also include the first symbol and / or the second symbol.

[0201] The following explains how the sending end and / or receiving end determine the set position and / or reserved position.

[0202] In this application, the network device can configure the set positions and / or reserved positions in the first set. The reserved positions can be the positions of at least one of the first symbol, the second symbol, or the third symbol.

[0203] In one possible embodiment, configuring a set location and / or a reserved location in the first set by the network device may refer to the network device sending configuration information (hereinafter referred to as first information) of the set location to the terminal device. The first information can be used to indicate or configure the symbol position of the set location in the first set; in this case, the first information can also serve as indication information for the set location. And / or, the first information can be used to indicate or configure the symbol position of a data symbol in the first set that does not belong to the P data symbols; in this case, the first information can also serve as indication information for a reserved location.

[0204] As an example, the first information may include location information of a defined position within a first set. This location information may be the symbolic position of the defined position within the first set, such as including the starting position and / or length of the defined position.

[0205] The starting position of the set position can be the index of the starting symbol of the set position. If the set position occupies multiple symbol segments, each segment includes one or more consecutive symbols, and the symbols are not consecutive, then the starting position of the set position can include the index of the starting symbol of each segment.

[0206] The length of a position can be the number of symbols it occupies. If a position occupies multiple symbol segments that are not consecutive, the length of the position can include the number of symbols in each of the multiple symbol segments.

[0207] For example, if the position occupies two segments of symbols in the first set, the first segment of symbols is... The second segment of symbols is The starting position of the set position can be the index of symbol d0 (i.e., N0) and the symbol The index (i.e., N0 + M0 - 1) indicates that the set position occupies two segments of symbols in the first set. The first segment starts at the symbol with index d0, and the second segment starts at the symbol with index d0. The symbols. Additionally, the length of the set position can be M0 and M1, indicating that the lengths of the two symbol segments occupied by the set position are M0 and M1 respectively. Therefore, the terminal device can determine that the set position occupies symbols in the first set. and

[0208] As another example, the first information may include location information for the reserved positions. This location information may be the position of a symbol in the first set that does not belong to the P data symbols, such as including the starting position and / or length of the reserved position.

[0209] The starting position of a reserved position can be the index of the starting symbol of that reserved position. If a reserved position occupies multiple symbol segments, and these segments are not consecutive, then the starting position of the reserved position can include the starting symbol position of each segment. For example, if the reserved position includes symbols occupied by the first symbol, the second symbol, and the third symbol, and the corresponding multiple symbol segments are the symbols occupied by the first, second, and third symbols, then the starting position of the reserved position can include the indices of the starting symbols of the first, second, and third symbols.

[0210] The length of a reserved space can be the number of symbols occupied by that reserved space. If a reserved space occupies multiple segments of symbols, and these segments are not consecutive, then the length of the reserved space can include the number of symbols in each segment. For example, if a reserved space includes symbols occupied by the first symbol, the second symbol, and the third symbol, then the length of the reserved space can include the number of symbols occupied by the first symbol, the number of symbols occupied by the second symbol, and the number of symbols occupied by the third symbol.

[0211] For example, if the first set contains the first symbol Second symbol and the third symbol The starting position of the reserved position can be the index of symbol x0 (i.e., 0), the symbol The index (i.e., N0+M0) and symbol The indices (i.e., N0+M0+N1+M1) indicate that the reserved position occupies three symbol segments in the first set. The first symbol segment starts at index 0, the second at index N0, and the third at index N0+N1. Furthermore, the lengths of the reserved positions can be N0, N1, and N2, indicating that the lengths of the three symbol segments occupied by the reserved position are N0, N1, and N2, respectively. Therefore, the terminal device can determine that the first, second, and third symbols respectively occupy symbols in the first set. and

[0212] The implementation of the first information described above is merely an illustrative example. This application does not limit the configuration of the set position and / or reserved position to other methods. For example, the first information may include the symbol position of the set position in the first set, and the symbol positions in the first set that do not belong to the P data symbols.

[0213] Alternatively, the network device can also indicate an active configuration of a set position and / or reserved position from a plurality of alternative (or possible) set position and / or reserved position configurations. In this case, the second information can be used to indicate the active configuration of the set position and / or reserved position from a plurality of alternative set position and / or reserved position configurations. The configuration of any alternative set position and / or reserved position may include the symbol position of the set position in the first set and / or the symbol position in the first set that does not belong to P data symbols. The specific symbol positions are described above and will not be repeated here.

[0214] For example, the configurations of alternative setting positions and / or reserved positions correspond to identifiers or indices. The second information may include the identifier or index corresponding to the configuration of the activated setting position and / or reserved position, indicating that the configuration corresponding to the identifier or index is activated. Accordingly, the terminal device may use the activated configuration as the configuration applicable to the first waveform symbol (or the first set). For example, the indices corresponding to configuration #1, configuration #2, and configuration #3 are 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Configuration #1, configuration #2, and configuration #3 correspond to different setting positions and / or reserved position configurations. For example, in configuration #1, configuration #2, and configuration #3, at least one of the starting position of the setting position, the length of the setting position, the starting position of the reserved position, and the length of the reserved position indicated by any two configurations is different. The second information may include index 1, 2, or 3, or include index indication information, to indicate the activated configuration.

[0215] It is understandable that the configuration of set positions and / or reserved positions can be at different granularities. For example, different waveform symbols can correspond to different configurations of set positions and / or reserved positions, so the configuration of set positions and / or reserved positions can be for a single waveform symbol (such as the first waveform symbol). Similarly, different waveform symbols on the same terminal can correspond to the same configuration of set positions and / or reserved positions, so the configuration of set positions and / or reserved positions can be at the terminal device granularity. Furthermore, waveform symbols at different positions can correspond to different configurations of set positions and / or reserved positions. For instance, the configuration of the set position and / or reserved position when the first waveform symbol is the first waveform symbol in a series of consecutive waveform symbols is different from the configuration when the first waveform symbol is the last waveform symbol in a series of consecutive waveform symbols. Therefore, the configuration of set positions and / or reserved positions can be for the position of the first waveform symbol. For example, different types of waveform symbols can correspond to different set positions and / or reserved positions. For instance, DFT-s-OFDM symbols and SC-FDE symbols can correspond to different set positions and / or reserved positions. Similarly, different transmission processes of a terminal device can correspond to different set positions and / or reserved positions. Furthermore, different modulation orders (or MCS), different code rates, different bandwidths, different subcarrier spacing (or subcarrier width), and different carrier frequencies can be configured with different set positions and / or reserved positions.

[0216] It is understandable that in a scenario where the terminal device acts as the sender and the network device acts as the receiver, the network device (i.e., the receiver) can send the aforementioned first information to the terminal device (i.e., the sender).

[0217] The above information can be carried in RRC signaling, MAC layer signaling, or physical layer signaling. For example, MAC layer signaling may include MAC CE, and physical layer signaling may include DCI.

[0218] In one possible implementation, the network device can configure multiple alternative (or possible) setting positions and / or reserved positions via RRC signaling or MAC layer signaling, and activate one of the configurations via MAC layer signaling or physical layer signaling. The terminal device can then use the activated configuration as the configuration applicable to the first waveform symbol (or the first set).

[0219] For example, a network device can configure multiple alternative set locations and / or reserved locations via RRC signaling. Each configuration can have a corresponding index. When scheduling uplink data transmission by a terminal device via DCI, the network device can also carry first information in the DCI. This first information can include the index corresponding to the active set location and / or reserved location configuration. Based on this first information, the terminal device can determine the active set location and / or reserved location configuration from among the multiple alternative configurations, and determine the positions of P data symbols in a first set based on the active set location and / or reserved location configuration.

[0220] Based on this implementation, network devices can send out configurations for multiple set locations and / or reserved locations at once. Subsequent first information only needs to carry the index of the configuration, thus reducing indication overhead.

[0221] In another possible implementation, the network device can carry the first information via MAC layer signaling. In this case, the first information includes the configuration of the set location and / or reserved location. In this implementation, the network device does not need to configure multiple alternative set locations and / or reserved locations; that is, the first information can be used to indicate the set location and / or reserved location configured each time.

[0222] In this application, the first information can be sent from a network device to a terminal device; that is, the first information can be sent from a sending end to a receiving end or from a receiving end to a sending end, without specific limitations. For example, if the network device acts as the sending end and the terminal device acts as the receiving end, the sending end can send the first information to the receiving end, and correspondingly, the receiving end can receive the first information. Similarly, if the terminal device acts as the sending end and the network device acts as the receiving end, the receiving end can send the first information to the sending end, and correspondingly, the sending end can receive the first information. The third information can be used to activate the terminal device to send signals or data to the network device using the method shown in this application, or it can be used to activate the network device to send signals or data to the terminal device using the method shown in this application.

[0223] In one possible embodiment, the network device may send second information to the terminal device to indicate at least one of the first symbol, the second symbol, and the third symbol. Specifically, the second information may include a sequence value of at least one of the first symbol, the second symbol, and the third symbol. For example, if the network device acts as the sender and the terminal device acts as the receiver, the sender may send the second information to the receiver, and the receiver may receive the second information accordingly. Similarly, if the terminal device acts as the sender and the network device acts as the receiver, the receiver may send the second information to the sender, and the sender may receive the second information accordingly.

[0224] Alternatively, the terminal device may report at least one of the first symbol, the second symbol, and the third symbol to the network device. That is, in this application, the second information can be sent from the sending end to the receiving end, or vice versa, without specific limitations. For example, if the sending end is a terminal device and the receiving end is a network device, the sending end can send the second information to the receiving end, and correspondingly, the receiving end can receive the second information. As another example, if the sending end is a network device and the receiving end is a terminal device, the receiving end can send the second information to the sending end, and correspondingly, the sending end can receive the second information.

[0225] Based on the second information, the sending end and the receiving end can obtain the content of at least one of the first symbol, the second symbol, or the third symbol to obtain better reception performance.

[0226] As an example, at least one of the first symbol, the second symbol, or the third symbol may be associated with the preceding waveform symbol of the first waveform symbol, and / or with the following OFDM symbol of the first waveform symbol.

[0227] As another example, at least one of the first, second, or third symbols can be a specific sequence, such as a 0 sequence, a ZC sequence, or other specific sequences, or a symbol modulated based on a specific sequence. A symbol modulated based on a specific sequence can be, for example, a Gold sequence modulated based on QPSK or pi / 2BPSK.

[0228] It is understood that at least one of the first symbol, the second symbol, or the third symbol may be associated with the first waveform symbol or with the location of the reserved data. Specifically, the second information may indicate each symbol at the reserved location.

[0229] In addition, at least one of the first symbol, the second symbol, or the third symbol may be related to the position of the first waveform symbol. For example, when the first waveform symbol is the first pair of symbols, the last waveform symbol, or an intermediate waveform symbol in a series of consecutive waveform symbols, it may satisfy at least one of the following: the first symbols are the same or different, the second symbols are the same or different, or the third symbol may be the same or different.

[0230] The activation method of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below. The activation method refers to the way in which the terminal device and the network device determine the execution of the method of this application.

[0231] In one possible activation method, the network device may send third information to the terminal device. This third information is used to activate the method provided in this application embodiment. The third information may also be referred to as activation signaling. For example, the third information may be used to instruct the sending end and the receiving end to execute the method shown in FIG6. For example, if the network device acts as the sending end and the terminal device acts as the receiving end, the sending end may send the third information to the receiving end, and the receiving end may receive the third information accordingly. Similarly, if the terminal device acts as the sending end and the network device acts as the receiving end, the receiving end may send the third information to the sending end, and the sending end may receive the third information accordingly.

[0232] As an example, the third information can occupy 1 bit. For instance, if this bit has the first value, it indicates that the method is activated; if it has the second value, it indicates that the method is not activated. The first value can be 0 and the second value can be 1, or the first value can be 1 and the second value can be 0. The third information can be sent via RRC signaling, MAC layer signaling, or physical layer signaling, etc., without specific limitations.

[0233] As another example, the first information can serve as the third information, i.e., activation signaling; alternatively, the third information can include the first information. For instance, a terminal device can determine to activate the method shown in this application upon receiving the first information, and determine not to activate the method if it does not receive the first information. For example, a network device can send the first information to indicate the setting location and / or reserved location, and instruct the activation of the method shown in this application through the first information. Accordingly, the terminal device can determine the setting location and / or reserved location based on the first information, and determine to activate the method shown in this application to execute the process in this application.

[0234] In this embodiment, the network device can determine to send third information, i.e., determine to execute the method of this application, based on at least one of the following: modulation order, code rate, MCS or MCS index, bandwidth, subcarrier spacing, carrier frequency, setting position and / or reserved position indication information.

[0235] The following sections describe how network devices determine the transmission method of third information based on modulation order, code rate, MCS, bandwidth, subcarrier spacing, and carrier frequency.

[0236] (1) The modulation order can be used to define the number of bits carried on a single symbol; the larger the value, the higher the transmission rate. For example, a network device can send third information to a terminal device when the modulation order of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the modulation order threshold.

[0237] The modulation order of the terminal device can be configured by the network device. Additionally, the network device can obtain a modulation order threshold. For example, the modulation order threshold can be predefined, such as by a protocol; or it can be configured by the network device to the terminal device, or reported by the terminal device to the network device, without specific limitations.

[0238] (2) Code rate, or coding rate, represents the ratio between useful bits and total bits, which includes useful bits and redundant bits. The higher the code rate, the higher the transmission rate. For example, a network device can send third information to a terminal device when the code rate of the terminal device is greater than or equal to a code rate threshold.

[0239] The bitrate of the terminal device can be configured by the network device. Additionally, the network device can obtain a bitrate threshold. For example, the bitrate threshold can be predefined, such as by a protocol; or it can be configured by the network device to the terminal device, or reported by the terminal device to the network device—there are no specific limitations.

[0240] (3) The MCS or MCS index can be used to indicate the modulation order and code rate. The MCS index is positively correlated with the modulation order and code rate, so the larger the MCS index value, the higher the transmission rate. For example, a network device can send third information to a terminal device when the MCS index of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the MCS index threshold.

[0241] The MCS or MCS index of the terminal device can be configured by the network device. Additionally, the network device can obtain the MCS threshold or MCS index threshold. For example, the MCS index threshold can be predefined, such as by a protocol; or it can be configured by the network device to the terminal device, or reported by the terminal device to the network device, without specific limitations.

[0242] (4) Bandwidth can be used to indicate the number of frequency domain units used to transmit data. For example, a network device can send third information to a terminal device when the bandwidth of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the bandwidth threshold.

[0243] The bandwidth of the terminal device can be configured by the network device. Additionally, the network device can obtain bandwidth thresholds. For example, the bandwidth threshold can be predefined, such as by a protocol; or it can be configured by the network device to the terminal device, or reported by the terminal device to the network device—there are no specific limitations.

[0244] (5) The subcarrier spacing can represent the width of a frequency domain cell. For example, a network device can send third information to a terminal device when the subcarrier spacing of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the subcarrier spacing threshold.

[0245] The subcarrier spacing of the terminal device can be configured by the network device. Additionally, the network device can obtain the subcarrier spacing threshold. For example, the subcarrier spacing threshold can be predefined, such as by a protocol; or it can be configured by the network device to the terminal device, or reported by the terminal device to the network device, without specific limitations.

[0246] (6) The carrier frequency can identify the frequency at which the terminal device operates. For example, a network device can send third information to the terminal device when the carrier frequency of the terminal device is greater than or equal to the carrier frequency threshold.

[0247] The carrier frequency point of the terminal device can be configured by the network device. Additionally, the network device can obtain the carrier frequency point threshold. For example, the carrier frequency point threshold can be predefined, such as by a protocol; or it can be configured by the network device to the terminal device, or reported by the terminal device to the network device, without specific limitations.

[0248] It is understood that the various methods by which the network device in the above example determines the transmission of third information can be combined. As an example and not a limitation, the network device may determine to transmit third information if the modulation order is greater than or equal to a modulation order threshold and the bandwidth is greater than or equal to a bandwidth threshold.

[0249] In another possible activation method, the terminal device may decide to activate the method provided in the embodiments of this application. Specifically, the terminal device may determine to execute the method provided in the embodiments of this application based on at least one of the following: modulation order, code rate, MCS or MCS index, bandwidth, subcarrier spacing, carrier frequency, setting position and / or reserved position indication information.

[0250] The following describes how the terminal device determines the activation method based on the indication information of modulation order, code rate, MCS, bandwidth, subcarrier spacing, carrier frequency, set position and / or reserved position.

[0251] (1) When the modulation order of the terminal device is large, the terminal device can activate the method of this application. For example, the terminal device can determine to activate the method when the modulation order is greater than or equal to the modulation order threshold, without needing to receive third information from the network device before determining to activate the method.

[0252] The terminal device can obtain the modulation order threshold. For example, the modulation order threshold can be predefined, such as by a protocol; or it can be configured by the network device to the terminal device, or reported by the terminal device to the network device, without specific limitations.

[0253] (2) When the bit rate of the terminal device is high, the terminal device can activate the method of this application. For example, the terminal device can determine to activate the method when the bit rate is greater than or equal to the bit rate threshold, without needing to receive third information from the network device before determining to activate the method.

[0254] The terminal device can obtain the bitrate threshold. The bitrate threshold can be predefined, such as by a protocol; or it can be configured by the network device to the terminal device, or reported by the terminal device to the network device, without specific limitations.

[0255] (3) When the MCS or MCS index of the terminal device is large, the terminal device can activate the method of this application. For example, the terminal device can determine to activate the method when the MCS index is greater than or equal to the MCS index threshold, without needing to receive third information from the network device before determining to activate the method.

[0256] The terminal device can obtain the MCS threshold or the MCS index threshold. The MCS index threshold can be predefined, such as by a protocol; or it can be configured by the network device to the terminal device, or reported by the terminal device to the network device, without specific limitations.

[0257] (4) When the bandwidth of the terminal device is large, the terminal device can activate the method of this application. For example, the terminal device can determine to activate the method when the bandwidth is greater than or equal to the bandwidth threshold, without needing to receive third information from the network device before determining to activate the method.

[0258] The terminal device can obtain the bandwidth threshold. The bandwidth threshold can be predefined, such as by a protocol; or it can be configured by the network device to the terminal device, or reported by the terminal device to the network device, without specific limitations.

[0259] (5) When the subcarrier spacing of the terminal device is large, the terminal device can activate the method of this application. For example, the terminal device can determine to activate the method when the subcarrier spacing is greater than or equal to the subcarrier spacing threshold, without needing to receive third information from the network device before determining to activate the method.

[0260] The terminal device can obtain the subcarrier spacing threshold. The subcarrier spacing threshold can be predefined, such as by a protocol; or it can be configured by the network device to the terminal device, or reported by the terminal device to the network device, without specific limitations.

[0261] (6) When the carrier frequency of the terminal device is large, the terminal device can activate the method of this application. For example, the terminal device can determine to activate the method when the carrier frequency is greater than or equal to the carrier frequency threshold, without needing to receive third information from the network device before determining to activate the method.

[0262] The terminal device can obtain the carrier frequency threshold. The carrier frequency threshold can be predefined, such as by a protocol; or it can be configured by the network device to the terminal device, or reported by the terminal device to the network device, without specific limitations.

[0263] (7) When the terminal device receives third information from the network device, the terminal device can activate the method of this application.

[0264] It is understood that the various methods by which the terminal device in the above example determines the activation of this method can be implemented in combination. As an example and not a limitation, the terminal device may determine the activation of this method when the modulation order is greater than or equal to the modulation order threshold and the bandwidth is greater than or equal to the bandwidth threshold, without receiving third-party information from the network device.

[0265] In one possible embodiment, the terminal device may report capability information to the network device to indicate whether it supports the method provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0266] It is understandable that if the sending end acts as a terminal device and the receiving end acts as a network device, the sending end can send its capability information to the receiving end, and correspondingly, the receiving end can receive the capability information. Similarly, if the sending end acts as a network device and the receiving end acts as a terminal device, the receiving end can send its capability information to the sending end, and correspondingly, the sending end can receive the capability information.

[0267] Specifically, the capability information of the terminal device can be used to indicate under what configuration the terminal device supports or does not support the method provided in the embodiments of this application. That is, the terminal device can report different capability information under different configurations. In other words, the capability information (or capability) of the terminal device can be related to at least one of modulation order (or MCS or MCS index), code rate, bandwidth, subcarrier spacing or carrier frequency.

[0268] Taking modulation order as an example, the capability information of the terminal device can identify whether the terminal device supports the method shown in this application when the modulation order is greater than or equal to the modulation order threshold. If the terminal device supports the method, it can activate the method shown in this application, or the network device can activate the terminal device to execute the method of this application through third information; otherwise, if the terminal device does not support the method, it will not activate the method shown in this application, or the network device will not activate the terminal device to execute the method.

[0269] As an example, if the terminal device's capability information indicates that the terminal device supports the method described in this application when the modulation order is greater than the modulation order threshold, the network device or the terminal device can determine whether to activate the method based on the capability information and the terminal's modulation order. For instance, if the network device configures the terminal device with a modulation order greater than the modulation order threshold, the terminal device can determine to activate the method based on the modulation order. For example, if the terminal device is a transmitter, the transmitter can perform the actions described in this application. Furthermore, the network device can determine that the terminal device has activated the method based on the terminal device's capability information and the modulation order. For example, if the network device is a receiver, the receiver can perform the actions described in this application. In this case, as an optional but not mandatory action, the network device can send third information to the terminal device.

[0270] Optionally, the capability information of the terminal device may include at least one of modulation order (or MCS or MCS index), code rate, bandwidth, subcarrier spacing, or carrier frequency, to indicate that the capability information is related to at least one of modulation order (or MCS or MCS index), code rate, bandwidth, subcarrier spacing, or carrier frequency. For example, the capability information may include a threshold for at least one of the parameters of modulation order, code rate, MCS, bandwidth, subcarrier spacing, and carrier frequency, to indicate that the terminal device supports the method shown in this application when the corresponding threshold is met. Alternatively, the capability information may also be sent together with a threshold for at least one of the parameters of modulation order, code rate, MCS, bandwidth, subcarrier spacing, and carrier frequency, to indicate that the terminal device supports the method shown in this application when the corresponding threshold is met.

[0271] In summary, as a possible implementation of this application, a network device can send first information and second information to a terminal device. Upon receiving the first and second information, the terminal device can determine whether to execute the method shown in this application based on the first and / or second information, and execute the method accordingly. The first information can be sent via MAC layer signaling or physical layer signaling (such as DCI) to send a reserved location symbol position in a first set or a symbol position in the first set that is not a data symbol. Alternatively, the first information can be sent via RRC signaling or MAC layer signaling to send a configuration of multiple alternative set positions and / or reserved positions, and via MAC layer signaling or physical layer signaling to send an active configuration of one of the multiple alternative set positions and / or reserved positions. In this implementation, the terminal device can determine whether to activate the method shown in this application based on the first information. That is, in this embodiment, the first information can be used as the third information.

[0272] As another possible implementation of this application, the terminal device reports capability information to the network device. The network device can determine, based on the terminal device's capability information, under what parameter configuration the terminal device supports the method shown in this application. For example, the capability information includes parameter thresholds for the terminal device to support the method shown in this application. Parameter thresholds may include thresholds for at least one of the following parameters: modulation order, code rate, MCS, bandwidth, subcarrier spacing, and carrier frequency. When the network device configures a certain parameter for the terminal device, and the terminal device supports the method shown in this application under that parameter, the network device can determine that the terminal device has activated the method shown in this application, and the terminal device can activate the method after obtaining the parameter configuration. In this embodiment, the network device may or may not send third information.

[0273] In this embodiment, the terminal device may also send first information and / or second information to the network device.

[0274] As another possible implementation of this application, the network device can configure the parameter conditions for the terminal device to activate the method shown in this application. For example, the network device can configure a parameter threshold for the terminal device. When the terminal device determines that the parameter is greater than or equal to the parameter threshold, it can determine to activate the method shown in this application.

[0275] In this embodiment, the network device may also send first information and / or second information to the terminal device.

[0276] It is understood that, in order to achieve the functions in the above embodiments, the network device and terminal include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to perform each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and method steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed by hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution. Network device

[0277] Figures 11 and 12 are schematic diagrams of possible communication devices provided in embodiments of this application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the transmitting or receiving end in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. The transmitting and receiving ends can be either a terminal or a network device, respectively. In the embodiments of this application, the communication device can be a terminal device as shown in Figure 1, a network device as shown in Figure 1, or a module (such as a chip) applied to a terminal or base station.

[0278] As shown in Figure 11, the communication device 1100 includes a processing unit 1110 and a transceiver unit 1120. The transceiver unit 1120 may include a sending unit and / or a receiving unit for performing actions related to sending and / or receiving. The processing unit 1110 can be used to perform actions other than those related to sending and receiving. The communication device 1100 is used to implement the functions of the sending end or the receiving end in the method embodiment shown in Figure 6 above.

[0279] When the communication device 1200 is used to implement the function of the transmitting end in the method embodiment shown in FIG6: the processing unit 1110 or the transceiver unit 1120 can be used to obtain P data symbols and modulate the first set to obtain a first waveform symbol. The transceiver unit 1120 can be used to output the first waveform symbol.

[0280] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1120 can also be used to send or receive information such as first information, second information, and third information received or sent by the sending end.

[0281] When the communication device 1100 is used to implement the function of the receiving end in the method embodiment shown in FIG6: the transceiver unit 1120 can be used to acquire a first waveform symbol. The processing unit 1110 or the transceiver unit 1120 can be used to process the first waveform symbol to obtain a first set, and obtain data symbols from a set position of the first set.

[0282] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1120 can also be used to send or receive information such as first information, second information, and third information received or sent by the receiving end.

[0283] For a more detailed description of the above-mentioned processing unit 1110 and transceiver unit 1120, please refer to the relevant description in the method embodiment shown in FIG6.

[0284] As shown in Figure 12, the communication device 1200 includes a processor 1210 and an interface circuit 1220. The processor 1210 and the interface circuit 1220 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1220 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1200 may also include a memory 1230 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1210, or storing input data required for the processor 1210 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1210 executes instructions. The memory 1230 can be integrated with the processor 1210 or can be set independently of the processor 1210; this application does not specifically limit this.

[0285] In one embodiment, the transceiver may include a transmitter and / or a receiver for performing actions related to sending and / or receiving. A processor may be used to perform actions other than those related to sending and receiving.

[0286] When the communication device 1200 is used to implement the method shown in FIG6, the processor 1210 is used to implement the function of the processing unit 1110, and the interface circuit 1220 is used to implement the function of the transceiver unit 1120.

[0287] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a UE, the UE chip performs the functions of a transmitter or receiver in the above method embodiments. The UE chip receives information sent to the UE by the base station through other modules in the UE (such as an RF module or antenna); or, the UE chip sends information to other modules in the UE (such as an RF module or antenna), which is information sent by the UE to the base station.

[0288] When the aforementioned communication device is a module applied to a base station, the base station module implements the functions of a transmitting end or a receiving end in the above method embodiments. The base station module receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the base station, information sent by the terminal device to the base station; or, the base station module sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the base station, information sent by the base station to the terminal device. Here, the base station module can be a baseband chip of the base station, or a CU, DU, or other module, or a device under an open wireless access network architecture, such as an open CU, open DU, etc.

[0289] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0290] The method steps in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions executable by a processor. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disks, portable hard disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. Alternatively, the ASIC can reside in a base station or O-RAN. The processor and storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the base station or O-RAN.

[0291] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions, which may also be referred to as computer programs, computer program code, etc. The instructions are executed on a computer, causing the computer to perform the methods shown in FIG6 and various embodiments of this application described above.

[0292] This application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program or instructions, which, when run on a computer, cause the methods shown in FIG6 and various embodiments of this application to be implemented.

[0293] This application also provides a chip including a processor coupled to a memory. The processor executes computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, enabling the methods shown in FIG6 and the various embodiments of this application to be implemented. For example, taking the chip as an example of implementing the function of an access network device, the chip can receive information from other modules (such as radio frequency or antenna) of the access network device, which may be information sent by a terminal to the access network device. Alternatively, the chip can send information to other modules (such as radio frequency or antenna) in the access network device, which may be information sent by the access network device to a terminal, etc.

[0294] This application also provides a communication system, including a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device and the second communication device can be used to implement the functions of the transmitting end and the receiving end in this application, respectively.

[0295] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed entirely or partially. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video optical disc; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or may include both types of storage media.

[0296] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0297] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the preceding and following related objects; in the formulas of this application, the character " / " indicates a "division" relationship between the preceding and following related objects. "Including at least one of A, B, and C" can mean: including A; including B; including C; including A and B; including A and C; including B and C; including A, B, and C.

[0298] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, For use in a first communication device, including: Obtain P data symbols, where P is a positive integer; The first waveform symbol is obtained by processing the first set. The P data symbols are located at predetermined positions in the first set. The first set consists of K0 symbols, where K0 = M0 + M1 + N0 + N1 + N2, N0, N1, and N2 are non-negative integers, and at least one of N0, N1, and N2 is not zero. M0 and M1 are positive integers. The predetermined positions include the N0th symbol to the N0+M0-1th symbol in the first set, and the N0+M0+N1th symbol to the N0+M0+N1+M1-1th symbol in the first set, where M0+M1 = P. Output the first waveform symbol.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first set includes the P data symbols and at least one other symbol besides the P data symbols.

3. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send or receive first information, which is used to indicate the set location.

4. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The first information is used to indicate the set location, including: The first information includes: The symbolic position of the set position in the first set; The symbol positions in the first set that do not belong to the P data symbols; or, The set position is the symbol position in the first set and the symbol position in the first set that does not belong to the P data symbols.

5. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, At least one symbol other than the P data symbols includes at least one of the first symbol, the second symbol, and the third symbol; Wherein, the first symbol is located from the 0th symbol to the (N0-1)th symbol in the first set, where N0 is a positive integer; The second symbol is located at the N0+M0th symbol to the N0+M0+N1-1th symbol in the first set, where N1 is a positive integer; The third symbol is located at the N0+M0+N1+M1th symbol to the N0+M0+N1+M1+N2-1th symbol in the first set, where N2 is a positive integer.

6. The method as described in claim 2 or 5, characterized in that, The first waveform symbol is the first waveform symbol among a series of consecutive waveform symbols, or the first waveform symbol is the next waveform symbol after the pilot symbol among the series of consecutive waveform symbols, and at least one symbol other than the P data symbols includes the first symbol.

7. The method as described in claim 2 or 5, characterized in that, The first waveform symbol is the last waveform symbol among a series of consecutive waveform symbols, and at least one symbol other than the P data symbols includes the third symbol.

8. The method as described in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The third symbol is a zero sequence.

9. The method according to any one of claims 2, 5-8, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send or receive second information, the second information being used to indicate at least one of the contents of the first symbol, the contents of the second symbol, and the contents of the third symbol.

10. The method according to any one of claims 2, 5-9, characterized in that, At least one of the contents of the first symbol, the second symbol, and the third symbol is related to the position of the first waveform symbol among a series of waveform symbols.

11. The method according to any one of claims 2, 5-10, characterized in that, At least two of the contents of the first symbol, the second symbol, and the third symbol are the same.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that, The method further includes: Sending or receiving third information, the third information being used to activate the method.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that, The method further includes: The method is activated based on at least one of the following information: Modulation order; Modulation coding scheme index; Bitrate; bandwidth; Subcarrier spacing; carrier frequency; or, The indication information for the set location.

14. The method as described in claim 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: Obtain at least one of the following information: A modulation order threshold, wherein the modulation order is greater than or equal to the modulation order threshold; A modulation and coding scheme index threshold, wherein the modulation and coding scheme index is greater than or equal to the modulation and coding scheme index threshold; A bitrate threshold, wherein the bitrate is greater than or equal to the bitrate threshold; A bandwidth threshold, wherein the bandwidth is greater than or equal to the bandwidth threshold; A subcarrier spacing threshold, wherein the subcarrier spacing is greater than or equal to the subcarrier spacing threshold; or... Carrier frequency threshold, wherein the carrier frequency is greater than or equal to the carrier frequency threshold.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1-14, characterized in that, The method further includes: Capability information for receiving a second communication device; or, The capability information of the first communication device is sent, the capability information being used to indicate that the first communication device supports the method.

16. The method as described in claim 15, characterized in that, The capability information is related to at least one of the following: Modulation order; Modulation coding scheme index; Bitrate; bandwidth; Subcarrier spacing; or, Carrier frequency.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1-16, characterized in that, The first waveform symbol belongs to a series of consecutive waveform symbols, and the series of waveform symbols constitute a time slot or a data transmission opportunity.

18. A communication method, characterized in that, For a second communication device, including: Obtain the first waveform symbol; A first set is obtained by processing the first waveform symbol, wherein the first set consists of K0 symbols, K0 = M0 + M1 + N0 + N1 + N2, N0, N1 and N2 are non-negative integers, and at least one of N0, N1 and N2 is not zero, and M0 and M1 are positive integers; P data symbols are obtained from a set position in the first set, wherein the set position includes the N0th symbol to the N0+M0-1th symbol in the first set, and the N0+M0+N1th symbol to the N0+M0+N1+M1-1th symbol in the first set, where M0+M1=P.

19. The method as described in claim 18, characterized in that, The first set includes the P data symbols and at least one other symbol besides the P data symbols.

20. The method as described in claim 18 or 19, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive or send first information, the first information being used to indicate the set location.

21. The method as described in claim 20, characterized in that, The first information is used to indicate the set location, including: The first information includes: The symbolic position of the set position in the first set; The symbol positions in the first set that do not belong to the P data symbols; or, The set position is the symbol position in the first set and the symbol position in the first set that does not belong to the P data symbols.

22. The method as described in claim 19, characterized in that, At least one symbol other than the P data symbols includes at least one of the first symbol, the second symbol, and the third symbol; Wherein, the first symbol is located from the 0th symbol to the (N0-1)th symbol in the first set, where N0 is a positive integer; The second symbol is located at the N0+M0th symbol to the N0+M0+N1-1th symbol in the first set, where N1 is a positive integer; The third symbol is located at the N0+M0+N1+M1th symbol to the N0+M0+N1+M1+N2-1th symbol in the first set, where N2 is a positive integer.

23. The method as described in claim 19 or 22, characterized in that, The first waveform symbol is the first waveform symbol among a series of consecutive waveform symbols, or the first waveform symbol is the next waveform symbol after the pilot symbol among the series of consecutive waveform symbols, and at least one symbol other than the P data symbols includes the first symbol.

24. The method as described in claim 19 or 22, characterized in that, The first waveform symbol is the last waveform symbol among a series of consecutive waveform symbols, and at least one symbol other than the P data symbols includes the third symbol.

25. The method as described in claim 23 or 24, characterized in that, The third symbol is a zero sequence.

26. The method according to any one of claims 19, 22-25, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive or send second information, the second information being used to indicate at least one of the contents of the first symbol, the contents of the second symbol, and the contents of the third symbol.

27. The method according to any one of claims 19, 22-26, characterized in that, At least one of the contents of the first symbol, the second symbol, and the third symbol is related to the position of the first waveform symbol among a series of waveform symbols.

28. The method as described in any one of claims 19, 22-27, characterized in that, At least two of the contents of the first symbol, the second symbol, and the third symbol are the same.

29. The method according to any one of claims 18-28, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive or send third information, which is used to activate the method.

30. The method according to any one of claims 18-29, characterized in that, The method further includes: The method is activated based on at least one of the following information: Modulation order; Modulation coding scheme index; Bitrate; bandwidth; Subcarrier spacing; carrier frequency; or, The indication information for the set location.

31. The method as described in claim 30, characterized in that, The method further includes: Obtain at least one of the following information: A modulation order threshold, wherein the modulation order is greater than or equal to the modulation order threshold; A modulation and coding scheme index threshold, wherein the modulation and coding scheme index is greater than or equal to the modulation and coding scheme index threshold; A bitrate threshold, wherein the bitrate is greater than or equal to the bitrate threshold; A bandwidth threshold, wherein the bandwidth is greater than or equal to the bandwidth threshold; A subcarrier spacing threshold, wherein the subcarrier spacing is greater than or equal to the subcarrier spacing threshold; or... Carrier frequency threshold, wherein the carrier frequency is greater than or equal to the carrier frequency threshold.

32. The method according to any one of claims 18-31, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive capability information from the first communication device; or, The capability information of the second communication device is sent, the capability information being used to indicate that the second communication device supports the method.

33. The method as described in claim 32, characterized in that, The capability information is related to at least one of the following: Modulation order; Modulation coding scheme index; Bitrate; bandwidth; Subcarrier spacing; or, Carrier frequency.

34. The method according to any one of claims 18-33, characterized in that, The first waveform symbol belongs to a series of consecutive waveform symbols, and the series of waveform symbols constitute a time slot or a data transmission opportunity.

35. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes units or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-17, or units or modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 18-34.

36. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processor for executing computer programs or instructions to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-17, or to implement the method as described in any one of claims 18-34.

37. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-17, or the method as described in any one of claims 18-34.

38. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is executed by a computer, it causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-17, or to perform the method as described in any one of claims 18-34.

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