Communication method and apparatus, and terminal device

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications, and discloses a communication method and apparatus, and a terminal device. For an implicit pilot signal, different from a scheme in which a pilot signal is inserted into raw data to be transmitted, the present application relates to selecting part of data information from data information of said raw data, and performing constant-modulus modulation on the part of data information to obtain the implicit pilot signal. Therefore, the present application does not require insertion of a pilot signal into raw data to be transmitted, and replaces the pilot signal with an implicit pilot signal. Because the part of data information is originally required to be transmitted, transmission of the implicit pilot signal does not require additional resource overhead, thereby saving resource overhead and improving system spectral efficiency. In this way, the present application replaces a pilot signal with an implicit pilot signal, such that an MU-MIMO system does not require transmission of a pilot signal under multi-stream or multi-user conditions, thereby saving resource overhead of the pilot signal and improving system spectral efficiency.

Description

Communication methods and devices, terminal equipment

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411223879.6, filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on August 31, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Apparatus, Terminal Equipment", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus, and a terminal device. Background Technology

[0003] Pilot signals are used in communication systems for channel estimation and interference management, and their configuration and transmission require certain spectrum resources. In multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) systems, the number of streams or users accessing simultaneously within the same frequency band is typically large.

[0004] As the number of streams or users increases (e.g., exceeding 100 streams), the demand for pilot signals in MU-MIMO systems also rises significantly. However, this increased demand not only consumes more spectrum resources, leading to a decrease in system spectral efficiency, but also increases system complexity, thus limiting the number of streams or users that can be connected. Therefore, ensuring good performance and spectral efficiency in MU-MIMO systems with high stream or user numbers requires further research. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, and terminal device, which aims to eliminate the need to transmit pilot signals in multi-stream or multi-user MU-MIMO systems, thereby saving pilot signal resource overhead and improving system spectral efficiency.

[0006] Firstly, a communication method according to this application includes:

[0007] Receive a first data packet, which includes a control signal, a channel reference signal, an implicit pilot signal, and a data signal;

[0008] The control signal is used to configure the implicit pilot signal;

[0009] The channel reference signal is used for channel estimation;

[0010] Implicit pilot signals are obtained by constant mode modulation of data information. Constant mode modulation refers to a modulation method in which all constellation points in the constellation diagram are at the same distance from the origin. Implicit pilot signals are used for channel estimation.

[0011] As can be seen, unlike inserting pilot signals into the original data to be transmitted, this application selects a portion of the data information from the original data to be transmitted and modulates this portion of data using constant mode modulation to obtain the implicit pilot signal. Therefore, this application eliminates the need to insert pilot signals into the original data to be transmitted; instead, it uses implicit pilot signals to replace the original pilot signals. Since this portion of data information is intended to be transmitted anyway, transmitting the implicit pilot signal does not incur additional resource overhead, thus saving resource costs and improving system spectral efficiency. In this way, by replacing pilot signals with implicit pilot signals, this application eliminates the need for pilot signal transmission in MU-MIMO systems with multiple streams or multiple users, thereby saving pilot signal resource overhead and improving system spectral efficiency.

[0012] In addition, network devices also need to transmit control signals, channel reference signals, and implicit pilot signals while transmitting data signals. At this time, the network device can transmit control signals, channel reference signals, implicit pilot signals, and data signals through the first data packet.

[0013] For control signals, network devices can dynamically configure implicit pilot signals to terminal devices. To ensure the reception of implicit pilot signals, the terminal device needs to first receive the control signal, and then determine the relevant configuration of the implicit pilot signal based on the control signal, so that the terminal device can correctly receive the implicit pilot signal according to the relevant configuration.

[0014] For channel reference signals, although both channel reference signals and implicit pilot signals are used for channel estimation, compared to implicit pilot signals, channel reference signals can provide more accurate channel estimates. This allows the acquisition of channel estimation results at the frequency points of implicit pilot signals, thereby recovering the channel estimation results within a time slot where the implicit pilot signal resides. In other words, implicit pilot signals require channel estimation results obtained from channel reference signals as a reference or benchmark for channel estimation.

[0015] In this way, the terminal device can perform channel estimation based on the channel reference signal and the implicit pilot signal to obtain the channel estimation result, and finally receive the data signal based on the channel estimation result. That is to say, the channel reference signal and the implicit pilot signal can be used to receive the data signal.

[0016] In some possible examples, the resource locations of the channel reference signal, the implicit pilot signal, and the data signal are all located within the first time-frequency resource of a time slot.

[0017] In some possible examples, the resource location of the channel reference signal is the time-frequency center of the first time-frequency resource.

[0018] In some possible examples, the resource location of the implicit pilot signal is distributed within the first time-frequency resource around the resource location of the channel reference signal.

[0019] In some possible examples, the resource location of the data signal is the resource location in the first time-frequency resource other than the resource location of the channel reference signal and the resource location of the implicit pilot signal.

[0020] In some possible examples, the control signal carries at least one of the following: resource location information, modulation type information, or modulation order information;

[0021] Resource location information, used to configure the resource location of implicit pilot signals;

[0022] Modulation type information, used to configure the modulation type used for the implicit pilot signal;

[0023] Modulation order information is used to configure the modulation order used for the implicit pilot signal.

[0024] In some possible examples, the method may also include the following before receiving the first data packet:

[0025] The receive mode activation indication information is used to indicate the activation of the implicit pilot signal receive mode;

[0026] Send mode start response information, which indicates that the implicit pilot signal reception mode has been started successfully.

[0027] Secondly, a communication method according to this application includes:

[0028] Receive configuration information, which is used to configure implicit pilot signals. The implicit pilot signals are obtained by constant mode modulation of data information. Constant mode modulation refers to a modulation method in which all constellation points in the constellation diagram are at the same distance from the origin. The implicit pilot signals are used for channel estimation.

[0029] A second data packet is sent according to the configuration information. The second data packet includes a channel reference signal, the implicit pilot signal, and a data signal. The channel reference signal is used for channel estimation.

[0030] As can be seen, unlike inserting pilot signals into the original data to be transmitted, this application selects a portion of the data information from the original data to be transmitted and modulates this portion of data using constant mode modulation to obtain the implicit pilot signal. Therefore, this application eliminates the need to insert pilot signals into the original data to be transmitted; instead, it uses implicit pilot signals to replace the original pilot signals. Since this portion of data information is intended to be transmitted anyway, transmitting the implicit pilot signal does not incur additional resource overhead, thus saving resource costs and improving system spectral efficiency. In this way, by replacing pilot signals with implicit pilot signals, this application eliminates the need for pilot signal transmission in MU-MIMO systems with multiple streams or multiple users, thereby saving pilot signal resource overhead and improving system spectral efficiency.

[0031] Regarding configuration information, network devices can first configure implicit pilot signals to terminal devices through configuration information before transmitting data signals, and then transmit channel reference signals, implicit pilot signals, and data signals through a second data packet.

[0032] For channel reference signals, although both channel reference signals and implicit pilot signals are used for channel estimation, compared to implicit pilot signals, channel reference signals can provide more accurate channel estimates. This allows the acquisition of channel estimation results at the frequency points of implicit pilot signals, thereby recovering the channel estimation results within a time slot where the implicit pilot signal resides. In other words, implicit pilot signals require channel estimation results obtained from channel reference signals as a reference or benchmark for channel estimation.

[0033] In this way, the terminal device can perform channel estimation based on the channel reference signal and the implicit pilot signal to obtain the channel estimation result, and finally receive the data signal based on the channel estimation result. That is to say, the channel reference signal and the implicit pilot signal can be used to receive the data signal.

[0034] In some possible examples, the resource locations of the channel reference signal, the implicit pilot signal, and the data signal are all located within the second time-frequency resource of each of multiple time slots.

[0035] In some possible examples, the resource location of the channel reference signal is the time-frequency center of the second time-frequency resource.

[0036] In some possible examples, the resource location of the implicit pilot signal is distributed within the second time-frequency resource around the resource location of the channel reference signal.

[0037] In some possible examples, the resource location of the data signal is the resource location in the second time-frequency resource other than the resource location of the channel reference signal and the resource location of the implicit pilot signal.

[0038] In some possible examples, the configuration information includes at least one of the following: resource location information, number of time slots information, modulation type information, or modulation order information;

[0039] Resource location information, used to configure the resource location of implicit pilot signals;

[0040] The number of time slots is used to configure the number of time slots in which the implicit pilot signal is located;

[0041] Modulation type information, used to configure the modulation type used for the implicit pilot signal;

[0042] Modulation order information is used to configure the modulation order used for the implicit pilot signal.

[0043] In some possible examples, the configuration information is also used to indicate the activation of the implicit pilot signal reception mode;

[0044] Before receiving the second data packet, the method also includes:

[0045] Send mode start response information, which indicates that the implicit pilot signal reception mode has been started successfully.

[0046] Thirdly, a communication method according to this application includes:

[0047] Receive performance evaluation data packets. The performance evaluation data packets include a first channel reference signal, a first implicit pilot signal, and a first known data signal. The first channel reference signal is used for channel estimation. The first implicit pilot signal is obtained by constant mode modulation of the data information. Constant mode modulation refers to a modulation method in which all constellation points in the constellation diagram are at the same distance from the origin.

[0048] The reception performance of the implicit pilot signal reception model is evaluated based on the performance evaluation data packet to obtain the evaluation results.

[0049] As can be seen, unlike inserting pilot signals into the original data to be transmitted, this application selects a portion of the data information from the original data to be transmitted and modulates this portion of data using constant mode modulation to obtain the implicit pilot signal. Therefore, this application eliminates the need to insert pilot signals into the original data to be transmitted; instead, it uses implicit pilot signals to replace the original pilot signals. Since this portion of data information is intended to be transmitted anyway, transmitting the implicit pilot signal does not incur additional resource overhead, thus saving resource costs and improving system spectral efficiency. In this way, by replacing pilot signals with implicit pilot signals, this application eliminates the need for pilot signal transmission in MU-MIMO systems with multiple streams or multiple users, thereby saving pilot signal resource overhead and improving system spectral efficiency.

[0050] Furthermore, the terminal device needs to employ an intelligent receiver to receive the implicit pilot signal, and this intelligent receiver may include an implicit pilot signal reception model. Since the implicit pilot signal reception model utilizes AI technology, which can offer advantages such as improved air interface performance, it can also introduce drawbacks, such as the high computational cost of the implicit pilot signal reception model's inference process or significant discrepancies between the inference results and the actual results. Therefore, this application requires performance evaluation of the implicit pilot signal reception model to assess the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal, enabling adjustments to be made when the reception performance is poor, thus ensuring optimal reception performance.

[0051] To evaluate the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal, the network device of this application needs to send a channel reference signal, an implicit pilot signal, and a known data signal to the terminal device via a performance evaluation data packet. For the channel reference signal and the implicit pilot signal, the implicit pilot signal needs to be used as a reference or benchmark for channel estimation.

[0052] In this way, the terminal device can perform channel estimation based on the channel reference signal and the implicit pilot signal to obtain the channel estimation result, and finally receive the known data signal based on the channel estimation result. That is to say, the channel reference signal and the implicit pilot signal can be used to receive known data signals.

[0053] In some possible examples, the method also includes the following before receiving the performance evaluation data packet:

[0054] Receive evaluation start indication information, which is used to indicate the start implicit pilot signal performance evaluation mode;

[0055] Send evaluation start response information, which indicates that the implicit pilot signal performance evaluation mode has been started successfully.

[0056] In some possible examples, the method may also include the following before receiving the performance evaluation data packet:

[0057] Send bit error rate information, which is used to indicate the bit error rate required by the terminal device.

[0058] In some possible examples, after evaluating the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal based on the performance evaluation data packet to obtain evaluation result information, the method further includes:

[0059] Send evaluation feedback information, which is used to indicate the evaluation results.

[0060] The model update data packet is received. The model update data packet includes a second channel reference signal, a second implicit pilot signal, and a second known data signal. The second channel reference signal is used for channel estimation. The second implicit pilot signal is obtained by constant mode modulation of the data information. The second implicit pilot signal is used for channel estimation.

[0061] The implicit pilot signal receiving model is updated based on the model update data packet.

[0062] In some possible examples, after evaluating the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal reception model based on the performance evaluation data packet to obtain evaluation result information, the method further includes:

[0063] The adjustment state of the constant mode modulation type used in the first implicit pilot signal is determined based on the evaluation results.

[0064] Type adjustment information is sent, which indicates the adjustment status of the constant mode modulation type used by the first implicit pilot signal.

[0065] In some possible examples, the type adjustment information includes modulation order adjustment information and / or modulation type adjustment information;

[0066] Modulation order adjustment information is used to indicate whether the modulation order used for the first implicit pilot signal is increased or decreased;

[0067] Modulation type adjustment information is used to indicate the constant mode modulation type used in the adjusted first implicit pilot signal.

[0068] Fourthly, a communication method according to this application includes:

[0069] Receive initial training data packets, which include channel reference signals, implicit pilot signals, and known data signals. The channel reference signals are used for channel estimation. The implicit pilot signals are obtained by constant mode modulation of the data information. Constant mode modulation refers to a modulation method in which all constellation points in the constellation diagram are at the same distance from the origin. The implicit pilot signals are used for channel estimation.

[0070] The implicit pilot signal receiving model is initially trained based on the initial training data packet to obtain the trained model parameters;

[0071] Send parameter feedback information, which is used to indicate the model parameters.

[0072] As can be seen, unlike inserting pilot signals into the original data to be transmitted, this application selects a portion of the data information from the original data to be transmitted and modulates this portion of data using constant mode modulation to obtain the implicit pilot signal. Therefore, this application eliminates the need to insert pilot signals into the original data to be transmitted; instead, it uses implicit pilot signals to replace the original pilot signals. Since this portion of data information is intended to be transmitted anyway, transmitting the implicit pilot signal does not incur additional resource overhead, thus saving resource costs and improving system spectral efficiency. In this way, by replacing pilot signals with implicit pilot signals, this application eliminates the need for pilot signal transmission in MU-MIMO systems with multiple streams or multiple users, thereby saving pilot signal resource overhead and improving system spectral efficiency.

[0073] When a network device needs to perform initial training on an implicit pilot signal reception model, it sends an initial training data packet to the terminal device so that the terminal device can perform initial training on the implicit pilot signal reception model based on the initial training data packet. When the terminal device completes the initial training of the implicit pilot signal reception model, it can send the trained model parameters back to the network device.

[0074] In this way, when the network device obtains the trained model parameters, and when the implicit pilot signal receiving models of other terminal devices also need to undergo initial training, the network device can send the trained model parameters to the other terminal devices to reduce the overhead of the initial training process of the implicit pilot signal receiving models of other terminal devices.

[0075] In some possible examples, the method also includes, before receiving the initial training data packet:

[0076] Receive training start instruction information, which is used to indicate the start of initial training of the implicit pilot signal receiving model;

[0077] Send a training start response message, which indicates that the initial training of the implicit pilot signal receiving model has been completed.

[0078] Fifthly, a communication device according to this application includes:

[0079] The receiving unit is used to receive a first data packet, which includes a control signal, a channel reference signal, an implicit pilot signal, and a data signal.

[0080] The control signal is used to configure the implicit pilot signal;

[0081] The channel reference signal is used for channel estimation;

[0082] Implicit pilot signals are obtained by constant mode modulation of data information. Constant mode modulation refers to a modulation method in which all constellation points in the constellation diagram are at the same distance from the origin. Implicit pilot signals are used for channel estimation.

[0083] Sixthly, a communication device according to this application includes:

[0084] A receiving unit is used to receive configuration information, which is used to configure an implicit pilot signal. The implicit pilot signal is obtained by constant mode modulation of data information. Constant mode modulation refers to a modulation method in which all constellation points in the constellation diagram are at the same distance from the origin. The implicit pilot signal is used for channel estimation.

[0085] The transmitting unit is used to transmit a second data packet according to configuration information. The second data packet includes a channel reference signal, the implicit pilot signal, and a data signal. The channel reference signal is used for channel estimation.

[0086] A seventh aspect is a communication device according to this application, comprising:

[0087] The receiving unit is used to receive performance evaluation data packets, which include a first channel reference signal, a first implicit pilot signal, and a first known data signal. The first channel reference signal is used for channel estimation, and the first implicit pilot signal is obtained by constant mode modulation of the data information. Constant mode modulation refers to a modulation method in which all constellation points in the constellation diagram are at the same distance from the origin.

[0088] The evaluation unit is used to evaluate the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal reception model based on the performance evaluation data packet to obtain evaluation result information.

[0089] Eighthly, a communication device according to this application includes:

[0090] The receiving unit is used to receive the initial training data packet, which includes a channel reference signal, an implicit pilot signal, and a known data signal. The channel reference signal is used for channel estimation. The implicit pilot signal is obtained by constant mode modulation of the data information. Constant mode modulation refers to a modulation method in which all constellation points in the constellation diagram are at the same distance from the origin. The implicit pilot signal is used for channel estimation.

[0091] The training unit is used to perform initial training on the implicit pilot signal receiving model based on the initial training data packet to obtain the trained model parameters.

[0092] The sending unit is used to send parameter feedback information, which is used to indicate the model parameters.

[0093] Ninthly, the steps in the methods described in the first to fourth aspects are applied to the terminal device.

[0094] A tenth aspect is a terminal device according to this application, comprising a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the steps in the methods involved in the first to fourth aspects described above.

[0095] Eleventhly, a chip according to this application includes a processor, wherein the processor performs the steps of the methods involved in the first to fourth aspects described above.

[0096] The twelfth aspect is a chip module of this application, including a transceiver component and a chip, wherein the chip includes a processor, and the processor performs the steps of the methods involved in the first to fourth aspects described above.

[0097] Optionally, the transceiver component is used for communication. For example, the transceiver component is used to receive and / or send signals or information.

[0098] The thirteenth aspect is a computer-readable storage medium of this application, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed, implement the steps of the methods involved in the first to fourth aspects described above.

[0099] The fourteenth aspect is a computer program product of this application, comprising a computer program or instructions, wherein the computer program or instructions, when executed, implement the steps of the methods involved in the first to fourth aspects described above. Exemplarily, the computer program product may be a software installation package.

[0100] It is worth noting that the beneficial effects of the technical solutions in aspects five to fourteen can be found in the technical effects of the technical solutions in aspects one to four, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0101] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0102] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system according to an embodiment of this application;

[0103] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an intelligent transmitter and an intelligent receiver according to an embodiment of this application;

[0104] Figure 4 is a structural schematic diagram of another intelligent transmitter and intelligent receiver according to an embodiment of this application;

[0105] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0106] Figures 6 to 10 are schematic diagrams of a resource distribution according to an embodiment of this application;

[0107] Figures 11 and 12 are schematic flowcharts of another communication method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0108] Figures 13 and 14 are schematic diagrams of another resource distribution according to an embodiment of this application;

[0109] Figures 15 and 16 are schematic flowcharts of another communication method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0110] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of another resource distribution according to an embodiment of this application;

[0111] Figures 18 to 23 are schematic flowcharts of another communication method according to an embodiment of this application;

[0112] Figures 24 to 27 are functional unit block diagrams of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0113] Figure 28 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0114] It should be understood that the terms "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, software, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may also include steps or units not listed, or may also include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0115] The term "embodiment" as used in the embodiments of this application means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a mutually exclusive, independent, or alternative embodiment. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0116] In the embodiments of this application, "at least one" or "at least one item" refers to one or more, and "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0117] In the embodiments of this application, "and / or" describes the association relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent the following three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. Among them, A and B can be singular or plural.

[0118] In the embodiments of this application, "at least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent the following seven cases: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, a, b, and c. Each of a, b, and c can be an element or a set containing one or more elements.

[0119] In the embodiments of this application, "equal to" can be used with "greater than" and is applicable to technical solutions used when "greater than" is used; it can also be used with "less than" and is applicable to technical solutions used when "less than" is used. When "equal to" is used with "greater than", it is not used with "less than"; when "equal to" is used with "less than", it is not used with "greater than".

[0120] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "of," "corresponding (relevant)," "corresponding," "associated (related)," and "mapped" may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when no distinction is emphasized, the concepts or meanings expressed are consistent.

[0121] In the embodiments of this application, "network" can be expressed as the same concept as "system," and a communication system is a communication network.

[0122] In this application, "connection" refers to various connection methods, such as direct connection or indirect connection, to achieve communication between devices, and is not specifically limited thereto.

[0123] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below.

[0124] The communication system of this embodiment will be described below as an example.

[0125] Communication System

[0126] In one possible example, the technical solutions of this application embodiment can be applied to various wireless communication systems, such as: Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, Advanced Long Term Evolution (LTE-A) systems, New Radio (NR) systems, evolution systems of NR systems, LTE-based access to unlicensed spectrum (LTE-U) systems, NR-based access to unlicensed spectrum (NR-U) systems, non-terrestrial networks (NTN) systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), 6th-Generation (6G) communication systems, or other future communication systems, etc.

[0127] It should be noted that some communication systems support a limited number of user connections and are easy to implement. With the development of communication technology, the communication system of this application can also support device-to-device (D2D) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, or narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) communication, etc.

[0128] In one possible example, embodiments of this application can be applied to beamforming, carrier aggregation (CA), dual connectivity (DC), or standalone (SA) deployment scenarios.

[0129] In one possible example, embodiments of this application can be applied to communication scenarios using unlicensed spectrum. In these embodiments, unlicensed spectrum can also be considered as shared spectrum. Alternatively, embodiments of this application can also be applied to licensed spectrum. In these embodiments, licensed spectrum can also be considered as non-shared spectrum.

[0130] As an example, the network architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of this application can be referred to FIG1. ​​As shown in FIG1, the communication system 10 may include a network device 110 and a terminal device 120. The terminal device 120 can communicate with the network device 110 wirelessly.

[0131] Of course, Figure 1 is merely an example of a network architecture for a communication system and does not constitute a limitation on the network architecture of the communication system in this application embodiment. For example, the communication system 10 may also include a server or other devices, or the communication system 10 may include other network devices besides network device 110, or the communication system 10 may include other terminal devices besides terminal device 120.

[0132] The terminal devices and network devices mentioned in this embodiment are illustrated below.

[0133] Terminal equipment

[0134] In some possible examples, the terminal device can be a device with transceiver capabilities, and may also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), remote terminal equipment (relay UE), relay equipment (relay UE), access terminal equipment, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, mobile device, user terminal equipment, smart terminal equipment, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device. It should be noted that a relay device is a terminal device capable of providing relay forwarding services to other terminal devices (including remote terminal devices).

[0135] For example, terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, wireless terminal devices in industrial control, wireless terminal devices in autonomous driving, wireless terminal devices in remote medical care, wireless terminal devices in smart grids, wireless terminal devices in transportation safety, wireless terminal devices in smart cities, or wireless terminal devices in smart homes, etc.

[0136] For example, a terminal device can be a cellular phone, cordless phone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless local loop (WLL) station, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle device, wearable device, terminal device in next-generation communication systems (such as NR communication systems, 6G communication systems), or terminal device in a future public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., without specific limitations.

[0137] In some possible examples, the terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld, wearable, or vehicle-mounted; it can be deployed on water (such as on ships); or it can be deployed in the air (such as airplanes, balloons, and satellites). The terminal device may include a device with wireless communication capabilities, such as a chip system, chip, or chip module. For example, the chip system may include a chip, but may also include other discrete devices. The terminal device can be a chip, chip module, device, unit, etc., without specific limitations.

[0138] In some possible examples, the terminal device is a degraded terminal device.

[0139] Network equipment

[0140] A network device is a device with transceiver capabilities that can be used to communicate with terminal devices.

[0141] In some possible examples, the network device may include means for providing wireless communication capabilities to terminal devices, such as a chip system, a chip, or a chip module. For example, the chip system may include a chip or other discrete device. The network device provides services to a cell, and terminal devices within that cell can communicate with the network device through transmission resources (such as spectrum resources). This cell can be a macro cell, small cell, metro cell, micro cell, pico cell, or femto cell, etc.

[0142] In some possible examples, the network device has mobility characteristics; for example, the network device can be a mobile device. Optionally, the network device can be a satellite or a balloon station. For example, the satellite can be a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite, a geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a high elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite, etc. Optionally, the network device can also be a base station located on land, water, or other similar locations.

[0143] In some possible examples, network devices may include access network devices and / or devices in the core network (CN).

[0144] The access network equipment and core network equipment are described in detail below.

[0145] Access network equipment

[0146] In some possible examples, access network equipment can be referred to as radio access network (RAN) nodes. The RAN can be a network composed of multiple RAN nodes (e.g., 5G-RAN nodes), implementing radio physical layer functions, resource scheduling and radio resource management, radio access control, and mobility management functions. The RAN can connect to the user plane function (UPF) via the user plane interface N3, and can be used to transmit data from terminal devices; the RAN can establish a control plane signaling connection with the access and mobility management function (AMF) via the control plane interface N2, and is used to implement functions such as radio access bearer control. RAN nodes can be any device with wireless transceiver capabilities, including but not limited to 5G node base (gNB), evolved node base (eNB), access point (AP), world interoperability for microwave access base station (WiMAX BS), transmission receiving point (TRP), wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, master node (MN) in a dual connectivity architecture, and secondary node (SN) in a dual connectivity architecture, etc.

[0147] In some possible examples, the access network device can refer to a device used to communicate with a terminal device. For example, the access network device can be a base transceiver station (BTS) in a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system, a base station (nodeB, NB) in a Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, an evolved node base (eNB) in an LTE system, a radio controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, or a relay station, access point, vehicle-mounted equipment, wearable device, and access network equipment in future 5G networks or future evolved PLMN networks, etc. The embodiments of this application are not limited to these.

[0148] In some possible examples, in 5G NR, the functionality of access network equipment is divided into two parts, known as centralized unit (CU) - distributed unit (DU) separation. From a protocol stack perspective, the CU includes the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer of the LTE base station, while the DU includes the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, Media Access Control (MAC) layer, and Physical (PHY) layer of the LTE base station. In a typical 5G base station deployment, the CU and DU are physically connected via fiber optic cable, and logically share a specially defined F1 interface for communication between them. Functionally, the CU is primarily responsible for radio resource control and configuration, inter-cell mobility management, and bearer management. The DU is primarily responsible for scheduling, physical signal generation, and transmission.

[0149] In some possible examples, the access network equipment can be a macro base station, micro base station, pico base station, small station, relay station, balloon station, etc.

[0150] Core network equipment

[0151] In some possible examples, core network equipment may include network elements that provide various functions. Here, "network element" can also be referred to as an entity, device, apparatus, or module, etc., without specific limitation. Furthermore, for ease of understanding and explanation, the description of "network element" is omitted in some descriptions. For example, a network exposure function (NEF) network element is abbreviated as NEF. In this case, "NEF" should be understood as a NEF network element or NEF entity. The following omits descriptions of similar or identical cases.

[0152] For example, core network equipment may include a mobility management entity (MME), a broadcast multicast service center (BMSC), or corresponding functional entities in the 5G system, such as core network control plane (CP) or user plane (UP) network functions. The core network control plane can also be understood as the core network control plane function (CPF) entity.

[0153] In some possible examples, the network elements included in the core network equipment include at least one of the following: session management function (SMF), user plane function (UPF), policy control function (PCF), NEF, authentication server function (AUSF), unified data management (UDM), network slice selection function (NSSF), network repository function (NRF), unified data management (UDM), application function (AP), unified data repository (UDR), network data analytics function (NWDAF), service control point (SCP), network slice admission control function (NSACF), or network slice specific authentication and authorization function (NSSAAF).

[0154] It should be noted that terminal devices can connect to access network devices wirelessly, and access network devices can connect to core network devices wirelessly or via wired connections. Core network devices can connect to a data network (DN). Access network devices and core network devices can be independent physical devices, or the functions of core network devices and the logical functions of access network devices can be integrated into the same physical device. Alternatively, a single physical device can integrate some of the functions of core network devices and some of the functions of access network devices.

[0155] For example, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system according to an embodiment of this application. The names of the network elements included in Figure 2 are merely names and do not limit the function of the network elements themselves. In 5G networks and other future networks, the aforementioned network elements may also have other names, and no specific limitations are made. For example, in 6G networks, some or all of the aforementioned network elements may use the terminology from 5G, or they may have other names, etc. This will be uniformly explained here and will not be elaborated further below.

[0156] Furthermore, the various network elements in Figure 2 do not necessarily need to exist simultaneously; the required network elements can be determined based on needs. The connection relationships between the various network elements in Figure 2 are also not uniquely defined and can be adjusted according to requirements. It is understood that the aforementioned network elements or functions can be network components in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0157] Of course, Figure 2 is only an example of the network architecture of a communication system and does not constitute a limitation on the network architecture of the communication system in the embodiments of this application.

[0158] The communication system has been described above. The following is a detailed explanation of the masked pilot signal in this embodiment.

[0159] Pilot signals are signals intentionally inserted into data transmission in a communication system to help the receiver estimate the channel state. Pilot signals are typically known and fixed signals, periodically transmitted by the transmitter. The receiver compares the received pilot signal with the known transmitted pilot signal to infer the effects of channel fading, multipath effects, and time delays encountered during signal transmission. This allows the receiver to perform appropriate signal processing and adjustments to ensure correct data reception and decoding.

[0160] MU-MIMO systems have a high demand for pilot signals when there are many streams or users. This not only increases the resource overhead of pilot signals and leads to a decrease in system spectral efficiency, but also increases system complexity, thereby limiting the number of streams or users that can be connected.

[0161] Therefore, this embodiment introduces an implicit pilot signal. The implicit pilot signal refers to a signal obtained by constant-mode modulation of a portion of the data information, which can be used for channel estimation. In other words, the implicit pilot signal is obtained by constant-mode modulation of the data information.

[0162] Data information can refer to raw data to be transmitted or processed. This data usually exists in the form of digital or analog signals and carries certain specific information content. This information can be multimedia content such as text, images, audio, and video.

[0163] Unlike inserting pilot signals into the raw data to be transmitted, this embodiment selects a portion of the raw data and modulates this portion using constant mode modulation to obtain an implicit pilot signal. Therefore, this embodiment eliminates the need to insert pilot signals into the raw data; instead, it uses an implicit pilot signal instead. Since this portion of data is intended to be transmitted anyway, transmitting the implicit pilot signal does not incur additional resource overhead, thus saving resources and improving system spectral efficiency.

[0164] In this embodiment, implicit pilot signals are used instead of pilot signals, so that the MU-MIMO system does not need to transmit pilot signals under multiple streams or multiple users, thereby saving the resource overhead of pilot signals and improving the system's spectral efficiency.

[0165] Furthermore, constant mode modulation refers to a modulation method where all constellation points in a constellation diagram are equidistant from the origin. A constellation diagram is a graphical method of representing the modulated signal on a complex plane, used to describe the phase and amplitude of the modulation symbols. A constellation diagram is typically a complex plane coordinate system consisting of a horizontal axis, a vertical axis, and an origin. The horizontal axis represents the in-phase component (I component), the vertical axis represents the quadrature component (Q component), and the origin represents the intersection of the horizontal and vertical axes.

[0166] Each constellation point in a constellation diagram represents a modulation symbol. The position of each point is determined by its x and y coordinates in the complex plane coordinate system, reflecting the amplitude and phase of a modulated signal. For example, in Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) modulation, the constellation points on the diagram are mainly distributed on the horizontal axis because ASK only changes the amplitude of the signal, not its phase. For binary ASK (BASK), there are two points on the constellation diagram, representing different amplitudes of binary 0 and 1. As another example, in Phase Shift Keying (PSK) modulation, the constellation points on the diagram are distributed on a circle centered at the origin, and the phase difference between different points represents different information. Finally, in Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM), the constellation points on the diagram are distributed not only on different amplitudes but also on different phases.

[0167] In a constellation diagram, the distance from a constellation point to the origin (i.e., the magnitude of the vector) represents the peak amplitude of the modulation symbol, and the angle between the line connecting the constellation point to the origin and the horizontal axis represents the phase of the modulation symbol. For constant mode modulation (PMDM), all constellation points in the constellation diagram have the same distance from the origin. For example, PMDM includes MPSK, where M (M≥2) represents the number of available phase states in the modulation scheme.

[0168] As can be seen, the amplitude of the modulation symbols in constant mode modulation is the same, while the phase of the modulation symbols is random. Thus, since the implicit pilot signal is obtained by constant mode modulation of data information, the constant mode modulation of data information can ensure that the amplitude (i.e., energy) of the modulation symbols is the same, while only the phase is random, thereby reducing the randomness of the data.

[0169] The intelligent transmitter and intelligent receiver of this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0170] For implicit pilot signals, in this embodiment, the transmitting end (such as a network device) can use a smart transmitter to transmit the implicit pilot signal, and the receiving end (such as a terminal device) can use a smart receiver to receive the implicit pilot signal.

[0171] A smart transmitter may include a processing unit, a radio frequency (RF) unit, and an antenna. The processing unit in a smart transmitter can be a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or an artificial intelligence (AI) processor.

[0172] A smart receiver may include a processing unit, an RF unit, and an antenna. The processing unit in a smart receiver may include a CPU, GPU, or AI processor.

[0173] For example, as shown in Figure 3, the intelligent transmitter 310 includes a processing unit 3101, a radio frequency unit 3102, and an antenna 3103, while the intelligent receiver 320 includes a processing unit 3201, a radio frequency unit 3202, and an antenna 3203. The intelligent transmitter 310 processes data information through the processing unit 3101, then through the radio frequency unit 3102, and finally transmits it through the antenna 3103. Correspondingly, the intelligent receiver 320 first receives data through the antenna 3203, then processes it through the radio frequency unit 3202, and finally processes it through the processing unit 3201 to obtain the data information.

[0174] In some possible examples, the processing unit in the intelligent transmitter may include an implicit pilot signal transmission model. This implicit pilot signal transmission model can be a software and / or hardware unit utilizing AI technology for implicit pilot signal transmission processing. The implicit pilot signal transmission model may have specific model parameters and architecture. It can include various linear and nonlinear network models, such as linear regression, vector machines, convolutional neural networks (CNNs), and deep neural networks (DNNs).

[0175] For example, an implicit pilot signal transmission model may involve the following steps: data preprocessing, feature extraction, model training, model testing, and model deployment.

[0176] It should be noted that data preprocessing can be understood as preprocessing the data of the input implicit pilot signal transmission model, such as quantization and encoding. Feature extraction can be understood as extracting the key features of the input data, which are crucial for determining the optimal modulation scheme.

[0177] Model training can be understood as using a large amount of sample data to train an implicit pilot signal transmission model, enabling it to provide accurate processing capabilities. The training objectives of the implicit pilot signal transmission model can be diverse, such as maximizing spectral efficiency, minimizing the bit error rate, or reducing power consumption. By defining an appropriate loss function and training process, the implicit pilot signal transmission model can learn how to achieve these training objectives.

[0178] Model testing can be understood as evaluating the performance of the implicit pilot signal transmission model on an independent test set. Model deployment can be understood as deploying the trained implicit pilot signal transmission model into an actual communication system to achieve the purpose of transmitting and processing implicit pilot signals.

[0179] In some possible examples, the processing unit in the intelligent receiver may include an implicit pilot signal reception model. This implicit pilot signal reception model can be a software and / or hardware unit utilizing AI technology for implicit pilot signal reception processing. The implicit pilot signal reception model may have specific model parameters and architecture. It can include various linear and nonlinear network models, such as linear regression, vector machines, CNNs, and DNNs.

[0180] For example, an implicit pilot signal receiving model may involve the following steps: data preprocessing, feature extraction, model training, model testing, and model deployment.

[0181] It should be noted that data preprocessing can be understood as preprocessing the data of the input implicit pilot signal receiving model, such as quantization and encoding. Feature extraction can be understood as extracting the key features of the input data, which are crucial for determining the optimal modulation scheme.

[0182] Model training can be understood as using a large amount of sample data to train an implicit pilot signal receiving model, enabling it to provide accurate processing capabilities. The training objectives of the implicit pilot signal receiving model can be diverse, such as maximizing spectral efficiency, minimizing the bit error rate, or reducing power consumption. By defining an appropriate loss function and training process, the implicit pilot signal receiving model can learn how to achieve these training objectives.

[0183] Model testing can be understood as evaluating the performance of the implicit pilot signal receiving model on an independent test set. Model deployment can be understood as deploying the trained implicit pilot signal receiving model into an actual communication system to achieve the purpose of receiving and processing implicit pilot signals.

[0184] The following example illustrates the processing of implicit pilot signals by intelligent transmitters and intelligent receivers.

[0185] The intelligent transmitter encodes randomly generated information to obtain data information, selects a portion of the data information, processes this portion to obtain an implicit pilot signal, and processes the data information to obtain a data signal. Finally, it transmits both the implicit pilot signal and the data signal. Correspondingly, the intelligent receiver first selects the implicit pilot signal, then performs channel estimation and equalization based on the implicit pilot signal, and finally recovers and receives the data signal based on the equalization result.

[0186] For example, as shown in Figure 4, the intelligent transmitter first encodes random bits to obtain data bits, selects bits for implicit pilot signals from the data bits, and then performs implicit pilot signal and data symbol mapping, precoding, and inverse fast fourier transform (IFFT) to obtain the signal to be transmitted. Finally, the signal is transmitted in the channel, with noise and interference superimposed.

[0187] The intelligent receiver first performs a fast fourier transform (FFT) and implicit pilot signal selection on the received signal, then performs smart channel estimation and smart equalization, and finally performs deappending and decoding to obtain the received bits.

[0188] The following examples illustrate implicit pilot signals using several embodiments.

[0189]

Example 1

[0190] In "Example 1", taking the interaction between a network device and a terminal device as an example, as shown in Figure 5, Figure 5 is a flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of this application, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0191] S510. The network device sends a first data packet, which includes a control signal, a channel reference signal, an implicit pilot signal, and a data signal. The control signal is used to configure the implicit pilot signal, and the channel reference signal is used for channel estimation.

[0192] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first data packet.

[0193] It should be noted that network devices also need to transmit control signals, channel reference signals, and implicit pilot signals simultaneously with data signals. In this case, the network device can transmit control signals, channel reference signals, implicit pilot signals, and data signals through the first data packet.

[0194] For control signals, network devices can dynamically configure implicit pilot signals to terminal devices. To ensure the reception of implicit pilot signals, the terminal device needs to first receive the control signal, and then determine the relevant configuration of the implicit pilot signal based on the control signal, so that the terminal device can correctly receive the implicit pilot signal according to the relevant configuration.

[0195] In some possible examples, control signals are carried by the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). For example, control signals include downlink control information (DCI) in the PDCCH.

[0196] In some possible examples, network devices need to configure control signals to terminal devices via higher-level signaling (such as RRC signaling, MAC signaling, etc.) and system information (such as SIB, etc.) so that the terminal devices can correctly receive control signals according to the relevant configuration of the control signals.

[0197] For channel reference signals, although both channel reference signals and implicit pilot signals are used for channel estimation, compared to implicit pilot signals, channel reference signals can provide more accurate channel estimates. This allows the acquisition of channel estimation results at the frequency points of implicit pilot signals, thereby recovering the channel estimation results within a time slot where the implicit pilot signal resides. In other words, implicit pilot signals require channel estimation results obtained from channel reference signals as a reference or benchmark for channel estimation.

[0198] In this way, the terminal device can perform channel estimation based on the channel reference signal and the implicit pilot signal to obtain the channel estimation result, and finally receive the data signal based on the channel estimation result. That is to say, the channel reference signal and the implicit pilot signal can be used to receive the data signal.

[0199] In some possible examples, the channel reference signal may include a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS), or a synchronization signal block (SSB), etc.

[0200] In some possible examples, network devices need to configure channel reference signals to terminal devices via higher-layer signaling (such as RRC signaling, MAC signaling, etc.), system information (such as SIB, etc.), or downlink control information (DCI) so that terminal devices can correctly receive control signals according to the relevant configuration of the channel reference signals.

[0201] For data signals, network devices generate data information and perform modulation and other processing on this data information to obtain a data signal. They also select a portion of this data information for constant-mode modulation and other processing to obtain an implicit pilot signal. The modulation method used for the data signal and the modulation method used for the implicit pilot signal can be the same or different.

[0202] In some possible examples, network devices need to configure data signals to terminal devices via higher-layer signaling (such as RRC signaling, MAC signaling, etc.), system information (such as SIB, etc.), or DCI. Simultaneously, the terminal device needs to first receive the channel reference signal and implicit pilot signal. In this way, the terminal device can perform channel estimation based on the channel reference signal and implicit pilot signal to obtain the channel estimation result, and finally correctly receive the data signal based on the channel estimation result and the relevant configuration of the data signal.

[0203] The resource locations of the channel reference signal, implicit pilot signal, and data signal in the first data packet are illustrated below with examples.

[0204] It should be noted that network devices can configure the resource locations of channel reference signals, implicit pilot signals, and data signals to all fall within the first time-frequency resource of a single time slot via higher-layer signaling (such as RRC signaling, MAC signaling, etc.), system information (such as SIB, etc.), or DCI. Specifically, the network device will configure the time slot index and the first time-frequency resource of that time slot.

[0205] For the first time-frequency resource, the first time-frequency resource includes multiple symbols in the time domain, and the first time-frequency resource includes multiple resource elements (REs), multiple resource blocks (RBs), or at least one resource block group (RBG) in the frequency domain, where each RBG includes multiple RBs and each RB includes multiple REs.

[0206] One possible implementation for the resource location of the channel reference signal is that the resource location of the channel reference signal is the time-frequency center of the first time-frequency resource.

[0207] Thus, since the resource location of the channel reference signal is the time-frequency center of the first time-frequency resource of a time slot, the terminal device can perform channel estimation based on the time-frequency center of the first time-frequency resource of the channel reference signal.

[0208] It should be noted that the time-frequency center of the first time-frequency resource can be understood as the center time and the center frequency of the first time-frequency resource.

[0209] In addition, the resource location of the channel reference signal occupies one or more symbols in the time domain of the first time-frequency resource, and the resource location of the channel reference signal occupies one or more REs in the frequency domain of the first time-frequency resource.

[0210] For example, consider a first time-frequency resource comprising 14 symbols in the time domain and multiple REs in the frequency domain, as shown in Figure 6. In Figure 6, the symbol indices of the first time-frequency resource are 0 to 13, and the RE indices are 0 to 6. Specifically, the resource location of the channel reference signal occupies 6 symbols in the time domain of the first time-frequency resource, and 3 REs in the frequency domain of the first time-frequency resource.

[0211] One possible implementation for the resource location of the implicit pilot signal is that the resource location of the implicit pilot signal is distributed around the resource location of the channel reference signal within the first time-frequency resource.

[0212] In this way, since the resource locations of the implicit pilot signal are distributed around the resource locations of the channel reference signal, the terminal device can obtain the channel estimation results at the resource locations of the implicit pilot signal based on the channel estimation results obtained from the channel reference signal as a reference or benchmark.

[0213] It should be noted that the resource locations of the implicit pilot signal are distributed around the resource locations of the channel reference signal within the first time-frequency resource. This can be understood as the time-domain resource locations of the implicit pilot signal being distributed around the time-domain resource locations of the channel reference signal within the first time-frequency resource, and the frequency-domain resource locations of the implicit pilot signal being distributed around the frequency-domain resource locations of the channel reference signal within the first time-frequency resource.

[0214] In addition, the resource location of the implicit pilot signal occupies multiple symbols in the time domain of the first time-frequency resource, and the resource location of the implicit pilot signal occupies multiple REs in the frequency domain of the first time-frequency resource.

[0215] For example, consider a first time-frequency resource comprising 14 symbols in the time domain and multiple REs in the frequency domain, as shown in Figure 7. In Figure 7, the symbol indices of the first time-frequency resource are 0 to 13, and the RE indices are 0 to 6. Specifically, the resource location of the channel reference signal occupies symbol 6 in the time domain of the first time-frequency resource, and RE 3 in the frequency domain. The resource locations of the implicit pilot signal occupies symbols 4 and 8 in the time domain of the first time-frequency resource, and RE 1 and RE 5 in the frequency domain.

[0216] In some possible examples, for scenarios where channel quality changes rapidly over time, such as during high-speed movement where channel performance (e.g., signal strength, noise level, or interference) can change significantly in a very short period, the resource locations of implicit pilot signals have a higher density in the time domain of the first time-frequency resource. Thus, by distributing implicit pilot signals more densely in the time domain of the first time-frequency resource, it is beneficial to ensure channel estimation in scenarios where channel quality changes rapidly over time.

[0217] For example, consider a first time-frequency resource comprising 14 symbols in the time domain and multiple REs in the frequency domain, as shown in Figure 8. In Figure 8, the symbol indices of the first time-frequency resource are 0 to 13, and the RE indices are 0 to 6. Specifically, the resource location of the channel reference signal occupies symbol 6 in the time domain of the first time-frequency resource, and RE 3 in the frequency domain. The resource locations of the implicit pilot signal occupy symbols 0, 2, 4, 8, 10, and 12 in the time domain of the first time-frequency resource, and RE 1 and RE 5 in the frequency domain. It can be seen that the implicit pilot signal in Figure 8 has a higher density in the time domain compared to the implicit pilot signal in Figure 7.

[0218] In some possible examples, for scenarios where channel quality changes rapidly with the frequency domain, such as in multipath propagation environments where signals of different frequencies experience different path lengths and propagation conditions, the resource locations of implicit pilot signals have a higher density in the first time-frequency resource frequency domain. Thus, by distributing implicit pilot signals more densely in the frequency domain, it is beneficial to ensure channel estimation in scenarios where channel quality changes rapidly with the frequency domain.

[0219] For example, consider a first time-frequency resource comprising 14 symbols in the time domain and multiple REs in the frequency domain, as shown in Figure 9. In Figure 9, the symbol indices within the time slot of the first signal are 0 to 13, and the RE indices of the frequency domain resources of the time slot of the first signal are 0 to 6. Specifically, the resource location of the channel reference signal occupies symbol 6 in the time domain of the first time-frequency resource and RE 3 in the frequency domain. The resource locations of the implicit pilot signal occupy symbols 4 and 8 in the time domain of the first time-frequency resource, and RE 0, RE 2, RE 4, and RE 6 in the frequency domain. It can be seen that the implicit pilot signal in Figure 9 has a higher density in the frequency domain compared to the implicit pilot signal in Figure 7.

[0220] For the resource location of the data signal, one possible implementation is: the resource location of the data signal is the resource location in the first time-frequency resource other than the resource location of the channel reference signal and the resource location of the implicit pilot signal.

[0221] In this way, data signals are transmitted using the remaining resource locations in the first time-frequency resource, avoiding resource waste. Furthermore, since there are a relatively large number of remaining resource locations and the data volume of the signal is also substantial, utilizing these remaining resource locations ensures the transmission of the data signal.

[0222] For example, consider a first time-frequency resource comprising 14 symbols in the time domain and multiple REs in the frequency domain, as shown in Figure 10. In Figure 10, the symbol indices of the first time-frequency resource are 0 to 13, and the RE indices are 0 to 6. Specifically, the resource location of the channel reference signal occupies symbol 6 in the time domain and RE 3 in the frequency domain of the first time-frequency resource. The resource locations of the implicit pilot signal occupy symbols 4 and 8 in the time domain of the first time-frequency resource, and RE 1 and RE 5 in the frequency domain of the first time-frequency resource. The resource locations of the data signal occupy the remaining symbols in the time domain of the first time-frequency resource, and the remaining REs in the frequency domain of the first time-frequency resource.

[0223] The following example illustrates the information carried by control signals.

[0224] For the control signal, one possible implementation is that the control signal carries at least one of the following: resource location information, modulation type information, or modulation order information.

[0225] Resource location information can be used to configure the resource location of implicit pilot signals. For example, resource location information can be used to configure the resource location of implicit pilot signals on a first time-frequency resource. In this way, network devices can use resource location information to configure the resource location of implicit pilot signals on a first time-frequency resource in a time slot for terminal devices.

[0226] Modulation type information can be used to configure the modulation type used by the implicit pilot signal. In this way, network devices can configure the modulation type of the implicit pilot signal to the terminal device, so that the terminal device can receive the implicit pilot signal according to the modulation type used.

[0227] It should be noted that there can be multiple constant mode modulation types in this embodiment. For example, constant mode modulation types include BPSK, QPSK, 4QAM, 8PSK, and 16PSK. The implicit pilot signal is obtained by applying one of the various constant mode modulation types to the data information, and the modulation type information can configure the constant mode modulation type used for the implicit pilot signal.

[0228] The modulation order information can be used to configure the modulation order used in the implicit pilot signal. For example, if the constant mode modulation used in the implicit pilot signal is BPSK, then the modulation order used in the implicit pilot signal is 2; if the constant mode modulation used in the implicit pilot signal is QPSK, then the modulation order used in the implicit pilot signal is 4; if the constant mode modulation used in the implicit pilot signal is 16PSK, then the modulation order used in the implicit pilot signal is 16.

[0229] In this way, network devices can configure the modulation order of the implicit pilot signal to the terminal device through modulation order information, so that the terminal device can receive the implicit pilot signal according to the modulation order of the implicit pilot signal.

[0230] The following example illustrates how to activate the implicit pilot signal reception mode.

[0231] In some possible examples, since the terminal device needs to use a smart receiver to receive implicit pilot signals, and the smart receiver may include an implicit pilot signal reception model, the network device may instruct the terminal device to activate the implicit pilot signal reception mode before sending the first data packet. This allows the terminal device to load the implicit pilot signal reception model, its related model parameters, and configurations. After loading the implicit pilot signal reception model, the terminal device then reports back to the network device that the implicit pilot signal reception mode has been activated. Finally, the network device sends the first data packet upon receiving this feedback.

[0232] Taking the interaction between network devices and terminal devices as an example, as shown in Figure 11, Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to an embodiment of this application, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0233] S1110. The network device sends a mode activation instruction, which is used to indicate the activation of the implicit pilot signal reception mode.

[0234] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the mode activation instruction information.

[0235] It should be noted that the terminal device can load the implicit pilot signal receiving model, as well as the model parameters and configurations related to the implicit pilot signal receiving model, according to the mode activation instruction information, in order to complete the activation of the implicit pilot signal receiving mode.

[0236] S1120. The terminal device sends a mode start response message, which is used to indicate that the implicit pilot signal reception mode has been started.

[0237] Correspondingly, the network device receives the response information for the mode activation.

[0238] S1130 is the same as S510, so it will not be described again.

[0239] As can be seen, the network device informs the terminal device to start the implicit pilot signal receiving mode in preparation for receiving the implicit pilot signal through the mode start instruction information, while the terminal device informs the network device that the implicit pilot signal receiving mode has been started in preparation for receiving the implicit pilot signal through the mode start response information, so that the network device can start sending the implicit pilot signal.

[0240]

Example 2

[0241] In "Example 2", taking the interaction between a network device and a terminal device as an example, as shown in Figure 12, Figure 12 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of this application, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0242] S1210. The network device sends configuration information, which is used to configure the implicit pilot signal.

[0243] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the configuration information.

[0244] S1220. The network device sends a second data packet according to the configuration information. The second data packet includes a channel reference signal, an implicit pilot signal, and a data signal.

[0245] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second data packet.

[0246] It should be noted that before transmitting data signals, network devices can first configure implicit pilot signals to terminal devices through configuration information, and then transmit channel reference signals, implicit pilot signals and data signals through a second data packet.

[0247] For channel reference signals, although both channel reference signals and implicit pilot signals are used for channel estimation, compared to implicit pilot signals, channel reference signals can provide more accurate channel estimates. This allows the acquisition of channel estimation results at the frequency points of implicit pilot signals, thereby recovering the channel estimation results within a time slot where the implicit pilot signal resides. In other words, implicit pilot signals require channel estimation results obtained from channel reference signals as a reference or benchmark for channel estimation.

[0248] In this way, the terminal device can perform channel estimation based on the channel reference signal and the implicit pilot signal to obtain the channel estimation result, and finally receive the data signal based on the channel estimation result. That is to say, the channel reference signal and the implicit pilot signal can be used to receive the data signal.

[0249] In some possible examples, the channel reference signal may include DMRS, CSI-RS, or SSB, etc.

[0250] In some possible examples, network devices need to configure channel reference signals to terminal devices via higher-layer signaling (such as RRC signaling, MAC signaling, etc.), system information (such as SIB, etc.), or DCI, so that the terminal devices can correctly receive control signals according to the relevant configuration of the channel reference signals.

[0251] For data signals, network devices generate data information and perform modulation and other processing on this data information to obtain a data signal. They also select a portion of this data information for constant-mode modulation and other processing to obtain an implicit pilot signal. The modulation method used for the data signal and the modulation method used for the implicit pilot signal can be the same or different.

[0252] In some possible examples, network devices need to configure data signals to terminal devices via higher-layer signaling (such as RRC signaling, MAC signaling, etc.), system information (such as SIB, etc.), or DCI. Simultaneously, the terminal device needs to first receive the channel reference signal and implicit pilot signal. In this way, the terminal device can perform channel estimation based on the channel reference signal and implicit pilot signal to obtain the channel estimation result, and finally correctly receive the data signal based on the channel estimation result and the relevant configuration of the data signal.

[0253] The following examples illustrate the resource locations of the channel reference signal, the implicit pilot signal, and the data signal in the second data packet.

[0254] It should be noted that, unlike in "Example 1" where the resource locations of the channel reference signal, implicit pilot signal, and data signal are configured within the first time-frequency resource of a single time slot, in "Example 2," the network device can configure the resource locations of the channel reference signal, implicit pilot signal, and data signal to be within the second time-frequency resource of each of multiple time slots via higher-layer signaling (such as RRC signaling, MAC signaling, etc.), system information (such as SIB, etc.), or DCI. The network device will configure the time slot index of these multiple time slots, as well as the second time-frequency resource of each of these multiple time slots.

[0255] The second time-frequency resource includes multiple symbols in the time domain and multiple REs, multiple RBs, or at least one RBG in the frequency domain, with each RBG including multiple RBs and each RB including multiple REs.

[0256] One possible implementation for the resource location of the channel reference signal is that the resource location of the channel reference signal is the time-frequency center of the second time-frequency resource.

[0257] Thus, since the resource location of the channel reference signal is the time-frequency center of the second time-frequency resource in each of the multiple time slots, the terminal device can perform channel estimation based on the time-frequency center of the multiple second time-frequency resources according to the channel reference signal.

[0258] It should be noted that the time-frequency center of the first time-frequency resource can be understood as the center time and the center frequency of the first time-frequency resource.

[0259] In addition, the resource location of the channel reference signal occupies one or more symbols in the time domain of each second time-frequency resource, and the resource location of the channel reference signal occupies one or more REs in the frequency domain of each second time-frequency resource.

[0260] For example, consider a second time-frequency resource comprising multiple time slots, including time slot 0 and time slot 1, where time slots 0 and 1 comprise 14 symbols in the time domain, and where the second time-frequency resources of time slots 0 and 1 comprise multiple REs in the frequency domain, as shown in Figure 13. In Figure 13, the symbol index of the second time-frequency resource in time slot 0 is 0 to 13, the RE index is 0 to 6, the symbol index of the second time-frequency resource in time slot 1 is 0 to 13, and the RE index is 0 to 6. The resource location of the channel reference signal occupies 6 symbols in the time domain of each second time-frequency resource and 6 symbols in the time domain of time slot 0 and time slot 1, respectively, and 3 REs in the frequency domain of each second time-frequency resource.

[0261] One possible implementation for the resource location of the implicit pilot signal is that the resource location of the implicit pilot signal is distributed around the resource location of the channel reference signal within the second time-frequency resource.

[0262] In this way, since the resource locations of the implicit pilot signal are distributed around the resource locations of the channel reference signal, the terminal device can obtain the channel estimation results at the resource locations of the implicit pilot signal based on the channel estimation results obtained from the channel reference signal as a reference or benchmark.

[0263] It should be noted that the resource locations of the implicit pilot signal are distributed around the resource locations of the channel reference signal within the second time-frequency resource. This can be understood as the time-domain resource locations of the implicit pilot signal being distributed around the time-domain resource locations of the channel reference signal within the second time-frequency resource, and the frequency-domain resource locations of the implicit pilot signal being distributed around the frequency-domain resource locations of the channel reference signal within the second time-frequency resource.

[0264] In addition, the resource location of the implicit pilot signal occupies multiple symbols in the time domain of the second time-frequency resource, and the resource location of the implicit pilot signal occupies multiple REs in the frequency domain of the second time-frequency resource.

[0265] For example, consider a second time-frequency resource comprising multiple time slots, including time slot 0 and time slot 1, where time slots 0 and 1 comprise 14 symbols in the time domain, and where the second time-frequency resources of time slots 0 and 1 comprise multiple REs in the frequency domain, as shown in Figure 14. In Figure 14, the symbol index of the second time-frequency resource in time slot 0 is 0 to 13, the RE index is 0 to 6, the symbol index of the second time-frequency resource in time slot 1 is 0 to 13, and the RE index is 0 to 6. The resource location of the channel reference signal occupies 6 symbols in the time domain of each second time-frequency resource and 6 symbols in the time domain of time slot 0 and time slot 1, respectively, and 3 REs in the frequency domain of each second time-frequency resource. The resource locations of the implicit pilot signal in the time domain of each second time-frequency resource are symbol 4 of time slot 0, symbol 8 of time slot 0, symbol 4 of time slot 1, and symbol 8 of time slot 1. The resource locations of the implicit pilot signal in the frequency domain of each second time-frequency resource are RE 1 and RE 5.

[0266] In some possible examples, for scenarios where channel quality changes rapidly over time, such as during high-speed movement where channel performance (e.g., signal strength, noise level, or interference) can change significantly in a very short time, the implicit pilot signal resource locations have a higher density in the time domain of the second time-frequency resource. Thus, by distributing the implicit pilot signal more densely in the time domain of the second time-frequency resource, it is beneficial to ensure channel estimation in scenarios where channel quality changes rapidly over time.

[0267] In some possible examples, for scenarios where channel quality changes rapidly with the frequency domain, such as in multipath propagation environments where signals of different frequencies experience different path lengths and propagation conditions, the resource locations of implicit pilot signals have a higher density in the second time-frequency resource frequency domain. Thus, by distributing implicit pilot signals more densely in the frequency domain, it is beneficial to ensure channel estimation in scenarios where channel quality changes rapidly with the frequency domain.

[0268] For the resource location of the data signal, one possible implementation is: the resource location of the data signal is the resource location in the second time-frequency resource other than the resource location of the channel reference signal and the resource location of the implicit pilot signal.

[0269] In this way, data signals are transmitted using the remaining resource locations in the second time-frequency resource, avoiding resource waste. Furthermore, the remaining resource locations are plentiful, and the data signal volume is also large; therefore, utilizing the remaining resource locations ensures data signal transmission.

[0270] The following is an example of the configuration information.

[0271] In some possible examples, configuration information is carried by higher-level signaling (such as RRC signaling, MAC signaling), DCI, or system information (such as SIB).

[0272] In some possible examples, the configuration information includes at least one of the following: resource location information, number of time slots, modulation type information, or modulation order information.

[0273] Resource location information can be used to configure the resource location of implicit pilot signals. For example, resource location information can configure the resource location of implicit pilot signals on each second time-frequency resource. In this way, network devices can use resource location information to configure the resource location of implicit pilot signals on the second time-frequency resources of each time slot in multiple time slots for terminal devices.

[0274] The time slot number information can be used to configure the number of time slots in which the implicit pilot signal resides. In this way, network devices can use the time slot number information to configure the number of time slots in which the implicit pilot signal resides to the terminal devices, so that the terminal devices can receive the implicit pilot signal according to the number of time slots in which the implicit pilot signal resides.

[0275] Modulation type information can be used to configure the modulation type used by the implicit pilot signal. In this way, network devices can configure the modulation type of the implicit pilot signal to the terminal device, so that the terminal device can receive the implicit pilot signal according to the modulation type used.

[0276] Modulation order information can be used to configure the modulation order used in the implicit pilot signal. In this way, network devices can use the modulation order information to configure the terminal device to receive the implicit pilot signal according to the specified modulation order.

[0277] The following example illustrates how to activate the implicit pilot signal reception mode.

[0278] In some possible examples, since the terminal device needs to use a smart receiver to receive the implicit pilot signal, and the smart receiver may include an implicit pilot signal reception model, the network device can instruct the terminal device to start the implicit pilot signal reception mode while configuring the implicit pilot signal before sending the second data packet. This allows the terminal device to load the implicit pilot signal reception model, its related model parameters, and model configuration. After loading the implicit pilot signal reception model, the terminal device then reports back to the network device that the implicit pilot signal reception mode has been started. Finally, the network device sends the second data packet upon receiving the feedback.

[0279] Taking the interaction between network devices and terminal devices as an example, as shown in Figure 15, Figure 15 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to an embodiment of this application, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0280] S1510. The network device sends configuration information, which is used to configure the implicit pilot signal and also to indicate the activation of the implicit pilot signal reception mode.

[0281] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the configuration information.

[0282] S1520. The terminal device sends a mode start response message, which is used to indicate that the implicit pilot signal reception mode has been started.

[0283] Correspondingly, the network device receives the response information for the mode activation.

[0284] S1530. The network device sends a second data packet, which includes a channel reference signal, an implicit pilot signal, and a data signal.

[0285] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second data packet.

[0286] As can be seen, the network device configures the implicit pilot signal through configuration information and informs the terminal device to start the implicit pilot signal receiving mode in preparation for receiving the implicit pilot signal. The terminal device informs the network device that the implicit pilot signal receiving mode has been started through mode start response information, so that the network device can start sending the implicit pilot signal.

[0287]

Example 3

[0288] In "Example 3", taking the interaction between a network device and a terminal device as an example, as shown in Figure 16, Figure 16 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of this application, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0289] S1610. The network device sends a performance evaluation data packet, which includes a first channel reference signal, a first implicit pilot signal, and a first known data signal. The first channel reference signal is used for channel estimation.

[0290] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the performance evaluation data packet.

[0291] S1620. The terminal device evaluates the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal reception model based on the performance evaluation data packet to obtain evaluation result information.

[0292] It should be noted that the terminal device needs to use an intelligent receiver to receive the implicit pilot signal, and the intelligent receiver may include an implicit pilot signal reception model. Since the implicit pilot signal reception model uses AI technology, which can bring certain advantages, such as improved air interface performance, it can also bring certain drawbacks, such as the implied pilot signal reception model consuming significant computing power during inference, or a large error between the inference result and the actual result. Therefore, this embodiment needs to evaluate the performance of the implicit pilot signal reception model to assess the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal, so that adjustments can be made when the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal is poor, ensuring the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal.

[0293] In order to evaluate the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal, the network device in this embodiment needs to send the channel reference signal, the implicit pilot signal, and the known data signal to the terminal device through a performance evaluation data packet.

[0294] For channel reference signals and implicit pilot signals, the implicit pilot signal requires channel estimation based on the channel estimation result obtained from the channel reference signal. For ease of distinction, this explanation will use the first channel reference signal and the second implicit pilot signal as examples.

[0295] In this way, the terminal device can perform channel estimation based on the first channel reference signal and the first implicit pilot signal to obtain the channel estimation result, and finally receive the known data signal based on the channel estimation result. That is to say, the first channel reference signal and the first implicit pilot signal can be used to receive the known data signal.

[0296] For a known data signal, it can be understood as data signals that are known to both the network device and the terminal device. For example, the network device and the terminal device can pre-determine known data information, then perform modulation and other processing on this known data information to obtain a known data signal, and select a portion of the known data information for constant-mode modulation and other processing to obtain a first implicit pilot signal. The modulation method used for the known data signal and the modulation method used for the first implicit pilot signal can be the same or different. For ease of distinction, this explanation uses the first known data signal as an example.

[0297] The evaluation results may include the Bit Error Rate (BER) or packet loss rate of the first known data signal. This is because the terminal device needs to first receive the first implicit pilot signal based on the implicit pilot signal reception model, and then receive the first known data signal based on the first implicit pilot signal. Therefore, if the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal reception model is poor, it will lead to the failure or error in receiving the first implicit pilot signal, thus causing the failure or error in receiving the first known data signal. Since the first known data signal is known to the terminal device, the terminal device can compare the received signal based on the first implicit pilot signal with the first known data signal to obtain the BER or packet loss rate of the first known data signal.

[0298] When the implicit pilot signal receiving model has good reception performance, the BER or packet loss rate of the first known data signal will be very small; when the implicit pilot signal receiving model has poor reception performance, the BER or packet loss rate of the first known data signal will be very large. Thus, the terminal device can use the BER or packet loss rate of the first known data signal as evaluation result information to assess the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal receiving model.

[0299] The following examples illustrate the resource locations of the first channel reference signal, the first implicit pilot signal, and the first known data signal in the performance evaluation data packet.

[0300] In some possible examples, the resource locations of the first channel reference signal, the first implicit pilot signal, and the first known data signal can be configured in a manner similar to that described in "Example 1" or "Example 2" above, and will not be repeated here.

[0301] In some possible examples, the resource locations of the first channel reference signal may be more numerous than those of the channel reference signal in "Example 1" or "Example 2" above, in order to provide more accurate channel estimation and ensure the performance evaluation of the implicit pilot signal model.

[0302] For example, consider a first time-frequency resource comprising 14 symbols in the time domain and multiple REs in the frequency domain, as shown in Figure 17. In Figure 17, the symbol indices of the first time-frequency resource are 0 to 13, and the RE indices are 0 to 6. Specifically, the resource positions of the first channel reference signal occupy symbols 4, 6, and 8 in the time domain of the first time-frequency resource, and RE 3 in the frequency domain. The resource positions of the first implicit pilot signal occupy symbols 4 and 8 in the time domain of the first time-frequency resource, and RE 1 and RE 5 in the frequency domain. The resource positions of the data signal occupy the remaining symbols in the time domain and the remaining REs in the frequency domain. It is evident that the first channel reference signal in Figure 17 has more resource positions compared to the channel reference signal in Figure 10.

[0303] The following example illustrates how to activate the implicit pilot signal reception mode.

[0304] In some possible examples, before evaluating the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal reception model, the network device may first instruct the terminal device to activate the implicit pilot signal reception mode, so that the terminal device can load the implicit pilot signal reception model and its related model parameters and configurations. After the implicit pilot signal reception model is loaded, the terminal device then reports back to the network device that the implicit pilot signal reception mode has been successfully activated. Finally, upon receiving the feedback, the network device sends a performance evaluation data packet.

[0305] Taking the interaction between network devices and terminal devices as an example, as shown in Figure 18, Figure 18 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to an embodiment of this application, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0306] S1810. The network device sends a mode activation instruction, which is used to indicate the activation of the implicit pilot signal reception mode.

[0307] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the mode activation instruction information.

[0308] S1820. The terminal device sends a mode start response message, which is used to indicate that the implicit pilot signal reception mode has been started.

[0309] Correspondingly, the network device receives the response information for the mode activation.

[0310] S1830 is the same as S1610, so it will not be described again.

[0311] S1840 is the same as S1620, so it will not be described again.

[0312] As can be seen, the network device informs the terminal device to start the implicit pilot signal receiving mode through the mode start instruction information in order to prepare for the evaluation of the receiving performance of the implicit pilot signal receiving model. The terminal device informs the network device that the implicit pilot signal receiving mode has been started through the mode start response information, so that the network device can prepare to start sending performance evaluation data packets.

[0313] The following example illustrates the bit error rate required by the reporting terminal device.

[0314] In some possible examples, before evaluating the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal reception model, the terminal device can first report its required bit error rate to the network device. In this way, the network device can determine the constant-mode modulation type used for the first implicit pilot signal based on the bit error rate required by the terminal device, and then send a performance evaluation data packet to the terminal device.

[0315] Taking the interaction between network devices and terminal devices as an example, as shown in Figure 19, Figure 19 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to an embodiment of this application, specifically including the following steps:

[0316] S1910. The terminal device sends bit error rate information, which is used to indicate the bit error rate required by the terminal device.

[0317] Correspondingly, network devices receive bit error rate information.

[0318] S1920. The network device determines the constant mode modulation type used by the first implicit pilot signal based on the bit error rate information.

[0319] S1930 is the same as S1610, so it will not be described again.

[0320] S1940 is the same as S1620, so it will not be described again.

[0321] It is evident that terminal devices report their required bit error rate to network devices by using bit error rate information.

[0322]

Example 4

[0323] In "Example 4", taking the interaction between a network device and a terminal device as an example, as shown in Figure 20, Figure 20 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of this application, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0324] S2010 is the same as S1610, so it will not be described again.

[0325] S2020 is the same as S1620, so it will not be described again.

[0326] S2030. The terminal device sends evaluation feedback information, which is used to indicate the evaluation result information.

[0327] Correspondingly, the network devices receive evaluation feedback information.

[0328] S2040. The network device determines the update status of the implicit pilot signal receiving model based on the evaluation results.

[0329] The update status of the implicit pilot signal receiving model can indicate whether the implicit pilot signal receiving model needs to be updated or not.

[0330] It should be noted that since the evaluation results include the BER or packet loss rate of the first known data signal, the network device can determine whether the implicit pilot signal reception model needs to be updated based on the BER or packet loss rate of the first known data signal.

[0331] When the BER or packet loss rate of the first known data signal exceeds a preset threshold, it indicates that the error of the first known data signal is large, reflecting that the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal receiving model may also be poor. Therefore, the network device determines that an update to the implicit pilot signal receiving model is necessary. When the BER or packet loss rate of the first known data signal is less than the preset threshold, it indicates that the error of the first known data signal is small, reflecting that the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal receiving model may be good. Therefore, the network device determines that an update to the implicit pilot signal receiving model is not necessary.

[0332] S2050. The network device sends a model update data packet, which includes a second channel reference signal, a second implicit pilot signal, and a second known data signal. The second channel reference signal is used for channel estimation.

[0333] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the model update data packet.

[0334] It should be noted that when the network device determines that an update to the implicit pilot signal reception model is needed, the network device will send a model update data packet to the terminal device. Furthermore, the second channel reference signal, the second implicit pilot signal, and the second known data signal are similar to the first channel reference signal, the first implicit pilot signal, and the first known data signal described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0335] S2060. The terminal device updates the implicit pilot signal receiving model according to the model update data packet.

[0336] It should be noted that, since the model update data packet includes the second channel reference signal, the second implicit pilot signal, and the second known data signal, the terminal device can further train the implicit pilot signal receiving model based on these signals. During the training process, the model parameters and related configurations of the implicit pilot signal receiving model are further updated, thereby updating the implicit pilot signal receiving model.

[0337] Furthermore, the resource locations of the second channel reference signal, the second implicit pilot signal, and the second known data signal can be configured in a similar manner to those of the first channel reference signal, the first implicit pilot signal, and the first known data signal, and will not be elaborated further.

[0338]

Example 5

[0339] In "Example 5", taking the interaction between a network device and a terminal device as an example, as shown in Figure 21, Figure 21 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of this application, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0340] S2110 is the same as S1610, so it will not be described again.

[0341] S2120 is the same as S1620, so it will not be described again.

[0342] S2130. The terminal device determines the adjustment state of the constant mode modulation type used by the first implicit pilot signal based on the evaluation result information.

[0343] The adjustment status of the constant mode modulation type used by the first implicit pilot signal can indicate whether the constant mode modulation type used by the first implicit pilot signal needs to be adjusted or does not need to be adjusted.

[0344] It should be noted that since the evaluation results include the BER or packet loss rate of the first known data signal, the terminal device can determine whether the constant mode modulation type used by the first implicit pilot signal needs to be adjusted based on the BER or packet loss rate of the first known data signal.

[0345] When the BER or packet loss rate of the first known data signal is greater than a preset threshold, it indicates that the error of the first known data signal is large, reflecting that the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal receiving model may also be poor. Therefore, the terminal device determines that the constant mode modulation type used in the first implicit pilot signal needs to be adjusted. When the BER or packet loss rate of the first known data signal is less than the preset threshold, it indicates that the error of the first known data signal is small, reflecting that the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal receiving model may be good. Therefore, the terminal device determines that the constant mode modulation type used in the first implicit pilot signal does not need to be adjusted.

[0346] S2140. The terminal device sends type adjustment information, which is used to indicate the adjustment status of the constant mode modulation type used by the first implicit pilot signal.

[0347] Correspondingly, network device receive type adjustment information.

[0348] It is evident that the terminal device can decide whether to adjust the constant mode modulation type used in the implicit pilot signal based on the performance results of the implicit pilot signal reception model, and feed the decision results back to the network device so that the network device can refer to whether to adjust the constant mode modulation type used in the implicit pilot signal.

[0349] The following is an example illustrating type adjustment information.

[0350] In some possible examples, the type adjustment information includes modulation order adjustment information and / or modulation type adjustment information.

[0351] The modulation order adjustment information can be used to indicate whether the modulation order used for the first implicit pilot signal should be increased or decreased. In this way, the terminal device can recommend a modulation order to the network device using the modulation order adjustment information.

[0352] It should be noted that when the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal receiving model is very poor, the terminal device can lower the modulation order used by the first implicit pilot signal; when the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal receiving model is very good, the terminal device can raise the modulation order used by the first implicit pilot signal.

[0353] For example, the constant mode modulation used in the original first implicit pilot signal is QPSK, and the modulation order of QPSK is 4. In this case, the modulation order adjustment information can indicate to increase the modulation order from 4 to 8, i.e., 8PSK; or, the modulation order adjustment information can indicate to decrease the modulation order from 4 to 2, i.e., 2PSK.

[0354] The modulation type adjustment information can be used to indicate the modulation type used in the adjusted first implicit pilot signal. In this way, the terminal device can recommend a constant-mode modulation type to the network device using the modulation type adjustment information.

[0355]

Example 6

[0356] In "Example 6", taking the interaction between a network device and a terminal device as an example, as shown in Figure 22, Figure 22 is a flowchart of another communication method according to an embodiment of this application, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0357] S2210. The network device sends an initial training data packet, which includes a channel reference signal, an implicit pilot signal, and known data signals.

[0358] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the initial training data packet.

[0359] It should be noted that when the network device needs to perform initial training on the implicit pilot signal reception model, the network device will send an initial training data packet to the terminal device. Furthermore, the resource locations of the channel reference signal, the implicit pilot signal, and the known data signal can be configured similarly to those in "Example 1" or "Example 2" above, and will not be elaborated further.

[0360] S2220. The terminal device performs initial training on the implicit pilot signal receiving model based on the initial training data packet to obtain the trained model parameters.

[0361] S2230. The terminal device sends parameter feedback information, which is used to indicate the model parameters.

[0362] Correspondingly, the network device receives parameter feedback information.

[0363] As can be seen, when a network device needs to perform initial training on the implicit pilot signal receiving model, it sends an initial training data packet to the terminal device so that the terminal device can perform initial training on the implicit pilot signal receiving model based on the initial training data packet. When the terminal device completes the initial training of the implicit pilot signal receiving model, it can send the trained model parameters back to the network device.

[0364] In this way, when the network device obtains the trained model parameters, and when the implicit pilot signal receiving models of other terminal devices also need to undergo initial training, the network device can send the trained model parameters to the other terminal devices to reduce the overhead of the initial training process of the implicit pilot signal receiving models of other terminal devices.

[0365] The following example illustrates how to activate the implicit pilot signal reception mode.

[0366] In some possible examples, before sending the initial training data packet, the network device may first instruct the terminal device to start the initial training of the implicit pilot signal reception model, so that the terminal device can load the model architecture and configuration related to the implicit pilot signal reception model. After the initial training of the implicit pilot signal reception model is completed, the terminal device then sends feedback to the network device that the initial training of the implicit pilot signal reception model has been started. Finally, the network device sends the initial training data packet after receiving the feedback.

[0367] Taking the interaction between network devices and terminal devices as an example, as shown in Figure 23, Figure 23 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method according to an embodiment of this application, which specifically includes the following steps:

[0368] S2310. The network device sends a training start instruction message, which is used to instruct the initial training of the implicit pilot signal receiving model to begin.

[0369] Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the training start instruction information.

[0370] S2320. The terminal device sends a training start response message, which is used to indicate that the initial training of the implicit pilot signal receiving model has been completed.

[0371] Correspondingly, the network device receives the training start response information.

[0372] S2330 is the same as S2210, so it will not be described again.

[0373] S2340 is the same as S2220, so it will not be described again.

[0374] S2350 is the same as S2230, so it will not be described again.

[0375] As can be seen, the network device informs the terminal device to start the initial training of the implicit pilot signal receiving model through the training start instruction information, while the terminal device informs the network device that the initial training of the implicit pilot signal receiving model is complete through the training start response information, so that the network device can prepare to send the initial training data packets.

[0376] The following is an example description of a communication device according to this embodiment.

[0377] The above mainly describes the solution of the embodiments of this application from the perspective of the method. The functional units of a communication device according to this embodiment are illustrated below. It is understood that, in order to achieve the above functions, the terminal device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, in conjunction with the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, this embodiment can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed by hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this embodiment.

[0378] This application embodiment can divide the terminal device into functional units according to the above method example. For example, each function can be divided into a separate functional unit, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software program module. It should be noted that the unit division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents a logical functional division, while other division methods may be used in actual implementation.

[0379] In the case of using integrated units, FIG24 is a functional unit composition block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 2400 includes a receiving unit 2401.

[0380] Optionally, the receiving unit 2401 can be a module unit for receiving and processing signals, information, etc., and there are no specific limitations on this.

[0381] Optionally, the communication device 2400 may also include a transmitting unit. The transmitting unit can be a module unit for transmitting signals, information, etc., and there are no specific limitations on this.

[0382] Optionally, the communication device 2400 may further include a storage unit for storing computer program code or instructions executed by the communication device 2400. The storage unit may be a memory.

[0383] Optionally, the communication device 2400 may be a chip or a chip module.

[0384] Optionally, the receiving unit 2401 can be integrated into the communication unit. The communication unit can be a communication interface, transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc. The communication unit may include a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit.

[0385] Optionally, the receiving unit 2401 can be integrated into the processing unit.

[0386] It should be noted that the processing unit can be a processor or controller, such as a baseband processor, baseband chip, CPU, general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this embodiment. The processing unit can also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as including one or more microprocessor combinations, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc.

[0387] Optionally, the communication device 2400 is used to perform any of the steps performed by the terminal device / chip / chip module, etc., as described in the above method embodiments.

[0388] In specific implementation, the receiving unit 2401 is used to perform any of the steps in the above method embodiments, and when performing actions such as sending, it can selectively call other units to complete the corresponding operations. A detailed description follows.

[0389] The receiving unit 2401 is used to receive a first data packet, which includes a control signal, a channel reference signal, an implicit pilot signal, and a data signal.

[0390] The control signal is used to configure the implicit pilot signal;

[0391] The channel reference signal is used for channel estimation;

[0392] Implicit pilot signals are obtained by constant mode modulation of data information. Constant mode modulation refers to a modulation method in which all constellation points in the constellation diagram are at the same distance from the origin. Implicit pilot signals are used for channel estimation.

[0393] As can be seen, unlike inserting pilot signals into the original data to be transmitted, this embodiment selects a portion of the original data to be transmitted and modulates this portion of data using constant mode modulation to obtain the implicit pilot signal. Therefore, this embodiment eliminates the need to insert pilot signals into the original data to be transmitted; instead, it uses implicit pilot signals to replace the original pilot signals. Since this portion of data is intended to be transmitted anyway, transmitting the implicit pilot signal does not incur additional resource overhead, thus saving resources and improving system spectral efficiency. In this way, by replacing the original pilot signal with an implicit pilot signal, this embodiment eliminates the need for pilot signal transmission in multi-stream or multi-user MU-MIMO systems, thereby saving pilot signal resource overhead and improving system spectral efficiency.

[0394] In addition, network devices also need to transmit control signals, channel reference signals, and implicit pilot signals while transmitting data signals. At this time, the network device can transmit control signals, channel reference signals, implicit pilot signals, and data signals through the first data packet.

[0395] For control signals, network devices can dynamically configure implicit pilot signals to terminal devices. To ensure the reception of implicit pilot signals, the terminal device needs to first receive the control signal, and then determine the relevant configuration of the implicit pilot signal based on the control signal, so that the terminal device can correctly receive the implicit pilot signal according to the relevant configuration.

[0396] For channel reference signals, although both channel reference signals and implicit pilot signals are used for channel estimation, compared to implicit pilot signals, channel reference signals can provide more accurate channel estimates. This allows the acquisition of channel estimation results at the frequency points of implicit pilot signals, thereby recovering the channel estimation results within a time slot where the implicit pilot signal resides. In other words, implicit pilot signals require channel estimation results obtained from channel reference signals as a reference or benchmark for channel estimation.

[0397] In this way, the terminal device can perform channel estimation based on the channel reference signal and the implicit pilot signal to obtain the channel estimation result, and finally receive the data signal based on the channel estimation result. That is to say, the channel reference signal and the implicit pilot signal can be used to receive the data signal.

[0398] In some possible examples, the resource locations of the channel reference signal, the implicit pilot signal, and the data signal are all located within the first time-frequency resource of a time slot.

[0399] In some possible examples, the resource location of the channel reference signal is the time-frequency center of the first time-frequency resource.

[0400] In some possible examples, the resource location of the implicit pilot signal is distributed within the first time-frequency resource around the resource location of the channel reference signal.

[0401] In some possible examples, the resource location of the data signal is the resource location in the first time-frequency resource other than the resource location of the channel reference signal and the resource location of the implicit pilot signal.

[0402] In some possible examples, the control signal carries at least one of the following: resource location information, modulation type information, or modulation order information;

[0403] Resource location information, used to configure the resource location of implicit pilot signals;

[0404] Modulation type information, used to configure the modulation type used for the implicit pilot signal;

[0405] Modulation order information is used to configure the modulation order used for the implicit pilot signal.

[0406] In some possible examples, the communication device 2400 also includes a transmitting unit;

[0407] The receiving unit 2401 is also used to receive mode activation indication information, which is used to indicate the activation of implicit pilot signal receiving mode.

[0408] The transmitting unit is used to transmit mode activation response information, which indicates that the implicit pilot signal reception mode activation is complete.

[0409] The following is an example description of another communication device in this embodiment.

[0410] In the case of using integrated units, FIG25 is a functional unit block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 2500 includes a receiving unit 2501 and a transmitting unit 2502.

[0411] Optionally, the receiving unit 2501 can be a module unit for receiving and processing signals, information, etc., and there are no specific limitations on this.

[0412] Optionally, the transmitting unit 2502 can be a module unit for transmitting signals, information, etc., and there are no specific limitations on this.

[0413] Optionally, the communication device 2500 may further include a storage unit for storing computer program code or instructions executed by the communication device 2500. The storage unit may be a memory.

[0414] Optionally, the communication device 2500 may be a chip or a chip module.

[0415] Optionally, the receiving unit 2501 and the transmitting unit 2502 can be integrated into the communication unit. The communication unit can be a communication interface, transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc. The communication unit may include a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit.

[0416] Optionally, the receiving unit 2501 and the transmitting unit 2502 can be integrated into the processing unit.

[0417] It should be noted that the processing unit can be a processor or controller, such as a baseband processor, baseband chip, CPU, general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this embodiment. The processing unit can also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as including one or more microprocessor combinations, a combination of DSP and microprocessor, etc.

[0418] Optionally, the communication device 2500 is used to perform any of the steps performed by the terminal device / chip / chip module, etc., as described in the above method embodiments.

[0419] In specific implementation, the receiving unit 2501 and the sending unit 2502 are used to perform any of the steps in the above method embodiments, and when performing actions such as sending, other units can be selectively invoked to complete the corresponding operation. A detailed description follows.

[0420] The receiving unit 2501 is used to receive configuration information, which is used to configure an implicit pilot signal. The implicit pilot signal is obtained by constant mode modulation of data information. Constant mode modulation refers to a modulation method in which all constellation points in the constellation diagram are at the same distance from the origin. The implicit pilot signal is used for channel estimation.

[0421] The transmitting unit 2502 is used to transmit a second data packet according to configuration information. The second data packet includes a channel reference signal, the implicit pilot signal, and a data signal. The channel reference signal is used for channel estimation.

[0422] As can be seen, unlike inserting pilot signals into the original data to be transmitted, this embodiment selects a portion of the original data to be transmitted and modulates this portion of data using constant mode modulation to obtain the implicit pilot signal. Therefore, this embodiment eliminates the need to insert pilot signals into the original data to be transmitted; instead, it uses implicit pilot signals to replace the original pilot signals. Since this portion of data is intended to be transmitted anyway, transmitting the implicit pilot signal does not incur additional resource overhead, thus saving resources and improving system spectral efficiency. In this way, by replacing the original pilot signal with an implicit pilot signal, this embodiment eliminates the need for pilot signal transmission in multi-stream or multi-user MU-MIMO systems, thereby saving pilot signal resource overhead and improving system spectral efficiency.

[0423] Regarding configuration information, network devices can first configure implicit pilot signals to terminal devices through configuration information before transmitting data signals, and then transmit channel reference signals, implicit pilot signals, and data signals through a second data packet.

[0424] For channel reference signals, although both channel reference signals and implicit pilot signals are used for channel estimation, compared to implicit pilot signals, channel reference signals can provide more accurate channel estimates. This allows the acquisition of channel estimation results at the frequency points of implicit pilot signals, thereby recovering the channel estimation results within a time slot where the implicit pilot signal resides. In other words, implicit pilot signals require channel estimation results obtained from channel reference signals as a reference or benchmark for channel estimation.

[0425] In this way, the terminal device can perform channel estimation based on the channel reference signal and the implicit pilot signal to obtain the channel estimation result, and finally receive the data signal based on the channel estimation result. That is to say, the channel reference signal and the implicit pilot signal can be used to receive the data signal.

[0426] In some possible examples, the resource locations of the channel reference signal, the implicit pilot signal, and the data signal are all located within the second time-frequency resource of each of multiple time slots.

[0427] In some possible examples, the resource location of the channel reference signal is the time-frequency center of the second time-frequency resource.

[0428] In some possible examples, the resource location of the implicit pilot signal is distributed within the second time-frequency resource around the resource location of the channel reference signal.

[0429] In some possible examples, the resource location of the data signal is the resource location in the second time-frequency resource other than the resource location of the channel reference signal and the resource location of the implicit pilot signal.

[0430] In some possible examples, the configuration information includes at least one of the following: resource location information, number of time slots information, modulation type information, or modulation order information;

[0431] Resource location information, used to configure the resource location of implicit pilot signals;

[0432] The number of time slots is used to configure the number of time slots in which the implicit pilot signal is located;

[0433] Modulation type information, used to configure the modulation type used for the implicit pilot signal;

[0434] Modulation order information is used to configure the modulation order used for the implicit pilot signal.

[0435] In some possible examples, the configuration information is also used to indicate the activation of the implicit pilot signal reception mode;

[0436] The transmitting unit 2502 is also used to transmit mode start response information, which is used to indicate that the implicit pilot signal reception mode has been started.

[0437] The following is an example description of another communication device in this embodiment.

[0438] In the case of using integrated units, FIG26 is a functional unit block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 2600 includes a receiving unit 2601 and an evaluation unit 2602.

[0439] Optionally, the receiving unit 2601 can be a module unit for receiving and processing signals, information, etc., and there are no specific limitations on this.

[0440] Optionally, the evaluation unit 2602 can be a module unit used to evaluate the performance of signals, information, etc., without specific limitations.

[0441] Optionally, the communication device 2600 may also include a transmitting unit. The transmitting unit can be a module unit for transmitting signals, information, etc., and there are no specific limitations on this.

[0442] Optionally, the communication device 2600 may further include a storage unit for storing computer program code or instructions executed by the communication device 2600. The storage unit may be a memory.

[0443] Optionally, the communication device 2600 may be a chip or a chip module.

[0444] Optionally, the receiving unit 2601 can be integrated into the communication unit. The communication unit can be a communication interface, transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc. The communication unit may include a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit.

[0445] Optionally, the evaluation unit 2602 can be integrated into the processing unit. The processing unit can be a processor or controller, such as a baseband processor, baseband chip, CPU, general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this embodiment. The processing unit can also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as including one or more microprocessor combinations, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc.

[0446] Optionally, the communication device 2600 is used to perform any of the steps performed by the terminal device / chip / chip module, etc., as described in the above method embodiments.

[0447] In specific implementation, the receiving unit 2601 and the evaluation unit 2602 are used to perform any of the steps in the above method embodiments, and when performing actions such as sending, other units may be selectively invoked to complete the corresponding operations. A detailed description follows.

[0448] The receiving unit 2601 is used to receive a performance evaluation data packet. The performance evaluation data packet includes a first channel reference signal, a first implicit pilot signal, and a first known data signal. The first channel reference signal is used for channel estimation. The first implicit pilot signal is obtained by constant mode modulation of the data information. Constant mode modulation refers to a modulation method in which all constellation points in the constellation diagram are at the same distance from the origin.

[0449] Evaluation unit 2602 is used to evaluate the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal reception model based on the performance evaluation data packet to obtain evaluation result information.

[0450] As can be seen, unlike inserting pilot signals into the original data to be transmitted, this embodiment selects a portion of the original data to be transmitted and modulates this portion of data using constant mode modulation to obtain the implicit pilot signal. Therefore, this embodiment eliminates the need to insert pilot signals into the original data to be transmitted; instead, it uses implicit pilot signals to replace the original pilot signals. Since this portion of data is intended to be transmitted anyway, transmitting the implicit pilot signal does not incur additional resource overhead, thus saving resources and improving system spectral efficiency. In this way, by replacing the original pilot signal with an implicit pilot signal, this embodiment eliminates the need for pilot signal transmission in multi-stream or multi-user MU-MIMO systems, thereby saving pilot signal resource overhead and improving system spectral efficiency.

[0451] Furthermore, the terminal device needs to employ an intelligent receiver to receive the implicit pilot signal, and this intelligent receiver may include an implicit pilot signal reception model. Since the implicit pilot signal reception model uses AI technology, which can offer advantages such as improved air interface performance, it can also introduce drawbacks, such as the high computational cost of the implicit pilot signal reception model's inference process or significant discrepancies between the inference results and the actual results. Therefore, this embodiment requires performance evaluation of the implicit pilot signal reception model to assess the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal, enabling adjustments to be made when the reception performance is poor, thus ensuring optimal reception performance.

[0452] To evaluate the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal, the network device in this embodiment needs to send a channel reference signal, an implicit pilot signal, and a known data signal to the terminal device via a performance evaluation data packet. For the channel reference signal and the implicit pilot signal, the implicit pilot signal needs to perform channel estimation with the channel estimation result obtained from the channel reference signal as a reference or benchmark.

[0453] In this way, the terminal device can perform channel estimation based on the channel reference signal and the implicit pilot signal to obtain the channel estimation result, and finally receive the known data signal based on the channel estimation result. That is to say, the channel reference signal and the implicit pilot signal can be used to receive known data signals.

[0454] In some possible examples, the communication device 2600 also includes a transmitting unit;

[0455] The receiving unit 2601 is also used to receive evaluation start indication information, which is used to indicate the start implicit pilot signal performance evaluation mode.

[0456] The transmitting unit is used to transmit evaluation start-up response information, which indicates that the implicit pilot signal performance evaluation mode has been successfully started.

[0457] In some possible examples, the communication device 2600 also includes a transmitting unit;

[0458] The transmitting unit is also used to transmit bit error rate information, which is used to indicate the bit error rate required by the terminal device.

[0459] In some possible examples, the communication device 2600 also includes a transmitting unit and an updating unit;

[0460] The sending unit is also used to send evaluation feedback information, which is used to indicate the evaluation result information;

[0461] The receiving unit 2601 is also used to receive model update data packets, which include a second channel reference signal, a second implicit pilot signal, and a second known data signal. The second channel reference signal is used for channel estimation, and the second implicit pilot signal is obtained by constant mode modulation of the data information.

[0462] The update unit is used to update the implicit pilot signal receiving model based on the model update data packet.

[0463] In some possible examples, the communication device 2600 also includes a determining unit and a transmitting unit;

[0464] The determining unit is used to determine the adjustment state of the constant mode modulation type used by the first implicit pilot signal based on the evaluation result information;

[0465] The transmitting unit is used to transmit type adjustment information, which indicates the adjustment status of the constant mode modulation type used by the first implicit pilot signal.

[0466] In some possible examples, the type adjustment information includes modulation order adjustment information and / or modulation type adjustment information;

[0467] Modulation order adjustment information is used to indicate whether the modulation order used for the first implicit pilot signal is increased or decreased;

[0468] Modulation type adjustment information is used to indicate the constant mode modulation type used in the adjusted first implicit pilot signal.

[0469] The following is an example description of another communication device in this embodiment.

[0470] In the case of using integrated units, FIG27 is a functional unit block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 2700 includes a receiving unit 2701, a training unit 2702, and a transmitting unit 2703.

[0471] Optionally, the receiving unit 2701 can be a module unit for receiving and processing signals, information, etc., without specific limitations.

[0472] Optionally, the training unit 2702 can be a module unit used for model training of signals, information, etc., without specific limitations.

[0473] Optionally, the transmitting unit 2703 can be a module unit used for transmitting signals, information, etc., and there are no specific limitations on this.

[0474] Optionally, the communication device 2700 may further include a storage unit for storing computer program code or instructions executed by the communication device 2700. The storage unit may be a memory.

[0475] Optionally, the communication device 2700 may be a chip or a chip module.

[0476] Optionally, the receiving unit 2701 and the transmitting unit 2703 can be integrated into the communication unit. The communication unit can be a communication interface, transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc. The communication unit may include a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit.

[0477] Optionally, the training unit 2702 can be integrated into the processing unit. The processing unit can be a processor or controller, such as a baseband processor, baseband chip, CPU, general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this embodiment. The processing unit can also be a combination that implements computational functions, such as including one or more microprocessor combinations, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc.

[0478] Optionally, the communication device 2700 is used to perform any of the steps performed by the terminal device / chip / chip module, etc., as described in the above method embodiments.

[0479] In specific implementation, the receiving unit 2701, the training unit 2702, and the sending unit 2703 are used to perform any of the steps in the above method embodiments, and when performing actions such as sending, other units may be selectively invoked to complete the corresponding operation. A detailed description follows.

[0480] The receiving unit 2701 is used to receive the initial training data packet, which includes a channel reference signal, an implicit pilot signal, and a known data signal. The channel reference signal is used for channel estimation. The implicit pilot signal is obtained by constant mode modulation of the data information. Constant mode modulation refers to a modulation method in which all constellation points in the constellation diagram are at the same distance from the origin. The implicit pilot signal is used for channel estimation.

[0481] Training unit 2702 is used to perform initial training on the implicit pilot signal receiving model based on the initial training data packet to obtain the trained model parameters;

[0482] The sending unit 2703 is used to send parameter feedback information, which is used to indicate model parameters.

[0483] As can be seen, unlike inserting pilot signals into the original data to be transmitted, this embodiment selects a portion of the original data to be transmitted and modulates this portion of data using constant mode modulation to obtain the implicit pilot signal. Therefore, this embodiment eliminates the need to insert pilot signals into the original data to be transmitted; instead, it uses implicit pilot signals to replace the original pilot signals. Since this portion of data is intended to be transmitted anyway, transmitting the implicit pilot signal does not incur additional resource overhead, thus saving resources and improving system spectral efficiency. In this way, by replacing the original pilot signal with an implicit pilot signal, this embodiment eliminates the need for pilot signal transmission in multi-stream or multi-user MU-MIMO systems, thereby saving pilot signal resource overhead and improving system spectral efficiency.

[0484] When a network device needs to perform initial training on an implicit pilot signal reception model, it sends an initial training data packet to the terminal device so that the terminal device can perform initial training on the implicit pilot signal reception model based on the initial training data packet. When the terminal device completes the initial training of the implicit pilot signal reception model, it can send the trained model parameters back to the network device.

[0485] In this way, when the network device obtains the trained model parameters, and when the implicit pilot signal receiving models of other terminal devices also need to undergo initial training, the network device can send the trained model parameters to the other terminal devices to reduce the overhead of the initial training process of the implicit pilot signal receiving models of other terminal devices.

[0486] In some possible examples, the receiving unit 2701 is also used to receive training start indication information, which is used to indicate the start of initial training of the implicit pilot signal receiving model.

[0487] The transmitting unit 2703 is also used to transmit training start response information, which is used to indicate that the initial training of the implicit pilot signal receiving model has been completed.

[0488] The structure of a terminal device in this embodiment is illustrated below.

[0489] Please refer to Figure 28, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device according to an embodiment of this application. The terminal device 2800 may include a processor 2810, a memory 2820, and a communication bus for connecting the processor 2810 and the memory 2820.

[0490] Optionally, the memory 2820 may include, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). The memory 2820 is used to store program code executed by the terminal device 2800 and data transmitted.

[0491] Optionally, the terminal device 2800 also includes a communication interface for receiving and sending data.

[0492] Optionally, the terminal device 2800 can be the first terminal device mentioned above.

[0493] Optionally, the processor 2810 can be one or more CPUs. If the processor 2810 is a CPU, the CPU can be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU.

[0494] Optionally, the processor 2810 can be a baseband chip, chip, CPU, general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component or any combination thereof.

[0495] In a specific implementation, the processor 2810 in the terminal device 2800 is used to execute the computer program or instruction 2821 stored in the memory 2820 to perform the above steps, which will not be described in detail here.

[0496] The following provides examples illustrating other relevant aspects of this embodiment.

[0497] Optionally, the above method embodiments can be applied to or incorporated into terminal devices. That is, the executing entity of the above method embodiments can be a terminal device, a chip, a chip module, or a module, etc., without specific limitations.

[0498] Optionally, the above method embodiments can be applied to network devices or applied within network devices. That is, the executing entity of the above method embodiments can be a network device, a chip, a chip module, or a module, etc., without specific limitations.

[0499] This application also provides a chip, including a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the steps described in the above method embodiments.

[0500] This application also provides a chip module, including a transceiver component and a chip. The chip includes a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the steps described in the above method embodiments.

[0501] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the steps described in the above-described method embodiments. This application also provides a computer program product including a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the steps described in the above-described method embodiments.

[0502] It should be noted that, for the sake of simplicity, the above embodiments are all described as a series of actions. Those skilled in the art should understand that this application is not limited to the described order of actions, as some steps in the embodiments of this application can be performed in other orders or simultaneously. Furthermore, those skilled in the art should also understand that the embodiments described in the specification are preferred embodiments, and the actions, steps, modules, or units involved are not necessarily essential to the embodiments of this application.

[0503] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. Parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment can be referred to in the relevant descriptions of other embodiments. The steps of the methods or algorithms described in this application can be implemented in hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, hard disk, portable hard disk, read-only optical disk (CD-ROM), or any other form of storage medium well 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. Of course, the storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC can reside in a terminal device or management device. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium can exist as discrete components in the terminal device or management device.

[0504] Those skilled in the art will recognize that, in one or more of the examples above, the functions described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented, in whole or in part, by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When these computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

[0505] The modules or units included in the various devices and products described in the above embodiments can be software modules or units, hardware modules or units, or a combination of both. For example, for devices and products applied to or integrated into a chip, all modules or units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits, or at least some modules or units can be implemented using software programs that run on a processor integrated within the chip, while the remaining (if any) modules or units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. For devices and products applied to or integrated into a chip module, all modules or units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. Different modules or units can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components of the chip module, or at least some modules or units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. The implementation is achieved through a software program that runs on a processor integrated within the chip module. The remaining modules or units (if any) can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. For various devices and products applied to or integrated into terminal devices, all included modules or units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. Different modules or units can be located within the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components within the terminal device. Alternatively, at least some modules or units can be implemented using a software program that runs on a processor integrated within the terminal device, while the remaining modules or units (if any) can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of the embodiments of this application. It should be understood that the above descriptions are merely specific implementations of the embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made based on the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application should be included within the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive a first data packet, the first data packet including a control signal, a channel reference signal, an implicit pilot signal, and a data signal; The control signal is used to configure the implicit pilot signal; The channel reference signal is used for channel estimation; The implicit pilot signal is obtained by constant mode modulation of data information. Constant mode modulation refers to a modulation method in which all constellation points in the constellation diagram are at the same distance from the origin. The implicit pilot signal is used for channel estimation.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The resource locations of the channel reference signal, the implicit pilot signal, and the data signal are all located within the first time-frequency resource of a time slot.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The resource location of the channel reference signal is the time-frequency center of the first time-frequency resource.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The resource location of the implicit pilot signal is distributed around the resource location of the channel reference signal within the first time-frequency resource.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that, The resource location of the data signal is the resource location in the first time-frequency resource other than the resource location of the channel reference signal and the resource location of the implicit pilot signal.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2-5, characterized in that, The control signal carries at least one of the following: resource location information, modulation type information, or modulation order information; The resource location information is used to configure the resource location of the implicit pilot signal; The modulation type information is used to configure the modulation type used by the implicit pilot signal; The modulation order information is used to configure the modulation order used by the implicit pilot signal.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, Before receiving the first data packet, the method further includes: Receive mode activation indication information, wherein the mode activation indication information is used to indicate the activation of implicit pilot signal receive mode; Send mode start response information, which is used to indicate that the implicit pilot signal reception mode has been started.

8. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive configuration information, which is used to configure implicit pilot signals. The implicit pilot signals are obtained by constant mode modulation of data information. Constant mode modulation refers to a modulation method in which all constellation points in the constellation diagram are at the same distance from the origin. The implicit pilot signals are used for channel estimation. A second data packet is sent according to the configuration information. The second data packet includes a channel reference signal, the implicit pilot signal, and a data signal. The channel reference signal is used for channel estimation.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The resource locations of the channel reference signal, the implicit pilot signal, and the data signal are all located within the second time-frequency resource of each of the multiple time slots.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The resource location of the channel reference signal is the time-frequency center of the second time-frequency resource.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The resource location of the implicit pilot signal is distributed around the resource location of the channel reference signal within the second time-frequency resource.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9-11, characterized in that, The resource location of the data signal is the resource location in the second time-frequency resource other than the resource location of the channel reference signal and the resource location of the implicit pilot signal.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8-12, characterized in that, The configuration information includes at least one of the following: resource location information, number of time slots information, modulation type information, or modulation order information; The resource location information is used to configure the resource location of the implicit pilot signal; The time slot number information is used to configure the number of time slots in which the implicit pilot signal is located; The modulation type information is used to configure the modulation type used by the implicit pilot signal; The modulation order information is used to configure the modulation order used by the implicit pilot signal.

14. The method according to any one of claims 8-13, characterized in that, The configuration information is also used to indicate the activation of the implicit pilot signal receiving mode; Before receiving the second data packet, the method further includes: Send mode start response information, which is used to indicate that the implicit pilot signal reception mode has been started.

15. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive a performance evaluation data packet, the performance evaluation data packet including a first channel reference signal, a first implicit pilot signal and a first known data signal, the first channel reference signal is used for channel estimation, the first implicit pilot signal is obtained by constant mode modulation of data information, the constant mode modulation refers to a modulation method in which all constellation points in the constellation diagram are at the same distance from the origin; The reception performance of the implicit pilot signal reception model is evaluated based on the performance evaluation data packet to obtain evaluation results.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, Prior to receiving the performance evaluation data packet, the method further includes: Receive evaluation start indication information, which is used to indicate the start of implicit pilot signal performance evaluation mode; Send evaluation start response information, which indicates that the implicit pilot signal performance evaluation mode has been started successfully.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, Prior to receiving the performance evaluation data packet, the method further includes: Send bit error rate information, which is used to indicate the bit error rate required by the terminal device.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15-17, characterized in that, After evaluating the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal based on the performance evaluation data packet to obtain evaluation result information, the method further includes: Send evaluation feedback information, which is used to indicate the evaluation result information; The model update data packet is received. The model update data packet includes a second channel reference signal, a second implicit pilot signal, and a second known data signal. The second channel reference signal is used for channel estimation. The second implicit pilot signal is obtained by constant mode modulation of the data information. The second implicit pilot signal is used for channel estimation. The implicit pilot signal receiving model is updated based on the model update data packet.

19. The method according to any one of claims 15-17, characterized in that, After evaluating the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal reception model based on the performance evaluation data packet to obtain evaluation result information, the method further includes: The adjustment state of the constant mode modulation type used by the first implicit pilot signal is determined based on the evaluation results. Send type adjustment information, which is used to indicate the adjustment status of the constant mode modulation type used by the first implicit pilot signal.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The type adjustment information includes modulation order adjustment information and / or modulation type adjustment information; The modulation order adjustment information is used to indicate whether the modulation order used for the first implicit pilot signal is increased or decreased. The modulation type adjustment information is used to indicate the constant mode modulation type used by the adjusted first implicit pilot signal.

21. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive an initial training data packet, which includes a channel reference signal, an implicit pilot signal, and a known data signal. The channel reference signal is used for channel estimation. The implicit pilot signal is obtained by constant mode modulation of the data information. Constant mode modulation refers to a modulation method in which all constellation points in the constellation diagram are at the same distance from the origin. The implicit pilot signal is used for channel estimation. The implicit pilot signal receiving model is initially trained based on the initial training data packet to obtain the trained model parameters. Send parameter feedback information, which is used to indicate the model parameters.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that, Before receiving the initial training data packet, the method further includes: Receive training start instruction information, which is used to instruct the initiation of initial training of the implicit pilot signal receiving model; Send training start response information, which indicates that the initial training of the implicit pilot signal receiving model has been completed.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The receiving unit is configured to receive a first data packet, the first data packet including a control signal, a channel reference signal, an implicit pilot signal, and a data signal; The control signal is used to configure the implicit pilot signal; The channel reference signal is used for channel estimation; The implicit pilot signal is obtained by constant mode modulation of data information. Constant mode modulation refers to a modulation method in which all constellation points in the constellation diagram are at the same distance from the origin. The implicit pilot signal is used for channel estimation.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23, characterized in that, The resource locations of the channel reference signal, the implicit pilot signal, and the data signal are all located within the first time-frequency resource of a time slot.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, characterized in that, The resource location of the channel reference signal is the time-frequency center of the first time-frequency resource.

26. The apparatus according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that, The resource location of the implicit pilot signal is distributed around the resource location of the channel reference signal within the first time-frequency resource.

27. The apparatus according to any one of claims 24-26, characterized in that, The resource location of the data signal is the resource location in the first time-frequency resource other than the resource location of the channel reference signal and the resource location of the implicit pilot signal.

28. The apparatus according to any one of claims 24-27, characterized in that, The control signal carries at least one of the following: resource location information, modulation type information, or modulation order information; The resource location information is used to configure the resource location of the implicit pilot signal; The modulation type information is used to configure the modulation type used by the implicit pilot signal; The modulation order information is used to configure the modulation order used by the implicit pilot signal.

29. The apparatus according to any one of claims 23-28, characterized in that, The device also includes a transmitting unit; The receiving unit is also used to receive mode activation indication information, which is used to indicate the activation of the implicit pilot signal receiving mode. The transmitting unit is used to transmit mode activation response information, which indicates that the implicit pilot signal reception mode has been activated.

30. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A receiving unit is used to receive configuration information, which is used to configure an implicit pilot signal. The implicit pilot signal is obtained by constant mode modulation of data information. Constant mode modulation refers to a modulation method in which all constellation points in the constellation diagram are at the same distance from the origin. The implicit pilot signal is used for channel estimation. The transmitting unit is used to transmit a second data packet according to configuration information. The second data packet includes a channel reference signal, the implicit pilot signal, and a data signal. The channel reference signal is used for channel estimation.

31. The apparatus according to claim 30, characterized in that, The resource locations of the channel reference signal, the implicit pilot signal, and the data signal are all located within the second time-frequency resource of each of the multiple time slots.

32. The apparatus according to claim 31, characterized in that, The resource location of the channel reference signal is the time-frequency center of the second time-frequency resource.

33. The apparatus according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that, The resource location of the implicit pilot signal is distributed around the resource location of the channel reference signal within the second time-frequency resource.

34. The apparatus according to any one of claims 31-33, characterized in that, The resource location of the data signal is the resource location in the second time-frequency resource other than the resource location of the channel reference signal and the resource location of the implicit pilot signal.

35. The apparatus according to any one of claims 30-34, characterized in that, The configuration information includes at least one of the following: resource location information, number of time slots information, modulation type information, or modulation order information; The resource location information is used to configure the resource location of the implicit pilot signal; The time slot number information is used to configure the number of time slots in which the implicit pilot signal is located; The modulation type information is used to configure the modulation type used by the implicit pilot signal; The modulation order information is used to configure the modulation order used by the implicit pilot signal.

36. The apparatus according to any one of claims 30-35, characterized in that, The configuration information is also used to indicate the activation of the implicit pilot signal receiving mode; The transmitting unit is also used to transmit mode activation response information, which is used to indicate that the implicit pilot signal receiving mode has been activated.

37. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The receiving unit is used to receive a performance evaluation data packet, which includes a first channel reference signal, a first implicit pilot signal, and a first known data signal. The first channel reference signal is used for channel estimation. The first implicit pilot signal is obtained by constant mode modulation of the data information. Constant mode modulation refers to a modulation method in which all constellation points in the constellation diagram are at the same distance from the origin. The evaluation unit is used to evaluate the reception performance of the implicit pilot signal reception model based on the performance evaluation data packet to obtain evaluation result information.

38. The apparatus according to claim 37, characterized in that, The device also includes a transmitting unit; The receiving unit is also configured to receive evaluation start indication information, which is used to indicate the start of implicit pilot signal performance evaluation mode; The sending unit is used to send evaluation start-up response information, which is used to indicate that the implicit pilot signal performance evaluation mode has been started successfully.

39. The apparatus according to claim 37 or 38, characterized in that, The device also includes a transmitting unit; The transmitting unit is further configured to transmit bit error rate information, which is used to indicate the bit error rate required by the terminal device.

40. The apparatus according to any one of claims 37-39, characterized in that, The device further includes a transmitting unit and an updating unit; The sending unit is also configured to send evaluation feedback information, which is used to indicate the evaluation result information; The model update data packet is received. The model update data packet includes a second channel reference signal, a second implicit pilot signal, and a second known data signal. The second channel reference signal is used for channel estimation. The second implicit pilot signal is obtained by constant mode modulation of the data information. The second implicit pilot signal is used for channel estimation. The update unit is used to update the implicit pilot signal receiving model according to the model update data packet.

41. The apparatus according to any one of claims 37-39, characterized in that, The device further includes a determining unit and a transmitting unit; The determining unit is used to determine the adjustment state of the constant mode modulation type used by the first implicit pilot signal based on the evaluation result information; The transmitting unit is used to transmit type adjustment information, which is used to indicate the adjustment status of the constant mode modulation type used by the first implicit pilot signal.

42. The apparatus according to claim 41, characterized in that, The type adjustment information includes modulation order adjustment information and / or modulation type adjustment information; The modulation order adjustment information is used to indicate whether the modulation order used for the first implicit pilot signal is increased or decreased. The modulation type adjustment information is used to indicate the constant mode modulation type used by the adjusted first implicit pilot signal.

43. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A receiving unit is used for initial training data packets, which include a channel reference signal, an implicit pilot signal, and a known data signal. The channel reference signal is used for channel estimation. The implicit pilot signal is obtained by constant mode modulation of the data information. Constant mode modulation refers to a modulation method in which all constellation points in the constellation diagram are at the same distance from the origin. The implicit pilot signal is used for channel estimation. The training unit is used to perform initial training on the implicit pilot signal receiving model based on the initial training data packet to obtain the trained model parameters. A sending unit is used to send parameter feedback information, which is used to indicate the model parameters.

44. The apparatus according to claim 43, characterized in that, The receiving unit is also used to receive training start indication information, which is used to indicate the start of initial training of the implicit pilot signal receiving model; The transmitting unit is also used to transmit training start response information, which is used to indicate that the initial training of the implicit pilot signal receiving model has been completed.

45. A terminal device, comprising a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, characterized in that, The processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1-22.

46. ​​A chip, comprising a processor and a communication interface, characterized in that, The processor performs the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1-22.

47. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the steps of the method as described in any one of claims 1-22.

48. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes one or more computer programs that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-22.

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