Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, used for implementing indication of a guard interval corresponding to a terminal by a network side, so as to avoid signal aliasing, thereby improving the uplink transmission efficiency. The communication method comprises: a terminal device receives first configuration information from a network device, wherein the first configuration information comprises a first guard interval configuration parameter, and the first guard interval configuration parameter is used for indicating the length of a guard interval; on the basis of the first guard interval configuration parameter, the terminal device determines the length of an available resource in at least one extended slot; the terminal device sends uplink data in the available resource in the at least one extended slot.

Description

Communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202411259612.2, filed on September 9, 2024, and entitled “A Communication Method and Apparatus”, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0004] In a non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system, the network side can receive the uplink signals of terminal devices through uplink joint reception technology. Taking a satellite system as an example, in the uplink joint reception communication scenario, the time delay difference between the terminal devices (or terminals) and different satellites is different; when the uplink signals of the terminals are aligned at one satellite side, the signals of multiple terminals may be mixed due to the misalignment of the signals at other satellite sides. In order to avoid such signal mixing, different guard intervals can be used when scheduling different terminals, so as to reduce or eliminate the inter-symbol interference through the buffering in time.

[0005] How the network side indicates the specific parameters of the guard interval corresponding to the terminal is a problem to be solved. SUMMARY

[0006] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus to realize the indication of the network side to the guard interval corresponding to the terminal, avoid signal mixing, and thus improve the uplink transmission efficiency.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be applied to a terminal device, or a component (such as a processor, a chip, a chip system, a circuit, a functional module, or other etc.) in the terminal device, or a software module. The method can include: receiving, by the terminal device, first configuration information from a network device; the first configuration information contains a first guard interval configuration parameter, which is used to indicate the length of the guard interval; determining, by the terminal device, the length of the available resource in at least one extended time slot according to the first guard interval configuration parameter; and transmitting, by the terminal device, uplink data in the available resource in the at least one extended time slot.

[0008] In a possible design, the first configuration information further includes a first extended slot configuration parameter; the first extended slot configuration parameter is used to indicate a length of each of the at least one extended slot; and the terminal device can further determine the at least one extended slot according to the first extended slot configuration parameter.

[0009] In a possible design, the first extended slot configuration parameter includes a first extension factor K1, where the K1 is used to indicate a number of slots included in each of the at least one extended slot; and the terminal device can determine the at least one extended slot according to the first extended slot configuration parameter, including: determining, according to the K1 and a subcarrier width, the length of each of the at least one extended slot; and determining the at least one extended slot according to the length of each of the at least one extended slot.

[0010] In a possible design, the terminal device can further receive a dynamic extended slot configuration parameter from the network device; the dynamic extended slot configuration parameter is used to indicate a length of a next scheduled extended slot in the at least one extended slot; and the terminal device can further determine the next scheduled extended slot according to the dynamic extended slot configuration parameter.

[0011] In a possible design, the dynamic extended slot configuration parameter includes a dynamic extension factor K', where the K' is used to indicate a number of slots included in the next scheduled extended slot; and the terminal device can determine the next scheduled extended slot according to the dynamic extended slot configuration parameter, including: determining, according to the K' and a subcarrier width, the length of the next scheduled extended slot; and determining the next scheduled extended slot according to the length of the next scheduled extended slot.

[0012] In a possible design, the dynamic extended slot configuration parameter can be included in a DCI.

[0013] In a possible design, the first guard interval configuration parameter includes a first quantity factor N1; and the terminal device can determine, according to the first guard interval configuration parameter, a length of available resources in each of the at least one extended slot, including: determining, according to the N1 and a subcarrier width, a number of unavailable symbols included in a guard interval in each of the at least one extended slot; and determining, according to the number of unavailable symbols included in the guard interval in each of the at least one extended slot, the length of the available resources in each of the at least one extended slot.

[0014] In one possible design, the guard interval is located at the very beginning or the very end of each of the at least one extended slot.

[0015] In one possible design, the first configuration information further includes a first position configuration parameter, which is used to indicate a position of the guard interval in each of the at least one extended slot.

[0016] In one possible design, the terminal device can receive, from the network device, a first message including at least two configuration information and corresponding enabling information for each configuration information, where the at least two configuration information includes the first configuration information, the first configuration information corresponds to first enabling information, and the enabling information corresponding to different configuration information is different; and the terminal device can determine, according to the first enabling information, the first configuration information used for sending uplink data.

[0017] In one possible design, the first message can be included in RRC signaling or MAC CE.

[0018] In one possible design, the enabling information corresponding to any configuration information includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier, an identifier of a broadcast beam, an identifier of a data beam, a geographical location area, and a valid time interval.

[0019] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be applied to a network device, or a component (e.g., a processor, a chip, a chip system, a circuit, a functional module, or other) in the network device, or a software module. The method can include: sending, by the network device, first configuration information to a terminal device, where the first configuration information includes a first guard interval configuration parameter, and the first guard interval configuration parameter is used to indicate a length of a guard interval; determining, by the network device, a length of available resources in at least one extended slot according to the first guard interval configuration parameter; and receiving, by the network device, uplink data in the available resources in the at least one extended slot.

[0020] In one possible design, the first configuration information further includes a first extended slot configuration parameter, and the first extended slot configuration parameter is used to indicate a length of each of the at least one extended slot; and the network device can determine the at least one extended slot according to the first extended slot configuration parameter.

[0021] In one possible design, the first extended slot configuration parameter includes a first extension factor K1, which is used to indicate a number of slots included in each of the at least one extended slot; and the process for the network device to determine the at least one extended slot according to the first extended slot configuration parameter can include: the network device determining a length of each of the at least one extended slot according to the K1 and a subcarrier width; and the network device determining the at least one extended slot according to the length of each of the at least one extended slot.

[0022] In one possible design, the network device can further transmit, to the terminal device, a dynamic extended slot configuration parameter; the dynamic extended slot configuration parameter is used to indicate a length of a next scheduled extended slot in the at least one extended slot; and the network device can further determine the next scheduled extended slot according to the dynamic extended slot configuration parameter.

[0023] In one possible design, the dynamic extended slot configuration parameter includes a dynamic extension factor K', which is used to indicate a number of slots included in the next scheduled extended slot; and the process for the network device to determine the next scheduled extended slot according to the dynamic extended slot configuration parameter can include: the network device determining a length of the next scheduled extended slot according to the K' and the subcarrier width; and the network device determining the next scheduled extended slot according to the length of the next scheduled extended slot.

[0024] In one possible design, the dynamic extended slot configuration parameter can be included in a DCI.

[0025] In one possible design, the first guard interval configuration parameter includes a first number factor N1; and the process for the network device to determine a length of available resources in each of the at least one extended slot according to the first guard interval configuration parameter can include: the network device determining a number of unavailable symbols included in a guard interval in each of the at least one extended slot according to the N1 and the subcarrier width; and the network device determining the length of the available resources in each of the at least one extended slot according to the number of unavailable symbols included in the guard interval in each of the at least one extended slot.

[0026] In one possible design, the guard interval is located at a front or a back of each of the at least one extended slot.

[0027] In one possible design, the first configuration information further includes a first position configuration parameter, which is used to indicate a position of the guard interval in each of the at least one extended slot.

[0028] In a possible design, the process in which the foregoing network device sends the first configuration information to the terminal device can include: the network device sends a first message to the terminal device, the first message containing at least two configuration information and enabling information corresponding to each configuration information; the at least two configuration information contains the first configuration information, the first configuration information corresponding to first enabling information; the enabling information corresponding to different configuration information is different; and the network device can determine the first configuration information used by the terminal device to send uplink data according to the first enabling information.

[0029] In a possible design, the first message can be contained in RRC signaling or MAC CE.

[0030] In a possible design, the enabling information corresponding to any configuration information includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier, an identifier of a broadcast beam, an identifier of a data beam, a geographical location area, and a valid time interval.

[0031] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus. The apparatus can implement the method in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect to the second aspect. The apparatus has the functions of the terminal device or the network device. The apparatus is, for example, an access network device, or a functional module in the access network device, etc.

[0032] In an alternative implementation manner, the apparatus can include a module or unit or means corresponding to each of the methods / operations / steps / actions in any possible implementation manner of the first aspect to the second aspect. The module or unit or means can be a hardware circuit, or software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software. In an alternative implementation manner, the apparatus includes a processing module (sometimes also referred to as a processing unit) and a communication module (sometimes also referred to as a transceiver module, a communication unit, etc.). The communication module can implement a sending function and a receiving function. When the communication module implements the sending function, it can be referred to as a sending unit (sometimes also referred to as a sending module). When the communication module implements the receiving function, it can be referred to as a receiving unit (sometimes also referred to as a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit can be the same functional module, which is referred to as the communication module, and can implement the sending function and the receiving function. Alternatively, the sending unit and the receiving unit can be different functional modules, and the communication module is a collective term for these functional modules.

[0033] For example, when the apparatus is used to implement the method described in any of the first aspect to the second aspect, the apparatus can include a processing module and a communication module.

[0034] In a fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present application further provide a communication apparatus, comprising a processor configured to execute a computer program (or computer executable instructions) stored in a memory, when the computer program (or computer executable instructions) is executed, causing the apparatus to perform the method according to any possible implementation of any of the first aspect to the second aspect.

[0035] In a possible implementation, the processor and the memory are integrated together.

[0036] In another possible implementation, the memory is located outside the communication apparatus.

[0037] The communication apparatus further comprises a communication interface configured to enable the communication apparatus to communicate with other devices, such as transmitting or receiving data and / or signals. For example, the communication interface can be a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module or other types of communication interface.

[0038] In a fifth aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, the computer readable storage medium is configured to store a computer program or instructions, when the computer program or instructions is executed, causing the method according to any possible implementation of any of the first aspect to the second aspect and the method according to any possible implementation of any of the first aspect to the second aspect to be implemented.

[0039] In a sixth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprises instructions, when the computer program product is executed on a computer, causing the method according to any possible implementation of any of the first aspect to the second aspect to be implemented.

[0040] In a seventh aspect, the embodiments of the present application further provide a communication apparatus, configured to perform the method according to any possible implementation of any of the first aspect to the second aspect.

[0041] In an eighth aspect, a chip or chip system is provided, which includes a logic circuit (or can be understood as including a processor, which can include a logic circuit, etc.), and can further include an input / output interface. The input / output interface can be used for inputting a message, and can also be used for outputting a message. The input / output interface can be the same interface, i.e., the same interface can realize both the sending function and the receiving function; or the input / output interface includes an input interface and an output interface, the input interface is used to realize the receiving function, i.e., is used to receive a message; and the output interface is used to realize the sending function, i.e., is used to send a message. The logic circuit can be used to perform operations other than the transceiving function in the method described in any possible implementation manner of any one of the first aspect to the second aspect; and the logic circuit can also be used to transmit a message to the input / output interface, or receive a message from the input / output interface from other communication devices. The chip system can be used to implement the method described in any one of the first aspect to the second aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0042] Optionally, the chip system can further include a memory, which can be used to store instructions, and the logic circuit can call the instructions stored in the memory to realize corresponding functions.

[0043] In a ninth aspect, a communication system is provided, which can include a terminal device and a network device. The terminal device can be used to implement the method shown in the first aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof, and the network device can be used to implement the method shown in the second aspect and any possible implementation manner thereof.

[0044] The technical effects brought by the second aspect to the ninth aspect above can be referred to the description of the beneficial effects of the corresponding solutions in the first aspect, which will not be described here again. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0045] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an NTN communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another NTN communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] FIG. 3 is a fusion network architecture of an NTN communication system and a ground network provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] FIG. 4 is another fusion network architecture of an NTN communication system and a ground network provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] FIG. 5 is a network architecture and data processing flow diagram of uplink joint reception provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] FIG. 6 is a communication example diagram of uplink joint reception provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG. 7 is a communication example diagram provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] FIG. 8a is a data transmission example diagram provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] FIG. 8b is another data transmission example diagram provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG. 9 is an example diagram of the correspondence between an extended time slot and a guard interval provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG. 10 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] FIG. 11 is a structural schematic diagram of another communication apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the present application will be described in further detail below with reference to the drawings. The specific operation methods in the method embodiments can also be applied to the apparatus embodiments or system embodiments; therefore, the apparatus and method implementations can be referred to each other, and the repeated parts will not be described again.

[0058] In the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified, " / " represents the meaning of or, for example, A / B can represent A or B; "and / or" in the present application is only a description of the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B together, and B alone. In addition, in the description of the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more" means two or more. In the description of the present application, "first", "second", and the like are only used for the purpose of distinguishing the description, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, nor indicating or implying order.

[0059] In order to facilitate those skilled in the art to understand, some terms related to the present application will be explained first.

[0060] 1. Network equipment, including but not limited to: NTN equipment with all or part of the functions of the access network, access network equipment in traditional ground networks, and gateway equipment (or gateway, ground station, earth station, gateway station).

[0061] Among them, the access network equipment is an entity for transmitting or receiving signals in the network side, such as a base station. The access network equipment can be a device for communicating with the terminal equipment.

[0062] The access network device can be an AP in a wireless local area network (WLAN), an evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB) in a long term evolution (LTE), or a relay station or an access point or an integrated access and backhaul (IAB), or a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, and an access network device in a future 5G network or an access network device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN) network, or a gNodeB (gNB) in an NR system, etc.

[0063] In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the access network device provides services through a managed cell, and the terminal device communicates with the access network device through the transmission resources (for example, frequency domain resources, or spectrum resources) used by the cell.

[0064] The access network device in the embodiments of the present application can refer to a central unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). Alternatively, the access network device can also be composed of a CU and a DU. The CU and the DU can be physically separated or deployed together, and the embodiments of the present application do not make specific limitations thereon. One CU can be connected with one DU, or multiple DUs can share one CU, which can save cost and facilitate network expansion. The CU and the DU can be split according to a protocol stack, and one possible way is to deploy the radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layers in the CU, and deploy the remaining radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer, and physical layer in the DU. The embodiments of the present application do not completely limit the above protocol stack splitting manner, and there can be other splitting manners. The CU and the DU are connected through an F1 interface. The CU is connected with a core network through an Ng interface.

[0065] The access network device in the embodiments of the present application can also refer to a centralized unit control plane (CU-CP) node or a centralized unit user plane (CU-UP) node, or the access network device can also be a CU-CP and a CU-UP. The CU-CP is responsible for control plane functions, mainly including RRC and PDCP-C. The PDCP-C is mainly responsible for encryption and decryption of control plane data, integrity protection, data transmission, and the like. The CU-UP is responsible for user plane functions, mainly including SDAP and PDCP-U. The SDAP is mainly responsible for processing data of the core network and mapping the flow to the bearer. The PDCP-U is mainly responsible for encryption and decryption of the data plane, integrity protection, header compression, sequence number maintenance, data transmission, and the like. The CU-CP and the CU-UP are connected through an E1 interface. The CU-CP represents the gNB connected to the core network through an Ng interface. The CU-CP is connected to the DU through an F1-C (control plane). The CU-UP is connected to the DU through an F1-U (user plane). Of course, there is also a possible implementation that the PDCP-C is also in the CU-UP. The access network device mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be a device including a CU, or a DU, or including a CU and a DU, or a device of a control plane CU node (a CU-CP node) and a user plane CU node (a CU-UP node) and a DU node. In addition, in other possible cases, the access network device can be other apparatuses providing wireless communication functions for terminal devices.

[0066] NTN devices, including but not limited to: highly elliptical orbiting (HEO) satellites, geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellites, medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites, and low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms, or high altitude platform stations (HAPS).

[0067] Gateway devices are responsible for connecting network devices in different network areas. For example, the gateway device can be responsible for data transmission between the traditional ground network and the NTN network.

[0068] In the technical solutions described below, the network device can also be a functional module, a chip, or a chip system. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the network device. For convenience of description, in the embodiments of the present application, the apparatuses located at the network side and providing wireless communication functions for terminal devices are referred to as network devices.

[0069] 2、terminal device, which can be a device capable of receiving scheduling and indication information of an access network device (or NTN device), and can be a device providing voice and / or data connectivity to a user, or a handheld device with wireless connection function, or other processing device connected to a wireless modem.

[0070] The terminal device can communicate with one or more core networks or the Internet via a radio access network (e.g., radio access network, RAN), and can be a mobile terminal device, such as a mobile phone (also known as a "cellular" phone, mobile phone), a computer, and a data card, for example, a portable, pocket, handheld, computer built-in, or vehicle-mounted mobile device that exchanges voice and / or data with a radio access network. For example, personal communications service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablets (Pads), computers with wireless transceiver functions, and the like. The terminal device can also be referred to as a system, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile station (MS), a remote station, an access point (AP), a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a subscriber station (SS), customer premises equipment (CPE), a terminal, a UE, a mobile terminal (MT), and the like. The terminal device can also be a wearable device and a future communication system, such as a terminal device in a 5G network or a terminal device in a future evolved PLMN network, a terminal device in a new radio (NR) communication system, and the like. The terminal device can also be a terminal in communication with an NTN device.

[0071] In the technical solutions described below, the terminal device can also be a functional module, a chip, or a chip system. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal device.

[0072] 3. A core network (CN) device, which is a device deployed on the ground and capable of communicating with an NTN device in an NTN system.

[0073] The embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0074] An NTN is proposed with respect to a traditional ground network, and refers to a network established using non-ground communication technology, which can include, but is not limited to, a network using spectrum resources on a satellite platform, a UAV platform, or a HAPS communication platform for communication services. For example, an NTN system can include, but is not limited to, a satellite system, a UAV communication system, and a HAPS system.

[0075] The embodiments of the present application take a satellite system in an NTN as an example for description. It should be understood that the satellite in the embodiments of the present application can be replaced by an NTN device such as a HAPS.

[0076] A satellite system is generally 8-50 km away from the ground; according to the height of the satellite, i.e., the orbital height of the satellite, the satellite system can be divided into a HEO satellite system, a GEO satellite system, a MEO satellite system, and a LEO satellite system. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the working mode of the satellite, for example, the working mode of the satellite can be a transparent mode or a regenerative mode.

[0077] When the satellite works in the transparent mode, the satellite has the function of transparent forwarding of relaying. In the satellite system in the transparent mode, a gateway device can also be included; the gateway device can have the function of a base station or part of the function of a base station, at this time, the gateway device can be regarded as a base station. Alternatively, the base station can be deployed separately from the gateway device, so that the time delay of the feeder link includes the time delay of the satellite to the gateway device and the time delay of the gateway device to the gNB. The transparent mode discussed later takes the case where the gateway device and the gNB are together or close to each other as an example, and for the case where the gateway device is far away from the gNB, the time delay of the feeder link is the sum of the time delay of the satellite to the gateway device and the time delay of the gateway device to the gNB.

[0078] When the satellite works in the regenerative mode, the satellite has data processing capability and has the function of a network device (such as a base station) or part of the function of a network device (such as a base station), at this time, the satellite can be regarded as a network device (such as a base station).

[0079] FIG. 1 is an example of an NTN communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1, the NTN communication system can include a terminal device, a network device A, a network device B, a ground base station, a core network and a data network. The network device A can be a satellite or other NTN device, which is not limited herein. The network device B can be a gateway device. In the communication process, the network device A can realize the interaction between the terminal device and the network device B through the transparent working mode, and the network device B can access the core network through the ground base station.

[0080] FIG. 2 is another example of an NTN communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 2, the NTN communication system can include a terminal device, a network device A, a network device B, a core network and a data network. The network device A can be a satellite or other NTN device, which is not limited herein. The network device B can be a gateway device. In the communication process, the network device A can realize the interaction between the terminal device and the network device B through the regenerative working mode, and the network device B can access the core network as a base station.

[0081] It should be understood that FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 only show one network device A and one network device B, and in actual use, multiple network devices A and / or one network device B architecture can be taken according to needs. Among them, each network device A can provide service to one or more terminal devices, each network device B can correspond to one or more network devices A, and each network device A can correspond to one or more network devices B, which is not specifically limited in the present application.

[0082] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are two fusion network architectures of NTN communication system and ground network provided by embodiments of the present application. The following will be briefly introduced in conjunction with the drawings.

[0083] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram taking the working mode of the satellite as the transparent mode as an example. In the fusion network architecture shown in FIG. 3, the NTN device (including but not limited to GEO satellite, LEO satellite, unmanned aerial vehicle or high-altitude platform) adopts the transparent mode, and the NTN device has the relay forwarding function. In the communication process, the NTN device can access the core network device through the gateway device (as a base station); the NTN device and the ground base station in the ground network can realize interconnection through the common core network device.

[0084] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram taking the working mode of the satellite as the regenerative mode as an example. In the converged network architecture shown in FIG. 4, the NTN device (including but not limited to GEO satellite, LEO satellite, unmanned aerial vehicle or high-altitude platform) adopts the regenerative mode, and the NTN device has data processing capability; in some examples, the NTN device also has the function of a base station or part of the function of a base station, that is, the NTN device can be regarded as a base station. In the communication process, the NTN device can access the core network device as an air base station; the NTN device and the ground base station in the ground network can be interconnected through a common core network device.

[0085] FIGS. 3 and 4 are only examples of the converged network architecture and do not constitute a limitation on the present application. In some examples, the NTN device and the ground base station can also achieve higher timeliness assistance and interconnection through the interface defined between the traditional base stations. Referring to the traditional mobile communication system, the interface between the base stations can be referred to as the Xn interface, and the interface between the base station and the core network can be referred to as the NG interface. In the NTN system, the NTN device and the ground base station can be interconnected through the Xn interface or the NG interface. Optionally, the link between the NTN device and the terminal device can be referred to as a service link, and the link between the NTN device and the gateway device can be referred to as a feeder link. In addition, the embodiments of the present application can also be applicable to other communication technologies facing the future, such as future mobile communication networks. The network architecture and service scenarios described in the present application are for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the present application and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the present application. It can be known by those skilled in the art that, as the network architecture evolves and new service scenarios appear, the technical solutions provided by the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0086] In the NTN communication system, the network side can receive the uplink signal of the terminal device through the uplink joint reception technology. Taking the satellite system as an example, considering the manufacturing and launching cost of the satellite device, the data processing capability and the transmission power of the satellite device are limited, and the satellite communication network cannot provide the terminal device with a communication rate comparable to that of the terrestrial communication network; in order to break through this limitation and improve the overall signal processing capability and communication throughput of the satellite network, the satellite operator designs and prepares to launch a giant low-orbit constellation, that is, to make up for the limitation of the communication capability of a single satellite by increasing the number of satellites. Based on this, in the future NTN communication system, after the terminal device accesses the system, the terminal device can be "visible" to multiple satellites with communication functions within a period of time, that is, the multiple satellites can provide communication services for the terminal device; in this way, the future NTN communication system has the basic conditions for the uplink joint reception technology (or multi-satellite cooperative transmission).

[0087] Exemplarily, FIG. 5 exemplarily shows a possible network architecture and data processing flow of uplink joint reception. Wherein, each satellite comprises at least one of the following modules: an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) module, a cyclic prefix (CP) module, a fast fourier transform (FFT) module, a channel estimation (CE) module, an equalizer module, a De-quadrature amplitude modulation (DeQAM) module, a decoding module, a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) module.

[0088] Referring to (1) in FIG. 5, multiple satellites can each receive a data stream x from a terminal device.

[0089] Referring to (2) in FIG. 5, the aforementioned uplink joint reception technology can be compatible with network devices in a regenerative mode (exemplified by satellites in the figure). Wherein, the distances between multiple satellites (in a regenerative mode) and a terminal device can be different, multiple satellites can interact with a terminal device, and a terminal device can interact with a ground base station; multiple satellites can interact with each other, and at least one of the multiple satellites can act as a base station to interact with other network devices.

[0090] Referring to (3) in FIG. 5, the aforementioned uplink joint reception technology can be compatible with network devices in a transparent mode (exemplified by satellites in the figure). Wherein, the distances between multiple satellites (in a transparent mode) and a terminal device can be different, multiple satellites can interact with a terminal device, and a terminal device can interact with a ground base station; multiple satellites can respectively connect a base station through a relayed network device, thereby accessing a core network.

[0091] Referring to (4) in FIG. 5, under a given UE transmit power, multiple satellites (labeled as Sat#1, Sat#2…Sat#N respectively) each receive a data stream x from a terminal device, and sequentially process the data stream through an ADC module, a CP module, an FFT module and a CE module; further, the processed data is transmitted to an equalizer module, and then sequentially processed through a DeQAM module, a decoding module and a CRC module, thereby obtaining a more accurate data stream x. In this way, the accuracy of the satellite in receiving the data stream can be improved, the equivalent signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the terminal device can be improved, and the performance of the wireless communication system can be optimized.

[0092] Optionally, in the joint reception processing flow shown in (4) in FIG. 5, the equalizer module can be an equalizer module in any one of the plurality of satellites, or an equalizer module in a satellite other than the plurality of satellites.

[0093] Under the network architecture of uplink joint reception as shown in (2) and (3) in FIG. 5, the plurality of satellites receive signals from the same terminal device with different time delays, and even if the timing advance (TA) is superimposed, there can be a problem of signal aliasing.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 6, satellite #1 (primary satellite) and satellite #2 (secondary satellite) jointly receive uplink data of a plurality of terminal devices (including UE #1, UE #2 and UE #3); the time delay difference of the uplink data of the plurality of terminal devices arriving at the satellites is different, in order to avoid signal aliasing of the plurality of terminal devices in satellite #1, each terminal device can correspond to a different TA; for example, the TA of UE #2 is a reference (ref) value; the TA of UE #1 is ref-384 microseconds (us); and the TA of UE #3 is ref+384us.

[0095] In this way, the uplink data of the plurality of terminal devices is aligned at satellite #1, but the uplink data of the plurality of terminal devices cannot be aligned at satellite #2; that is, there is signal aliasing between the plurality of terminal devices at satellite #2. The degree of signal aliasing between the terminal devices is related to the satellite orbit, satellite spacing and beam size.

[0096] In order to avoid signal aliasing between the plurality of terminal devices in the uplink joint reception technology, different guard intervals need to be used when scheduling different terminal devices to reduce or eliminate inter-symbol interference. Based on this, the present application provides a communication method for realizing indication of a guard interval corresponding to a terminal device by a network side to avoid signal aliasing, thereby improving uplink transmission efficiency.

[0097] The technical solution of the present application will be described in detail below in combination with FIG. 7 by a specific method embodiment. The communication method can be implemented by a network device and a terminal device. The network device can also be replaced by a base station, a chip or a sending unit in the base station, or other communication devices (such as NTN devices, satellites, etc.), a sending unit, etc., or other execution subjects, and the terminal device can also be replaced by a chip or a sending unit, etc., or other communication devices, a sending unit, etc., or other execution subjects. As shown in FIG. 7, the communication method can include:

[0098] S701: The network device sends first configuration information to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first configuration information from the network device. The first configuration information contains first guard interval configuration parameters, which are used to indicate the length of the guard interval.

[0099] The guard interval refers to a technology of preventing inter-symbol interference caused by multi-path propagation by setting an idle time (also referred to as an unavailable resource in the present application) of data communication. Optionally, the implementation of the guard interval includes but is not limited to designing a cyclic prefix (CP).

[0100] FIG. 8a is an example of data transmission based on a guard interval according to an embodiment of the present application. Referring to FIG. 8a, it is assumed that, in the communication expectation of the network side, one radio frame is divided into 10 subframes (identified as #0 to #9 respectively), the radio frame occupies 10 milliseconds (ms), each subframe occupies 1 ms, each subframe (for example, subframe #2) occupies at least one slot, and each slot includes 14 symbols. In the process of implementing communication by the terminal side through the guard interval, UE #1 communicates through subframe #2, and UE #2 communicates through subframe #3; the first 13 symbols in the slot included in the subframe #2 are available resources, and the last symbol is an unavailable resource (left empty), that is, a guard interval; the first 13 symbols in the slot included in the subframe #3 are available resources, and the last symbol is an unavailable resource (left empty), that is, a guard interval. In this way, by setting the guard interval (that is, taking part of the symbols as unavailable resources), it is possible to avoid the overlap between the tail symbols in the available resources of the previous slot and the head symbols in the available resources of the next slot, and thus it is possible to prevent the signal overlap between UE #1 and UE #2.

[0101] Optionally, the symbol shown in the embodiment of the present application can be an OFDM symbol or other symbols, which are not limited by the present application.

[0102] S702: The terminal device and the network device determine the length of the available resources in at least one extended slot according to the first guard interval configuration parameters.

[0103] Each extended slot contains at least one slot. That is, the extended slot can contain one slot or multiple slots. In this way, there is a guard interval in each extended slot. When an extended slot includes multiple slots, the proportion of the guard interval (unavailable resources) can be reduced, and the impact of the guard interval on data transmission can be reduced.

[0104] In some scenarios (e.g., non-NTN communication systems), the communication system can schedule separately for each time slot, i.e., separately configure the guard interval for each time slot. Referring to Example One in FIG. 8b, each time slot corresponds to a guard interval. Taking the CP as an example, the time length of the CP under the 15 kHz subcarrier spacing can be 4.69 us, the time length of the CP under the 30 kHz subcarrier spacing can be 2.34 us, and the time length of the CP under the 60 kHz subcarrier spacing can be 1.17 us. In this scenario, the network device can send the configuration parameters of the guard interval of the time slot through the downlink control information (DCI), e.g., the first configuration information described above can be carried in the DCI.

[0105] In other scenarios (e.g., NTN communication systems), the satellite round-trip delay is usually 4-13 milliseconds (ms), and the delay difference of a common low-orbit satellite constellation is in the order of 100 us-1000 us, which is much larger than the time length of the CP in the general design of the NR physical layer (see Example One); if the guard interval setting in Example One is still used, the phenomenon of signal aliasing cannot be avoided. Based on this, in the NTN communication scenario, it is usually necessary to set a guard interval of a larger length, but at the same time, a larger length of the guard interval will also have an impact on the communication efficiency. In order to avoid the impact of the guard interval on the communication, the embodiments of the present application propose to increase the time of a single scheduling, which can also be understood as increasing the length of a single time slot, i.e., the concept of an extended time slot is introduced in the present application, and one extended time slot can include at least one time slot. Referring to Example Two in FIG. 8b, each extended time slot corresponds to a guard interval. In this way, by increasing the time of a single scheduling through the extended time slot, the proportion of the guard interval in the entire radio frame is reduced, which can improve the communication efficiency.

[0106] FIG. 9 exemplarily shows the setting mode of the guard interval in extended time slots of different lengths. As shown in FIG. 9, the extended time slot #1 includes one time slot, and the extended time slot #1 can include 14 symbols (identified as 0-13, respectively), wherein the symbol identified as 13 is an unusable resource, i.e., the guard interval corresponding to the extended time slot #1; the extended time slot #2 includes two time slots, and the extended time slot #1 can include 28 symbols (identified as 0-27, respectively), wherein the symbol identified as 27 is an unusable resource, i.e., the guard interval corresponding to the extended time slot #2; the extended time slot #3 includes four time slots, and the extended time slot #3 can include 56 symbols (identified as 0-55, respectively), wherein the symbol identified as 55 is an unusable resource, i.e., the guard interval corresponding to the extended time slot #3. As can be seen, in the case of a certain length of the guard interval, the larger the length of the extended time slot, the smaller the proportion of the guard interval, and the smaller the impact of the guard interval on the communication.

[0107] In a possible design, the first guard interval configuration parameter can include a first quantity coefficient N1. Optionally, N1 can be a non-integer. The process in which the terminal device (or the network device) determines the length of the available resource in the at least one extended slot can include: the terminal device (or the network device) determines, according to N1 and the subcarrier width, the quantity of unavailable symbols contained in the guard interval in each of the at least one extended slot; and the terminal device (or the network device) determines, according to the quantity of unavailable symbols contained in the guard interval in each of the at least one extended slot, the length of the available resource in each of the at least one extended slot.

[0108] In this application, the quantity of unavailable symbols and the subcarrier width can reflect the (time) length of the guard interval; the correspondence between the quantity of unavailable symbols and the guard interval is related to the symbol structure, and can be referred to the conventional design, which is not limited in this application. For example, a 40us-long guard interval corresponds to 0.75 (and the quantity is rounded up to 1) 15kHz subcarrier width OFDM symbol.

[0109] In some examples, assuming that the subcarrier width is 15*2 μ kHz, the quantity of unavailable symbols contained in the guard interval in each of the at least one extended slot is Ceil(N1*2 μ ). Wherein, Ceil(x) represents rounding up x. Assuming that the value of N1 can be 0.75, the following introduces an example of the calculation method of the quantity of unavailable symbols:

[0110] When the subcarrier width is 15kHz, μ=0, Ceil(N1*2 μ ) = Ceil(0.75) = 1, that is, the quantity of unavailable symbols contained in the guard interval is 1;

[0111] When the subcarrier width is 30kHz, μ=1, Ceil(N1*2 μ ) = Ceil(1.5) = 2, that is, the quantity of unavailable symbols contained in the guard interval is 2.

[0112] When the subcarrier width is 60kHz, μ=2, Ceil(N1*2 μ ) = Ceil(3) = 3, that is, the quantity of unavailable symbols contained in the guard interval is 3.

[0113] When the subcarrier width is 120kHz, μ=3, Ceil(N1*2 μ ) = Ceil(6) = 6, that is, the quantity of unavailable symbols contained in the guard interval is 6.

[0114] Optionally, a length of the extended slot is a sum of a length of the guard interval in the extended slot and a length of the available resource in the extended slot. For example, the terminal device (or the network device) can calculate the length of the available resource by the following formula: D1=D2-D3; where D1 is the length of the available resource, D2 is the length of the extended slot, and D3 is the length of the guard interval.

[0115] In another possible design, the terminal device can further receive a dynamic guard interval configuration parameter from the network device, where the dynamic guard interval configuration parameter is used to indicate a length of a guard interval corresponding to a next scheduled extended slot in the at least one extended slot. Further, the terminal device (or the network device) can determine the guard interval corresponding to the next scheduled extended slot according to the dynamic guard interval configuration parameter.

[0116] Optionally, the dynamic guard interval configuration parameter can include a dynamic number coefficient N'. The process of determining, by the terminal device (or the network device), the length of the available resource in the next scheduled extended slot can include: determining, by the terminal device (or the network device), a number of unavailable symbols included in the guard interval in the next scheduled extended slot according to the N' and the subcarrier width; and determining, by the terminal device (or the network device), the length of the available resource in the next scheduled extended slot according to the number of unavailable symbols included in the guard interval in the next scheduled extended slot.

[0117] In some examples, assuming that the subcarrier width is 15*2 μ kHz, the number of unavailable symbols included in the guard interval in the next scheduled extended slot in the at least one extended slot is Ceil(N'*2 μ ).

[0118] Optionally, the dynamic guard interval configuration parameter can be included in the DCI.

[0119] It should be noted that in some examples, the terminal device can obtain the first guard interval configuration parameter in the RRC information and obtain the dynamic guard interval configuration parameter in the DCI; then the dynamic guard interval configuration parameter can be used preferentially in the next scheduling, and the first guard interval configuration parameter can be used preferentially in subsequent scheduling excluding the next scheduling.

[0120] S703: The terminal device transmits uplink data in the available resource in the at least one extended slot; and correspondingly, the network device receives the uplink data in the available resource in the at least one extended slot.

[0121] By using the communication method shown in S701-S703, the network device configures the first guard interval configuration parameter to the terminal device, and the terminal device (or the network device) can determine the length of the available resource in the at least one extended slot according to the first guard interval configuration parameter, so that the network device and the terminal device can transmit uplink data on the available resource. Compared with the method of indicating the symbols occupied by the guard interval (for example, by using a bitmap), the communication method shown in the present application does not need to be configured for each slot, nor does it need to be indicated for each symbol in the slot, which can reduce the amount of configuration information, reduce the signaling overhead, and improve the communication efficiency.

[0122] In a possible design, the process in which the network device sends the first configuration information to the terminal device in S701 can include: the network device sends a first message to the terminal device; and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first message from the network device. The first message includes at least two configuration information and corresponding enabling information of each configuration information. The at least two configuration information includes the first configuration information, and the first configuration information (identified as #1) corresponds to the first enabling information. The enabling information corresponding to different configuration information is different.

[0123] Optionally, the enabling information corresponding to any configuration information includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: a cell identifier, an identifier of a broadcast beam, an identifier of a data beam, a geographical location area, and a valid time interval.

[0124] In some examples, the at least two configuration information further includes second configuration information (identified as #2) and third configuration information (identified as #3), the second configuration information corresponds to second enabling information, and the third configuration information corresponds to third enabling information. When the first message further includes the second configuration information, the second configuration information can further include a second guard interval configuration parameter (for example, a second quantity coefficient N2); when the first message further includes the third configuration information, the third configuration information can further include a third guard interval configuration parameter (for example, a third quantity coefficient N3). When the first message further includes the second configuration information, the second configuration information can further include a second extended slot configuration parameter (for example, a second extension coefficient K2); when the first message further includes the third configuration information, the third configuration information can further include a third extended slot configuration parameter (for example, a third extension coefficient K3). When the first message further includes the second configuration information, the second configuration information can further include a second position configuration parameter; when the first message further includes the third configuration information, the third configuration information can further include a third position configuration parameter.

[0125] The second guard interval configuration parameter and the third guard interval configuration parameter can be the same as or different from the first guard interval configuration parameter, the second extended time slot configuration parameter and the third extended time slot configuration parameter can be the same as or different from the first extended time slot configuration parameter, the second position configuration parameter and the third position configuration can be the same as or different from the first position configuration parameter, and the present application does not make any limitation.

[0126] Table 1 provides an example of the correspondence between some configuration information and enabling information (cell identification).

[0127] Table 1

[0128] Table 2 provides an example of the correspondence between some configuration information and enabling information (identification of broadcast beams).

[0129] Table 2

[0130] Table 3 provides an example of the correspondence between some configuration information and enabling information (identification of data beams).

[0131] Table 3

[0132] Table 4 provides an example of the correspondence between some configuration information and enabling information (geographical location area).

[0133] Table 4

[0134] Table 5 provides an example of the correspondence between some configuration information and enabling information (valid time interval).

[0135] Table 5

[0136] In some examples, the enabling information in the foregoing Tables 1 to 5 can be used in combination. Table 6 provides an example of the correspondence between some configuration information and enabling information.

[0137] Table 6

[0138] It should be understood that the foregoing Table 6 is only one combination example and does not constitute a limitation on the present application. In actual application, the enabling information can be arbitrarily transformed to adapt to different scene requirements.

[0139] Based on the foregoing design, the enabling information corresponding to any configuration information can be used to determine the configuration information used by the terminal device when transmitting uplink data. That is, the terminal device (or network device) can also determine the first configuration information used for transmitting uplink data according to the first enabling information. It should be understood that the "first configuration information used for transmitting uplink data" can be understood as "first configuration information used by the terminal device for transmitting uplink data", or as "first configuration information used by the network device for receiving uplink data".

[0140] Optionally, when at least one of conditions one to five is met, the terminal device (or network device) determines that the configuration information used by the terminal device for transmitting uplink data is the first configuration information. Condition one: the cell identifier corresponding to the uplink data transmitted by the terminal device matches the cell identifier in the first enabling information. Condition two: the identifier of the broadcast beam corresponding to the uplink data transmitted by the terminal device matches the identifier of the broadcast beam in the first enabling information. Condition three: the identifier of the data beam corresponding to the uplink data transmitted by the terminal device matches the identifier of the data beam in the first enabling information. Condition four: the geographic location of the terminal device is included in the geographic location area in the first enabling information. Condition five: the time at which the terminal device transmits uplink data is within the valid time interval in the first enabling information.

[0141] In some examples, when the enabling information corresponding to any configuration information includes a cell identifier (see Table 1), when condition one is met, the terminal device (or network device) determines that the configuration information used by the terminal device for transmitting uplink data is the first configuration information. When the enabling information corresponding to any configuration information includes an identifier of a broadcast beam (see Table 2), when condition two is met, the terminal device (or network device) determines that the configuration information used by the terminal device for transmitting uplink data is the first configuration information. When the enabling information corresponding to any configuration information includes an identifier of a data beam (see Table 3), when condition three is met, the terminal device (or network device) determines that the configuration information used by the terminal device for transmitting uplink data is the first configuration information. When the enabling information corresponding to any configuration information includes a geographic location area (see Table 4), when condition four is met, the terminal device (or network device) determines that the configuration information used by the terminal device for transmitting uplink data is the first configuration information. When the enabling information corresponding to any configuration information includes a valid time interval (see Table 5), when condition five is met, the terminal device (or network device) determines that the configuration information used by the terminal device for transmitting uplink data is the first configuration information.

[0142] In some examples, the enabling information corresponding to any configuration information is obtained by combining multiple parameters. In this case, the foregoing conditions 1-5 are combined to determine the configuration information. For example, the enabling information corresponding to any configuration information includes a cell identifier and a valid time interval (see Table 6). When conditions 1 and 5 are satisfied, the terminal device (or the network device) determines that the configuration information used by the terminal device to send uplink data is the first configuration information.

[0143] Optionally, the first message can be included in RRC signaling or a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE).

[0144] In a possible design, the network device can further synchronize the at least one extended slot between the network device and the terminal device by extending a slot configuration parameter.

[0145] In some examples, the first configuration information in the foregoing S701 further includes a first extended slot configuration parameter. The first extended slot configuration parameter is used to indicate a length of each extended slot in the at least one extended slot. Further, the terminal device (or the network device) can further determine the at least one extended slot according to the first extended slot configuration parameter.

[0146] Optionally, the first extended slot configuration parameter includes a first extended coefficient K1. The K1 is used to indicate a number of slots included in each extended slot in the at least one extended slot. The process in which the terminal device (or the network device) determines the at least one extended slot can include: the terminal device (or the network device) determines a length of each extended slot in the at least one slot according to the K1 and a subcarrier width; and the terminal device (or the network device) determines the at least one extended slot according to the length of each extended slot in the at least one extended slot. For example, assuming that the subcarrier width is 15*2 kHz, each extended slot in the at least one extended slot includes K1*2 slots. μ μ

[0147] In some examples, the terminal device can further receive a dynamic extended slot configuration parameter from the network device. The dynamic extended slot configuration parameter is used to indicate a length of a next scheduled extended slot in the at least one extended slot. Further, the terminal device (or the network device) can further determine the next scheduled extended slot according to the dynamic extended slot configuration parameter.

[0148] ​​Optionally, the dynamic extended slot configuration parameter comprises a dynamic extension coefficient K', K' is used to indicate the number of slots included in the next scheduled extended slot; the process that the terminal device (or the network device) determines the next scheduled extended slot can comprise: the terminal device (or the network device) determines the length of the next scheduled extended slot according to K' and the subcarrier width; the terminal device (or the network device) determines the next scheduled extended slot according to the length of the next scheduled extended slot. For example, assuming that the subcarrier width is 15*2 kHz, then the next scheduled extended slot in at least one extended slot comprises K'*2 slots. μ μ

[0149] Optionally, the dynamic extended slot configuration parameter is included in the DCI.

[0150] It should be noted that in some examples, the terminal device obtains the first extended slot configuration parameter in the RRC information and obtains the dynamic extended slot configuration parameter in the DCI; then the dynamic extended slot configuration parameter is used in the next scheduling, and the first extended slot configuration parameter is used in subsequent scheduling which does not include the next scheduling.

[0151] In a possible design, the guard interval can be located at the front or the end of each extended slot.

[0152] It should be understood that the position of the guard interval (or the unavailable resource) in the examples (including the drawings) provided by the present application can be switched to the front or the end, which is not limited by the present application. As shown in FIG. 9, the unavailable resource corresponding to the extended slot #1 can be the symbol marked as 0 or the symbol marked as 13; the unavailable resource corresponding to the extended slot #2 can be the symbol marked as 0 or the symbol marked as 27; the unavailable resource corresponding to the extended slot #3 can be the symbol marked as 0 or the symbol marked as 55.

[0153] Optionally, the network device and the terminal device can reach a consensus on the position of the guard interval in the extended slot in advance, thereby reducing the cost of signaling interaction. For example, the first position configuration parameter is further included in the first configuration information in the foregoing S701, and the first position configuration parameter is used to indicate the position (such as the front or the end) of the guard interval in each extended slot in the at least one extended slot.

[0154] Optionally, the terminal device can further receive a dynamic position configuration parameter from the network device; the dynamic position configuration parameter is used to indicate the position (such as the front or the end) of the guard interval in the next scheduled extended slot in the at least one extended slot.

[0155] ​​It should be noted that, in some examples, the terminal device acquires the first location configuration parameter in the RRC information and acquires the dynamic location configuration parameter in the DCI; then the dynamic location configuration parameter is preferentially used in the next scheduling, and the first location configuration parameter is preferentially used in subsequent scheduling excluding the next scheduling.

[0156] In some possible designs, the first configuration information can further include a subcarrier width. Table 7 provides examples of relationships between some subcarrier widths, K1, the length of the extended slot, N1, and the number of unavailable symbols included in the guard interval.

[0157] Table 7

[0158] Based on the foregoing various designs, the dynamic extended slot configuration parameter, the dynamic guard interval configuration parameter, and the dynamic location parameter can be applied in any combination. For example, the terminal device can further receive, from the network device, dynamic configuration information including the dynamic extended slot configuration parameter, the dynamic guard interval configuration parameter, and / or the dynamic location parameter.

[0159] Optionally, the dynamic configuration information can further include a subcarrier width. Table 8 provides examples of relationships between some subcarrier widths, K', the length of the extended slot of the next scheduling, N', and the number of unavailable symbols included in the guard interval corresponding to the extended slot of the next scheduling.

[0160] Table 8

[0161] Based on the same technical concept, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, which includes a module or unit or means corresponding to the method steps in the method embodiments described above, and the functions or units or means can be implemented by software or by hardware, or by implementation of corresponding software by hardware.

[0162] For example, referring to FIG. 10, the communication apparatus 1000 can include a processing module 1001 and a communication module 1002.

[0163] Optionally, the communication module 1002 can include a sending module and / or a receiving module. The sending module is configured to perform the sending operations in the method embodiments described above. The receiving module is configured to perform the receiving operations in the method embodiments described above. It should be noted that the communication apparatus 1000 can include only the sending module but not the receiving module. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 1000 can include only the receiving module but not the sending module. Whether the sending module and the receiving module are included in the communication apparatus 1000 can depend on whether the sending action and the receiving action are included in the above-described schemes performed by the communication apparatus 1000.

[0164] The processing module 1001 is configured to perform data processing. The communication module 1002 can implement corresponding communication functions.

[0165] Optionally, the communication apparatus 1000 further includes a storage module, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 1001 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module, so that the communication apparatus 1000 implements the foregoing method embodiments.

[0166] It should be understood that all related contents of each step involved in the foregoing method embodiments can be cited to the function description of the corresponding function module.

[0167] The processing module 1001 in the foregoing embodiments can be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuit. The communication module 1002 can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuit. The communication module 1002 can also be referred to as a communication module or a communication interface.

[0168] For example, the communication apparatus 1000 can be a terminal device or a component configured in the terminal device. When the communication apparatus 1000 is used to implement the terminal device shown in FIG. 7, the communication module 1002 is configured to: receive first configuration information from a network device; the first configuration information includes a first guard interval configuration parameter, and the first guard interval configuration parameter is used to indicate the length of a guard interval; the processing module 1001 is configured to: determine the length of available resources in at least one extended slot according to the first guard interval configuration parameter; and the communication module 1002 is further configured to: transmit uplink data in the available resources in the at least one extended slot.

[0169] In a possible design, the first configuration information further includes a first extended slot configuration parameter; the first extended slot configuration parameter is used to indicate the length of each extended slot in the at least one extended slot; and the processing module 1001 is further configured to: determine the at least one extended slot according to the first extended slot configuration parameter.

[0170] In a possible design, the first extended slot configuration parameter includes a first extension coefficient K1, and the K1 is used to indicate the number of slots included in each extended slot in the at least one extended slot; and the processing module 1001 is specifically configured to: determine the length of each extended slot in the at least one extended slot according to the K1 and a subcarrier width; and determine the at least one extended slot according to the length of each extended slot in the at least one extended slot.

[0171] In a possible design, the communication module 1002 is further configured to receive a dynamic extended time slot configuration parameter from the network device, where the dynamic extended time slot configuration parameter is used to indicate a length of a next scheduled extended time slot in the at least one extended time slot; and the processing module 1001 is further configured to determine the next scheduled extended time slot according to the dynamic extended time slot configuration parameter.

[0172] In a possible design, the dynamic extended time slot configuration parameter includes a dynamic extended coefficient K', where the K' is used to indicate a number of time slots included in the next scheduled extended time slot; and the processing module 1001 is specifically configured to determine the length of the next scheduled extended time slot according to the K' and a subcarrier width, and determine the next scheduled extended time slot according to the length of the next scheduled extended time slot.

[0173] In a possible design, the dynamic extended time slot configuration parameter can be included in a DCI.

[0174] In a possible design, the first guard interval configuration parameter includes a first number coefficient N1; and the processing module 1001 is specifically configured to determine a number of unavailable symbols included in a guard interval in each of the at least one extended time slot according to the N1 and a subcarrier width, and determine a length of available resources in each of the at least one extended time slot according to the number of unavailable symbols included in the guard interval in each of the at least one extended time slot.

[0175] In a possible design, the guard interval is located at a frontmost or a last of each of the at least one extended time slot.

[0176] In a possible design, the first configuration information further includes a first position configuration parameter, where the first position configuration parameter is used to indicate a position of the guard interval in each of the at least one extended time slot.

[0177] In a possible design, the communication module 1002 is specifically configured to receive a first message from the network device, where the first message includes at least two configuration information and corresponding enabling information of each configuration information, and the at least two configuration information includes the first configuration information corresponding to first enabling information; and the enabling information corresponding to different configuration information is different; and the processing module 1001 is further configured to determine the first configuration information used for sending uplink data according to the first enabling information.

[0178] In a possible design, the first message can be included in RRC signaling or a MAC CE.

[0179] In a possible design, the enabling information corresponding to any configuration information includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier, an identifier of a broadcast beam, an identifier of a data beam, a geographical location area, and a valid time interval.

[0180] For example, the communication apparatus 1000 can be a network device or a component configured in the network device. When the communication apparatus 1000 is used to implement the network device shown in FIG. 7, the communication module 1002 is configured to: send, to a terminal device, first configuration information; the first configuration information includes a first guard interval configuration parameter, and the first guard interval configuration parameter is used to indicate a length of a guard interval; the processing module 1001 is configured to: determine, according to the first guard interval configuration parameter, a length of available resources in at least one extended time slot; and the communication module 1002 is further configured to: receive uplink data in the available resources in the at least one extended time slot.

[0181] In a possible design, the first configuration information further includes a first extended time slot configuration parameter; the first extended time slot configuration parameter is used to indicate a length of each extended time slot in the at least one extended time slot; and the processing module 1001 is further configured to: determine, according to the first extended time slot configuration parameter, the at least one extended time slot.

[0182] In a possible design, the first extended time slot configuration parameter includes a first extended coefficient K1, and the K1 is used to indicate a number of time slots included in each extended time slot in the at least one extended time slot; the processing module 1001 is specifically configured to: determine, according to the K1 and a subcarrier width, the length of each extended time slot in the at least one extended time slot; and determine the at least one extended time slot according to the length of each extended time slot in the at least one extended time slot.

[0183] In a possible design, the communication module 1002 is further configured to: send, to the terminal device, a dynamic extended time slot configuration parameter; the dynamic extended time slot configuration parameter is used to indicate a length of a next scheduled extended time slot in the at least one extended time slot; and the processing module 1001 is further configured to: determine, according to the dynamic extended time slot configuration parameter, the next scheduled extended time slot.

[0184] In a possible design, the dynamic extended time slot configuration parameter includes a dynamic extended coefficient K', and the K' is used to indicate a number of time slots included in the next scheduled extended time slot; the processing module 1001 is specifically configured to: determine, according to the K' and the subcarrier width, the length of the next scheduled extended time slot; and determine the next scheduled extended time slot according to the length of the next scheduled extended time slot.

[0185] In a possible design, the dynamic extended slot configuration parameter is contained in the DCI.

[0186] In a possible design, the first guard interval configuration parameter includes a first quantity coefficient N1; the processing module 1001 is specifically configured to: determine, according to the N1 and a subcarrier width, a quantity of unavailable symbols contained in a guard interval in each of the at least one extended slot; and determine, according to the quantity of unavailable symbols contained in the guard interval in each of the at least one extended slot, a length of available resources in each of the at least one extended slot.

[0187] In a possible design, the guard interval is located at a frontmost or a last of each of the at least one extended slot.

[0188] In a possible design, the first configuration information further includes a first position configuration parameter, where the first position configuration parameter is used to indicate a position of the guard interval in each of the at least one extended slot.

[0189] In a possible design, the communication module 1002 is specifically configured to: send, to the terminal device, a first message, where the first message contains at least two configuration information and respective enabling information corresponding to each configuration information; the at least two configuration information contains the first configuration information, and the first configuration information corresponds to first enabling information; the enabling information corresponding to different configuration information is different; and the processing module 1001 is further configured to: determine, according to the first enabling information, the first configuration information used by the terminal device to send uplink data.

[0190] In a possible design, the first message can be contained in RRC signaling or MAC CE.

[0191] In a possible design, the enabling information corresponding to any configuration information includes at least one of the following: a cell identifier, an identifier of a broadcast beam, an identifier of a data beam, a geographical location area, and a valid time interval.

[0192] Another structural schematic diagram of the communication apparatus is shown below. As shown in FIG. 11, the embodiment of the present application further provides a communication apparatus 1100, which includes:

[0193] at least one processor 1101, and a communication interface 1103 connected with the at least one processor 1101; the at least one processor 1101 executes instructions stored in a memory 1102, so that the apparatus performs the method steps in the method embodiments described above through the communication interface 1103.

[0194] The memory 1102 can be located inside the communication apparatus 1100. Alternatively, the memory 1102 can also be located outside the communication apparatus 1100. Optionally, the communication apparatus 1100 includes the memory 1102, the memory 1102 is connected to the at least one processor 1101, and the memory 1102 stores instructions executable by the at least one processor 1101. As shown in FIG. 11, the memory 1102 is optional for the communication apparatus 1100, which is indicated by a dashed line.

[0195] The processor 1101 and the memory 1102 can be coupled through an interface circuit or integrated together, which is not limited here.

[0196] The specific connection medium between the processor 1101, the memory 1102 and the communication interface 1103 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In FIG. 11, the processor 1101, the memory 1102 and the communication interface 1103 are connected through a bus 1104, the bus is indicated by a thick line in FIG. 11, and the connection mode between other components is only schematically illustrated and is not limited. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For convenience of representation, only one thick line is used in FIG. 11, but it does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0197] Taking a terminal device as an example, when the communication apparatus 1100 is a terminal device, the terminal device can include a processor, a memory and a transceiver. The memory can store computer program codes, and the transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver.

[0198] The processor is mainly used for processing communication protocols and communication data, controlling the terminal device, executing software programs and processing data of the software programs, etc. The memory is mainly used for storing software programs and data. The transmitter is used for sending signals to other communication apparatuses or devices, and the receiver is used for receiving signals from other communication apparatuses or devices.

[0199] When the communication apparatus 1100 is a chip in a terminal device, the chip can include a processor, a memory and a transceiver. The transceiver can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processor can be an integrated processing module on the chip or a microprocessor or an integrated circuit. The sending operation of the terminal device in the above method embodiments can be understood as the output of the chip, and the receiving operation of the terminal device in the above method embodiments can be understood as the input of the chip.

[0200] It should be appreciated that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented by hardware or software. When implemented by hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc. When implemented by software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor which is implemented by reading software codes stored in a memory.

[0201] For example, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor.

[0202] It should be appreciated that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. The non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), an electrically EPROM (EEPROM) or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM) which is used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM), synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM) and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0203] It should be noted that when the processor is a general processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated in the processor.

[0204] It should be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but not limited to, these and any other suitable type of memory.

[0205] Based on the same technical concept, the embodiment of the present application further provides a computer readable storage medium, comprising a program or instructions, when the program or instructions are run on a computer, the method in the above method embodiment is executed.

[0206] Based on the same technical concept, the embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, comprising instructions, when the instructions are run on a computer, the method in the above method embodiment is executed.

[0207] Based on the same technical concept, the embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, which can include terminal equipment and network equipment. For example, the communication system can be used to implement the method flow in FIG. 7. Optionally, the communication system can also include other communication devices.

[0208] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as a method, system or computer program product. Therefore, the present application can take the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Moreover, the present application can take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer usable storage media (including but not limited to magnetic disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer usable program code.

[0209] The present application is described with reference to flowcharts and / or block diagrams according to the method, device (system) and computer program product of the present application. It should be understood that each flow and / or block in the flowchart and / or block diagram, and the combination of the flows and / or blocks in the flowchart and / or block diagram can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to the processor of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, an embedded processor or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device produce a device for implementing the functions specified in one or more flows in the flowchart and / or one or more blocks in the block diagram.

[0210] These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function specified in the flowchart block or blocks and / or flowchart flow or flows and / or block or blocks of the block diagram.

[0211] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks and / or flowchart flow or flows and / or block or blocks of the block diagram.

[0212] In various embodiments of the present application, the terms and / or descriptions among different embodiments are consistent and can be referred to each other if there is no special description and logical conflict, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0213] It can be understood that various numerical numbers involved in the embodiments of the present application are only for convenient differentiation, and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. The size of the serial number of the above processes does not mean the execution order, and the execution order of the processes should be determined according to their functions and inherent logic.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: receiving first configuration information from a network device; the first configuration information comprises a first guard interval configuration parameter, the first guard interval configuration parameter being used for indicating a length of a guard interval; determining a length of available resources in at least one extended time slot according to the first guard interval configuration parameter; sending uplink data in the available resources in the at least one extended time slot.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first configuration information further comprises a first extended time slot configuration parameter; the first extended time slot configuration parameter is used for indicating a length of each extended time slot in the at least one extended time slot; The method further comprises: determining the at least one extended time slot according to the first extended time slot configuration parameter.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The first extended time slot configuration parameter comprises a first extension coefficient K1, the K1 being used for indicating a number of time slots included in each extended time slot in the at least one extended time slot; the determining the at least one extended time slot according to the first extended time slot configuration parameter comprises: determining the length of each extended time slot in the at least one extended time slot according to the K1 and a subcarrier width; determining the at least one extended time slot according to the length of each extended time slot in the at least one extended time slot.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving a dynamic extended time slot configuration parameter from the network device; the dynamic extended time slot configuration parameter is used for indicating a length of a next scheduled extended time slot in the at least one extended time slot; The method further comprises: determining the next scheduled extended time slot according to the dynamic extended time slot configuration parameter.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The dynamic extended time slot configuration parameter comprises a dynamic extension coefficient K', the K' being used for indicating a number of time slots included in the next scheduled extended time slot; the determining the next scheduled extended time slot according to the dynamic extended time slot configuration parameter comprises: determining the length of the next scheduled extended time slot according to the K' and the subcarrier width; determining the next scheduled extended time slot according to the length of the next scheduled extended time slot.

6. The method of claim 4 or 5, wherein, The dynamic extended time slot configuration parameter is contained in downlink control information DCI.

7. The method of any one of claims 1-6, wherein, The first guard interval configuration parameter comprises a first number coefficient N1; the determining the length of available resources in at least one extended time slot according to the first guard interval configuration parameter comprises: determining a number of unavailable symbols included in a guard interval in each extended time slot in the at least one extended time slot according to the N1 and the subcarrier width; determining the length of available resources in each extended time slot in the at least one extended time slot according to the number of unavailable symbols included in the guard interval in each extended time slot in the at least one extended time slot.

8. The method of any one of claims 1-7, wherein, The guard interval is located at the front or the end of each extended time slot in the at least one extended time slot.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The first configuration information further comprises a first position configuration parameter, the first position configuration parameter being used for indicating a position of the guard interval in each extended time slot in the at least one extended time slot.

10. The method of any one of claims 1-9, wherein, The receiving first configuration information from a network device comprises: receiving a first message from the network device, the first message containing at least two configuration information and enabling information corresponding to each configuration information respectively; the at least two configuration information contains the first configuration information, and the first configuration information corresponds to the first enabling information; the enabling information corresponding to different configuration information is different; The method further comprises: determining the first configuration information used for sending uplink data according to the first enabling information.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The first message is contained in radio resource control (RRC) signaling or media access control (MAC) control element (CE).

12. The method of claim 10 or 11, wherein, The enabling information corresponding to any configuration information comprises at least one of the following: cell identifier, broadcast beam identifier, data beam identifier, geographical location area, and valid time interval.

13. A method of communication, comprising: The method comprises: sending the first configuration information to the terminal device; the first configuration information contains a first guard interval configuration parameter, which is used to indicate the length of the guard interval; determining the length of the available resource in the at least one extended slot according to the first guard interval configuration parameter; receiving uplink data in the available resource in the at least one extended slot.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The first configuration information further contains a first extended slot configuration parameter; the first extended slot configuration parameter is used to indicate the length of each extended slot in the at least one extended slot. The method further comprises: determining the at least one extended slot according to the first extended slot configuration parameter.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The first extended slot configuration parameter comprises a first extension coefficient K1, which is used to indicate the number of slots included in each extended slot in the at least one extended slot; the determination of the at least one extended slot according to the first extended slot configuration parameter comprises: determining the length of each extended slot in the at least one extended slot according to the K1 and the subcarrier width; determining the at least one extended slot according to the length of each extended slot in the at least one extended slot.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein, The method further comprises: sending a dynamic extended slot configuration parameter to the terminal device; the dynamic extended slot configuration parameter is used to indicate the length of the next scheduled extended slot in the at least one extended slot; The method further comprises: determining the next scheduled extended slot according to the dynamic extended slot configuration parameter.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The dynamic extended slot configuration parameter comprises a dynamic extension coefficient K', which is used to indicate the number of slots included in the next scheduled extended slot; the determination of the next scheduled extended slot according to the dynamic extended slot configuration parameter comprises: determining the length of the next scheduled extended slot according to the K' and the subcarrier width; determining the next scheduled extended slot according to the length of the next scheduled extended slot.

18. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein, The dynamic extended slot configuration parameter is contained in downlink control information (DCI).

19. The method of any one of claims 13-18, wherein, The first guard interval configuration parameter comprises a first number coefficient N1; the determination of the length of the available resource in the at least one extended slot according to the first guard interval configuration parameter comprises: determining a number of unavailable symbols contained in the guard interval in each of the at least one extended slot according to the N1 and the subcarrier width; determining a length of available resources in each of the at least one extended slot according to the number of unavailable symbols contained in the guard interval in each of the at least one extended slot.

20. The method of any one of claims 13-19, wherein, The guard interval is located at the front or the end of each of the at least one extended slot.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The first configuration information further comprises a first position configuration parameter, which is used to indicate a position of the guard interval in each of the at least one extended slot.

22. The method of any one of claims 13-21, wherein, The method further comprises: The method further comprises: determining the first configuration information used by the terminal device to send uplink data according to the first enabling information. The first message is contained in radio resource control (RRC) signaling or a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE).

23. The method of claim 22, wherein, The enabling information corresponding to any configuration information comprises at least one of the following:

24. The method of claim 22 or 23, wherein, a cell identifier, an identifier of a broadcast beam, an identifier of a data beam, a geographical location area, and a valid time interval. The method is used to perform the method of any one of claims 1-12, or the method of any one of claims 13-24.

25. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus comprises at least one processor configured to execute computer programs or instructions to implement the method of any one of claims 1-12, or the method of any one of claims 13-24.

26. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus further comprises a memory.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein, The storage medium stores computer programs or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method of any one of claims 1-12, or the method of any one of claims 13-24.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer program product, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-12, or the method of any one of claims 13-24.

29. A computer program product, characterised in that, The chip is coupled with the memory and is configured to read and execute program instructions stored in the memory to implement the method of any one of claims 1-12, or the method of any one of claims 13-24.

30. A chip, characterized by ​

Images