Communication method, apparatus and system

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method, apparatus and system. The method comprises: when a trigger condition is met, a terminal device acquires a first report, the first report being used for indicating a measurement result of a first beam, the first beam being one or more beams corresponding to a first reference signal, a first parameter of a reference signal corresponding to the first beam being superior to and / or equal to a first parameter of a reference signal corresponding to a second beam, the first parameter being used for indicating the quality of a beam, and the second beam being a beam among all beams corresponding to a configured reference signal other than the first beam; the terminal device sends the first report to a network device; and the network device performs beam management on the basis of the first report. Therefore, selection methods for beams reported by different terminal devices are unified.

Description

Communication method, apparatus and system

[0001] The present application claims priority from the Chinese patent application No. 202411403353.6 filed on September 30, 2024, and entitled "Communication method, apparatus and system", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communication, in particular to a communication method, apparatus and system. BACKGROUND

[0003] In a communication system, a terminal device feeds back a channel state information (CSI) report, or a beam report, to a network device according to a beam reporting mechanism of self-initiation or event triggering, which can reduce the overhead and latency of beam measurement and reporting.

[0004] Currently, different terminal devices may report different selection results even under the same measurement results, which causes the network device to be unable to make effective beam management behaviors, such as beam forming, beam selection, beam switching, beam tracking, and beam coordination, according to the selection results, thereby reducing the reliability and continuity of communication and the efficiency of resource allocation. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a communication method, apparatus and system, which makes different terminal devices determine a plurality of measurement results of reference signals to be reported from the measurement results of the configured reference signals through the selection manner of the reported beams, unifies the measurement results of the reference signals corresponding to the beams reported by different terminal devices, and is beneficial to the network device to make effective beam management.

[0006] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a terminal device, or can be executed by a component (such as a circuit, a chip or a chip system, etc.) configured in the terminal device, and can also be implemented by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal device. The present application does not make any limitation in this regard. Hereinafter, the terminal device is taken as an example for description.

[0007] The method comprises:

[0008] In a case where a trigger condition is met, a first report is acquired, the first report being used to indicate measurement results of first beams, the trigger condition being that a number of times that a first condition is met by beams corresponding to configured reference signals within a first window is greater than or equal to a first value, the first condition being that a second value between a measurement result of a reference signal corresponding to a first reference signal and a measurement result of a reference signal corresponding to a beam used for current transmission of service data is greater than or equal to a third value, the first window being a time period used for determining whether a beam meets the trigger condition, the first beams being one or more beams corresponding to the first reference signal, a first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beams being better than and / or equal to a first parameter of a reference signal corresponding to a second beam, the second beam being a beam other than the first beams among all beams corresponding to the configured reference signals;

[0009] The first report is sent to a network device.

[0010] According to the communication method of the first aspect, in a case where a trigger condition is met, a terminal device can send a first report to a network device, the first report indicating measurement results of first beams, a first parameter of a reference signal corresponding to the first beams being better than and / or equal to a first parameter of a reference signal corresponding to a second beam, the first parameter indicating a quality of a beam, so the first beams are one or more new beams with a quality of a beam in the front among all beams, which enables different terminal devices to determine reported beams or reference signals corresponding to the beams based on a unified selection manner, and enables the network device to implement effective beam management, for example, the network device does not make a decision to switch a cell again in a short time after switching the cell, thereby reducing the frequency of cell switching, and for another example, the network device can comprehensively consider the quality of a beam, and can select a beam with a suboptimal quality when a beam with an optimal quality exists, thereby guaranteeing the performance of subsequent beam switching and user experience.

[0011] In an implementation manner, among all beams corresponding to the first reference signal, a first parameter of a reference signal corresponding to a beam has a corresponding relationship with measurement results of one or more reference signals of the beam within a second window, the second window being a time period used for determining the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the beam;

[0012] Alternatively, among beams other than a third beam among all beams corresponding to the first reference signal, a first parameter of a reference signal corresponding to a beam has a corresponding relationship with measurement results of one or more reference signals of the beam within a second window, the second window being a time period used for determining the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the beam, the third beam being one or more beams meeting the trigger condition.

[0013] Thus, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to one beam is related to the measurement result of one or more reference signals of the beam in the second window, for example, the first parameter can be the average value, maximum value, weighted value, converted value, etc. of the measurement result of one or more reference signals of the beam in the second window, which can be a feasible implementation for determining the first parameter.

[0014] In an implementation, among all beams corresponding to the first reference signal, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to one beam is related to the number of times that the beam satisfies the second condition in the third window, and the second condition is that the fourth value between the measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the beam and the measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the beam used for transmitting the current service data is greater than or equal to the fifth value, and the third window is a time period for determining the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the beam.

[0015] Thus, the performance indicator of the reference signal corresponding to one beam is related to the number of times that the beam satisfies the second condition in the third window, for example, the first parameter can be the number of times that the beam satisfies the second condition in the third window, other parameters corresponding to the number of times, etc., which can be another feasible implementation for determining the first parameter.

[0016] In an implementation, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the one beam is related to the number of times that the beam satisfies the second condition in the third window includes:

[0017] The sorting priority of the number of times that the one beam satisfies the second condition in the third window is higher than the sorting priority of the measurement result of one or more reference signals of the beam in the second window.

[0018] Thus, in the case where the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to one beam is related to the measurement result of one or more reference signals of the beam in the second window and the number of times that the beam satisfies the second condition in the third window, the sorting priority of the number of times is prior to the sorting priority of the measurement result, that is, the sorting can be performed according to the number of times first, and the sorting can be performed according to the measurement result when the number of times is equal.

[0019] In an implementation, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to different beams is determined in the same window.

[0020] Or, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to different beams is determined in different windows corresponding to the beams respectively.

[0021] Thus, the second window or the third window can include different implementations.

[0022] Different beams in all beams corresponding to the first reference signal can share the same window, so that the terminal device uniformly determines the measurement results of one or more reference signals corresponding to each beam in one time window or a number of windows, or so that the terminal device uniformly determines the number of times that each beam satisfies the second condition in one time window.

[0023] Alternatively, different beams in all beams corresponding to the first reference signal can use different and independent windows respectively, so that the terminal device respectively determines the measurement results of one or more reference signals corresponding to each beam in different time windows or a number of windows, or so that the terminal device respectively determines the number of times that different beams satisfy the second condition in different time windows.

[0024] In an implementation manner, the second window or the third window is configured by the network device;

[0025] Alternatively, the second window or the third window is predefined;

[0026] Alternatively, the second window or the third window is determined by the terminal device.

[0027] In this way, the second window or the third window can include multiple setting modes, which enriches the specific implementation manners of the second window or the third window.

[0028] In an implementation manner, the time period corresponding to the second window or the third window partially overlaps or completely overlaps with the first window.

[0029] In this way, the corresponding relationship between the second window or the third window and the first window can be the same time period, or different time periods with partial overlap.

[0030] In an implementation manner, the type of the second window is a time window or a number window, and the type of the third window is a time window.

[0031] In this way, the type of the second window can include multiple types, and the type of the third window can include one type.

[0032] In an implementation manner, the first beam does not include a beam used for currently transmitting service data.

[0033] In this way, the first beam generally does not include a beam used for currently transmitting service data, that is, a beam indicated by the indicated TCI state, that is, when selecting a beam, the terminal device does not determine the performance index of the reference signal corresponding to the beam indicated by the indicated TCI state, but determines the performance index of the reference signal corresponding to the beam (new beam) corresponding to the configured reference signal.

[0034] In an implementation manner, the number of reference signals corresponding to the first report is less than or equal to the number of configured reference signals.

[0035] Thus, a feasible application scenario can be achieved, that is, in a case where the number of reported reference signals is less than or equal to the number of configured reference signals, the terminal device can select and report the measurement result of the beam according to the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the beam.

[0036] In an implementation manner, the first report includes the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam.

[0037] Thus, the terminal device can carry the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam in the first report, and report the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam to the network device through the first report, facilitating the network device to perform subsequent operations.

[0038] In an implementation manner, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam includes at least one of the following parameters:

[0039] a maximum value of the measurement result of one or more reference signals in the second window corresponding to the first beam;

[0040] an average value of the measurement result of one or more reference signals in the second window corresponding to the first beam;

[0041] a weighted value of the measurement result of one or more reference signals in the second window corresponding to the first beam;

[0042] a converted value of the measurement result of one or more reference signals in the second window corresponding to the first beam;

[0043] a number of times of satisfying the second condition in the third window corresponding to the first beam.

[0044] Thus, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam can include various implementation manners.

[0045] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a network device, or can be executed by a component (such as a circuit, a chip or a chip system, etc.) configured in the network device, and can also be executed by a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the network device functions. The present application does not limit this. Hereinafter, the network device is taken as an example for description.

[0046] The method includes:

[0047] receive a first report, the first report being used for indicating measurement results of first beams, the first report being generated in a case that a trigger condition is met, the trigger condition being that a number of times that a first condition is met by beams corresponding to a configured reference signal within a first window is greater than or equal to a first value, the first condition being that a second value between a measurement result of a reference signal corresponding to a first beam and a measurement result of a reference signal corresponding to a beam used for transmitting current service data is greater than or equal to a third value, the first window being a time period for determining whether a beam meets the trigger condition, the first beams being one or more beams corresponding to the first reference signal, a first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beams being better than and / or equal to a first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the second beams, the first parameter being used for indicating a quality of a beam, the second beams being beams other than the first beams among all beams corresponding to the configured reference signal;

[0048] perform beam management based on the first report.

[0049] In an implementation, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to one of the beams among all beams corresponding to the first reference signal has a correspondence relationship with one or more measurement results of the reference signal within a second window, the second window being a time period for determining the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to a beam.

[0050] Alternatively, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to one of the beams among the beams other than a third beam among all beams corresponding to the first reference signal has a correspondence relationship with one or more measurement results of the reference signal within a second window, the second window being a time period for determining the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to a beam, the third beam being one or more beams meeting the trigger condition.

[0051] In an implementation, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to one of the beams among all beams corresponding to the first reference signal has a correspondence relationship with a number of times that a second condition is met by the beam within a third window, the second condition being that a fourth value between a measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the beam and a measurement result of a reference signal corresponding to a beam used for transmitting current service data is greater than or equal to a fifth value, the third window being a time period for determining the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to a beam.

[0052] In an implementation, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the one of the beams has the correspondence relationship with the number of times that the second condition is met by the beam within the third window includes:

[0053] The sorting priority of the number of times that one beam satisfies the second condition in the third window is higher than the sorting priority of the measurement result of one or more reference signals of the beam in the second window.

[0054] In an implementation manner, the first parameter of the reference signals corresponding to different beams is determined in a same window.

[0055] Or, the first parameter of the reference signals corresponding to different beams is determined in a respective corresponding different window.

[0056] In an implementation manner, the second window or the third window is configured by a network device.

[0057] Or, the second window or the third window is predefined.

[0058] Or, the second window or the third window is determined by a terminal device.

[0059] In an implementation manner, a time period corresponding to the second window or the third window partially overlaps or completely overlaps with the first window.

[0060] In an implementation manner, the second window is a time window or a quantity window, and the third window is a time window.

[0061] In an implementation manner, the first beam does not include a beam used for currently transmitting service data.

[0062] In an implementation manner, the number of reference signals corresponding to the first report is less than or equal to the number of configured reference signals.

[0063] In an implementation manner, the first report includes the first parameter of the reference signals corresponding to the first beam.

[0064] In an implementation manner, the first parameter of the reference signals corresponding to the first beam includes at least one of the following parameters:

[0065] A maximum value of the measurement result of one or more reference signals of the first beam in the second window;

[0066] An average value of the measurement result of one or more reference signals of the first beam in the second window;

[0067] A weighted value of the measurement result of one or more reference signals of the first beam in the second window;

[0068] A converted value of the measurement result of one or more reference signals of the first beam in the second window;

[0069] The number of times that the first beam satisfies the second condition in the third window.

[0070] The communication method provided in the second aspect and possible designs of the second aspect has the advantages of the first aspect and the implementation manners of the first aspect, which will not be described here.

[0071] In a third aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which includes a processing module and a transceiver module;

[0072] The processing module is configured to acquire a first report in a case where a trigger condition is met, the first report being used to indicate a measurement result of a first beam, the trigger condition being that a number of times that a first condition is met by a beam corresponding to a configured reference signal within a first window is greater than or equal to a first value, the first condition being that a second value between a measurement result of a reference signal corresponding to the first beam and a measurement result of a reference signal corresponding to a beam used for currently transmitting service data is greater than or equal to a third value, the first window being a time period for determining whether a beam meets the trigger condition, the first beam being one or more beams corresponding to the first reference signal, a first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam being better than and / or equal to a first parameter of a reference signal corresponding to a second beam, the first parameter being used to indicate a quality of a beam, the second beam being a beam other than the first beam among all beams corresponding to the configured reference signal.

[0073] The transceiver module is configured to send the first report to a network device.

[0074] In an implementation manner, among all beams corresponding to the first reference signal, a first parameter of a reference signal corresponding to a beam has a corresponding relationship with a measurement result of one or more reference signals within a second window for determining the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the beam, the second window being a time period.

[0075] Alternatively, among beams other than a third beam among all beams corresponding to the first reference signal, a first parameter of a reference signal corresponding to a beam has a corresponding relationship with a measurement result of one or more reference signals within a second window for determining the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the beam, the third beam being one or more beams meeting the trigger condition.

[0076] In an implementation manner, among all beams corresponding to the first reference signal, a first parameter of a reference signal corresponding to a beam has a corresponding relationship with a number of times that a second condition is met by the beam within a third window, the second condition being that a fourth value between a measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the beam and a measurement result of a reference signal corresponding to a beam used for currently transmitting service data is greater than or equal to a fifth value, the third window being a time period for determining the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the beam.

[0077] In an implementation manner, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the one beam has a corresponding relationship with a number of times that the beam satisfies the second condition in the third window.

[0078] The number of times that the one beam satisfies the second condition in the third window has a higher sorting priority than a sorting priority of the measurement result of the one or more reference signals of the beam in the second window.

[0079] In an implementation manner, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to different beams is determined in a same window.

[0080] Or, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to different beams is determined in a respective corresponding different window.

[0081] In an implementation manner, the second window or the third window is configured by the network device.

[0082] Or, the second window or the third window is predefined.

[0083] Or, the second window or the third window is determined by the terminal device.

[0084] In an implementation manner, a time period corresponding to the second window or the third window partially overlaps or completely overlaps with the first window.

[0085] In an implementation manner, the second window is a time window or a quantity window, and the third window is a time window.

[0086] In an implementation manner, the first beam does not include a beam used for currently transmitting service data.

[0087] In an implementation manner, a quantity of the reference signals corresponding to the first report is less than or equal to a quantity of the configured reference signals.

[0088] In an implementation manner, the first report includes the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam.

[0089] In an implementation manner, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam includes at least one parameter of:

[0090] a maximum value of the measurement result of the one or more reference signals of the first beam in the second window;

[0091] an average value of the measurement result of the one or more reference signals of the first beam in the second window;

[0092] a weighted value of the measurement result of the one or more reference signals of the first beam in the second window.

[0093] a converted value of a measurement result of one or more reference signals in a second window;

[0094] a number of times that the first beam meets a second condition in a third window.

[0095] The communication apparatus provided in the third aspect and the possible designs of the third aspect has the beneficial effects of the first aspect and the implementations of the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0096] In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which includes a transceiver module and a processing module.

[0097] The transceiver module is configured to receive a first report, the first report being used to indicate a measurement result of a first beam, the first report being generated in a case that a trigger condition is met, the trigger condition being that a number of times that a beam corresponding to a configured reference signal meets a first condition in a first window is greater than or equal to a first value, the first condition being that a second value between a measurement result of a reference signal corresponding to a first reference signal and a measurement result of a reference signal corresponding to a beam used for current transmission of service data is greater than or equal to a third value, the first window being a time period used for determining whether a beam meets the trigger condition, the first beam being one or more beams corresponding to the first reference signal, a first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam being better than and / or equal to a first parameter of a reference signal corresponding to a second beam, the first parameter being used to indicate a quality of a beam, the second beam being a beam other than the first beam among all beams corresponding to the configured reference signal.

[0098] The processing module is configured to perform beam management based on the first report.

[0099] In an implementation, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to a beam among all beams corresponding to the first reference signal has a corresponding relationship with a measurement result of one or more reference signals in a second window, the second window being a time period used for determining the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to a beam.

[0100] Alternatively, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to a beam among beams other than a third beam among all beams corresponding to the first reference signal has a corresponding relationship with a measurement result of one or more reference signals in a second window, the second window being a time period used for determining the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to a beam, the third beam being one or more beams meeting the trigger condition.

[0101] In an implementation manner, among all beams corresponding to the first reference signals, a first parameter of a reference signal corresponding to a beam has a corresponding relationship with a number of times that the beam satisfies a second condition in a third window, the second condition is that a fourth value between a measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the beam and a measurement result of a reference signal corresponding to a beam used for current transmission of service data is greater than or equal to a fifth value, and the third window is a time period for determining the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the beam.

[0102] In an implementation manner, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the beam has the corresponding relationship with the number of times that the beam satisfies the second condition in the third window includes:

[0103] The number of times that the beam satisfies the second condition in the third window has a higher sorting priority than a sorting priority of the measurement result of the one or more reference signals in the second window.

[0104] In an implementation manner, the first parameters of the reference signals corresponding to different beams are determined in a same window.

[0105] Or, the first parameters of the reference signals corresponding to different beams are determined in respective different windows.

[0106] In an implementation manner, the second window or the third window is configured by a network device.

[0107] Or, the second window or the third window is predefined.

[0108] Or, the second window or the third window is determined by a terminal device.

[0109] In an implementation manner, a time period corresponding to the second window or the third window partially overlaps or completely overlaps with the first window.

[0110] In an implementation manner, the second window is a time window or a quantity window, and the third window is a time window.

[0111] In an implementation manner, the first beam does not include the beam used for the current transmission of service data.

[0112] In an implementation manner, a quantity of the reference signals corresponding to the first report is less than or equal to a quantity of the configured reference signals.

[0113] In an implementation manner, the first report includes the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam.

[0114] In an implementation manner, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam includes at least one of the following parameters:

[0115] a maximum value of the measurement results of the one or more reference signals within the second window for the first beam;

[0116] an average value of the measurement results of the one or more reference signals within the second window for the first beam;

[0117] a weighted value of the measurement results of the one or more reference signals within the second window for the first beam;

[0118] a converted value of the measurement results of the one or more reference signals within the second window for the first beam;

[0119] a number of times that the second condition is satisfied within a third window for the first beam.

[0120] The communication apparatus provided in the fourth aspect and the possible designs of the fourth aspect has the beneficial effects of the communication apparatus provided in the second aspect and the possible designs of the second aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0121] In a fifth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which includes a processor. The processor is coupled to a memory and is configured to execute instructions or data in the memory to implement the method in any of the possible implementation manners of the first aspect. Optionally, the communication apparatus further includes the memory. Optionally, the communication apparatus further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0122] In an implementation manner, the communication interface can be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0123] In another implementation manner, the communication apparatus is a chip configured in a terminal device. When the communication apparatus is a chip configured in a terminal device, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0124] In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which includes a processor. The processor is coupled to a memory and is configured to execute instructions or data in the memory to implement the method in any of the possible implementation manners of the second aspect. Optionally, the communication apparatus further includes the memory. Optionally, the communication apparatus further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0125] In an implementation manner, the communication interface can be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0126] In another implementation manner, the communication apparatus is a chip configured in a satellite. When the communication apparatus is a chip configured in a satellite, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0127] In a seventh aspect, a processor is provided, comprising: an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a signal via the input circuit and transmit a signal via the output circuit, such that the processor performs the method in any possible implementation of any of the aspects.

[0128] In implementation, the processor can be one or more chips, the input circuit can be an input pin, the output circuit can be an output pin, and the processing circuit can be a transistor, a gate circuit, a flip-flop, and various logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example but not limited to, a receiver, the signal output by the output circuit can be output to and transmitted by, for example but not limited to, a transmitter, and the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit which is used as the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0129] In an eighth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to read instructions stored in the memory, and can receive a signal via a receiver and transmit a signal via a transmitter to perform the method in any possible implementation of any of the aspects.

[0130] Optionally, the processor is one or more, and the memory is one or more.

[0131] In a ninth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program (which can also be referred to as code or instructions), which when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the method in any possible implementation of any of the aspects.

[0132] In a tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program (which can also be referred to as code or instructions), which when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method in any possible implementation of any of the aspects.

[0133] In an eleventh aspect, the embodiments of the present application provide a chip system, which comprises one or more processors configured to call and execute instructions stored in a memory, such that the method in any of the aspects or any possible implementation of the aspects is performed. The chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0134] The chip system can include an input circuit or interface for transmitting information or data, and an output circuit or interface for receiving information or data.

[0135] In a twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided, including the terminal device and the network device described above. Optionally, the communication system can further include other devices in communication with the terminal device and / or the network device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0136] FIG. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0137] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a radio access network device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0138] FIG. 3 is a signaling interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0139] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a second window or a third window corresponding to a current beam and a new beam according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0140] FIG. 5 is another schematic diagram of a second window or a third window corresponding to a current beam and a new beam according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0141] FIG. 6 is another signaling interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0142] FIG. 7 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0143] FIG. 8 is a hardware structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0144] FIG. 9 is another hardware structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0145] Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a structural schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0146] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system according to an embodiment of the present application can include a network device 20 and a terminal device 10, and the network device 20 can communicate with the terminal device 10.

[0147] The communication system can include, but is not limited to, a wireless communication system, for example, a narrow band-Internet of things (NB-IoT), a global system for mobile communications (GSM), an enhanced data rate for GSM evolution (EDGE), a wide band code division multiple access (WCDMA), a code division multiple access 2000 (CDMA2000), a time division-synchronization code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA), an LTE system, a 5th generation (5G) system, a 6th generation (6G) system, and a future system, etc.

[0148] The scenarios to which the communication system is applicable can include, but are not limited to, scenarios such as terrestrial cellular communications, non-terrestrial network (NTN) communications, satellite communications, high altitude platform station (HAPS) communications, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) communications, reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) communications, etc.

[0149] The network device 20 can include one or more network devices 20. The network device 20 is a device in a wireless network. The network device 20 can be a base station, or an access point, or an access network device, or can refer to a device in an access network that communicates with wireless terminals over the air interface (air interface) through one or more sectors. The network device 20 can be used to convert the received air frames and Internet protocol (IP) packets to each other, as a router between the wireless terminal and the rest of the access network, which can include an IP network. The network device 20 can also coordinate the management of the properties of the air interface. For example, the network device 20 can be a satellite, a drone, and can also be an evolved node B (eNB or eNodeB) in LTE, and can also be a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario, or a wearable device or a vehicle-mounted device, a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) device, a device-to-device (D2D) device, and a terminal or relay station or access point that performs the base station function in machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, or a base station in a 5G network, such as gNB, etc., or a base station in a future 6G network, or a network device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN) network, which is not limited here.

[0150] The network device 20 can be a RAN node for accessing the user equipment 20 to the wireless network. At present, some examples of RAN nodes are: gNB, transmission reception point (TRP), evolved Node B (eNB), home base station (for example, home evolved NodeB, or home Node B, HNB), base band unit (BBU), or wireless fidelity (Wifi) access point (AP), IAB, etc.

[0151] In a network structure, taking the network device 20 as an access network device for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the access network device can include a centralized unit (CU) node, or a distributed unit (DU) node, or a RAN device including the CU node and the DU node, or a RAN device including a control plane CU node (CU-CP node) and a user plane CU node (CU-UP node) and the DU node, or a DU node and a radio unit (RU) node, or a CU node, a DU node and a RU node.

[0152] The CU and the DU can be understood as a division of the RAN node from a logical function perspective. The CU and the DU are connected through an F1 interface; the CU can represent a gNB and is connected with a core network through an NG interface. 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 divided according to a protocol stack, and one possible way is to deploy a radio resource control (RRC), a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) and a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer in the CU, and deploy a radio link control (RLC) layer, a media access control (MAC) layer and a physical layer in the DU. The embodiments of the present application do not completely limit the above protocol stack division manner, and other division manners can also be used.

[0153] The RU is closely connected with the DU, and the RU is an interface between the DU and a terminal device. The RU receives instructions from the DU, performs radio frequency signal processing and transceiving operations according to the requirements, and feeds back the receiving state (such as received signal strength) of the radio frequency signal to the DU, so that the DU performs corresponding adjustment.

[0154] The RU is responsible for radio frequency related operations, including transmission and reception of radio frequency signals. The RU converts the baseband signal transmitted by the DU into a radio frequency signal and transmits it to the terminal device. And the RU receives the radio frequency signal sent by the terminal device, converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal, and delivers it to the DU. For example, the RU includes radio frequency components such as power amplifiers and low-noise amplifiers. The power amplifier is used to amplify the signal power at the transmitting end to ensure that the signal can be effectively transmitted; the low-noise amplifier is used to amplify the weak received signal at the receiving end while minimizing the introduction of noise.

[0155] The terminal device 10 can include one or more. The terminal device 10 is a device having a wireless transceiver function. The terminal device 10 can be a wireless terminal, and can be a wired terminal. The wireless terminal can be a device that provides voice and / or other service data connectivity to a user, a handheld device having a wireless connection function, or another processing device connected to a wireless modem. The wireless terminal can communicate with one or more core networks via a radio access network (RAN). The wireless terminal can be a mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone (or called "cellular" phone) and a computer with a mobile terminal, for example, a portable, pocket, handheld, computer built-in or vehicle-mounted mobile device, which exchanges voice and / or data with a radio access network. For example, personal communication service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), unmanned aerial vehicles, wearable devices, terminals in Internet of Vehicles, and the like. The wireless terminal can also be referred to as a system, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station (MS), a mobile, a remote station, a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a user device, a user equipment, a terminal unit, a terminal station, a remote station, a mobile device, a terminal, a wireless communication device, a terminal agent, or a terminal apparatus, without limitation.

[0156] The access terminal can be a cellular telephone, a cordless telephone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device having wireless communication function, a computing device, or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a 5G network, a terminal device in a 6G network, or a terminal device in a future network, or a terminal device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN) network, etc.

[0157] In addition, the terminal device 10 can use a mobile operating system such as an Android system, a Linux system, a Windows system, an iOS system, etc., which is not limited in the present application.

[0158] The network device 20 and the terminal device 10, and the terminal device 10 and the terminal device 10 can communicate through a licensed spectrum, or through an unlicensed spectrum, or through both the licensed spectrum and the unlicensed spectrum. The network device 20 and the terminal device 10, and the terminal device 10 and the terminal device 10 can communicate through a spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), or through a spectrum above 6 GHz, or through both the spectrum below 6 GHz and the spectrum above 6 GHz. The spectrum resource used between the network device 20 and the terminal device 10 is not limited in the present application.

[0159] First, some terms in the embodiments of the present application are explained below to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0160] 1. Beam and reference signal (RS)

[0161] A beam is a signal radiation pattern with a specific direction and shape. The beam can be a wide beam, or a narrow beam, or other types of beams. The technology for forming the beam can be beamforming technology or other technical means. The beamforming technology can be digital beamforming technology, analog beamforming technology, or hybrid digital / analog beamforming technology. Different beams can be considered as different resources. The same information or different information can be transmitted through different beams.

[0162] The reference signal can be an uplink signal or a downlink signal. According to a long term evolution (LTE) / new radio (NR) protocol, in a physical layer, uplink communication includes transmission of uplink physical channels and uplink signals. The uplink physical channels include a random access channel (PRACH), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), and the like, and the uplink signals include a sounding reference signal (SRS), a PUCCH de-modulation reference signal (PUCCH-DMRS), a PUSCH de-modulation reference signal (PUSCH-DMRS), a phase noise tracking reference signal (PTRS), an uplink positioning RS, and the like. Downlink communication includes transmission of downlink physical channels and downlink signals.The downlink physical channels include a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), etc., and the downlink signals include a primary synchronization signal (PSS) / secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a PDCCH de-modulation reference signal (PDCCH-DMRS), a PDSCH de-modulation reference signal (PDSCH-DMRS), a phase noise tracking reference signal (PTRS), a channel status information reference signal (CSI-RS), a cell reference signal (CRS), a time / frequency tracking reference signal (TRS), an LTE / NR positioning signal, etc. The PSS, the SSS, and the PBCH jointly constitute a synchronization signal block (SSB).

[0163] One beam corresponds to one reference signal. One reference signal can be carried on one beam for transmission, that is, one reference signal is transmitted along the direction of the beam. Generally, one beam corresponds to one reference signal, that is, the relationship between the beam and the reference signal is a one-to-one relationship. In addition, one beam can correspond to one or more signals in a time period.

[0164] 2. Beam management

[0165] Beam management is a key technology in multi-antenna communication systems (such as multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), millimeter wave communication systems, etc.). The purpose of beam management is to effectively control and optimize operations such as beam forming, beam selection, beam switching, beam tracking, beam coordination, etc., to improve the performance of the communication system, including improving signal coverage, enhancing signal quality, improving system capacity, etc.

[0166] Currently, for the beam reporting mechanism initiated by the terminal device autonomously or triggered by an event, the trigger condition for beam reporting has introduced Event 2, that is:

[0167] If the number of one or more new beam transmission scenarios-2 (Event-2) in the first window W0 is greater than or equal to a first value M, the terminal device can initiate beam reporting. Wherein, the first window W0 is a time period for determining whether a new beam meets the trigger condition. The type of the first window W0 is a time window. The first window W0 or the first value M can be set by the network device according to the actual needs of beam management, the transmission performance of the network device and the terminal device, and other factors.

[0168] Regarding Event-2, if the second value between the measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the new beam and the measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the current beam is greater than or equal to a third value, it means that the new beam occurs Event-2 once.

[0169] The current beam refers to the beam used by the network device to transmit service data to the terminal device. The reference signal corresponding to the current beam is determined by the reference signal with quasi-co-location relationship (quasi-co-location-reference signal, QCL-RS) indicated by the transmission configuration indication (TCI) state. That is, the current beam can be the beam of the indicated TCI state, that is, the beam used for the current transmission of service data.

[0170] The new beam refers to another beam that can be used by the network device instead of the current beam. The reference signal corresponding to the new beam is configured by the network device to the terminal device. The network device can configure one or more reference signals for the terminal device, so as to facilitate the terminal device to perform channel estimation, beam measurement and reporting, and synchronization between the network device and the terminal device, and the like. The foregoing configuration of one or more reference signals can include the reference signal corresponding to the new beam. In addition, the foregoing configuration of one or more reference signals can also include the reference signal corresponding to the current beam, or can not include the reference signal corresponding to the current beam. The foregoing configuration of one or more reference signals can also be referred to as a configured reference signal, a reference signal set, a reference signal resource, and the like.

[0171] The measurement result of the reference signal is used to indicate a performance parameter of the reference signal, such as signal strength (received signal strength, RSS), signal quality, signal characteristics, and the like. The signal strength is used to indicate the power size of the received reference signal. The signal quality is used to indicate the purity and reliability of the reference signal. The channel characteristics, such as multipath propagation conditions, delay spread, Doppler frequency domain, and the like, are used to indicate the dynamic change of the channel. In some embodiments, the measurement result of the reference signal can include but is not limited to: reference signal received power (RSRP) and / or signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR), and the like.

[0172] The specific size and specific type of the second value or the third value are not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The second value can include but is not limited to a value such as a difference value, a ratio value, or other conversion manner, and the like. The third value can be set by the network device according to the actual needs of beam management, the transmission performance of the network device and the terminal device, and the like.

[0173] Taking the measurement result of the reference signal as the L1-RSRP of the reference signal as an example, the specific implementation manner of Event-2 is introduced in detail.

[0174] Wherein, the L1-RSRP refers to the RSRP measured by the physical layer (Layer 1, L1). Of course, the RSRP can also include the RSRP measured by a higher layer, such as a medium access control layer (MAC) or a higher layer.

[0175] In some examples, if the difference between the L1-RSRP of the reference signal corresponding to the new beam and the L1-RSRP of the reference signal corresponding to the current beam is greater than or equal to the second value, then it indicates that the new beam occurs once Event-2.

[0176] In some examples, if the ratio between the L1-RSRP of the reference signal corresponding to the new beam and the L1-RSRP of the reference signal corresponding to the current beam is greater than or equal to a second value, it indicates that the new beam triggers Event-2.

[0177] Based on the above description, the terminal device can measure the measurement results of the reference signal corresponding to the current beam and the measurement results of the reference signal corresponding to the new beam respectively to determine whether the triggering condition of Event 2 is met.

[0178] If the triggering condition of Event 2 is met, the terminal device initiates beam reporting, that is, the terminal device reports the measurement results of the reference signal corresponding to the new beam to the network device.

[0179] The number of the reported reference signals corresponding to the new beam is configured by the network device. The number of the reported reference signals corresponding to the new beam, that is, the number of the reported new beams.

[0180] In addition, the terminal device can also report the measurement results of the reference signal corresponding to the current beam to the network device. Whether to report the measurement results of the reference signal corresponding to the current beam is configured by the network device.

[0181] It can be seen that for Event 2, the network device can configure the number of reference signals for the terminal device to be K, and the network device configures the number of reported reference signals for the terminal device to be N.

[0182] K can also refer to the number of new beams corresponding to the configured reference signals, and N can also refer to the number of new beams corresponding to the reported reference signals.

[0183] When N=K, if the triggering condition of Event 2 is met, the terminal device can report the measurement results of the K reference signals as the measurement results of the N reference signals, to realize the reporting of the measurement results of the N reference signals.

[0184] When N

[0185] However, different terminal devices can give different selection results, even if the measurement results of the K reference signals are the same. In this way, the network device can also make different beam management.

[0186] For example, for different terminal devices, the network device can switch the current beam to different new beams, resulting in different performance results and user experience.

[0187] For example, the network device can not switch the current beam to the new beam with the best performance, resulting in suboptimal transmission performance. Subsequently, Event 2 can be triggered again soon, increasing the reporting overhead.

[0188] For example, the network device can switch the current beam to the new beam with the best performance, but the new beam with the best performance has interference. At this time, the network device needs to switch the current beam to the new beam with the second best performance, but the terminal device does not report the new beam with the second best performance, resulting in failure to meet the transmission performance in time.

[0189] To solve the above problems, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, which can define the selection manner of the reported beams, so that different terminal devices can determine the measurement results of the multiple reference signals that need to be reported from the measurement results of the configured reference signals. It can be seen that this method can unify the measurement results of the reference signals corresponding to the beams reported by different terminal devices, which is beneficial to effective beam management of the network device.

[0190] In the following, the embodiments of the present application will take the terminal device 10 and the network device 20 with the structures shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 as examples, and combine the drawings and application scenarios to elaborate the cell processing method provided by the present application in detail.

[0191] The method is executed by the terminal device and the network device. The terminal device can be the terminal device in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 or the device in the terminal device. The network device can be the network device in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 or the device in the network device.

[0192] Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a signaling interaction diagram of the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0193] As shown in FIG. 3, the communication method of the embodiments of the present application can include:

[0194] S310, the terminal device acquires a first report in the case of meeting a triggering condition, the first report being used to indicate the measurement result of a first beam, the triggering condition being that the number of times that the beam corresponding to the configured reference signal meets a first condition within a first window is greater than or equal to a first value, the first condition being that the second value between the measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam and the measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the beam used for the current transmission service data is greater than or equal to a third value, the first window being a time period for determining whether the beam meets the triggering condition, the first beam being one or more beams corresponding to the first reference signal, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam being better than and / or equal to the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the second beam, the first parameter being used to indicate the quality of the beam, the second beam being the other beams in addition to the first beam among all the beams corresponding to the configured reference signal.

[0195] The configured reference signal refers to one or more reference signals configured by the network device for the terminal device. The relationship between the reference signal and the beam can be a one-to-one relationship. The beam corresponding to the first reference signal refers to one or more new beams. The first reference signal is included in the configured reference signal. In some embodiments, the beam corresponding to the configured reference signal can include one or more new beams, that is, the first reference signal is the configured reference signal. Alternatively, the beam corresponding to the configured reference signal can also include one or more new beams and a current beam, that is, the configured reference signal includes the first reference signal. The new beam is another beam that can be used by the network device, rather than the current beam. The beam used for the current transmission of the service data refers to the current beam. The specific implementation of the configured reference signal can be referred to the description of the aforementioned one or more reference signals mentioned above, the specific implementation of the new beam can be referred to the description of the new beam mentioned above, and the specific implementation of the current beam can be referred to the description of the current beam mentioned above, which will not be repeated here.

[0196] Based on this, if the number of times that the one or more new beams satisfy the first condition in the first window is greater than or equal to the first value, the terminal device can determine that the triggering condition is met.

[0197] For a new beam, if the second value between the measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the new beam and the measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the current beam is greater than or equal to the third value, it means that the new beam satisfies the first condition once.

[0198] The measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the beam corresponding to the first reference signal refers to the measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the one or more new beams. The specific implementation of the first condition can be referred to the description of Event-2 mentioned above, the specific implementation of the measurement result of the reference signal can be referred to the description of the measurement result of the reference signal mentioned above, the specific implementation of the second value can be referred to the description of the second value mentioned above, the specific implementation of the first window can be referred to the description of the first window W0 mentioned above, and the specific implementation of the first value can be referred to the description of the first value M mentioned above, which will not be repeated here.

[0199] Therefore, the terminal device can determine (or obtain) the first report in the case of meeting the triggering condition.

[0200] The first report at least indicates the measurement result of the first beam. The first report can be, for example, a beam report or a CSI report, and the specific type of the first report is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The first beam is a new beam, rather than a current beam, that is, the first beam does not include the beam used for the current transmission of the service data. That is, the first beam includes one or more new beams.

[0201] The number of reference signals corresponding to the first report is less than or equal to the number of configured reference signals. The number of reference signals corresponding to the first report refers to the number of reference signals corresponding to the first beam, or the total number of reference signals corresponding to the first beam and the current beam, that is, the number of reference signals corresponding to the first beam plus a number value, such as plus 1.

[0202] For example, in the case that the first beam includes x new beams, the number of reference signals corresponding to the first report can be x or x+1. Wherein, x is a positive integer.

[0203] The number of configured reference signals refers to the number of reference signals configured by the network device for the terminal device. Since the configured reference signals can be reference signals corresponding to new beams, or reference signals including new beams and reference signals of current beams. Therefore, the number of configured reference signals is the number of reference signals corresponding to new beams, or the total number of reference signals of new beams and current beams, that is, the number of reference signals corresponding to new beams plus a number value, such as plus 1.

[0204] For example, in the case that the number of reference signals corresponding to new beams is y, the number of configured reference signals is y or y+1. Wherein, y is a positive integer.

[0205] It should be understood that the number of reference signals corresponding to the first report and the number of configured reference signals are both configured by the network device. In this way, in general, the number of reference signals corresponding to the first report is less than or equal to the number of configured reference signals. If the number of reference signals corresponding to the first report is greater than the number of configured reference signals, the terminal device can notify the network device of the foregoing situation, or the terminal device can send the measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the number of configured reference signals to the network device.

[0206] The second beam is other beams except the first beam among all beams corresponding to the configured reference signals. In order to simplify the description, in the embodiments of the present application, all beams corresponding to the configured reference signals can be illustrated by all beams B1.

[0207] In the case that the types of all beams B1 are new beams, all new beams B1 can be divided into the first beam and the second beam. The type of the second beam is a new beam.

[0208] In the case that the types of all beams B1 include current beams and new beams, all beams B1 can be divided into the first beam and the second beam. The type of the second beam includes current beams and new beams. Or, the type of the second beam includes current beams.

[0209] And, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam is better than the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the second beam. That is, the quality of all beams in the first beam is better than the quality of the beams in the second beam. Thus, the terminal device can determine that the first beam is a new beam with the best quality among all beams B1.

[0210] Or, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam is equal to the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the second beam. For example, the value of the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam is equal to the value of the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the second beam. That is, the quality of all beams in the first beam is the same as the quality of the beams in the second beam, i.e., the quality of all beams B1 is the same. Thus, the terminal device can determine that the first beam is a new beam with the same quality among all beams B1.

[0211] Or, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam is better than and equal to the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the second beam. That is, the quality of part of the beams in the first beam is better than the quality of part of the beams in the second beam, and the quality of the remaining beams in the first beam is the same as the quality of the remaining beams in the second beam. Thus, the terminal device can determine that the first beam is all new beams with the best quality among all beams B1 and new beams with the same quality.

[0212] In addition, the first parameter can also be referred to as a performance index or a performance parameter.

[0213] In summary, different terminal devices can uniformly determine that the first beam in the first report is one or more new beams with the best quality among all beams B1. Or, the first beam is a new beam that meets the higher communication quality requirement among all beams B1.

[0214] Among them, for any one of the new beams, the terminal device can use various implementation manners to more finely and accurately determine the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the new beam.

[0215] Next, various implementation manners are used to introduce in detail the determination of the terminal device on the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to any new beam.

[0216] One possible way is that among all beams corresponding to the first reference signal, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to a new beam has a corresponding relationship with the measurement result of one or more reference signals of the new beam in a second window, and the second window is a time period for determining the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the new beam.

[0217] The all beams corresponding to the first reference signal refer to the new beams. For the purpose of simplifying the description, in the embodiments of the present application, the all beams corresponding to the first reference signal can be illustrated by all the new beams B2. The second window can represent a time period, and one new beam can correspond to one or more reference signals in the time period corresponding to the second window. Based on this, the terminal device can determine the measurement results of the one or more reference signals of one new beam in the time period corresponding to the second window.

[0218] The number of the measurement results is the same as the number of the reference signals, and the number of the measurement results can be one or more. The specific implementation of the measurement results can be referred to the description of the measurement results of the reference signals in Event-2 mentioned above, which will not be described here again. In addition, the measurement results here can be the same as the measurement results of the reference signals in Event-2, such as both being RSRP, or can be different from the measurement results of the reference signals in Event-2, such as one being SINR and the other being SINR.

[0219] The corresponding relationship can also be referred to as an association relationship, a mapping relationship, or a conversion relationship, etc.

[0220] Therefore, the terminal device can determine the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to one new beam according to the measurement results of the one or more reference signals of the new beam in the second window.

[0221] For all the new beams B2, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to different new beams is determined in the same second window. That is to say, the second window corresponding to each new beam is the same window. Therefore, the terminal device can determine the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to each new beam in the same second window.

[0222] For example, in FIG. 4, the second windows corresponding to the current beam and the two new beams are the same second window. The two new beams can be represented by new beam #1 and new beam #2.

[0223] Alternatively, for all the new beams B2, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to different new beams is determined in the respective different second windows. That is to say, the second windows corresponding to the new beams are different windows, that is, the different windows are independent windows. Therefore, the terminal device can determine the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to each new beam in the different second windows.

[0224] For example, in FIG. 5, the second window corresponding to the current beam and the two new beams are three independent second windows. In some embodiments, the time length of the three second windows can be equal. The two new beams can be denoted as new beam #1 and new beam #2.

[0225] In FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, each rectangle represents a measurement instance for a beam. For the current beam, each rectangle can represent a measurement instance for the current beam. For the new beam, each rectangle can represent a measurement instance for the new beam

[0226] Embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation of the second window. In some embodiments, the second window is configured by the network device. Alternatively, the second window is predefined. Alternatively, the second window is determined by the terminal device.

[0227] The time period corresponding to the second window partially overlaps or completely overlaps with the first window. That is, the second window and the first window can be the same time period, that is, at least two of the start time, the end time and the total time length of the time period corresponding to the second window and the first window are the same.

[0228] The type of the second window is a time window or a quantity window. That is, in the case where the type of the second window is a time window, the second window can be a time period. In the case where the type of the second window is a quantity window, the second window is a preset number of times, and the preset number of times corresponds to a certain time period. Embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific size of the preset number of times. The preset number of times can be set by the terminal device according to its own transmission performance, the transmission performance of the network device and the actual network situation and other factors.

[0229] In the case where the corresponding relationship is that the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to a new beam takes the maximum value of the measurement results of the one or more reference signals of the new beam in the second window, the terminal device can determine that the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the new beam is the maximum value of the measurement results of the one or more reference signals of the first beam in the second window.

[0230] In the case where the corresponding relationship is that the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to a new beam takes the maximum value of the measurement results of the one or more reference signals of the new beam in the second window, the terminal device can determine that the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the new beam is the maximum value of the measurement results of the one or more reference signals of the first beam in the second window.

[0231] In a case where the correspondence relationship is that the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to a new beam takes a weighted value of the measurement result of one or more reference signals within the second window of the new beam, the terminal device can determine that the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to a new beam is the weighted value of the measurement result of one or more reference signals within the second window of the first beam.

[0232] In a case where the correspondence relationship is that the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to a new beam takes a weighted value of the measurement result of one or more reference signals within the second window of the new beam, the terminal device can determine that the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to a new beam is the weighted value of the measurement result of one or more reference signals within the second window of the first beam.

[0233] In a case where the correspondence relationship is that the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to a new beam takes a weighted value of the measurement result of one or more reference signals within the second window of the new beam, the terminal device can determine that the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to a new beam is the weighted value of the measurement result of one or more reference signals within the second window of the first beam.

[0234] In summary, the terminal device can determine the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to each new beam in all new beams B2 according to the measurement result of one or more reference signals within the second window of each new beam. Thus, the quality gap of each new beam can be fed back by means of the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to each new beam.

[0235] Therefore, by means of the quality gap of the larger beam, the triggering condition can be triggered less frequently, and the feedback overhead of the first report can be reduced. In addition, the network device can also control the frequency of the terminal device feeding back the first report to a certain extent by configuring the set value.

[0236] In a specific embodiment, taking the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to a new beam as an average value of the L1-RSRP of one or more reference signals within the second window of the new beam as an example, the terminal device can sort the measurement results of each new beam in all new beams B2 according to the L1-RSRP to obtain the first beam.

[0237] Suppose the index number of the new beam is i, i={1, 2, …, K}, and K is the number of new beams in all new beams B2.

[0238] In a case where the triggering condition is met, for each new beam #i, the terminal device can determine that the average value Pi of the L1-RSRP measured by one or more reference signals within the second window W1.

[0239] It can be seen that the terminal device can obtain the average value of the L1-RSRP of one or more reference signals of all new beams B2 in the second window W1, i.e., K average values.

[0240] Therefore, the terminal device can determine the maximum N average values from the K average values in descending order of the average values. The terminal device can determine that the first beam includes the new beams corresponding to the maximum N average values.

[0241] Thus, the terminal device can carry the measurement result of the first beam in the first report.

[0242] In another possible manner, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to one of the beams other than the third beam among all the beams corresponding to the first reference signal has a corresponding relationship with the measurement result of one or more reference signals of the beam in the second window, the second window is a time period for determining the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the beam, and the third beam is one or more beams that satisfy the triggering condition.

[0243] The third beam is a new beam, and the third beam is one or more new beams among all new beams that satisfy the triggering condition. In the case where the third beam satisfies the triggering condition, the terminal device needs to report the measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the third beam to the network device.

[0244] Suppose the number of beams in the third beam is A, and A is a positive integer.

[0245] In the case where the number A of the third beam is greater than or equal to N, the terminal device can send the measurement result of the A new beams to the terminal device. In the case where the number A of the third beam is less than N, the terminal device needs to continue to send the measurement result of N-A new beams to the terminal device in addition to sending the measurement result of the A new beams.

[0246] The beams other than the third beam among all the beams corresponding to the first reference signal, i.e., K-A beams other than the A new beams among all the new beams B2.

[0247] Based on this, the terminal device can determine the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to each of the K-A new beams according to the measurement result of one or more reference signals of each new beam in the second window based on the description in the above possible manner. Thus, the quality gap of each new beam can be fed back by means of the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to each new beam.

[0248] Thus, by means of the larger quality gap of the beam, the triggering condition can not occur frequently, and the feedback overhead of the first report can be reduced. In addition, the network device can also control the frequency of the terminal device feeding back the first report to a certain extent by configuring the set value.

[0249] In one specific embodiment, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the new beam is the average of the L1-RSRP of one or more reference signals of the new beam in the second window, and the number A of the third beams is less than N, the terminal device can sort the measurement results of each new beam in the K-A new beams according to the L1-RSRP, to obtain the first beam.

[0250] Suppose the index number of the new beam is j, j={1, 2, …, K-A}, K is the number of new beams in all new beams B2.

[0251] In the case of meeting the triggering condition, for each new beam #j in the K-A new beams, the terminal device can determine: the average Pj of the L1-RSRP measured by one or more reference signals in the second window W1.

[0252] It can be seen that the terminal device can obtain the average of the L1-RSRP of one or more reference signals of the K-A new beams in the second window W1, that is, K-A averages.

[0253] Therefore, the terminal device can determine the largest N-A averages from the K-A averages in the order of the average from high to low. The terminal device can determine that the first beam includes the third beam and the new beams corresponding to the largest N-A averages.

[0254] Thus, the terminal device can carry the measurement result of the first beam in the first report.

[0255] In another possible way, in all beams corresponding to the first reference signal, or in all beams corresponding to the first reference signal except the third beam, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to a new beam has a corresponding relationship with the number of times that the new beam meets a second condition in a third window, the second condition is that the fourth value between the measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the new beam and the measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the beam used for the current transmission of service data is greater than or equal to the fifth value, and the third window is a time period for determining the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the new beam.

[0256] A new beam corresponds to a reference signal. The beam used for the current transmission of service data is the current beam, and the current beam corresponds to a reference signal. The specific implementation of the measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to a new beam and the measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the current beam can refer to the description of the measurement result of the reference signal mentioned above, which will not be repeated here.

[0257] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific size and specific type of the fourth value or the fifth value. The fourth value can include, but is not limited to, a value such as a difference value, a ratio value, or other conversion manner.

[0258] If the fourth value between the measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the new beam and the measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the current beam is greater than or equal to the fifth value, the terminal device can determine that the new beam satisfies the second condition once.

[0259] The third window can represent a time period. Based on this, for any one of all the beams, the terminal device can determine the number of times that the new beam satisfies the second condition in the time period corresponding to the third window.

[0260] The corresponding relationship can also be referred to as an association relationship, a mapping relationship, or a conversion relationship.

[0261] Therefore, the terminal device can determine the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to a new beam according to the number of times that the new beam satisfies the second condition in the third window.

[0262] For all new beams B2, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to different new beams is determined in the same third window. That is, the third window corresponding to each new beam is the same window. Therefore, the terminal device can determine the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to each new beam in the same third window.

[0263] For example, in FIG. 4, the third window corresponding to the current beam and the two new beams (new beam) is the same second window. The two new beams can be represented by new beam#1 and new beam#2.

[0264] For all new beams B2, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to different new beams is determined in the same third window. That is, the third window corresponding to each new beam is the same window. Therefore, the terminal device can determine the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to each new beam in the same third window.

[0265] For example, in FIG. 5, the third window corresponding to the current beam and the two new beams (new beam) is three independent third windows. In some embodiments, the time length of the three independent second windows can be equal. The two new beams can be represented by new beam#1 and new beam#2.

[0266] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation of the third window. In some embodiments, the third window is configured by the network device. Alternatively, the third window is predefined. Alternatively, the third window is determined by the terminal device.

[0267] The time period corresponding to the third window partially overlaps or completely overlaps with the first window. That is, the third window and the first window can be the same time period, that is, at least two of the start time, the end time and the total duration of the time period corresponding to the third window and the first window are the same.

[0268] The type of the third window is a time window. That is, in the case where the type of the third window is a time window, the third window can be a time period.

[0269] The terminal device can determine the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to a new beam based on various corresponding relationships according to the number of times the new beam satisfies the second condition in the third window.

[0270] In the case where the corresponding relationship is that the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to a new beam is the number of times the new beam satisfies the second condition in the third window, the terminal device can determine the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the new beam as the number of times the first beam satisfies the second condition in the third window.

[0271] In summary, the terminal device can determine the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to each new beam in all new beams B2 according to the number of times each new beam satisfies the second condition in the third window. Thus, the quality gap of each new beam can be fed back by means of the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to each new beam.

[0272] Therefore, by means of the quality gap of the larger beam, the triggering condition can not occur frequently, and the feedback overhead of the first report can be reduced. In addition, the network device can also control the frequency of the terminal device feeding back the first report to a certain extent by configuring the set value.

[0273] In which, for all new beams B2, the number of times different new beams satisfy the second condition in the third window can be the same or different. In the case where the number of times different new beams satisfy the second condition in the third window is the same, the terminal device cannot determine the quality of different new beams. Based on this, the terminal device can determine the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to a new beam according to the number of times the new beam satisfies the second condition in the third window and the measurement result of one or more reference signals of the new beam in the second window.

[0274] The measurement result of one or more reference signals of the new beam in the second window can refer to the foregoing for its specific implementation process, which will not be described here.

[0275] In some examples, the ranking priority of the number of times that one new beam satisfies the second condition in the third window can be higher than the ranking priority of the measurement result of the one or more reference signals in the second window.

[0276] That is, for all beams, the terminal device can determine the number of times that any one new beam satisfies the second condition in the third window. In the case that there are new beams with the same number of times that the beam satisfies the second condition in the third window among all new beams B2, the terminal device can determine the measurement result of the one or more reference signals in the second window for the new beam. Further, the terminal device can determine the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the new beam according to the measurement result of the one or more reference signals in the second window for the new beam.

[0277] In summary, the terminal device can jointly determine the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to each new beam among all beams according to the number of times that each new beam satisfies the second condition in the third window and the measurement result of the one or more reference signals in the second window for each new beam. Thus, the quality gap of each new beam can be fed back by means of the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to each new beam.

[0278] Therefore, by means of the larger quality gap of the beam, the triggering condition can not occur frequently, and the feedback overhead of the first report can be reduced. In addition, the network device can also control the frequency of the terminal device feeding back the first report to a certain extent by configuring the set value.

[0279] In one specific embodiment, taking the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to one new beam as the number of times that the new beam satisfies the second condition in the third window, and the second condition as the first condition as an example, the terminal device can sort the measurement results of each beam among all beams according to the number of times that Event-2 occurs to obtain the first beam.

[0280] Suppose the index number of the new beam is i, i = {1, 2, …, K}, and K is the number of new beams among all new beams B2.

[0281] In the case of satisfying the triggering condition, for each new beam #i, the terminal device can determine the number of times Mi that Event-2 occurs in the third window W2.

[0282] It can be seen that the terminal device can obtain the number of times that all new beams B2 occur Event-2 in the third window W2, i.e., K times.

[0283] Thus, the terminal device can determine the largest N average values from the K times in the order from high to low. The terminal device can determine that the first beam includes the new beams corresponding to the largest N times.

[0284] Thus, the terminal device can carry the measurement result of the first beam in the first report.

[0285] If the number of times Mj that the multiple new beams send Event-2 in the third window W2 is the same, j={1, 2, …, K1}, K1 is the number of the new beams, K1≤K, the terminal device needs to sort the measurement results of the new beams.

[0286] For the new beams, the terminal device can continue to determine the average value Pj of the L1-RSRP obtained by one or more reference signal measurements within the second window W1.

[0287] It can be seen that the terminal device can obtain the average value of the L1-RSRP of one or more reference signals of the new beams within the second window W1, that is, K1 average values.

[0288] Thus, the terminal device can sort the measurement results of the new beams in descending order of the average values.

[0289] Or, if the number of times Mj that the multiple new beams send Event-2 in the third window W2 is the same, j={1, 2, …, K1}, K1 is the number of the new beams, K1≤K, the terminal device can randomly select one or more new beams from the new beams to meet the requirement of the number N.

[0290] Or, if the number of times Mj that the multiple new beams send Event-2 in the third window W2 is the same, j={1, 2, …, K1}, K1 is the number of the new beams, K1≤K, the terminal device can determine whether each of the new beams meets the triggering condition to meet the requirement of the number N.

[0291] The embodiments of the present application include but are not limited to the above-mentioned manners, and the above-mentioned manners are examples and not limitations.

[0292] Based on the above description, the embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation manner of the first report.

[0293] In some examples, the first report at least includes the identification of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam and the measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam.

[0294] In the case where the first beam includes one new beam, one new beam corresponds to one reference signal, and the reference signal is the latest reference signal. The first report can include the identification of the reference signal and the measurement result of the reference signal. The identification of the reference signal is used to uniquely identify the reference signal. The present application does not limit the identification of the reference signal. In some embodiments, the identification of the reference signal can be the index information of the reference signal, such as an index number or a number.

[0295] In the case that the first beam comprises multiple new beams, each new beam corresponds to one reference signal, and the reference signal is the latest reference signal. The first report can comprise the identification of the multiple reference signals, and the measurement result of each reference signal, i.e., multiple measurement results. The identification of each reference signal is used to uniquely identify the corresponding reference signal. The identification of each reference signal is not limited in the present application. In some embodiments, the identification of each reference signal can be the index information of the corresponding reference signal, such as index number or number.

[0296] Among the multiple measurement results contained in the first report, the first measurement result adopts an absolute measurement value, and the remaining measurement results adopt differential measurement values. The remaining measurement results are the measurement results other than the first measurement result among the multiple measurement results. The differential measurement value is the difference between the remaining measurement result and the first measurement result. The differential measurement value can also be referred to as a relative measurement value.

[0297] In some embodiments, the first measurement result can be the measurement result of the reference signal with the best performance. For example, the reference signal with the best performance can be the reference signal with the maximum RSRP, or the reference signal with the maximum SINR.

[0298] In some embodiments, the priority of the reference signal corresponding to the measurement result represented by the absolute measurement value is higher than the priority of the reference signal corresponding to the measurement result represented by the differential measurement value.

[0299] Taking the case that the first report contains multiple measurement results and the measurement result is L1-RSRP as an example, the first report can adopt the form shown in Table 1.

[0300] Table 1: Form of the first report

[0301] It should be understood that Table 1 is only an example and not a limitation, and the contents in Table 1 can also be presented in other forms.

[0302] In the first report, the identification of each measurement result is CRI or SSBRI#i, i={1, 2, …, N}, N is the number of measurement results in the first report. The first measurement result is the measurement result with the highest priority, and the first measurement result is represented by an absolute measurement value, and the remaining measurement results are represented by differential measurement values.

[0303] In addition, the first report can also include the measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the current beam. For example, the measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the current beam can be represented by a differential value, as shown in Table 1.

[0304] In some embodiments, the network device can send a first indication to the terminal device, the first indication being used to indicate reporting the measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the current beam. For example, the first indication can be carried in RRC. Thus, the terminal device carries the measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the current beam in the first report according to the first indication.

[0305] In addition, the first report can further include the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam. For example, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam can be located in the position of other contents in Table 1.

[0306] S320, the terminal device sends the first report to the network device, and correspondingly, the network device receives the first report sent by the terminal device.

[0307] The embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific implementation mode of the first report. In some embodiments, the first report can be carried in a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) or a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH).

[0308] S330, the network device performs beam management based on the first report.

[0309] According to the first report, the network device can perform beam management, such as resource allocation, scheduling decision, beam management, handover control and other operations, which can optimize the performance of the communication system and guarantee the reliability and efficiency of data transmission.

[0310] For example, according to the first report, the network device can determine whether to switch the terminal device to other cells to ensure the continuity and quality of communication.

[0311] It should be understood that the description of the selection mode of the reported beam in the protocol or the logging (i.e. logging) can be used to determine whether the terminal device performs S310 and whether the network device performs S330. S310 and S330 are optional steps. In S310, the terminal device can determine whether the trigger condition is met and determine the first report in the case where the trigger condition is met in the internal of the terminal device. In S330, the network device can perform beam management based on the first report in the internal of the network device. In addition, after S330, the network device has an operation of sending information related to beam management, which can also determine that the terminal device performs S330.

[0312] The communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application can be used for the terminal device to send a first report to the network device under the condition that a trigger condition is met, the first report indicating a measurement result of a first beam, a first parameter of a reference signal corresponding to the first beam being better than and / or equal to a first parameter of a reference signal corresponding to a second beam, the first parameter indicating the quality of the beam, so that the first beam is one or more new beams with the quality of the beam in the front among all beams, so that different terminal devices can determine the reported beam or the reference signal corresponding to the beam based on a unified selection manner, and so that the network device can implement effective beam management, for example, the network device does not switch the cell again in a short time after making a decision to switch the cell, reducing the frequency of cell switching, and for another example, the network device can comprehensively consider the quality of the beam, and can select a beam with suboptimal quality when the beam with optimal quality exists interference, so as to guarantee the performance and user experience of subsequent beam switching.

[0313] Exemplarily, the embodiments of the present application also provide a communication method.

[0314] Please refer to FIG. 6, which is another signaling interaction diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application.

[0315] S610, the network device sends first indication information to the terminal device.

[0316] S620, the terminal device determines a first selection manner of the beam based on the first indication information.

[0317] The protocol defines multiple selection manners of the reported beam. In some embodiments, the terminal device mentioned above can determine the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the beam in multiple manners.

[0318] For example, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the beam has a corresponding relationship with the measurement result of one or more reference signals of the beam in the second window in the first selection manner.

[0319] For another example, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the new beam has a corresponding relationship with the number of times that the new beam meets the second condition in the third window in the second selection manner.

[0320] For another example, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the new beam has a corresponding relationship with the number of times that the new beam meets the second condition in the third window and the measurement result of one or more reference signals of the beam in the second window in the third selection manner.

[0321] Of course, in addition to the above-mentioned selection manners, the protocol can also define other selection manners of the reported beam. Alternatively, in addition to the selection manners of the reported beam, the protocol can also define selection manners of the beam used in at least one of measurement, switching, positioning, synchronization, etc.

[0322] In addition, the selection manner can also be referred to as an implementation manner, a strategy, etc.

[0323] Based on this, the first indication information can indicate a selection manner of the beams for reporting.

[0324] Therefore, the network device can send the first indication information to the terminal device, so that the terminal device can determine, based on the first indication information, that the first selection manner of the beams is a selection manner of the beams for reporting, and the terminal device can report the beams to the network device according to the first selection manner of the beams.

[0325] Of course, the first indication information can also indicate a selection manner of the beams for at least one of measurement, handover, positioning, synchronization, etc. Alternatively, the first indication information can also indicate a selection manner of the beams for reporting and a selection manner of the beams for positioning at the same time. The specific implementation manner of the first indication information is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. In some embodiments, the number of bits of the first indication information is 1 or more. In addition, the first indication information can also be referred to as first indication, first information, etc.

[0326] Therefore, the terminal device is also enabled to determine how to implement at least one of measurement, handover, positioning, synchronization, etc. of the beams according to the first selection manner of the beams.

[0327] In summary, when multiple selection manners are defined in the protocol, the network device can indicate which selection manner the terminal device selects through the indication information.

[0328] Exemplarily, the embodiments of the present application also provide a communication apparatus.

[0329] Please refer to FIG. 7, which is a structural schematic diagram of a communication apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0330] As shown in FIG. 7, the communication apparatus 700 can exist independently, or can be integrated in other devices, and can communicate with the network device mentioned above to implement the operations of the terminal device in any of the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0331] The communication apparatus 700 can include a transceiver unit 701 and a processing unit 702. The transceiver unit 701 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing unit 702 is configured to perform data processing. The transceiver unit 701 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0332] Optionally, the communication apparatus 700 can also include a storage unit, which can be configured to store instructions and / or data, and the processing unit 702 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit, so that the communication apparatus 700 implements the above-mentioned method embodiments.

[0333] The communication apparatus 700 can be configured to perform the actions performed by the terminal device in the preceding method embodiments. The communication apparatus 700 can be the terminal device or a component configured to the terminal device. The transceiver unit 701 is configured to perform the receiving related operations of the terminal device in the preceding method embodiments, and the processing unit 702 is configured to perform the processing related operations of the terminal device in the preceding method embodiments.

[0334] Optionally, the transceiver unit 701 can include a transmitting unit and a receiving unit. The transmitting unit is configured to perform the transmitting operations in the preceding method embodiments. The receiving unit is configured to perform the receiving operations in the preceding method embodiments.

[0335] It should be noted that the communication apparatus 700 can include the transmitting unit and not include the receiving unit. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 700 can include the receiving unit and not include the transmitting unit. Specifically, whether the transmitting unit and the receiving unit are included in the communication apparatus 700 can depend on whether the transmitting action and the receiving action are included in the above-mentioned scheme performed by the communication apparatus 700.

[0336] As an example, the communication apparatus 700 is configured to perform the actions performed by the terminal device in the embodiments shown in FIG. 1-FIG. 6.

[0337] The communication apparatus 700 can include the processing unit 702 and the transceiver unit 701.

[0338] The processing unit 702 is configured to, in a case where a trigger condition is met, acquire a first report, the first report being used to indicate a measurement result of a first beam, the trigger condition being that a number of times that a first condition is met by a beam corresponding to a configured reference signal within a first window is greater than or equal to a first value, the first condition being that a second value between a measurement result of a reference signal corresponding to the first beam and a measurement result of a reference signal corresponding to a beam used for current transmission of service data is greater than or equal to a third value, the first window being a time period used to determine whether a beam meets the trigger condition, the first beam being one or more beams corresponding to a first reference signal, a first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam being better than and / or equal to a first parameter of a reference signal corresponding to a second beam, the first parameter being used to indicate a quality of a beam, the second beam being a beam other than the first beam among all beams corresponding to the configured reference signal.

[0339] The transceiver unit 701 is configured to transmit the first report to a network device.

[0340] In some examples, among all beams corresponding to the first reference signal, a first parameter of a reference signal corresponding to a beam has a corresponding relationship with a measurement result of one or more reference signals of the beam within a second window, the second window being a time period used to determine the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the beam;

[0341] Or, in all beams corresponding to the first reference signal, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to one beam has a corresponding relationship with the measurement result of one or more reference signals of the beam in the second window, the second window is a time period for determining the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the beam, and the third beam is one or more beams satisfying the triggering condition.

[0342] In some examples, in all beams corresponding to the first reference signal, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to one beam has a corresponding relationship with the number of times that the beam satisfies the second condition in the third window, the second condition is that the fourth value between the measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the beam and the measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the beam used for the current transmission service data is greater than or equal to the fifth value, and the third window is a time period for determining the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the beam.

[0343] In some examples, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to one beam has a corresponding relationship with the number of times that the beam satisfies the second condition in the third window includes:

[0344] The sorting priority of the number of times that one beam satisfies the second condition in the third window is higher than the sorting priority of the measurement result of one or more reference signals of the beam in the second window.

[0345] In some examples, the first parameters of the reference signals corresponding to different beams are determined in the same window;

[0346] Or, the first parameters of the reference signals corresponding to different beams are determined in different windows corresponding respectively.

[0347] In an implementation manner, the second window or the third window is configured by the network device;

[0348] Or, the second window or the third window is predefined;

[0349] Or, the second window or the third window is determined by the terminal device.

[0350] In some examples, the time period corresponding to the second window or the third window partially overlaps or completely overlaps with the first window.

[0351] In some examples, the type of the second window is a time window or a quantity window, and the type of the third window is a time window.

[0352] In some examples, the first beam does not include the beam used for the current transmission service data.

[0353] In some examples, the number of reference signals corresponding to the first report is less than or equal to the number of configured reference signals.

[0354] In some examples, the first report comprises a first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam.

[0355] In some examples, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam comprises at least one of the following parameters:

[0356] a maximum value of the measurement result of the one or more reference signals within the second window for the first beam;

[0357] an average value of the measurement result of the one or more reference signals within the second window for the first beam;

[0358] a weighted value of the measurement result of the one or more reference signals within the second window for the first beam;

[0359] a converted value of the measurement result of the one or more reference signals within the second window for the first beam;

[0360] a number of times that the second condition is satisfied within the third window for the first beam.

[0361] It should be understood that each unit performs the corresponding process described above, which has been described in detail in the above method embodiments. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0362] The processing unit 702 in the foregoing embodiments can be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuit. The transceiver unit 701 can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuit. The transceiver unit 701 can also be referred to as a communication unit or a communication interface. The storage unit can be implemented by at least one memory.

[0363] The embodiments of the present application can divide the functional modules of the communication device according to the method examples described above. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional module. It should be noted that the division of the modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, and is only a logical functional division. There can be another division manner when actually implemented.

[0364] Exemplarily, the embodiments of the present application also provide a communication device.

[0365] Continuing to combine FIG. 7, the communication device 700 can exist independently or can be integrated into other devices. It can communicate with the terminal devices mentioned above to implement the operations corresponding to the network device in any of the above method embodiments.

[0366] The communication apparatus 700 can comprise a transceiver 701 and a processing unit 702. The transceiver 701 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing unit 702 can be configured to perform data processing. The transceiver 701 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0367] Optionally, the communication apparatus 700 can further comprise a storage unit, which can be configured to store instructions and / or data. The processing unit 702 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit, so that the communication apparatus 700 can implement the foregoing method embodiments.

[0368] The communication apparatus 700 can be configured to perform the actions performed by the network device in the foregoing method embodiments. The communication apparatus 700 can be the network device or a component configurable to the network device. The transceiver 701 can be configured to perform the receiving operations of the network device in the foregoing method embodiments, and the processing unit 702 can be configured to perform the processing operations of the network device in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0369] Optionally, the transceiver 701 can comprise a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter can be configured to perform the transmitting operations in the foregoing method embodiments. The receiver can be configured to perform the receiving operations in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0370] It should be noted that the communication apparatus 700 can comprise the transmitter but not the receiver. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 700 can comprise the receiver but not the transmitter. Whether the communication apparatus 700 comprises the transmitter or the receiver can depend on whether the communication apparatus 700 performs the transmitting operations or the receiving operations in the foregoing schemes.

[0371] As an example, the communication apparatus 700 can be configured to perform the actions performed by the network device in the embodiments shown in FIG. 1-FIG. 6.

[0372] The communication apparatus 700 can comprise a transceiver 701 and a processing unit 702.

[0373] The transceiver 701 is configured to receive a first report, the first report being used to indicate measurement results of first beams, the first report being generated in a case that a trigger condition is met, the trigger condition being that a number of times that a first condition is met by beams corresponding to reference signals configured within a first window is greater than or equal to a first value, the first condition being that a second value between a measurement result of a reference signal corresponding to a first reference signal and a measurement result of a reference signal corresponding to a beam used for current transmission of service data is greater than or equal to a third value, the first window being a time period for determining whether a beam meets the trigger condition, the first beams being one or more beams corresponding to the first reference signal, a first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beams being better than and / or equal to a first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the second beams, the first parameter being used to indicate a quality of a beam, the second beams being beams other than the first beams among all beams corresponding to the reference signals configured.

[0374] The processing unit 702 is configured to perform beam management based on the first report.

[0375] In some embodiments, among all beams corresponding to the first reference signal, a first parameter of a reference signal corresponding to a beam has a corresponding relationship with measurement results of one or more reference signals of the beam within a second window, the second window being a time period for determining the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the beam.

[0376] Alternatively, among beams other than a third beam among all beams corresponding to the first reference signal, a first parameter of a reference signal corresponding to a beam has a corresponding relationship with measurement results of one or more reference signals of the beam within a second window, the second window being a time period for determining the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the beam, the third beam being one or more beams meeting the trigger condition.

[0377] In some examples, among all beams corresponding to the first reference signal, a first parameter of a reference signal corresponding to a beam has a corresponding relationship with a number of times that a second condition is met by the beam within a third window, the second condition being that a fourth value between a measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the beam and a measurement result of a reference signal corresponding to a beam used for current transmission of service data is greater than or equal to a fifth value, the third window being a time period for determining the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the beam.

[0378] In some examples, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the beam has the corresponding relationship with the number of times that the second condition is met by the beam within the third window includes:

[0379] A sorting priority of the number of times that the second condition is met by the beam within the third window is higher than a sorting priority of the measurement results of the one or more reference signals of the beam within the second window.

[0380] In some examples, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the different beams is determined in the same window.

[0381] Alternatively, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the different beams is determined in the respective different windows.

[0382] In an implementation manner, the second window or the third window is configured by the network device;

[0383] Alternatively, the second window or the third window is predefined;

[0384] Alternatively, the second window or the third window is determined by the terminal device.

[0385] In some examples, the time period corresponding to the second window or the third window partially overlaps or completely overlaps with the first window.

[0386] In some examples, the second window is a time window or a quantity window, and the third window is a time window.

[0387] In some examples, the first beam does not include a beam used for currently transmitting service data.

[0388] In some examples, the quantity of the reference signal corresponding to the first report is less than or equal to the quantity of the configured reference signal.

[0389] In some examples, the first report includes the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam.

[0390] In some examples, the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam includes at least one of the following parameters:

[0391] a maximum value of the measurement result of the one or more reference signals of the first beam in the second window;

[0392] an average value of the measurement result of the one or more reference signals of the first beam in the second window;

[0393] a weighted value of the measurement result of the one or more reference signals of the first beam in the second window;

[0394] a converted value of the measurement result of the one or more reference signals of the first beam in the second window;

[0395] a quantity of times that the second condition is met in the third window.

[0396] It should be understood that each unit performs the corresponding process described above, which has been described in detail in the above method embodiments. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0397] The processing unit 702 in the foregoing embodiments can be implemented by at least one processor or processor-related circuit. The transceiving unit 701 can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuit. The transceiving unit can also be referred to as a communication unit or a communication interface. The storage unit can be implemented by at least one memory.

[0398] The embodiments of the present application can divide the functional modules of the communication device according to the foregoing method examples. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional module. It should be noted that the division of the modules in the embodiments of the present application is illustrative, and is only a logical functional division. When actually implemented, another division manner can be used.

[0399] Exemplarily, the embodiments of the present application also provide a communication device.

[0400] Please refer to FIG. 8, which is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0401] The communication device 800 includes a processor 801, and the processor 801 is coupled with a memory 802. The memory 802 is used to store computer programs or instructions and / or data, and the processor 801 is used to execute the computer programs or instructions and / or data stored in the memory 802, so that the method in the foregoing method embodiments is executed.

[0402] Optionally, the processor 801 included in the communication device 800 is one or more.

[0403] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 8, the communication device 800 can further include the memory 802.

[0404] Optionally, the memory 802 included in the communication device 800 can be one or more.

[0405] Optionally, the memory 802 can be integrated with the processor 801 or separately arranged.

[0406] As shown in FIG. 8, the communication device 800 can further include a transceiver 803, which is used for signal reception and / or transmission. For example, the processor 801 is used to control the transceiver 803 to perform signal reception and / or transmission.

[0407] As a solution, the communication device 800 is used to implement the operations performed by the terminal device or the network device in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0408] For example, the processor 801 is configured to implement procedures corresponding to the operations performed by the terminal device or the network device in the method embodiments described above, and the transceiver 803 is configured to implement procedures corresponding to the operations performed by the terminal device or the network device in the method embodiments described above.

[0409] As another alternative, the communication apparatus 800 is configured to implement the operations performed by the terminal device or the network device in the method embodiments described above.

[0410] For example, the processor 801 is configured to implement procedures corresponding to the operations performed by the terminal device or the network device in the method embodiments described above, and the transceiver 803 is configured to implement procedures corresponding to the operations performed by the terminal device or the network device in the method embodiments described above.

[0411] In the communication apparatus shown in FIG. 8, the device in the transceiver 803 for receiving power can be regarded as a receiving unit, and the device in the transceiver 803 for transmitting functions can be regarded as a transmitting unit. That is, the transceiver 803 can include a receiver and a transmitter. The transceiver 803 can also be referred to as a transceiver, a transceiving unit, or a transceiving circuit, etc. The receiver can also be referred to as a receiver, a receiving unit, a receiver, or a receiving circuit, etc. The transmitter can also be referred to as a transmitter, a transmitting unit, or a transmitting circuit, etc. The processor 801 has a processing function, and the processor 801 can be referred to as a processing unit. The memory 802 is configured to store computer program codes and data, and the memory 802 can also be referred to as a storage unit.

[0412] Exemplarily, the embodiments of the present application also provide a communication apparatus.

[0413] The communication apparatus 900 can be a terminal device or a network device, or a chip of the terminal device or the network device. The communication apparatus 900 can be configured to implement the operations performed by the terminal device or the network device in the method embodiments described above.

[0414] Please refer to FIG. 9, which is another hardware structure diagram of a communication apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0415] The communication apparatus 900 includes a 910 part, a 920 part, and a 930 part. The 910 part is mainly used for baseband processing, controlling a base station, etc. The 910 part is usually a control center of a base station, and can be referred to as a processor or a processing unit, which is used to control a terminal device or a network device to perform processing operations of the terminal device or the network device in the above method embodiments. The 920 part is mainly used for storing computer program codes and data, and can be referred to as a memory or a storage unit. The 930 part is mainly used for transceiving radio frequency signals and converting radio frequency signals and baseband signals. The 930 part can be referred to as a transceiving unit, a transceiver, a transceiving circuit, or a transceiver, etc. The transceiving unit of the 930 part can also be referred to as a transceiver or a transceiver, etc., which includes an antenna 933 and a radio frequency circuit (not shown in FIG. 9), where the radio frequency circuit is mainly used for radio frequency processing. Optionally, devices in the 930 part used for implementing receiving functions can be regarded as a receiver, and devices used for implementing sending functions can be regarded as a transmitter, that is, the 930 part includes a receiver 932 and a transmitter 931. The receiver can also be referred to as a receiving unit, a receiver, or a receiving circuit, etc., and the transmitter can be referred to as a transmitting unit, a transmitting unit, a transmitter, or a transmitting circuit, etc.

[0416] The 910 part and the 920 part can include one or more single boards, and each single board can include one or more processors and one or more memories. The processors are used to read and execute programs in the memories to implement baseband processing functions and control of a base station. If there are multiple single boards, the single boards can be interconnected to enhance processing capability. As an optional implementation, multiple single boards can share one or more processors, or multiple single boards can share one or more memories, or multiple single boards can share one or more processors at the same time.

[0417] In an implementation, the transceiving unit of the 930 part is used to perform transceiving-related processes performed by a terminal device or a network device in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-6. The processor of the 910 part is used to perform processing-related processes performed by the terminal device or the network device in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-6.

[0418] It should be understood that FIG. 9 is merely an example and not limiting, and the terminal device or the network device including the processor, the memory, and the transceiver described above can not depend on the structure shown in FIG. 9.

[0419] When the communication apparatus 900 is a chip, the chip includes a transceiver, a memory, and a processor. The transceiver can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processor is a processor or a microprocessor integrated on the chip or an integrated circuit. The sending operation of the terminal device or the network device in the above method embodiments can be understood as the output of the chip, and the receiving operation of the terminal device or the network device in the above method embodiments can be understood as the input of the chip.

[0420] Exemplarily, the embodiments of the present application further provide a computer readable storage medium, having stored thereon computer instructions for implementing the method performed by the terminal device or the method performed by the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0421] For example, the computer program is executed by a computer, so that the computer can implement the method performed by the terminal device or the method performed by the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0422] Exemplarily, the embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product containing instructions, which are executed by a computer to make the computer implement the method performed by the terminal device or the method performed by the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0423] Exemplarily, the embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, which includes a terminal device and a network device. The terminal device is configured to perform the processes performed by the terminal device in the above embodiments. The network device is configured to perform the processes performed by the network device in the above embodiments.

[0424] Exemplarily, the embodiments of the present application further provide a chip device, which includes a processor configured to invoke computer degrees or computer instructions stored in the memory to make the processor perform the method of the above embodiments.

[0425] In a possible implementation, the input of the chip device corresponds to the receiving operation in the above embodiments of FIG. 1-6, and the output of the chip device corresponds to the sending operation in the above embodiments of FIG. 1-6.

[0426] Optionally, the processor is coupled with the memory through an interface.

[0427] Optionally, the chip device further includes a memory, which stores computer degrees or computer instructions.

[0428] The processor mentioned in any of the above embodiments can be a general central processing unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of the programs of the above embodiments. The memory mentioned in any of the above embodiments can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM), etc.

[0429] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the explanation and beneficial effects of the related content in any of the communication devices provided above can refer to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0430] In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device or the network device can include a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on the hardware layer, and an application layer running on the operating system layer. The hardware layer can include a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), a memory (also known as main memory), and the like. The operating system of the operating system layer can be any one or more computer operating systems that implement business processing through processes, such as a Linux operating system, a Unix operating system, an Android operating system, an iOS operating system, or a windows operating system. The application layer can include a browser, an address book, word processing software, instant messaging software, and the like.

[0431] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the system, device, and unit described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0432] In several embodiments provided in the embodiments of the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device, and method can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of units is only a logical function division, and actual implementation can have another division manner. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection between the units shown or discussed can be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interface, device, or unit, and can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0433] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separate, and the components shown as units can or can not be physical units, i.e., can be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiments of the present application.

[0434] In addition, each functional unit in the embodiments of the present application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit.

[0435] The integrated unit, if implemented in the form of a software function unit and sold or used as an independent product, can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the part of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application that essentially make contributions or the whole or part of the technical solutions can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes a plurality of instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the processes of the embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory, a random access memory, a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media that can store program codes.

[0436] The above, the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, rather than limit them; although the embodiments of the present application are described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent replacement for part of the technical features; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a terminal device, and the method comprises: In a case where a trigger condition is met, a first report is acquired, the first report being used to indicate measurement results of first beams, the trigger condition being that a number of times that a beam corresponding to a configured reference signal meets a first condition within a first window is greater than or equal to a first value, the first condition being that a second value between a measurement result of a reference signal corresponding to the first beam and a measurement result of a reference signal corresponding to a beam used for currently transmitting service data is greater than or equal to a third value, the first window being a time period used for determining whether a beam meets the trigger condition, the first beams being one or more beams corresponding to a first reference signal, a first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beams being better than and / or equal to a first parameter of a reference signal corresponding to second beams, the first parameter being used to indicate a quality of a beam, the second beams being beams other than the first beams among all beams corresponding to the configured reference signal; The first report is sent to a network device.

2. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a network device, and the method comprises: A first report is received, the first report being used to indicate measurement results of first beams, the first report being generated in a case where a trigger condition is met, the trigger condition being that a number of times that a beam corresponding to a configured reference signal meets a first condition within a first window is greater than or equal to a first value, the first condition being that a second value between a measurement result of a reference signal corresponding to the first beam and a measurement result of a reference signal corresponding to a beam used for currently transmitting service data is greater than or equal to a third value, the first window being a time period used for determining whether a beam meets the trigger condition, the first beams being one or more beams corresponding to a first reference signal, a first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beams being better than and / or equal to a first parameter of a reference signal corresponding to second beams, the first parameter being used to indicate a quality of a beam, the second beams being beams other than the first beams among all beams corresponding to the configured reference signal; Beam management is performed based on the first report.

3. The communication method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by, Among all beams corresponding to the first reference signal, a first parameter of a reference signal corresponding to a beam has a corresponding relationship with measurement results of one or more reference signals of the beam within a second window, the second window being a time period used for determining the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the beam; Or, among beams other than a third beam among all beams corresponding to the first reference signal, a first parameter of a reference signal corresponding to a beam has a corresponding relationship with measurement results of one or more reference signals of the beam within a second window, the second window being a time period used for determining the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the beam, the third beam being one or more beams that meet the trigger condition.

4. The communication method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized by, The first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to one of the beams has a corresponding relationship with the number of times that the beam satisfies a second condition in a third window, the second condition being that a fourth value between a measurement result of the reference signal corresponding to the beam and a measurement result of a reference signal corresponding to a beam used for current transmission of service data is greater than or equal to a fifth value, and the third window being a time period for determining the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the beam.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the one beam has a corresponding relationship with the number of times that the beam satisfies the second condition in the third window, including: The sorting priority of the number of times that the one beam satisfies the second condition in the third window is higher than the sorting priority of the measurement result of the one or more reference signals in the second window.

6. The method of any one of claims 3-5, wherein: The first parameters of the reference signals corresponding to different beams are determined in a same window. Or, the first parameters of the reference signals corresponding to different beams are determined in respective different windows.

7. The method of any one of claims 3-6, wherein: The second window or the third window is configured by a network device. Or, the second window or the third window is predefined. Or, the second window or the third window is determined by a terminal device.

8. The method of any one of claims 3-7, wherein: The time period corresponding to the second window or the third window partially overlaps or completely overlaps with the first window.

9. The method of any one of claims 3-7, wherein: The second window is a time window or a quantity window, and the third window is a time window.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The first beam does not include a beam used for current transmission of service data.

11. The method of any one of claims 1-10, wherein: The number of reference signals corresponding to the first report is less than or equal to the number of configured reference signals.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1-11, characterized in that, The first report includes the first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that, The first parameter of the reference signal corresponding to the first beam includes at least one of the following parameters: A maximum value of the measurement result of the one or more reference signals in the second window; An average value of the measurement result of the one or more reference signals in the second window; A weighted value of the measurement result of the one or more reference signals in the second window; A converted value of the measurement result of the one or more reference signals in the second window; and The number of times that the first beam satisfies the second condition in the third window.

14. A communications device, characterized by The communication device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit, and is configured to execute a program or an instruction of the method of any one of claims 1, 3-13, or the method of any one of claims 2-13.

15. A communications device, characterized by The communication device includes a processor coupled with a memory, and the memory stores a program or an instruction for executing the method of any one of claims 1, 3-13, or the method of any one of claims 2-13.

16. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program or instructions, characterized in that, The computer program or instructions, when executed, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1, 3-13, or any one of 2-13.

17. A communication system, characterized by A communication device comprising the apparatus of claim 14.

18. A computer program product, characterised in that, A computer program, which when executed, causes the method of any one of claims 1, 3-13, or any one of 2-13 to be performed.

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