Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and apparatus. A network device sends information to a plurality of terminal devices, wherein the information is used for indicating first time domain positions at which the terminal devices send data, the first time domain positions are related to time domain positions of search spaces of the terminal devices, or are related to wireless frames, system frames, super frames etc. in which the terminal devices are located, and the first time domain positions are unrelated to end points of time domain resources occupied by the information. Thus, the network device need not send the information to the plurality of terminal devices on subframes with intervals that are multiples of eight, and time domain positions at which the network device sends the information to the terminal devices are more flexible. In addition, more terminal devices can also send data on the same time domain resources.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202411392984.2, filed on September 30, 2024, and entitled "A communication method and apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

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

[0004] The time domain resource for a terminal device to send uplink data is scheduled by a control signal from a network device, and the control signal includes a parameter indicating a time interval between an end point of the time domain resource occupied by the control signal and a start point of the time domain resource occupied by the uplink data. The value of the time interval is not arbitrary, for example, the time interval is in subframe granularity, and the number of subframes is 8, or 16, or 32, or 64. In addition, the network device sends control signals to different terminal devices on different subframes.

[0005] In order to improve the capacity of the system, multi-user multiplexing technology is widely used. One application of multi-user multiplexing technology is that different terminal devices send data on the same resource. Before the terminal devices send data, scrambling processing is performed, and the receiving end can correctly decode data from multiple terminal devices.

[0006] Based on the above-mentioned time interval (for example: 8 subframes, or 16 subframes, or 32 subframes, or 64 subframes) and the way of indicating the start time domain position of the terminal device to send data by the control signal (i.e., the parameter in the control signal is used to indicate the time interval between the end point of the time domain resource occupied by the control signal and the start point of the time domain resource occupied by the uplink data), at most 4 terminal devices can send data on the same time domain resource, and the network device needs to send control signals to the 4 terminal devices on subframes with an interval of 8 times the number of subframes to ensure that the 4 terminal devices send data on the same start time domain position. This is very inflexible.

[0007] Therefore, how to flexibly schedule multiple terminal devices to send data on the same start time domain position is considered. SUMMARY

[0008] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus for flexibly scheduling multiple terminal devices to send data on the same start time domain position.

[0009] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a network device, a module (e.g. a chip, a chip system, or a processor) applied to the network device, or a logic node, a logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device. Taking the method executed by the network device as an example, the method comprises: sending, by the network device, first information to a first terminal device, the first information being used to instruct the first terminal device to send data in a first time domain position; and sending, by the network device, second information to a second terminal device, the second information being used to instruct the second terminal device to send data in the first time domain position; wherein the first time domain position is related to a first time unit in which the first information and the second information are located, the first time unit being a first radio frame, a first system frame, or a first super frame; or the first time domain position is related to a time domain position of a first search space used by the first terminal device to search for the first information; and the first time domain position is related to a time domain position of a second search space used by the second terminal device to search for the second information.

[0010] In the method, the first time domain position is related to a time domain position of a search space of each terminal device, or related to a radio frame, a system frame, a super frame, etc. in which each terminal device is located, and is not related to an end point of a time domain resource occupied by the information. In this way, the network device does not need to send the information to multiple terminal devices on subframes that are an integer multiple of interval 8, and the time domain position at which the network device sends the information to the terminal device is more flexible. In addition, more terminal devices can be allowed to send data on the same time domain resource.

[0011] In a possible implementation, in the case where the first time domain position is related to a first time unit in which the first information and the second information are located, the first time domain position is any of the following: a first subframe in the first radio frame, the first subframe being located after a subframe occupied by the first information and after a subframe occupied by the second information; or a first subframe in the first system frame, the first subframe being located after a subframe occupied by the first information and after a subframe occupied by the second information; or a subframe in a next radio frame after the first radio frame; or a subframe in a next system frame after the first system frame; or a second subframe in a second system frame in the first super frame; or a subframe in a next super frame after the first super frame.

[0012] In the implementation, an absolute time domain resource position is directly indicated, and flexibility of data scheduling is increased.

[0013] In a possible implementation, the first information specifically indicates a first time interval of a first reference point and the first time domain position; and the second information specifically indicates a second time interval of a second reference point and the first time domain position; wherein the first reference point and the second reference point are related to the first time unit; or the first reference is related to a time domain position of the first search space; and the second reference point is related to a time domain position of the second search space.

[0014] In this implementation, the first terminal device determines the first time domain position for sending the uplink data according to the starting time domain position k0 or the ending time domain position k1 as the reference position, regardless of where the first information sent by the network device to the first terminal device appears in the first search space. The second terminal device is the same principle. Even if the PDCCHs of the first terminal device and the second terminal device have some deviation in time, but since the reference points are the same, it is guaranteed that multiple terminal devices are scheduled to send data on the same time domain resource starting point.

[0015] In a possible implementation, in the case where the first reference point is related to the time domain position of the first search space, the first reference point is any one of the following: the starting time domain position of the first search space; or the ending time domain position of the first search space; or a time domain position before the starting time domain position of the first search space and spaced apart from the starting time domain position of the first search space by a third time interval; or a time domain position after the starting time domain position of the first search space and spaced apart from the starting time domain position of the first search space by a third time interval; or a time domain position before the ending time domain position of the first search space and spaced apart from the ending time domain position of the first search space by a third time interval; or a time domain position after the ending time domain position of the first search space and spaced apart from the ending time domain position of the first search space by a third time interval.

[0016] In a possible implementation, in the case where the second reference point is related to a time domain location of the second search space, the second reference point is any one of: a starting time domain location of the second search space; or, an ending time domain location of the second search space; or, a time domain location before the starting time domain location of the second search space and spaced apart from the starting time domain location of the second search space by a fourth time interval; or, a time domain location after the starting time domain location of the second search space and spaced apart from the starting time domain location of the second search space by the fourth time interval; or, a time domain location after the ending time domain location of the second search space and spaced apart from the ending time domain location of the second search space by the fourth time interval; or, a time domain location after the ending time domain location of the second search space and spaced apart from the ending time domain location of the second search space by the fourth time interval.

[0017] In a possible implementation, in the case where the first reference point is related to the first time unit, the first reference point is any one of: a starting point or an ending point of a radio frame in which the first information is located; or, a starting point or an ending point of a system frame in which the first information is located; or, a starting point or an ending point of a super frame in which the first information is located; or, a first subframe in a radio frame in which the first information is located; or, a first subframe in a system frame in which the first information is located; or, a subframe in a next radio frame after the radio frame in which the first information is located; or, a subframe in a next system frame after the system frame in which the first information is located; or, a second subframe in a second system frame in a super frame in which the first information is located; or, a subframe in a next super frame after the super frame in which the first information is located.

[0018] In a possible implementation, in the case where the second reference point is related to the first time unit, the second reference point is any one of: a starting point or an ending point of a radio frame in which the second information is located; or, a starting point or an ending point of a system frame in which the second information is located; or, a starting point or an ending point of a super frame in which the second information is located; or, a first subframe in a radio frame in which the second information is located; or, a first subframe in a system frame in which the second information is located; or, a subframe in a next radio frame after the radio frame in which the second information is located; or, a subframe in a next system frame after the system frame in which the second information is located; or, a second subframe in a second system frame in a super frame in which the second information is located; or, a subframe in a next super frame after the super frame in which the second information is located.

[0019] In a second aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which can be the network device of the first aspect. The communication apparatus has the functions of the network device. The communication apparatus can be a functional module in the network device, such as a baseband device or a chip system.

[0020] In an optional implementation, the communication apparatus includes a baseband device and a radio frequency device. In another optional implementation, the communication apparatus includes a processing unit (also referred to as a processing module) and a transceiver unit (also referred to as a transceiver module). The transceiver unit can implement the sending function and the receiving function. When the transceiver unit implements the sending function, it can be referred to as a sending unit (also referred to as a sending module). When the transceiver unit implements the receiving function, it can be referred to as a receiving unit (also referred to as a receiving module). The sending unit and the receiving unit can be the same functional module, which is referred to as a transceiver unit and can implement the sending function and the receiving function. Alternatively, the sending unit and the receiving unit can be different functional modules, and the transceiver unit is a general term for these functional modules.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the communication apparatus further includes a storage unit (also referred to as a storage module), and the processing unit is coupled to the storage unit and executes programs or instructions in the storage unit to enable the communication apparatus to implement the functions of the network device of the first aspect.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the transceiver unit is configured to send, to a first terminal device, first information indicating that the first terminal device sends data at a first time domain position; and send, to a second terminal device, second information indicating that the second terminal device sends data at the first time domain position. The first time domain position is related to a first time unit in which the first information and the second information are located. The first time unit can be a first radio frame, a first system frame, or a first super frame. Alternatively, the first time domain position is related to a time domain position of a first search space used by the first terminal device to search for the first information. The first time domain position is also related to a time domain position of a second search space used by the second terminal device to search for the second information.

[0023] In a third aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises an interface circuit and a processor, and optionally a memory. The memory is configured to store a computer program, and the processor is coupled to the memory and the interface circuit. When the processor reads the computer program or instructions, the communication apparatus performs the method executed by the network device in the first aspect. The interface circuit is configured to receive a signal from another communication apparatus and transmit the signal to the processor, or send a signal from the processor to another communication apparatus. The processor is configured to implement the method executed by the network device in the first aspect through a logic circuit or an execution code instruction.

[0024] In a possible implementation form, the communication apparatus is a chip or a chip system. The chip system can be composed of a chip or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0025] In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which comprises a processor and optionally a memory. The processor and the memory are coupled. The memory is configured to store a computer program or instructions. The processor is configured to execute part or all of the computer program or instructions in the memory, so as to implement the functions of the network device in the first aspect.

[0026] In a possible implementation form, the apparatus can further comprise a transceiver. The transceiver is configured to transmit a signal processed by the processor or receive a signal input to the processor. The transceiver can perform the transmitting action or the receiving action performed by the network device in the first aspect.

[0027] In a possible implementation form, the processing unit in the second aspect can be implemented by the processor, the storage unit in the second aspect can be implemented by the memory, and the transceiving unit in the second aspect can be implemented by the transceiver.

[0028] In a possible implementation form, the communication apparatus is a chip or a chip system. The chip system can be composed of a chip or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0029] In a fifth aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which is configured to store a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed, the method in each of the aspects is implemented.

[0030] In a sixth aspect, a chip is provided, which includes a processor, and the processor is configured to implement the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect to the fourth aspect. Optionally, the chip further includes a memory, and the chip can be configured by the chip or include the chip and other discrete components. The memory is configured to store the computer program or the instructions.

[0031] In a seventh aspect, a circuit is provided, which is configured to implement the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the circuit can include a chip circuit. Optionally, the circuit can be coupled with a memory.

[0032] In an eighth aspect, a computer program product is provided, which includes instructions, and when the instructions are executed on a computer, the method in the first aspect is implemented.

[0033] In a ninth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes the first terminal device configured to receive the first information and the second terminal device configured to receive the second information in the first aspect, and optionally, further includes the network device in the first aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG. 1a is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] FIG. 1b is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a satellite network communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] FIG. 1c is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a network device and a terminal device communication according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] FIG. 1d is a schematic diagram of an O-RAN system architecture according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a search space according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a structure of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a structure of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The technical solutions of the present application can be applied to various wireless communication systems, which can include but are not limited to the fourth generation (4G) mobile communication technology system (also known as the long term evolution (LTE) system), the fifth generation (5G) mobile communication technology system (also known as the new radio (NR) system), or can also be applied to future mobile communication systems, etc., and the specific application is not limited.

[0043] In addition, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to device-to-device (D2D) scenarios, such as NR-D2D scenarios, or can be applied to vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication scenarios, such as NR-V2X scenarios. For example, it can be used in the fields of intelligent driving, auxiliary driving, or intelligent networked vehicles, etc. For another example, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to factory manufacturing scenarios, etc.

[0044] In addition, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application can be applied to scenarios including but not limited to: ground cellular communication, non-terrestrial network (NTN), satellite communication, high altitude platform station (HAPS) communication, integrated access and backhaul (IAB) communication, reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) communication, etc.

[0045] FIG. 1a shows a schematic diagram of a communication system 1000 suitable for use in the present application. As shown in FIG. 1a, the communication system 1000 includes a terminal device 101 and a network device 102. The network device 102 sends a control signal to the terminal device 101, and the control signal is used to schedule the terminal device 101 to send data.

[0046] FIG. 1b shows a possible satellite network communication system architecture suitable for the present application. The terminal device on the ground accesses the network device deployed on the satellite. The terminal device and the network device communicate through the air interface. The network device is connected to the core network deployed on the ground through the ground station, and the core network communicates with the data network (DN). The ground station is responsible for forwarding the signaling and service data between the network device on the satellite and the core network. The network device and the ground station communicate through the NG interface. The network device and the network device communicate through the Xn interface. For example, there is a wireless link between the satellites to complete the signaling interaction and user data transmission between the network devices.

[0047] The terminal device (terminal device) can also be referred to as user equipment (user equipment, UE). It is a device with wireless transceiver function, which can be deployed on land, including indoor or outdoor, handheld or vehicle-mounted; It can also be deployed on the water surface (such as ships, etc.); It can also be deployed in the air (such as airplanes, balloons and satellites, etc.). The terminal device can be a mobile phone, a pad, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (virtual reality, VR) terminal, an augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, etc.

[0048] The network device can be a device capable of providing a random access function for a terminal device or a chip that can be arranged in the device. The device includes, but is not limited to, an evolved Node B (eNB), a radio network controller (RNC), a Node B (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (for example, a home evolved Node B or a home Node B, HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), an access point (AP) in a wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, a transmission and reception point (TRP or TP), and the like. The device can also be a gNB or a transmission point (TRP or TP) in a 5G system, one or a group of antenna panels (including multiple antenna panels) of a base station in a 5G system, or a network node constituting a gNB or a transmission point, such as a baseband unit (BBU) or a distributed unit (DU).

[0049] The core network includes at least one or more network elements, including:

[0050] The access management network element (also referred to as a mobility management network element) is a control plane network element provided by an operator network, responsible for access control and mobility management of terminal devices accessing the operator network, including functions such as mobile state management, allocation of user temporary identity, authentication, and user management. In a 5G communication system, the access management network element can be an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element. In future communication systems, the access management network element can still be an AMF network element, or can have other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0051] The session management network element is mainly responsible for session management in the mobile network, such as session establishment, modification, and release. The specific functions include allocating an IP address for a user, selecting a user plane network element providing message forwarding functions, and the like. In the 5G communication system, the session management network element can be a session management function (SMF) network element. In the future communication system, the session management network element can still be an SMF network element, or can also have other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0052] The user plane network element is responsible for forwarding and receiving user data in the terminal device. The user data can be received from the data network and transmitted to the terminal device through the access network device. The user plane network element can also receive user data from the terminal device through the access network device and forward it to the data network. The transmission resources and scheduling functions provided by the user plane network element for the terminal device are managed and controlled by the SMF network element. In the 5G communication system, the user plane network element can be a user plane function (UPF) network element. In the future communication system, the user plane network element can still be a UPF network element, or can also have other names, which are not limited in the present application.

[0053] The data network DN can deploy various services and provide data and / or voice services for the terminal device. For example, the DN is a private network of a certain intelligent factory, and the sensors installed in the workshop of the intelligent factory can be terminal devices. The DN is deployed with sensors and control servers, and the control servers can provide services for the sensors. The sensors can communicate with the control servers, obtain instructions from the control servers, and transmit the collected sensor data to the control servers, and the like. For another example, the DN is an internal office network of a certain company, and the mobile phones or computers of the employees of the company can be terminal devices. The mobile phones or computers of the employees can access information and data resources on the internal office network of the company.

[0054] The communication between the network device and the terminal device in the communication system shown in FIG. 1a can also be represented in another form, as shown in FIG. 1c. The terminal device 10 includes a processor 101, a memory 102, and a transceiver 103. The transceiver 103 includes a transmitter 1031, a receiver 1032, and an antenna 1033. The network device 20 includes a processor 201, a memory 202, and a transceiver 203. The transceiver 203 includes a transmitter 2031, a receiver 2032, and an antenna 2033. The receiver 1032 can be used to receive information from the network device through the antenna 1033, and the transmitter 1031 can be used to send information to the network device 20 through the antenna 1033. The transmitter 2031 can be used to send information to the terminal device 10 through the antenna 2033, and the receiver 2032 can be used to receive information from the terminal device 10 through the antenna 2033.

[0055] Figure 1d is an example diagram of an O-RAN system applicable to embodiments of the present application. Optionally, the O-RAN system can include other components than those shown in Figure 1d. The network device can also be referred to as an access network device. As shown in Figure 1d, the access network device (RAN, which can be an eNB or a gNB or a next generation access network device) communicates with a core network (CN) through a backhaul and communicates with a user equipment (UE) through an air interface. Specifically, a baseband unit (BBU) in the access network device communicates with the core network through the backhaul, and a radio unit (RU) in the access network device communicates with at least one UE through the air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU through a front-haul, and the BBU and the RU can be co-located or not co-located. The BBU includes at least one control unit (CU) and at least one distributed unit (DU), which can communicate through at least one mid-haul.

[0056] In a wireless communication system, a network device transmits a control signal to a terminal device, and schedules the terminal device to transmit data. The control signal includes a parameter indicating a time interval between an ending point of time domain resources occupied by the control signal and a starting point of time domain resources occupied by uplink data. The value of the time interval is not arbitrary, for example, the time interval is a subframe granularity, and the number of subframes is 8, or 16, or 32, or 64. In addition, the network device transmits control signals to different terminal devices on different subframes. In order to improve the capacity of the system, multi-user multiplexing technology is widely used. One application of multi-user multiplexing technology is that different terminal devices transmit data on the same resource. Before the terminal devices transmit data, scrambling processing is performed, and the network device can correctly decode data from multiple terminal devices. Based on the aforementioned time interval (for example: 8 subframes, or 16 subframes, or 32 subframes, or 64 subframes) and the way in which the control signal indicates the starting time domain position of the data transmitted by the terminal device (i.e., the parameter in the control signal is used to indicate the time interval between the ending point of time domain resources occupied by the control signal and the starting point of time domain resources occupied by uplink data), the network device can at most indicate four terminal devices to transmit data on the same starting time domain position, and the network device needs to transmit control signals to the four terminal devices on subframes with an interval of 8 integer multiples of subframes to ensure that the four terminal devices transmit data on the same starting time domain position. For example, the network device transmits a first control signal to a first terminal device on a subframe with an index of 1. A first parameter in the first control signal is used to indicate that the time interval between the ending point of time domain resources occupied by the first control signal and the starting point of time domain resources occupied by uplink data is 24 subframes. For example, the network device transmits a second control signal to a second terminal device on a subframe with an index of 9. A second parameter in the second control signal is used to indicate that the time interval between the ending point of time domain resources occupied by the second control signal and the starting point of time domain resources occupied by uplink data is 16 subframes. For example, the network device transmits a third control signal to a third terminal device on a subframe with an index of 17. A third parameter in the third control signal is used to indicate that the time interval between the ending point of time domain resources occupied by the third control signal and the starting point of time domain resources occupied by uplink data is 8 subframes. In this way, the first terminal device, the second terminal device, and the third terminal device all start to transmit data on a subframe with an index of 25.

[0057] The above-mentioned manner is very inflexible. Based on this, the present application provides a communication method, in which a network device sends information to a plurality of terminal devices, the information being used to indicate a first time domain position of the terminal devices for sending data, the first time domain position being related to a time domain position of a search space of each terminal device, or related to a radio frame, a system frame, a super frame, etc. in which the information received by each terminal device is located, and the first time domain position being irrelevant to an end point of a time domain resource occupied by the information. In this way, the network device does not need to send the information to the plurality of terminal devices on subframes with an interval of an integer multiple of 8, and the time domain position of the network device for sending information to the terminal devices is more flexible. In addition, more terminal devices can also start to send data at the same starting time domain position.

[0058] The following first explains related terms involved in the embodiments of the present application. It should be noted that these explanations are for the purpose of making the embodiments of the present application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of protection required by the present application.

[0059] 1), the first information can be replaced by a first control signal, a first downlink control information (DCI); or the first information is carried in a first DCI sent by the network device to the first terminal device.

[0060] The second information can be replaced by a second control signal, a second DCI; or the second information is carried in a second DCI sent by the network device to the second terminal device.

[0061] 2), the relationship between the subframe, the radio frame, the system frame, and the super frame:

[0062] A possible example: 2 time slots are packaged into a subframe, 10 subframes form a radio frame, 1024 radio frames form a system frame, and 1024 system frames form a super frame.

[0063] 3), the time interval between the first information and the second information:

[0064] The first information and the second information are located in different subframes within the same system frame; the first information and the second information are located in the same radio frame or in different radio frames.

[0065] The first information and the second information are located in different system frames, for example, in adjacent system frames.

[0066] 4), search space:

[0067] The network device configures a search space for the terminal device, and the terminal device searches for a control signal / DCI from the network device in the search space. The control signal / DCI (hereinafter taken as an example of the control signal) is used to schedule the resource (for example, the time domain resource and / or the frequency domain resource) for the terminal device to send data. In other words, the search space is the search space of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

[0068] For example, the network device indicates to the terminal device: the starting time domain position, the ending time domain position and the period of the search space.

[0069] FIG. 2 introduces a schematic diagram of a search space. Rmax represents the maximum repetition number of the control signal. R represents the actual repetition number of the control signal. The terminal device performs blind detection of the control signal in the corresponding search space according to the possible R value. For example, Rmax=1, and the possible R value is 1. The terminal device performs blind detection according to R=1. For example, Rmax=2, and the possible R value is 1 and 2. The terminal device performs blind detection according to the two cases. For example, Rmax>=8, and the possible R value is 1, 2, 4 and 8. The terminal device performs blind detection according to the four cases.

[0070] The size of a search space is determined by Rmax, and different R values also have different resource positions. For example, when Rmax=8, the terminal device may have two resource positions when assuming R=4. For example, when Rmax=8, the terminal device has 1+2+4+8 possible resource positions according to different R values.

[0071] In order to better introduce the embodiments of the present application, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application will be introduced below in combination with the drawings. In the following, if no special description is made, the steps represented by the dashed lines in the drawings corresponding to each embodiment of the present application are optional steps. It should be noted that the technical details of the plurality of embodiments provided by the present application can be mutually referenced, and each embodiment introduced below can exist independently. In the absence of logical errors, the plurality of embodiments can also be combined as one embodiment.

[0072] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. In FIG. 3, a terminal device and a network device are taken as an example to illustrate the execution subject of the interaction, but the present application does not limit the execution subject of the interaction. For example, the method executed by the terminal device in FIG. 3 can also be executed by a communication module in the terminal device, or a circuit or chip responsible for communication function in the terminal device; the method executed by the network device in FIG. 3 can also be executed by a module (such as a chip, a chip system, or a processor) applied to the network device, or a logic node, a logic module, or software that implements all or part of the function of the network device. The communication method provided in the present application can be applied to the O-RAN system as shown in FIG. Id, and the network device can be replaced by a CU (CU-CP or CU-UP) or a DU or a RU in the O-RAN system. For specific details, refer to the introduction of the O-RAN system in FIG. Id.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 3, the method can include the following steps:

[0074] Step 301: The network device sends first information to the first terminal device, and correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first information.

[0075] The first information is used to instruct the first terminal device to send data at a first time domain position.

[0076] Step 302: The network device sends second information to the second terminal device, and correspondingly, the second terminal device receives the second information.

[0077] The second information is used to instruct the second terminal device to send data at the first time domain position.

[0078] It should be noted that the first time domain position refers to the starting time domain position of the data sent by the first terminal device and the second terminal device, and is not the entire time domain resource occupied by the data. Optionally, the first information can also indicate the number of repetitions of the data sent by the first terminal device, and the second information can also indicate the number of repetitions of the data sent by the second terminal device.

[0079] The sequence of step 301 and step 302 is not limited. In FIG. 3, step 301 is taken as an example to be introduced in advance, and step 302 is taken as an example to be introduced afterwards.

[0080] Step 303a: The first terminal device sends data to the network device at the first time domain position. Correspondingly, the network device receives the data from the first terminal device at the first time domain position.

[0081] Optionally, before step 303a, the first terminal device determines the first time domain position based on the first information. The network device determines the first time domain position based on the first information. If the network device repeatedly sends the first information to the first terminal device for multiple times, the network device can know which time of the sent first information is received by the first terminal device, and then determines the first time domain position based on the received first information by the first terminal device.

[0082] Step 303b: The second terminal device sends data to the network device at the first time domain position. Correspondingly, the network device receives the data from the second terminal device at the first time domain position.

[0083] Optionally, before step 303b, the second terminal device determines the first time domain position based on the second information. The network device determines the first time domain position based on the second information. If the network device repeatedly sends the second information to the second terminal device for multiple times, the network device can know which time of the sent second information is received by the second terminal device, and then determines the first time domain position based on the received second information by the second terminal device.

[0084] The network device can send information to 2, 3 or even more terminal devices, for indicating these terminal devices to send data at the first time domain position.

[0085] Further optionally, the network device also sends third information to a third terminal device, and correspondingly, the third terminal device receives the third information. The third information is used to indicate the third terminal device to send data at the first time domain position. The third terminal device determines the first time domain position based on the third information. The third terminal device sends data to the network device at the first time domain position. The network device determines the first time domain position based on the third information. The network device receives the data from the third terminal device at the third time domain position.

[0086] In a possible example, the first time domain position is related to a first time unit where the first information and the second information are located, and the first time unit is a first radio frame, or a first system frame, or a first super frame. In another possible example, the first time domain position is related to a time domain position of a first search space, and the first search space is used for the first terminal device to search the first information; and the first time domain position is related to a time domain position of a second search space, and the second search space is used for the second terminal device to search the second information.

[0087] In the method, the first time domain position is related to a time domain position of a search space of each terminal device, or related to a radio frame, a system frame, a super frame or the like in which each terminal device is located, and the first time domain position is irrelevant to an ending point of a time domain resource occupied by the information. In this way, the network device does not need to send the information to the plurality of terminal devices on the subframes with an interval of an integer multiple of 8, and the time domain position of the network device for sending the information to the terminal device is more flexible. In addition, more terminal devices can also send data on the same time domain resource.

[0088] The following describes various examples of the network device indicating the first time domain position (the numbers of the following examples: 1, 2, etc. are only for convenient description, and do not limit the priority and importance of the examples) :

[0089] Example 1: The first time domain position is an absolute time domain position.

[0090] For example, the first time domain position is related to first information sent by the network device to the first terminal device, and the first time domain position is related to a first time unit in which second information sent by the network device to the second terminal device is located. The length of the first time unit is greater than the length of the subframe. The first time unit is a first radio frame, or a first system frame, or a first super frame.

[0091] Here, it is defined that the first information and the second information are located in the same time unit. For example, the first information and the second information are located in the same radio frame (located in the same radio frame, and must also be located in the same system frame and the same super frame), and the time unit can be a radio frame, a system frame or a super frame. For another example, the first information and the second information are located in different radio frames and located in the same system frame (located in the same system frame, and must also be located in the same super frame), and the time unit can be a system frame or a super frame.

[0092] The first time domain position includes but is not limited to any of the following (the numbers: a1, a2, a3, etc. are only for convenient description, and do not represent priority and importance) :

[0093] a1, a first subframe in a first radio frame; wherein the first subframe is located after a subframe occupied by the first information and after a subframe occupied by the second information.

[0094] This mode is suitable for the case that the first information and the second information are both located in the first radio frame.

[0095] The first subframe is the last subframe, or the second last subframe, or a subframe with a certain specific index / position in the first radio frame.

[0096] Specifically, the first time domain position is a start position of the first subframe, or an end position of the first subframe, or an end position of a first time slot in the first subframe, or a start position of a last time slot in the first subframe.

[0097] a2, a first subframe in the first system frame; wherein the first subframe is located after a subframe occupied by the first information and after a subframe occupied by the second information.

[0098] This mode is applicable to a case where the first information and the second information are both located in the first system frame.

[0099] The first subframe is a last subframe in the first system frame, or a second last subframe, or a subframe with a certain index / position.

[0100] Specifically, the first time domain position is a start position of the first subframe, or an end position of the first subframe, or an end position of a first time slot in the first subframe, or a start position of a last time slot in the first subframe.

[0101] a3, a subframe in a next radio frame after the first radio frame.

[0102] This mode is applicable to a case where the first information and the second information are both located in the first radio frame.

[0103] The subframe in the next radio frame is a first subframe in the next radio frame, or a second subframe, or a last subframe, or a second last subframe, or a subframe with a certain index / position.

[0104] Specifically, the first time domain position is a start position of the subframe in the next radio frame, or an end position of the subframe, or an end position of a first time slot in the subframe, or a start position of a last time slot in the subframe.

[0105] The "next radio frame after the first radio frame" can also be replaced by: a next next radio frame after the first radio frame; or a radio frame located after the first radio frame and spaced apart from the first radio frame by a first number of radio frames.

[0106] a4, a subframe in a next system frame after the first system frame.

[0107] This mode is applicable to a case where the first information and the second information are both located in the first system frame.

[0108] The subframe in the next system frame is a first subframe in the next system frame, or a second subframe, or a last subframe, or a second last subframe, or a subframe with a certain index / position.

[0109] Specifically, the first time domain position is a start position of a subframe in a next system frame, or an end position of the subframe, or an end position of a first time slot in the subframe, or a start position of a last time slot in the subframe.

[0110] The "next system frame after the first system frame" can also be replaced by: the second system frame after the first system frame; or a system frame after the first system frame and spaced apart from the first system frame by a second number of system frames.

[0111] a5, a second subframe in a second system frame in the first super frame; wherein the second system frame is after the first system frame, or the second subframe is after the subframe occupied by the first information and after the subframe occupied by the second information.

[0112] The second system frame is a first system frame, or a second system frame, or a last system frame, or a second-to-last system frame, or a system frame with a certain index / position, or a next system frame after the first system frame, or a second system frame after the first system frame, or a system frame after the first system frame and spaced apart from the first system frame by a second number of system frames, and the second number can be any integer from 1 to 1023.

[0113] The second subframe is a last subframe, or a second-to-last subframe, or a subframe with a certain index / position in the second system frame.

[0114] Specifically, the first time domain position is a start position of a subframe in a next system frame, or an end position of the subframe, or an end position of a first time slot in the subframe, or a start position of a last time slot in the subframe.

[0115] a6, a subframe in a third system frame in a next super frame after the first super frame.

[0116] The third system frame is a first system frame, or a second system frame, or a last system frame, or a second-to-last system frame, or a system frame with a certain index / position in the next super frame.

[0117] The subframe in the third system frame is a first subframe, or a second subframe, or a last subframe, or a second-to-last subframe, or a subframe with a certain index / position in the third system frame.

[0118] Specifically, the first time domain position is a start position of a subframe in a next system frame, or an end position of the subframe, or an end position of a first time slot in the subframe, or a start position of a last time slot in the subframe.

[0119] The "next superframe after the first superframe" can be replaced by: the superframe after the first superframe and the second after the first superframe; or the superframe after the first superframe and spaced apart from the first superframe by a third number of superframes.

[0120] In a possible implementation, the network device indicates to the terminal devices (e.g., the first terminal device and the second terminal device) which one of the above-described introductions is used to determine the first time-domain location. In other words, the network device indicates to the terminal devices a first manner of determining the first time-domain location, and the first manner is one of the above-described a1 to a6. For example, the first information and / or the second information is specifically used to indicate the first manner of determining the first time-domain location, and the first manner is: determining the first subframe in the first radio frame as the first time-domain location (corresponding to a1), or determining the first subframe in the first system frame as the first time-domain location (corresponding to a2), or determining a subframe in the next radio frame after the first radio frame as the first time-domain location (corresponding to a3), or determining a subframe in the next system frame after the first system frame as the first time-domain location (corresponding to a4), or determining the second subframe in the second system frame in the first superframe as the first time-domain location (corresponding to a5), or determining a subframe in the third system frame in the next superframe after the first superframe as the first time-domain location (corresponding to a6).

[0121] The first terminal device determines the first time-domain location based on the first manner indicated by the first information and the first time unit where the first information is located; similarly, the second terminal device determines the first time-domain location based on the first manner indicated by the second information and the first time unit where the second information is located.

[0122] In another possible implementation, the protocol specifies which one of the above-described introductions is used to determine the first time-domain location, that is, the first terminal device and the second terminal device are preconfigured with a manner of determining the first time-domain location, and do not need to be indicated by the network device. In this case, the first information is specifically used to indicate that the first terminal device transmits data, and the second information is specifically used to indicate that the second terminal device transmits data. The first terminal device determines the first time-domain location based on the preconfigured manner of determining the first time-domain location and the first time unit where the first information is located; similarly, the second terminal device determines the first time-domain location based on the preconfigured manner of determining the first time-domain location and the first time unit where the second information is located.

[0123] In this example, a direct absolute time-domain resource location is indicated, which increases the flexibility of data scheduling.

[0124] Example 2: The network device indicates a relative time-domain location to a plurality of terminal devices.

[0125] For example, the first information is specifically used to indicate a first reference point and a first time interval with the first time domain position; after receiving the first information, the first terminal device determines the first time domain position based on the first reference point and the first time interval. For example, the first reference point plus the first time interval obtains the first time domain position. For another example, the first reference point minus the first time interval obtains the first time domain position. The first time interval can be at a subframe level, or at a radio frame level, or at a system frame level, or at a superframe level. For example, the first time interval is 32 subframes, 64 subframes, 1 radio frame, 2 radio frames, 1 system frame, 2 system frames, 1 superframe, 2 superframes, etc.

[0126] For example, the second information is specifically used to indicate a second reference point and a second time interval with the first time domain position; after receiving the second information, the second terminal device determines the first time domain position based on the second reference point and the second time interval. For example, the second reference point plus the second time interval obtains the first time domain position. For another example, the second reference point minus the second time interval obtains the first time domain position. The first time interval can be at a subframe level, or at a radio frame level, or at a system frame level, or at a superframe level. For example, the first time interval is 32 subframes, 64 subframes, 1 radio frame, 2 radio frames, 1 system frame, 2 system frames, 1 superframe, 2 superframes, etc.

[0127] The reference point can also be replaced by a "reference time domain position".

[0128] The first reference point and the second reference point are introduced as follows.

[0129] Example 2.1: the first reference point is related to a time domain position of the first search space; the second reference point is related to a time domain position of the second search space.

[0130] The first search space is used by the first terminal device to search for information from the network device for scheduling resources (such as time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources) for the first terminal device to send data, or the first search space is used by the first terminal device to search for the first information.

[0131] The second search space is used by the second terminal device to search for information from the network device for scheduling resources (such as time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources) for the second terminal device to send data, or the second search space is used by the second terminal device to search for the second information.

[0132] The first reference point includes but is not limited to any of the following (the following numbers: b1, b2, b3, etc. are only for convenience of description, and do not represent priority and importance):

[0133] b1, a starting time domain position of the first search space;

[0134] b2, an ending time-domain position of the first search space;

[0135] b3, a time-domain position located before the starting time-domain position of the first search space and spaced apart from the starting time-domain position of the first search space by a third time interval;

[0136] b4, a time-domain position located after the starting time-domain position of the first search space and spaced apart from the starting time-domain position of the first search space by a third time interval;

[0137] b5, a time-domain position located before the ending time-domain position of the first search space and spaced apart from the ending time-domain position of the first search space by a third time interval;

[0138] b6, a time-domain position located after the ending time-domain position of the first search space and spaced apart from the ending time-domain position of the first search space by a third time interval.

[0139] The second reference point includes but is not limited to any one of the following (the following numbers: c1, c2, c3, etc. are only for convenient description, and do not represent priority and importance):

[0140] c1, a starting time-domain position of the second search space;

[0141] c2, an ending time-domain position of the second search space;

[0142] c3, a time-domain position located before the starting time-domain position of the second search space and spaced apart from the starting time-domain position of the second search space by a fourth time interval;

[0143] c4, a time-domain position located after the starting time-domain position of the second search space and spaced apart from the starting time-domain position of the second search space by a fourth time interval;

[0144] c5, a time-domain position located before the ending time-domain position of the second search space and spaced apart from the ending time-domain position of the second search space by a fourth time interval;

[0145] c6, a time-domain position located after the ending time-domain position of the second search space and spaced apart from the ending time-domain position of the second search space by a fourth time interval.

[0146] The third time interval or the fourth time interval has one or more of the following possible cases:

[0147] Case 1), a subframe quantity that is a multiple of 8, for example, 8 subframes, or 16 subframes, or 32 subframes, or 64 subframes.

[0148] Case 2), a multiple of 8 subframes plus Koffset. For example, the starting time-domain position of the terminal device sending data compared to the ending time-domain position of the control signal, in addition to a delay of a multiple of 8 subframes, there can be an additional delay of Koffset, which is a cell-level Koffset configured by media access control (MAC) layer signaling.

[0149] Cases 1) and 2) can be understood as using the existing time interval parameter (also referred to as a delay scheduling parameter).

[0150] Case 3), a multiple of 2 subframes (e.g., even multiple), or a multiple of 2 subframes plus Koffset. For example, 2 subframes, 4 subframes, 8 subframes, 12 subframes, 16 subframes, 20 subframes, 24 subframes, 28 subframes, 32 subframes, 36 subframes, 64 subframes, etc.

[0151] Case 4), a multiple of 4 subframes (e.g., even multiple), or a multiple of 4 subframes plus Koffset. For example, 4 subframes, 8 subframes, 16 subframes, 24 subframes, 32 subframes, 40 subframes, 64 subframes, etc.

[0152] Case 5), reducing the value of the existing time interval parameter to 1 / 2, or 1 / 4, or 1 / 8 of the original; or reducing the value of the existing time interval parameter to 1.5 times, or 2 times, or 2.5 times, or 3 times, 3.5 times, or 4 times, etc.

[0153] In addition, the third time interval or the fourth time interval can be specified by a protocol or can be informed to the first terminal device and the second terminal device by a network device.

[0154] The third time interval or the fourth time interval can be a cell-level Koffset, or Koffset plus a scheduling delay parameter (e.g., 64 subframes, 32 subframes), etc.

[0155] The time domain locations of the first search space and the second search space can be the same or different. For example, the network device configures the search space for the first terminal device and the second terminal device independently, which does not mean that there is no overlap between the first search space and the second search space, that is, the time domain locations of the first search space and the second search space are completely different (no overlap / crossover / intersection), or partially the same (partially overlap / crossover / intersection), or completely the same (completely overlap / crossover / intersection). For another example, the first search space and the second search space are configured by the network device for the first terminal device and the second terminal device as a common search space, and the first search space and the second search space are completely the same.

[0156] In a possible implementation, the network device indicates to the terminal device (for example, the first terminal device and the second terminal device) which one of the above-mentioned introductions is used to determine the first reference point and the second reference point. In other words, the network device indicates to the first terminal device a manner of determining the first reference point, which is one of the above-mentioned b1 to b6. The network device indicates to the second terminal device a manner of determining the second reference point, which is one of the above-mentioned c1 to c6.

[0157] The first terminal device determines the first reference point based on the manner indicated by the first information and the time domain location of the first search space; similarly, the second terminal device determines the second reference point based on the manner indicated by the second information and the time domain location of the second search space.

[0158] In another possible implementation, the protocol specifies which one of the above-mentioned introductions is used to determine the first reference point and the second reference point, that is, the first terminal device is pre-configured with a manner of determining the first reference point, and the second terminal device is pre-configured with a manner of determining the second reference point, without the need for the network device to indicate to the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0159] In this example, the starting time domain location k0 or the ending time domain location k1 of the first search space is the reference location, regardless of where the first information sent by the network device to the first terminal device appears in the first search space, the first terminal device determines the first time domain location for sending uplink data according to the starting time domain location k0 or the ending time domain location k1 as the reference location. The second terminal device is the same principle.

[0160] Even if the PDCCHs of the first terminal device and the second terminal device have some deviation in time, but since the reference points are the same, it is ensured that multiple terminal devices are scheduled to send data at the same start of time domain resources.

[0161] Example 2.2: The first reference point is related to the data transmission resource corresponding to the first search space. The second reference point is related to the data transmission resource corresponding to the second search space.

[0162] The search space configured by the network device to the terminal device has corresponding data transmission resources, for example, taking the data transmission resources corresponding to the first search space as the first reference point, and taking the data transmission resources corresponding to the second search space as the second reference point,

[0163] Example 2.3: The first reference point and the second reference point are related to the first time unit.

[0164] The first reference point includes but is not limited to any of the following (the following numbers: d1, d2, d3, etc. are only for convenient description, and do not represent priority and importance) :

[0165] d1, the starting point or the ending point of the radio frame where the first information is located.

[0166] d2, the starting point or the ending point of the system frame where the first information is located.

[0167] d3, the starting point or the ending point of the super frame where the first information is located.

[0168] d4, the first subframe in the radio frame where the first information is located.

[0169] The first subframe is the first subframe, or the second subframe, or the last subframe, or the second last subframe, or a subframe with a certain specific index / position in the radio frame where the first information is located.

[0170] Specifically, the first reference point is the starting position of the first subframe, or the ending position of the first subframe, or the ending position of the previous time slot in the first subframe, or the starting position of the next time slot in the first subframe.

[0171] d5, the first subframe in the system frame where the first information is located.

[0172] The first subframe is the first subframe, or the second subframe, or the last subframe, or the second last subframe, or a subframe with a certain specific index / position in the system frame where the first information is located.

[0173] Specifically, the first reference point is the starting position of the first subframe, or the ending position of the first subframe, or the ending position of the previous time slot in the first subframe, or the starting position of the next time slot in the first subframe.

[0174] d6, a subframe in the next radio frame after the radio frame where the first information is located.

[0175] The subframe in the next radio frame is the first subframe, or the second subframe, or the last subframe, or the second last subframe, or a subframe with a certain specific index / position in the next radio frame.

[0176] Specifically, the first reference point is the start position of a subframe in the next radio frame, or the end position of the subframe, or the end position of the first time slot in the subframe, or the start position of the last time slot in the subframe.

[0177] The next radio frame after the radio frame where the first information is located can be replaced by the next next radio frame after the radio frame where the first information is located, or a radio frame located after the radio frame where the first information is located and spaced apart from the radio frame where the first information is located by a fourth number of radio frames.

[0178] d7. A subframe in the next system frame after the system frame where the first information is located.

[0179] The subframe in the next system frame is the first subframe in the next system frame, or the second subframe, or the last subframe, or the second last subframe, or a subframe with a certain index / position.

[0180] Specifically, the first reference point is the start position of a subframe in the next system frame, or the end position of the subframe, or the end position of the first time slot in the subframe, or the start position of the last time slot in the subframe.

[0181] The next system frame after the system frame where the first information is located can be replaced by the next next system frame after the system frame where the first information is located, or a system frame located after the system frame where the first information is located and spaced apart from the system frame where the first information is located by a fifth number of system frames.

[0182] d8. A second subframe in a second system frame in the superframe where the first information is located.

[0183] The second system frame is the first system frame in the superframe where the first information is located, or the second system frame, or the last system frame, or the second last system frame, or a system frame with a certain index / position, or the next system frame after the system frame where the first information is located, or the next next system frame after the system frame where the first information is located, or a system frame located after the system frame where the first information is located and spaced apart from the system frame where the first information is located by a set number of system frames, and the set number can be any integer from 1 to 1023.

[0184] The second subframe is the last subframe in the second system frame, or the second last subframe, or a subframe with a certain index / position.

[0185] Specifically, the first reference point is the start position of the second subframe, or the end position of the second subframe, or the end position of the first time slot in the second subframe, or the start position of the last time slot in the second subframe.

[0186] d9. a subframe in a third system frame in a next superframe after the superframe where the first information is located.

[0187] The third system frame is the first system frame, or the second system frame, or the last system frame, or the second last system frame, or a system frame with a certain index / position in the next superframe.

[0188] The subframe in the third system frame is the first subframe, or the second subframe, or the last subframe, or the second last subframe, or a subframe with a certain index / position in the third system frame.

[0189] Specifically, the first reference point is the start of the subframe in the third system frame, or the end of the subframe, or the end of the previous time slot in the subframe, or the start of the next time slot in the subframe.

[0190] The "next superframe after the superframe where the first information is located" can also be replaced by: the next next superframe after the superframe where the first information is located; or a superframe located after the superframe where the first information is located, and separated from the superframe where the first information is located by a certain number of superframes.

[0191] The second reference point includes but is not limited to any of the following (the following numbers: e1, e2, e3, etc. are only for convenient description, and do not represent priority and importance):

[0192] e1. the start or end of the radio frame where the second information is located.

[0193] e2. the start or end of the system frame where the second information is located.

[0194] e3. the start or end of the superframe where the second information is located.

[0195] e4. the first subframe in the radio frame where the second information is located.

[0196] e5. the first subframe in the system frame where the second information is located.

[0197] e6. a subframe in the next radio frame after the radio frame where the second information is located.

[0198] e7. a subframe in the next system frame after the system frame where the second information is located.

[0199] e8. the second subframe in the second system frame in the superframe where the second information is located.

[0200] e9. a subframe in the third system frame in the next superframe after the superframe where the second information is located.

[0201] The technical details of e1 to e9 can refer to the technical details of d1 to d9 described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0202] In a possible implementation, the network device indicates to the terminal devices (e.g., the first terminal device and the second terminal device) which of the above-described manners is used to determine the first reference point and the second reference point. In other words, the network device indicates to the first terminal device a manner of determining the first reference point, which is one of d1 to d9 described above. The network device indicates to the second terminal device a manner of determining the second reference point, which is one of e1 to e9 described above.

[0203] The first terminal device determines the first reference point based on the manner indicated by the first information and the time unit where the first information is located. Similarly, the second terminal device determines the second reference point based on the manner indicated by the second information and the time unit where the second information is located.

[0204] In another possible implementation, the protocol specifies which of the above-described manners is used to determine the first reference point and the second reference point, that is, the first terminal device is preconfigured with a manner of determining the first reference point, and the second terminal device is preconfigured with a manner of determining the second reference point, without the need for the network device to indicate to the first terminal device and the second terminal device.

[0205] It can be understood that the manner of determining the first time domain position in any of the above-described example 1, or example 2.1, or example 2.2, or example 2.3 can be indicated by the network device to the terminal devices (e.g., the first terminal device and the second terminal device), or can be preconfigured by the terminal devices according to the protocol without the need for the network device to indicate to the terminal devices.

[0206] It can be understood that, in order to implement the functions in the above-described embodiments, the network device and the terminal device include corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for performing various functions. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and method steps of the examples described in the embodiments disclosed in the present application, the present application can be realized in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0207] FIGS. 4 and 5 are structural schematic diagrams of possible communication apparatuses provided by embodiments of the present application. These communication apparatuses can be used to implement the functions of the network device or the terminal device in the above-described method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects possessed by the above-described method embodiments.

[0208] As shown in FIG. 4, the communication apparatus 400 includes a processing unit 410 and a transceiver unit 420.

[0209] For example, the communication apparatus 400 is configured to implement the functions of the network device, or the terminal device (e.g., the first terminal device or the second terminal device) in the method embodiments of FIG. 3. The transceiver 420 can perform the receiving and transmitting actions performed by the network device, or the terminal device in the method embodiments. The processor 410 can perform the actions performed by the network device, or the terminal device in the method embodiments, except the receiving and transmitting actions.

[0210] For example, when the communication apparatus 400 is configured to implement the functions of the network device in the method embodiments of FIG. 3, the transceiver 420 is configured to: transmit the first information to the first terminal device, receive the data from the first terminal device, transmit the second information to the second terminal device, receive the data from the second terminal device. The processor 410 is configured to generate the first information, the second information, etc.

[0211] For example, when the communication apparatus 400 is configured to implement the functions of the first terminal device in the method embodiments of FIG. 3, the transceiver 420 is configured to receive the first information, transmit the data, and determine the first time domain position based on the first information.

[0212] For example, when the communication apparatus 400 is configured to implement the functions of the second terminal device in the method embodiments of FIG. 3, the transceiver 420 is configured to receive the second information, transmit the data, and determine the first time domain position based on the second information.

[0213] The detailed description of the processor 410 and the transceiver 420 can be directly obtained by referring to the description of the method embodiments of FIG. 3, which will not be repeated here. The processor 410 can be implemented by a processor, and the transceiver 420 can be implemented by a transceiver.

[0214] It should be understood that the division of units in the above apparatus is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, all or part of the units can be integrated into one physical entity, or can be physically separated. The units in the apparatus can all be implemented in the form of software invoked by a processing element; or all be implemented in the form of hardware; or part of the units are implemented in the form of software invoked by a processing element, and part of the units are implemented in the form of hardware. For example, each unit can be a separately established processing element, or can be integrated in a chip of the apparatus, in addition, the unit can also be stored in the form of a program in a memory, and the function of the unit is invoked and executed by a processing element of the apparatus. In addition, all or part of the units can be integrated together, or can be independently implemented. The processing element herein can be a processor, which can be an integrated circuit with a signal processing capability. In the implementation process, each operation of the above method or each unit can be implemented by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in the processing element, or in the form of software invoked by the processing element.

[0215] In one example, the units in any of the above apparatuses can be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, for example, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms. For another example, when the units in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of a program invoked by a processing element, the processing element can be a processor, such as a general purpose central processing unit (CPU), or other processor capable of invoking programs. For another example, the units can be integrated together to implement a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

[0216] The above unit for receiving is an interface circuit of the apparatus for receiving signals from other apparatuses. For example, when the apparatus is implemented in the form of a chip, the unit is an interface circuit of the chip for receiving signals from other chips or apparatuses. The above unit for sending is an interface circuit of the apparatus for sending signals to other apparatuses. For example, when the apparatus is implemented in the form of a chip, the unit is an interface circuit of the chip for sending signals to other chips or apparatuses.

[0217] As shown in FIG. 5, the communication apparatus 500 includes a processor 510 and an interface circuit 520. The processor 510 and the interface circuit 520 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 520 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication apparatus 500 can further include a memory 530 for storing instructions executed by the processor 510, or storing input data required by the processor 510 to run instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 510 runs instructions. Sometimes, the interface circuit 520 can also be understood as a part of the processor 510, and the communication apparatus 500 includes the processor 510.

[0218] When the communication apparatus 500 is used to implement the method shown in FIG. 3, the processor 510 is configured to implement the functions of the processing unit 410, and the interface circuit 520 is configured to implement the functions of the transceiver unit 420.

[0219] When the communication apparatus is a terminal device chip, the terminal device chip implements the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiments. The terminal device chip receives information from a network device, which can be understood as that the information is first received by other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal device, and then transmitted to the terminal device chip by the modules. The terminal device chip transmits information to the network device, which can be understood as that the information is first transmitted to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the terminal device, and then transmitted to the network device by the modules.

[0220] When the communication apparatus is a network device chip, the network device chip implements the functions of the network device in the method embodiments. The network device chip receives information from a terminal device, which can be understood as that the information is first received by other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the network device, and then transmitted to the network device chip by the modules. The network device chip transmits information to the terminal device, which can be understood as that the information is first transmitted to other modules (such as a radio frequency module or an antenna) in the network device, and then transmitted to the terminal device by the modules. The network device module here can be a baseband chip of the network device, or a DU or other module, and the DU here can be a DU under the open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture.

[0221] In the present application, the sending of information from entity A to entity B can be direct sending from A to B or indirect sending from A to B via other entities. Similarly, the receiving of information from entity A by entity B can be direct receiving of information sent by entity A or indirect receiving of information sent by entity A via other entities. The entities A and B can be network devices or terminal devices, or modules in a network device or terminal device. The sending and receiving of information can be information interaction between a network device and a terminal device, or information interaction between two network devices, such as information interaction between a CU and a DU, or information interaction between different modules in one device, such as information interaction between a terminal device chip and other modules in the terminal device, or information interaction between a network device chip and other modules in the network device.

[0222] It can be understood that the processor in the embodiments of the present application can be a central processing unit (CPU), and can also be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0223] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer readable storage medium, which stores a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer can be caused to execute the communication method described above. In other words, the computer program includes instructions for implementing the communication method described above.

[0224] The embodiments of the present application further provide a chip, which includes a processor. When the processor executes a computer program or instructions, the processor is used to implement the communication method described above. Alternatively, the chip can further include a memory. The chip can be composed of the chip, or can include the chip and other discrete devices. The memory is used to store the computer program or instructions.

[0225] The embodiments of the present application further provide a circuit, which is used to execute the communication method described above. The circuit can include a chip circuit. Alternatively, the circuit can be coupled with a memory.

[0226] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, comprising computer program codes, which, when running on a computer, enable the computer to perform the communication method provided above.

[0227] The embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, comprising a first terminal device and a second terminal device performing the communication method, and optionally further comprising a network device.

[0228] The method steps in the embodiments of the present application can be realized by means of hardware, or by means of a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can be composed of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, a register, a hard disk, a mobile hard disk, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) (also known as a read-only optical disc), or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium can be located in an ASIC. In addition, the ASIC can be located in a base station or a terminal. Of course, the processor and the storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the base station or the terminal.

[0229] In the above embodiments, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, all or part of the embodiments can be implemented in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer programs or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments are performed. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a first control plane network element, user equipment or other programmable apparatus. The computer programs or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer programs or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center through a wired or wireless manner. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center and the like integrated with one or more available media. The available media can be a magnetic medium, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape; an optical medium, for example, a digital video disc; and a semiconductor medium, for example, a solid state disk. The computer-readable storage medium can be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or can include both volatile and non-volatile storage media.

[0230] In various embodiments of the present application, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referred to each other if there is no special description and logical conflict, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0231] In the embodiments of the present application, the number of nouns, unless otherwise specified, means "singular noun or plural noun", that is, "one or more". "At least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three relationships, for example, A and / or B, which can represent the following cases: A exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone. The character " / " generally represents that the associated objects before and after it are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B means A or B. "At least one of the following" or "one or more of the following" and the like means any combination of these items, including any combination of single item or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b and (or) c, or one or more of a, b and (or) c, means a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c. Each of a, b and c can be single or multiple.

[0232] The terms "first", "second", and the like in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish a plurality of objects, and are not used to limit the size, content, order, time sequence, priority, or importance of the plurality of objects. Moreover, such names do not represent the difference in the content, the sending / receiving end, the sending order, the size, the application scenario, the priority, or the importance, and the like included in the two pieces of information. In addition, the numbering of the steps in each embodiment introduced in the present application is only for distinguishing different steps, and is not used to limit the order between the steps.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: Comprising: sending first information to a first terminal device, the first information being used to instruct the first terminal device to send data at a first time domain position; sending second information to a second terminal device, the second information being used to instruct the second terminal device to send data at the first time domain position; wherein the first time domain position is related to a first time unit in which the first information and the second information are located, the first time unit being a first radio frame, or a first system frame, or a first super frame; or, the first time domain position is related to a time domain position of a first search space used by the first terminal device to search for the first information; and the first time domain position is related to a time domain position of a second search space used by the second terminal device to search for the second information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, In the case that the first time domain position is related to the first time unit in which the first information and the second information are located, the first time domain position is any one of the following: a first subframe in the first radio frame, the first subframe being located after a subframe occupied by the first information and after a subframe occupied by the second information; a first subframe in the first system frame, the first subframe being located after a subframe occupied by the first information and after a subframe occupied by the second information; a subframe in a next radio frame after the first radio frame; a subframe in a next system frame after the first system frame; a second subframe in a second system frame in the first super frame; a subframe in a next super frame after the first super frame.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, the first information is specifically used to instruct a first time interval between a first reference point and the first time domain position; the second information is specifically used to instruct a second time interval between a second reference point and the first time domain position; wherein the first reference point and the second reference point are related to the first time unit; or, the first reference is related to the time domain position of the first search space; and the second reference point is related to the time domain position of the second search space.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, In the case that the first reference point is related to the time domain position of the first search space, the first reference point is any one of the following: a starting time domain position of the first search space; an ending time domain position of the first search space; a time domain position located before the starting time domain position of the first search space and spaced apart from the starting time domain position of the first search space by a third time interval; a time domain position located after the starting time domain position of the first search space and spaced apart from the starting time domain position of the first search space by a third time interval; a time domain position located before the ending time domain position of the first search space and spaced apart from the ending time domain position of the first search space by a third time interval; a time domain position located after the ending time domain position of the first search space and spaced apart from the ending time domain position of the first search space by a third time interval.

5. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein, In the case that the second reference point is related to the time domain position of the second search space, the second reference point is any one of the following: a starting time domain position of the second search space; an ending time domain position of the second search space; a time domain position located before the starting time domain position of the second search space and spaced apart from the starting time domain position of the second search space by a third time interval; a time domain position located after the starting time domain position of the second search space and spaced apart from the starting time domain position of the second search space by a third time interval; a time domain position located before the ending time domain position of the second search space and spaced apart from the ending time domain position of the second search space by a third time interval; a time domain position located after the ending time domain position of the second search space and spaced apart from the ending time domain position of the second search space by a third time interval. a time domain position before the starting time domain position of the second search space and spaced apart from the starting time domain position of the second search space by a fourth time interval; a time domain position after the starting time domain position of the second search space and spaced apart from the starting time domain position of the second search space by a fourth time interval; a time domain position after the ending time domain position of the second search space and spaced apart from the ending time domain position of the second search space by a fourth time interval; a time domain position after the ending time domain position of the second search space and spaced apart from the ending time domain position of the second search space by a fourth time interval. a time domain position after the ending time domain position of the second search space and spaced apart from the ending time domain position of the second search space by a fourth time interval.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein, In a case where the first reference point is related to the first time unit, the first reference point is any one of the following: a starting point or an ending point of a radio frame in which the first information is located; a starting point or an ending point of a system frame in which the first information is located; a starting point or an ending point of a super frame in which the first information is located; a first subframe in a radio frame in which the first information is located; a first subframe in a system frame in which the first information is located; a subframe in a next radio frame after the radio frame in which the first information is located; a subframe in a next system frame after the system frame in which the first information is located; a second subframe in a second system frame in the super frame in which the first information is located; a subframe in a next super frame after the super frame in which the first information is located.

7. The method of claim 3 or 6, wherein, In a case where the second reference point is related to the first time unit, the second reference point is any one of the following: a starting point or an ending point of a radio frame in which the second information is located; a starting point or an ending point of a system frame in which the second information is located; a starting point or an ending point of a super frame in which the second information is located; a first subframe in a radio frame in which the second information is located; a first subframe in a system frame in which the second information is located; a subframe in a next radio frame after the radio frame in which the second information is located; a subframe in a next system frame after the system frame in which the second information is located; a second subframe in a second system frame in the super frame in which the second information is located; a subframe in a next super frame after the super frame in which the second information is located.

8. A communication device, characterized by A module for performing the method of any one of claims 1-7.

9. A communications device, characterized by A processor coupled with a memory; The memory is configured to store computer programs or instructions; The processor is configured to execute part or all of the computer programs or instructions in the memory, and when the part or all of the computer programs or instructions are executed, the processor is configured to implement the method of any one of claims 1-7.

10. A communications device, characterized by A processor and a memory; The memory is configured to store computer programs or instructions; The processor is configured to execute part or all of the computer programs or instructions in the memory, and when the part or all of the computer programs or instructions are executed, the processor is configured to implement the method of any one of claims 1-7.

11. A chip system, characterized by A processor coupled with a memory; The memory is configured to store computer programs or instructions; The processor is configured to execute part or all of the computer programs or instructions in the memory, and when the part or all of the computer programs or instructions are executed, the processor is configured to implement the method of any one of claims 1-7. The processor is configured to execute part or all of the computer programs or instructions in the memory, and when the part or all of the computer programs or instructions are executed, the method according to any one of claims 1-7 is implemented.

12. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores the computer programs or instructions, and when the computer programs or instructions are executed by the communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1-7 is implemented.

13. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product comprises computer instructions, and when the computer instructions are run on a computer, the method according to any one of claims 1-7 is implemented.

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