Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and apparatus, which can reduce signaling overheads. The method comprises: a second communication apparatus sending configuration information to a first communication apparatus, wherein the configuration information comprises first information and second information, the first information is used for indicating N BWPs, the center frequencies of at least two of the N BWPs are different, the second information is used for indicating durations respectively corresponding to the N BWPs, and N is an integer greater than 1; the first communication apparatus receiving the configuration information from the second communication apparatus, and switching the N BWPs, wherein the durations for the BWPs correspond to the second information; and the second communication apparatus monitoring the N BWPs, wherein the durations of monitoring the BWPs correspond to the second information.

Description

Method and apparatus for communication

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202411394461.1, filed on September 30, 2024, and entitled "Method and apparatus for communication", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for communication. BACKGROUND

[0003] The 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) protocol specifies that a system can support a larger transmission bandwidth, but due to the diversity of services in the 5th generation (5G) communication system, from the perspective of a terminal device, some services of a certain terminal device may not require a larger transmission bandwidth, and the support of a larger transmission bandwidth by the terminal device also means a higher cost, therefore the concept of bandwidth part (BWP) is proposed. The BWP refers to a continuous spectrum resource configured by the network side to the terminal device, and the terminal device can perform data transmission on the BWP. The BWP can be smaller than the maximum transmission bandwidth of the network side, and can realize flexible transmission bandwidth configuration of the network side and the terminal device side.

[0004] The network side can configure multiple BWPs for the terminal device, and for different service transmission requirements, the network side indicates the terminal device to perform BWP switching through signaling each time the terminal device needs to perform BWP switching, for example, the network side indicates the terminal device to perform BWP switching through radio resource control (RRC) messages or downlink control information (DCI) each time the terminal device needs to perform BWP switching, resulting in a large signaling overhead. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a method and apparatus for communication, which can save signaling overhead.

[0006] In a first aspect, a method for communication is provided, which can be performed by a first communication apparatus. The first communication apparatus can be a terminal device or a module (such as a circuit, a chip, a chip system, or a processor) in the terminal device, and can also be a logical node, a logical module, or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the terminal device.

[0007] The method comprises: receiving configuration information, the configuration information comprising first information and second information, the first information being used to indicate N BWPs, at least two of the N BWPs having different center frequencies, and the second information being used to indicate time durations corresponding to the N BWPs respectively, wherein N is an integer greater than 1; and switching the N BWPs, wherein the time duration of each BWP corresponds to the second information.

[0008] According to the technical solution, the first communication device can periodically switch the N BWPs according to the configuration information, without the second communication device indicating by signaling each time the first communication device needs to switch the BWPs, thereby saving signaling overhead. In addition, the first communication device can periodically transmit reference signals for measuring channel state information on the N BWPs, thereby maintaining channel state information of the full bandwidth; in the case of a large amount of data to be transmitted, data transmission can be quickly performed after switching from a small bandwidth BWP to a large bandwidth BWP, thereby reducing channel measurement time of the large bandwidth BWP, and thus improving user experience. The full bandwidth can be understood as a bandwidth of a data channel that the first communication device can receive at maximum capacity.

[0009] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the configuration information further comprises third information, the third information being used to indicate a switching order of the N BWPs; and the switching the N BWPs comprises: periodically switching the N BWPs, wherein the switching order of the N BWPs corresponds to the third information. The switching order of the N BWPs can be determined based on traffic transmission requirements of different time periods, and switching the N BWPs according to the switching order can achieve meeting the traffic transmission requirements while saving signaling overhead.

[0010] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further comprises: transmitting reference signals on the N BWPs respectively, the reference signals being used to measure channel state information of the BWPs. According to this implementation, the first communication device periodically transmits reference signals for measuring channel state information on the N BWPs, thereby maintaining channel state information of the full bandwidth; in the case of a large amount of data to be transmitted, data transmission can be quickly performed after switching from a small bandwidth BWP to a large bandwidth BWP, thereby reducing channel measurement time of the large bandwidth BWP, and thus improving user experience.

[0011] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first information comprises starting frequencies and ending frequencies corresponding to the N BWPs respectively.

[0012] In some implementations of the first aspect, the first information comprises a starting frequency point and / or a terminal frequency point corresponding to the first BWP, an offset between a center frequency point of the first BWP and a center frequency point of the second BWP, an offset between a center frequency point of the nth BWP and a center frequency point of the (n+1)th BWP, an offset between a center frequency point of the (N-1)th BWP and a center frequency point of the Nth BWP, where the N BWPs comprise the first BWP, the second BWP, the nth BWP, the (n+1)th BWP, the (N-1)th BWP and the Nth BWP, where n is an integer greater than 1 and less than N.

[0013] In some implementations of the first aspect, the first information further comprises bandwidths corresponding to the N BWPs respectively. In this implementation, the bandwidths corresponding to the N BWPs respectively are indicated by the first information.

[0014] In some implementations of the first aspect, the third information comprises ordering information of indexes corresponding to the N BWPs respectively.

[0015] In some implementations of the first aspect, a duration corresponding to the BWP is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the first threshold is related to a time required for completing measurement of channel state information of the BWP. For example, the first threshold is equal to the time required for completing measurement of channel state information of the BWP. For example, the first threshold is greater than the time required for completing measurement of channel state information of the BWP. Based on this optional implementation, the duration corresponding to the BWP is greater than or equal to the time required for completing measurement of channel state information of the BWP, which can ensure that the second communication device obtains complete channel state information within the BWP.

[0016] With reference to the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving switching indication information, the switching indication information indicating switching from a first BWP to a second BWP, the first BWP being included in the N BWPs, a frequency range of the second BWP including frequency ranges of at least two BWPs in the N BWPs; and receiving data on the second BWP. Specifically, when the second communication device needs to send data using the second BWP, the second communication device can directly send data on the second BWP according to the determined channel state information (channel state information of the full bandwidth), the determined channel state information including channel state information of the second BWP, without needing to complete measurement of the channel state information of the second BWP before sending data on the second BWP. Therefore, based on the optional implementation, after the first communication device switches from the first BWP (small bandwidth BWP) to the second BWP (large bandwidth BWP), the first communication device can quickly perform data transmission, which can reduce the channel measurement time of the second BWP, thereby improving user experience.

[0017] In a second aspect, a method for communication is provided, which can be performed by a second communication device. The second communication device can be a network device or a module (e.g., a circuit, a chip, a chip system, or a processor) in the network device, and can also be a logic node, a logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device.

[0018] The method includes: sending configuration information, the configuration information including first information and second information, the first information being used to indicate N partial bandwidth BWPs, center frequency points of at least two BWPs in the N BWPs being different, and the second information being used to indicate time durations corresponding to the N BWPs respectively, where N is an integer greater than 1; and listening to the N BWPs, where a time duration for listening to each BWP corresponds to the second information.

[0019] The method provided in the second aspect is a method on the second communication device side corresponding to the first aspect, and the beneficial effects can be referred to the first aspect.

[0020] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the configuration information further includes third information, the third information being used to indicate a switching order of the N BWPs; and the listening to the N BWPs includes: periodically listening to the N BWPs, where a listening order of the N BWPs corresponds to the third information.

[0021] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving reference signals on the N BWPs respectively, the reference signals being used to measure channel state information of the BWPs.

[0022] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first information comprises starting frequency points and ending frequency points corresponding to the N BWPs respectively.

[0023] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first information comprises a starting frequency point corresponding to a first BWP, an offset between a center frequency point of the first BWP and a center frequency point of a second BWP, an offset between a center frequency point of an nth BWP and a center frequency point of an (n+1)th BWP, an offset between a center frequency point of an (N-1)th BWP and a center frequency point of an Nth BWP, wherein the N BWPs comprise the first BWP, the second BWP, the nth BWP, the (n+1)th BWP, the (N-1)th BWP and the Nth BWP, wherein n is an integer greater than 1 and less than N.

[0024] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first information further comprises bandwidths corresponding to the N BWPs respectively.

[0025] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the third information comprises ordering information of indexes corresponding to the N BWPs respectively.

[0026] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, a duration corresponding to the BWP is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the first threshold is related to a time required for completing measurement of channel state information of the BWP.

[0027] With reference to the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further comprises: sending switching indication information, the switching indication information indicating switching from a first BWP to a second BWP, the N BWPs comprising the first BWP, a frequency range of the second BWP comprising frequency ranges of at least two BWPs in the N BWPs; and sending data on the second BWP.

[0028] In a third aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which can be the first communication apparatus of the first aspect. The communication apparatus comprises: a transceiver module, configured to receive configuration information, the configuration information comprising first information and second information, the first information being used to indicate N BWPs, center frequency points of at least two BWPs in the N BWPs being different, the second information being used to indicate durations corresponding to the N BWPs respectively, wherein N is an integer greater than 1; and a processing module, configured to switch the N BWPs.

[0029] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the configuration information further includes third information, the third information being used to indicate a switching sequence of the N BWPs; and the processing module is specifically configured to periodically switch the N BWPs, where the switching sequence of the N BWPs corresponds to the third information.

[0030] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the transceiving module is further configured to transmit reference signals on the N BWPs respectively, where the reference signals are used to measure channel state information of the BWPs.

[0031] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the first information includes starting frequency points and ending frequency points respectively corresponding to the N BWPs.

[0032] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the first information includes a starting frequency point and / or an ending frequency point corresponding to a first BWP, an offset between a center frequency point of the first BWP and a center frequency point of a second BWP, an offset between a center frequency point of an nth BWP and a center frequency point of an (n+1)th BWP, an offset between a center frequency point of an (N-1)th BWP and a center frequency point of an Nth BWP, where the N BWPs include the first BWP, the second BWP, the nth BWP, the (n+1)th BWP, the (N-1)th BWP, and the Nth BWP, where n is an integer greater than 1 and less than N.

[0033] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the first information further includes bandwidths respectively corresponding to the N BWPs.

[0034] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the third information includes ordering information of indexes respectively corresponding to the N BWPs.

[0035] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, a duration corresponding to the BWP is greater than or equal to a first threshold, where the first threshold is related to a time required to complete measurement of channel state information of the BWP.

[0036] With reference to the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the transceiving module is further configured to receive switching indication information, where the switching indication information indicates switching from a first BWP to a second BWP, the first BWP being included in the N BWPs, a frequency range of the second BWP including frequency ranges of at least two BWPs in the N BWPs; and the transceiving module is further configured to receive data on the second BWP.

[0037] In a fourth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which can be the second communication apparatus of the second aspect. The communication apparatus comprises: a transceiver configured to transmit configuration information, the configuration information comprising first information and second information, the first information being used to indicate N BWPs, at least two of the N BWPs having different center frequencies, and the second information being used to indicate time durations corresponding to the N BWPs respectively, where N is an integer greater than 1; and the transceiver is further configured to monitor the N BWPs, where a time duration for monitoring each of the N BWPs corresponds to the second information.

[0038] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the configuration information further comprises third information, the third information being used to indicate a switching order of the N BWPs; and the transceiver is specifically configured to periodically monitor the N BWPs, where a monitoring order of the N BWPs corresponds to the third information.

[0039] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to receive reference signals on the N BWPs respectively, the reference signals being used to measure channel state information of the BWPs.

[0040] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first information comprises starting frequencies and ending frequencies corresponding to the N BWPs respectively.

[0041] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first information comprises a starting frequency and / or an ending frequency corresponding to a first BWP, an offset between a center frequency of the first BWP and a center frequency of a second BWP, …, an offset between a center frequency of an nth BWP and a center frequency of an (n+1)th BWP, …, and an offset between a center frequency of an (N-1)th BWP and a center frequency of an Nth BWP, where the N BWPs comprise the first BWP, the second BWP, the nth BWP, the (n+1)th BWP, the (N-1)th BWP, and the Nth BWP, where n is an integer greater than 1 and less than N.

[0042] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the first information further comprises bandwidths corresponding to the N BWPs respectively.

[0043] With reference to the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the third information comprises ordering information of indices corresponding to the N BWPs respectively.

[0044] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, in combination with the fourth aspect, the duration corresponding to the BWP is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the first threshold is related to a time required for completing measurement of channel state information of the BWP.

[0045] In some implementations of the fourth aspect, in combination with the fourth aspect, the transceiver is further configured to send switching indication information, the switching indication information indicating switching from a first BWP to a second BWP, the first BWP being included in the N BWPs, a frequency range of the second BWP including frequency ranges of at least two BWPs in the N BWPs; and the transceiver is further configured to send data to the first communication device on the second BWP.

[0046] In the fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processor configured to implement a method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. Optionally, the communication device further includes an interface circuit configured to receive a signal from another communication device and transmit the signal to the processor or send a signal from the processor to another communication device.

[0047] In the sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processor configured to implement a method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. Optionally, the communication device further includes an interface circuit configured to receive a signal from another communication device and transmit the signal to the processor or send a signal from the processor to another communication device.

[0048] In the seventh aspect, a communication system is provided, including a first communication device configured to implement a method in the first aspect, and a second communication device configured to implement a method in the second aspect.

[0049] In the eighth aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, and the computer readable medium stores a computer program; when the computer program is executed by a processor, the method in the first aspect and the second aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect and the second aspect is executed.

[0050] In the ninth aspect, a computer program product is provided, including a computer program, when the computer program is executed, the method in the first aspect and the second aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect and the second aspect is executed.

[0051] The solutions provided by the third aspect to the ninth aspect are used for or cooperate with the method provided by the first aspect or the second aspect to achieve the same or corresponding beneficial effects, and thus will not be described here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0052] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system to which embodiments of the present application are applied;

[0053] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a structure for communication between a terminal device and a network device;

[0054] FIG. 3 is an example diagram of an open radio access network (O-RAN or ORAN) system;

[0055] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a network element function division and a protocol layer structure of an O-RAN device;

[0056] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a BWP and a carrier bandwidth;

[0057] FIG. 6 is a diagram of BWPs used by a terminal device in different states;

[0058] FIG. 7 is a diagram of switching from a small bandwidth BWP to a large bandwidth BWP;

[0059] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a flow interaction of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] FIG. 9 is a diagram of switching N BWPs according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] FIG. 10 is another diagram of switching N BWPs according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of another communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of another communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] The technical solutions provided by the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0066] The embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as a wireless local area network (WLAN), a narrow band-internet of things (NB-IoT), a global system for mobile communications (GSM), an enhanced data rate for gsm evolution (EDGE), a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), a code division multiple access 2000 (CDMA2000), a time division-synchronization code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA), a long term evolution (LTE) system, a universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, a satellite communication system, a 5G communication system, or a future communication network system, etc.

[0067] The terminal device involved in the embodiments of the present application can be a device with wireless transceiving function, and can specifically refer to a subscriber unit, a user equipment (UE), an access terminal, a cellular phone, a user station, a mobile station (MS), a customer-premises equipment (CPE), a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent or a user apparatus. The terminal device can also be a satellite phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, a wireless data card, a personal digital assistant (PDA) computer, a tablet computer, a wireless modulator demodulator (modem), a laptop computer, a machine type communication (MTC) device and a wireless terminal in self-driving, etc. The terminal device can also be a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a communication device carried on an airship, a drone, a robot, a smart point of sale (POS) machine, a terminal in device-to-device (D2D) communication, a terminal in vehicle to everything (V2X) communication, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, 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 or a terminal device in future communication network, etc. The user equipment includes a vehicle user equipment.With the rise of the internet of things (IoT) technology, more and more devices that do not have communication functions previously, such as but not limited to, household appliances, vehicles, tool devices, service devices and service facilities, begin to obtain wireless communication functions by configuring wireless communication units, so as to access wireless communication networks and accept remote control. Such devices have wireless communication functions due to the configuration of wireless communication units, and thus also belong to the category of wireless communication devices. This application is not limited.

[0068] In the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the function of the terminal device can be a terminal device; or can be a device capable of supporting the terminal device to implement the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the terminal device or used in matching with the terminal device. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system can be composed of a chip, or can include a chip and other discrete devices.

[0069] The network device involved in the embodiments of the present application is a device in a wireless network, for example, a radio access network (RAN) node for connecting a terminal device to a wireless network, which can be referred to as a base station, and can also be referred to as a radio access network (RAN) node (or device). The network device can be a base transceiver station (BTS) in a GSM or CDMA network, a Node B (NB) in WCDMA, an evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB) in LTE, or a next generation Node B (gNB) in a 5G network; the network device can be a base station in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), or an access device in 3GPP; the network device can also be a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. Optionally, the network device in the embodiments of the present application can include various forms of base stations, for example: a relay station, an access point, a device realizing the function of a base station in a communication system evolved after 5G, a mobile switching center, a home evolved NodeB or home Node B (HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), a device realizing the function of a base station in device to device (D2D), an access point (AP) in a wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, a transmission point (TP), or a transmission and reception point (TRP), and the like, a device realizing the function of a base station in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, and the like, and can also include a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU) in a CRAN system, a network device in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system.The network device in the embodiments of the present application can also be a gNB or a transmission point in new radio (NR), one or a group (including multiple) of antenna panels of a base station in NR, or can also be a network node constituting the gNB or the transmission point, or the network device can also be a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, and a network device in a future communication network, or a network device in a future evolved PLMN network, etc., or a network device deployed on a satellite, and the embodiments of the present application do not make any limitation in this regard. In addition, according to the size of the service coverage area provided, the base station can be divided into a macro base station for providing a macro cell, a micro base station for providing a pico cell, and a femto base station for providing a femto cell. With the continuous evolution of wireless communication technology, the future base station can also be named otherwise.

[0070] In the embodiments of the present application, the device for implementing the function of the network device can be a network device; or can be a device capable of supporting the network device to implement the function, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the network device or used in matching with the network device.

[0071] In order to facilitate understanding of the method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the system architecture of the method provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described below. It can be understood that the system architecture described in the embodiments of the present application is to more clearly illustrate the scheme of the embodiments of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the scheme provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0072] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system 1000 to which embodiments of the application are applied. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system includes a RAN 100 and a core network 200, and optionally, the communication system 1000 can also include the Internet 300. The RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (e.g., 110a and 110b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal device (e.g., 120a-120j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 120). The RAN 100 can also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1). The terminal devices 120 are wirelessly connected to the RAN nodes 110, and the RAN nodes 110 are connected to the core network 200 by wireline or wireless means. The core network devices in the core network 200 and the RAN nodes 110 in the RAN 100 can be independent and different physical devices, or can be the same physical device integrated with the logical functions of the core network devices and the logical functions of the RAN nodes. The terminal devices and the terminal devices, and the RAN nodes and the RAN nodes can be connected to each other by wireline or wireless means. Figure 1 is only a schematic diagram, and the communication system can also include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1.

[0073] The communication between each network device and each terminal device in the communication system shown in Figure 1 can also be represented in another form. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the terminal device and the network device for communication. The terminal device 10 includes a processor 101, a memory 102, and a transceiver 103 including 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 including a transmitter 2031, a receiver 2032, and an antenna 2033. The receiver 1032 can be configured to receive information through the antenna 1033, and the transmitter 1031 can be configured to transmit information to the network device 20 through the antenna 1033. The transmitter 2031 can be configured to transmit information to the terminal device 10 through the antenna 2033, and the receiver 2032 can be configured to receive information transmitted by the terminal device 10 through the antenna 2033.

[0074] Figure 3 is an example diagram of an O-RAN system, which can include other components than those shown in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 3, an access network device (e.g., 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 terminal device through an air interface.

[0075] Specifically, a baseband unit (BBU) in an access network device communicates with a core network through a backhaul, and a radio unit (RU) in the access network device communicates with at least one terminal device through an air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU through a fronthaul, and the BBU and the RU can be co-located or not.

[0076] The BBU includes at least one control unit (CU) and at least one DU, which can communicate through at least one midhaul.

[0077] FIG. 4 is a diagram of a network element function division and protocol layer structure of an O-RAN device.

[0078] In some examples, the CU is a logical node that carries an RRC layer, a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and other control functions of the access network device. The CU is connected to network nodes such as a core network through some interfaces, which can be E2 interfaces or the like. Optionally, the CU can have part of the functions of the core network. The CU (e.g., the PDCP layer and higher layers) is connected to the DU (e.g., the RLC layer and lower layers) through some interfaces, which can be F1 interfaces or the like. In some examples, these interfaces (e.g., the F1 interface) can provide control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane) functions (e.g., interface management, system information management, terminal device context management, RRC message transmission, etc.). F1AP is an application protocol of the F1 interface, which defines signaling procedures of the F1 in some examples. The F1 interface supports a control plane F1-C and a user plane F1-U.

[0079] In some examples, the CU can be split into a CU-CP and a CU-UP, where the CU-CP is a logical node carrying the RRC layer and the control plane part of PDCP (PDCP-C) layer, for implementing the control plane function of the CU. The CU-CP can interact with a network element in the core network for implementing the control plane function. The network element in the core network for implementing the control plane function can be an access and mobility function network element, such as an access and mobility management function (AMF) in a 5G system. The AMF network element is configured to be responsible for mobility management in the mobile network, such as location updating of the terminal device, registration of the terminal device to the network, handover of the terminal device, etc. The CU-UP is a logical node carrying the SDAP layer and the user plane part of PDCP (PDCP-U) layer, for implementing the user plane function of the CU. The CU-UP can interact with a network element in the core network for implementing the user plane function. The network element in the core network for implementing the user plane function, such as a user plane function (UPF) in a 5G system, is configured to be responsible for forwarding and receiving data in the terminal device. The above configuration of the CU and the DU is merely an example, and the CU and the DU can be configured to have other functions according to needs. For example, the CU or the DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or the CU or the DU can be configured to have partial processing functions of the protocol layers. For example, partial functions of the RLC layer and functions of the protocol layers above the RLC layer are arranged in the CU, and the remaining functions of the RLC layer and functions of the protocol layers below the RLC layer are arranged in the DU. For another example, the functions of the CU or the DU can be divided according to service types or other system requirements, for example, functions requiring to meet a shorter delay requirement in processing time are arranged in the DU, and functions not requiring to meet the delay requirement are arranged in the CU.

[0080] In some examples, the DU is a logical node carrying a radio link control (RLC) layer, a medium access control (MAC) layer, a higher physical layer (Higher PHY) layer, and other functions. In some examples, the DU can control at least one RU. The DU is connected to the RU through some interfaces, which can be a front-haul interface. In some examples, the Higher PHY layer includes part of the PHY layer processing, such as forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, etc.

[0081] In some examples, an RU is a logical node that hosts lower physical layer (Lower PHY) and radio frequency (RF) processing. In some examples, an RU can be a 3GPP transmission reception point (TRP) or a remote radio head (RRH) or other similar functional entity. In some examples, a Low-PHY includes portions of PHY processing such as fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse fast Fourier transformation (IFFT), digital beamforming and filtering, and other processing functions. An RU communicates with one or more terminal devices over a wireless link.

[0082] A DU and an RU can or can not be co-located. A DU and an RU exchange control plane information and user plane information over a fronthaul link via a lower-layer split-control, user and synchronization (LLS-CUS) interface. The LLS-CUS can include a LLS-C interface and a LLS-U interface that provide C-Plane and U-Plane, respectively. In some examples, the C-Plane refers to real-time control between a DU and an RU. A DU and an RU have a LLS-M interface of the fronthaul link to exchange management information, and the management-Plane (M-Plane) refers to non-real-time management operations between a DU and an RU.

[0083] A DU and an RU can cooperate to collectively implement the functionality of a PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functionality that a DU and an RU have can be configured in multiple ways according to design. For example, a DU is configured to implement baseband functionality and an RU is configured to implement mid- RF functionality. As another example, a DU is configured to implement high-layer functionality in a PHY layer and an RU is configured to implement low-layer functionality in the PHY layer or to implement the low-layer functionality and RF functionality. The high-layer functionality in the PHY layer can include a portion of functionality of the PHY layer that is closer to a MAC layer, and the low-layer functionality in the PHY layer can include another portion of functionality of the PHY layer that is closer to a mid-RF side.

[0084] In different systems, the CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU can also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in the ORAN system, the CU can also be referred to as an open-CU (O-CU), the DU can also be referred to as an open-DU (O-DU), the CU-CP can also be referred to as an O-CU-CP, the CU-UP can also be referred to as an O-CU-UP, and the RU can also be referred to as an O-RU. For the convenience of description, the CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU are taken as examples for description in this application.

[0085] Some terms and concepts related to the embodiments of the present application are explained below.

[0086] 1. BWP

[0087] In LTE, the transmission bandwidth on the terminal device side and the transmission bandwidth configured by the base station side must be consistent. In 5G NR, the 3GPP protocol specifies that the system can support a larger transmission bandwidth. However, due to the diversity of 5G services, from the perspective of the terminal device, some services of a certain terminal device can not require a larger transmission bandwidth, and the support of a larger transmission bandwidth by the terminal device also means higher cost. Therefore, the 3GPP protocol proposes the concept of BWP.

[0088] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of BWP and carrier bandwidth. BWP refers to a continuous spectrum resource configured by the network side to the terminal device, and the terminal device performs data transmission on the BWP. The BWP can be smaller than the maximum transmission bandwidth on the network side, so that flexible transmission bandwidth configuration on the network side and the terminal device side is achieved. It should be noted that BWP is a terminal device level concept, that is, different terminal devices can be configured with different BWPs.

[0089] The application scenarios of BWP include the following:

[0090] Scenario 1: A terminal device with small bandwidth capability accesses a large bandwidth network to reduce the cost of the terminal device;

[0091] Scenario 2: The terminal device switches between BWPs of different bandwidths to achieve power saving, for example, switching from BWP2 to BWP1;

[0092] Scenario 3: One BWP corresponds to one numerology, and different numerologies can be configured for different BWPs to carry different services, wherein the numerology includes a series of parameters such as subcarrier spacing, sampling frequency, etc.

[0093] 2. Sounding reference signal (SRS)

[0094] SRS is usually called uplink sounding signal or sounding signal, whose purpose is similar to that of channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS). SRS is mainly used for estimation of uplink channel quality, thereby for uplink scheduling, determination of uplink timing advance (TA), and management of uplink beam, etc. In a time division duplex (TDD) system, in the case of reciprocity of uplink and downlink channels, by using channel symmetry, the network side can estimate the downlink channel quality by measuring SRS.

[0095] The resources of SRS include periodic resources, aperiodic resources, and semi-static resources. (1) After receiving the periodic SRS resource configuration, the terminal device will periodically send SRS. (2) After receiving the semi-static SRS resource configuration, the terminal device will not directly send SRS, and will periodically send SRS after being activated by the media access control-control element (MAC CE). (3) After receiving the aperiodic SRS resource configuration, the terminal device will send SRS after being triggered by DCI.

[0096] In order to facilitate the understanding of the embodiments of the present application, the technical solutions related to the embodiments of the present application are briefly introduced as follows.

[0097] I. Classification of BWP

[0098] According to the access state of the terminal device, the BWP of the terminal device can be divided into initial BWP (initial BWP) and dedicated BWP (dedicated BWP). Among them,

[0099] The initial BWP is mainly used for information transmission of the terminal device in the initial access process. The dedicated BWP is mainly used for information transmission of the terminal device after entering the RRC connected state. From the transmission direction, the BWP of the terminal device (including the initial BWP and the dedicated BWP) can be further divided into downlink BWP (DL BWP) and uplink BWP (UL BWP), which are respectively used for downlink information transmission and uplink information transmission.

[0100] Currently, the protocol allows 4 different dedicated BWPs to be configured for a terminal device, but only one of them can be activated as an active BWP. The protocol also defines a BWP inactivity timer, when the inactivity timer expires, the base station will switch the active BWP of the terminal device to a default BWP or initial BWP; the default BWP is generally a BWP with smaller bandwidth, used to reduce the power consumption of the terminal device. Both the active BWP and the default BWP belong to the dedicated BWP.

[0101] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the BWP used by the terminal device in different states. The terminal device 1 or the terminal device 2 uses the initial BWP for information transmission in the initial access process; the terminal device 1 or the terminal device 2 uses the dedicated BWP for information transmission after entering the RRC connected state; the terminal device 2 activates a dedicated BWP as an active BWP, and after the BWP inactivity timer expires, the active BWP is switched to a default BWP.

[0102] II. Switching mode of BWP

[0103] 1. RRC indicates BWP switching

[0104] The network side indicates the terminal device to switch the BWP through the RRC or RRC-reconfiguration message, and the network side carries the first active downlink BWP identifier (firstActiveDownlinkBWP-ID) and / or the first active uplink BWP identifier (firstActiveUplinkBWP-ID) for a special cell (SpCell) or a secondary cell (SCell) in the RRC or RRC-reconfiguration message. After the terminal device receives the firstActiveDownlinkBWP-ID and / or firstActiveUplinkBWP-ID of the SpCell, the terminal device activates the downlink BWP and / or uplink BWP indicated by the firstActiveDownlinkBWP-ID and / or firstActiveUplinkBWP-ID.

[0105] 2. DCI indicates BWP switching

[0106] The network side indicates the downlink allocation or uplink grant by DCI to instruct the terminal device to perform BWP switching; for example, in 5G NR, DCI formats include format 0_1 and format 1_1, the DCI of format 0_1 indicates the uplink grant, and the DCI of format 1_1 indicates the downlink allocation.

[0107] 3. BWP switching after the timer expires

[0108] The network side configures a BWP inactivity timer (BWP-inactivity timer) for switching the downlink BWP after the BWP-inactivity timer expires. After the cell BWP-inactivity timer expires, if a default downlink BWP is configured, the terminal device switches the activated BWP to the default downlink BWP configured by the network; if no default downlink BWP is configured, the terminal device switches to the initial downlink BWP. The inactivity timer is only used for downlink BWP switching.

[0109] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of switching from a small bandwidth BWP to a large bandwidth BWP. In order to save energy, the terminal device can be configured with a small bandwidth BWP1 when the traffic load is small, and when there is a traffic transmission demand to send a large amount of data, the terminal device is switched to a large bandwidth BWP2, and it is assumed that the bandwidth of BWP2 is 400 MHz; after the terminal device is switched to BWP2, the terminal device needs to perform SRS frequency hopping transmission, and the base station completes the estimation of the downlink channel state information by measuring the SRS, and then transmits data; for example, the detection bandwidth of each frequency hopping is 68 RBs, and 24 frequency hopping needs to be performed to complete the channel measurement of BWP2, and the BWP2 measurement time is 120 ms. Therefore, in the process of measuring the channel state information of the large bandwidth BWP2, a large amount of time is consumed, resulting in a large delay of data transmission, thereby causing a decrease in user experience.

[0110] Embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, the terminal device can periodically switch N BWPs, and the base station does not need to indicate by signaling each time the terminal device needs to perform BWP switching, which can save signaling overhead; in addition, the terminal device can periodically transmit reference signals for measuring channel state information on N BWPs, which can maintain the channel state information of the full bandwidth, can quickly perform data transmission after switching from a small bandwidth BWP to a large bandwidth BWP, can reduce the channel measurement time of the large bandwidth BWP, and thus can improve user experience.

[0111] FIG. 8 is a schematic flow interaction diagram of a method 800 of communication provided by an embodiment of the present application. The first communication apparatus in the present application can be a terminal device or a module (for example, a circuit, a chip, a chip system or a processor) in the terminal device, and can also be a logic node, a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the terminal device. The second communication apparatus in the present application can be a network device or a module (for example, a circuit, a chip, a chip system or a processor) in the network device, and can also be a logic node, a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the network device. The chip can be a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip; or can be a system on chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core; or can be a system in package (SIP) chip. The network device in the embodiment of the present application can be a base station. The channel state information in the embodiment of the present application can be understood as channel quality information.

[0112] S810, the second communication apparatus sends configuration information to the first communication apparatus, the configuration information including first information and second information, the first information being used to indicate N BWPs, at least two BWPs in the N BWPs having different center frequency points, and the second information being used to indicate time durations respectively corresponding to the N BWPs, wherein N is an integer greater than 1. Correspondingly, the first communication apparatus receives the configuration information from the second communication apparatus. It should be noted that each of the N BWPs is a BWP that can be used by the first communication apparatus and the second communication apparatus. The configuration information can directly indicate the N BWPs and the time durations respectively corresponding to the N BWPs. In order to facilitate understanding, the information used to indicate the N BWPs and the information used to indicate the time durations respectively corresponding to the N BWPs are distinguished by the first information and the second information hereinafter. The time duration corresponding to a BWP can be understood as the time during which the BWP is in an active state. Alternatively, the bandwidths respectively corresponding to the N BWPs can be the same or different. The frequency bands respectively corresponding to the N BWPs can be overlapping or partially overlapping, or can be non-overlapping and continuous; the present application does not make a specific limitation in this regard.

[0113] The first information is used to indicate the implementation of the N BWPs with different center frequency points, including but not limited to the following two kinds.

[0114] In one implementation manner, the first information includes the starting frequency points and the ending frequency points respectively corresponding to the N BWPs.

[0115] In another implementation, the first information includes a starting frequency point and / or a terminal frequency point corresponding to the 1st BWP, an offset between a center frequency point of the 1st BWP and a center frequency point of the 2nd BWP, an offset between a center frequency point of the n-th BWP and a center frequency point of the (n+1)-th BWP, an offset between a center frequency point of the (N-1)-th BWP and a center frequency point of the N-th BWP, where the N BWPs include the 1st BWP, the 2nd BWP, the n-th BWP, the (n+1)-th BWP, the (N-1)-th BWP and the N-th BWP, where n is an integer greater than 1 and less than N. In this implementation, the bandwidths corresponding to the N BWPs can be predefined. It should be noted that the offset between the center frequency point of the (n+2)-th BWP and the center frequency point of the (n+1)-th BWP and the offset between the center frequency point of the (n+1)-th BWP and the center frequency point of the n-th BWP can be the same or different, which is not limited in the present application.

[0116] For example, the first information includes a starting frequency point of 0 MHz and a terminal frequency point of 200 MHz corresponding to the 1st BWP, and the offset between the center frequency point of the (n+1)-th BWP and the center frequency point of the n-th BWP is 200 MHz. The first communication device can obtain the bandwidth of the 1st BWP as 200 MHz, the center frequency point of the 1st BWP as 100 MHz, the center frequency point of the 2nd BWP as 300 MHz, and the center frequency point of the N-th BWP as [100+(N-1)*200] MHz according to the first information. If the bandwidths corresponding to the N BWPs are predefined to be the same, the starting frequency point of the 2nd BWP is 200 MHz, the terminal frequency point of the 2nd BWP is 400 MHz, the starting frequency point of the N-th BWP is N*200 MHz, and the terminal frequency point of the N-th BWP is (N+1)*200 MHz.

[0117] Exemplarily, the first information comprises a starting frequency point corresponding to the first BWP, an offset between a center frequency point of the first BWP and a center frequency point of the second BWP, an offset between a center frequency point of the nth BWP and a center frequency point of the (n+1)th BWP, and an offset between a center frequency point of the (N-1)th BWP and a center frequency point of the Nth BWP. If it is predefined that bandwidths corresponding to the N BWPs are the same, and the bandwidths corresponding to the N BWPs are a first value, the first communication device can obtain a terminal frequency point of the first BWP according to the first information, and can obtain starting frequency points and terminal frequency points corresponding to the second BWP to the Nth BWP according to the offset between the center frequency point of the (n+1)th BWP and the center frequency point of the nth BWP. For example, the first information comprises a starting frequency point corresponding to the first BWP as 0 MHz, an offset between a center frequency point of the (n+1)th BWP and a center frequency point of the nth BWP as 100 MHz, and it is predefined that bandwidths corresponding to the N BWPs are 200 MHz, it can be determined that a terminal frequency point of the first BWP is 200 MHz, a center frequency point of the first BWP is 100 MHz, a center frequency point of the second BWP is 200 MHz, a center frequency point of the Nth BWP is N*100 MHz, a starting frequency point of the second BWP is 100 MHz, a terminal frequency point of the second BWP is 300 MHz, a starting frequency point of the Nth BWP is (N-1)*100 MHz, and a terminal frequency point of the Nth BWP is (N+1)*100 MHz.

[0118] Exemplarily, the first information comprises a terminal frequency point corresponding to the first BWP, an offset between a center frequency point of the first BWP and a center frequency point of the second BWP, an offset between a center frequency point of the nth BWP and a center frequency point of the (n+1)th BWP, and an offset between a center frequency point of the (N-1)th BWP and a center frequency point of the Nth BWP. If it is predefined that bandwidths corresponding to the N BWPs are the same, and the bandwidths corresponding to the N BWPs are a first value, the first communication device can obtain a starting frequency point of the first BWP according to the first information, and can obtain starting frequency points and terminal frequency points of the second BWP to the Nth BWP according to the offset between the center frequency point of the (n+1)th BWP and the center frequency point of the nth BWP. For example, the first information comprises a terminal frequency point corresponding to the first BWP, which is 200 MHz, an offset between a center frequency point of the (n+1)th BWP and a center frequency point of the nth BWP, which is 100 MHz, and it is predefined that bandwidths corresponding to the N BWPs are 200 MHz, and the first communication device can determine that the starting frequency point of the first BWP is 0 MHz, the center frequency point of the first BWP is 100 MHz, the center frequency point of the second BWP is 200 MHz, the center frequency point of the Nth BWP is N*100 MHz, the starting frequency point of the second BWP is 100 MHz, the terminal frequency point of the second BWP is 300 MHz, the starting frequency point of the Nth BWP is (N-1)*100 MHz, and the terminal frequency point of the Nth BWP is (N+1)*100 MHz.

[0119] Exemplarily, the first information further comprises bandwidths corresponding to the N BWPs respectively; specifically, the first information comprises bandwidths corresponding to the N BWPs respectively, and a starting frequency point and / or a terminal frequency point corresponding to the first BWP. In this example, the bandwidths corresponding to the N BWPs respectively are indicated by the first information.

[0120] Optionally, the configuration information can be sent to the first communication device by the second communication device through an RRC message, or can be sent to the first communication device by the second communication device through other existing messages, or can be sent to the first communication device by the second communication device through newly defined messages, which is not limited specifically.

[0121] S820, the first communication device switches N BWPs, wherein the duration of each BWP corresponds to the second information; correspondingly, the second communication device monitors N BWPs, wherein the duration of monitoring each BWP corresponds to the second information. In other words, the first communication device switches N BWPs according to the configuration information, and the second communication device monitors N BWPs according to the configuration information. It should be noted that the duration of each BWP corresponds to the second information, which can be understood as the duration of each BWP being the duration of the BWP indicated by the second information; the duration of monitoring each BWP corresponds to the second information, which can be understood as the duration of monitoring each BWP being the duration of the BWP indicated by the second information. The switching order of the N BWPs can be determined based on the service transmission requirements of different time periods. For example, N = 3, the duration of BWP1 is 10ms, the duration of BWP2 is 15ms, and the duration of BWP3 is 8ms. The first communication device determines the switching order of the three BWPs to be BWP1, BWP3, and BWP2 based on the service transmission requirements of different time periods. After the first communication device receives the configuration information, at a predefined time or a time indicated by the network side, the first communication device switches from the current BWP to BWP1 first, then switches from BWP1 to BWP3 after 10ms, and then switches from BWP3 to BWP2 after 8ms, and then switches from BWP2 to BWP2 after 15ms.

[0122] Exemplarily, the first communication device periodically switches N BWPs; and the second communication device periodically monitors N BWPs.

[0123] Periodically switching N BWPs can be understood as completing a round of switching N BWPs and then performing the next round of switching N BWPs. The time required to complete each round of switching N BWPs is the same, and the time required to complete each round of switching N BWPs is equal to the sum of the durations of the N BWPs.

[0124] Periodically monitoring N BWPs can be understood as completing a round of monitoring N BWPs and then performing the next round of monitoring N BWPs. The time required to complete each round of monitoring N BWPs is the same, and the time required to complete each round of monitoring N BWPs is equal to the sum of the durations of the N BWPs.

[0125] Optionally, the first communication device sends reference signals to the second communication device on the N BWPs respectively, the reference signals being used to measure channel state information of the BWPs, S821; correspondingly, the second communication device listens to / receives the reference signals on the BWPs, and determines channel state information of the current BWP according to the reference signals. It can be understood that the first communication device sends reference signals to the second communication device on the current BWP, the reference signals being used to measure channel state information of the current BWP; correspondingly, the second communication device listens to / receives the reference signals on the current BWP, and determines channel state information of the current BWP according to the reference signals, wherein the current BWP is the current BWP after switching.

[0126] Exemplarily, the first communication device periodically switches the N BWPs, and sends reference signals on the N BWPs respectively corresponding time durations, the reference signals being used to measure channel state information. Correspondingly, the second communication device periodically listens to / receives the reference signals on the N BWPs respectively corresponding time durations.

[0127] Exemplarily, the first communication device periodically switches the N BWPs, and sends reference signals and data on the N BWPs respectively corresponding time durations; for example, the time duration of BWP1 in the N BWPs is 5 ms, the first communication device sends reference signals in 0-2 ms, and sends data in 2-5 ms. Correspondingly, the second communication device periodically receives the reference signals and data on the N BWPs respectively corresponding time durations; for example, the time duration of BWP1 in the N BWPs is 5 ms, the second communication device listens to / receives reference signals in 0-2 ms, and receives data in 2-5 ms.

[0128] Exemplarily, the behavior of the first communication device sending reference signals on the current BWP corresponding time duration after switching the BWP can be predefined, or can be indicated by the second communication device. In the case that the behavior of the first communication device sending reference signals on the current BWP corresponding time duration after switching the BWP is indicated by the second communication device, if the second communication device does not indicate the first communication device to send reference signals on the current BWP corresponding time duration after switching the BWP, the first communication device does not need to send reference signals on the current BWP corresponding time duration after switching the BWP. The behavior of the first communication device transmitting data on the current BWP corresponding time duration after switching the BWP is indicated by the second communication device.

[0129] Based on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present application, the first communication device can periodically switch the N BWPs, without the second communication device indicating through signaling each time the first communication device needs to switch the BWPs, thereby saving signaling overhead. In addition, the first communication device can periodically transmit reference signals for measuring channel state information on the N BWPs, thereby maintaining channel state information for the full bandwidth; in the case of a large amount of data to be transmitted, the data transmission can be quickly performed after switching from a small bandwidth BWP to a large bandwidth BWP, thereby reducing the channel measurement time of the large bandwidth BWP, and thus improving user experience.

[0130] Optionally, the configuration information further includes third information, the third information being used to indicate a switching sequence of the N BWPs; the first communication device periodically switches the N BWPs, wherein the switching sequence of the N BWPs corresponds to the third information; correspondingly, the second communication device periodically monitors the N BWPs, wherein the monitoring sequence of the N BWPs corresponds to the third information. It should be noted that the switching sequence of the N BWPs corresponds to the third information, which can be understood as switching the N BWPs according to the switching sequence indicated by the third information; the monitoring sequence of the N BWPs corresponds to the third information, which can be understood as monitoring the N BWPs according to the switching sequence indicated by the third information. The switching sequence of the N BWPs can be determined based on the service transmission demand of different time periods; the first communication device switches the N BWPs according to the switching sequence, thereby achieving the service transmission demand while saving signaling overhead.

[0131] Exemplarily, the third information includes ordering information of indexes / identifiers corresponding to the N BWPs respectively. For example, the N BWPs include BWP1, BWP2, BWP3 and BWP4, BWP1 corresponds to an index of 1, BWP2 corresponds to an index of 2, BWP3 corresponds to an index of 3, and BWP4 corresponds to an index of 4, the third information indicates that the ordering information of the indexes corresponding to the N BWPs respectively is 1, 3, 4, 2, and the switching sequence of the N BWPs is BWP1, BWP3, BWP4, BWP2 in turn. For another example, the N BWPs include BWP1, BWP2, BWP3 and BWP4, BWP1 corresponds to an identifier of BWP-id1, BWP2 corresponds to an identifier of BWP-id2, BWP3 corresponds to an identifier of BWP-id3, and BWP4 corresponds to an identifier of BWP-id4, the third information indicates that the ordering information of the identifiers corresponding to the N BWPs respectively is BWP-id1, BWP-id2, BWP-id3, BWP-id4, and the switching sequence of the N BWPs is BWP1, BWP2, BWP3, BWP4 in turn.

[0132] Exemplarily, the first communication device periodically transmits, to the second communication device, reference signals for measuring channel state information of the BWP, in the time durations respectively corresponding to the N BWPs according to the switching order of the N BWPs indicated by the third information. Correspondingly, the second communication device periodically receives / listens to the reference signals from the first communication device, in the time durations respectively corresponding to the N BWPs according to the switching order of the N BWPs indicated by the third information, and measures / determines the channel state information of the N BWPs according to the reference signals. It should be noted that the reference signals in the present application can be SRS, and can also be other signals capable of measuring channel state information.

[0133] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of switching N BWPs according to an embodiment of the present application. Taking N BWPs including BWP1, BWP2, BWP3 and BWP4, a time duration corresponding to BWP1 being T1, a time duration corresponding to BWP2 being T2, a time duration corresponding to BWP3 being T3, a time duration corresponding to BWP4 being T4, and the switching order of the N BWPs being BWP1, BWP2, BWP3 and BWP4 in turn as an example. The first communication device first transmits, to the second communication device, reference signals in the time duration T1 corresponding to BWP1; then switches to BWP2 and transmits, to the second communication device, reference signals in the time duration T2 corresponding to BWP2; then switches to BWP3 and transmits, to the second communication device, reference signals in the time duration T3 corresponding to BWP3; then switches to BWP4 and transmits, to the second communication device, reference signals in the time duration T4 corresponding to BWP4; after completing the switching of the N BWPs in this round, the switching of the N BWPs in the next round is performed, from BWP4 to BWP1, and reference signals are transmitted, to the second communication device, in the time duration T1 corresponding to BWP1.

[0134] FIG. 10 is another schematic diagram of switching N BWPs according to an embodiment of the present application. It is assumed that the N BWPs include BWP1, BWP2, BWP3 and BWP4, the corresponding time duration of BWP1 is T1, the corresponding time duration of BWP2 is T2, the corresponding time duration of BWP3 is T3, the corresponding time duration of BWP4 is T4, and the switching sequence of the N BWPs is BWP1, BWP2, BWP4, BWP3 in turn. The first communication device first transmits a reference signal to the second communication device in the corresponding time duration T1 of BWP1, then switches to BWP2 and transmits a reference signal to the second communication device in the corresponding time duration T2 of BWP2, then switches to BWP4 and transmits a reference signal to the second communication device in the corresponding time duration T4 of BWP4, then switches to BWP3 and transmits a reference signal to the second communication device in the corresponding time duration T3 of BWP3. After completing the switching of the N BWPs in one round, the switching of the N BWPs in the next round is performed, i.e., switching from BWP4 to BWP1 and transmitting a reference signal to the second communication device in the corresponding time duration T1 of BWP1.

[0135] The switching sequence of the N BWPs can be indicated by the second communication device or predefined. Alternatively, the first communication device periodically transmits a reference signal to the second communication device in the corresponding time duration of each of the N BWPs according to the predefined switching sequence, and the reference signal is used to measure the channel state information of the BWPs. Correspondingly, the second communication device periodically receives / monitors the reference signal from the first communication device in the corresponding time duration of each of the N BWPs according to the predefined switching sequence, and measures / determines the channel state information of the N BWPs according to the reference signal. In this alternative scheme, the configuration information does not need to indicate the switching sequence of the N BWPs (the configuration information does not need to include the third information).

[0136] For example, the N BWPs include BWP1, BWP2, BWP3 and BWP4, the frequency range corresponding to the BWP1 is 0-100MHz, the frequency range corresponding to the BWP2 is 100-200MHz, the frequency range corresponding to the BWP3 is 200-300MHz, and the frequency range corresponding to the BWP4 is 300-400MHz, and the predefined switching order is to switch from the BWP with the lowest center frequency point to the BWP with the highest center frequency point in turn; since the center frequency point of the BWP1 is the lowest and the center frequency point of the BWP4 is the highest, the switching order of the N BWPs is BWP1, BWP2, BWP3 and BWP4 in turn. Alternatively, the predefined switching order can also be to switch from the BWP with the highest center frequency point to the BWP with the lowest center frequency point in turn. Alternatively, the predefined switching order can also be to switch from the BWP with the highest start frequency point to the BWP with the lowest start frequency point in turn, or the predefined switching order can also be to switch from the BWP with the lowest start frequency point to the BWP with the highest start frequency point in turn. Alternatively, the predefined switching order can also be to switch from the BWP with the highest end frequency point to the BWP with the lowest end frequency point in turn, or the predefined switching order can also be to switch from the BWP with the lowest end frequency point to the BWP with the highest end frequency point in turn.

[0137] For another example, the N BWPs include BWP1, BWP2, BWP3 and BWP4, the frequency range corresponding to the BWP1 is 0-200MHz, the frequency range corresponding to the BWP2 is 100-300MHz, the frequency range corresponding to the BWP3 is 200-400MHz, and the frequency range corresponding to the BWP4 is 300-500MHz, and the predefined switching order can also be to switch from the BWP with the highest start frequency point to the BWP with the lowest start frequency point in turn; since the start frequency point of the BWP4 is the highest and the start frequency point of the BWP1 is the lowest, the switching order of the N BWPs is BWP4, BWP3, BWP2 and BWP1 in turn.

[0138] For another example, the N BWPs include BWP1, BWP2 and BWP3, the frequency range corresponding to the BWP1 is 0-50MHz, the frequency range corresponding to the BWP2 is 50-200MHz, and the frequency range corresponding to the BWP3 is 200-400MHz, and the predefined switching order is to switch from the BWP with the smallest bandwidth to the BWP with the largest bandwidth in turn; since the bandwidth of the BWP1 is the smallest and the bandwidth of the BWP3 is the largest, the switching order of the N BWPs is BWP1, BWP2 and BWP3 in turn. Alternatively, the predefined switching order can also be to switch from the BWP with the largest bandwidth to the BWP with the smallest bandwidth in turn.

[0139] Optionally, the duration corresponding to the BWP is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the first threshold is related to a time required for completing measurement of channel state information of the BWP. Illustratively, the first threshold is equal to the time required for completing measurement of channel state information of the BWP. Illustratively, the first threshold is greater than the time required for completing measurement of channel state information of the BWP. The second communication device can calculate or determine the first threshold. According to the optional scheme, the duration corresponding to the BWP is greater than or equal to the time required for completing measurement of channel state information of the BWP, which can ensure that the second communication device obtains complete channel state information in the BWP.

[0140] Optionally, the durations corresponding to the N BWPs can be the same or different, which can be determined by the second communication device according to service transmission requirements.

[0141] Illustratively, the bandwidths corresponding to the N BWPs are the same, and the durations corresponding to the N BWPs are the same. Illustratively, the bandwidths corresponding to the N BWPs are the same, and the durations corresponding to the N BWPs are different. Illustratively, the bandwidths corresponding to the N BWPs are different, and the durations corresponding to the N BWPs are different. Illustratively, the bandwidths corresponding to the N BWPs are different, and the durations corresponding to the N BWPs are the same.

[0142] Optionally, S822, the second communication device sends switching indication information to the first communication device, and the switching indication information indicates switching from the first BWP to the second BWP, the first BWP is one of the N BWPs, and the frequency band of the second BWP includes the frequency bands of at least two of the N BWPs. The frequency band of the second BWP can include the frequency bands of the N BWPs or the frequency bands of at least two of the N BWPs. For example, the N BWPs include BWP1, BWP2, BWP3, and BWP4, the first BWP can be BWP1 shown in FIG. 9, the frequency band of the second BWP can be the frequency bands of BWP1, BWP2, BWP3, and BWP4 shown in FIG. 9, and the frequency band of the second BWP can also be the frequency bands of BWP3 and BWP4 shown in FIG. 9. The first BWP can be understood as a small-bandwidth BWP, and the second BWP can be understood as a large-bandwidth BWP.

[0143] Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the switching indication information from the second communication device and switches from the first BWP to the second BWP according to the switching indication information.

[0144] Optionally, the second communication device sends data to the first communication device on the second BWP, and correspondingly, the first communication device receives data from the second communication device on the second BWP. Specifically, when the second communication device needs to send data using the second BWP, the second communication device can directly send data on the second BWP according to the determined channel state information (channel state information of the full bandwidth), and the determined channel state information includes channel state information of the second BWP, without completing the measurement of the channel state information of the second BWP before sending data on the second BWP. Therefore, based on the optional scheme, after the first communication device switches from the first BWP (small bandwidth BWP) to the second BWP (large bandwidth BWP), the first communication device can quickly perform data transmission, which can reduce the channel measurement time of the second BWP, thereby improving the user experience.

[0145] The above introduces the method of communication provided by the embodiments of the present application, and the following introduces an execution subject for executing the method of communication.

[0146] FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1100 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1100 can be the first communication device in the method embodiment of FIG. 8. The communication device 1100 includes:

[0147] The transceiver module 1110 is configured to receive configuration information from a second communication device, the configuration information including first information and second information, the first information being used to indicate N partial bandwidth BWPs, at least two BWPs of the N BWPs having different center frequency points, and the second information being used to indicate time durations corresponding to the N BWPs respectively, where N is an integer greater than 1.

[0148] The processing module 1120 is configured to switch the N BWPs.

[0149] Optionally, the configuration information further includes third information, the third information being used to indicate a switching order of the N BWPs, and the processing module 1120 is specifically configured to periodically switch the N BWPs, where the switching order of the N BWPs corresponds to the third information.

[0150] Optionally, the transceiver module 1110 is further configured to send reference signals to the second communication device on the N BWPs respectively, the reference signals being used to measure channel state information of the BWPs.

[0151] Optionally, the first information includes starting frequency points and ending frequency points corresponding to the N BWPs respectively.

[0152] Optionally, the first information comprises a starting frequency point and / or a terminal frequency point corresponding to a first BWP, an offset between a center frequency point of the first BWP and a center frequency point of a second BWP, an offset between a center frequency point of an nth BWP and a center frequency point of an (n+1)th BWP, an offset between a center frequency point of an (N-1)th BWP and a center frequency point of an Nth BWP, wherein the N BWPs comprise the first BWP, the second BWP, the nth BWP, the (n+1)th BWP, the (N-1)th BWP and the Nth BWP, wherein n is an integer greater than 1 and less than N.

[0153] Optionally, the first information further comprises bandwidths corresponding to the N BWPs respectively.

[0154] Optionally, the third information comprises ordering information of indexes corresponding to the N BWPs respectively.

[0155] Optionally, a duration corresponding to the BWP is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the first threshold is related to a time required for completing measurement of channel state information of the BWP.

[0156] Optionally, the transceiver 1110 is further configured to receive switching indication information from the second communication device, the switching indication information indicating switching from a first BWP to a second BWP, the first BWP being included in the N BWPs, a frequency range of the second BWP comprising frequency ranges of at least two BWPs in the N BWPs; and the transceiver 1110 is further configured to receive data from the second communication device on the second BWP.

[0157] FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1200 provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1200 can be the second communication device in the method embodiment of FIG. 8. The communication device 1200 comprises:

[0158] a transceiver 1210 configured to send configuration information to a first communication device, the configuration information comprising first information and second information, the first information being used to indicate N BWPs, center frequency points of at least two BWPs in the N BWPs being different, and the second information being used to indicate durations corresponding to the N BWPs respectively, wherein N is an integer greater than 1.

[0159] The transceiver 1210 is further configured to listen to the N BWPs, wherein a duration of listening to each BWP corresponds to the second information.

[0160] Optionally, the configuration information further comprises third information, the third information being used for indicating a switching sequence of the N BWPs; the transceiver is specifically configured to periodically monitor the N BWPs, wherein the monitoring sequence of the N BWPs corresponds to the third information.

[0161] Optionally, the transceiver 1210 is further configured to receive reference signals from the first communication device on the N BWPs respectively, the reference signals being used for measuring channel state information of the BWPs.

[0162] Optionally, the communication device 1200 further comprises a processing module 1220, configured to determine channel state information of a BWP according to the received reference signals.

[0163] Optionally, the first information comprises starting frequency points and ending frequency points respectively corresponding to the N BWPs.

[0164] Optionally, the first information comprises a starting frequency point and / or an ending frequency point corresponding to a first BWP, an offset between a center frequency point of the first BWP and a center frequency point of a second BWP, …, an offset between a center frequency point of an nth BWP and a center frequency point of an (n+1)th BWP, …, an offset between a center frequency point of an (N-1)th BWP and a center frequency point of an Nth BWP, wherein the N BWPs comprise the first BWP, the second BWP, the nth BWP, the (n+1)th BWP, the (N-1)th BWP and the Nth BWP, wherein n is an integer greater than 1 and less than N.

[0165] Optionally, the first information further comprises bandwidths respectively corresponding to the N BWPs.

[0166] Optionally, the third information comprises ordering information of indexes respectively corresponding to the N BWPs.

[0167] Optionally, a duration corresponding to the BWP is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the first threshold being related to a time required for completing measurement of channel state information of the BWP.

[0168] Optionally, the transceiver 1210 is further configured to send switching indication information to the first communication device, the switching indication information indicating switching from a first BWP to a second BWP, the first BWP being comprised in the N BWPs, a frequency range of the second BWP comprising frequency ranges of at least two BWPs in the N BWPs; the transceiver 1210 is further configured to send data to the first communication device on the second BWP.

[0169] FIG. 13 is a schematic block diagram of another communication apparatus 1300 provided by the embodiments of the present application. The communication apparatus 1300 can be the first communication apparatus or the second communication apparatus. The communication apparatus 1300 includes a processor 1310 which is configured to implement the method of the embodiments of the present application by logic circuit or by executing code instructions. Optionally, the communication apparatus 1300 can further include an interface circuit 1320. The processor 1310 and the interface circuit 1320 are coupled to each other. It can be understood that the interface circuit 1320 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface.

[0170] Optionally, the communication apparatus 1300 can further include a memory 1330 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1310 or storing input data required by the processor 1310 for executing instructions or storing data generated by the processor 1310 after executing instructions.

[0171] The processor 1310 described above can be an integrated circuit chip with a signal processing capability. In the implementation process, the steps of the method embodiments described above can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in the processor or by an instruction in the form of software. The processor described above can be a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components. The methods, steps and logical block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented or executed by the processor. The general purpose processor can be a microprocessor or the processor can also be any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as a hardware code processor for execution, or a combination of hardware and software modules in the code processor for execution. The software module can be located in a random access memory, a flash memory, a read only memory, a programmable read only memory or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, or other mature storage media in the art. The storage media is located in the storage memory, and the processor reads information in the storage memory and combines the hardware to complete the steps of the above method.

[0172] The embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, which includes the first communication apparatus in the method of the embodiments of the present application, other communication apparatuses in communication with the first communication apparatus, the second communication apparatus and other communication apparatuses in communication with the second communication apparatus.

[0173] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer readable storage medium, which has stored thereon a computer program for implementing the method in the method embodiment.

[0174] The embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which comprises a computer program, and when the computer program is run on a computer, the method in the method embodiment is executed.

[0175] The embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, comprising a processor and a memory connected to the processor, wherein the memory is used for storing a computer program, and the processor is used for executing the computer program stored in the memory, so that the chip executes the method in the method embodiment.

[0176] It should be understood that, in the embodiment of the present application, for a technical feature, the technical features in the technical feature are distinguished by "first", "second" and "third", and there is no order or size order between the technical features described by "first", "second" and "third".

[0177] In addition, the term "and / or" in the present application is only to describe the association relationship of the associated objects, which means that there can be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and / or B can represent the following three cases: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this paper generally represents that the front and rear associated objects are a "or" relationship; the term "at least one" in the present application can represent "one" and "two or more than two", for example, at least one of A, B and C can represent the following seven cases: A exists alone, B exists alone, C exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, A and C exist simultaneously, C and B exist simultaneously, and A, B and C exist simultaneously.

[0178] In the embodiment of the present application, "sending" and "receiving" represent the direction of signal transmission. For example, "sending information to XX" can be understood as that the destination of the information is XX, which can include direct sending through the air interface, and also includes indirect sending through the air interface by other units or modules. "Receiving information from YY" can be understood as that the source of the information is YY, which can include direct receiving from YY through the air interface, and also can include indirect receiving from YY through the air interface from other units or modules. "Sending" can also be understood as "output" of chip interface, and "receiving" can also be understood as "input" of chip interface.

[0179] In other words, the sending and receiving can be between devices, such as between a network device and a terminal device, or can be within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules or hardware modules within the device through a bus, a wire or an interface.

[0180] It can be understood that the information can be processed, such as encoding and modulation, between the source and the destination of the information sending, and the destination can understand the effective information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be understood similarly, and will not be repeated here.

[0181] In the embodiments of the present application, the indication can include direct indication and indirect indication, and can also include explicit indication and implicit indication. The information indicated by certain information (indication information described below) is referred to as to-be-indicated information. In the implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the to-be-indicated information, for example, but not limited to, the to-be-indicated information can be directly indicated, such as the to-be-indicated information itself or an index of the to-be-indicated information. The to-be-indicated information can also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, where the other information and the to-be-indicated information have an association relationship. The to-be-indicated information can also be indicated only by a part of the to-be-indicated information, and the other part of the to-be-indicated information is known or agreed in advance. For example, the indication of a specific information can be achieved by means of the arrangement order of each information agreed in advance (for example, predefined by a protocol), thereby reducing the indication overhead to a certain extent. The specific manner of indication is not limited in the present application. It can be understood that the indication information can be used to indicate the to-be-indicated information for the sender of the indication information, and the indication information can be used to determine the to-be-indicated information for the receiver of the indication information.

[0182] Those skilled in the art can understand that the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in combination with the embodiments disclosed herein can be realized by electronic hardware or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are realized in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0183] Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working process of the system, device and unit described above can refer to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0184] In the embodiments of the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, device and method can be implemented in other manners. For example, the embodiments of the device described above are merely schematic; the division of the units is merely logical function division; there can be another division manner in actual implementation; for example, a plurality of units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the displayed or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections between different units, can be indirect couplings or communication connections through some interfaces, devices or units, and can be electrical, mechanical or in other forms.

[0185] The units described as separate components can or can not be physically separate, and the components shown as units can or can not be physical units, i.e., can be located in one place, or can be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the embodiments.

[0186] In addition, each functional unit in the various embodiments of the present application can be integrated into a processing unit, or each unit can be a physically independent unit, or two or more units can be integrated into a unit.

[0187] If the functions are realized in the form of software function units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the present application can be embodied in the form of a software product in essence or the part of the technical solutions that make contributions to the prior art, or part of the technical solutions. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium, and includes a plurality of instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in the various embodiments of the present application. The foregoing storage medium includes: a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media that can store program codes.

[0188] The above description is merely specific embodiments of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily think of changes or replacements within the technical scope disclosed by the present application, which should be covered within the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of communication, comprising: The method comprises: receiving first information and second information, the first information being used to indicate N BWPs, at least two BWPs of the N BWPs having different center frequencies, and the second information being used to indicate time durations corresponding to the N BWPs respectively, wherein N is an integer greater than 1; switching the N BWPs, wherein the time duration of each BWP corresponds to the second information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving third information, the third information being used to indicate a switching sequence of the N BWPs; the switching of the N BWPs comprises periodically switching the N BWPs, wherein the switching sequence of the N BWPs corresponds to the third information.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the method further comprises transmitting reference signals on the N BWPs respectively, the reference signals being used to measure channel state information of the BWPs.

4. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first information comprises start frequencies and end frequencies corresponding to the N BWPs respectively.

5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first information comprises a start frequency and / or an end frequency corresponding to a first BWP, an offset between a center frequency of the first BWP and a center frequency of a second BWP, an offset between a center frequency of an nth BWP and a center frequency of an (n+1)th BWP, an offset between a center frequency of an (N-1)th BWP and a center frequency of an Nth BWP, wherein the N BWPs comprise the first BWP, the second BWP, the nth BWP, the (n+1)th BWP, the (N-1)th BWP, and the Nth BWP, wherein n is an integer greater than 1 and less than N.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, the first information further comprises bandwidths corresponding to the N BWPs respectively.

7. The method of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the third information comprises ordering information of indices corresponding to the N BWPs respectively.

8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the time duration corresponding to the BWP is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the first threshold being related to a time required to complete measurement of channel state information of the BWP.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving switching indication information, the switching indication information indicating switching from a first BWP to a second BWP, the first BWP being included in the N BWPs, and a frequency range of the second BWP including frequency ranges of at least two BWPs in the N BWPs; receiving data on the second BWP.

10. A method of communication, comprising: The method comprises: transmitting first information and second information, the first information being used to indicate N BWPs, at least two BWPs of the N BWPs having different center frequencies, and the second information being used to indicate time durations corresponding to the N BWPs respectively, wherein N is an integer greater than 1; listening to the N BWPs, wherein the time duration of each BWP corresponds to the second information.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The method further includes: sending third information, the third information being used for indicating a switching sequence of the N BWPs; The monitoring the N BWPs includes: periodically monitoring the N BWPs, wherein the sequence of monitoring the N BWPs corresponds to the third information.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: receiving reference signals on the N BWPs respectively, the reference signals being used for measuring channel state information of the BWPs.

13. The method of any one of claims 10-12, wherein: the first information includes starting frequency points and ending frequency points corresponding to the N BWPs respectively.

14. The method of any one of claims 10-12, wherein: the first information includes a starting frequency point and / or an ending frequency point corresponding to a first BWP, an offset between a center frequency point of the first BWP and a center frequency point of a second BWP, an offset between a center frequency point of an nth BWP and a center frequency point of an (n+1)th BWP, an offset between a center frequency point of an (N-1)th BWP and a center frequency point of an Nth BWP, wherein the N BWPs include the first BWP, the second BWP, the nth BWP, the (n+1)th BWP, the (N-1)th BWP, and the Nth BWP, wherein n is an integer greater than 1 and less than N.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, the first information further includes bandwidths corresponding to the N BWPs respectively.

16. The method of any one of claims 11-15, wherein: the third information includes ordering information of indexes corresponding to the N BWPs respectively.

17. The method of any one of claims 10-16, wherein: a duration corresponding to the BWP is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the first threshold being related to a time required to complete measurement of channel state information of the BWP.

18. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 17, characterized in that, The method further includes: sending switching indication information, the switching indication information indicating switching from a first BWP to a second BWP, the first BWP being included in the N BWPs, a frequency range of the second BWP including frequency ranges of at least two BWPs in the N BWPs; sending data on the second BWP.

19. A communications device, characterized by A module for performing the method of any one of claims 1-9, or a module for performing the method of any one of claims 10-18.

20. A communications device, characterized by A processor for executing instructions to implement the method of any one of claims 1-9, or to implement the method of any one of claims 10-18.

21. The communication apparatus according to claim 20, wherein, The apparatus further includes a memory for storing the instructions.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, including: The computer readable medium stores a computer program; The computer program, when executed by a processor, causes the method of any one of claims 1-18 to be performed.

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

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