Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed in embodiments of the present application are a communication method and an apparatus. The method comprises: a radio unit receives scheduling information from a distributed unit and a single-user weight of at least one terminal device, and determines a multi-user weight of the at least one terminal device on the basis of the scheduling information and the single-user weight of the at least one terminal device. The radio unit receives the single-user weight and the scheduling information to determine the multi-user weight to perform beamforming. In the process, the distributed unit does not need to send the multi-user weight to the radio unit, thereby reducing downlink fronthaul traffic and satisfying the downlink fronthaul traffic limitation of an optical module. In addition, the single-user weight is determined only by the distributed unit, which reduces the complexity of system computation, avoids the problem of inconsistency between the single-user weight used by the distributed unit to determine the scheduling information and the single-user weight used by the radio unit to determine the multi-user weight, and improves the accuracy of determining the multi-user weight.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411566057.8, filed on November 4, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] A beam refers to the electromagnetic radiation pattern of an antenna system, and beamforming is the process of forming a beam. In multi-antenna systems, beamforming refers to adjusting the amplitude or phase of different radio frequency (RF) links by multiplying them by different weights, thereby forming a directional electromagnetic radiation direction. In the fronthaul network architecture of 5G mobile communication technology, the distributed unit (DU) needs to send a control plane (C-Plane) signal containing beamforming information to the radio unit (RU) to instruct the RU to perform corresponding beamforming. However, when the DU transmits information to the RU, the downlink transmission traffic may exceed the traffic limit supported by the physical optical module, leading to information transmission errors. Alternatively, due to transmission delay, the weight information used for beamforming between the DU and RU may be inconsistent, resulting in weight calculation errors. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that can ensure downlink fronthaul traffic meets the optical module traffic limit, reduce system computational complexity, and improve the accuracy of weight calculation.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a network side, such as a wireless unit or a communication module within a wireless unit, or a circuit or chip (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip or system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem core) responsible for communication functions within a wireless unit. Taking the application of this method to a wireless unit as an example, the method includes:

[0006] The wireless unit receives scheduling information from the distributed unit and a single-user weight of at least one terminal device, wherein the terminal device corresponding to the scheduling information includes the at least one terminal device; the wireless unit determines a multi-user weight of the at least one terminal device based on the single-user weight of the at least one terminal device and the scheduling information, and the multi-user weight is used for beamforming.

[0007] The radio unit determines multi-user weights by receiving single-user weights and scheduling information from at least one terminal device, and then performs beamforming. During this process, the distributed unit does not need to send multi-user weights to the radio unit, thereby reducing downlink fronthaul traffic and meeting the downlink fronthaul traffic limits of the physical optical module. Simultaneously, since only the distributed unit determines the single-user weights, the system's computational complexity is reduced, and the inconsistency between the single-user weights used by the distributed unit to determine the scheduling information and those used by the radio unit to determine the multi-user weights is avoided, thus improving the accuracy of multi-user weight determination.

[0008] In one possible design, the wireless unit receives the scheduling information from the distributed unit and the single-user weights of the at least one terminal device via a fronthaul interface.

[0009] In one possible design, the wireless unit receives first indication information from the distributed unit. This first indication information indicates whether the wireless unit should determine the multi-user weights, or whether to activate the function for determining multi-user weights. If the indication is that the wireless unit should determine the multi-user weights, it ensures that the downlink fronthaul traffic meets the optical module's traffic limit. Alternatively, if the indication is that the distributed unit should determine the multi-user weights, and the wireless unit deactivates the multi-user weight determination function, it ensures the resource utilization of the wireless unit.

[0010] In one possible design, the first indication information may include a single bit. When the bit is set to 1, the first indication information indicates activation of the function for determining multi-user weights. When the bit is set to 0, the first indication information indicates deactivation of the function for determining multi-user weights. Using a single bit to indicate whether to determine multi-user weights reduces signaling overhead.

[0011] In one possible design, when the first indication information includes the identifier of a radio unit, the first indication information is used to instruct the RU to perform the function of determining multi-user weights. After receiving the first indication information, the radio unit activates or performs the function of determining multi-user weights. When the first indication information includes the identifier of a distributed unit, the first indication information is used to instruct the distributed unit to perform the function of determining multi-user weights. After receiving the first indication information, the radio unit either does not perform the function of determining multi-user weights or deactivates the function of determining multi-user weights.

[0012] In one possible design, the wireless unit sends first information to the distributed unit, the first information including at least one of the wireless unit's current traffic load, processor utilization, and device power consumption. Based on the first information and downlink fronthaul traffic, the distributed unit determines the network unit that performs the function of determining multi-user weights and sends first indication information to the wireless unit.

[0013] In one possible design, the single-user weight includes an identifier of at least one unit of frequency domain resource and a single-user weight corresponding to the identifier of the at least one unit of frequency domain resource, and / or, the single-user weight includes an identifier of at least one data stream and a single-user weight corresponding to the identifier of the at least one data stream.

[0014] In one possible design, the multiple dimensions of the single-user weight include at least one of the following: the number of at least one terminal devices associated with the single-user weight, the number of the at least one data stream, the number of transmit antennas of the network device, or the number of the at least one unit frequency domain resources.

[0015] In one possible design, the scheduling information includes at least one of the following: the number of at least one unit frequency domain resources scheduled, the number of terminal devices paired with the nth unit frequency domain resource in the at least one unit frequency domain resource and the identifier of the terminal devices, the number of data streams paired with the i-th terminal device in the nth unit frequency domain resource in the at least one unit frequency domain resource, or the unit frequency domain resources in the at least one unit frequency domain resource used for single-user pairing or for multi-user pairing, the size of the unit frequency domain resource, and n and i are both integers greater than or equal to 1.

[0016] In one possible design, the size of the unit frequency domain resource is the number of at least one of the following: resource element (RE), resource element bundle (RE bundle), resource block (RB), physical resource block (PRB), and physical resource block bundle (PRB bundle).

[0017] In one possible design, the single-user weights are transmitted in a first time window, the size of which is greater than or equal to the length of at least one time slot.

[0018] In one possible design, the scheduling information is transmitted in a second time window, the size of which is less than or equal to the length of a time slot.

[0019] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to a network side, such as a distributed unit or a communication module within a distributed unit, or a circuit or chip within a distributed unit responsible for communication functions. Taking the application of this method to a distributed unit as an example, the method includes:

[0020] The distributed unit determines scheduling information and a single-user weight for at least one terminal device, wherein the terminal device corresponding to the scheduling information includes the at least one terminal device; and sends the single-user weight for the at least one terminal device and the scheduling information to the wireless unit.

[0021] The distributed unit determines the scheduling information and the single-user weight of at least one terminal device, and then sends these to the radio unit so that the radio unit can determine the multi-user weight. In this process, the distributed unit does not need to send the multi-user weight to the radio unit, thereby reducing downlink fronthaul traffic and meeting the downlink fronthaul traffic limits of the physical optical module. Simultaneously, by having only the distributed unit determine the single-user weight, the system's computational complexity is reduced, and the potential inconsistency between the single-user weight used by the distributed unit to determine the scheduling information and the single-user weight used by the radio unit to determine the multi-user weight is avoided, thus improving the accuracy of multi-user weight determination.

[0022] In one possible design, the single-user weight and the scheduling information of the at least one terminal device are used to determine the multi-user weight of the at least one terminal device, and the multi-user weight is used for beamforming.

[0023] In one possible design, the distributed unit sends the single-user weights and scheduling information of the at least one terminal device to the wireless unit via a fronthaul interface.

[0024] In one possible design, the distributed unit sends a first indication message to the wireless unit. This first indication message indicates whether to determine the multi-user weights, or whether to activate the function for determining multi-user weights. If the indication is that the wireless unit determines the multi-user weights, it ensures that the downlink fronthaul traffic meets the optical module's traffic limit. Alternatively, if the indication is that the distributed unit determines the multi-user weights, and the wireless unit deactivates the function for determining multi-user weights, it ensures the resource utilization of the wireless unit.

[0025] In one possible design, the first indication information may include a single bit. When the bit is set to 1, the first indication information indicates activation of the function for determining multi-user weights. When the bit is set to 0, the first indication information indicates deactivation of the function for determining multi-user weights. Using a single bit to indicate whether to determine multi-user weights reduces signaling overhead.

[0026] In one possible design, when the first indication information includes the identifier of a radio unit, the first indication information is used to instruct the RU to perform the function of determining multi-user weights. When the first indication information includes the identifier of a distributed unit, the first indication information is used to instruct the distributed unit to perform the function of determining multi-user weights.

[0027] In one possible design, the distributed unit sends the first indication information to the wireless unit based on second information, wherein the second information includes at least one of the following: the number of at least one unit frequency domain resources scheduled by the distributed unit, the number of terminal devices scheduled on each unit frequency domain resource, the number of data streams sent by the network device to each of the at least one terminal device, or the number of transmit antennas of the network device, wherein the network device includes the distributed unit and the wireless unit. The downlink fronthaul traffic is determined through the second information. If the downlink fronthaul traffic is relatively large, the wireless unit is instructed to perform the function of determining multi-user weights to ensure that the downlink fronthaul traffic meets the optical module traffic limit. If the downlink fronthaul traffic is relatively small, the distributed unit is instructed to perform the function of determining multi-user weights to ensure the resource utilization of the wireless unit.

[0028] In one possible design, the distributed unit determines the downlink fronthaul traffic based on the second information; the distributed unit determines, based on the downlink fronthaul traffic, that the wireless unit should perform the function of determining multi-user weights; the distributed unit sends the first indication information to the wireless unit. If it is determined that the wireless unit should perform the function of determining multi-user weights, the distributed unit sends the first indication information to the wireless unit, instructing the wireless unit to perform the function of determining multi-user weights, ensuring that the downlink fronthaul traffic meets the optical module traffic limit.

[0029] In one possible design, the distributed unit determines, based on the downlink fronthaul traffic and the first information, that the wireless unit will perform the function of determining multi-user weights, and sends first indication information to the wireless unit. The first information includes at least one of the following: the current service load, processor utilization, or device power consumption of the wireless unit. By combining the first information and the downlink fronthaul traffic to determine the network unit performing the function of determining multi-user weights, not only is it ensured that the downlink fronthaul traffic meets the optical module traffic limits, but also that data processing meets the capability requirements of the wireless unit.

[0030] In one possible design, the distributed unit receives first information from the wireless unit.

[0031] In one possible design, when the downlink fronthaul traffic is greater than or equal to a first threshold and the first information meets a preset range, the distributed unit determines that the radio unit will perform the function of determining multi-user weights. When the downlink fronthaul traffic is less than the first threshold, or the first information does not meet the preset range, the distributed unit determines that the distributed unit will perform the function of determining multi-user weights. This ensures that the downlink fronthaul traffic meets the optical module traffic limit and that data processing meets the capability requirements of the radio unit.

[0032] In one possible design, the distributed unit receives a precoding matrix indication and / or a reference signal from the at least one terminal device; the distributed unit determines the single-user weight of the at least one terminal device based on channel estimation of the precoding matrix indication and / or the reference signal.

[0033] In one possible design, the distributed unit determines the scheduling information based on the channel estimation of the reference signal and the single-user weight of the at least one terminal device.

[0034] In one possible design, the single-user weight includes an identifier of at least one unit of frequency domain resource and a single-user weight corresponding to the identifier of the at least one unit of frequency domain resource; and / or, the single-user weight includes an identifier of at least one data stream and a single-user weight corresponding to the identifier of the at least one data stream.

[0035] In one possible design, the dimensions of the single-user weight include at least one of the following: the number of at least one terminal devices associated with the single-user weight, the number of the at least one data stream, the number of transmit antennas of the network device, or the number of the at least one unit frequency domain resources; wherein the network device includes the distributed unit and the wireless unit.

[0036] In one possible design, the scheduling information includes at least one of the following: the number of at least one unit frequency domain resources scheduled, the number of terminal devices paired with the nth unit frequency domain resource in the at least one unit frequency domain resource and the identifier of the terminal devices, the number of data streams paired with the i-th terminal device in the nth unit frequency domain resource in the at least one unit frequency domain resource, or the unit frequency domain resources in the at least one unit frequency domain resource used for single-user pairing or for multi-user pairing, the size of the unit frequency domain resource, and n and i are both integers greater than or equal to 1.

[0037] In one possible design, the size of the unit frequency domain resource is the number of at least one of resource units, resource unit combinations, resource blocks, physical resource blocks, and physical resource block combinations.

[0038] In one possible design, the single-user weights are transmitted in a first time window, the size of which is greater than or equal to the length of at least one time slot.

[0039] In one possible design, the scheduling information is transmitted in a second time window, the size of which is less than or equal to the length of a time slot.

[0040] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that performs the functions described in the first aspect above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations involved in the first aspect. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The device includes:

[0041] A receiving module is configured to receive scheduling information from a distributed unit and a single-user weight from at least one terminal device, wherein the terminal device corresponding to the scheduling information includes the at least one terminal device.

[0042] The processing module is configured to determine the multi-user weights of the at least one terminal device based on the single-user weights and the scheduling information, wherein the multi-user weights are used for beamforming.

[0043] In one possible design, the receiving module is further configured to receive the scheduling information from the distributed unit and the single-user weights of the at least one terminal device via a fronthaul interface.

[0044] In one possible design, the receiving module is further configured to receive first indication information from the distributed unit, the first indication information being used to instruct the wireless unit to perform the function of determining multi-user weights, or to instruct the activation of the function of determining multi-user weights.

[0045] In one possible design, the first indication information includes the identifier of the wireless unit.

[0046] In one possible design, a transmitting module is configured to transmit first information to the distributed unit, the first information including at least one of the current service load, processor utilization, and device power consumption of the wireless unit.

[0047] In one possible design, the single-user weight includes an identifier of at least one unit of frequency domain resource and a single-user weight corresponding to the identifier of the at least one unit of frequency domain resource; and / or, the single-user weight includes an identifier of at least one data stream and a single-user weight corresponding to the identifier of the at least one data stream.

[0048] In one possible design, the dimensions of the single-user weight include at least one of the following: the number of at least one terminal devices associated with the single-user weight, the number of the at least one data stream, the number of transmit antennas of the network device, or the number of the at least one unit frequency domain resources; wherein the network device includes the distributed unit and the wireless unit.

[0049] In one possible design, the scheduling information includes at least one of the following: the number of at least one unit frequency domain resources scheduled, the number of terminal devices paired with the nth unit frequency domain resource in the at least one unit frequency domain resource and the identifier of the terminal devices, the number of data streams paired with the i-th terminal device in the nth unit frequency domain resource in the at least one unit frequency domain resource, or the unit frequency domain resources in the at least one unit frequency domain resource used for single-user pairing or for multi-user pairing, the size of the unit frequency domain resource, and n and i are both integers greater than or equal to 1.

[0050] In one possible design, the size of the unit frequency domain resource is the number of at least one of resource units, resource unit combinations, resource blocks, physical resource blocks, and physical resource block combinations.

[0051] In one possible design, the single-user weights are transmitted in a first time window, the size of which is greater than or equal to the length of at least one time slot.

[0052] In one possible design, the scheduling information is transmitted in a second time window, the size of which is less than or equal to the length of a time slot.

[0053] The operation and beneficial effects of this communication device can be found in the method and beneficial effects described in the first aspect above, and will not be repeated here.

[0054] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that performs the functions described in the second aspect above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations involved in the second aspect. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. The device includes:

[0055] The processing module is used to determine scheduling information and the single-user weight of at least one terminal device, wherein the terminal device corresponding to the scheduling information includes the at least one terminal device;

[0056] The transmitting module is used to transmit the single-user weight and the scheduling information of the at least one terminal device to the wireless unit.

[0057] In one possible design, the single-user weight and the scheduling information of the at least one terminal device are used to determine the multi-user weight of the at least one terminal device, and the multi-user weight is used for beamforming.

[0058] In one possible design, the transmitting module is further configured to transmit the single-user weights and scheduling information of the at least one terminal device to the wireless unit via a fronthaul interface.

[0059] In one possible design, the transmitting module is further configured to transmit first indication information to the wireless unit, the first indication information being used to instruct the wireless unit to perform the function of determining multi-user weights, or to instruct the activation of the function of determining multi-user weights.

[0060] In one possible design, the first indication information includes the identifier of the wireless unit.

[0061] In one possible design, the transmitting module is further configured to transmit the first indication information to the wireless unit based on the second information, wherein the second information includes at least one of the following: the number of at least one unit frequency domain resources scheduled by the distributed unit, the number of terminal devices scheduled on each unit frequency domain resource in the at least one unit frequency domain resources, the number of data streams sent by the network device to each of the at least one terminal devices, or the number of transmit antennas of the network device, wherein the network device includes the distributed unit and the wireless unit.

[0062] In one possible design, the processing module is further configured to determine downlink fronthaul traffic based on the second information; and to determine, based on the downlink fronthaul traffic, that the radio unit shall perform the function of determining multi-user weights.

[0063] The transmitting module is also used to transmit the first indication information to the wireless unit.

[0064] In one possible design, the processing module is further configured to determine, based on the downlink fronthaul traffic and the first information, the function of determining multi-user weights to be performed by the radio unit, wherein the first information includes at least one of the following: the current service load of the radio unit, processor utilization, or device power consumption.

[0065] In one possible design, the processing module is further configured to determine that the function of determining multi-user weights is performed by the radio unit when the downlink fronthaul traffic is greater than or equal to a first threshold and the first information meets a preset range; or, when the downlink fronthaul traffic is less than the first threshold or the first information does not meet the preset range, determine that the function of determining multi-user weights is performed by the distributed unit.

[0066] In one possible design, the receiving module is also configured to receive a precoded matrix indication and / or reference signal from the at least one terminal device;

[0067] The processing module is further configured to determine the single-user weight of the at least one terminal device based on the precoding matrix indication and / or the channel estimation of the reference signal.

[0068] In one possible design, the processing module is further configured to determine the scheduling information based on the channel estimation of the reference signal and the single-user weight of the at least one terminal device.

[0069] In one possible design, the single-user weight includes: an identifier of at least one unit of frequency domain resource and a single-user weight corresponding to the identifier of the at least one unit of frequency domain resource; and / or, the single-user weight includes an identifier of at least one data stream and a single-user weight corresponding to the identifier of the at least one data stream.

[0070] In one possible design, the dimensions of the single-user weight include at least one of the following: the number of at least one terminal devices associated with the single-user weight, the number of the at least one data stream, the number of transmit antennas of the network device, or the number of the at least one unit frequency domain resources; wherein the network device includes the distributed unit and the wireless unit.

[0071] In one possible design, the scheduling information includes at least one of the following: the number of at least one unit frequency domain resources scheduled, the number of terminal devices paired with the nth unit frequency domain resource in the at least one unit frequency domain resource and the identifier of the terminal devices, the number of data streams paired with the i-th terminal device in the nth unit frequency domain resource in the at least one unit frequency domain resource, or the unit frequency domain resources in the at least one unit frequency domain resource used for single-user pairing or for multi-user pairing, the size of the unit frequency domain resource, and n and i are both integers greater than or equal to 1.

[0072] In one possible design, the size of the unit frequency domain resource is the number of at least one of resource units, resource unit combinations, resource blocks, physical resource blocks, and physical resource block combinations.

[0073] In one possible design, the single-user weights are transmitted in a first time window, the size of which is greater than or equal to the length of at least one time slot.

[0074] In one possible design, the scheduling information is transmitted in a second time window, the size of which is less than or equal to the length of a time slot.

[0075] The operation and beneficial effects of this communication device can be found in the method and beneficial effects described in the second aspect above, and will not be repeated here.

[0076] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes a memory and one or more processors. The memory is used to store part or all of the computer program or instructions necessary for implementing the functions involved in the first aspect above. The one or more processors can execute the computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed, cause the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design or implementation of the first aspect above.

[0077] In one possible design, the communication device may further include an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices or components through the interface circuit.

[0078] In one possible design, the communication device may also include the memory.

[0079] The aforementioned communication device may be a wireless unit, a communication module within a wireless unit, or a chip within a wireless unit responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip) or a SoC or SIP chip containing a modem module.

[0080] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes a memory and one or more processors. The memory is used to store part or all of the computer program or instructions necessary to implement the functions involved in the second aspect above. The one or more processors are capable of executing the computer program or instructions, which, when executed, cause the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design or implementation of the second aspect above.

[0081] In one possible design, the communication device may further include an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices or components through the interface circuit.

[0082] In one possible design, the communication device may also include the memory.

[0083] The aforementioned communication device may be a distributed unit, a communication module within a distributed unit, or a chip within a distributed unit responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip) or a SoC or SIP chip containing a modem module.

[0084] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program that, when executed, causes the method described in any one of the first to second aspects to be implemented.

[0085] Eighthly, this application provides a computer program product including a computer program that, when executed, causes the method described in any one of the first to second aspects to be implemented.

[0086] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system including a wireless unit and a distributed unit. The wireless unit is used to perform the steps in the first aspect described above, and the distributed unit is used to perform the steps in the second aspect described above.

[0087] In a tenth aspect, a chip is provided, the chip including a processor and a communication interface for communicating with external or internal devices, the processor for implementing the methods of the above aspects.

[0088] In one possible design, the chip may further include a memory storing computer programs or instructions, which the processor executes, either from the stored computer programs or instructions or derived from other programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed, the processor implements the methods described above.

[0089] In one possible design, the chip can be integrated into the wireless unit or the distributed unit. Attached Figure Description

[0090] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system;

[0091] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of interface division;

[0092] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a WDBF-based fronthaul architecture;

[0093] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a CIBF-based fronthaul architecture;

[0094] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0095] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of L2 scheduling;

[0096] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the fronthaul function division;

[0097] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0098] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0099] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0100] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a wireless unit provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0101] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a distributed unit provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0102] Figure 1 illustrates the architecture of a communication system. This system can include terminal devices, an access network, and a core network. The access network mainly consists of network devices, which can be base stations (next-generation NodeBs, gNodeBs). The base station functional entity can include three functional modules: a control unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), and a radio unit (RU). Data between the terminal devices and the server is transmitted through the base station and the core network. The core network can connect multiple CUs. A CU can connect to multiple DUs via a midhaul link, and a DU can connect to multiple RUs via a fronthaul link. An RU can establish physical transmission links with multiple terminal devices. CUs, DUs, and RUs can be deployed in different physical devices. In another scenario, the base station functional entity can be split into two functional modules. For example, if the CU and DU functions are deployed in the same physical device, then the CU and DU functions can be considered as one functional entity; or, if the DU and RU functions are deployed in the same physical device, then the DU and RU functions can be considered as one functional entity.

[0103] Network equipment: This can be a 5G base station. The 5G base station protocol functional entity can include CU and DU logical nodes, providing new radio (NR) user plane and control plane protocol endpoints to terminal devices. It connects to the 5G core network via the NG interface. Physically, a base station generally consists of three physical modules: a baseband unit (BBU), a remote radio unit (RRU), and an antenna. 5G further subdivides the BBU, introducing CU and DU functional modules.

[0104] The CU (Radio Resource Control) manages the gNodeB's radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), as well as controlling the operation of one or more gNB-DUs via SDAP. The gNB-CU connects to the gNB-DU via the F1 interface. The CU is responsible for slow processing of non-real-time functions within the base station, such as handover and connection management.

[0105] The DU (Radio Link Control) manages the radio link control (RLC), media access control (MAC), and physical layer (PHY) of the gNodeB. Its operation is controlled by the gNB-CU. One gNB-DU supports one or more cells. Only one gNB-DU is supported per cell. The gNB-DU and gNB-CU are connected via the F1 interface. The DU is responsible for the rapid processing of real-time functions within the base station, such as encoding / decoding and fast scheduling.

[0106] RU (Radio Unit): A wireless unit, radio frequency unit, or radio frequency remote unit, is a module that constitutes the functionality of a base station. Its main functions include receiving and transmitting baseband signals, as well as modulation and demodulation of radio frequency signals, data processing, and power amplification. RUs are deployed close to the antenna, resulting in low feeder loss.

[0107] Terminal equipment refers to devices that provide voice and / or data connectivity to users. These can be user equipment (UE), handheld terminals, laptops, cellular phones, smartphones, tablets, augmented reality (AR) devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, machine-type communication terminals, or other devices capable of accessing a network. Terminal equipment communicates with access network equipment using some air interface technology or Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology. Terminal equipment can also communicate with each other using some air interface technology (such as NR or LTE). In vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, the communication terminal mounted on the vehicle is a type of terminal equipment, as can a roadside unit (RSU). Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) carrying communication terminals can also be considered terminal equipment.

[0108] The following explanation uses network equipment as the base station and terminal equipment as the UE.

[0109] The technical solutions in this application embodiment can be applied to various communication systems, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, 4th generation (4G) mobile communication system, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system, such as New Radio (NR) system, and future evolution communication systems, such as 6th generation (6G) mobile communication system, etc.

[0110] (1) Prequel (Fronthaul):

[0111] Wireless communication networks are divided into three parts: access network, bearer network, and core network. The access network mainly consists of base stations. Base stations typically include BBU, RRU, and feeders, and are connected to the core network via the bearer network. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) NR protocol specifies that 5G base station functional entities include CU and DU. The Open Radio Access Network (ORAN) Alliance defines base station functional entities consisting of CU, DU, and RU. As shown in Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of interface division, the interface between the BBU (integrating CU and DU functions) and the RRU (RU) is defined as "fronthaul," the signal transmission between the BBU and the core network is defined as "backhaul," and the transmission between the DU and the CU is defined as "midhaul."

[0112] (2) Beamforming (BF):

[0113] A beam refers to the electromagnetic radiation pattern of an antenna system, and beamforming is the process of forming a beam. In multi-antenna systems, beamforming refers to adjusting the amplitude or phase of different radio frequency (RF) links by multiplying them by different weights, thereby forming a directional electromagnetic radiation direction. In the fronthaul network architecture of 5G mobile communication technology, the distributed unit (DU) needs to send a control plane (C-Plane) signal containing beamforming information to the radio unit (RU) to instruct the RU to perform corresponding beamforming.

[0114] In the Open Radio Access Network (ORAN) protocol, weight-based dynamic beamforming (WDBF) is defined. In this method, the DU (Distribution Unit) needs to know the antenna characteristics of the RU (User Unit), including the number of antenna elements in the vertical and horizontal directions and the spacing between these elements. Based on the channel information and the RU's antenna array, the DU generates beamforming weights, each corresponding to a beamId value. The DU then sends the beam weights and their corresponding beamIds to the RU. Figure 3 illustrates a WDBF-based fronthaul architecture. Under this fronthaul architecture, the data processing and transmission flow between the DU, RU, and UE is as follows:

[0115] (1) The UE sends a sounding reference signal (SRS) to the DU, and the DU performs channel estimation of the uplink SRS. Based on the reciprocity of uplink and downlink channels in a time division duplex (TDD) system, the DU can obtain the channel estimation of the downlink SRS and calculate the single user (SU) weight.

[0116] (2) The DU determines the L2 scheduling result by performing L2 (Layer 2) scheduling based on the channel estimation of the SRS (channel estimation of the downlink SRS) and the SU weights. The L2 scheduling will perform a multiple users (MU) pairing process. After MU pairing, the weights of different UEs are divided into different groups according to their correlation. The weights of multiple UEs in each group are spatially multiplexed for time and frequency resources, and the weights of multiple UEs in different groups are frequency multiplexed.

[0117] (3) DU calculates MU weight based on SU weight and L2 scheduling result, and sends MU weight to RU through the forward interface.

[0118] (4) The RU receives the MU weights and performs beamforming based on the MU weights.

[0119] However, for WDBF-based fronthaul architectures, with the requirements of larger antenna scale and greater transmission bandwidth, the downlink transmission traffic has exceeded the traffic limit supported by the physical optical modules. For example, when the antenna array reaches 256 units, the air interface transmission bandwidth is 400MHz, and the base station transmits a total of 64 user data streams, the downlink traffic of the WDBF architecture fronthaul will exceed 400Gbps, while the physical optical modules support a capacity limit of 200Gbps. Due to the small time window and large data volume when transmitting MU weights, the bandwidth cannot meet the actual needs, which may lead to transmission errors. If data compression algorithms are used, performance loss in transmitted data will be unavoidable.

[0120] The ORAN protocol also defines channel information based beamforming (CIBF). In this method, the DU provides scheduling information to the RU on a slot-by-slot basis and periodically (usually less than per slot) provides the RU with the channel information for each UE. The RU calculates the beamforming weights for each slot based on the channel information and scheduling information. Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a CIBF-based fronthaul architecture. Under this fronthaul architecture, the data processing and transmission flow between the DU, RU, and UE is as follows:

[0121] (1) The UE sends the SRS to the DU to perform uplink SRS channel estimation. Based on the reciprocity of uplink and downlink channels in the TDD system, the DU can obtain the downlink SRS channel estimate and calculate the SU weight. The DU sends the SRS channel estimate to the RU through the fronthaul interface.

[0122] (2) The RU receives the channel estimate of the SRS (downlink SRS) sent by the DU through the fronthaul interface and calculates the SU weight based on the SRS channel estimate. The DU performs L2 scheduling based on the SRS channel estimate and the SU weight to determine the L2 scheduling result and sends the L2 scheduling result to the RU. Among them, L2 scheduling will perform MU pairing, divide the UEs into different groups, and perform spatial multiplexing of time and frequency resources for each group of UEs, and frequency multiplexing between UEs in different groups.

[0123] (3) The RU calculates the MU weight based on the SU weight and the L2 scheduling result, and performs beamforming based on the MU weight.

[0124] However, for the CIBF-based fronthaul architecture, both DU and RU need to calculate SU weights, resulting in high computational complexity for the system implementation. Furthermore, since SRS channel estimation needs to be transmitted through the fronthaul interface, this transmission causes latency, leading to inconsistencies between the SU weights used for L2 scheduling in DU and the SU weights used for MU weight calculation in RU, thus introducing errors in MU weight calculation.

[0125] To address the aforementioned technical problems, the embodiments of this application provide the following solutions.

[0126] As shown in Figure 5, Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method mainly includes the following steps:

[0127] S501, DU determines the scheduling information and the single-user weight of at least one UE.

[0128] Firstly, the DU can receive a precoding matrix indication and / or reference signal from at least one UE; and determine a single-user weight for at least one UE based on the channel estimation of the precoding matrix indication and / or the reference signal. The single-user weight is a weight vector corresponding to at least one UE across multiple dimensions. The reference signal can be an SRS, and the channel estimation of the reference signal can be a downlink channel estimation of the SRS. Specifically, determining the single-user weight for at least one UE can include the following implementation methods:

[0129] In the first implementation, the base station can send a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) to the UE. The UE receives the CSI-RS and generates a measurement report, which may include a downlink precoding matrix indication (PMI). Then, the UE sends uplink control information (UCI) to the DU. The UCI carries the measurement report, and the PMI included in the measurement report can be used to subsequently calculate the single-user weights between the UE and the base station. After receiving the UCI, the DU can retrieve the corresponding single-user weights from a pre-stored codebook according to predetermined rules based on the PMI. The base station may include both a DU and a RU.

[0130] In the second implementation, the UE sends the SRS to the DU through at least one port, and the DU performs uplink channel estimation based on the received SRS. Based on the reciprocity of uplink and downlink channels in the TDD system, the DU can obtain the downlink channel estimate of the SRS, and then determine the single-user weights based on the downlink channel estimate of the SRS.

[0131] The third implementation method is that DU jointly determines the single-user weight based on the channel estimation of PMI and SRS.

[0132] The single-user weight is associated with the identifier of each UE in at least one UE. The single-user weight has multiple dimensions, including at least one of the following: the number of at least one UE, the number of at least one data stream, the number of transmit antennas of the base station, or the number of at least one unit frequency domain resources. That is, the single-user weight is associated with each UE, and each UE's at least one data stream has a corresponding weight on different unit frequency domain resources and different transmit antennas of the base station.

[0133] In this system, one data stream corresponds to one port. Weights, also known as weights, can include in-phase and quadrature components (IQ). A unit frequency domain resource can be at least one of the following: a resource element (RE), a resource element bundle, a resource block (RB), a physical resource block (PRB), and a physical resource block bundle.

[0134] If the base station only acquires the SRS and its channel estimate transmitted on a subband (i.e., a portion of the total frequency domain bandwidth available for the air interface), the single-user weight may include an identifier of at least one unit of frequency domain resource and a single-user weight corresponding to that identifier, wherein the at least one unit of frequency domain resource corresponds to the subband on which the SRS is transmitted. Alternatively, if the base station only acquires the SRS transmitted from a portion of the ports of a UE, the single-user weight may include an identifier of at least one data stream and a single-user weight corresponding to that identifier, wherein one port corresponds to one data stream.

[0135] Understandably, a single-user weight can also be associated with the identifier of a unit frequency domain resource and the identifier of a data stream. That is, a single-user weight can include the identifier of at least one unit frequency domain resource and the single-user weight corresponding to the identifier of at least one unit frequency domain resource, and the identifier of at least one data stream and the single-user weight corresponding to the identifier of at least one data stream.

[0136] Secondly, the DU can determine scheduling information based on the channel estimation of the reference signal and the single-user weight of at least one UE. Furthermore, the DU can perform L2 scheduling based on the channel estimation of the SRS and the SU weight. L2 scheduling can be understood as performing MU pairing, and the DU determines the result of L2 scheduling (i.e., scheduling information) by performing MU pairing.

[0137] The UE corresponding to the scheduling information includes at least one UE, and the scheduling information can be the result of correlation pairing of the single user weights of at least one UE.

[0138] Figure 6 illustrates an L2 scheduling method. Before MU pairing, within each unit frequency domain resource, different data streams from different UEs have corresponding single-user weights. For example, in PRB combination 0, data stream 1 of UE1 corresponds to UE1 weight, data stream 1 of UE2 corresponds to UE2 weight, data stream 2 of UE2 corresponds to UE2 weight, and data stream 1 of UE3 corresponds to UE3 weight. In PRB combination 1, data stream 1 of UE1 corresponds to UE1 weight, data stream 1 of UE2 corresponds to UE2 weight, data stream 2 of UE2 corresponds to UE2 weight, and data stream 1 of UE3 corresponds to UE3 weight. After MU pairing, the single-user weights of different UEs are divided into different groups based on their correlation. The single-user weights of multiple UEs within each group are spatially multiplexed for time-frequency resources, while the weights of multiple UEs across different groups are frequency multiplexed. For example, data stream 2 of UE2, corresponding to UE2 weights, and data stream 1 of UE3, corresponding to UE3 weights, are paired into one group. Data stream 2 of UE2, corresponding to UE2 weights, and data stream 1 of UE3, corresponding to UE3 weights, are spatially multiplexed into one time slot. Data stream 1 of UE1, corresponding to UE1 weights, and data stream 1 of UE2, corresponding to UE2 weights, are paired into another group. Data stream 1 of UE1, corresponding to UE1 weights, and data stream 1 of UE2, corresponding to UE2 weights, are spatially multiplexed into one time slot. The two groups are connected via frequency division multiplexing (PRB).

[0139] The scheduling information includes at least one of the following: the number of at least one unit frequency domain resources scheduled, the number of UEs paired with the nth unit frequency domain resource in the at least one unit frequency domain resource and the identifier of the UE, the number of data streams paired with the i-th UE in the nth unit frequency domain resource in the at least one unit frequency domain resource, or the unit frequency domain resources in the at least one unit frequency domain resource used for single-user pairing or for multi-user pairing, the size of the unit frequency domain resource, where n and i are both integers greater than or equal to 1. Optionally, the scheduling information may also include the power allocated to the j-th (layer number) layer in the nth unit frequency domain resource, where j is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0140] The size of a unit frequency domain resource can be the quantity of at least one of RE, RE bundle, RB, PRB, and PRB bundle.

[0141] The process of DU determining scheduling information and the single-user weight of at least one UE can also be understood as: DU obtaining scheduling information and the single-user weight of at least one UE, for example, obtaining scheduling information and the single-user weight of at least one UE from memory.

[0142] S502, DU sends at least one UE's single-user weight and scheduling information to RU.

[0143] Specifically, the DU can send the single-user weights and scheduling information of at least one UE to the RU through the fronthaul interface. The RU receives the single-user weights and scheduling information of at least one UE from the DU through the fronthaul interface. The fronthaul interface is the interface between the DU and the RU.

[0144] It should be noted that the DU can send the single-user weight and scheduling information of at least one UE to the RU through the same message. The DU can also send the single-user weight and scheduling information of at least one UE to the RU through different messages, and the transmission order of the single-user weight and scheduling information is not limited.

[0145] The single-user weight is transmitted within a first time window, and the size of the first time window is greater than or equal to the length of at least one time slot. For example, the size of the first time window can be 100 ms or 10 time slots.

[0146] The scheduling information is transmitted within a second time window, the size of which is less than or equal to the length of a time slot. For example, when the subcarrier spacing is 30 kHz and the corresponding time slot is 0.5 ms, the size of the second time window is 0.5 ms or 0.2 ms.

[0147] Optionally, the DU can send updated partial single-user weights to the RU via the fronthaul interface. That is, both the DU and RU can store single-user weights locally. If the DU only updates a portion of the total single-user weights, it can send only the updated partial weights to the RU, thus reducing signaling overhead. The RU updates its locally stored single-user weights using the received updated partial weights, in order to determine the multi-user weights using the updated single-user weights.

[0148] S503, RU determines the multi-user weight of the at least one UE based on the single-user weight of the at least one UE and the scheduling information.

[0149] The multi-user weights can be used for beamforming.

[0150] It should be understood that single-user weights can also be called single-user weights, and multi-user weights can also be called multi-user weights. Determining a single-user weight can also be called calculating a single-user weight, and determining a multi-user weight can also be called calculating a multi-user weight.

[0151] For example, as shown in Figure 7, which is a schematic diagram of fronthaul function partitioning, the DU performs channel estimation, SU weight calculation, and L2 scheduling for SRS. The DU sends SU weights and scheduling information to the RU through the fronthaul interface. The RU performs multi-user weight calculation and performs subsequent transmit signal beamforming based on the calculated MU values.

[0152] In this embodiment, the scheduling information and the single-user weight of at least one UE are determined by the DU, and the scheduling information and the single-user weight of at least one UE are sent to the RU so that the RU can determine the multi-user weight. During this process, the DU does not need to send the multi-user weight to the RU, thereby reducing downlink fronthaul traffic and meeting the downlink fronthaul traffic limit of the physical optical module. Simultaneously, since only the DU determines the single-user weight, the system computational complexity is reduced, and the inconsistency between the single-user weight used by the DU to determine the scheduling information and the single-user weight used by the RU to determine the multi-user weight is avoided, thus improving the accuracy of determining the multi-user weight.

[0153] As shown in Figure 8, Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method mainly includes the following steps:

[0154] S801, DU determines the scheduling information and the single-user weight of at least one UE.

[0155] The implementation method of S801 is the same as that of S501. The specific implementation process of S801 can be referred to S501, and will not be repeated here.

[0156] S802, DU is a network unit that performs the function of determining the weights of multiple users.

[0157] Specifically, the DU can determine the downlink fronthaul traffic based on the second information, which may include at least one of the following: the number of at least one unit frequency domain resources scheduled by the DU, the number of UEs scheduled on each unit frequency domain resource, the number of data streams transmitted by the base station to each of the at least one UE, and the number of transmit antennas of the base station. Then, based on the downlink fronthaul traffic, a network unit is determined to perform the function of determining multi-user weights, the network unit including the DU or RU. Further, when the downlink fronthaul traffic is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the DU determines that the RU should perform the function of determining multi-user weights; when the downlink fronthaul traffic is less than the first threshold, the DU determines that the DU should perform the function of determining multi-user weights. When the downlink fronthaul traffic is relatively large, the function of determining multi-user weights is instructed to be performed by the radio unit to ensure that the downlink fronthaul traffic meets the optical module traffic limit; when the downlink fronthaul traffic is relatively small, the function of determining multi-user weights is instructed to be performed by the distributed unit, and the radio unit can deactivate the corresponding resources or information to ensure the resource utilization rate of the radio unit.

[0158] Optionally, the RU sends first information to the DU, the first information including at least one of the RU's current service load, processor utilization, and device power consumption. After receiving the first information from the RU, the DU can determine the network unit that will perform the function of determining multi-user weights based on the downlink fronthaul traffic and the first information. Here, the current service load can be the number of threads running on the RU per unit time, the processor utilization can be the percentage of time the RU remains running, and the device power consumption can be the power consumption of the RU per unit time.

[0159] Furthermore, when the downlink fronthaul traffic is greater than or equal to the first threshold and the first information meets the preset range (e.g., the RU's current service load is relatively low, processor utilization is relatively low, and device power consumption is also relatively low), the DU determines that the RU should perform the function of determining the multi-user weights; or, when the downlink fronthaul traffic is less than the first threshold, or the first information does not meet the preset range (e.g., the RU's current service load is relatively high, processor utilization is relatively high, or device power consumption is relatively high), the DU determines that the DU should perform the function of determining the multi-user weights. This ensures that the downlink fronthaul traffic meets the optical module's traffic limits and that data processing meets the radio unit's capability requirements.

[0160] Optionally, after the DU determines the network unit that performs the function of determining multi-user weights, the DU sends first indication information to the RU. This first indication information can be used to indicate whether the function of determining multi-user weights is activated, or to indicate that the function of determining multi-user weights is performed by the radio unit.

[0161] The first indication information may include the following implementation methods:

[0162] In one implementation, the first indication information may include a bit. When the bit is set to 1, the first indication information is used to indicate activation of the function for determining multi-user weights. Further, after receiving the first indication information, the RU performs either the function for determining multi-user weights or deactivates the function for determining multi-user weights. When the bit is set to 0, the first indication information is used to indicate deactivation of the function for determining multi-user weights; after receiving the first indication information, the RU either does not perform the function for determining multi-user weights or deactivates the function for determining multi-user weights. 0 or 1 is merely an example; the indication can also be reversed, i.e., a bit of 0 indicates deactivation of the function for determining multi-user weights, and a bit of 1 indicates activation of the function for determining multi-user weights.

[0163] In another implementation, when the first indication information includes the identifier of the RU, the first indication information is used to instruct the RU to perform the function of determining multi-user weights. After receiving the first indication information, the RU activates or performs the function of determining multi-user weights. When the first indication information includes the identifier of the DU, the first indication information is used to instruct the DU to perform the function of determining multi-user weights. After receiving the first indication information, the RU either does not perform the function of determining multi-user weights or deactivates the function of determining multi-user weights.

[0164] Furthermore, the DU can send first indication information to the RU based on the second information. Specifically, the DU can determine the downlink fronthaul traffic based on the second information. Based on the downlink fronthaul traffic, the DU determines the network unit that performs the function of determining multi-user weights, or, based on the downlink fronthaul traffic and the first information, determines the network unit that performs the function of determining multi-user weights. If the network unit that performs the function of determining multi-user weights is determined to be the RU, then the DU sends the first indication information to the RU, which instructs the RU to perform the function of determining multi-user weights; if the network unit that performs the function of determining multi-user weights is determined to be the DU, then the DU sends the first indication information to the RU, which instructs the DU to perform the function of determining multi-user weights.

[0165] Optionally, if the network element performing the function of determining multi-user weights is determined to be DU, then DU does not need to send the first indication information to RU. If RU does not receive the first indication information sent by DU, it implicitly indicates that DU determines the multi-user weights.

[0166] If the network unit performing the function of determining the weights of multiple users is determined to be DU, then execute S803-S804; if the network unit performing the function of determining the weights of multiple users is determined to be RU, then execute S805-S806.

[0167] The first method:

[0168] S803,DU determines the multi-user weight of at least one UE based on the single-user weight of at least one UE and scheduling information.

[0169] S804, DU sends the multi-user weights of at least one UE to RU.

[0170] Specifically, the DU can send the multi-user weights of at least one UE to the RU via the fronthaul interface. Optionally, after receiving the multi-user weights of at least one UE, the RU performs beamforming based on the multi-user weights of at least one UE. The fronthaul interface is the interface between the DU and the RU.

[0171] The multi-user weights of the at least one UE are transmitted in a third time window, the size of which is equal to or less than the length of a time slot.

[0172] The second method:

[0173] S805, DU sends at least one UE's single-user weight and scheduling information to RU.

[0174] S806, RU determines the multi-user weight of at least one UE based on the single-user weight of at least one UE and scheduling information.

[0175] The implementation methods of S805-S806 are the same as those of S502-S503. The specific implementation process of S805-S806 can be referred to S502-S503, and will not be repeated here.

[0176] It should be noted that the order of the above steps is not limited. For example, after the DU determines the scheduling information and the single-user weight of at least one UE, it can first send the single-user weight of at least one UE to the RU, and then after the DU determines that the RU determines the multi-user weight, the DU sends the scheduling information to the RU.

[0177] In this embodiment, by dynamically adjusting the network unit that determines the multi-user weights, the downlink fronthaul traffic is ensured to meet the optical module traffic limit. At the same time, the single-user weights are determined only by the DU, which reduces the computational complexity of the system and avoids the problem that the single-user weights used by the DU to determine the scheduling information may be inconsistent with the single-user weights used by the RU to determine the multi-user weights, thereby improving the accuracy of determining the multi-user weights.

[0178] It is understood that, in the above-described method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by the wireless unit can also be implemented by components (e.g., chips or circuits) that can be used by the wireless unit, and the methods and operations implemented by the distributed unit can also be implemented by components (e.g., chips or circuits) that can be used by the distributed unit.

[0179] This application embodiment can divide the wireless unit or distributed unit into functional modules according to the above method examples. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated modules can be implemented in hardware or software functional modules. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. The following description uses the division of functional modules according to each function as an example.

[0180] The methods provided by the embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to Figures 5 and 8. The communication apparatus provided by the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 9 and 10. It should be understood that the descriptions of the apparatus embodiments correspond to the descriptions of the method embodiments; therefore, any content not described in detail can be referred to the method embodiments above, and for the sake of brevity, will not be repeated here.

[0181] Please refer to Figure 9, which is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication device can implement the steps or processes executed by the wireless unit corresponding to the method embodiments described above. In one possible design, the communication device may include a receiving module 901, a processing module 902, and a transmitting module 903. Optionally, the communication device may further include a storage module for storing device program code and / or data.

[0182] The communication device can be a network-side device in the above embodiments, such as a wireless unit or a communication module in a wireless unit, or a circuit or chip in a wireless unit that is responsible for communication functions.

[0183] The receiving module 901 is used to receive scheduling information from the distributed unit and a single-user weight of at least one terminal device, wherein the terminal device corresponding to the scheduling information includes the at least one terminal device.

[0184] The processing module 902 is configured to determine the multi-user weight of the at least one terminal device based on the single-user weight and the scheduling information, wherein the multi-user weight is used for beamforming.

[0185] Optionally, the receiving module 901 is further configured to receive the scheduling information from the distributed unit and the single-user weight of the at least one terminal device through the fronthaul interface.

[0186] Optionally, the receiving module 901 is further configured to receive first indication information from the distributed unit, the first indication information being used to instruct the wireless unit to perform the function of determining multi-user weights, or to instruct the activation of the function of determining multi-user weights.

[0187] Optionally, the first indication information includes the identifier of the wireless unit.

[0188] Optionally, the sending module 903 is used to send first information to the distributed unit, the first information including at least one of the current service load, processor utilization and device power consumption of the wireless unit.

[0189] Optionally, the single-user weight includes an identifier of at least one unit frequency domain resource and a single-user weight corresponding to the identifier of the at least one unit frequency domain resource; and / or, the single-user weight includes an identifier of at least one data stream and a single-user weight corresponding to the identifier of the at least one data stream.

[0190] Optionally, the dimensions of the single-user weight include at least one of the following: the number of at least one terminal devices associated with the single-user weight, the number of the at least one data stream, the number of transmit antennas of the network device, or the number of the at least one unit frequency domain resources; wherein the network device includes the distributed unit and the wireless unit.

[0191] Optionally, the scheduling information includes at least one of the following: the number of at least one unit frequency domain resources scheduled, the number of terminal devices paired with the nth unit frequency domain resource in the at least one unit frequency domain resource and the identifier of the terminal devices, the number of data streams paired with the i-th terminal device in the nth unit frequency domain resource in the at least one unit frequency domain resource, or the unit frequency domain resources in the at least one unit frequency domain resource used for single-user pairing or for multi-user pairing, the size of the unit frequency domain resource, where n and i are both integers greater than or equal to 1.

[0192] Optionally, the size of the unit frequency domain resource is the number of at least one of the following: resource unit, resource unit combination, resource block, physical resource block, and physical resource block combination.

[0193] Optionally, the single-user weight is transmitted in a first time window, the size of which is greater than or equal to the length of at least one time slot.

[0194] Optionally, the scheduling information is transmitted in a second time window, the size of which is less than or equal to the length of a time slot.

[0195] In one possible design, when the communication device is a wireless unit or a communication module within a wireless unit, the functions of the receiving module 901 and the transmitting module 903 can be implemented by transceiver circuitry. The communication device can also have a processing module 902. The functions of this processing module 902 can be implemented by one or more processors. Specifically, the processor may include a modem chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a modem core.

[0196] In one possible design, when the communication device is a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions within a wireless unit, such as a modem chip or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a modem core, the functions of the receiving module 901 and the transmitting module 903 can be implemented by the interface circuitry or data transceiver circuitry on the aforementioned chip. The communication device can also have a processing module 902. The functions of this processing module 902 can be implemented by a circuit system within the aforementioned chip that includes one or more processors or processor cores.

[0197] It should be noted that the implementation of each module can also refer to the corresponding descriptions of the method embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 8, and execute the methods and functions performed by the wireless unit in the above embodiments.

[0198] Please refer to Figure 10, which is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication device can implement the steps or processes executed by the distributed units corresponding to the method embodiments described above. In one possible design, the communication device may include a sending module 1001, a processing module 1002, and a receiving module 1003. Optionally, the communication device may further include a storage module for storing device program code and / or data.

[0199] The communication device can be a network-side device in the above embodiments, such as a distributed unit or a communication module in a distributed unit, or a circuit or chip in a distributed unit that is responsible for communication functions.

[0200] Processing module 1002 is used to determine scheduling information and single-user weight of at least one terminal device, wherein the terminal device corresponding to the scheduling information includes the at least one terminal device;

[0201] The transmitting module 1001 is used to transmit the single-user weight value and the scheduling information of the at least one terminal device to the wireless unit.

[0202] Optionally, the single-user weight and the scheduling information of the at least one terminal device are used to determine the multi-user weight of the at least one terminal device, and the multi-user weight is used for beamforming.

[0203] Optionally, the transmitting module 1001 is further configured to transmit the single-user weight and the scheduling information of the at least one terminal device to the wireless unit via the fronthaul interface.

[0204] Optionally, the sending module 1001 is further configured to send first indication information to the wireless unit, the first indication information being used to instruct the wireless unit to perform the function of determining multi-user weights, or to instruct the activation of the function of determining multi-user weights.

[0205] Optionally, the first indication information includes the identifier of the wireless unit.

[0206] Optionally, the sending module 1001 is further configured to send the first indication information to the wireless unit based on the second information, wherein the second information includes at least one of the following: the number of at least one unit frequency domain resources scheduled by the distributed unit, the number of terminal devices scheduled on each unit frequency domain resource in the at least one unit frequency domain resources, the number of data streams sent by the network device to each of the at least one terminal devices, or the number of transmit antennas of the network device, wherein the network device includes the distributed unit and the wireless unit.

[0207] Optionally, the processing module 1002 is further configured to determine the downlink fronthaul traffic based on the second information; determine, based on the downlink fronthaul traffic, that the function of determining multi-user weights shall be performed by the radio unit; and the sending module is further configured to send the first indication information to the radio unit.

[0208] Optionally, the processing module 1002 is further configured to determine, based on the downlink fronthaul traffic and the first information, that the function of determining multi-user weights shall be performed by the radio unit, wherein the first information includes at least one of the following: the current service load, processor utilization, or device power consumption of the radio unit.

[0209] Optionally, the processing module 1002 is further configured to determine that the function of determining multi-user weights shall be performed by the radio unit when the downlink fronthaul traffic is greater than or equal to the first threshold and the first information meets the preset range; or, when the downlink fronthaul traffic is less than the first threshold or the first information does not meet the preset range, determine that the function of determining multi-user weights shall be performed by the distributed unit.

[0210] Optionally, the receiving module 1003 is further configured to receive a precoding matrix indication and / or reference signal from the at least one terminal device;

[0211] The processing module is further configured to determine the single-user weight of the at least one terminal device based on the precoding matrix indication and / or the channel estimation of the reference signal.

[0212] Optionally, the processing module 1002 is further configured to determine the scheduling information based on the channel estimation of the reference signal and the single-user weight of the at least one terminal device.

[0213] Optionally, the single-user weight includes an identifier of at least one unit frequency domain resource and a single-user weight corresponding to the identifier of the at least one unit frequency domain resource, and / or, the single-user weight includes an identifier of at least one data stream and a single-user weight corresponding to the identifier of the at least one data stream.

[0214] Optionally, the dimensions of the single-user weight include at least one of the following: the number of at least one terminal devices associated with the single-user weight, the number of the at least one data stream, the number of transmit antennas of the network device, or the number of the at least one unit frequency domain resources; wherein the network device includes the distributed unit and the wireless unit.

[0215] Optionally, the scheduling information includes at least one of the following: the number of at least one unit frequency domain resources scheduled, the number of terminal devices paired with the nth unit frequency domain resource in the at least one unit frequency domain resource and the identifier of the terminal devices, the number of data streams paired with the i-th terminal device in the nth unit frequency domain resource in the at least one unit frequency domain resource, or the unit frequency domain resources in the at least one unit frequency domain resource used for single-user pairing or for multi-user pairing, the size of the unit frequency domain resource, where n and i are both integers greater than or equal to 1.

[0216] Optionally, the size of the unit frequency domain resource is the number of at least one of the following: resource unit, resource unit combination, resource block, physical resource block, and physical resource block combination.

[0217] Optionally, the single-user weight is transmitted in a first time window, the size of which is greater than or equal to the length of at least one time slot.

[0218] Optionally, the scheduling information is transmitted in a second time window, the size of which is less than or equal to the length of a time slot.

[0219] In one possible design, when the communication device is a distributed unit or a communication module within a distributed unit, the functionality of the processing module 1002 can be implemented by one or more processors. Specifically, the processor may include a modem chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core. The functions of the receiving module 1003 and the transmitting module 1001 can be implemented by transceiver circuitry.

[0220] In one possible design, when the communication device is a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in a distributed unit, such as a modem chip or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a modem core, the function of the processing module 1002 can be implemented by a circuit system in the aforementioned chip that includes one or more processors or processor cores. The functions of the receiving module 1003 and the transmitting module 1001 can be implemented by interface circuits or data transceiver circuits on the aforementioned chip.

[0221] It should be noted that the implementation of each module can also refer to the corresponding descriptions of the method embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 8, and execute the methods and functions performed by the distributed unit in the above embodiments.

[0222] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a wireless unit provided in an embodiment of this application. This wireless unit can be applied to the system shown in Figure 1 to perform the functions of the wireless unit in the above method embodiments, or to implement the steps or processes performed by the wireless unit in the above method embodiments.

[0223] As shown in Figure 11, the wireless unit includes a processor 1101 and a transceiver 1102. The transceiver 1102 includes a transmitter 1121, a receiver 1122, and an antenna 1123. The receiver 1122 can be used to receive transmission control information through the antenna 1123, and the transmitter 1121 can be used to send transmission feedback information to the distributed unit through the antenna 1123. Optionally, the wireless unit also includes a memory 1103. The processor 1101, transceiver 1102, and memory 1103 can communicate with each other through internal connection paths to transmit control and / or data signals. The memory 1103 stores computer programs, and the processor 1101 calls and runs the computer programs from the memory 1103 to control the transceiver 1102 to transmit and receive signals. Optionally, the wireless unit may also include an antenna for transmitting uplink data or uplink control signaling output by the transceiver 1102 via wireless signals.

[0224] The processor 1101 described above can correspond to the processing module in Figure 9. The processor 1101 and the memory 1103 can be integrated into a single processing device. The processor 1101 is used to execute the program code stored in the memory 1103 to achieve the above functions. In specific implementations, the memory 1103 can be integrated into the processor 1101 or independent of the processor 1101.

[0225] The transceiver 1102 described above can correspond to the receiving module and transmitting module in Figure 9, and can also be called a transceiver unit or transceiver module. The transceiver 1102 may include a receiver (or receiver circuit) and a transmitter (or transmitter circuit). The receiver is used to receive signals, and the transmitter is used to transmit signals.

[0226] It should be understood that the wireless unit shown in Figure 11 can implement the various processes involving the wireless unit in the method embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 8. The operation and / or function of each module in the wireless unit are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description in the above method embodiments; to avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are appropriately omitted here.

[0227] The processor 1101 described above can be used to execute the actions implemented internally by the wireless unit as described in the preceding method embodiments, while the transceiver 1102 can be used to execute the actions described in the preceding method embodiments of transmitting data from the wireless unit to the distributed unit or receiving data from the distributed unit. For details, please refer to the descriptions in the preceding method embodiments; they will not be repeated here.

[0228] The processor 1101 can be a central processing unit, a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processor 1101 can also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, etc. The wireless unit may also include a communication bus, which can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. The communication bus is used to realize the connection and communication between these components. In this embodiment, the transceiver 1102 is used for signaling or data communication with other node devices. The memory 1103 may include volatile memory, such as nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM), phase change RAM (PRAM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), etc., and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory devices, such as NOR flash memory or NAND flash memory, semiconductor devices, such as solid-state disk (SSD), etc. Optionally, the memory 1103 may also be at least one storage device located remotely from the aforementioned processor 1101. Optionally, the memory 1103 may also store a set of computer program code or configuration information. Optionally, the processor 1101 may also execute the program stored in the memory 1103. The processor can cooperate with the memory and transceiver to execute any of the methods and functions of the wireless unit in the above-described embodiments.

[0229] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a distributed unit provided in an embodiment of this application. This distributed unit can be applied to the system shown in Figure 1 to execute the functions of the distributed unit in the above method embodiments, or to implement the steps or processes executed by the distributed unit in the above method embodiments.

[0230] As shown in Figure 12, the distributed unit includes a processor 1201 and a transceiver 1202. The transceiver 1202 includes a transmitter 1221, a receiver 1222, and an antenna 1223. The transmitter 1221 can be used to send transmission control information to the terminal device through the antenna 1223, and the receiver 1222 can be used to receive transmission feedback information sent by the terminal device through the antenna 1223. Optionally, the distributed unit also includes a memory 1203. The processor 1201, transceiver 1202, and memory 1203 can communicate with each other through internal connection paths to transmit control and / or data signals. The memory 1203 is used to store computer programs, and the processor 1201 is used to call and run the computer programs from the memory 1203 to control the transceiver 1202 to transmit and receive signals. Optionally, the distributed unit may also include an antenna for transmitting uplink data or uplink control signaling output by the transceiver 1202 via wireless signals.

[0231] The processor 1201 described above can correspond to the processing module in Figure 10. The processor 1201 and the memory 1203 can be integrated into a single processing device. The processor 1201 is used to execute the program code stored in the memory 1203 to achieve the above functions. In specific implementations, the memory 1203 can be integrated into the processor 1201 or independent of the processor 1201.

[0232] The transceiver 1202 described above can correspond to the receiving module and transmitting module in Figure 10, and can also be called a transceiver unit or transceiver module. The transceiver 1202 may include a receiver (or receiver circuit) and a transmitter (or transmitter circuit). The receiver is used to receive signals, and the transmitter is used to transmit signals.

[0233] It should be understood that the distributed unit shown in Figure 12 can implement the various processes involving the distributed unit in the method embodiments shown in Figures 5 and 8. The operations and / or functions of each module in the distributed unit are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments; to avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are appropriately omitted here.

[0234] The processor 1201 described above can be used to execute the actions implemented internally by the distributed unit as described in the preceding method embodiments, while the transceiver 1202 can be used to execute the actions described in the preceding method embodiments of transmitting to or receiving from the wireless unit by the distributed unit. For details, please refer to the descriptions in the preceding method embodiments; they will not be repeated here.

[0235] The processor 1201 can be any of the processors mentioned above. The distributed unit may also include a communication bus, which can be a PCI bus (Peripheral Component Interconnect Standard) or an EISA bus (Extended Industry Standard Architecture). The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus. The communication bus is used to enable communication between these components. In this embodiment, the transceiver 1202 is used for signaling or data communication with other devices. The memory 1203 can be any of the memory types mentioned above. Optionally, the memory 1203 can also be at least one storage device located away from the processor 1201. The memory 1203 stores a set of computer program code or configuration information, and the processor 1201 executes the program in the memory 1203. The processor can cooperate with the memory and transceiver to execute any of the methods and functions of the distributed unit in the above embodiments.

[0236] This application also provides a chip system including a processor for supporting a wireless unit or a distributed unit to implement the functions involved in any of the above embodiments, such as generating or processing multi-user weights involved in the above methods.

[0237] In one possible design, the chip system may further include a memory for storing computer programs and data necessary for the wireless unit or distributed unit. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices. The inputs and outputs of the chip system correspond to the receiving and transmitting operations of the wireless unit or distributed unit in the method embodiment, respectively.

[0238] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a computer program product, which includes: a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any one of the embodiments shown in FIG5 or FIG8.

[0239] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a computer-readable medium storing a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of any one of the embodiments shown in FIG5 or FIG8.

[0240] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., high-density digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

[0241] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The wireless unit receives scheduling information from the distributed unit and a single-user weight of at least one terminal device, wherein the terminal device corresponding to the scheduling information includes the at least one terminal device; The wireless unit determines the multi-user weight of the at least one terminal device based on the single-user weight and the scheduling information, and the multi-user weight is used for beamforming.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The wireless unit receives scheduling information from the distributed unit and single-user weights from at least one terminal device, including: The wireless unit receives the scheduling information from the distributed unit and the single-user weight of the at least one terminal device through the fronthaul interface.

3. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: The wireless unit receives first indication information from the distributed unit, the first indication information being used to instruct the wireless unit to perform the function of determining multi-user weights, or to instruct the activation of the function of determining multi-user weights.

4. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The first indication information includes the identifier of the wireless unit.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The method further includes: The wireless unit sends first information to the distributed unit, the first information including at least one of the wireless unit's current service load, processor utilization, and device power consumption.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The single-user weight includes an identifier of at least one unit of frequency domain resource and a single-user weight corresponding to the identifier of the at least one unit of frequency domain resource; and / or, The single-user weight includes an identifier for at least one data stream and a single-user weight corresponding to the identifier of the at least one data stream.

7. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The dimensions of the single-user weight include at least one of the following: the number of at least one terminal devices associated with the single-user weight, the number of at least one data stream, the number of transmit antennas of the network device, or the number of at least one unit frequency domain resources; The network device includes the distributed unit and the wireless unit.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The scheduling information includes at least one of the following: the number of at least one unit frequency domain resources scheduled, the number of terminal devices paired with the nth unit frequency domain resource in the at least one unit frequency domain resource and the identifier of the terminal devices, the number of data streams paired with the i-th terminal device in the nth unit frequency domain resource in the at least one unit frequency domain resource, or the unit frequency domain resources in the at least one unit frequency domain resource used for single-user pairing or for multi-user pairing, the size of the unit frequency domain resource, and n and i are both integers greater than or equal to 1.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6-8, characterized in that, The size of the unit frequency domain resource is the number of at least one of the following: resource unit, resource unit combination, resource block, physical resource block, and physical resource block combination.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The single-user weight is transmitted in a first time window, the size of which is greater than or equal to the length of at least one time slot.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The scheduling information is transmitted in a second time window, the size of which is less than or equal to the length of a time slot.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The distributed unit determines scheduling information and the single-user weight of at least one terminal device, wherein the terminal device corresponding to the scheduling information includes the at least one terminal device. The distributed unit sends the single-user weight and scheduling information of the at least one terminal device to the wireless unit.

13. The method as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The single-user weight and scheduling information of the at least one terminal device are used to determine the multi-user weight of the at least one terminal device, and the multi-user weight is used for beamforming.

14. The method as described in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The distributed unit sends the single-user weight and scheduling information of the at least one terminal device to the wireless unit, including: The distributed unit sends the single-user weights and scheduling information of the at least one terminal device to the wireless unit via the fronthaul interface.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12-14, characterized in that, The method further includes: The distributed unit sends a first indication message to the wireless unit, the first indication message being used to instruct the wireless unit to perform the function of determining multi-user weights, or to instruct the activation of the function of determining multi-user weights.

16. The method as described in claim 15, characterized in that, The first indication information includes the identifier of the wireless unit.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12-16, characterized in that, The distributed unit sends first indication information to the wireless unit, including: The distributed unit sends the first indication information to the wireless unit based on the second information; The second information includes at least one of the following: the number of at least one unit frequency domain resources scheduled by the distributed unit, the number of terminal devices scheduled on each unit frequency domain resource in the at least one unit frequency domain resources, the number of data streams sent by the network device to each of the at least one terminal devices, or the number of transmit antennas of the network device, wherein the network device includes the distributed unit and the wireless unit.

18. The method as described in claim 17, characterized in that, The distributed unit sends the first indication information to the wireless unit based on the second information, including: The distributed unit determines the downlink forward transmission traffic based on the second information; The distributed unit determines, based on the downlink fronthaul traffic, that the radio unit will perform the function of determining multi-user weights. The distributed unit sends the first instruction information to the wireless unit.

19. The method as described in claim 18, characterized in that, The distributed unit determines, based on the downlink fronthaul traffic, that the radio unit will perform the function of determining multi-user weights, including: The distributed unit determines, based on the downlink fronthaul traffic and the first information, that the wireless unit shall perform the function of determining the multi-user weights. The first information includes at least one of the following: the current service load, processor utilization, or device power consumption of the wireless unit.

20. The method as described in claim 19, characterized in that, The distributed unit determines, based on the downlink fronthaul traffic and the first information, that the radio unit will perform the function of determining multi-user weights, including: When the downlink fronthaul traffic is greater than or equal to a first threshold and the first information meets a preset range, the distributed unit determines that the radio unit will perform the function of determining multi-user weights; or, When the downlink forward transmission traffic is less than the first threshold, or the first information does not meet the preset range, the distributed unit determines to perform the function of determining the weights of multiple users.

21. The method according to any one of claims 12-20, characterized in that, The distributed unit determines the single-user weight of at least one terminal device, including: The distributed unit receives a precoded matrix indication and / or reference signal from the at least one terminal device; The distributed unit determines the single-user weight of the at least one terminal device based on the precoding matrix indication and / or the channel estimation of the reference signal.

22. The method as described in claim 21, characterized in that, The distributed unit determines the scheduling information including: The distributed unit determines the scheduling information based on the channel estimation of the reference signal and the single-user weight of the at least one terminal device.

23. The method according to any one of claims 12-22, characterized in that, The single-user weight includes: an identifier of at least one unit of frequency domain resource, and a single-user weight corresponding to the identifier of the at least one unit of frequency domain resource; and / or, The single-user weight includes an identifier for at least one data stream and a single-user weight corresponding to the identifier of the at least one data stream.

24. The method as described in claim 23, characterized in that, The dimensions of the single-user weight include at least one of the following: the number of at least one terminal devices associated with the single-user weight, the number of at least one data stream, the number of transmit antennas of the network device, or the number of at least one unit frequency domain resources; The network device includes the distributed unit and the wireless unit.

25. The method according to any one of claims 12-24, characterized in that, The scheduling information includes at least one of the following: the number of at least one unit frequency domain resources scheduled, the number of terminal devices paired with the nth unit frequency domain resource in the at least one unit frequency domain resource and the identifier of the terminal devices, the number of data streams paired with the i-th terminal device in the nth unit frequency domain resource in the at least one unit frequency domain resource, or the unit frequency domain resources in the at least one unit frequency domain resource used for single-user pairing or for multi-user pairing, the size of the unit frequency domain resource, and n and i are both integers greater than or equal to 1.

26. The method according to any one of claims 23-25, characterized in that, The size of the unit frequency domain resource is the number of at least one of the following: resource unit, resource unit combination, resource block, physical resource block, and physical resource block combination.

27. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a memory and a processor, the memory being used to store a computer program, and the processor running the computer program to cause the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1-11 or any one of claims 12-26.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium includes a computer program that, when executed by a processor, causes the method of any one of claims 1-11 or any one of claims 12-26 to be implemented.

29. A chip, characterized in that, The chip includes a processor and a communication interface, the communication interface being used to communicate with external or internal devices, and the processor being used to implement the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-11 or any one of claims 12-26.

30. A communication system, characterized in that, The system includes a wireless unit and a distributed unit, the wireless unit being configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-11, and the distributed unit being configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 12-26.

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