Communication method, apparatus and system, storage medium and program product

Abstract

A communication method, an apparatus, a system, a storage medium and a program product, relating to the technical field of communications. The communication method comprises: a DU sends first information to an RU to instruct performing MU beamforming weight calculation on a first frequency domain resource set; on the basis of the first information, the RU acquires a first MU beamforming weight calculation result corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set; the DU sends second information to the RU to indicate a second MU beamforming weight calculation result corresponding to a second frequency domain resource set; and, on the basis of the first MU beamforming weight calculation result and the second MU beamforming weight calculation result, the RU acquires an MU beamforming weight calculation result corresponding to the full frequency band. By means of the solution of the present application, the DU does not need to send to the RU the MU beamforming weight calculation result corresponding to the full frequency band, thus reducing downlink fronthaul traffic. In addition, the RU only needs to calculate the first MU beamforming weight calculation result corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, thus lowering the calculation complexity of the RU.

Description

Communication methods, devices, systems, storage media and software products

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411562117.9, filed on November 1, 2024, entitled "Communication Method, Apparatus, System, Storage Medium and Program Product", 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, apparatus, system, storage medium, and program product. Background Technology

[0003] In multi-user (MU) multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems, beamforming (BF) technology can improve transmission performance.

[0004] Existing technologies include a weight-based dynamic beamforming (WDBF) technique, in which the distributed unit (DU) calculates the MU weights and then sends them to the radio unit (RU) via the fronthaul interface. However, the transmission time granularity of the MU weights is small, and the data volume is large, which will exceed the traffic limit of the fronthaul physical module under the requirements of larger antenna scale and larger transmission bandwidth.

[0005] Therefore, in the context of fronthaul architecture, how to reduce downlink fronthaul traffic is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, system, storage medium, and program product to reduce downlink fronthaul traffic and lower the computational complexity on the RU.

[0007] Firstly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to the RU side, such as the RU or the communication module in the RU, or to the circuits or chips of the RU (such as modem chips (also known as baseband chips), or system-on-chip (SoC) chips or system-in-package (SIP) chips containing modem cores). Taking the application of this method to the RU as an example.

[0008] In this method, the RU receives first information from the DU, which indicates that multi-user beamforming weights are calculated on a first frequency domain resource set; the RU obtains the first multi-user beamforming weight calculation result corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set based on the first information; the RU receives second information from the DU, which indicates the second multi-user beamforming weight calculation result corresponding to a second frequency domain resource set; and the RU obtains the multi-user beamforming weight calculation result corresponding to the entire frequency band based on the first and second multi-user beamforming weight calculation results, wherein the entire frequency band includes the first and second frequency domain resource sets.

[0009] This method divides the work of MU beamforming weight calculation between RU and DU. RU obtains the first MU beamforming weight calculation result corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, and DU obtains the second MU beamforming weight calculation result corresponding to the second frequency domain resource set and sends it to RU. RU obtains the MU beamforming weight calculation result corresponding to the full frequency band based on the first and second MU beamforming weight calculation results. Thus, DU does not need to send the MU beamforming weight calculation result corresponding to the full frequency band to RU, which can reduce downlink fronthaul traffic. Moreover, RU only needs to calculate the first MU beamforming weight calculation result corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, which can reduce the computational complexity of RU.

[0010] For example, downlink fronthaul traffic refers to the bandwidth or traffic required for the DU to send information to the RU through the fronthaul interface.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible design, the first frequency domain resource set is distributed in a block-like manner, and the aforementioned first information includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the starting frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the identifier of the ending frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, and the number of frequency domain resource units in the first frequency domain resource set.

[0012] Using this design, the first frequency domain resource set can be accurately determined by receiving an indication of the resources in the first frequency domain resource set that are distributed in a block-like manner.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in another possible design, the first frequency domain resource set is distributed in a comb-like pattern, and the aforementioned first information includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the starting frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the identifier of the ending frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the comb tooth spacing between the frequency domain resource units in the first frequency domain resource set, and the comb tooth length.

[0014] Using this design, the first frequency domain resource set can be accurately determined by receiving an indication of the resources in the first frequency domain resource set that are distributed in a comb-like pattern.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in another possible design, the first frequency domain resource set is irregularly distributed, and the aforementioned first information includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the starting frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the identifier of the ending frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, and a bitmap, wherein the bitmap indicates whether each frequency domain resource unit in the full frequency band is subjected to multi-user beamforming weight calculation by the RU.

[0016] Using this design, the first frequency domain resource set can be accurately determined by receiving an indication of resources in the first frequency domain resource set that are irregularly distributed.

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect, in another possible design, the aforementioned first information includes a predefined frequency domain division of labor structure identifier. The method further includes: the radio unit querying a locally stored frequency domain division of labor structure based on the frequency domain division of labor structure identifier to obtain a first frequency domain resource set and a second frequency domain resource set. For example, this could be predefined by the protocol.

[0018] For example, the frequency domain division of labor structure identifier can also indicate the proportion of the first frequency domain resource set to the total frequency band resources, thereby indicating the division of labor between DU and RU in multi-user beamforming weight calculation in the frequency domain.

[0019] By adopting this design, the frequency domain division of labor structure is predefined through the protocol, and the first information only needs to indicate the frequency domain division of labor structure identifier, which can save signaling overhead.

[0020] In conjunction with the first aspect, in another possible design, the method further includes: the RU receiving third information from the DU, the third information indicating layer 2 scheduling information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set.

[0021] Using this design, by receiving the Layer 2 scheduling information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, it is possible to obtain the calculation results of the first multi-user beamforming weights corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set.

[0022] In conjunction with the first aspect, in another possible design, the aforementioned Layer 2 scheduling information includes at least one of the following: the number of users corresponding to each frequency domain resource unit in at least one frequency domain resource unit, the identifier of each user corresponding to each frequency domain resource unit in at least one frequency domain resource unit, the number of data streams corresponding to each user, the frequency domain resource unit used for single-user pairing or the unit frequency domain unit used for multi-user pairing in at least one frequency domain resource unit, and the size of each frequency domain resource unit in at least one frequency domain resource unit.

[0023] In conjunction with the first aspect, in another possible design, the RU obtains the first multi-user beamforming weight calculation result corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, including: the RU receiving fourth information from the DU, the fourth information including the identifier of at least one user, and the channel estimation result and precoding matrix indication information of the full frequency band corresponding to each of the at least one user; the RU obtaining the beamforming weight corresponding to each user based on the channel estimation result and precoding matrix indication information of the full frequency band corresponding to each of the at least one user; and the RU obtaining the first multi-user beamforming weight calculation result based on the layer 2 scheduling information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set and the beamforming weight corresponding to each user.

[0024] Using this design, the RU receives the channel estimation results and precoding matrix indication information of the entire frequency band. Based on the channel estimation results and precoding matrix indication information of the entire frequency band, it can obtain the beamforming weights corresponding to each user, and then obtain the first multi-user beamforming weight calculation results.

[0025] In conjunction with the first aspect, in another possible design, the RU obtains the calculation result of the first multi-user beamforming weights corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, including: the RU receiving fifth information from the DU, the fifth information including channel estimation results and precoding matrix indication information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, and the identifier of at least one associated user; the RU obtaining beamforming weights corresponding to at least one associated user based on the channel estimation results and precoding matrix indication information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set; and the RU obtaining the calculation result of the first multi-user beamforming weights based on the layer 2 scheduling information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set and the beamforming weights corresponding to at least one associated user.

[0026] With this design, the RU receives the channel estimation results and precoding matrix indication information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, and obtains the beamforming weights corresponding to at least one associated user based on the channel estimation results and precoding matrix indication information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, and then obtains the first multi-user beamforming weight calculation results. The DU does not need to send the full-band channel estimation results and precoding matrix indication information to the RU, which can save signaling overhead; and the RU does not need to store the full-band channel estimation results and precoding matrix indication information, which can reduce the storage burden of the RU.

[0027] In conjunction with the first aspect, in another possible design, the aforementioned first information is sent statically, periodically, or non-periodically.

[0028] In conjunction with the first aspect, in another possible design, the first frequency domain resource element is any one of a resource element (RE), a resource element bundle (RE bundle), a resource block (RB), a physical resource block (Physical Resource Block), or a physical resource block bundle (PRB bundle); the second frequency domain resource element is any one of a resource element, a resource element bundle, a resource block, a physical resource, or a physical resource block bundle.

[0029] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which, exemplarily, can be applied to the DU side, such as the DU or a communication module within the DU, or can be applied to the circuits or chips of the DU (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core). The above method is exemplified by its application to the DU side.

[0030] In this method, the DU sends a first message to the RU, which instructs the calculation of multi-user beamforming weights on a first frequency domain resource set; the DU obtains the calculation result of the second multi-user beamforming weights corresponding to the second frequency domain resource set; and the DU sends a second message to the RU, which instructs the calculation result of the second multi-user beamforming weights.

[0031] Using this method, the calculation of MU beamforming weights is divided between the RU and DU. The RU obtains the calculation result of the first MU beamforming weights corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, and the DU obtains the calculation result of the second MU beamforming weights corresponding to the second frequency domain resource set and sends it to the RU. The RU obtains the calculation result of the MU beamforming weights corresponding to the whole frequency band based on the calculation results of the first and second MU beamforming weights. Thus, the DU does not need to send the calculation result of the MU beamforming weights corresponding to the whole frequency band to the RU, which can reduce downlink fronthaul traffic.

[0032] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible design, the first frequency domain resource set is distributed in a block-like manner, and the aforementioned first information includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the starting frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the identifier of the ending frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, and the number of frequency domain resource units in the first frequency domain resource set.

[0033] In conjunction with the second aspect, in another possible design, the first frequency domain resource set is distributed in a comb-like pattern, and the aforementioned first information includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the starting frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the identifier of the ending frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the comb tooth spacing between the frequency domain resource units in the first frequency domain resource set, and the comb tooth length.

[0034] In conjunction with the second aspect, in another possible design, the first frequency domain resource set is irregularly distributed, and the aforementioned first information includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the starting frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the identifier of the ending frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, and a bit map, wherein the bit map indicates whether each frequency domain resource unit in the full frequency band is subjected to multi-user beamforming weight calculation by the RU, and the full frequency band includes the first frequency domain resource set and the second frequency domain resource set.

[0035] In conjunction with the second aspect, in another possible design, the aforementioned first information includes a predefined frequency domain division of labor structure identifier, and the first frequency domain resource set and the second frequency domain resource set are determined based on the frequency domain division of labor structure identifier. For example, this could be predefined by the protocol.

[0036] In conjunction with the second aspect, in another possible design, the method further includes: the DU obtaining the Layer 2 scheduling information corresponding to the full frequency band based on the channel estimation results of the full frequency band corresponding to each user in at least one user and the beamforming weights corresponding to each user; and the DU sending third information to the RU, the third information indicating the Layer 2 scheduling information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set.

[0037] In conjunction with the second aspect, in another possible design, the aforementioned Layer 2 scheduling information includes at least one of the following: the number of users corresponding to each frequency domain resource unit in at least one frequency domain resource unit, the identifier of each user corresponding to each frequency domain resource unit in at least one frequency domain resource unit, the number of data streams corresponding to each user, the frequency domain resource unit used for single-user pairing or the unit frequency domain unit used for multi-user pairing in at least one frequency domain resource unit, and the size of each frequency domain resource unit in at least one frequency domain resource unit.

[0038] In conjunction with the second aspect, in another possible design, the method further includes: the DU sending fourth information to the RU, the fourth information including the identifier of at least one user, and the channel estimation result and precoding matrix indication information of the full frequency band corresponding to each of the at least one user; or the DU sending fifth information to the RU, the fifth information including the channel estimation result and precoding matrix indication information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, and the identifier of at least one user associated therewith.

[0039] In conjunction with the second aspect, in another possible design, the DU obtains the calculation results of the second multi-user beamforming weights corresponding to the second frequency domain resource set, including: the DU obtains the beamforming weights corresponding to each user based on the channel estimation results and precoding matrix indication information of the full-band corresponding to each user in at least one user; and the DU obtains the calculation results of the second multi-user beamforming weights corresponding to the second frequency domain resource set based on the layer 2 scheduling information and the beamforming weights corresponding to each user.

[0040] In conjunction with the second aspect, in another possible design, the first message is sent statically, periodically, or aperiodically.

[0041] In conjunction with the second aspect, in another possible design, the first frequency domain resource unit is any one of a resource unit, a combination of resource units, a resource block, a physical resource, or a combination of physical resource blocks; the second frequency domain resource unit is any one of a resource unit, a combination of resource units, a resource block, a physical resource, or a combination of physical resource blocks.

[0042] Thirdly, a communication device is provided. This communication device can implement the methods in the first aspect, the second aspect, or any one of the designs described above. For example, the communication device can be a chip or a device. The above methods can be implemented through software, hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software.

[0043] In one possible design, the communication device may include a transmitting unit, a receiving unit, and a processing unit. The transmitting unit and the receiving unit may be independent or combined (which may be referred to as a "transmit-receiver unit").

[0044] When the device is used to design the first aspect or any method of the first aspect, the transceiver unit is used to receive first information from the DU, the first information indicating multi-user beamforming weight calculation on the first frequency domain resource set; the processing unit is used to obtain the first multi-user beamforming weight calculation result corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set based on the first information; the transceiver unit is also used to receive second information from the DU, the second information indicating the second multi-user beamforming weight calculation result corresponding to the second frequency domain resource set; and the processing unit is also used to obtain the multi-user beamforming weight calculation result corresponding to the entire frequency band based on the first multi-user beamforming weight calculation result and the second multi-user beamforming weight calculation result, the entire frequency band including the first frequency domain resource set and the second frequency domain resource set.

[0045] Optionally, the first frequency domain resource set is distributed in a block-like manner, and the aforementioned first information includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the starting frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the identifier of the ending frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, and the number of frequency domain resource units in the first frequency domain resource set.

[0046] Optionally, the first frequency domain resource set is distributed in a comb-like pattern, and the first information includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the starting frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the identifier of the ending frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the comb spacing between the frequency domain resource units in the first frequency domain resource set, and the comb length.

[0047] Optionally, the first frequency domain resource set is irregularly distributed, and the first information includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the starting frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the identifier of the ending frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, and a bit map, wherein the bit map indicates whether each frequency domain resource unit in the full frequency band is subjected to multi-user beamforming weight calculation by the RU.

[0048] Optionally, the aforementioned first information includes a predefined frequency domain division of labor structure identifier. The processing unit is further configured to query the locally stored frequency domain division of labor structure based on the frequency domain division of labor structure identifier to obtain a first frequency domain resource set and a second frequency domain resource set. For example, this information may be predefined by the protocol.

[0049] For example, the frequency domain division of labor structure identifier can also indicate the proportion of the first frequency domain resource set to the total frequency band resources, thereby indicating the division of labor between DU and RU in multi-user beamforming weight calculation in the frequency domain.

[0050] Optionally, the transceiver unit is also configured to receive third information from the DU, the third information indicating the layer 2 scheduling information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set.

[0051] Optionally, the aforementioned Layer 2 scheduling information includes at least one of the following: the number of users corresponding to each frequency domain resource unit in at least one frequency domain resource unit, the identifier of each user corresponding to each frequency domain resource unit in at least one frequency domain resource unit, the number of data streams corresponding to each user, the frequency domain resource unit used for single-user pairing or the unit frequency domain unit used for multi-user pairing in at least one frequency domain resource unit, and the size of each frequency domain resource unit in at least one frequency domain resource unit.

[0052] Optionally, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive fourth information from the DU, the fourth information including the identifier of at least one user, and the channel estimation result and precoding matrix indication information of the full-band corresponding to each of the at least one user; the processing unit is further configured to obtain the beamforming weight corresponding to each user based on the channel estimation result and precoding matrix indication information of the full-band corresponding to each of the at least one user; and the processing unit is further configured to obtain the first multi-user beamforming weight calculation result based on the layer 2 scheduling information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set and the beamforming weight corresponding to each user.

[0053] Optionally, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive fifth information from the DU, the fifth information including channel estimation results and precoding matrix indication information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, and the identifier of at least one associated user; the processing unit is further configured to obtain beamforming weights corresponding to at least one associated user based on the channel estimation results and precoding matrix indication information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set; and the processing unit is further configured to obtain the first multi-user beamforming weight calculation result based on the layer 2 scheduling information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set and the beamforming weights corresponding to at least one associated user.

[0054] Optionally, the first information can be sent statically, periodically, or aperiodically.

[0055] Optionally, the first frequency domain resource unit is any one of a resource unit, a combination of resource units, a resource block, a physical resource, or a combination of physical resource blocks; the second frequency domain resource unit is any one of a resource unit, a combination of resource units, a resource block, a physical resource, or a combination of physical resource blocks.

[0056] Further features and beneficial effects can be found in the relevant description in the first aspect.

[0057] When the device is used to design the second aspect or any of the design methods of the second aspect, the transceiver unit is used to send first information to the RU, the first information indicating the calculation of multi-user beamforming weights on the first frequency domain resource set; the processing unit is used to obtain the calculation result of the second multi-user beamforming weights corresponding to the second frequency domain resource set; and the transceiver unit is also used to send second information to the RU, the second information indicating the calculation result of the second multi-user beamforming weights.

[0058] Optionally, the first frequency domain resource set is distributed in a block-like manner, and the aforementioned first information includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the starting frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the identifier of the ending frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, and the number of frequency domain resource units in the first frequency domain resource set.

[0059] Optionally, the first frequency domain resource set is distributed in a comb-like pattern, and the first information includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the starting frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the identifier of the ending frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the comb spacing between the frequency domain resource units in the first frequency domain resource set, and the comb length.

[0060] Optionally, the first frequency domain resource set is irregularly distributed, and the aforementioned first information includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the starting frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the identifier of the ending frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, and a bit map, wherein the bit map indicates whether each frequency domain resource unit in the full frequency band is subjected to multi-user beamforming weight calculation by the RU, and the full frequency band includes the first frequency domain resource set and the second frequency domain resource set.

[0061] Optionally, the aforementioned first information includes a predefined frequency domain division of labor structure identifier, and the first frequency domain resource set and the second frequency domain resource set are determined based on the frequency domain division of labor structure identifier. For example, it may be predefined by the protocol.

[0062] Optionally, the processing unit is further configured to obtain the Layer 2 scheduling information corresponding to the full frequency band based on the channel estimation results of the full frequency band corresponding to each user and the beamforming weights corresponding to each user; and the transceiver unit is further configured to send third information to the RU, the third information indicating the Layer 2 scheduling information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set.

[0063] Optionally, the aforementioned Layer 2 scheduling information includes at least one of the following: the number of users corresponding to each frequency domain resource unit in at least one frequency domain resource unit, the identifier of each user corresponding to each frequency domain resource unit in at least one frequency domain resource unit, the number of data streams corresponding to each user, the frequency domain resource unit used for single-user pairing or the unit frequency domain unit used for multi-user pairing in at least one frequency domain resource unit, and the size of each frequency domain resource unit in at least one frequency domain resource unit.

[0064] Optionally, the transceiver unit is further configured to send fourth information to the RU, the fourth information including the identifier of at least one user, and the channel estimation result and precoding matrix indication information of the full frequency band corresponding to each of the at least one user; or the transceiver unit is further configured to send fifth information to the RU, the fifth information including the channel estimation result and precoding matrix indication information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, and the identifier of at least one user associated therewith.

[0065] Optionally, the processing unit is further configured to obtain beamforming weights corresponding to each user based on the channel estimation results and precoding matrix indication information of the full-band corresponding to each user in at least one user; and the processing unit is further configured to obtain the calculation results of the second multi-user beamforming weights corresponding to the second frequency domain resource set based on the layer 2 scheduling information and the beamforming weights corresponding to each user.

[0066] Optionally, the first information can be sent statically, periodically, or aperiodically.

[0067] Optionally, the first frequency domain resource unit is any one of a resource unit, a combination of resource units, a resource block, a physical resource, or a combination of physical resource blocks; the second frequency domain resource unit is any one of a resource unit, a combination of resource units, a resource block, a physical resource, or a combination of physical resource blocks.

[0068] In another possible design, the communication device in the third aspect described above includes a processor coupled to a memory; the processor is configured to support the device in performing the corresponding functions in the communication method described above. The memory is used to couple to the processor and stores computer programs (or computer-executable instructions) and / or data necessary for the device. Optionally, the communication device may also include a communication interface for supporting communication between the device and other network elements, such as the transmission or reception of data and / or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface. Optionally, the memory may be located internally in the communication device and integrated with the processor; alternatively, it may be located externally to the communication device.

[0069] In another possible design, the communication device in the third aspect mentioned above includes a processor and a transceiver device. The processor is coupled to the transceiver device and executes computer programs or instructions to control the transceiver device to receive and send information. When the processor executes the computer programs or instructions, it also implements the above method through logic circuits or executing code instructions. The transceiver device can be a transceiver, transceiver circuit, or input / output interface, used to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. When the communication device is a chip, the transceiver device is a transceiver circuit or an input / output interface.

[0070] When the communication device in the third aspect above is a chip, the transmitting unit can be an output unit, such as an output circuit or a communication interface; the receiving unit can be an input unit, such as an input circuit or a communication interface. When the communication device is a terminal device, the transmitting unit can be a transmitter or a receiver; the receiving unit can be a receiver or a receiver.

[0071] Fourthly, a communication system is provided, comprising a first communication device and a second communication device, wherein the first communication device is used to implement a method as described in the first aspect or any of the designs in the first aspect, and the second communication device is used to implement a method as described in the second aspect or any of the designs in the second aspect.

[0072] Fifthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided having a computer program or instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implement a method as described in the first aspect or any of the designs in the first aspect, or implement a method as described in the second aspect or any of the designs in the second aspect.

[0073] In a sixth aspect, a computer program product is provided that, when executed on a computing device, implements a method of design as described in the first aspect or any of the first aspects, or implements a method of design as described in the second aspect or any of the second aspects. Attached Figure Description

[0074] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system 1000 used in the embodiments of this application;

[0075] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the fronthaul network architecture of 4G / 5G mobile communication networks.

[0076] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a communication system with a base station function splitting architecture;

[0077] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the existing WDBF fronthaul architecture;

[0078] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the existing CIBF fronthaul architecture;

[0079] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0080] Figures 7a and 7b are schematic flowcharts of another communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0081] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of MU pairing as an example of an embodiment of this application;

[0082] Figures 9a-9c are schematic diagrams illustrating the frequency domain division of DU and RU in examples of embodiments of this application;

[0083] Figures 10a-10b are schematic flowcharts of another communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0084] Figures 11 and 12 are schematic diagrams of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0085] The embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0086] The technical solution provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as fifth-generation (5G) communication systems. thThis technology can be applied to various scenarios, including 5G mobile communication systems, future communication systems, and converged communication systems, as well as existing communication systems. The application scenarios of the technical solutions provided in this application can include multiple areas, such as machine-to-machine (M2M), macro-micro communication, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (uRLLC), and massive machine-type communication (mMTC). These scenarios may include, but are not limited to, communication between terminal devices, communication between network devices, and communication between network devices and terminal devices. Network devices include both network equipment and core network equipment. The following descriptions use examples of communication between network devices and terminal devices.

[0087] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system 1000 used in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system includes a wireless access network 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system 1000 may also include the Internet 300. The wireless access network 100 may include at least one network device (110a and 110b in Figure 1) and at least one terminal device (120a-120j in Figure 1). The terminal device is wirelessly connected to the network device, and the network device is wirelessly or wiredly connected to the core network. The core network device and the network device may be independent physical devices, or the functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the network device may be integrated on the same physical device, or a single physical device may integrate some of the functions of the core network device and some of the functions of the network device. Terminal devices and network devices can be interconnected via wired or wireless means. Figure 1 is only a schematic diagram; the communication system may also include other network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1.

[0088] Optionally, in practical applications, the wireless communication system may simultaneously include one or more network devices (also known as access network devices) and one or more terminal devices. A network device may simultaneously serve one or more terminal devices. A terminal device may also simultaneously access one or more network devices. This application embodiment does not limit the number of terminal devices and network devices included in the wireless communication system.

[0089] In this context, a network device can be an entity on the network side used to transmit or receive signals. A network device can also be an access device that allows terminal devices to wirelessly connect to the wireless communication system; for example, a network device can be a base station. Base stations can broadly encompass various names listed below, or be interchangeable with them, such as: radio access network (RAN) node, Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), access network equipment in open radio access network (O-RAN), relay station, access point, transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), master eNB (MeNB), secondary eNB (SeNB), multi-standard radio (MSR) node, home base station, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (AP), transmission node, transceiver node, building baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), centralized unit (CU), and distributed unit (CU). Network equipment includes units (DU), radio units (RU), centralized unit control plane (CU-CP) nodes, centralized unit user plane (CU-UP) nodes, positioning nodes, etc. Base stations can be macro base stations, micro base stations, relay nodes, donor nodes, or similar entities, or combinations thereof. Network equipment can also refer to communication modules, modems, or chips installed within the aforementioned equipment or devices. Network equipment can also be mobile switching centers and equipment that performs base station functions in device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications; network-side equipment in 6G networks; and equipment performing base station functions in future communication systems. Network equipment can support networks using the same or different access technologies.The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the network device.

[0090] Network devices can be fixed or mobile. For example, base stations 110a and 110b are stationary and are responsible for wireless transmission and reception in one or more cells from terminal device 120. The helicopter or drone 120i shown in Figure 1 can be configured to act as a mobile base station, and one or more cells can move depending on the location of the mobile base station 120i. In other examples, the helicopter or drone (120i) can be configured as a terminal device communicating with base station 110b.

[0091] In this application, the communication device used to implement the above-mentioned network access functions can be an access network device, a network device with some access network functions, or a device capable of supporting the implementation of access network functions, such as a chip system, hardware circuit, software module, or hardware circuit plus software module. This device can be installed in the access network device or used in conjunction with the access network device. In the method of this application, the example of an access network device being used as the communication device to implement the access network device functions is described.

[0092] A terminal device can be a user-side entity used to receive or transmit signals, such as a mobile phone. Terminal devices can be used to connect people, things, and machines. Terminal devices can communicate with one or more core networks via network devices. Terminal devices include handheld devices with wireless connectivity, other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, or vehicle-mounted devices. Terminal devices can be portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-integrated, or vehicle-mounted mobile devices. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as cellular communication, D2D, V2X, point-to-point (P2P), machine-to-machine (M2M), machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, drones, robots, remote sensing, passive sensing, positioning, navigation and following, autonomous delivery and mobility, etc.Examples of terminal devices include: user equipment (UE) conforming to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard, fixed equipment, mobile equipment, handheld devices, wearable devices, cellular phones, smartphones, session initiated protocol (SIP) phones, laptops, personal computers, smart books, vehicles, satellites, global positioning system (GPS) devices, target-following devices, drones, helicopters, aircraft, ships, remote control devices, smart home devices, industrial equipment, personal communication service (PCS) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless network cameras, tablets, handheld computers, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices such as smartwatches, VR devices, AR devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, terminals in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, wireless terminals in self-driving vehicles, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, and smart city applications. Wireless terminals in various scenarios include smart gas pumps, high-speed rail terminals, and smart home terminals such as smart speakers, smart coffee machines, and smart printers. Terminal devices can be wireless devices in these scenarios or devices installed on wireless devices, such as communication modules, modems, or chips. Terminal devices can also be called terminals, user equipment (UE), mobile stations (MS), mobile terminals (MT), etc. Terminal devices can also be used in future wireless communication systems. Terminal devices can be used in dedicated network equipment or general-purpose equipment. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the terminal devices.

[0093] Optionally, the terminal device can be used to act as a base station. For example, the UE can act as a scheduling entity, providing sidelink signaling between UEs in V2X, D2D, or P2P, etc. As shown in Figure 1, cellular phone 120a and car 120b communicate with each other using sidelink signaling. Cellular phone 120a communicates with smart home device 120e without relaying communication signals through base station 110b.

[0094] In this application, the communication device used to implement the functions of the terminal device can be a terminal device, a terminal device having some of the functions of the aforementioned terminal device, or a device capable of supporting the implementation of the functions of the aforementioned terminal device, such as a chip system. This device can be installed in the terminal device or used in conjunction with the terminal device. In this application, the chip system can be composed of chips or include chips and other discrete components. The technical solutions provided in this application are described using the example of a terminal device or UE as the communication device.

[0095] Optionally, wireless communication systems typically consist of cells. Base stations manage the cells and provide communication services to one or more mobile stations (MS) within them. A base station includes a baseband unit (BBU) and a remote radio unit (RRU). The BBU and RRU can be located in different locations; for example, the RRU can be deployed remotely to a high-traffic area, while the BBU is located in a central equipment room. Alternatively, the BBU and RRU can be located in the same equipment room. The BBU and RRU can also be different components within the same rack. Optionally, a cell can correspond to one carrier or a member carrier.

[0096] In some deployments, the network devices mentioned in the embodiments of this application may be devices including CU, DU, or CU and DU, or devices with control plane CU nodes (central unit-control plane (CU-CP)) and user plane CU nodes (central unit-user plane (CU-UP)) and DU nodes. For example, the network devices may include gNB-CU-CP, gNB-CU-UP, and gNB-DU.

[0097] In some deployments, one or more RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminals in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes each implementing some of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be CUs, DUs, CU-CPs, CU-UPs, or RUs. CUs and DUs can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a BBU. RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as RRUs, AAUs, or RRHs.

[0098] Wireless communication networks are divided into three parts: access network, bearer network, and core network. The access network mainly consists of base stations. As shown in Figure 2, this is a fourth-generation (4G) wireless communication network. th This diagram illustrates the fronthaul network architecture of 4G / 5G mobile communication networks. In 4G networks, base stations typically include a BBU, RRU, and feeder, and are connected to the core network via a bearer network. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)... rd The Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) New Radio (NR) protocol specifies that the functional entities of a 5G base station (next-generation nodeB, gNodeB) include the CU and DU; the Open Radio Access Network (ORAN) Alliance defines the base station functional entities consisting of the CU, DU, and RU. As shown in Figure 2, the interface between the BBU (DU) and 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 CU is defined as "midhaul".

[0099] Figure 3 illustrates a communication system with a base station function-segmented architecture. Data between the UE and the server is transmitted through the base station and the core network. The base station function can be divided into three functional modules: CU, DU, and RU. The 5G core network can connect one or more CUs. A CU can connect to one or more DUs via a midhaul link, and a DU can connect to one or more RUs via a fronthaul link. An RU can establish a physical transmission link with one or more UEs. CU, DU, and RU can be deployed in different physical devices. The system architecture can also include scenarios where the base station function is 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. This communication system is not limited to 5G network architecture; it is also applicable to Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks and future network architectures, as long as the network architecture has communication connectivity capabilities.

[0100] RAN nodes can support one or more types of fronthaul interfaces, each corresponding to a DU and RU with different functions. If the fronthaul interface between the DU and RU is a common public radio interface (CPRI), the DU is configured to implement one or more baseband functions, and the RU is configured to implement one or more radio frequency functions. If the fronthaul interface between the DU and RU is another type of interface, relative to CPRI, some downlink and / or uplink baseband functions, such as, for downlink, precoding, digital beamforming (BF), or one or more of inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) / cyclic prefix addition (CP), are moved from the DU to the RU; and for uplink, one or more of digital beamforming (BF), or fast Fourier transform (IFFT) / cyclic prefix removal (CP), are moved from the DU to the RU. In one possible implementation, the interface can be an enhanced common public radio interface (eCPRI). Under the eCPRI architecture, the segmentation between DU and RU differs, corresponding to different categories (Cat) of eCPRI, such as eCPRI Cat A, B, C, D, E, F.

[0101] Taking eCPRI Cat A as an example, for downlink transmission, the DU is configured to implement one or more functions before and after layer mapping (i.e., coding, rate matching, scrambling, modulation, and layer mapping), while other functions after layer mapping (e.g., RE mapping, digital beamforming (BF), or one or more functions of inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) / adding cyclic prefix (CP)) are moved to the RU. For uplink transmission, the DU is configured to implement one or more functions before and after de-RE mapping (i.e., decoding, de-rate matching, descrambling, demodulation, inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT), channel equalization, and de-RE mapping), while other functions after de-RE mapping (e.g., digital BF or one or more functions of fast Fourier transform (FFT) / removing CP) are moved to the RU. It is understandable that the functional descriptions of the DU and RU corresponding to various types of eCPRI can be found in the eCPRI protocol, and will not be elaborated here.

[0102] In one possible design, the processing unit in the BBU used to implement baseband functions is called the baseband high (BBH) unit, and the processing unit in the RRU / AAU / RRH used to implement baseband functions is called the baseband low (BBL) unit.

[0103] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0104] In this embodiment, the apparatus for implementing the functions of a network device can be a network device itself; it can also be an apparatus capable of supporting the network device in implementing those functions, such as a chip system, hardware circuit, software module, or a hardware circuit plus a software module. This apparatus can be installed in the network device or used in conjunction with the network device. In this embodiment, the example of a network device being used to implement the functions of a network device is provided only and does not constitute a limitation on the solutions described in this embodiment.

[0105] It is understood that this application can be used in communication between network devices and terminal devices.

[0106] Communication between network devices and terminal devices follows a specific protocol layer structure. This protocol layer structure can include a control plane protocol layer structure and a user plane protocol layer structure. For example, the control plane protocol layer structure can include the functions of protocol layers such as the radio resource control (RRC) layer, the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, the radio link control (RLC) layer, the medium access control (MAC) layer, and the physical layer. Similarly, the user plane protocol layer structure can include the functions of protocol layers such as the PDCP layer, the RLC layer, the MAC layer, and the physical layer. In one possible implementation, a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer can be included above the PDCP layer.

[0107] Optionally, the protocol layer structure between network devices and terminal devices may also include an artificial intelligence (AI) layer for transmitting data related to AI functions.

[0108] Taking data transmission between network devices and terminal devices as an example, data transmission needs to pass through user plane protocol layers, such as the SDAP layer, PDCP layer, RLC layer, MAC layer, and physical layer. The SDAP layer, PDCP layer, RLC layer, MAC layer, and physical layer can also be collectively referred to as the access layer. Based on the direction of data transmission, it is divided into sending and receiving; each of these layers is further divided into a sending part and a receiving part. Taking downlink data transmission as an example, after the PDCP layer obtains data from the upper layer, it transmits the data to the RLC layer and MAC layer. The MAC layer then generates a transport block, and finally, it is wirelessly transmitted through the physical layer. Data is encapsulated in corresponding ways at each layer. For example, data received by a layer from the upper layer is considered a Service Data Unit (SDU) of that layer. After encapsulation by that layer, it becomes a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) and is then passed to the next layer.

[0109] For example, the terminal device may also have an application layer and a non-access layer. The application layer can be used to provide services to applications installed on the terminal device. For instance, downlink data received by the terminal device can be sequentially transmitted from the physical layer to the application layer, and then provided to the application by the application layer. Alternatively, the application layer can acquire data generated by the application and sequentially transmit the data to the physical layer for transmission to other communication devices. The non-access layer can be used to forward user data, such as forwarding uplink data received from the application layer to the SDAP layer, or forwarding downlink data received from the SDAP layer to the application layer.

[0110] It should be understood that the number and type of each device in the communication system shown in Figure 1 are for illustrative purposes only, and this application is not limited thereto. In actual applications, the communication system may include more terminal devices, more access network devices, and other network elements, such as core network devices and / or network elements used to implement artificial intelligence functions.

[0111] It is understandable that all or part of the functions implemented by one or more of the terminal devices, access network devices, core network devices, or network elements used to implement artificial intelligence functions can be virtualized, that is, implemented through one or more of dedicated or general-purpose processors and corresponding software modules. Among these, the terminal devices and access network devices involve air interface transmission, and the transmit and receive functions of this interface can be implemented in hardware. Core network devices, such as operation administration and maintenance (OAM) network elements, can also be virtualized. Optionally, one or more of the functions of the virtualized terminal devices, access network devices, core network devices, or network elements used to implement artificial intelligence functions can be implemented by cloud devices, such as cloud devices in over-the-top (OTT) systems.

[0112] This application relates to beamforming (BF) technology. A beam refers to the electromagnetic radiation pattern of an antenna system, and beamforming is the process of forming a beam. In a multi-antenna system, beamforming refers to the process of adjusting the amplitude or phase of different radio frequency link signals by multiplying them by different weights (or weighting coefficients) to form a directional electromagnetic radiation direction. Adjusting the amplitude and / or phase used by the antenna can be called weighting. In the 5G fronthaul network architecture, the DU needs to send a control plane (C-Plane) signal containing beamforming information to the RU to instruct the RU to perform the corresponding beamforming.

[0113] The ORAN protocol defines the WDBF method. In this method, the DU (Diverter) needs to know the antenna characteristics of the RU (Remote Activator), 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 beam identifier (beamId) value. The DU then sends the beam weights and their corresponding beamIds to the RU.

[0114] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of the existing WDBF fronthaul architecture. Under this fronthaul architecture, the data processing and transmission flow between DU, RU, and UE is as follows:

[0115] S401.DU performs uplink sounding reference signal (SRS) channel estimation. Leveraging the reciprocity of uplink and downlink channels in a time division duplex (TDD) system, the DU obtains the downlink SRS channel estimate. Before the DU performs SRS channel estimation, the UE sends an SRS signal to the DU.

[0116] S402.DU performs single-user (SU) weight calculation.

[0117] DU calculates SU weights based on downlink SRS channel estimation results.

[0118] S403.DU performs layer 2 (L2) scheduling.

[0119] The DU performs L2 scheduling based on the channel estimation results of the SRS signal and the SU weights. L2 scheduling involves a multiple user (MU) pairing process. After MU pairing, the weights of different UEs are divided into different combinations based on their correlation. The weights of multiple UEs within each group are spatially multiplexed for time and frequency resources, while the weights of multiple UEs in different groups are frequency multiplexed.

[0120] S404.DU performs MU weight calculation.

[0121] The DU calculates the MU weight based on the SU weight calculation result and the L2 scheduling result, and sends the MU weight result to the RU through the forward interface.

[0122] S405.RU performs beamforming based on MU weights.

[0123] However, with the demands of larger antenna arrays and greater transmission bandwidth, the downlink transmission traffic (MU weighting result) 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 fronthaul downlink traffic of the WDBF architecture will exceed 400Gbps, while the physical optical module's capacity limit is 200Gbps. Using data compression algorithms will inevitably cause performance loss in the transmitted data.

[0124] The ORAN protocol also defines a channel-information-based beamforming (CIBF) method. In this method, the DU provides L2 scheduling information to the RU on a slot-by-slot basis and periodically (usually less than per slot) provides the RU with channel information for each UE. The RU calculates the beamforming weights for each slot based on the channel information and the L2 scheduling information.

[0125] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the existing CIBF fronthaul architecture. Under this fronthaul architecture, the data processing and transmission flow between DU, RU, and UE is as follows:

[0126] S501.DU performs uplink SRS channel estimation.

[0127] Leveraging the reciprocity of uplink and downlink channels in a TDD system, the DU can obtain downlink SRS channel estimation. Before the DU performs uplink SRS channel estimation, the UE sends SRS data to the DU.

[0128] S502.DU calculates the SU weights based on the SRS channel estimation results.

[0129] S503.RU calculates the SU weights based on the SRS channel estimation results.

[0130] The DU sends the updated SRS channel estimation results to the RU via the fronthaul interface. The RU receives the updated SRS channel estimation results from the DU via the fronthaul interface and performs SU weight calculation. The RU then sends the SU weight calculation results back to the DU.

[0131] S504.DU performs L2 scheduling.

[0132] The DU performs L2 scheduling based on the SRS channel estimation results and the SU weight calculation results. L2 scheduling involves MU pairing. MU pairing divides UEs into different groups. Each group of UEs performs spatial multiplexing of time and frequency resources, while UEs in different groups perform frequency multiplexing.

[0133] S505.RU performs MU weight calculation.

[0134] The RU calculates the MU weights based on the SU weights and L2 scheduling results, and performs corresponding beamforming.

[0135] However, in this fronthaul architecture, the RU needs to perform SU weight calculation and MU weight calculation, which results in high computational complexity. In addition, since the DU transmits updated SRS channel estimation results to the RU, the RU needs to store the SRS channel estimation results, thus introducing an additional RU storage burden.

[0136] In view of this, this application provides a communication scheme in which the calculation of MU beamforming weights is divided between RU and DU. RU obtains the calculation result of the first MU beamforming weights corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, and DU obtains the calculation result of the second MU beamforming weights corresponding to the second frequency domain resource set and sends it to RU. RU obtains the calculation result of the MU beamforming weights corresponding to the entire frequency band based on the calculation results of the first and second MU beamforming weights. Thus, DU does not need to send the calculation result of the MU beamforming weights corresponding to the entire frequency band to RU, which can reduce downlink fronthaul traffic. Moreover, RU only needs to calculate the calculation result of the first MU beamforming weights corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, which can reduce the computational complexity of RU.

[0137] Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Exemplarily, the method may include the following steps:

[0138] S601.DU sends the first message to RU.

[0139] Accordingly, the RU receives the first information, wherein the first information indicates that multi-user beamforming weight calculation is performed on the first frequency domain resource set. For example, the first information is the calculation of multi-user beamforming weights on the first frequency domain resource set.

[0140] In this embodiment, the base station is configured with a full frequency band, which includes multiple frequency domain resource elements. Exemplarily, a frequency domain resource element is any one of a resource element (RE), a resource element bundle (RE bundle), a resource block (RB), a physical resource block (PRB), or a physical resource block bundle (PRB bundle).

[0141] The DU can obtain the beamforming weights (i.e., the SU beamforming weights corresponding to the entire frequency band) for each user based on the channel estimation results and precoding matrix indication (PMI) information across the entire frequency band. The SU beamforming weights are associated with each UE, and each UE has corresponding weights for one or more flows (corresponding to one or more UE ports), different frequency domain resource elements (distinguished by their identifiers), and different transmit antennas of the base station. Each SU beamforming weight further includes in-phase and quadrature components (IQ).

[0142] Based on the channel estimation results of the full-band corresponding to each user in at least one user and the beamforming weights of each user calculated by itself, DU performs layer 2 scheduling to obtain the layer 2 scheduling information corresponding to the full-band.

[0143] Layer 2 scheduling involves a MU pairing process. After MU pairing, the weights of different UEs are grouped into different combinations based on their correlation. Within each group, multiple UE weights undergo spatial multiplexing of time-frequency resources (the same frequency domain resources are used within the same group; due to the weak correlation of weights within the same group, the transmitted signal beams are directional in space, with different beams pointing to different UEs, thus achieving low interference between UEs). Weights of multiple UEs in different groups undergo frequency multiplexing. The base station uses the MU weights to transmit signals, ensuring that each UE receiving signals from the base station is not interfered with by other UEs.

[0144] However, as described in the prior art, if the DU obtains the full-band MU beamforming weight calculation results and sends them to the RU, it may exceed the traffic limit supported by the physical optical module. Therefore, in this embodiment, the DU and RU perform frequency domain division of labor, dividing the aforementioned full-band into a first frequency domain resource set and a second frequency domain resource set. The RU performs multi-user beamforming weight calculation on the first frequency domain resource set; the DU also performs multi-user beamforming weight calculation on the first frequency domain resource set. Then, the DU sends the first information to the RU.

[0145] S602.RU obtains the calculation result of the first multi-user beamforming weight corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set based on the first information.

[0146] After receiving the first information, the RU obtains the calculation result of the first multi-user beamforming weight corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set based on the first information.

[0147] S603.DU retrieves the calculation results of the second multi-user beamforming weights corresponding to the second frequency domain resource set.

[0148] Based on the above frequency domain division of labor, DU obtains the calculation results of the second multi-user beamforming weights corresponding to the second frequency domain resource set.

[0149] It is understood that this application does not restrict the order of the above steps S602 and S603, that is, S602 can be executed first and then S603; or S603 can be executed first and then S602; or S602 and S603 can be executed simultaneously.

[0150] S604.DU sends a second message to RU.

[0151] Accordingly, the RU receives this second information.

[0152] After obtaining the calculation result of the second multi-user beamforming weights corresponding to the second frequency domain resource set, the DU sends second information to the RU, wherein the second information indicates the calculation result of the second multi-user beamforming weights corresponding to the second frequency domain resource set. For example, the second information is the calculation result of the second multi-user beamforming weights corresponding to the second frequency domain resource set.

[0153] Based on the calculation results of the first and second multi-user beamforming weights, S605.RU obtains the multi-user beamforming weight calculation results corresponding to the entire frequency band.

[0154] After the RU calculates the first multi-user beamforming weight calculation result and receives the second multi-user beamforming weight calculation result sent by the DU, it obtains the multi-user beamforming weight calculation result corresponding to the entire frequency band based on the first and second multi-user beamforming weight calculation results. For example, according to the identifier corresponding to each frequency domain resource unit in the first and second frequency domain resource sets in the entire frequency band, and the MU beamforming weight corresponding to each frequency domain resource unit, the first and second multi-user beamforming weight calculation results are merged to obtain the MU beamforming weight calculation result corresponding to the entire frequency band.

[0155] Furthermore, after the RU obtains the multi-user beamforming weight calculation results corresponding to the entire frequency band, it can perform beamforming on the downlink transmitted signal based on the multi-user beamforming weight calculation results corresponding to the entire frequency band.

[0156] According to a communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, the DU does not need to send the calculation results of the MU beamforming weights corresponding to the entire frequency band to the RU, which can reduce the downlink fronthaul traffic. Furthermore, the RU only needs to calculate the calculation results of the first MU beamforming weights corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, which can reduce the computational complexity of the RU.

[0157] The above embodiments describe the division of labor between the DU and RU in calculating the MU beamforming weights, and the scheme for jointly calculating the MU beamforming weights. The following embodiments will further describe how the DU can send frequency domain division of labor information to the RU during the process.

[0158] Figures 7a and 7b show a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0159] Figure 7a illustrates the division of labor between the DU and RU: the DU performs SRS channel estimation, SU weight calculation, L2 scheduling, and obtains the second MU beamforming weight calculation result; while the RU performs SU weight calculation, obtains the first MU beamforming weight calculation result, and obtains the MU beamforming weight calculation result for the entire frequency band. In WDBF, the DU performs SRS channel estimation, SU weight calculation, L2 scheduling, and MU beamforming weight calculation for the entire frequency band. The transmission of the MU beamforming weight calculation result for the entire frequency band exceeds the traffic limit supported by the physical optical module. In CIBF, the DU needs to send the updated SRS channel estimation result to the RU through the fronthaul interface. The RU needs to store the SRS channel estimation result, resulting in a heavy storage burden. Furthermore, the RU needs to perform SU weight calculation and MU weight calculation, leading to high computational complexity. In this embodiment, the DU does not need to send the calculation results of the MU beamforming weights corresponding to the entire frequency band to the RU, which can reduce the downlink fronthaul traffic. Furthermore, the RU only needs to calculate the calculation results of the first MU beamforming weights corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, which can reduce the computational complexity of the RU.

[0160] Figure 7b illustrates the above process in detail. In Figure 7b, the process includes the following steps:

[0161] S701a.UE sends a measurement report to DU.

[0162] Accordingly, DU receives the measurement report.

[0163] For example, before step S701a, the base station sends a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) to the UE. The UE receives the CSI-RS signal and generates the aforementioned measurement report. This measurement report includes downlink PMI information. This PMI information is used to subsequently calculate the downlink SU weights between the UE and the base station. The DU recovers the corresponding weights from a pre-stored codebook according to predetermined rules based on the PMI information.

[0164] For example, the UE can send the above measurement report to the DU via uplink control information (UCI).

[0165] S701b.UE sends an SRS signal to DU.

[0166] Correspondingly, the DU receives the SRS signal.

[0167] After receiving the SRS signal, the DU uses the received SRS signals from each antenna port to perform uplink channel estimation. Furthermore, by leveraging the reciprocity of uplink and downlink channels in the TDD system, the DU can obtain the downlink channel estimation result (the channel estimation result for the entire frequency band).

[0168] It is understood that the above steps S701a and S701b can be performed periodically and are independent of each other. This application does not limit the order of S701a and S701b.

[0169] S702.DU sends the fourth message to RU.

[0170] Accordingly, the RU receives this fourth piece of information. This fourth piece of information includes the channel estimation results and PMI information.

[0171] Each of the multiple UEs measures the received CSI-RS on all CSI ports, which can obtain the full-band PMI information corresponding to each of the multiple UEs and send it to the DU.

[0172] If the DU receives SRS data transmitted by multiple UEs on all SRS ports, the DU can obtain the full-band SRS channel estimation result for each of the multiple UEs.

[0173] After receiving the full-band PMI information for each of the multiple UEs and calculating the full-band channel estimation results, the DU sends fourth information to the RU through the fronthaul interface. This fourth information includes the identifier of at least one user, and the full-band channel estimation results and PMI information for each of the at least one user.

[0174] The channel estimation results include at least one of the following dimensions: number of UEs, number of data streams sent from the base station to the UEs, number of transmit antennas of the base station, and number of frequency domain resource units.

[0175] The channel estimation results can be transmitted over a relatively long time window, for example, a transmission time on the order of 10 ms. Due to the long transmission time, the bandwidth limit supported by the physical optical module will not be exceeded.

[0176] The PMI information consists of a Type 1 (type-I) or Type 2 (type-II) codebook index corresponding to different UEs, with the index content referring to the definitions in the 3GPP TS 38.214 protocol. The PMI information can be transmitted over a relatively long time window, for example, a transmission time on the order of 40ms. Due to the long transmission time, it will not exceed the traffic limit supported by the physical optical module.

[0177] S703a.DU obtains beamforming weights for each user based on the full-band channel estimation results and PMI information for each user among at least one user.

[0178] After obtaining the channel estimation results and PMI information of each user in at least one user, DU obtains the beamforming weights (i.e., the SU beamforming weights corresponding to the full frequency band) for each user based on the channel estimation results and / or PMI information.

[0179] The SU beamforming weights are associated with each UE, and each UE has corresponding weights for one or more streams (corresponding to one or more UE ports), different frequency domain resource elements (which can be distinguished by the identifier of the frequency domain resource element), and different transmit antennas of the base station. Each SU beamforming weight further includes in-phase and quadrature components.

[0180] Table 1 below illustrates the SU weights for each frequency domain resource element (FROM) across the entire frequency band of UE1 to UE4 (the entire frequency band includes FROM 1 to FROM 4). Each UE in Table 1 corresponds to one data stream.

[0181] Table 1

[0182] The S703b.RU obtains the beamforming weights for each user based on the full-band channel estimation results and PMI information for each user among at least one user.

[0183] After the RU obtains the channel estimation results and PMI information for each user across the entire frequency band, based on the aforementioned channel estimation results and / or PMI information, it obtains the beamforming weights (i.e., the SU beamforming weights for the entire frequency band) for each user. The specific implementation of the RU obtaining the beamforming weights for each user can be found in step S703a, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0184] S704.DU obtains the Layer 2 scheduling information corresponding to the entire frequency band based on the channel estimation results of each user in at least one user and the beamforming weights corresponding to each user.

[0185] Based on the channel estimation results of the full-band corresponding to each user in at least one user and the beamforming weights of each user calculated by itself, DU performs layer 2 scheduling to obtain the layer 2 scheduling information corresponding to the full-band.

[0186] Layer 2 scheduling involves a MU pairing process. For SU weights, different data streams from different UEs have corresponding weights within each frequency domain resource unit, and each UE's SU weight is full-band. This means the DU can obtain the SU weight corresponding to each frequency domain resource unit across the entire frequency band for each UE. After MU pairing, the weights of different UEs are divided into different combinations based on their correlation. Multiple UE weights within each group are spatially multiplexed using time-frequency resources (the same frequency domain resources are used within the same group; due to the weak correlation of weights within the same group, the transmitted signal beams are directional in space, and different beams will point to different UEs, thus achieving low interference between UEs). Weights of multiple UEs in different groups are frequency-multiplexed. The base station uses the MU weights to transmit signals, ensuring that each UE receiving signals from the base station is not interfered with by other UEs.

[0187] In Table 1 above, it is assumed that the correlation between weight 1 of UE1 and weight 1 of UE2 is small;

[0188] The correlation between UE1 weight 2 and UE2 weight 2 is small;

[0189] The correlation between UE3 weight 3 and UE4 weight 3 is small;

[0190] The correlation between UE3 weight 4 and UE4 weight 4 is small;

[0191] The results of MU pairing are shown in Table 2 below:

[0192] Table 2

[0193] As can be seen, UE1 and UE2 are in one group, and UE3 and UE4 are in another group. Within the same group, they are distinguished by the correlation of weights (the correlation of weights within the same group is very weak, and the transmitted signal beams in space are directional, so different beams will point to different UEs, thereby achieving low interference between UEs). Between groups, they are distinguished by frequency.

[0194] Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of MU pairing in an embodiment of this application. As described above, the SU beamforming weights are associated with each UE. Each UE has corresponding weights on one or more flows (corresponding to one or more UE ports), different frequency domain resource units (which can be distinguished by the identifier of the frequency domain resource unit), and different transmit antennas of the base station. Since the correlation between the UE1 weights and UE2 weights corresponding to flow 1 is low, in PRB bundle 1, the flows 1 corresponding to UE1 and UE2 can be grouped together and use the same frequency domain resources for spatial multiplexing. Since the correlation between the UE2 weights and UE3 weights corresponding to flow 2 and UE3 weights corresponding to flow 1 is low, in PRB bundle 2, the flows 2 corresponding to UE2 and the flows 1 corresponding to UE3 can be grouped together and use the same frequency domain resources for spatial multiplexing. The flows 1 corresponding to UE1 and UE2, as well as the flows 2 corresponding to UE2 and the flows 1 corresponding to UE3, are frequency multiplexed.

[0195] After performing Layer 2 scheduling (including MU pairing), the DU can obtain Layer 2 scheduling information for the entire frequency band. This Layer 2 scheduling information includes at least one of the following: the number of users corresponding to each frequency domain resource unit in at least one frequency domain resource unit; the identifier of each user corresponding to each frequency domain resource unit in at least one frequency domain resource unit; the number of data streams corresponding to each user; the frequency domain resource units used for single-user pairing or the unit frequency domain units used for multi-user pairing in at least one frequency domain resource unit; and the size of each frequency domain resource unit in at least one frequency domain resource unit.

[0196] S705.DU sends the first message to RU.

[0197] Accordingly, the RU receives this first information.

[0198] In this embodiment, the DU and RU perform the calculation of MU beamforming weights separately. Therefore, the DU sends a first message to the RU, instructing the RU to perform MU beamforming weight calculation on a first frequency domain resource set. This first message can be referred to as the frequency domain division of labor information for MU beamforming weight calculation. The DU then performs the MU beamforming weight calculation on a second frequency domain resource set. The full-band configured in this embodiment includes the aforementioned first and second frequency domain resource sets.

[0199] In the frequency domain partitioning pattern of MU beamforming weight calculation, the first frequency domain resource set can be distributed in a blocky, comb-like, or irregular manner, which are described below:

[0200] (1) If the first frequency domain resource set can be distributed in a block-like manner, then, exemplarily, the aforementioned first information includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the starting frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the identifier of the ending frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, and the number of frequency domain resource units in the first frequency domain resource set. As shown in Figure 9a, it is a schematic diagram of the frequency domain division of DU and RU according to an embodiment of this application. The full frequency band includes n frequency domain resource units, wherein the identifier of the starting frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set is 0, the identifier of the ending frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set is m, and the number of frequency domain resource units in the first frequency domain resource set is m+1. Therefore, the RU can determine that the first frequency domain resource set includes the 0th to mth frequency domain resource units; in addition, the second frequency domain resource set includes the (m+1)th to (n-1)th frequency domain resource units. Wherein, m and n are both positive integers. By indicating the resource information of the block-like first frequency domain resource set, the RU can accurately determine the first frequency domain resource set.

[0201] (2) If the first frequency domain resource set can be distributed in a comb-like pattern, then, for example, the first information mentioned above includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the starting frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the identifier of the ending frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the comb tooth spacing between the frequency domain resource units in the first frequency domain resource set, and the comb tooth length. As shown in Figure 9b, it is a schematic diagram of another example of frequency domain division of labor between DU and RU in an embodiment of this application. The full frequency band includes n frequency domain resource units, wherein the identifier of the starting frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set is 1, the identifier of the ending frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set is n-2, the comb tooth spacing between the frequency domain resource units in the first frequency domain resource set is 1 frequency domain resource unit, and the comb tooth length is 1 frequency domain resource unit. Therefore, RU can determine that the first frequency domain resource unit set includes the 1st, 3rd, ..., n-2nd frequency domain resource units; in addition, the second frequency domain resource set includes the 0th, 2nd, ..., n-1st frequency domain resource units. By indicating the resource information of the first frequency domain resource set which is distributed in a comb-like pattern, the RU can accurately determine the first frequency domain resource set.

[0202] (3) If the first frequency domain resource set can be irregularly distributed, then, for example, the first information mentioned above includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the starting frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the identifier of the ending frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, and a bit map, wherein the bit map indicates whether each frequency domain resource unit in the full frequency band is subjected to multi-user beamforming weight calculation by the radio unit. Figure 9c shows a schematic diagram illustrating another example of frequency domain division of labor between DU and RU according to an embodiment of this application. The full-band includes n frequency domain resource units, wherein the identifier of the starting frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set is 0, and the identifier of the ending frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set is n-3. A bit map indicates whether each frequency domain resource unit in the full-band is used by the RU to perform multi-user beamforming weight calculation (for example, assuming the full-band includes 10 frequency domain resource units, the bit map includes 10 bits: "1001001100", which indicates that the first frequency domain resource set includes the 1st, 4th, 7th, and 8th frequency domain resource units. Here, for example, a value of "1" in the bit map indicates that the corresponding frequency domain resource unit is used by the RU to perform multi-user beamforming weight calculation, and a value of "0" in the bit map indicates that the corresponding frequency domain resource unit is used by the DU to perform multi-user beamforming weight calculation). By indicating the resource information of the first frequency domain resource set which is irregularly distributed, the RU can accurately determine the first frequency domain resource set.

[0203] The transmission time of this first information is generally short, and its time granularity can be less than or equal to the length of a time slot. For example, when the subcarrier spacing is 30kHz and the corresponding time slot is 0.5ms, the transmission time of this first information can be 0.5ms or 0.2ms. Therefore, the transmission of this first information will not exceed the traffic limit supported by the physical optical module.

[0204] Alternatively, the frequency domain division of labor structure between the RU and DU can be predefined by the protocol. The protocol can predefine one or more frequency domain division of labor structures, each corresponding to a frequency domain division of labor structure identifier. Each frequency domain division of labor structure identifier can indicate the proportion of the first frequency domain resource set to the total bandwidth resources, thereby indicating the division of labor between the DU and RU in calculating MU beamforming weights in the frequency domain. The RU and DU pre-store the correspondence between one or more frequency domain division of labor structure identifiers and one or more frequency domain division of labor structures. When calculating MU beamforming weights, the DU can send first information to the RU, which includes the first frequency domain division of labor structure identifier. The RU queries its locally stored frequency domain division of labor structure based on the first frequency domain division of labor structure identifier to obtain the first frequency domain resource set and the second frequency domain resource set.

[0205] S706.DU sends a third message to RU.

[0206] Accordingly, the RU receives this third information.

[0207] After the DU obtains the Layer 2 scheduling information corresponding to the entire frequency band, according to the above frequency domain division of labor, the RU only needs to calculate the MU beamforming weights corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set. Therefore, the DU sends the third information to the RU. This third information indicates the Layer 2 scheduling information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set.

[0208] The transmission time of this third information is generally short, and its time granularity can be less than or equal to the length of a time slot. For example, when the subcarrier spacing is 30kHz and the corresponding time slot is 0.5ms, the transmission time of this third information can be 0.5ms or 0.2ms. Therefore, the transmission of this third information will not exceed the traffic limit supported by the physical optical module.

[0209] For example, steps S705 and S706 can be implemented independently (i.e., DU sends the first information and the third information to RU respectively), and this application does not limit the execution order of steps S705 and S706; steps S705 and S706 can also be implemented in combination (i.e., DU sends the first information and the third information to RU simultaneously).

[0210] Based on the Layer 2 scheduling information and the beamforming weights calculated for each user by the DU, S707a.DU obtains the calculation results of the second multi-user beamforming weights corresponding to the second frequency domain resource set.

[0211] After performing the above frequency domain division of labor, the DU performs MU pairing on the beamforming weights corresponding to each data stream of each user calculated by the DU in the second frequency domain resource set based on the layer 2 scheduling information, thereby obtaining the second multi-user beamforming weight calculation results corresponding to the second frequency domain resource set.

[0212] Based on the Layer 2 scheduling information and the beamforming weights calculated by the RU for each user, the S707b.RU obtains the calculation results of the first multi-user beamforming weights corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set.

[0213] After receiving the aforementioned third information and layer 2 scheduling information, the RU obtains the calculation result of the first multi-user beamforming weight corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set based on the layer 2 scheduling information and the beamforming weight calculated by the RU for each user.

[0214] In this embodiment, the RU does not need to calculate the multi-user beamforming weights corresponding to the entire frequency band, thus reducing the computational complexity of the RU.

[0215] S708.DU sends a second message to RU.

[0216] Accordingly, the RU receives this second information.

[0217] After obtaining the calculation result of the second multi-user beamforming weights corresponding to the second frequency domain resource set, the DU sends second information to the RU, wherein the second information indicates the calculation result of the second multi-user beamforming weights corresponding to the second frequency domain resource set. For example, the second information includes the identifiers of one or more frequency domain resource elements in the second frequency domain resource set, and the MU beamforming weights corresponding to each frequency domain resource element.

[0218] The transmission time of the second multi-user beamforming weight calculation result is generally short, and its time granularity can be less than or equal to the time length of a time slot. Therefore, it will not exceed the upper limit of the traffic supported by the physical optical module.

[0219] Based on the calculation results of the first and second multi-user beamforming weights, S709.RU obtains the multi-user beamforming weight calculation results for the entire frequency band.

[0220] After the RU calculates the first multi-user beamforming weight calculation result and receives the second multi-user beamforming weight calculation result sent by the DU, it obtains the multi-user beamforming weight calculation result corresponding to the entire frequency band based on the first and second multi-user beamforming weight calculation results. For example, according to the identifier corresponding to each frequency domain resource unit in the first and second frequency domain resource sets in the entire frequency band, and the MU beamforming weight corresponding to each frequency domain resource unit, the first and second multi-user beamforming weight calculation results are merged to obtain the MU beamforming weight calculation result corresponding to the entire frequency band. For example, when the first frequency domain resource set is distributed in a block shape, the merged multi-user beamforming weight is the splicing of the multi-user beamforming weights corresponding to the first and second frequency domain resource sets in the frequency domain. When the first frequency domain resource set is distributed in a comb-like pattern, the combined multi-user beamforming weight is the first multi-user beamforming weight in the frequency domain resource units corresponding to the comb teeth, and the combined multi-user beamforming weight is the second multi-user beamforming weight in the frequency domain resource units corresponding to the other positions. When the first frequency domain resource set is irregularly distributed, the combined multi-user beamforming weight is the first multi-user beamforming weight in the frequency domain resource units corresponding to a bit position of 1, and the combined multi-user beamforming weight is the second multi-user beamforming weight in the frequency domain resource units corresponding to a bit position of 0.

[0221] Furthermore, after the RU obtains the multi-user beamforming weight calculation results corresponding to the entire frequency band, it can perform beamforming on the downlink transmitted signal based on the multi-user beamforming weight calculation results corresponding to the entire frequency band.

[0222] According to a communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, the DU does not need to send the calculation results of the MU beamforming weights corresponding to the entire frequency band to the RU, which can reduce the downlink fronthaul traffic. Furthermore, the RU only needs to calculate the calculation results of the first MU beamforming weights corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, which can reduce the computational complexity of the RU.

[0223] The above embodiments describe how the DU can send frequency domain assignment information to the RU during the process.

[0224] The following example describes how the DU can send frequency domain assignment information to the RU at the start of the process.

[0225] Figures 10a and 10b show a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0226] Figure 10a illustrates the division of labor between the DU and RU: the DU performs SRS channel estimation, SU weight calculation, L2 scheduling, and obtains the second MU beamforming weight calculation result; while the RU performs SU weight calculation, obtains the first MU beamforming weight calculation result, and obtains the MU beamforming weight calculation result for the entire frequency band. In WDBF, the DU performs SRS channel estimation, SU weight calculation, L2 scheduling, and MU beamforming weight calculation for the entire frequency band. The transmission of the MU beamforming weight calculation result for the entire frequency band exceeds the traffic limit supported by the physical optical module. In CIBF, the DU needs to send the updated SRS channel estimation result to the RU through the fronthaul interface. The RU needs to store the SRS channel estimation result, resulting in a heavy storage burden. Furthermore, the RU needs to perform SU weight calculation and MU weight calculation, leading to high computational complexity. In this embodiment, the DU does not need to send the calculation results of the MU beamforming weights corresponding to the entire frequency band to the RU, which can reduce downlink fronthaul traffic; and the RU only needs to calculate the calculation results of the first MU beamforming weights corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, which can reduce the computational complexity of the RU; and the RU only needs to store the channel estimation results and PMI information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, which reduces the storage burden of the RU.

[0227] Figure 10b illustrates the above process in detail. In Figure 10b, the process includes the following steps:

[0228] S1000.DU sends the first message to RU.

[0229] Accordingly, the RU receives this first information.

[0230] In this embodiment, the DU and RU perform the calculation of the MU beamforming weights separately. Before performing the MU beamforming weight calculation, the DU sends a first message to the RU. This first message indicates that the MU beamforming weight calculation should be performed on the first frequency domain resource set. This first message can be referred to as the frequency domain division of labor information for the MU beamforming weight calculation. The DU then performs the MU beamforming weight calculation on the second frequency domain resource set. The full-band configured in this embodiment includes the aforementioned first and second frequency domain resource sets.

[0231] The specific implementation of the first information can be referred to step S705 of the embodiment shown in FIG7b, and will not be repeated here.

[0232] In one example, the DU can statically send the aforementioned first information. For instance, the DU can configure the aforementioned first information through the management plane. Exemplarily, this first information can be carried on RRC signaling, a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE), etc.

[0233] In yet another example, the DU can periodically send the aforementioned first information. The sending period can be predefined by the protocol or configured by the base station.

[0234] In yet another example, the DU can transmit the first information non-periodically. For instance, the DU can transmit the first information once or multiple times. The DU can transmit the first information based on the triggering of an event or an instruction from the base station.

[0235] S1001a.UE sends a measurement report to DU.

[0236] Accordingly, DU receives the measurement report.

[0237] The specific implementation of this step can be referred to step S701a of the embodiment shown in Figure 7b, and will not be repeated here.

[0238] S1001b.UE sends an SRS signal to DU.

[0239] Correspondingly, the DU receives the SRS signal.

[0240] The specific implementation of this step can be referred to step S701b of the embodiment shown in Figure 7b, and will not be repeated here.

[0241] S1002.DU sends the fifth message to RU.

[0242] Accordingly, the RU receives this fifth piece of information.

[0243] Each of the multiple UEs measures the received CSI-RS on all CSI ports, which can obtain the full-band PMI information corresponding to each of the multiple UEs and send it to the DU.

[0244] If the DU receives SRS data transmitted by multiple UEs on all SRS ports, the DU can obtain the full-band SRS channel estimation result for each of the multiple UEs.

[0245] Unlike the embodiment shown in Figure 7b, in this embodiment, based on the aforementioned frequency domain division of labor, the DU receives the full-band PMI information corresponding to each of the multiple UEs and calculates the full-band channel estimation results. Then, it sends the fifth information to the RU through the fronthaul interface. This fifth information includes the channel estimation results and PMI information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, and the identifier of at least one associated user. The at least one associated user refers to users who performed PMI measurements and / or transmitted SRS signals on the first frequency domain resource set. Since the DU only sends the channel estimation results and PMI information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set to the RU, the RU only needs to store the channel estimation results and PMI information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, thereby reducing the storage burden on the RU.

[0246] The channel estimation results include at least one of the following dimensions: number of UEs, number of data streams sent from the base station to the UEs, number of transmit antennas of the base station, and number of frequency domain resource units.

[0247] The channel estimation results can be transmitted over a relatively long time window, for example, a transmission time on the order of 10 ms. Due to the long transmission time, the bandwidth limit supported by the physical optical module will not be exceeded.

[0248] The PMI information consists of a Type 1 (type-I) or Type 2 (type-II) codebook index corresponding to different UEs, with the index content referring to the definitions in the 3GPP TS 38.214 protocol. The PMI information can be transmitted over a relatively long time window, for example, a transmission time on the order of 40ms. Due to the long transmission time, it will not exceed the traffic limit supported by the physical optical module.

[0249] S1003a.DU obtains the beamforming weights for each user based on the channel estimation results and PMI information for the full frequency band of each user in at least one user.

[0250] The specific implementation of this step can be referred to step S703a of the embodiment shown in Figure 7b, and will not be repeated here.

[0251] Based on the channel estimation results and PMI information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, S1003b.RU obtains the beamforming weights corresponding to at least one associated user.

[0252] After obtaining the channel estimation results and PMI information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, the RU obtains the beamforming weights (i.e., the SU beamforming weights corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set) for at least one associated user based on the aforementioned channel estimation results and / or PMI information.

[0253] S1004.DU obtains the Layer 2 scheduling information corresponding to the entire frequency band based on the channel estimation results of each user in at least one user and the beamforming weights corresponding to each user.

[0254] The specific implementation of this step can be found in step S704 of the embodiment shown in Figure 7b, and will not be repeated here.

[0255] S1005.DU sends a third message to RU.

[0256] Accordingly, the RU receives this third information.

[0257] The third information indicates the Layer 2 scheduling information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set.

[0258] The specific implementation of this step can be referred to step S706 of the embodiment shown in Figure 7b, and will not be repeated here.

[0259] S1006a.DU obtains the second multi-user beamforming weight calculation result corresponding to the second frequency domain resource set based on the layer 2 scheduling information and the beamforming weights calculated for each user by DU.

[0260] The specific implementation of this step can be referred to step S707a of the embodiment shown in Figure 7b, and will not be repeated here.

[0261] S1006b.RU obtains the calculation result of the first multi-user beamforming weight corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set based on the layer 2 scheduling information and the beamforming weight corresponding to at least one associated user calculated by RU.

[0262] The specific implementation of this step can be found in step S707b of the embodiment shown in Figure 7b, and will not be repeated here.

[0263] S1007.DU sends a second message to RU.

[0264] Accordingly, the RU receives this second information.

[0265] The second information indicates the calculation result of the second multi-user beamforming weights corresponding to the second frequency domain resource set.

[0266] The specific implementation of this step can be referred to step S708 of the embodiment shown in Figure 7b, and will not be repeated here.

[0267] Based on the calculation results of the first and second multi-user beamforming weights, S1008.RU obtains the multi-user beamforming weight calculation results corresponding to the entire frequency band.

[0268] The full frequency band includes the aforementioned first frequency domain resource set and the aforementioned second frequency domain resource set.

[0269] The specific implementation of this step can be referred to step S709 of the embodiment shown in Figure 7b, and will not be repeated here.

[0270] According to a communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, the DU does not need to send the calculation results of the MU beamforming weights corresponding to the entire frequency band to the RU, which can reduce the downlink fronthaul traffic. The RU only needs to calculate the calculation results of the first MU beamforming weights corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, which can reduce the computational complexity of the RU. The RU only needs to store the channel estimation results and PMI information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, which reduces the storage burden of the RU.

[0271] In this application, phrases such as "sending information to... (e.g., RU)" or related illustrations in the accompanying drawings can be understood as indicating that the destination of the information is the RU. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to the RU. Similarly, phrases such as "receiving information from... (e.g., RU)" or "receiving information from... (e.g., RU)" or related illustrations in the accompanying drawings can be understood as indicating that the source of the information is the RU. This can include receiving information directly or indirectly from the RU. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be interpreted similarly and will not be elaborated further here.

[0272] It is understood that this application uses RU and DU as examples of the execution subjects in the interaction illustration, but this application does not limit the execution subjects of the interaction illustration. For example, the RU in the method provided by this application can also be a chip, chip system, or processor applied to the RU, or a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the RU; the DU in the method provided by this application can also be a chip, chip system, or processor applied to the DU, or a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the DU's functions.

[0273] It is understood that, in order to achieve the functions in the above embodiments, DU and RU include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and method steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0274] Figures 11 and 12 are schematic diagrams of possible communication devices provided in embodiments of this application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of RU or DU in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments.

[0275] As shown in Figure 11, the communication device 1100 includes a processing unit 1110 and a transceiver unit 1120. The communication device 1100 is used to implement the functions of RU or DU in the method embodiments shown in Figures 6, 7b, and 10b.

[0276] When the communication device 1100 is used to implement the function of RU: the processing unit 1110 is used to implement one or more operations in steps S602 and S605 in the embodiment shown in FIG6, and the transceiver unit 1120 is used to implement one or more operations implemented by RU in steps S601 and S604 in the embodiment shown in FIG6; or, the processing unit 1110 is used to implement one or more operations in steps S703b, S707b, and S709 in the embodiment shown in FIG7b, and the transceiver unit 1120 is used to implement one or more operations implemented by RU in steps S702, S705, S706, and S708 in the embodiment shown in FIG7b; or, the processing unit 1110 is used to implement one or more operations in steps S1003b, S1006b, and S1008 in the embodiment shown in FIG10b, and the transceiver unit 1120 is used to implement one or more operations implemented by RU in steps S1000, S1002, S1005, and S1007 in the embodiment shown in FIG10b.

[0277] When the communication device 1100 is used to implement the function of DU: the processing unit 1110 is used to implement step S603 in the embodiment shown in FIG6, and the transceiver unit 1120 is used to implement one or more operations implemented by DU in steps S601 and S604 in the embodiment shown in FIG6; or, the processing unit 1110 is used to implement one or more operations in steps S703a, S704, and S707a in the embodiment shown in FIG7b, and the transceiver unit 1120 is used to implement step S in the embodiment shown in FIG7b. The DU implements one or more operations in steps S1003a, S1004, and S1006a of the embodiment shown in FIG10b; or the transceiver unit 1120 implements one or more operations in steps S1000, S1001a, S1001b, S1002, S1005, and S1007 of the embodiment shown in FIG10b.

[0278] A more detailed description of the above-mentioned processing unit 1110 and transceiver unit 1120 can be obtained directly from the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown in Figures 6, 7b, and 10b, and will not be repeated here.

[0279] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to the RU, the RU chip implements the functions of the RU in the above method embodiments. The RU chip receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the RU, which is sent to the RU by the DU; or, the RU chip sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the RU, which is sent to the DU by the RU.

[0280] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a DU, the DU chip implements the functions of the DU in the above method embodiments. The DU chip receives information from other modules in the DU (such as an RF module or antenna), which is sent from the RU to the DU; or, the DU chip sends information to other modules in the DU (such as an RF module or antenna), which is sent from the DU to the RU.

[0281] Furthermore, it should be noted that the aforementioned transceiver unit and / or processing unit can be implemented through virtual modules. For example, the processing unit can be implemented through software functional units or virtual devices, and the transceiver unit can be implemented through software functions or virtual devices. Alternatively, the processing unit or transceiver unit can also be implemented through physical devices. For example, if the device is implemented using a chip / chip circuit, the transceiver unit can be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, performing input operations (corresponding to the aforementioned receiving operation) and output operations (corresponding to the aforementioned sending operation); the processing unit is an integrated processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit.

[0282] As shown in Figure 12, the communication device 1200 includes a processor 1210 and may also include an interface circuit 1220. The processor 1210 and the interface circuit 1220 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1220 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1200 may also include a memory 1230 (shown as a dashed line in Figure 12) for storing instructions executed by the processor 1210, or storing input data required by the processor 1210 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1210 executes instructions.

[0283] When the communication device 1100 is used to implement the function of RU: the processor 1210 is used to implement one or more operations in steps S602 and S605 in the embodiment shown in FIG6, and the interface circuit 1220 is used to implement one or more operations implemented by RU in steps S601 and S604 in the embodiment shown in FIG6; or, the processor 1210 is used to implement one or more operations in steps S703b, S707b, and S709 in the embodiment shown in FIG7b, and the interface circuit 1220 is used to implement one or more operations implemented by RU in steps S702, S705, S706, and S708 in the embodiment shown in FIG7b; or, the processor 1210 is used to implement one or more operations in steps S1003b, S1006b, and S1008 in the embodiment shown in FIG10b, and the interface circuit 1220 is used to implement one or more operations implemented by RU in steps S1000, S1002, S1005, and S1007 in the embodiment shown in FIG10b.

[0284] When the communication device 1100 is used to implement the function of DU: the processor 1210 is used to implement step S603 in the embodiment shown in FIG6, and the interface circuit 1220 is used to implement one or more operations implemented by DU in steps S601 and S604 in the embodiment shown in FIG6; or, the processor 1210 is used to implement one or more operations in steps S703a, S704, and S707a in the embodiment shown in FIG7b, and the interface circuit 1220 is used to implement step S7 in the embodiment shown in FIG7b. S1001a, S701b, S702, S705, S706, S708, one or more operations implemented by DU; or, processor 1210 is used to implement one or more operations in steps S1003a, S1004, S1006a in the embodiment shown in FIG10b, and interface circuit 1220 is used to implement one or more operations implemented by DU in steps S1000, S1001a, S1001b, S1002, S1005, S1007 in the embodiment shown in FIG10b.

[0285] A more detailed description of the processor 1210 and interface circuit 1220 can be obtained directly from the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown in Figures 6, 7b, and 10b, and will not be repeated here.

[0286] The module division in this application is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods are possible. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various examples of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0287] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices (PLDs), transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0288] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the methods described in the above embodiments.

[0289] This application also provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods described in the above embodiments.

[0290] This application also provides a communication system, including the communication device described above.

[0291] This application also provides a circuit coupled to a memory, which is used to perform the methods shown in the above embodiments. This circuit may include a chip circuit.

[0292] When the aforementioned communication device is a module applied to a network device, the network device module implements the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. The network device module receives information from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) within the network device; this information is sent by the UE to the network device. Alternatively, the network device module sends information to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) within the network device; this information is sent by the network device to the UE. Here, the network device module can be the baseband chip of the network device, or a CU, DU, or other module, or a device under an open radio access network (O-RAN) architecture, such as an open CU, open DU, etc.

[0293] It should be noted that one or more of the above units can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of both. When any of the above units is implemented by software, the software exists as computer program instructions and is stored in memory. The processor can be used to execute the program instructions and implement the above method flow.

[0294] In this application, the processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, or all or part of the circuitry in the aforementioned devices used to implement the processing functions, capable of implementing or executing the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in this application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the methods disclosed in this application can be directly embodied in the execution of the hardware processor, or can be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0295] When the above units or components are implemented in hardware, the hardware can be any one or any combination of a CPU, microprocessor, digital signal processing (DSP) chip, microcontroller unit (MCU), artificial intelligence processor, ASIC, SoC, FPGA, PLD, application-specific digital circuit, hardware accelerator, or non-integrated discrete device, which can run the necessary software or perform the above method flow independently of software.

[0296] Optionally, embodiments of this application also provide a chip system, including: at least one processor and an interface, wherein the at least one processor is coupled to a memory via the interface, and when the at least one processor executes a computer program or instructions in the memory, the chip system performs the method in any of the above method embodiments. Optionally, the chip system may be composed of chips, or may include chips and other discrete devices; embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0297] The memory in this application can also be a circuit or any other device capable of performing storage functions, used to store program instructions and / or data. Memory is any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures, and accessible by a computer, but is not limited thereto. For example, memory can be non-volatile memory, such as digital versatile disc (DVD), hard disk drive (HDD), or solid-state drive (SSD), or it can be volatile memory, such as random-access memory (RAM).

[0298] It should be understood that in the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " indicates that the objects before and after it are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can represent A or B; where A and B can be singular or plural. Furthermore, in the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" refers to two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. Additionally, to facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of this application to distinguish identical or similar items with substantially the same function and effect. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first" and "second" do not limit the quantity or execution order, and the terms "first" and "second" do not necessarily imply difference. In this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is being described as an example, illustration, or explanation. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of terms such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner for ease of understanding.

[0299] It is understood that in this application, "instruction" can include direct instruction, indirect instruction, explicit instruction, and implicit instruction. When describing a certain instruction information to indicate A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A. In this application, the information indicated by the instruction information is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementation, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index, or indirectly indicating the information to be instructed by indicating other information, wherein there is an association between the other information and the information to be instructed. It is also possible to indicate only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts of the information to be instructed are known or agreed upon in advance. For example, the instruction of specific information can also be achieved by using the arrangement order of various information in advance (e.g., as specified by a protocol), thereby reducing the instruction overhead to a certain extent. The information to be instructed can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information to be sent separately, and the sending period and / or sending time of these sub-information can be the same or different. This application does not limit the specific sending method. The sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be predefined, for example, according to a protocol, or configured by the transmitting device by sending configuration information to the receiving device.

[0300] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software programs, implementation can be, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program 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.

[0301] Although this application has been described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, those skilled in the art, by reviewing the accompanying drawings, disclosure, and appended claims, will understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments in carrying out the claimed application. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple instances. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions listed in the claims. While different dependent claims may recite certain measures, this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0302] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

[0303] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions in other embodiments.

[0304] The components in the device described in this application embodiment can be combined, divided, or removed according to actual needs. Those skilled in the art can combine or integrate the different embodiments and features described in this specification.

[0305] In this application, examples may reference each other without logical contradiction. For example, methods and / or terms between method embodiments may reference each other, functions and / or terms between device embodiments may reference each other, and functions and / or terms between device examples and method examples may reference each other.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The wireless unit receives first information from the distributed unit, the first information indicating that multi-user beamforming weights should be calculated on the first frequency domain resource set. The wireless unit obtains the calculation result of the first multi-user beamforming weight corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set based on the first information. The wireless unit receives second information from the distributed unit, the second information indicating the calculation result of the second multi-user beamforming weights corresponding to the second frequency domain resource set; The wireless unit obtains the multi-user beamforming weight calculation results corresponding to the entire frequency band based on the first multi-user beamforming weight calculation results and the second multi-user beamforming weight calculation results. The entire frequency band includes the first frequency domain resource set and the second frequency domain resource set.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first frequency domain resource set is distributed in a block shape, and the first information includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the starting frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the identifier of the ending frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, and the number of frequency domain resource units in the first frequency domain resource set.

3. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first frequency domain resource set is distributed in a comb-like pattern, and the first information includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the starting frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the identifier of the ending frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the comb spacing between the frequency domain resource units in the first frequency domain resource set, and the comb length.

4. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first frequency domain resource set is irregularly distributed, and the first information includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the starting frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the identifier of the ending frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, and a bit map, wherein the bit map indicates whether each frequency domain resource unit in the full frequency band is subjected to multi-user beamforming weight calculation by the radio unit.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first information includes a predefined frequency domain division of labor structure identifier, and the method further includes: The wireless unit queries the locally stored frequency domain division structure according to the frequency domain division structure identifier to obtain the first frequency domain resource set and the second frequency domain resource set.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The method further includes: The wireless unit receives third information from the distributed unit, the third information indicating the layer 2 scheduling information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set.

7. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The Layer 2 scheduling information includes at least one of the following: the number of users corresponding to each frequency domain resource unit in at least one frequency domain resource unit, the identifier of each user corresponding to each frequency domain resource unit in at least one frequency domain resource unit, the number of data streams corresponding to each user, the frequency domain resource unit used for single-user pairing or the unit frequency domain unit used for multi-user pairing in at least one frequency domain resource unit, and the size of each frequency domain resource unit in at least one frequency domain resource unit.

8. The method as described in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The wireless unit acquires the calculation result of the first multi-user beamforming weights corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, including: The wireless unit receives fourth information from the distributed unit, the fourth information including the identifier of at least one user, and the full-band channel estimation result and precoding matrix indication information corresponding to each of the at least one user; The wireless unit obtains the beamforming weights for each user based on the channel estimation results and precoding matrix indication information for the full-band of each of the at least one user. The wireless unit obtains the calculation result of the first multi-user beamforming weight based on the layer 2 scheduling information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set and the beamforming weight corresponding to each user.

9. The method as described in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The wireless unit acquires the calculation result of the first multi-user beamforming weights corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, including: The wireless unit receives fifth information from the distributed unit, the fifth information including channel estimation results and precoding matrix indication information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, and the identifier of at least one user associated with them; The wireless unit obtains the beamforming weights corresponding to at least one associated user based on the channel estimation results and precoding matrix indication information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set. The wireless unit obtains the calculation result of the first multi-user beamforming weight based on the layer 2 scheduling information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set and the beamforming weight corresponding to the at least one associated user.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The first information can be sent statically, periodically, or non-periodically.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The first frequency domain resource unit is any one of the following: resource unit, resource unit combination, resource block, physical resource, or physical resource block combination; The second frequency domain resource unit is any one of the following: resource unit, resource unit combination, resource block, physical resource, or physical resource block combination.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The distributed unit sends first information to the wireless unit, the first information indicating that multi-user beamforming weights should be calculated on the first frequency domain resource set; The distributed unit obtains the calculation result of the second multi-user beamforming weights corresponding to the second frequency domain resource set; The distributed unit sends a second message to the wireless unit, the second message indicating the calculation result of the second multi-user beamforming weights.

13. The method as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The first frequency domain resource set is distributed in a block shape, and the first information includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the starting frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the identifier of the ending frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, and the number of frequency domain resource units in the first frequency domain resource set.

14. The method as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The first frequency domain resource set is distributed in a comb-like pattern, and the first information includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the starting frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the identifier of the ending frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the comb spacing between the frequency domain resource units in the first frequency domain resource set, and the comb length.

15. The method as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The first frequency domain resource set is irregularly distributed, and the first information includes at least one of the following: the identifier of the starting frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, the identifier of the ending frequency domain resource unit in the first frequency domain resource set, and a bit map, wherein the bit map indicates whether each frequency domain resource unit in the full frequency band is subjected to multi-user beamforming weight calculation by the radio unit, and the full frequency band includes the first frequency domain resource set and the second frequency domain resource set.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12-15, characterized in that, The first information includes a predefined frequency domain division of labor structure identifier, and the first frequency domain resource set and the second frequency domain resource set are determined based on the frequency domain division of labor structure identifier.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12-16, characterized in that, The method further includes: The distributed unit obtains the Layer 2 scheduling information corresponding to the full frequency band based on the channel estimation results of each user in at least one user and the beamforming weights corresponding to each user. The distributed unit sends a third message to the wireless unit, the third message indicating the layer 2 scheduling information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set.

18. The method as described in claim 17, characterized in that, The Layer 2 scheduling information includes at least one of the following: the number of users corresponding to each frequency domain resource unit in at least one frequency domain resource unit, the identifier of each user corresponding to each frequency domain resource unit in at least one frequency domain resource unit, the number of data streams corresponding to each user, the frequency domain resource unit used for single-user pairing or the unit frequency domain unit used for multi-user pairing in at least one frequency domain resource unit, and the size of each frequency domain resource unit in at least one frequency domain resource unit.

19. The method as described in claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, The method further includes: The distributed unit sends fourth information to the wireless unit, the fourth information including the identifier of at least one user, and the full-band channel estimation result and precoding matrix indication information corresponding to each of the at least one user; or The distributed unit sends fifth information to the wireless unit. The fifth information includes channel estimation results and precoding matrix indication information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource set, as well as the identifier of at least one user associated with it.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17-19, characterized in that, The distributed unit obtains the calculation results of the second multi-user beamforming weights corresponding to the second frequency domain resource set, including: The distributed unit obtains the beamforming weights for each user based on the channel estimation results and precoding matrix indication information for the full-band of each user in at least one user. The distributed unit obtains the second multi-user beamforming weight calculation result corresponding to the second frequency domain resource set based on the layer 2 scheduling information and the beamforming weight corresponding to each user.

21. The method according to any one of claims 12-20, characterized in that, The first information can be sent statically, periodically, or non-periodically.

22. The method according to any one of claims 12-21, characterized in that, The first frequency domain resource unit is any one of the following: resource unit, resource unit combination, resource block, physical resource, or physical resource block combination; The second frequency domain resource unit is any one of the following: resource unit, resource unit combination, resource block, physical resource, or physical resource block combination.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes units for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 1-11, or units for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 12-22.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices besides the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices besides the communication device. The processor is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-11, or to implement the method as described in any one of claims 12-22, through logic circuits or execution code instructions.

25. The communication device according to claim 24, characterized in that, The communication device is a chip.

26. A chip module, characterized in that, It includes a transceiver component and a chip, the chip being used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-11, or to perform the method as described in any one of claims 12-22.

27. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the program is executed by the processor, it implements the method as described in any one of claims 1-11, or the method as described in any one of claims 12-22.

28. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes relevant program instructions, which, when executed, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-11, or the method as described in any one of claims 12-22.

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