Communication method and communication device

Abstract

Provided are a wireless communication method and a communication device. The method comprises: a first terminal device detecting a first sequence, wherein the first sequence is used for indicating whether to detect and / or monitor a first control channel, and the first sequence is a real sequence or a complex sequence.

Description

Communication methods and communication equipment Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Technology

[0002] In communication systems, terminal devices need to detect control channels (such as the physical downlink control channel, PDCCH) sent by network devices. The detection process for control channels is relatively complex and is not conducive to energy saving of terminal devices. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a method and a communication device for wireless communication. The various aspects covered by this application are described below.

[0004] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: a first terminal device detecting a first sequence, the first sequence being used to indicate whether to detect and / or listen to a first control channel; wherein the first sequence is a real sequence or a complex sequence.

[0005] In some implementations, the first sequence is further used by the first terminal device to perform one or more of the following operations: demodulating the first control channel, time-frequency synchronization, and automatic gain control.

[0006] In some implementations, the first sequence is the demodulation reference signal of the first control channel.

[0007] In some implementations, the time-domain resources occupied by the first sequence are located at a first time-domain position, and the time-domain resources occupied by the first control channel are located at a second time-domain position. The first time-domain position and the second time-domain position satisfy one of the following: the first time-domain position is the same as the second time-domain position; the first time-domain position and the second time-domain position partially overlap; or the first time-domain position is located before the second time-domain position.

[0008] In some implementations, the first time-domain position is located before the second time-domain position, and the first time-domain position and the second time-domain position satisfy one of the following: the first time-domain position and the second time-domain position are continuous in the time domain; there is a time interval between the first time-domain position and the second time-domain position.

[0009] In some implementations, the first sequence occupies a first frequency domain resource, the first control channel occupies a second frequency domain resource, the first frequency domain resource corresponds to a first frequency domain range, the second frequency domain resource corresponds to a second frequency domain range, and the first frequency domain range and the second frequency domain range satisfy one of the following: the first frequency domain range and the second frequency domain range are the same; the first frequency domain range and the second frequency domain range partially overlap; the first frequency domain range and the second frequency domain range do not overlap.

[0010] In some implementations, the first frequency domain resource is a continuous frequency domain resource or a discontinuous frequency domain resource; and / or, the second frequency domain resource is a continuous frequency domain resource or a discontinuous frequency domain resource.

[0011] In some implementations, the real sequence includes an m-sequence, a gold sequence, a pseudo-random noise PN sequence, or a Hadamard sequence; and / or, the complex sequence includes a constant envelope zero autocorrelation CAZAC sequence or a ZC sequence.

[0012] In some implementations, the first sequence or the first sequence set to which the first sequence is located corresponds to the first cell.

[0013] In some implementations, the first sequence or the first sequence set is used for one or more of the following: detecting and / or listening to one or more common control channels in the first cell; detecting and / or listening to terminal device group-specific control channels in the first cell; and detecting and / or listening to terminal device-specific control channels in the first cell.

[0014] In some implementations, the neighboring cells of the first cell include a second cell, and the sequence corresponding to the second cell is not exactly the same as or completely different from the sequence corresponding to the first cell.

[0015] In some implementations, the sequence of the first length corresponding to the first cell is a different sequence from the sequence of the first length corresponding to the second cell.

[0016] In some implementations, the first sequence corresponds to a first type of control channel.

[0017] In some implementations, the first type of control channel includes one or more of the following types of control channels: a common control channel; a terminal device group-specific control channel; and a terminal device-specific control channel.

[0018] In some implementations, the first type of control channel and the second type of control channel correspond to the same or different sequences; or, the first type of control channel and the second type of control channel correspond to the same or different sequence sets.

[0019] In some implementations, the first sequence corresponds to the first terminal device group.

[0020] In some implementations, the first sequence is determined based on the configuration information of the network device; and / or, the first sequence is associated with the identifier of the first terminal device group.

[0021] In some implementations, the first sequence corresponds to the first terminal device.

[0022] In some implementations, the first sequence is determined based on the network device's configuration information.

[0023] In some implementations, the first sequence set includes one or more of the following: one or more ninth sequences; one or more tenth sequences, the tenth sequences being determined based on a cyclic shift of the ninth sequences.

[0024] In some implementations, the first sequence set corresponds to a ninth sequence.

[0025] In some implementations, the number of the ninth sequence is associated with the identifier of the first cell; or, the number of the ninth sequence is determined based on the configuration information of the network device.

[0026] In some implementations, the first sequence set corresponds to multiple ninth sequences.

[0027] In some implementations, the numbers of the plurality of ninth sequences are associated with the identifier of the first cell; or, the numbers of the plurality of ninth sequences are based on the configuration information of the network device.

[0028] In some implementations, the configuration information of the network device is used to indicate one or more of the following: the number of the plurality of ninth sequences; the number of the starting sequence among the plurality of ninth sequences; the number of the last sequence among the plurality of ninth sequences; and the number of the plurality of ninth sequences.

[0029] In some implementations, the first sequence set is a first sequence subset of the third sequence set, the third sequence set includes multiple sequence subsets, the multiple sequence subsets correspond to multiple cells, and the third sequence set includes one or more of the following: one or more ninth sequences; one or more tenth sequences, the tenth sequence being determined based on a cyclic shift of the ninth sequences.

[0030] In some implementations, the number of the first sequence subset is associated with the identifier of the first cell; or, the number of the first sequence subset is determined based on the configuration information of the network device.

[0031] In some implementations, the one or more ninth sequences are one or more basic m sequences, the one or more tenth sequences are cyclic shift sequences of the one or more basic m sequences, and the third sequence set is associated with the numbering of the one or more basic m sequences; and / or, the one or more ninth sequences belong to one or more gold families, the one or more gold families correspond to one or more preferred pairs of m sequences, and the third sequence set is associated with the numbering of the one or more gold families.

[0032] In some implementations, the first sequence set is an m-sequence set, the ninth sequence is a basic m-sequence, and the tenth sequence is an m-sequence determined by a cyclic shift of the basic m-sequence; or, the first sequence set is a gold sequence set, the ninth sequence is a gold sequence corresponding to a preferred pair of m-sequences, and the tenth sequence is a gold sequence determined by a cyclic shift of the preferred pair of m-sequences; or, the first sequence set is a ZC sequence set, the ninth sequence is a root sequence, and the tenth sequence is a ZC sequence determined by a cyclic shift of the root sequence.

[0033] In some implementations, the number of the m-sequence in the m-sequence set is associated with the number of the basic m-sequence, the number of the basic m-sequence is associated with the binary number formed by the polynomial coefficients of the primitive polynomial, and the primitive polynomial corresponds to the basic m-sequence; or, the gold sequence set includes the gold sequences in the first gold sequence family, the first gold sequence family corresponds to the first preferred pair of m-sequences, and the number of the first gold sequence family is associated with the number of the basic m-sequence in the preferred pair of m-sequences; or, the number of the ZC sequence in the ZC sequence set is associated with the physical root sequence number corresponding to the root sequence.

[0034] In some implementations, the first sequence set is a gold sequence set, which includes one or more gold sequence families, or the first sequence set includes a subset of gold sequences from a gold sequence family.

[0035] In some implementations, the first sequence belongs to a first sequence set, which includes sequences of various lengths.

[0036] In some implementations, the sequences of various lengths correspond to various channel qualities.

[0037] In some implementations, the method further includes: the first terminal device receiving a wake-up signal, the wake-up signal being used to instruct the first terminal device to detect the first control channel; and in response to the wake-up signal, the first terminal device detecting the first sequence.

[0038] In some implementations, the first control channel is used to carry downlink control information.

[0039] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: a network device sending a first sequence, the first sequence being used to indicate whether the network device sends and / or to indicate whether a first control channel exists; wherein the first sequence is a real sequence or a complex sequence.

[0040] In some implementations, the first sequence is also used for the first terminal device to perform one or more of the following operations: demodulating the first control channel, time-frequency synchronization, and automatic gain control.

[0041] In some implementations, the first sequence is the demodulation reference signal of the first control channel.

[0042] In some implementations, the time-domain resources occupied by the first sequence are located at a first time-domain position, and the time-domain resources occupied by the first control channel are located at a second time-domain position. The first time-domain position and the second time-domain position satisfy one of the following: the first time-domain position is the same as the second time-domain position; the first time-domain position and the second time-domain position partially overlap; or the first time-domain position is located before the second time-domain position.

[0043] In some implementations, the first time-domain position is located before the second time-domain position, and the first time-domain position and the second time-domain position satisfy one of the following: the first time-domain position and the second time-domain position are continuous in the time domain; there is a time interval between the first time-domain position and the second time-domain position.

[0044] In some implementations, the first sequence occupies a first frequency domain resource, the first control channel occupies a second frequency domain resource, the first frequency domain resource corresponds to a first frequency domain range, the second frequency domain resource corresponds to a second frequency domain range, and the first frequency domain range and the second frequency domain range satisfy one of the following: the first frequency domain range and the second frequency domain range are the same; the first frequency domain range and the second frequency domain range partially overlap; the first frequency domain range and the second frequency domain range do not overlap.

[0045] In some implementations, the first frequency domain resource is a continuous frequency domain resource or a discontinuous frequency domain resource; and / or, the second frequency domain resource is a continuous frequency domain resource or a discontinuous frequency domain resource.

[0046] In some implementations, the real sequence includes an m-sequence, a gold sequence, a pseudo-noise PN sequence, or a Hadamard sequence; and / or, the complex sequence includes a constant envelope zero autocorrelation CAZAC sequence or a ZC sequence.

[0047] In some implementations, the first sequence or the first sequence set to which the first sequence is located corresponds to the first cell.

[0048] In some implementations, the first sequence or the first sequence set is used for one or more of the following: detecting and / or listening to one or more common control channels in the first cell; detecting and / or listening to terminal device group-specific control channels in the first cell; and detecting and / or listening to terminal device-specific control channels in the first cell.

[0049] In some implementations, the neighboring cells of the first cell include a second cell, and the sequence corresponding to the second cell is not exactly the same as or completely different from the sequence corresponding to the first cell.

[0050] In some implementations, the sequence of the first length corresponding to the first cell is a different sequence from the sequence of the first length corresponding to the second cell.

[0051] In some implementations, the first sequence corresponds to a first type of control channel.

[0052] In some implementations, the first type of control channel includes one or more of the following types of control channels: a common control channel; a terminal device group-specific control channel; and a terminal device-specific control channel.

[0053] In some implementations, the first type of control channel and the second type of control channel correspond to the same or different sequences; or, the first type of control channel and the second type of control channel correspond to the same or different sequence sets.

[0054] In some implementations, the first sequence corresponds to the first terminal device group.

[0055] In some implementations, the first sequence is determined based on the configuration information of the network device; or, the first sequence is associated with the identifier of the first terminal device group.

[0056] In some implementations, the first sequence corresponds to the first terminal device.

[0057] In some implementations, the first sequence is determined based on the network device's configuration information.

[0058] In some implementations, the first sequence set includes one or more of the following: one or more ninth sequences; one or more tenth sequences, the tenth sequences being determined based on a cyclic shift of the ninth sequences.

[0059] In some implementations, the first sequence set corresponds to a ninth sequence.

[0060] In some implementations, the number of the ninth sequence is associated with the identifier of the first cell; and / or, the number of the ninth sequence is determined based on the configuration information of the network device.

[0061] In some implementations, the first sequence set corresponds to multiple ninth sequences.

[0062] In some implementations, the numbers of the plurality of ninth sequences are associated with the identifier of the first cell; or, the numbers of the plurality of ninth sequences are based on the configuration information of the network device.

[0063] In some implementations, the configuration information of the network device is used to indicate one or more of the following: the number of the plurality of ninth sequences; the number of the starting sequence among the plurality of ninth sequences; the number of the last sequence among the plurality of ninth sequences; and the number of the plurality of ninth sequences.

[0064] In some implementations, the first sequence set is a first sequence subset of the third sequence set, the third sequence set includes multiple sequence subsets, the multiple sequence subsets correspond to multiple cells, and the third sequence set includes one or more of the following: one or more ninth sequences; one or more tenth sequences, the tenth sequence being determined based on a cyclic shift of the ninth sequences.

[0065] In some implementations, the number of the first sequence subset is associated with the identifier of the first cell; or, the number of the first sequence subset is determined based on the configuration information of the network device.

[0066] In some implementations, the one or more ninth sequences are one or more basic m sequences, the one or more tenth sequences are cyclic shift sequences of the one or more basic m sequences, and the third sequence set is associated with the numbering of the one or more basic m sequences; and / or, the one or more ninth sequences belong to one or more gold families, the one or more gold families correspond to one or more preferred pairs of m sequences, and the third sequence set is associated with the numbering of the one or more gold families.

[0067] In some implementations, the first sequence set is an m-sequence set, the ninth sequence is a basic m-sequence, and the tenth sequence is an m-sequence determined by a cyclic shift of the basic m-sequence; or, the first sequence set is a gold sequence set, the ninth sequence is a gold sequence corresponding to a preferred pair of m-sequences, and the tenth sequence is a gold sequence determined by a cyclic shift of the preferred pair of m-sequences; or, the first sequence set is a ZC sequence set, the ninth sequence is a root sequence, and the tenth sequence is a ZC sequence determined by a cyclic shift of the root sequence.

[0068] In some implementations, the number of the m-sequence in the m-sequence set is associated with the number of the basic m-sequence, the number of the basic m-sequence is associated with the binary number formed by the polynomial coefficients of the primitive polynomial, and the primitive polynomial corresponds to the basic m-sequence; or, the gold sequence set includes the gold sequences in the first gold sequence family, the first gold sequence family corresponds to the first preferred pair of m-sequences, and the number of the first gold sequence family is associated with the number of the basic m-sequence in the preferred pair of m-sequences; or, the number of the ZC sequence in the ZC sequence set is associated with the physical root sequence number corresponding to the root sequence.

[0069] In some implementations, the first sequence set is a gold sequence set, which includes one or more gold sequence families, or the first sequence set includes a subset of gold sequences from a gold sequence family.

[0070] In some implementations, the first sequence belongs to a first sequence set, which includes sequences of various lengths.

[0071] In some implementations, the sequences of various lengths correspond to various channel qualities.

[0072] In some implementations, the method further includes: the network device sending a wake-up signal, the wake-up signal being used to instruct the first terminal device to detect the first control channel.

[0073] In some implementations, the first control channel is used to carry downlink control information.

[0074] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, the communication device being a first terminal device, the communication device comprising: a communication unit for detecting a first sequence, the first sequence being used to indicate whether to detect and / or monitor a first control channel; wherein the first sequence is a real sequence or a complex sequence.

[0075] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, comprising: a communication unit for transmitting a first sequence, the first sequence being used to indicate whether the network device transmits and / or to indicate the existence of a first control channel; wherein the first sequence is a real sequence or a complex sequence.

[0076] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, including a transceiver, a memory, and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store a program, the processor is used to invoke the program in the memory, and to control the transceiver to receive or transmit signals, so that the communication device performs the method as described in the first or second aspect.

[0077] A sixth aspect provides an apparatus including a processor for calling a program from a memory to cause the apparatus to perform the method as described in the first or second aspect.

[0078] A seventh aspect provides a chip including a processor for calling a program from memory, causing a device having the chip mounted to perform the method as described in the first or second aspect.

[0079] Eighthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided having a program stored thereon that causes a computer to perform the method as described in the first or second aspect.

[0080] Ninth aspect, a computer program product is provided, characterized in that it includes a program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in the first or second aspect.

[0081] In a tenth aspect, a computer program is provided that causes a computer to perform the method as described in the first or second aspect.

[0082] Introducing the first sequence helps to achieve energy savings in terminal devices. Attached Figure Description

[0083] Figure 1 is a system architecture example diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to embodiments of this application.

[0084] Figure 2 is an example diagram of the discontinuous reception (DRX) process.

[0085] Figure 3 is an example diagram of the temporal domain information configured for the search space set.

[0086] Figure 4 is an example diagram of the resource mapping method of resource element group (REG).

[0087] Figure 5 shows another example of REG's resource mapping method.

[0088] Figure 6 is an example diagram of the frequency domain resources occupied by the demodulation reference signal (DMRS).

[0089] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the general structure of a linear feedback shift register.

[0090] Figure 8 is an example diagram of an m-sequence generator.

[0091] Figure 9 shows an example of a cyclic shift method.

[0092] Figure 10 is a schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0093] Figure 11 is a structural example diagram of the first sequence and the first control channel provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0094] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first sequence provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0095] Figure 13 is another structural example of the first sequence and the first control channel provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0096] Figure 14 is another structural example of the first sequence and the first control channel provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0097] Figure 15 is another structural example of the first sequence and the first control channel provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0098] Figure 16 is another structural example of the first sequence and the first control channel provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0099] Figure 17 is another structural example of the first sequence and the first control channel provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0100] Figure 18 is another structural example diagram of the first sequence provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0101] Figure 19 is another structural example of the first sequence and the first control channel provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0102] Figure 20 is another structural example of the first sequence and the first control channel provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0103] Figure 21 is another structural example of the first sequence and the first control channel provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0104] Figure 22 is another structural example diagram of the first sequence provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0105] Figure 23 is another structural example diagram of the first sequence provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0106] Figure 24 is another structural example diagram of the first sequence provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0107] Figure 25 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the sequence segment provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0108] Figure 26 is another structural schematic diagram of the sequence segment provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0109] Figure 27 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a short sequence provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0110] Figure 28 is another structural schematic diagram of the short sequence provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0111] Figure 29 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0112] Figure 30 is another structural schematic diagram of the communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0113] Figure 31 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus applicable to embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0114] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0115] Communication system

[0116] Figure 1 is a system architecture example diagram of a wireless communication system 100 applicable to embodiments of this application. The wireless communication system 100 may include a network device 110 and a terminal device 120. The network device 110 may be a device that communicates with the terminal device 120. The network device 110 can provide network coverage for a specific geographical area and can communicate with the terminal device 120 located within that coverage area. The terminal device 120 can access a network (such as a wireless network) through the network device 110. Optionally, the wireless communication system 100 may also include other network entities such as a network controller and a mobility management entity; this embodiment of the application does not limit this.

[0117] It should be understood that the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as 5G systems or new radio (NR), long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, etc. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as sixth-generation mobile communication systems, satellite communication systems, and so on.

[0118] The terminal device in this application embodiment can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. The terminal device in this application embodiment can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, and can be used to connect people, objects, and machines, such as a handheld device with wireless connectivity, vehicle-mounted device, etc. The terminal devices in the embodiments of this application can be mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, self-driving, remote medical surgery, smart grids, transportation safety, smart cities, and smart homes, etc. Optionally, the terminal device can act as a base station. For example, the terminal device can act as a scheduling entity, providing sidelink signals between terminal devices in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) or device-to-device (D2D) systems. For instance, cellular phones and cars communicate with each other using sidelink signals. Cellular phones and smart home devices communicate without relaying communication signals through base stations.

[0119] The network device in this application embodiment can be a device for communicating with terminal devices. This network device can be, for example, an access network device or a wireless access network device. For instance, the network device can be a base station. The term "base station" can broadly encompass various names, or be replaced by, the following: NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNB), next-generation NodeB (gNB), relay station, access point, transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), home base station, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (AP), transmission node, transceiver node, baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), positioning node, etc. A base station can be a macro base station, micro base station, relay node, donor node, or the like, or a combination thereof.

[0120] PDCCH detection

[0121] In a communication system, network devices can send downlink control information (DCI) to terminals. DCI can be used for downlink scheduling (e.g., scheduling the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)), uplink scheduling (e.g., scheduling the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)), or transmitting common control information. DCI can be carried via PDCCH. Network devices can configure a search space for terminal devices. Furthermore, network devices can configure different aggregation levels (ALs) and, at each aggregation level, configure the number of candidate PDCCHs that the terminal device needs to monitor. The terminal device needs to perform blind PDCCH detection within the search space. The maximum number of PDCCHs that a terminal device can blindly detect within a time slot is related to the subcarrier spacing. For example, when the subcarrier spacing is 15kHz, the maximum number of PDCCHs that the terminal device can detect within a time slot is 44. Refer to Table 1 below. The values ​​of μ, 0, 1, 2, and 3, correspond to subcarrier spacings of 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, and 120 kHz, respectively.

[0122] Table 1

[0123] In 5G NR systems, DCI uses Polar coding. Therefore, each time the terminal device detects PDCCH, it needs to perform decoding, which leads to higher power consumption and increased processing latency.

[0124] A PDCCH's transmission resources can include M1 control channel elements (CCEs). The relationship between aggregation level and the number of CCEs is shown in Table 2 below. Each CCE can include M2 ​​resource element groups (REGs). For example, M2 = 6. One REG corresponds to a physical resource block (PRB) in the frequency domain and an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol in the time domain. The transmission reliability varies depending on the number of CCEs occupied by the PDCCH. For example, the more CCEs a PDCCH occupies, the higher its transmission reliability.

[0125] Table 2

[0126] The PDCCH detection process involves the following concepts related to PDCCH: detection, reception, listening, demodulation, and buffering.

[0127] From the physical layer process, PDCCH detection may include: channel estimation based on the demodulation reference signal (DMRS); and demodulation of the PDCCH based on the channel estimation result. PDCCH demodulation may include one or more of the following operations: channel equalization, demodulation (e.g., if the PDCCH uses quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulation, then QPSK can be used to demodulate the PDCCH), decoding, cyclic redundancy check (CRC) verification, etc.

[0128] Generally speaking, PDCCH reception can refer to the reception of PDCCH signals (signals containing PDCCH). PDCCH signal reception can include sampling and buffering of the PDCCH signal. Of course, in some cases, PDCCH reception can also refer to the reception of information within the PDCCH, i.e., DCI reception. If PDCCH reception refers to DCI reception, then PDCCH reception can include: PDCCH signal reception, buffering, and PDCCH detection.

[0129] PDCCH sniffing is a relatively broad concept. Generally speaking, PDCCH sniffing is associated with the concept of PDCCH search space, and is mainly used to determine whether a network device has transmitted a PDCCH within the PDCCH search space. The PDCCH search space typically includes one or more PDCCH sniffing opportunities. For a specific sniffing opportunity, PDCCH sniffing can include receiving, buffering, and detecting PDCCH signals.

[0130] It should be noted that in some cases, the relevant technologies do not strictly distinguish between PDCCH detection and PDCCH eavesdropping, and the two concepts may sometimes be used interchangeably.

[0131] Discontinuous reception (DRX)

[0132] To conserve power in terminal devices, communication systems currently support the DRX transmission mechanism. The main principle of DRX is to achieve discontinuous signal reception in the time domain through semi-static configuration. For example, when there is no data transmission, the terminal device can reduce power consumption by stopping the reception of the PDCCH (which stops blind PDCCH detection).

[0133] In practical implementation, a DRX cycle can be configured for terminal devices in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state (RRC_CONNECTED). As shown in Figure 2, the DRX cycle can include an "active time" and an "inactive time." During the active time (or active period), the terminal device can listen for and receive the PDCCH. During the inactive time (or sleep period), the terminal device does not receive the PDCCH to reduce power consumption.

[0134] DRX wake-up signal

[0135] In energy-saving enhancement technologies for NR systems, DRX ON (DRX activation time) can be used in conjunction with the DRX wake-up signal (or energy-saving wake-up signal). For example, the terminal device receives the DRX wake-up signal before DRX ON arrives. Referring to Figure 2, when the terminal device has data transmission in a DRX cycle, the DRX wake-up signal "wakes up" the terminal device to detect the PDCCH during DRX ON; otherwise, when the terminal device has no data transmission in a DRX cycle, the DRX wake-up signal does not "wake up" the terminal device. In this case, the terminal device does not need to detect the PDCCH during DRX ON. Compared to the traditional DRX mechanism, when the terminal device has no data transmission, the terminal device can omit the PDCCH detection during DRX ON, thereby achieving energy saving. The DRX wake-up signal itself can also adopt a similar waveform and structure to the PDCCH.

[0136] Optimization of terminal device complexity

[0137] In NR Release 15 / 16, terminal devices support extremely high peak data rates. Therefore, NR Release 15 / 16 places higher demands on the capabilities of terminal devices. The LTE standard defines a maximum single-carrier bandwidth of 20MHz. If terminal devices require greater bandwidth, multi-carrier aggregation is necessary. In NR, the maximum carrier bandwidth below 6GHz is 100MHz, five times that of LTE. Furthermore, the maximum carrier bandwidth in the millimeter-wave band is 400MHz in NR. Further, the scale of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antennas is also increased in NR. In LTE, terminal devices typically use a single-transmit, dual-receive configuration, while NR Release 15 requires dual-transmit, quad-receive antennas at frequencies above 2500MHz. NR Release 15 / 16 does not support half-duplex, requiring terminal devices to process data in all uplink and downlink slots.

[0138] However, some application scenarios do not require terminal devices to possess such high processing power. These application scenarios include, but are not limited to, the Internet of Things (IoT), industrial automation, and wearable devices. In these scenarios, communication equipment hardware generally requires a small size and low power consumption. Therefore, lightweight capability is a key characteristic of terminal devices in such scenarios. Based on this consideration, NR introduced the low-capability terminal standard in Release 17. The low-capability terminal standard reduces some mandatory capabilities of NR Release 15 / 16. The low-capability terminal standard further optimizes the identification and access process of terminal devices and optimizes the power consumption of terminal devices. The design of low-capability terminals can significantly reduce the hardware complexity of terminal devices, while also correspondingly reducing the power consumption of terminal devices, thereby achieving energy saving.

[0139] PDCCH search space and control resource set (CORESET)

[0140] Network devices transmit DCI to terminal devices via PDCCH. Depending on the format of the DCI carried in the PDCCH, different control information can be indicated to the terminal devices, such as downlink scheduling information, uplink scheduling information, and timeslot format indication information.

[0141] In NR, the search space for the PDCCH indicated by the network device to the terminal device includes a common search space and a terminal device-specific search space. The terminal device can detect the PDCCH according to the indicated search space.

[0142] In NR, network devices instruct terminal devices to detect PDCCHs on the corresponding time-frequency resources by indicating the PDCCH search space to the terminal devices. The PDCCH search space is typically notified to the terminal devices by the network devices via RRC signaling. The configuration information of the search space may include one or more of the following:

[0143] Search space ID;

[0144] The control resource set identifier (controlResourceSetId) is used to indicate the ID of the CORESET to configure the time-frequency resources of the PDCCH search space;

[0145] The period of the listening time slot and the offset within the period are currently supported by the NR system, which includes 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 16, 20, 40, 80, 160, 320, 640, 1280, and 2560 time slots.

[0146] Duration indicates the number of time slots continuously monitored within the PDCCH search space;

[0147] The monitoring symbols within a slot indicate the position of the first symbol of the CORESET being monitored within the slot monitored by the PDCCH.

[0148] PDCCH candidates are used to indicate the configuration information of the PDCCH candidates.

[0149] Search space type indicates whether the PDCCH search space is a public search space or a terminal device-specific search space.

[0150] The temporal configuration information of the search space set can include the detection period, time slot offset, number of time slots, and symbol positions within the time slots. As shown in Figure 3, the detection period is 10 time slots, the time slot offset is 5 time slots, the number of time slots is two time slots, and the CORESET index corresponds to a CORESET containing two symbols. Two symbol sets are monitored within the monitoring time slot, and their first symbol positions are symbols 0 and 7 within the time slot, respectively.

[0151] In NR, the configuration of the PDCCH search space includes CORESET. CORESET indicates information such as the number of RBs occupied in the frequency domain and the number of OFDM symbols occupied in the time domain for resources used to carry the PDCCH. The configuration information of CORESET is included in the RRC configuration information, specifically containing one or more of the following:

[0152] ControlResourceSetId: The number of the CORESET, ranging from 1 to 11, where CORESET 0 is the CORESET indicated in the broadcast message;

[0153] Frequency Domain Resources: Used to indicate the frequency domain resources of a CORESET, such as indicating the RBs contained in a CORESET;

[0154] Duration: Indicates the number of consecutive symbols occupied by CORESET, with a value range of {1, 2, 3};

[0155] The CCE and REG mapping types (cce-REG-MappingType) can be configured as interleaved or non-interleaved mappings.

[0156] Precoder Granularity: Indicates whether the precoder granularity of the demodulation reference signal (DMRS) is wideband or narrowband precode.

[0157] PDCCH Structure and Blind Detection

[0158] Time-frequency resources in a CORESET are organized in units of REGs, and REGs are numbered within the CORESET in a time-domain-first, frequency-domain-second manner. A REG includes one OFDM symbol in the time domain and one PRB in the frequency domain. Several REGs form a REG bundle. A REG bundle can form a CCE, with each CCE containing six REGs. A PDCCH consists of one or more CCEs; the number of CCEs constituting a PDCCH is the aggregation level. NR supports aggregation levels of 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16, meaning a PDCCH candidate resource can consist of 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 CCEs. The terminal device searches for PDCCHs in the CORESET by continuously demodulating PDCCH candidates in the candidate set; this process is called blind PDCCH detection. The PDCCH candidate set includes a set of CCEs that may exist within the CORESET for a PDCCH, and may include the starting position and number of CCEs. The specific position of a CCE can be determined using a search space function. The terminal device can learn the CCE aggregation level that the PDCCH may send and the corresponding number of blind detections by receiving the number of candidates (nrofCandidates) in the search space. Then it can perform decoding operations on each candidate set. Once decoding is successful, the blind detection process will stop.

[0159] In CORESET, REG is mapped to CCE in the order of first time domain and then frequency domain, as shown in Figure 4. When the duration of CORESET is 1, 2, or 3 symbols, REG can be mapped to CCE in a non-interleaved manner.

[0160] REG can also be mapped to CCE in an interleaved manner, as shown in Figure 5. When the duration of CORESET is 3 symbols, REG is mapped to CCE in an interleaved manner.

[0161] The PDCCH CCE includes a DMRS for PDCCH demodulation. The PDCCH DMRS is fixed on subcarriers 1, 5, and 9 in each PRB, with one DMRS mapped for every four subcarriers. A CORESET can contain two symbols and two PRBs, and the RE where the DMRS is located is shown in Figure 6.

[0162] The expression for the sequence of PDCCH DMRS on OFDM symbol l is as follows:

[0163] Where c(i) is a pseudo-random sequence, which can be initialized using the following formula:

[0164] In the above formula, l represents the OFDM symbol number within the time slot. N is the number of the intra-frame time slot. ID Determined based on the high-level configuration parameter pdcch-DMRS-ScramblingID. This parameter indicates N ID , where N ID ∈{0,1,…,65535}. If this parameter is not configured, then The physical cell ID (physCellId) configured for the serving cell is used to identify and distinguish different cells.

[0165] NR supports two mapping modes for PDCCH DMRS. If the higher-layer parameter precoderGranularity is equal to sameAsREG-bundle, then the PDCCH DMRS is located within the REG that constitutes the PDCCH that the terminal device attempts to decode; if the higher-layer parameter precoderGranularity is equal to allContiguousRBs, then the PDCCH DMRS is located within the REG of the set of contiguous resource blocks in the CORESET that the terminal device attempts to decode the PDCCH.

[0166] REG bundle beamforming

[0167] Regarding beamforming of REG bundles, the current 5G standard adopts the following provisions. For interleaving and non-interleaving methods, the terminal device assumes that: if the higher-layer parameter configuration precoderGranularity is equal to sameAsREG-bundle, then the same precoding is used within a REG bundle; if the higher-layer parameter precoderGranularity is equal to allContiguousRBs, then in CORESET, the resource element groups within all contiguous resource block sets use the same precoding.

[0168] It can be seen that there are currently two ways to precode PDCCH: one is precoding at the REG bundle granularity, and the other is precoding CORESET as a whole.

[0169] m-sequence

[0170] An m-sequence is the longest code sequence generated by a multi-stage shift register or its delay element through linear feedback. It is also known as the longest linear feedback shift register sequence or the maximum-length sequence. The number of stages in a shift register can be understood as the number of shift registers. The sequence currently stored in a shift register is called a state. After the shift register outputs one bit, it is padded with another bit by the feedback function, and then the shift register moves to the next state.

[0171] In a binary shift register, if r is the number of stages in the shift register, then an r-stage shift register has 2... r There are 2 states, excluding the all-zero state, there are 2 remaining. r —It has 1 state, therefore the maximum length of the code sequence it can generate is 2. r -1 bit. That is, the longest period generated by an r-stage linear feedback shift register is equal to 2. r ―1.

[0172] The linear feedback shift register will be introduced first. Figure 7 shows a general structural diagram of a linear feedback shift register. Assume the initial state of this shift register is (a0a1...a...). r―2 a r―1 After one shift linear feedback, the input of the first stage on the left side of the shift register is as follows:

[0173] If the shift register is shifted f times, the input of the first stage on the left side is as follows:

[0174] Where e = r + f - 1 ≥ r, f = 1, 2, 3, ..., it can be seen that the input of the first stage of the shift register is affected by the feedback logic and the initial state of the shift register. This formula can be called the recursive formula of the r-stage linear feedback shift register.

[0175] Referring to the recurrence relation described by this recurrence relation, it can be seen that, depending on the initial state, the r-stage shift register can generate 2 r —One non-zero sequence. Therefore, the maximum length of code sequence that an r-stage linear feedback shift register can generate is 2^r. r -1 bit. That is, the longest period of a sequence generated by an r-stage linear feedback shift register is equal to 2. r ―1.

[0176] The characteristic polynomial of the r-stage linear feedback shift register is as follows:

[0177] The characteristic polynomial can be used to describe the feedback connection state of an r-stage linear feedback shift register. Where x... i The existence of c indicates i =1, otherwise c i =0, the value of x itself has no practical meaning. i The value of c0 determines the feedback link of the shift register. Since c0 = c r =1, therefore, f(x) is an r-degree polynomial with a constant term of 1.

[0178] A necessary and sufficient condition for an r-stage linear feedback shift register to generate an m-sequence is that f(x) is an r-degree primitive polynomial. f(x) is considered an r-degree primitive polynomial if it satisfies the following three conditions:

[0179] (1) f(x) is an irreducible polynomial, that is, f(x) cannot be factored further;

[0180] (2) f(x) is divisible by (x) p +1), where p = 2 r ―1;

[0181] (3) f(x) is not divisible by (x) q +1), where q <p。

[0182] The generation of the m-sequence is illustrated below using r=4 as an example. The longest period of the sequence generated by the 4-stage linear feedback shift register is 2. r -1 = 15. When r = 4, the characteristic polynomial f(x) must be a 4th degree primitive polynomial to generate an m-sequence. That is, f(x) must be infactorable and divisible by (x...). 15 +1), and f(x) is not divisible by (x) q +1), q<15.

[0183] First, (x) 15 +1) Factorize as shown in the following equation, so that (x 15 The factors of +1) are irreducible polynomials, and then f(x) is searched.

[0184] x 15 +1=(x+1)(x 2 +x+1)(x 4 +x+1)(x 4 +x 3 +1)(x 4 +x 3 +x 2 +x+1);

[0185] Among them, (x 15 The fourth factor of (x + 1) has 3. But (x 4+x 3 +x 2 +x+1) divides (x) 5 +1), so (x 4 +x 3 +x 2 (x + x + 1) is not a primitive polynomial. Therefore, we can find two 4th-degree primitive polynomials: (x + x + 1) 4 +x+1) and (x 4 +x 3 +1), any one of these polynomials can generate an m-sequence.

[0186] For example, with f(x) = x 4 Taking +x+1 as an example, the m-sequence generator it forms is shown in Figure 8. The modulo-2 sum of a0 and a3 will be used as the new highest bit a3 after the sequence is shifted right, and the lowest bit a0 will be used as the output. Let the initial state of the 4-stage shift register be "1000", c4 = c1 = c0 = 1, c3 = c2 = 0. After a period of 15, the lowest bit of the sequence output after each shift forms an m-sequence, thus obtaining the m-sequence "100110101111000".

[0187] The m-sequence exhibits balance. Within one period of the m-sequence, the number of "1"s and "0"s is approximately equal. More precisely, there is one more "1" than "0".

[0188] The run distribution of m-sequences also has characteristics. Elements with the same value and connected together in a sequence are called a run. The number of elements in a run is called the run length. Runs of length h account for 2 / 3 of the total number of runs in an m-sequence. ―h Furthermore, in runs of length h, runs with consecutive "1"s and runs with consecutive "0"s each account for half. For example, in the m-sequence "100110101111000", there are a total of 8 runs. Among them, there is 1 run of length 4, namely 1111; 1 run of length 3, namely 000; 2 runs of length 2, namely 11 and 00; and 4 runs of length 1, namely two "1"s and two "0"s.

[0189] The sequence obtained by adding an m-sequence and its shifted sequence modulo 2 is still a shifted sequence of the original m-sequence. This property is called the shift-addition property of m-sequences, also known as linear superposition. Here, the shifted sequence is relative to the basic m-sequence; the sequence obtained by cyclically shifting the basic m-sequence is called a cyclically shifted sequence.

[0190] Circular shifting is the process of cyclically moving the values ​​in a sequence. There are two common types of circular shifting: circular left shift and circular right shift. Circular left shift places the shifted-out high-order bits into the low-order bits of the sequence, while circular right shift places the shifted-out low-order bits into the high-order bits of the sequence. The number of bits shifted out in a single circular shift is called the circular offset, and the resulting sequence is called the shifted sequence. Taking the basic m-sequence "10110101" as an example, Figure 9 shows the process of circular shifting with a circular offset of 2 bits. The process of circular left shift is shown in Figure 9(a), and the process of circular right shift is shown in Figure 9(b). Circular shifting can be either circular left or circular right. The circular offset can also be called the circular shift amount.

[0191] As mentioned earlier, the longest period of an m-sequence of series r is 2. r —1. If the cyclic offset for each shift is 1, then a maximum of 2 can be generated. r —Two new m-sequences. Therefore, by cyclically shifting an m-sequence with a cyclic offset of 1, a maximum of two such sequences can be obtained. r — One m-sequence (including the m-sequence itself).

[0192] If the cyclic shift step size of the m-sequence is N CS So, at most, one can get There are m sequences, each containing a basic m sequence and... A cyclic shift sequence. Among them, This indicates rounding down to the nearest integer.

[0193] Assuming the series is r and the number of m sequences is N, these N m sequences are shifted by a cyclic shift step of N. CS After performing a cyclic shift, the maximum number of possible values ​​is [missing information]. There are m sequences, including N m sequences themselves and... A cyclic shift sequence.

[0194] It is understandable that, based on the cyclic shift step size N CS By obtaining the cyclic offset and cyclically shifting the m-sequence according to the cyclic offset, several new m-sequences can be obtained. Furthermore, the cyclic shift step size N... CS The smaller the value, the more m-sequences can be obtained.

[0195] Suppose the sequence m is x(n), then the cyclically shifted sequence of m can be represented as x((n+C)mod L), where L is the length of the sequence m, C is the offset of the cyclically shifted sequence relative to the sequence m, and mod is the modulo operation. The offset C can theoretically take any integer value between 0 and L.

[0196] However, in some cases, a cyclic shift offset that is too small can make it difficult for the receiver to distinguish between two adjacent cyclic shift sequences, especially when the chip corresponding to each bit of the m-sequence is small. Therefore, the value of the cyclic shift offset can be further limited to ensure signal reception quality. For example, the cyclic shift offset can be made greater than a first threshold, which is agreed upon by the communication protocol, indicated by the network device, or determined based on the chip length of the m-sequence.

[0197] The m-sequence exhibits excellent autocorrelation properties. Assume the autocorrelation function of the m-sequence is defined as:

[0198] Where A is the number of corresponding elements that are the same in one period of the m sequence and its j-th shifted sequence, D is the number of corresponding elements that are different in one period of the m sequence and its j-th shifted sequence, and L is the period of the m sequence.

[0199] The above formula can also be rewritten in the following form:

[0200] From the shift-addition property of the m-sequence, we know that It is still an element of the m sequence. Therefore, the numerator of equation (6) is equal to the difference between the number of "0"s and the number of "1"s in one period of the m sequence.

[0201] Based on the balance of the m-sequence, we know that the number of "0"s in one period of the m-sequence is one less than the number of "1"s, so the numerator is equal to "-1".

[0202] Therefore, the autocorrelation function of the m-sequence can be obtained as follows:

[0203] Because the balance, run distribution, and autocorrelation properties of m-sequences are very similar to the basic properties of random sequences, m-sequences can also be called pseudo-noise (PN) sequences, pseudo-random sequences, etc.

[0204] Gold sequence

[0205] The gold sequence is a code sequence obtained from the preferred pair of m-sequences. First, let's introduce the preferred pair of m-sequences. Two different primitive polynomials, both of order r, each generate an m-sequence. The condition for these two m-sequences to form a preferred pair is that their cross-correlation function values ​​satisfy the following equation:

[0206] Two m-sequences that satisfy the above equation can be called a preferred pair of m-sequences. The gold sequence is constructed by adding a preferred pair of m-sequences modulo 2. Furthermore, a new gold sequence can be obtained by cyclically shifting one of the m-sequences. Therefore, a significant advantage of the gold sequence compared to the m-sequence is that it can generate more independent code sequences.

[0207] Gold sequences exhibit good cross-correlation properties and retain excellent characteristics similar to m sequences, such as good balance, run distribution properties, and autocorrelation properties. Furthermore, the maximum cross-correlation value between the individual gold sequences obtained from a pair of preferred m sequences will not exceed the maximum cross-correlation value between the preferred m sequence pairs.

[0208] ZC sequence (Zadoff-Chu sequence)

[0209] ZC sequences are discrete sequences with good properties. They are complex sequences and are widely used in communication systems.

[0210] ZC sequences exhibit good autocorrelation and cross-correlation. Autocorrelation of a ZC sequence refers to the result of correlation operations between the sequence and itself. Autocorrelation reflects the periodicity and repetition of the sequence, which is crucial for synchronization and channel estimation. Cross-correlation of a ZC sequence refers to the result of correlation operations between the sequence and other sequences. Cross-correlation reflects the degree of similarity between sequences and plays an important role in channel estimation and multi-user detection.

[0211] The ZC sequence can be represented by the following expression:

[0212] Where xu represents the root sequence, u represents the physical root sequence number, i represents the i-th symbol of the root sequence, and L RA This indicates the length of the root sequence.

[0213] The ZC sequence has two important parameters: the physical root sequence number, or root index, and the length of the root sequence. The physical root sequence number can be obtained by looking up the logical root sequence number in a table. The length of the root sequence must be an odd number (usually a prime number). For any ZC sequence, the root sequence can be determined once the root sequence length and the physical root sequence number are determined.

[0214] ZC sequences possess many desirable properties. For example, they exhibit constant envelope, meaning the amplitude of a ZC sequence of any length is constant, which also implies constant transmission power. This property benefits RF devices by eliminating the need for drastic power adjustments. Furthermore, ZC sequences exhibit zero cyclic autocorrelation. In other words, the cyclic autocorrelation of a ZC sequence is optimal because for all non-zero shifted sequences, the autocorrelation with the original sequence is zero.

[0215] The preceding text has detailed the relevant technologies of the embodiments of this application. As can be seen from the preceding text, the detection and / or monitoring of control channels (such as PDCCH) involves a complex blind detection process, resulting in high power consumption of terminal devices. Therefore, how to achieve energy saving is a problem that needs to be solved.

[0216] Figure 10 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method in Figure 10 is described from the perspective of the interaction between a first terminal device and a network device. The first terminal device may be, for example, the terminal device 110 in Figure 1, and the network device may be, for example, the network device 120 in Figure 1.

[0217] Referring to Figure 10, in step S1010, the network device sends a first sequence to the first terminal device. Accordingly, the first terminal device detects (or receives) the first sequence.

[0218] The first sequence mentioned in the embodiments of this application may be a sequence corresponding to or associated with a first control channel. The first control channel mentioned here may be a downlink control channel sent by a network device to a first terminal device. For example, the first control channel may be a PDCCH, or it may be other types of downlink control channels introduced in future communication systems.

[0219] The first control channel can be used to carry control information. The control information carried in the first control channel can be a DCI (Distributed Control Information Channel). This DCI can be a public DCI or a terminal device-specific DCI (or UE-specific DCI). The DCI can include one or more of the following information: time-domain resource scheduling information, frequency-domain resource scheduling information, MIMO transmission parameters, modulation and coding scheme (MCS), bandwidth part (BWP) handover information, etc. In related technologies, in order to save energy, some control channels are implemented using a sequence structure. The control information that a sequence structure control channel can carry is very limited, which limits the flexibility of the scheduling process. The first control channel provided in this application embodiment can still carry control information (such as DCI), thereby carrying more scheduling information, which is beneficial for network devices to perform flexible scheduling.

[0220] In some implementations, the first sequence can be referred to as the control channel sequence. Or, in other words, the first sequence can be a sequence used for the control channel. Taking the first control channel as PDCCH as an example, the first sequence can be referred to as the PDCCH sequence, or in other words, the first sequence is a sequence used for PDCCH.

[0221] It should be noted that the first sequence can be part of the design of the first control channel. The design of the first control channel may include, for example, the design of the first sequence and the design of the load of the first control channel. Exemplarily, the design of the first control channel may include one or more of the following: the structure of the first sequence, the function of the first sequence, the time-frequency resources occupied by the first sequence, the structure of the first control channel (or the load of the first control channel), the function of the first control channel (or the load of the first control channel), the time-frequency resources occupied by the first control channel (or the load of the first control channel), and the resource mapping relationship between the first sequence and the first control channel (or the load of the first control channel).

[0222] It should also be noted that the embodiments of this application do not specifically limit the relationship between the first sequence and the first control channel. In some implementations, the first sequence can be considered as part of the first control channel. In other implementations, the first sequence can be considered as not part of the first control channel, or in other words, the first sequence is independent of the first control channel. It should be noted that even if the first sequence does not belong to the first control channel, because the first sequence and the first control channel are closely related (similar to the relationship between PDCCH and PDCCH DMRS in related technologies), they need to be designed as a whole, or in other words, both are part of the overall design of the control channel. For example, some embodiments later mention that the first sequence can be used to demodulate the first control channel (or the first sequence can be the demodulation reference signal of the first control channel). In this case, the time domain position and / or frequency domain position of the first sequence and the first control channel need to meet certain requirements, so they need to be designed as a whole. For example, the time-domain positions of the first sequence and the first control channel need to be designed holistically to avoid poor demodulation performance of the signal provided by the first sequence due to a large time-domain interval between them; and / or, the frequency-domain positions of the first sequence and the first control channel also need to be designed holistically to avoid poor demodulation performance of the signal provided by the first sequence due to a large difference in their frequency domain ranges. Detailed descriptions can be found later; they will not be elaborated here.

[0223] Functions of the first sequence

[0224] In some implementations, the first sequence can be used to instruct the first terminal device to detect the first control channel. Alternatively, the first sequence can be used to indicate one or more of the following: whether to detect the first control channel, whether to listen to the first control channel, whether the network device has sent the first control channel, or whether the first control channel exists. For example, from the perspective of the first terminal device, the first sequence can be used to indicate one or more of the following: whether to detect the first control channel or whether to listen to the first control channel. Similarly, from the perspective of the network device, the first sequence can be used to indicate one or more of the following: whether the network device has sent the first control channel or whether the first control channel exists. Of course, from the perspective of the network device, the first sequence can also be understood as indicating one or more of the following: whether the first terminal device detects the first control channel or listens to the first control channel.

[0225] There are several ways for the first terminal device to determine whether to detect and / or listen to the first control channel. In some implementations, the first terminal device can determine whether to detect and / or listen to the first control channel based on whether it detects the first sequence. For example, if the first terminal device detects the first sequence, then the first terminal device detects and / or listens to the first control channel. Alternatively, if the first terminal device does not detect the first sequence, then the first terminal device may not detect and / or listen to the first control channel. In other implementations, the first terminal device can determine whether to detect and / or listen to the first control channel by detecting the first indication information carried by the first sequence. For example, if the first indication information indicates that the first control channel should be detected and / or listened to, then the first terminal device detects and / or listens to the first control channel. Alternatively, if the first indication information does not indicate that the first control channel should be detected and / or listened to (or indicates that the first control channel should not be detected and / or listened to), then the first terminal device may not detect and / or listen to the first control channel. For example, if the first indication information indicates the detection and / or monitoring of the first control channel, and the first terminal device receives the first indication information, and the first indication information indicates the detection and / or monitoring of the first control channel, then the first terminal device continues to detect and / or monitor the first control channel; if the first terminal device does not detect the first sequence or does not receive the first indication information, then the first terminal device may determine whether to detect and / or monitor the first control channel based on predefined information or the configuration information of the network device.

[0226] It should be noted that the embodiments of this application do not specifically limit the detection method of the first control channel. For example, the first control channel may be transmitted on multiple candidate transmission resources. In this case, the first terminal device can use a blind detection method to detect the first control channel. Of course, if the transmission resource location of the first control channel is determined, the first terminal device can directly detect the first control channel on the transmission resource of the first control channel (i.e., blind detection is not required in this case).

[0227] It should also be noted that the detection of the first control channel mentioned in the embodiments of this application may include one or more operations involved in the baseband processing of the first control channel, such as one or more operations including channel estimation, channel equalization, demodulation and decoding. The monitoring of the first control channel mentioned in the embodiments of this application may include receiving and / or detecting the first control channel during the monitoring period. Receiving the first control channel may include, for example, sampling and buffering the signal of the first control channel. If the time domain positions of the first sequence and the first control channel are close, or even overlap, then during the detection of the first sequence, part or all of the first control channel will be received first. Of course, if there is a sufficient time interval between the time domain positions of the first sequence and the first control channel, the decision to receive the first control channel can be made based on the detection result after the first sequence detection is completed. From this perspective, the first sequence can also be used to indicate whether to receive the first control channel. Of course, in some embodiments, the three concepts of "detection," "monitoring," and "reception" may not be strictly distinguished, and they can be used interchangeably without conflict.

[0228] It should also be noted that in some implementations, the detection of the first sequence and the first control channel can be implemented using the same receiver. In other implementations, the detection of the first sequence can be based on the first receiver, while the detection of the first control channel can be based on the second receiver. In this case, the power consumption of the first receiver can be lower than that of the second receiver. Therefore, the first receiver can be referred to as a low-power receiver, and the second receiver as a high-power receiver.

[0229] As can be seen from the above, when the network device does not send the first control channel, the first terminal device can avoid detecting and / or listening to the first control channel, thus saving at least the baseband processing of the first control channel, such as channel estimation, channel equalization, and demodulation / decoding operations. Furthermore, the first terminal device can avoid performing numerous blind detection operations on the first control channel, thereby reducing its power consumption. In other words, the introduction of the first sequence helps to achieve energy-saving design of the terminal device. For example, if the first sequence indicates detecting and / or listening to the first control channel, the first terminal device can wake up first and then detect and / or listen to the first control channel; if the first sequence indicates not detecting and / or not listening to the first control channel, the first terminal device can remain in sleep mode, thus achieving energy saving. It is understandable that compared to the first control channel, the first sequence has a simpler structure and contains less information. Therefore, compared to directly detecting the first control channel, detecting the first sequence first and then determining whether to detect and / or listen to the first control channel based on the detection result of the first sequence can save power overall.

[0230] The first sequence can also be used in conjunction with a wake-up signal (WUS) provided by related technologies to achieve further energy savings. For example, the first terminal device may first receive a wake-up signal. This wake-up signal is used to indicate whether the first terminal device detects the first sequence and / or the first control channel (or, the wake-up signal is used to wake the first terminal device to detect the first control channel, or the wake-up signal is used to indicate whether the first terminal device needs to be woken up to detect the first sequence and / or the first control channel). There can be multiple ways in which the wake-up signal indicates whether to detect the first sequence and / or the first control channel. For example, if the wake-up signal is detected, the first terminal device detects the first sequence and / or the first control channel; and / or, if the wake-up signal is not detected, the first terminal device does not detect the first sequence and / or the first control channel. Alternatively, the wake-up signal may contain indication information to indicate whether to detect the first sequence and / or the first control channel. For example, if the indication information in the wake-up signal indicates that the first sequence and / or the first control channel should be detected, then the first terminal device detects the first sequence and / or the first control channel; and / or, if the indication information in the wake-up signal indicates that the first sequence and / or the first control channel should not be detected, then the first terminal device does not detect the first sequence and / or the first control channel. In some implementations, the wake-up signal may include two candidate sequences; if the first terminal device detects the first candidate sequence, then the first terminal device detects the first sequence and / or the first control channel; if the first terminal device detects the second candidate sequence, then the first terminal device does not detect the first sequence and / or the first control channel.

[0231] In some implementations, the wake-up signal and the first sequence can achieve different levels of wake-up. For example, the wake-up signal can achieve cell-level wake-up, while the first sequence can achieve terminal device group-level wake-up. Alternatively, the wake-up signal can achieve terminal device group-level wake-up, while the first sequence can achieve terminal device-level wake-up.

[0232] It should be noted that the first sequence mentioned in the embodiments of this application is different from the wake-up signal provided by related technologies. The design of the wake-up signal provided by related technologies is independent of the design of the control channel (such as PDCCH). That is to say, the wake-up signal mechanism provided by related technologies belongs to an independent wake-up mechanism. The design of the first sequence in the embodiments of this application is part of the overall design of the control channel. When designing, it is necessary to consider not only the individual design schemes of the two, but also how the two coordinate with each other as a whole (such as considering one or more factors such as the time-frequency resource position relationship between the first sequence and the control channel, and the mapping relationship between the first sequence and the first control channel resources).

[0233] In some implementations, the first sequence can be used to demodulate the first control channel. Alternatively, the first sequence can be used for channel estimation. Upon receiving the first sequence, the first terminal device can perform channel estimation based on the first sequence, thereby demodulating the first control channel. For example, the first sequence can serve as the demodulation signal (such as DMRS) for the first control channel, thus achieving efficient utilization of the first sequence (in some implementations, even the DMRS for the first control channel can be omitted, and demodulation of the first control channel can be performed solely based on the first sequence). Taking the first control channel as PDCCH as an example, the first sequence can be PDCCH DMRS.

[0234] In related technologies, demodulation of the control channel (such as PDCCH) is based on DMRS. If the first sequence simultaneously implements the demodulation of the control channel and the wake-up function mentioned above, then the embodiments of this application can be understood as extending the function of DMRS in related technologies, enabling it to simultaneously possess demodulation and wake-up functions. In other words, the embodiments of this application are equivalent to enabling the control channel to have its own wake-up function (which can be called the self-wake-up function of the control channel; correspondingly, the control channel can also be understood as a control channel with energy-saving function (referred to as an energy-saving control channel)). The advantage of adopting this scheme is that it does not require the design of a complex wake-up mechanism independent of the first control channel (such as the WUS wake-up mechanism provided by related technologies, which is a completely new wake-up mechanism independent of the control channel, requiring the configuration of an additional wake-up signal, and generally requiring the terminal device to use a dedicated wake-up receiver to receive the wake-up signal). Therefore, the solution provided by this implementation method helps to achieve control channel detection and / or monitoring in an energy-efficient manner. On the other hand, the design and implementation of this method is very simple (i.e., no additional wake-up mechanism needs to be designed; only new functions need to be given to DMRS), which is very conducive to standardization (for example, the design of the first control channel can reuse part of the PDCCH design, such as the design of REG, CCE and other resource structures, thereby reducing the workload of standardization), actual deployment and network equipment configuration, thus facilitating rapid promotion in actual commercial use.

[0235] In some implementations, the first sequence can be used for time-frequency synchronization. That is, the first terminal device can synchronize its time and frequency with the network device based on the first sequence before detecting and / or monitoring the first control channel, which helps to improve the reliability of the detection and / or monitoring of the first control channel.

[0236] In some implementations, the first sequence can be used for automatic gain control (AGC). Alternatively, the first sequence can serve as a reference signal for AGC. For example, after a long period of sleep, the first terminal device can first perform AGC using the first sequence, and then perform detection and / or monitoring of the first control channel. This helps improve the reliability of the detection and / or monitoring of the first control channel.

[0237] The functions of the first sequence have been described in detail above. It should be understood that the first sequence can perform some or all of the functions mentioned above. For example, the first sequence can be used to indicate whether to detect and / or listen to the first control channel, and, if indicating detection and / or listening to the first control channel, for demodulation of the first control channel (or as DMRS of the first control channel). As another example, the first sequence can be used for time-frequency synchronization with network devices and for indicating whether to detect and / or listen to the first control channel.

[0238] Time-domain structure of the first sequence and / or the first control channel

[0239] For ease of description, the time-domain location corresponding to the time-domain resources occupied by the first sequence will be referred to as the first time-domain location, and the time-domain location corresponding to the time-domain resources occupied by the first control channel will be referred to as the second time-domain location. It should be understood that the first time-domain location may include one or more time units (such as OFDM symbols, but other types of time units are not excluded), and the second time-domain location may also include one or more time units. This application does not specifically limit the number of time units occupied by the first and second time-domain locations, but can determine this based on specific design requirements (for example, the number of time units occupied by the first sequence may be determined based on coverage conditions, and the number of time units occupied by the first control channel may be determined based on the amount of control information that the first control channel needs to carry). The number of time units contained in the first time-domain location and the number of time units contained in the second time-domain location may be the same or different. For example, the first and second time-domain locations may each occupy one time unit. Alternatively, the first time-domain location may include one time unit, and the second time-domain location may include more than one time unit (such as two or three time units). For example, the first time domain location may include more than one time unit (such as two or three time units), while the second time domain location may include one time unit.

[0240] In some implementations, the first time-domain position and the second time-domain position can be the same or partially overlap. For example, the first time-domain position and the second time-domain position can correspond to the same time unit 1. Or, the first time-domain position corresponds to time unit 1, and the second time-domain position corresponds to both time unit 1 and time unit 2.

[0241] When the first time domain position and the second time domain position partially overlap or are even the same, since the reception or detection of the first sequence requires a certain amount of time, the first terminal device may need to sample and buffer part or all of the signal of the first control channel during the process of receiving or detecting the first sequence. When the terminal device determines that the detection of the first control channel is required based on the first sequence, it can process the buffered signal containing the first control channel.

[0242] In some implementations, the first time-domain position and the second time-domain position may not overlap. For example, the first time-domain position may be located before the second time-domain position, as shown in Figure 11 (in all cases shown in Figure 11, the first time-domain position is located before the second time-domain position). Designing the first time-domain position before the second time-domain position helps reduce the amount of data that the first terminal device needs to buffer (buffering signals including the first control channel). For example, assuming that the first terminal device has already determined not to detect and / or listen to the first control channel based on the first sequence before the start time corresponding to the second time-domain position has been reached, the first terminal device can choose not to perform signal sampling and buffering on the transmission resources corresponding to the first control channel. As another example, assuming that the first terminal device has already determined not to detect and / or listen to the first control channel based on the first sequence before the start time corresponding to the second time-domain position has been reached, the first terminal device can immediately stop performing signal sampling and buffering on the transmission resources corresponding to the first control channel.

[0243] Furthermore, when the first time-domain position precedes the second time-domain position, the first and second time-domain positions can be consecutive in the time domain, as shown in a-h of Figure 11. As mentioned earlier, the first sequence can be used for channel estimation, thereby demodulating the first control channel (e.g., the first sequence can be a demodulation reference signal for the first control channel). The closer the first sequence is to the first control channel in the time domain, the more accurate the channel estimation result obtained based on the first sequence. Therefore, the continuation of the first and second time-domain positions in the time domain is beneficial for improving the accuracy of channel estimation. Alternatively, there can be a time interval between the first and second time-domain positions, as shown in i-l of Figure 11. Setting a time interval between the first and second time-domain positions when the first sequence indicates the detection and / or listening of the first control channel allows sufficient time for the first terminal device to prepare for the detection and / or listening of the first control channel. As a more concrete example, suppose the detection of the first sequence is implemented based on a low-power receiver, while the detection of the first control channel requires the activation of a high-power receiver. If the first sequence indicates that the first control channel is not detected and / or not monitored, then there is no need to start the high-power receiver, thus achieving energy saving. If the first sequence indicates that the first control channel is detected and / or monitored, then starting the high-power receiver requires a certain amount of time. Therefore, the time interval between the first time domain position and the second time domain position can provide preparation time for starting the high-power receiver. Of course, this is just an example; in reality, the detection of the first sequence and the first control channel can also be implemented by the same receiver within the first terminal device.

[0244] Frequency domain structure of the first sequence and / or the first control channel

[0245] For ease of description, the frequency domain resources occupied by the first sequence will be referred to as the first frequency domain resources, and the frequency domain resources occupied by the first control channel will be referred to as the second frequency domain resources.

[0246] In some implementations, the first frequency domain resource can be a continuous frequency domain resource or a discontinuous frequency domain resource. For example, the first frequency domain resource can be a continuous segment of frequency domain resources. Alternatively, the first sequence is mapped onto a continuous segment of frequency domain resources, as shown in Figure 11. For example, assuming the length of the first sequence is L (L is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1), the first sequence can be mapped onto L consecutive subcarriers. When the first sequence is mapped onto a continuous segment of frequency domain resources, the first terminal device, when detecting the first sequence, can separate the first sequence from the broadband signal using filtering, then directly sample the time-domain signal, and perform detection (such as correlation detection) on the sampled signal. That is, the first terminal device only needs to perform detection in the time domain, without needing to perform detection in the frequency domain, thereby reducing the implementation complexity of the first terminal device and contributing to energy saving. Of course, embodiments of this application do not exclude the possibility of mapping the first sequence onto discontinuous frequency domain resources. For example, the first frequency domain resource can be a discontinuous frequency domain resource. As shown in Figure 12, the first frequency domain resource includes multiple resource units, which are evenly distributed at equal intervals in the frequency domain (of course, these multiple resource units can also be non-uniformly distributed). The difference between a and b in Figure 12 is that in a, the first frequency domain resource has guard bands at both ends. For an introduction to guard bands, please refer to the following text, which will not be detailed here.

[0247] In some implementations, the second frequency domain resource can be a continuous frequency domain resource, or the first control channel can be mapped onto a continuous frequency domain resource, as shown in a to l of Figure 11.

[0248] In some implementations, the second frequency domain resource can also be a discontinuous frequency domain resource, or the first control channel can be mapped onto multiple discontinuous frequency domain resources, as shown in a to c of Figure 13.

[0249] Furthermore, in some implementations, the second frequency domain resource may include a plurality of resource cells discretely distributed in the frequency domain. The plurality of resource cells may be spaced equally in the frequency domain (e.g., the plurality of resource cells are uniformly distributed comb-like frequency domain resources), as shown in Figures 13a and 13c (each grid block in Figure 13 represents a resource cell). Alternatively, the plurality of resource cells may be spaced differently in the frequency domain, as shown in Figure 13b, forming a non-uniformly distributed discrete frequency domain resource. The plurality of resource cells may have the same size, as shown in Figures 13a and 13c. Alternatively, the plurality of frequency domain cells may not have completely identical sizes. Alternatively, the plurality of frequency domain cells may also have different (or completely different) sizes, as shown in Figure 13b.

[0250] In some implementations, the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource can be the same. That is, the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource can completely overlap in the frequency domain. For example, see cases a, e, and i in Figure 11.

[0251] In some implementations, the first and second frequency domain resources may partially overlap in the frequency domain. For example, the second frequency domain resource may be a part of the first frequency domain resource. As an example, the second frequency domain resource may be located in the high-frequency portion of the first frequency domain resource, as shown in b, f, and j in Figure 11. As another example, the second frequency domain resource may be located in the low-frequency portion of the first frequency domain resource, as shown in c, g, and k in Figure 11. As yet another example, the second frequency domain resource may be located in the middle portion of the first frequency domain resource, as shown in d, h, and l in Figure 11.

[0252] Of course, the embodiments of this application do not exclude the possibility that the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources do not overlap in the frequency domain. Note that the frequency domain overlap mentioned in the various embodiments of this application can refer to PRB-level overlap or subcarrier-level overlap. Taking the overlap of the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources as PRB-level overlap as an example, the two may completely overlap, partially overlap, or not overlap at the subcarrier level. Taking Figure 14 as an example, assume that the first sequence and the first control channel overlap at the PRB level, and both occupy PRB1 (each small square in Figure 14 corresponds to a subcarrier, and the dark small square represents the subcarrier occupied by the first sequence or the first control channel). In the case shown in Figure 14a, the first sequence and the first control channel overlap at the PRB level and completely overlap at the subcarrier level. In the case shown in Figure 14b, the first sequence and the first control channel overlap at the PRB level and partially overlap at the subcarrier level. In the case shown in Figure 14c, the first sequence and the first control channel overlap at the PRB level and do not overlap at the subcarrier level.

[0253] In some implementations, a first frequency domain resource corresponds to a first frequency domain range, and a second frequency domain resource corresponds to a second frequency domain range. The first and second frequency domain ranges can be the same, partially overlap (e.g., the first frequency domain range includes the second frequency domain range), or not overlap. It should be understood that the frequency range corresponding to a frequency domain resource can be understood as the frequency domain range or spanning frequency range between the highest and lowest frequencies of that resource. Within this frequency range, the frequency domain resource can be continuously distributed or discontinuously distributed. For example, if the first frequency domain resource occupies subcarriers 1, 3, and 5, but not subcarrier 2 between subcarriers 1 and 3, or subcarrier 4 between subcarriers 3 and 5, then the frequency range corresponding to the first frequency domain resource is the frequency domain range containing subcarriers 1 to 5.

[0254] For example, the second frequency range may be located within the first frequency range, or the second frequency range may be a subset of the first frequency range (it can be a true subset or a false subset). As shown in Figure 11, in all cases, the second frequency range is located within the first frequency range. As mentioned earlier, the first sequence can be used to demodulate the first control channel (e.g., as a demodulation reference signal for the first control channel). By setting the second frequency range within the first frequency range, channel estimation within the first frequency range can be obtained based on the first sequence, thus also including channel estimation results within the second frequency range. This is beneficial for performing channel estimation based on the first sequence to detect and / or receive the first control channel, thereby achieving demodulation of the first control channel. Of course, the second frequency range may also be located outside the first frequency range (that is, the second frequency range may be larger than the first frequency range). For example, the first and second frequency ranges largely overlap, but a small portion of the second frequency range is located outside the first frequency range. For example, referring to the various cases shown in Figure 15, the first and second frequency ranges largely overlap, and a small portion of the second frequency range is located outside the first frequency range. Since the first frequency domain range and the second frequency domain range largely overlap, channel estimation and / or demodulation of the first control channel can still be performed based on the first sequence.

[0255] In some implementations, the first frequency domain resource is a discontinuous frequency domain resource within a first frequency range, and the second frequency domain resource includes some or all of the frequency domain resources within the first frequency range other than the first frequency domain resource (that is, the first control channel can be transmitted using some or all of the frequency domain resources within the first frequency range that are not occupied by the first frequency domain resource). Further, the time domain positions of the first and second frequency domain resources can be the same, different, or partially overlapping. For example, referring to Figure 16a, the first sequence occupies discontinuous frequency domain resources within a frequency domain range, and the frequency domain resources not occupied by the first sequence within this range are used to transmit the first control channel (i.e., the first sequence and the first control channel are interleaved in the frequency domain). In this implementation, the detection of the first sequence can be achieved by performing correlation detection in the frequency domain. Alternatively, the time domain positions of the first and second frequency domain resources can also be different. For example, referring to Figure 16b, the first and second frequency domain resources are interleaved in the frequency domain but belong to different time units in the time domain. Alternatively, the time domain positions of the first and second frequency domain resources can be partially the same. For example, referring to c in Figure 16, the first frequency domain resource occupies one time unit in the time domain, and the second frequency domain resource occupies two time units in the time domain (these two time units include the time unit corresponding to the first frequency domain resource).

[0256] In some implementations, a guard band is provided at at least one end of the first frequency domain resource, as shown in Figure 12a. The guard band of the first frequency domain resource can be located at one or both of the following positions: the bottom end of the first frequency domain resource (i.e., the frequency corresponding to the guard band is lower than the lowest frequency of the first frequency domain resource), and the top end of the first frequency domain resource (i.e., the frequency corresponding to the guard band is higher than the highest frequency of the first frequency domain resource). The guard band can be used to separate the first frequency domain resource from other frequency domain resources, thereby avoiding mutual interference. As mentioned earlier, the first terminal device can directly separate the first sequence from the broadband signal through filtering. Reserving a certain frequency guard band at at least one end of the first sequence can ensure signal reception performance and prevent other signals outside the two ends of the first sequence from leaking in through the filter. It should be noted that the frequency corresponding to the guard band may or may not belong to the frequency domain resource occupied by the first sequence; this application embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0257] In some implementations, a guard band is provided at at least one end of the second frequency domain resource. For example, the guard band can be located at one or both of the following positions: the bottom end of the second frequency domain resource (i.e., the frequency corresponding to the guard band is lower than the lowest frequency of the second frequency domain resource), or the top end of the second frequency domain resource (i.e., the frequency corresponding to the guard band is higher than the highest frequency of the second frequency domain resource). The guard band can be used to separate the second frequency domain resource from other frequency domain resources, thereby avoiding mutual interference. It should be noted that the frequency corresponding to the guard band may or may not belong to the frequency domain resource occupied by the first control channel; this application does not specifically limit this. As an example, a guard band is provided at one or both ends of the first frequency domain resource, while no guard bands are provided at either end of the second frequency domain resource. As another example, a guard band is provided at one or both ends of the second frequency domain resource, while no guard bands are provided at either end of the first frequency domain resource.

[0258] As mentioned earlier, the first control channel can occupy one or more time units in the time domain. For example, the first control channel can occupy a first time unit and a second time unit in the time domain. The frequency domain resources occupied by the first control channel include the third frequency domain resources corresponding to the first time unit and the fourth frequency domain resources corresponding to the second time unit. In some implementations, the third and fourth frequency domain resources can be the same or different. For example, the distribution of the third and fourth frequency domain resources in the frequency domain can be the same or different. Furthermore, the bandwidth of the third and fourth frequency domain resources can be the same or different. Also, the bandwidth positions of the third and fourth frequency domain resources can be the same or different. And the subcarrier spacing of the third and fourth frequency domain resources can be the same or different. As shown in Figure 13c, the first control channel occupies two time units in the frequency domain. The frequency domain resources of the first control channel located in the first time unit can be called the third frequency domain resources, and the frequency domain resources of the first control channel located in the second time unit can be called the fourth frequency domain resources. As can be seen from Figure 13c, the third and fourth frequency domain resources are distributed in the same way in the frequency domain, both being evenly distributed at equal intervals. They also occupy the same bandwidth size, but their bandwidth positions are different.

[0259] As mentioned earlier, the first sequence can occupy one or more time units in the time domain. For example, the first sequence can occupy time units m and n in the time domain. The frequency domain resources occupied by the first sequence include the frequency domain resources corresponding to time unit m (hereinafter referred to as frequency domain resource a) and the frequency domain resources corresponding to time unit n (hereinafter referred to as frequency domain resource b). In some implementations, frequency domain resources a and b can be the same or different. For example, the distribution of frequency domain resources a and b in the frequency domain can be the same or different. Furthermore, the bandwidth of frequency domain resources a and b can be the same or different. Also, the bandwidth positions of frequency domain resources a and b can be the same or different. Finally, the subcarrier spacing of frequency domain resources a and b can be the same or different.

[0260] The time-domain and frequency-domain structures of the first control channel have been described in detail above. In some implementations, after determining the time-frequency resources of the first control channel, the REG, CCE, REG binding, aggregation level, etc. associated with the first control channel can be further defined. The embodiments of this application do not specifically limit the definition of the concepts of REG, CCE, REG binding, aggregation level, etc., and can, for example, adopt the definition methods in LTE or NR.

[0261] A second sequence (such as DMRS) is used to demodulate the first control channel.

[0262] In some implementations, a second sequence may be introduced for demodulating the first control channel.

[0263] In some implementations, both the second sequence and the aforementioned first sequence are used for demodulation of the first control channel. For example, both the first and second sequences can serve as the DMRS for the first control channel. For instance, generally, the number of time units occupied by the first control channel is limited (e.g., one or two symbols). In this case, the demodulation requirements of the first control channel can be met based on the aforementioned first sequence. However, in some cases, the number of time units occupied by the first control channel may be larger (e.g., more than two symbols; the specific number of symbols occupied by the first control channel can be determined based on the actual situation, such as one or more factors including channel conditions, the size of the control information to be carried by the first control channel, and the bandwidth of the frequency domain resources of the first control channel). In this case, demodulation of the first control channel based solely on the first sequence may not meet the demodulation requirements. Therefore, an additional second sequence (e.g., an additional DMRS) can be introduced to satisfy the demodulation requirements of the first control channel.

[0264] This application does not specifically limit the positional relationship between the time-frequency resources of the second sequence and the first control channel in its embodiments. For example, assuming the time-domain position occupied by the first control channel is the second time-domain position, and the time-domain resource occupied by the second sequence is the third time-domain position, then the third time-domain position can be the same as the second time-domain position, partially overlap, or not overlap. As an example, the second sequence and the first control channel can occupy different symbols; for example, the second sequence may be located between the first sequence and the first control channel in the time domain, as shown in Figure 17a. As another example, the second sequence and the first control channel can occupy the same symbols, and the second sequence and the first control channel can be distributed in the frequency domain using frequency division multiplexing (FDM), as shown in Figure 17b. As yet another example, the first control channel occupies multiple symbols, and the second sequence can occupy some of those symbols. The resources occupied by the second sequence are located within the resources of the first control channel, which allows for better channel estimation, thereby improving the demodulation performance of the first control channel. It should be noted that, similar to the second sequence, the resources occupied by the first sequence mentioned above can also be located within the resources of the first control channel. For example, the first control channel can occupy one or more symbols, and the first sequence can occupy some or all of those one or more symbols.

[0265] The first sequence includes multiple sequences.

[0266] In some implementations, the first sequence may include a sequence.

[0267] In other implementations, the first sequence may also include multiple sequences (e.g., two or three sequences). All of these sequences can be used to implement the function of the first sequence. For example, each of the multiple sequences can serve as the DMRS of the first control channel. Alternatively, each of the multiple sequences can be used to indicate whether to detect and / or listen to the first control channel. Or, the multiple sequences can collectively implement all the functions of the first sequence. For example, some of the multiple sequences serve as the DMRS of the first control channel, while other sequences are used to indicate whether to detect and / or listen to the first control channel.

[0268] In some implementations, the first sequence may include a third sequence and a fourth sequence. The first terminal device can detect the third sequence and the fourth sequence, and then simultaneously determine whether to detect and / or monitor the first control channel based on the detection results of the third sequence and the fourth sequence. Alternatively, the first terminal device can first detect the third sequence, and then determine whether to detect and / or monitor the fourth sequence based on the detection result of the third sequence. Then, the first terminal device can determine whether to detect and / or monitor the first control channel based on the detection result of the fourth sequence. In this way, if it is determined not to detect and / or monitor the fourth sequence based on the detection result of the third sequence, then not only can the fourth sequence not be detected and / or monitored, but the first control channel can also not be detected and / or monitored, thereby achieving further energy saving. As shown in Figure 18, the first sequence includes a third sequence and a fourth sequence, and the third sequence and the fourth sequence are located at different positions in the time domain.

[0269] The third and fourth sequences can be of the same type or different types. For example, both the third and fourth sequences can be m-sequences. Alternatively, both the third and fourth sequences can be gold sequences. Another example is an m-sequence and a gold sequence. Yet another example is an m-sequence and a ZC sequence.

[0270] In some implementations, a guard band is provided at one or both ends of the third sequence.

[0271] In some implementations, a guard band is provided at one or both ends of the fourth sequence.

[0272] In some implementations, a guard band is provided at one or both ends of the third sequence, and a guard band is also provided at one or both ends of the fourth sequence, as shown in Figure 18a.

[0273] In some implementations, a guard band is provided at one or both ends of the third sequence, while no guard band is provided at one or both ends of the fourth sequence, as shown in b of Figure 18.

[0274] In some implementations, the third and fourth sequences can be sequences targeting different objects. These different objects can be objects at different levels; for example, the third sequence might target a cell, and the fourth sequence might target a group of terminal devices within that cell. Alternatively, the third sequence might target a group of terminal devices, and the fourth sequence might target a single terminal device within that group. Or, these different objects can be objects without a hierarchical relationship; for example, the third sequence might target one group of terminal devices, and the fourth sequence might target another group of terminal devices.

[0275] In some implementations, the third and fourth sequences can carry different information. For example, the third and fourth sequences may carry instructions for different objects.

[0276] As an example, the third sequence corresponds to a cell, and the fourth sequence corresponds to a terminal device group. Alternatively, the third sequence indicates terminal devices within a cell, and the fourth sequence indicates terminal devices within a terminal device group. Or, the third sequence is a cell-level indication signal, and the fourth sequence is a terminal device group-level indication signal (such as a UE-Group-level indication signal). In this case, the first terminal device can perform two-level detection, for example, as follows: If the first terminal device belongs to the cell indicated by the third sequence or its corresponding cell, then the first terminal device can continue to detect the fourth sequence after detecting the third sequence; if the first terminal device belongs to the terminal device group indicated by the fourth sequence or its corresponding terminal device group, then the first terminal device can detect and / or listen to the first control channel after detecting the fourth sequence. Alternatively, if the first terminal device belongs to the cell indicated by the third sequence or its corresponding cell, and the first terminal device has not detected the third sequence, then the first terminal device may not detect the fourth sequence, and therefore will not detect and / or listen to the first control channel. Alternatively, if the first terminal device belongs to the cell corresponding to the third sequence indication, it can continue to detect the fourth sequence after detecting the third sequence; if the first terminal device belongs to the terminal device group corresponding to the fourth sequence indication, and it does not detect the fourth sequence, it may not detect and / or listen to the first control channel. As can be seen from the above description, when the first sequence includes multiple sequences, the first terminal device may, in some cases, only need to detect a portion of the first sequence (corresponding to the situation mentioned above where the first terminal device does not detect the third sequence), thereby helping to achieve further energy savings for the first terminal device.

[0277] As another example, the third sequence corresponds to a terminal device group, and the fourth sequence corresponds to a terminal device. Alternatively, the third sequence indicates a terminal device within a terminal device group, and the fourth sequence indicates the first terminal device. Or, the third sequence is a terminal device group-level indication signal (e.g., a UE-Group-level indication signal), and the fourth sequence is a terminal device-level indication signal (e.g., a UE-specific indication signal). In this case, the first terminal device can perform two-level detection, for example, as follows: If the first terminal device belongs to the terminal device group indicated by the third sequence or its corresponding group, then the first terminal device can continue to detect the fourth sequence after detecting the third sequence; if the first terminal device belongs to the terminal device indicated by the fourth sequence or its corresponding group, then the first terminal device can detect and / or listen to the first control channel after detecting the fourth sequence. Alternatively, if the first terminal device belongs to the terminal device group indicated by the third sequence or its corresponding group, and the first terminal device has not detected the third sequence, then the first terminal device may not detect the fourth sequence, and therefore will not detect and / or listen to the first control channel. Alternatively, if the first terminal device belongs to the third sequence indication or the corresponding terminal device group, the first terminal device can continue to detect the fourth sequence after detecting the third sequence; if the first terminal device belongs to the fourth sequence indication or the corresponding terminal device, and the first terminal device does not detect the fourth sequence, the first terminal device may not detect and / or listen to the first control channel. As can be seen from the above description, when the first sequence includes multiple sequences, the first terminal device may, in some cases, only need to detect a portion of the first sequence (corresponding to the situation mentioned above where the first terminal device does not detect the third sequence), thereby helping to achieve further energy savings for the first terminal device.

[0278] As another example, the third sequence corresponds to the first terminal device group, and the fourth sequence corresponds to the second terminal device group. The third sequence is used to indicate terminal devices within the first terminal device group, and the fourth sequence is used to indicate terminal devices within the second terminal device group (the first terminal device can belong to both the first and second terminal device groups simultaneously). Alternatively, both the third and fourth sequences are terminal device group-level indication signals (such as UE-Group-level wake-up signals). The first and second terminal device groups can correspond to different grouping methods. For example, the first terminal device group can be grouped based on the type of terminal device (such as service type), and the second terminal device group can be grouped based on the identifier of the terminal device. Or, both the first and second terminal device groups can be grouped based on the identifier of the terminal device, but the grouping rules used by the first and second terminal device groups are different. In this case, the first terminal device can, for example, perform detection as follows: if the first terminal device belongs to the terminal device group indicated by the third sequence or its corresponding group, then the first terminal device can continue to detect the fourth sequence after detecting the third sequence; if the terminal device belongs to the terminal device group indicated by the fourth sequence or its corresponding group, then the first terminal device can wake up after detecting the fourth sequence to detect and / or listen to the first control channel.

[0279] In some implementations, both the third and fourth sequences can be used for channel estimation or for demodulating the first control channel. For example, both the third and fourth sequences can serve as the DMRS for the first control channel.

[0280] In some implementations, the third sequence is used to indicate whether the first control channel is detected and / or monitored. The fourth sequence is used for channel estimation or demodulation of the first control channel (e.g., the fourth sequence is the DMRS of the first control channel).

[0281] In some implementations, the third and fourth sequences occupy the same frequency domain resources. For example, the third and fourth sequences are continuously distributed in the frequency domain and occupy the same frequency domain resources. Alternatively, the third and fourth sequences are not continuously distributed in the frequency domain, but their distribution positions in the frequency domain are the same.

[0282] In some implementations, the third and fourth sequences occupy different frequency domain resources. For example, the third and fourth sequences are continuously distributed in the frequency domain, but occupy different frequency domain resources. Alternatively, the third and fourth sequences are not continuously distributed in the frequency domain, and their distribution patterns in the frequency domain are different. Yet another example is that the third sequence is continuously distributed in the frequency domain, while the fourth sequence is not, as shown in Figure 18.

[0283] In some implementations, the third and fourth sequences may have the same or different lengths. For example, the third and fourth sequences may have the same length and occupy the same frequency domain resources. Alternatively, the third and fourth sequences may have different lengths and occupy different frequency domain resources.

[0284] Existence sequence or sequence used for AGC

[0285] In some implementations, a fifth sequence may be introduced, which can be used to indicate whether the network device has transmitted the first control channel and / or the first sequence. In some implementations, this fifth sequence may be called a presence sequence.

[0286] In some implementations, the fifth sequence can be a specific sequence. For example, the fifth sequence can be a cell-specific sequence. In other words, the fifth sequence can correspond to a cell. In this example, the fifth sequence can be associated with or determined based on the cell's identifier. As another example, the fifth sequence can be a terminal device group-specific sequence. In other words, the fifth sequence can correspond to a terminal device group. In this example, the fifth sequence can be associated with or determined based on the terminal device group's identifier.

[0287] In some implementations, the fifth sequence can be a sequence from a predefined, network device-configured, or pre-configured set of existence sequences. This set of existence sequences may contain only one or a few finite sequences. As a special case, the number of fifth sequences in this set is one.

[0288] The fifth sequence can precede the first sequence in the time domain, as shown in Figure 19. The time domain positions corresponding to the fifth sequence and the first sequence can be continuously distributed in the time domain, as shown in a and b in Figure 19. Alternatively, the time domain positions corresponding to the fifth sequence and the first sequence can have a time interval in the time domain, as shown in c in Figure 19.

[0289] The frequency range corresponding to the fifth sequence can be the same as the frequency range corresponding to the first sequence (as shown in Figure 19a), or it can be different (as shown in Figure 19b and c). For example, the frequency range corresponding to the fifth sequence is located within the frequency range corresponding to the first sequence.

[0290] The frequency range corresponding to the fifth sequence may be the same as or different from the frequency range corresponding to the first control channel. For example, the frequency range corresponding to the first control channel may be a part of the frequency range corresponding to the fifth sequence (as shown in Figure 19a), or the two may correspond to essentially the same frequency range (as shown in Figure 19b and c).

[0291] Before detecting the first sequence, the first terminal device may first detect the fifth sequence. If the first terminal device detects the fifth sequence or the indication information carried by the fifth sequence indicates that the network device has sent the first sequence and / or the first control channel, the first terminal device may continue to detect the first sequence. Otherwise, the first terminal device may not detect the first sequence. Therefore, in this embodiment, the first terminal device can determine whether to continue detecting the first sequence and / or the first control channel simply by detecting the fifth sequence, thereby achieving further energy savings.

[0292] In some implementations, the fifth sequence can be used by the first terminal device to perform AGC. Alternatively, the fifth sequence can serve as a reference signal for the first terminal device to perform ACG. For example, the first terminal device can perform AGC by measuring the signal strength of the fifth sequence, allowing it to set its signal reception parameters more appropriately.

[0293] Mapping relationship between the first sequence (or the transmission resources of the first channel) and the transmission resources of the first control channel

[0294] This application does not specifically limit the mapping relationship between the first sequence and the transmission resources (or transmission resource locations) of the first control channel. The mapping relationship between the first sequence and the transmission resources (or transmission resource locations) of the first control channel can be a one-to-one mapping relationship, a one-to-many mapping relationship, or a many-to-one mapping relationship.

[0295] This application does not specifically limit the mapping relationship between the transmission resources of the first sequence and the transmission resources of the first control channel. The mapping relationship between the transmission resources of the first channel and the transmission resources of the first control channel can be a one-to-one mapping relationship, a one-to-many mapping relationship, or a many-to-one mapping relationship.

[0296] The following sections provide detailed examples of these three implementation methods.

[0297] Implementation Method 1: The mapping relationship between the first sequence and the transmission resources of the first control channel is one-to-one.

[0298] In implementation method one, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the first sequence and the transmission resources of the first control channel. That is, the first sequence corresponds only to the transmission resources of the first control channel and not to the transmission resources of other control channels; similarly, the transmission resources of the first control channel correspond only to the first sequence and not to other sequences. After detecting the first sequence, the first terminal device can determine the transmission resources of the first control channel based on the one-to-one correspondence between the first sequence and the transmission resources of the first control channel, and then detect the first control channel on the transmission resources of the first control channel.

[0299] In some implementations, the first sequence does not reuse transmission resources with sequences from other terminal devices (i.e., the transmission resources containing the first sequence only transmit one sequence); and / or, the first control channel does not reuse transmission resources with control channels from other terminal devices (i.e., the transmission resources containing the first control channel only transmit one control channel). For example, there is no resource reuse between the transmission resources containing the first sequence and the first control channel. In this case, the first sequence and the first control channel can occupy the same frequency domain resources. For example, the first sequence and the first control channel can use the same number of PRBs and / or the same number of subcarriers. Taking a, e, and j in Figure 11 as examples, the first sequence and the first control channel correspond one-to-one, and the transmission resources containing the first sequence are only used to transmit the first sequence, and the transmission resources containing the first control channel are only used to transmit the first control channel; both occupy the same frequency domain resources.

[0300] In other implementations, the first sequence multiplexes transmission resources with sequences from other terminal devices; and / or, the first control channel multiplexes transmission resources with control channels from other terminal devices. For example, suppose a second terminal device determines whether to detect and / or listen to the second control channel by detecting a sixth sequence, wherein the first sequence and the sixth sequence multiplex transmission resources (e.g., multiplexing transmission resources can be based on FDM or CDM); and / or, the first control channel and the second control channel multiplex transmission resources (e.g., multiplexing transmission resources can be based on FDM).

[0301] In some implementations, the first control channel and the second control channel reuse transmission resources based on FDM, and both the first control channel and the second control channel occupy continuous transmission resources in the frequency domain.

[0302] In some implementations, the first control channel and the second control channel multiplex transmission resources based on FDM, and the first control channel and the second control channel multiplex transmission resources based on uniform interleaving; or, the first control channel and the second control channel multiplex transmission resources based on non-uniform interleaving.

[0303] Taking Figure 20 as an example, in the example of Figure 20, sequences and control channels with the same number correspond to each other. For example, sequence 1 corresponds to control channel 1, and sequence 2 corresponds to control channel 2. Therefore, it can be seen from Figure 20 that although there is transmission resource multiplexing, the sequence and control channel still maintain a one-to-one correspondence. Sequence 1 is the first sequence mentioned above, and control channel 1 is the first control channel mentioned above. Sequence 1 and other sequences are transmitted on the same transmission resource in CDM mode. Sequences 1 to 3 can be allocated to 3 terminal devices respectively. In the time unit where control channel 1 is located, multiple control channels multiplex transmission resources in FDM mode. The FDM mode shown in Figure 20a is that the frequency domain resources of control channel 1 and control channel 2 are separated vertically, while the FDM modes shown in Figure 20b and c are that control channel 1 and control channel 2 are interleaved in the frequency domain. The difference between Figure 20b and c is that in Figure 20b, the frequency domain resources of control channel 1 and control channel 2 are uniformly interleaved, while in Figure 20c, control channel 1 and control channel 2 are discretely and non-uniformly interleaved. Among related technologies, the resource mapping method of PDCCH includes an implementation based on hash functions. This implementation method can achieve discrete non-uniform interleaving. Therefore, the implementation method of c in Figure 20 can be based on this technology.

[0304] In some implementations, if multiple control channels multiplex transmission resources using FDM, the resource sizes occupied by these multiple control channels can be the same or different. As shown in Figures 20a and 2b, control channel 1 and control channel 2 occupy the same resource size. As shown in Figures 20c, d, and e, control channel 1 and control channel 2 occupy different resource sizes.

[0305] In some implementations, multiple control channels multiplex transmission resources using FDM, and these transmission resources are interleaved in the frequency domain. In this case, the transmission resources of the multiple control channels can be uniformly interleaved or non-uniformly interleaved. As shown in Figures 20b and 2e, the transmission resources occupied by control channel 1 and control channel 2 are uniformly interleaved in the frequency domain. As shown in Figure 20c, the transmission resources occupied by control channel 1 and control channel 2 are non-uniformly interleaved in the frequency domain. In the case of uniform interleaving, the size of the transmission resources occupied by the multiple control channels can be the same or different. As shown in Figure 20b, control channel 1 and control channel 2 are uniformly interleaved in the frequency domain, and they occupy the same amount of transmission resources. As shown in Figure 20e, control channel 1 and control channel 2 are uniformly interleaved in the frequency domain, and they occupy different amounts of transmission resources.

[0306] In some implementations, the first terminal device may correspond to a first sequence. For example, the first sequence may be a unique sequence configured for or used by the first terminal device. Exemplarily, the first sequence may be configured by a network device or generated based on the identifier of the first terminal device.

[0307] In some implementations, the first terminal device can correspond to multiple candidate sequences. For example, the first sequence can be one of multiple candidate sequences configured for or used by the first terminal device. These multiple candidate sequences can occupy the same time-frequency resources. Alternatively, the multiple candidate sequences can be distributed across multiple time-frequency resources. In this case, the first terminal device can first detect multiple candidate sequences (blind detection can be used, such as correlating multiple candidate sequences with the received sequence one by one); if the first sequence is detected from the multiple candidate sequences, the first terminal device can determine the transmission resources of the first control channel based on the first sequence and the correspondence between the first sequence and the transmission resources of the first control channel. When the first terminal device corresponds to multiple candidate sequences, in some implementations, different terminal devices can reuse the same candidate sequences, that is, the multiple candidate sequences corresponding to different terminal devices can be at least partially the same. In this case, configuring multiple candidate sequences for the first terminal device allows multiple terminal devices to flexibly reuse transmission resources. For example, the same control channel transmission resources can be configured simultaneously for multiple terminal devices, and as long as any terminal device transmits the control channel on the transmission resource, there will be no waste of transmission resources. Furthermore, if the transmission resources corresponding to a candidate sequence of the first terminal device are occupied by other terminal devices, the first terminal device can also select the transmission resources corresponding to other candidate sequences for transmission of the control channel, thereby avoiding the situation where the first terminal device has no transmission resources available.

[0308] In some implementations, multiple candidate sequences are configured for or used by the first terminal device, and these multiple candidate sequences may have the same or different lengths.

[0309] In some implementations, multiple candidate sequences are configured for or used by the first terminal device, and the resource locations corresponding to these multiple candidate sequences may be the same or different.

[0310] In some implementations, multiple candidate sequences are configured for or used by the first terminal device, and the resource sizes corresponding to these multiple candidate sequences may be the same or different.

[0311] As an example, multiple candidate sequences are configured for or used by the first terminal device, and these multiple candidate sequences can correspond to different resource sizes / resource locations. In this case, the network device can send different sequences to the first terminal device according to the actual channel conditions, thereby instructing the terminal device to use different resource sizes or detect the control channel at different resource locations. This helps to match the transmission resources of the control channel with the channel conditions, thereby improving the transmission reliability of the control channel.

[0312] To make it easier to understand, several more specific examples of implementation method one are given below.

[0313] Assuming the first control channel is a common control channel, since the transmission of such channels generally prioritizes ensuring cell coverage performance, the first sequence and the first control channel can use the design schemes a, e, and i in Figure 11. That is, the first sequence can be a long sequence, and the first control channel occupies the same frequency domain resources as the first sequence in the frequency domain, while in the time domain, it can choose to occupy one or more time units according to actual needs (such as the size of the first control channel, coverage requirements, etc.). Alternatively, when the first control channel is a common control channel, the first sequence and the first control channel can also use the design scheme shown in Figure 20. For example, a sequence set can be pre-formed, with each sequence in the sequence set corresponding to the resource location of a control channel. When the first terminal device detects a sequence, it can determine the transmission resources of the corresponding control channel based on that sequence. Alternatively, when the first control channel is a common control channel, the first sequence and the first control channel can also use the design scheme shown in a in Figure 16, where the frequency domain resources of the first sequence and the frequency domain resources of the first control channel are interleaved within the same symbol.

[0314] Assuming the first control channel is a terminal device-specific control channel, the design scheme shown in Figure 20 can be used, thus providing a certain degree of resource flexibility. Of course, when the first control channel is a terminal device-specific control channel, the design scheme shown in Figure 11 or the design scheme shown in Figure 16 can also be used.

[0315] As mentioned above, in implementation one, the transmission resources of the first sequence correspond one-to-one with those of the first control channel. Alternatively, in other implementations, the transmission resources of the first sequence correspond one-to-one with those of the first control channel. That is, the transmission resources of the first sequence correspond only to the transmission resources of the first control channel and not to the transmission resources of other control channels; similarly, the transmission resources of the first control channel correspond only to the transmission resources of the first sequence and not to the transmission resources of other sequences.

[0316] Implementation Method 2: The mapping relationship between the transmission resources of the first sequence and the first control channel is one-to-many.

[0317] In implementation method two, the first sequence corresponds to multiple transmission resources (these multiple transmission resources are used to transmit multiple control channels or are multiple candidate transmission resources for a single control channel), and the transmission resource occupied by the first control channel is one of the multiple transmission resources. For example, the first control channel can be transmitted on any one of the multiple transmission resources. The first sequence corresponding to multiple transmission resources allows for efficient utilization of the first sequence. For example, assuming the multiple transmission resources are used to transmit multiple control channels, the first sequence can provide channel estimation results for these multiple control channels. That is, all multiple control channels can be detected using the channel estimation results of the first sequence, without needing to perform multiple channel estimations for each control channel. Similarly, assuming the multiple transmission resources are multiple candidate transmission resources for the first control channel, the first sequence can provide channel estimation results for the detection of control channels on these multiple candidate transmission resources, without needing to calculate multiple channel estimation results separately for each candidate transmission resource.

[0318] In some implementations, since multiple transmission resources share a first sequence, in order to demodulate the control channel transmitted on these multiple transmission resources using the first sequence, the frequency range corresponding to the transmission resources of the first sequence can be set to include the frequency range corresponding to each of the multiple transmission resources. For example, the multiple transmission resources include transmission resource 1 and transmission resource 2, transmission resource 1 corresponds to frequency range 1, transmission resource 2 corresponds to frequency range 2, and the transmission resources of the first sequence correspond to frequency range 3. Frequency range 3 can include frequency range 1, frequency range 2, or the union of frequency range 1 and frequency range 2. When frequency range 3 includes the union of frequency range 1 and frequency range 2, the control channel can obtain better signal estimation performance, which is beneficial for the demodulation of the control channel.

[0319] The multiple transmission resources can be the same size or different sizes. Alternatively, some of the transmission resources can be the same size, while others can be different sizes. These multiple transmission resources can overlap in the frequency domain or not overlap at all.

[0320] If the first sequence indicates detection and / or listening to the first control channel, the first terminal device can detect (e.g., blind detection) the first control channel on multiple transmission resources. Ultimately, the first terminal device can detect the first control channel at the resource location where the first control channel was actually transmitted.

[0321] For example, as shown in Figure 21, the first sequence corresponds to multiple candidate resources C1, C2, and C3 (C3 = C1 + C2) of the first control channel. The first terminal device can first determine the first sequence it uses. Once the first sequence is detected, the first control channel can be detected among the multiple candidate resources corresponding to the first sequence. Using a one-to-many mapping between sequence and control channel transmission resources can provide flexibility in control channel resource transmission and facilitate resource reuse among multiple terminal devices. For example, multiple terminal devices can transmit sequences on the same resource in a CDM manner; and the candidate resource positions of the multiple control channels corresponding to these sequences can be the same or partially the same. In addition, using a one-to-many mapping between sequence and control channel transmission resources is also beneficial for achieving link adaptation in the transmission of the first control channel. For example, the sizes of the multiple control channel candidate resources can be different, thus corresponding to different link conditions. When the channel conditions between the network device and the first terminal device are good, a smaller control channel candidate resource can be used to transmit the control channel; conversely, a larger control channel candidate resource can be used to transmit the control channel.

[0322] The resource locations of multiple candidate resources in the control channel in this scheme can be implemented based on hash functions. For detailed implementation methods, please refer to the resource mapping methods of PDCCH provided by relevant technologies.

[0323] As mentioned above, the multiple transmission resources corresponding to the first sequence can be used to transmit control channels for multiple terminal devices. In some implementations, these multiple terminal devices may belong to the same terminal device group.

[0324] In some implementations, the first terminal device may correspond to a first sequence. For example, the first sequence may be a unique sequence configured for or used by the first terminal device. Exemplarily, the first sequence may be configured by a network device or generated based on the identifier of the first terminal device.

[0325] In some implementations, the first terminal device can correspond to multiple candidate sequences. For example, the first sequence can be one of multiple candidate sequences configured for or used by the first terminal device. These multiple candidate sequences can occupy the same time-frequency resources. Alternatively, the multiple candidate sequences can be distributed across multiple time-frequency resources. In this case, the first terminal device can first detect multiple candidate sequences (blind detection can be used, such as correlating multiple candidate sequences with the received sequence one by one); if the first sequence is detected from the multiple candidate sequences, the first terminal device can determine the transmission resources of the first control channel based on the first sequence and the correspondence between the first sequence and the transmission resources of the first control channel. When the first terminal device corresponds to multiple candidate sequences, in some implementations, different terminal devices can reuse the same candidate sequences, that is, the multiple candidate sequences corresponding to different terminal devices can be at least partially the same. In this case, configuring multiple candidate sequences for the first terminal device allows multiple terminal devices to flexibly reuse transmission resources. For example, the same control channel transmission resources can be configured simultaneously for multiple terminal devices, and as long as any terminal device transmits the control channel on the transmission resource, there will be no waste of transmission resources. Furthermore, if the transmission resources corresponding to a candidate sequence of the first terminal device are occupied by other terminal devices, the first terminal device can also select the transmission resources corresponding to other candidate sequences for transmission of the control channel, thereby avoiding the situation where the first terminal device has no transmission resources available.

[0326] In some implementations, multiple candidate sequences are configured for or used by the first terminal device, and these multiple candidate sequences may have the same or different lengths.

[0327] In some implementations, multiple candidate sequences are configured for or used by the first terminal device, and the resource locations corresponding to these multiple candidate sequences may be the same or different.

[0328] In some implementations, multiple candidate sequences are configured for or used by the first terminal device, and the resource sizes corresponding to these multiple candidate sequences may be the same or different.

[0329] As an example, multiple candidate sequences are configured for or used by the first terminal device, and these multiple candidate sequences can correspond to different resource sizes / resource locations. In this case, the network device can send different sequences to the first terminal device according to the actual channel conditions, thereby instructing the terminal device to use different resource sizes or detect the control channel at different resource locations. This helps to match the transmission resources of the control channel with the channel conditions, thereby improving the transmission reliability of the control channel.

[0330] As described above, compared to implementation method one, implementation method two offers greater flexibility in resource selection. Even though the first control channel may require blind detection on multiple candidate transmission resources, implementation method two can still deliver significant energy savings. This is because the first terminal device detects the first sequence before listening to the PDCCH, and only when the first sequence is detected or the detected first sequence instructs the terminal to perform first control channel detection and / or listening will the first terminal device initiate blind detection of the first control channel, thus reducing the power consumption of the terminal device.

[0331] As mentioned above, in implementation method two, the first sequence corresponds to multiple transmission resources. Alternatively, in implementation method two, the transmission resources of the first sequence correspond to multiple transmission resources (these multiple transmission resources are used to transmit multiple control channels or the multiple transmission resources are multiple candidate transmission resources of a control channel), and the transmission resource of the first control channel is one of the multiple transmission resources.

[0332] Implementation Method 3: The mapping relationship between the transmission resources of the first sequence and the first control channel is many-to-one.

[0333] In implementation method three, the transmission resources of the first control channel can correspond to multiple sequences, and the first sequence mentioned above is one of these sequences. For example, each sequence in the multiple sequences corresponds to a terminal device, so multiple terminal devices can share the same control channel transmission resources. On this transmission resource, the network device can choose to send a control channel to one of the terminal devices, and the terminal device can perform sequence detection to determine whether the network device has sent a control channel to it.

[0334] Alternatively, in implementation method three, the transmission resources of the first control channel can correspond to the transmission resources of multiple sequences.

[0335] Sequence detection and link adaptation

[0336] In actual deployments, the coverage radius of different cells may vary, and the required sequence performance will also differ. For control channels specific to terminal devices, since terminal devices are often in motion and their channel conditions frequently change, it is necessary to consider link adaptation requirements (i.e., adjusting the sequence transmission performance according to different link conditions) during sequence design. Link adaptation of sequences can be achieved by adjusting the sequence length or by adjusting the number of times the sequence is sent; these two implementation methods are described below.

[0337] Implementation Method 1: Link Adaptation Based on Sequences of Various Lengths

[0338] Simulation evaluations show that some cells require longer sequences, such as sequences of length 255, while others only require shorter sequences, such as sequences of length 127. Sequence design needs to meet the requirements of various cells; therefore, multiple sequences of different or slightly different lengths can be designed. Correspondingly, in actual use, terminal equipment needs to detect multiple sequences of different or slightly different lengths.

[0339] Taking the detection of the first sequence mentioned earlier as an example, this first sequence can be a sequence detected from a first time-frequency resource. This first time-frequency resource can carry multiple sequences of different or not identical lengths. During the detection process, the first terminal device can attempt blind detection of sequences using multiple lengths until a specific sequence is detected. The sequence length and / or resource location that the first terminal device needs to detect can be determined based on the network device's configuration information.

[0340] In some implementations, the multiple sequences of different or not identical lengths mentioned above may include one or more of the following: a seventh sequence and one or more eighth sequences (the length of the eighth sequence may be less than the length of the seventh sequence). The seventh sequence may occupy a second time-frequency resource (the second time-frequency resource may be part or all of the time-frequency resource in the first time-frequency resource). The eighth sequence may occupy a third time-frequency resource, which is a portion of the time-frequency resource in the second time-frequency resource. That is, the time-frequency resource occupied by the eighth sequence is located within the time-frequency resource occupied by the seventh sequence. The first terminal device may first detect the seventh sequence on the second time-frequency resource. If the seventh sequence is not detected, it may detect the eighth sequence on one or more third time-frequency resources within the second time-frequency resource. Alternatively, the first terminal device may first detect the eighth sequence on one or more third time-frequency resources within the second time-frequency resource. If the eighth sequence is not detected, it may detect the seventh sequence on the second time-frequency resource.

[0341] In one embodiment, the sum of the time-frequency resources occupied by one or more eighth sequences mentioned above can be equal to the second time-frequency resource. That is, the time-frequency resources occupied by one or more eighth sequences can form a nested structure with the second time-frequency resource. Taking Figure 22 as an example, Figure 22 shows the nested structure of resource mapping in frequency for various sequences of different lengths. Figures 22 a and b represent one resource design scheme, where a and b show frequency domain resources at the same time domain position. Figures 22 c and d represent another resource design scheme, where c and d show frequency domain resources at the same time domain position. The difference between the two schemes is whether guard bands are set at both ends of the frequency domain resources. As can be seen from Figure 22, the seventh sequence and the two eighth sequences occupy the same resources (a and b in Figure 22 correspond to the same time domain position, and c and d also correspond to the same time domain position). As can be seen from Figure 22, the same resource can carry a long sequence (i.e., the seventh sequence in Figure 22), or it can carry two short sequences (i.e., the eighth sequences in Figure 22), thus forming a nested structure of resource positions occupied by sequences. Therefore, for the first terminal device, multiple sequences of different lengths can be detected on a specific time-frequency resource. For a sequence of the same length, multiple candidate resource locations may also exist. The network device can configure information such as the length of the sequence to be detected and the number of resource locations. For example, in Figure 22, the network device can be configured to detect the seventh sequence only at the resource location corresponding to the seventh sequence. Alternatively, the network device can be configured to detect the eighth sequence only at the two resource locations corresponding to the eighth sequence. Or, the network device can be configured to detect the seventh sequence at the resource location corresponding to the seventh sequence and the eighth sequence at the two resource locations corresponding to the eighth sequence.

[0342] Implementation Method 2: Link Adaptation Based on Sequence Repetition Transmission

[0343] The "link adaptation based on sequence repetition transmission" mentioned in Implementation Method Two can refer to the following: under poor channel conditions, the number of sequence repetitions can be increased; under good channel conditions, the number of sequence repetitions can be reduced.

[0344] For example, the first sequence mentioned above can be repeatedly transmitted across multiple time-domain resources to improve its detection performance. The mapping methods of these multiple time-frequency resources or the first sequence across these resources can be the same or different. For instance, these multiple time-frequency resources may include a first time-frequency resource and a second time-domain resource; the frequency domain ranges corresponding to the first and second time-frequency resources can be the same, partially overlapping, or non-overlapping. Furthermore, within the first and second time-frequency resources, the frequency domain mapping method of the first sequence can be the same or different. As an example, the first sequence can be transmitted via frequency hopping across these multiple time-frequency resources, which is beneficial for improving its detection performance.

[0345] Figures 23 and 24 illustrate the case where the first sequence is repeatedly transmitted across multiple time-domain resources. In Figure 23a, the first sequence is repeatedly transmitted across two time units, thereby improving its transmission performance. In Figures 23b and c, the first sequence is still repeatedly transmitted across two time units. However, the frequency mapping method of the first sequence in the first time unit differs from that in the second time unit; the frequency-domain resources occupied by the first sequence in the second time unit are only a portion of those occupied in the first time unit. The difference between Figures 23b and c lies in the different settings of the guard band.

[0346] In Figure 24, the first sequence is repeatedly transmitted across two time units. However, the frequency domain position occupied by the first sequence in the first time unit differs from its position in the second time unit. This method is equivalent to frequency hopping transmission of the first sequence, which helps improve its detection performance.

[0347] Configuration of the first control channel

[0348] The first sequence and / or the first control channel can be configured by the network device. For example, the first terminal device can receive configuration information for the first control channel. The configuration information for the first control channel can be used to configure resources for the first sequence and / or the first control channel.

[0349] In some implementations, the configuration information of the first control channel may include the configuration information of the first sequence. For example, the configuration information of the first sequence may include one or more of the following: the length of the first sequence, the type of the first sequence, the number of the root sequence corresponding to the first sequence, the number of the first sequence, the cyclic shift value corresponding to the first sequence, the number of sequences used by the first terminal device, the bandwidth occupied by the first sequence, and the number of time units occupied by the first sequence.

[0350] In some implementations, the configuration information of the first control channel can be used to configure the time-frequency resources of the first control channel. For example, the configuration information of the first control channel may include one or more of the following: the number of time units (e.g., symbols) occupied by the first control channel, the bandwidth occupied by the first control channel, and the aggregation level of the first control channel.

[0351] In some implementations, the configuration information for the first control channel may not include the configuration of its time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources. In this case, the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources of the first control channel can be determined based on the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources of the first sequence. For example, the size of the time-domain resources occupied by the first control channel can be the same as the size of the time-domain resources occupied by the first sequence, and the time-domain resources occupied by the first control channel and the time-domain resources occupied by the first sequence can be continuous in the time domain. Furthermore, the location of the bandwidth or frequency-domain resources occupied by the first control channel can be the same as the location of the bandwidth or frequency-domain resources occupied by the first sequence.

[0352] Alternatively, in some implementations, if the configuration information of the first control channel does not configure the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources of the first control channel, the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources of the first control channel can be determined based on the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources of the first sequence. It should be understood that "the configuration information of the first control channel does not configure the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources of the first control channel" means that while the configuration information of the first control channel can configure the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources of the first control channel, if the configuration information does not configure the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources of the first control channel, the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources of the first control channel can be determined based on certain rules (such as protocol predefined rules or network device configuration rules). For example, the size of the time-domain resources occupied by the first control channel can be the same as the size of the time-domain resources occupied by the first sequence, and the time-domain resources occupied by the first control channel and the time-domain resources occupied by the first sequence can be continuous in the time domain. Furthermore, the location of the bandwidth or frequency-domain resources occupied by the first control channel can be the same as the location of the bandwidth or frequency-domain resources occupied by the first sequence.

[0353] In some implementations, the configuration information for the first sequence may not include the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources of the first sequence. In this case, the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources of the first sequence can be determined based on the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources of the first control channel. For example, the size of the time-domain resources occupied by the first control channel can be the same as the size of the time-domain resources occupied by the first sequence, and the time-domain resources occupied by the first control channel and the time-domain resources occupied by the first sequence can be continuous in the time domain. Furthermore, the location of the bandwidth or frequency-domain resources occupied by the first control channel can be the same as the location of the bandwidth or frequency-domain resources occupied by the first sequence.

[0354] Alternatively, in some implementations, if the configuration information for the first sequence does not specify the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources for the first sequence, the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources for the first sequence can be determined based on the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources of the first control channel. For example, the size of the time-domain resources occupied by the first control channel can be the same as the size of the time-domain resources occupied by the first sequence, and the time-domain resources occupied by the first control channel and the time-domain resources occupied by the first sequence can be continuous in the time domain. Furthermore, the location of the bandwidth or frequency-domain resources occupied by the first control channel can be the same as the location of the bandwidth or frequency-domain resources occupied by the first sequence.

[0355] Search space set of the first control channel

[0356] The search space set for the first control channel can be configured with time-domain related parameters for monitoring the first control channel. Taking the first control channel as PDCCH as an example, the search space set for the first control channel can be called the PDCCH search space set.

[0357] In some implementations, the search space set of the first control channel is used to configure a first monitoring occasion (MO). This first monitoring occasion can be used to perform one or more of the following operations: monitoring a first sequence, monitoring the first control channel, detecting the first sequence, and detecting the first control channel. Taking the first control channel as PDCCH and the first sequence as a PDCCH sequence as an example, in each monitoring occasion configured in the PDCCH search space set, the first terminal device can first detect the PDCCH sequence. After detecting the PDCCH sequence, it can continue to detect and / or monitor the PDCCH. For example, a monitoring occasion includes two symbols; the PDCCH sequence and the PDCCH can each occupy one symbol.

[0358] In some implementations, the search space set of the first control channel is used to configure the first listening opportunity. This first listening opportunity can be used (or only used) to listen to and / or detect the first sequence. Taking the first control channel as PDCCH and the first sequence as a PDCCH sequence as an example, the PDCCH sequence occupies one symbol, and the PMO also includes one symbol. After the first terminal device detects the PDCCH sequence, it can determine the PDCCH transmission resources based on the mapping relationship between the PDCCH sequence and the PDCCH transmission resources, thereby further detecting and / or listening to the PDCCH on the PDCCH transmission resources.

[0359] In some implementations, the search space set of the first control channel is used to configure a first listening opportunity. This first listening opportunity can be used (or only used) to listen to and / or detect the first control channel. In this case, the first terminal device can determine (or reverse-engineer) the transmission resources of the first sequence based on the listening location of the first control channel and the mapping relationship between the transmission resources of the first control channel and the transmission resources of the first sequence, and detect the first sequence on the transmission resources of the first sequence.

[0360] Application of the first sequence in control channels, terminal equipment groups, and / or between terminal equipment

[0361] In some implementations, the first sequence is used by the first terminal device to detect and / or listen to the common control channel. This application does not specifically limit the type of the common control channel. For example, the common control channel may include one or more of the following: a control channel for scheduling system information (such as system information block (SIB) information), a control channel for scheduling paging information, and a control channel for scheduling random access response (RAR) information. Alternatively, the common control channel may also be a channel that directly transmits control information. For example, the common control channel may be a control channel that transmits one or more of the following information: slot format information, channel occupancy time (COT) duration information, available resource block set information, search space set group switching information, pre-emption indication, transmission power control (TPC) information, uplink transmission cancellation indication, wake-up indication, etc.

[0362] In some implementations, the first sequence is used by the first terminal device to detect and / or listen to one or more types of common control channels. For example, the same sequence can be used for different types of common control channels. Alternatively, different sequences can be used for different types of common control channels. For example, for control channels targeting scheduling SIBs, PDCCH sequence_SIB can be used. Similarly, for control channels targeting scheduling paging messages, PDCCH sequence_paging can be used.

[0363] The sequence used by the common control channel can be determined based on protocol predefined information or network device configuration information. For example, the PDCCH sequence_paging mentioned above can be notified to the terminal device by the network device through system messages.

[0364] In some implementations, the first sequence can be used to detect and / or monitor a control channel specific to a group of terminal devices (which may be the group of terminal devices to which the first terminal device belongs). In this implementation, the first sequence can be associated with characteristics of the terminal device group. For example, the first sequence can be associated with (or determined based on) the identifier of the terminal device group. Of course, in this implementation, the first sequence can also be configured by the network device.

[0365] In some implementations, the first sequence can be used to detect and / or monitor control channels specific to the first terminal device. In this implementation, the first sequence can be associated with personalized characteristics of the first terminal device. For example, the first sequence can be associated with (or determined based on) the identifier of the first terminal device. Of course, in this implementation, the first sequence can also be configured by the network device.

[0366] In some implementations, different types of control channels (such as one or more of the common control channels described above, terminal device group-specific control channels, or terminal device-specific control channels) may use different sequences or sets of sequences. Alternatively, different types of control channels may use the same sequence (or set of sequences).

[0367] Generation and allocation of control channel sequences

[0368] In some implementations, the first sequence can be a real sequence (a sequence of real numbers) or a complex sequence (a sequence of complex numbers). Taking a real sequence as an example, the first sequence can include an m-sequence, a gold sequence, a pseudo-noise (PN) sequence, or a Hadamard sequence. Taking a complex sequence as an example, the first sequence can include a constant amplitude zero autocorrelation (CAZAC) sequence or a ZC sequence.

[0369] Generate control channel sequences based on m-sequences

[0370] Given the number r of the linear feedback shift register, an r-level m-sequence can be generated. This r-level m-sequence can be used as the sequence of the control channel mentioned earlier (such as the first sequence). When the m-sequence used is an r-level m-sequence, a total of N different characteristic polynomials can be determined. These N different characteristic polynomials can correspond to N m-sequences, which are referred to here as the N basic m-sequences. The number of N is limited by the number of characteristic polynomials.

[0371] The necessary and sufficient condition for an r-level linear feedback shift register to generate an m-sequence is that the characteristic polynomial F(x) of the shift register is a primitive polynomial. A primitive polynomial is a concept in linear algebra; if F(x) is an r-degree primitive polynomial, it will always generate an m-sequence.

[0372] F(x) is a primitive polynomial of degree r if it satisfies the following three conditions:

[0373] 1. F(x) is an irreducible polynomial, that is, a polynomial that cannot be further factored.

[0374] 2. F(x) is divisible by x p +1, here p = 2 r -1, P = 2 r -1 represents the period of the m-sequence;

[0375] 3. F(x) is not divisible by x. q +1, here q <p。

[0376] Table 3 summarizes the number of primitive polynomials corresponding to different series, that is, the number of basic m-sequences corresponding to different series.

[0377] Table 3. Number of basic m-sequences at different levels

[0378] By referring to Table 3, given a series, the number of basic m-sequences of that series can be determined.

[0379] After obtaining N basic m-sequences, cyclically shifting each of the N generated basic m-sequences can generate more m-sequences.

[0380] Circular shifting is the process of cyclically moving the values ​​in a sequence. There are two common types of circular shifting: circular left shift and circular right shift. Circular left shift places the shifted-out high-order bits into the low-order bits of the sequence, while circular right shift places the shifted-out low-order bits into the high-order bits of the sequence. The number of bits shifted out in a single circular shift is called the circular offset, and the resulting sequence is called the shifted sequence. Taking the basic m-sequence "10110101" as an example, Figure 9 shows the process of circular shifting with a circular offset of 2 bits. The process of circular left shift is shown in Figure 9(a), and the process of circular right shift is shown in Figure 9(b). Circular shifting can be either circular left or circular right. The circular offset can also be called the circular shift amount.

[0381] As mentioned earlier, the longest period of an m-sequence of series r is 2. r —1. If the cyclic offset for each shift is 1, then a maximum of 2 can be generated. r —Two new m-sequences. Therefore, by cyclically shifting an m-sequence with a cyclic offset of 1, a maximum of two such sequences can be obtained. r — One m-sequence (including the m-sequence itself).

[0382] If the cyclic shift step size of the m-sequence is N CS So, at most, one can get There are m sequences, each containing a basic m sequence and... A cyclic shift sequence. Among them, This indicates rounding down to the nearest integer.

[0383] Assuming the series is r and the number of m sequences is N, these N m sequences are shifted by a cyclic shift step of N. CS After performing a cyclic shift, the maximum number of possible values ​​is [missing information]. There are m sequences, including N m sequences themselves and... A cyclic shift sequence.

[0384] It is understandable that, based on the cyclic shift step size N CS By obtaining the cyclic offset and cyclically shifting the m-sequence according to the cyclic offset, several new m-sequences can be obtained. Furthermore, the cyclic shift step size N... CS The smaller the value, the more m-sequences can be obtained.

[0385] Suppose the m-sequence is x(n), then the cyclic shift sequence of the m-sequence can be represented as x((n+C)mod L), where L is the length of the m-sequence, C is the cyclic shift offset of the cyclic shift sequence relative to the m-sequence, and mod is the modulo operation.

[0386] The offset C can theoretically take any integer value between 0 and L. However, in some cases, a cyclic shift offset that is too small can make it difficult for the receiver to distinguish between two adjacent cyclic shift sequences, especially when the chip corresponding to each bit of the m-sequence is small. Therefore, the value of the cyclic offset can be further limited to ensure signal reception quality. For example, the cyclic offset can be made greater than a first threshold, which is agreed upon by the communication protocol, indicated by the network device, or determined according to the chip length of the m-sequence.

[0387] Taking the first sequence mentioned earlier as an m-sequence as an example, the first sequence can be either a basic m-sequence or a cyclically shifted sequence of a basic m-sequence.

[0388] Generate control channel sequences based on gold sequences

[0389] Among N r-level m sequences, we can first find the preferred pair of m sequences. The gold sequence is formed by adding the preferred pair of m sequences modulo 2. By changing the relative shift (bit offset) of the two m sequences in the preferred pair, a new gold sequence can be obtained.

[0390] The gold sequence used in this application can be formed in several ways. Two possible formation methods are given below.

[0391] 1. Gold sequence formation method 1

[0392] The implementation process of gold sequence formation method 1 is as follows: The first m-sequence in the m-sequence preferred pair remains fixed, while the other m-sequence is cyclically shifted relative to the first m-sequence. Then, the result of the cyclic shift of the first and second m-sequences is added modulo 2 to obtain the gold sequence. Following this method, with the second m-sequence in the m-sequence preferred pair shifted by one bit each time, each m-sequence preferred pair can form 2... r +1 gold sequence (including the gold sequence formed by adding the two m sequences modulo 2 from the preferred m sequence pair). Based on a preferred m sequence pair, 2... r +1 gold sequences can be called a gold sequence family. If gold sequences are formed based on multiple m sequence pairs, multiple gold sequence families can be formed.

[0393] 2. Gold sequence formation method 2

[0394] The implementation process of gold sequence formation method 2 is as follows: The two m-sequences in the preferred m-sequence pair are cyclically shifted respectively, and then added modulo 2 to obtain the gold sequence. Following this method, with the second m-sequence in the preferred m-sequence pair shifted by one bit each time, a maximum of (2^3)^3 ...r -1)*(2 r -1) gold sequences (including the gold sequence formed by adding the two m sequences modulo 2 in the preferred pair of m sequences).

[0395] Sequence for generating control channel based on ZC sequence

[0396] ZC sequences can be generated using the following formula:

[0397] Where xu represents the root sequence, u represents the physical root sequence number, i represents the i-th symbol of the root sequence, and L RA This indicates the length of the root sequence.

[0398] According to the above formula, by changing the physical root sequence number, a total of L can be generated. RA — 1 root sequence.

[0399] A root sequence can be cyclically shifted to obtain more ZC sequences. The first sequence mentioned earlier can be the root sequence in the ZC sequence or a cyclically shifted sequence of the root sequence.

[0400] Inter-cell allocation of control channel sequences

[0401] The first sequence mentioned above can correspond to the first cell (which can be any cell). That is, the first sequence can be a sequence used in the first cell, or the first sequence is a sequence allocated to the first cell.

[0402] In some implementations, the first cell may use only one sequence.

[0403] In some implementations, the first sequence is used to detect and / or listen to one or more common control channels within the first cell.

[0404] In some implementations, the first sequence is used to detect and / or listen to control channels specific to the terminal equipment group within the first cell.

[0405] In some implementations, the first sequence is used to detect and / or listen to terminal-specific control channels within the first cell.

[0406] In some implementations, the first sequence belongs to a first sequence set, and this first sequence set corresponds to the first cell. That is, the first sequence set can be a sequence set used in the first cell, or the first sequence set is a sequence set allocated to the first cell. The first sequence set can include one sequence or multiple sequences.

[0407] In some implementations, the first sequence set is used for detection and / or monitoring of one or more common control channels within the first cell.

[0408] In some implementations, the first sequence set is used to detect and / or monitor control channels specific to the terminal equipment group within the first cell.

[0409] In some implementations, the first sequence set is used to detect and / or listen to terminal-specific control channels within the first cell.

[0410] In some implementations, the first sequence set can simultaneously satisfy the sequence usage requirements of the common control channel within the first cell, the control channel specific to the terminal equipment group, and the control channel specific to the terminal equipment.

[0411] In some implementations, the sequences corresponding to the adjacent cells of the first cell (hereinafter referred to as the second cell) are different from, not exactly the same as, or completely different from, the sequences corresponding to the first cell. Since the two cells use different sequences, the control channels of different cells can be distinguished based on the sequences, thereby preventing the sequence of one cell from mistakenly waking up the terminal equipment of another cell. Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, in some implementations, the sequences can be used for channel estimation, thereby demodulating the control channel. In this case, distinguishing the sequences of the two cells helps improve the demodulation performance of the control channel (because the channel conditions of different cells are different, using the sequence corresponding to one cell to demodulate the control channel transmitted in another cell results in poor demodulation performance).

[0412] For example, both the first and second cells correspond to a sequence (hereinafter, the sequence corresponding to the first cell will be referred to as sequence 1, and the sequence corresponding to the second cell will be referred to as sequence 2). Sequence 1 and sequence 2 can be different sequences.

[0413] For example, the first cell corresponds to the first sequence set, and the second cell corresponds to the second sequence set (it should be understood that the second sequence set mentioned in the embodiments of this application is relative to the first sequence set, and does not refer to the set formed by the second sequence). That is to say, the second sequence set can be a sequence set used in the second cell, or the second sequence set is a sequence set allocated for the second cell. The sequences in the second sequence set may not be completely identical to the sequences in the first sequence set, or they may be completely different.

[0414] In some implementations, both the first sequence set and the second sequence set include sequences of a first length, and the sequences of the first length in the first sequence set are different from the sequences of the first length in the second sequence set. Setting sequences of different lengths in the two cells as different sequences helps to avoid mutual interference between the two cells.

[0415] In some implementations, the first sequence set may include sequences of various lengths. Furthermore, in some implementations, these sequences of various lengths may correspond to various channel conditions or channel qualities. In this way, the network device can send sequences of different lengths based on the channel quality of the terminal devices within the cell, thereby improving transmission reliability. For example, for terminal devices with poor channel quality, the network device can use longer sequences from the first sequence set; for terminal devices with better channel quality, the network device can use shorter sequences from the first sequence set.

[0416] In some implementations, the sequences in the first sequence set can correspond to a ninth sequence (or be generated based on a ninth sequence). Alternatively, the one or more sequences can correspond to multiple ninth sequences (or be generated based on one or more ninth sequences). The ninth sequence mentioned here can serve as the base sequence for generating the tenth sequence. In some implementations, the ninth sequence can be referred to as the basic sequence, reference sequence, initial sequence, or root sequence. The ninth sequence can be generated, for example, according to any of the sequence generation methods mentioned above. For example, if the ninth sequence is an m-sequence, then the ninth sequence can be generated by determining whether the characteristic polynomial of the linear feedback shift register is a primitive polynomial. As another example, if the ninth sequence is a gold sequence, then the ninth sequence can be generated based on a preferred pair of m-sequences (e.g., by adding the preferred pair of m-sequences modulo 2). As yet another example, if the ninth sequence is a ZC sequence, then the ninth sequence can be generated based on the physical root sequence number. See the previous text for detailed descriptions; they will not be repeated here. For example, the sequences in the first sequence set include their corresponding ninth sequences and / or cyclic shift sequences of their corresponding ninth sequences.

[0417] In some implementations, the first sequence set may include one or more of the following: one or more ninth sequences, and one or more tenth sequences (the tenth sequence is determined based on a cyclic shift of the ninth sequence, i.e., the tenth sequence is a cyclic shift sequence of the ninth sequence). The ninth sequence mentioned here can serve as the base sequence for generating the tenth sequence. In some implementations, the ninth sequence may be referred to as the basic sequence, reference sequence, initial sequence, or root sequence. The ninth sequence may be generated, for example, according to any of the sequence generation methods mentioned above. For example, if the ninth sequence is an m-sequence, it can be generated by determining whether the characteristic polynomial of the linear feedback shift register is a primitive polynomial. Alternatively, if the ninth sequence is a gold sequence, it can be generated based on a preferred pair of m-sequences (e.g., by adding the preferred pair of m-sequences modulo 2). Or, if the ninth sequence is a ZC sequence, it can be generated based on the physical root sequence number. See the preceding text for a detailed description; it will not be repeated here.

[0418] Taking the first sequence set as an example of an m-sequence set, the ninth sequence can be a basic m-sequence, and the tenth sequence is an m-sequence determined by a cyclic shift of the basic m-sequence (that is, it can be a cyclic shift sequence of the basic m-sequence).

[0419] Taking the first sequence set as the gold sequence set as an example, the ninth sequence can be the gold sequence corresponding to the preferred pair of m sequences (such as the gold sequence obtained by adding the two basic m sequences in the preferred pair modulo 2), and the tenth sequence is the gold sequence determined by cyclically shifting the basic m sequences in the preferred pair (for example, see the gold sequence formation method 1 or gold sequence formation method 2 mentioned above). It should be understood that after obtaining the gold sequence, it can be further cyclically shifted to form more gold sequences. Therefore, the tenth sequence can also further include cyclically shifted sequences of the gold sequence. For example, each gold sequence can further form 2... r -1 cyclic shift sequence. Thus, if the cyclic shift offset is 1, after cyclically shifting the gold sequence, a preferred pair of m sequences can form a total of (2... r +1)*(2 r -1) gold sequences.

[0420] As mentioned earlier, a preferred pair of m sequences can form a gold sequence family. The first sequence set mentioned in the embodiments of this application may include a gold sequence family or multiple gold sequence families. Alternatively, the first sequence set mentioned in the embodiments of this application may include some gold sequences from a gold sequence family or some gold sequences from multiple gold sequence families.

[0421] As an example, all the m-sequences in the level 5 m-sequence can form 12 preferred m-sequence pairs, thus forming 12 gold sequence families. Each gold sequence family can contain 33 gold sequences, so a total of 396 gold sequences are contained. The first sequence set can include one or more gold sequence families from the 12 gold sequence families, or it can include a subset of sequences from one or more gold sequence families.

[0422] Taking the first sequence set as the ZC sequence set as an example, the ninth sequence is the root sequence (or ZC root sequence, i.e. the sequence corresponding to the physical root sequence number), and the tenth sequence is the ZC sequence determined by the cyclic shift of the root sequence.

[0423] Number of a sequence or set of sequences

[0424] During communication, sequence or sequence set numbers may be used. It should be noted that the numbers mentioned in the various embodiments of this application can also be understood as indexes or identifiers, and numbers, indexes, and identifiers can be used interchangeably without conflict. This application does not impose specific limitations on the numbering rules for sequences or sequence sets. For example, the numbers can be randomly assigned, determined based on predefined protocol information, determined based on network device configuration information, or determined according to certain calculation rules.

[0425] Taking m-sequences as an example, assuming a communication system uses multiple basic m-sequences, communication can be achieved using the indices of these basic m-sequences. The indices of the basic m-sequences can be associated with the polynomial coefficients of the primitive polynomial (referring to the primitive polynomial corresponding to the basic m-sequence). For example, the indices of the basic m-sequences can be associated with the binary numbers formed by the polynomial coefficients of the primitive polynomial (the polynomial coefficients can be ordered from higher to lower powers, or from lower to higher powers).

[0426] For example, assuming there are N basic m-sequences, these N basic m-sequences can be one-to-one corresponded to N primitive polynomials. The polynomial coefficients of each of these N primitive polynomials can correspond to a binary number, thus forming N binary numbers. The numbering of these N basic m-sequences can be related to the magnitude of these N binary numbers. For example, they can be numbered in descending order of the N binary numbers, or in ascending order of the N binary numbers. Of course, the numbering of these N basic m-sequences can also be related to other specific orders.

[0427] A set of m-sequences can correspond to one or more basic m-sequences and one or more cyclically shifted sequences of basic m-sequences. The sequence numbers in the set of m-sequences can be associated with one or more of the following: the numbers of the basic m-sequences corresponding to the set of m-sequences, and the cyclic shift offsets of the m-sequences. For example, the basic m-sequences in the set can first be numbered in ascending order (or descending order, or another specific numbering order). Then, the cyclically shifted sequences of the basic m-sequences can be numbered based on the cyclic shift offsets in ascending order (or descending order).

[0428] For example, suppose a set of m-sequences includes two basic m-sequences (m-sequence 1 and m-sequence 2, where the index of m-sequence 1 is greater than the index of m-sequence 2), two cyclically shifted sequences of m-sequence 1 (m-sequence 11 and m-sequence 12, where the cyclic shift offset of m-sequence 11 is less than the cyclic shift offset of m-sequence 12), and two cyclically shifted sequences of m-sequence 2 (m-sequence 21 and m-sequence 22, where the cyclic shift offset of m-sequence 21 is greater than the cyclic shift offset of m-sequence 22). In this case, we can first sort m-sequence 1 and m-sequence 2 according to the index of the two basic m-sequences: m-sequence 1 → m-sequence 2; then, for each basic m-sequence, we can sort them in ascending order of cyclic shift offset. All cyclically shifted sequences can be placed after the basic m-sequences, i.e.: m-sequence 1 → m-sequence 2 → m-sequence 11 → m-sequence 12 → m-sequence 21 → m-sequence 22, and then the m-sequences can be numbered in the above order. Alternatively, a cyclic shift sequence of a basic m-sequence can be placed after the basic m-sequence and before other basic m-sequences, i.e.: m-sequence 1 → m-sequence 11 → m-sequence 12 → m-sequence 2 → m-sequence 21 → m-sequence 22, and then the m-sequences can be numbered in the above order.

[0429] Taking gold sequences as an example, a set of gold sequences can include gold sequences from one or more gold sequence families. In some implementations, these one or more gold sequence families can be numbered, and the numbering of each gold sequence in the set can be determined based on this numbering. For example, a set of gold sequences can include gold sequences from a first gold sequence family (which can be all sequences in the first gold sequence family or a portion of the sequences in the first gold sequence family), and the first gold sequence family corresponds to a first preferred pair of m sequences (i.e., the first gold sequence family is generated based on the preferred pair of m sequences). In this case, the numbering of the first gold sequence family can be associated with the numbering of the basic m sequences in the preferred pair of m sequences.

[0430] For example, given the length of the m-sequence, the gold sequence family can be numbered using the following rules.

[0431] First, the basic m-sequences can be numbered based on the numbering rules of the basic m-sequences (the numbering method of the basic m-sequences can be found in the previous text, and will not be repeated here).

[0432] Secondly, the preferred m-sequence pairs are numbered. For example, one or more preferred m-sequence pairs can be numbered first based on the ascending (or descending) order of the first basic m-sequence number of the two basic m-sequences, and then the preferred m-sequence pairs can be numbered again based on the ascending (or descending) order of the second basic m-sequence number. Alternatively, one or more preferred m-sequence pairs can be numbered based on the ascending order of the product of the numbers of the two basic m-sequences.

[0433] Finally, the number of the gold sequence family can be equal to the number of one or more m-sequence preferred pairs.

[0434] After obtaining the family number of the gold sequence, the gold sequences within the gold sequence set can be numbered according to the family number and the corresponding cyclic shift offset. For example, for the gold sequences in a gold sequence set, they can first be numbered in ascending or descending order of their family number. Then, since the gold sequences are determined by cyclic shifting one or two basic m-sequences in a preferred pair of m-sequences, they can be numbered based on the cyclic shift offset of a basic m-sequence in the preferred pair or the sum (or product) of the cyclic shift offsets of the two basic m-sequences, thus obtaining the numbers of each gold sequence in a gold sequence set.

[0435] Taking ZC sequences as an example, since ZC sequences are generated based on root sequences and each root sequence corresponds to a physical root sequence number, ZC sequences can be encoded based on the physical root sequence number. For a ZC sequence in a ZC sequence set, if the ZC sequence is a cyclically shifted sequence of a certain root sequence, its number can be determined based on the cyclic shift offset. For example, suppose a ZC sequence set includes two root sequences (root sequence 1 and root sequence 2, where the number of root sequence 1 is greater than the number of root sequence 2), two cyclically shifted sequences of root sequence 1 (ZC sequence 11 and ZC sequence 12, where the cyclic shift offset of ZC sequence 11 is less than the cyclic shift offset of ZC sequence 12), and two cyclically shifted sequences of root sequence 2 (ZC sequence 21 and ZC sequence 22, where the cyclic shift offset of ZC sequence 21 is greater than the cyclic shift offset of ZC sequence 22). In this scenario, we can first sort root sequence 1 and root sequence 2 according to their numbers: root sequence 1 → root sequence 2. Then, for each root sequence, we can sort them in ascending order of cyclic shift offset. All cyclic shift sequences can be placed after the root sequences, i.e.: root sequence 1 → root sequence 2 → ZC sequence 11 → ZC sequence 12 → ZC sequence 21 → ZC sequence 22, and then numbered in the above order. Alternatively, the cyclic shift sequences of a root sequence can be placed after that root sequence and before the other root sequences, i.e.: root sequence 1 → ZC sequence 11 → ZC sequence 12 → root sequence 2 → ZC sequence 21 → ZC sequence 22, and then numbered in the above order.

[0436] This application does not specifically limit the number of ninth sequences (such as basic m-sequences or root sequences) corresponding to the first cell. Since the tenth sequence is determined based on the cyclic shift of the ninth sequence, the more ninth sequences corresponding to the first cell, the more sequences the sequence set used by the first cell can contain. The specific number can be determined according to the needs of the first cell. Three possible implementation methods are given below.

[0437] Implementation Method 1: The first cell corresponds to a ninth sequence.

[0438] The first cell corresponding to a ninth sequence means that the first sequence set used by the first cell includes the ninth sequence and / or a sequence determined based on the second cyclic shift. Taking an m-sequence as an example, the first cell corresponding to a ninth sequence may include: the first cell corresponding to a basic m-sequence, and correspondingly, the first sequence set may include a basic m-sequence and / or a cyclic shift sequence of the basic m-sequence. Taking a gold sequence as an example, the first cell corresponding to a ninth sequence may include: the first cell corresponding to a preferred pair of m-sequences. Since a preferred pair of m-sequences can be used to generate a family of gold sequences, in some implementations, the first cell may correspond to a family of gold sequences. Taking an m-sequence as a ZC sequence as an example, the first cell corresponding to a ninth sequence may include: the first cell corresponding to a root sequence (or ZC root sequence).

[0439] In some implementations, the second cell (the adjacent cell of the first cell) can correspond to another ninth sequence, meaning the ninth sequence corresponding to the second cell can be different from the ninth sequence corresponding to the first cell. Since different cells correspond to different ninth sequences, different cells use different sequences, thus distinguishing the control channels of different cells based on the sequences, thereby preventing a sequence from one cell from mistakenly waking up terminal equipment in another cell. Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, in some implementations, the sequence can be used for channel estimation, thereby demodulating the control channel. In this case, distinguishing the sequences of the two cells helps improve the demodulation performance of the control channel (because the channel conditions of different cells are different, using the sequence corresponding to one cell to demodulate the control channel transmitted in another cell results in poor demodulation performance).

[0440] Taking the m-sequence as an example, the first cell and the second cell can correspond to different basic m-sequences. Taking the gold sequence as an example, the first cell and the second cell can correspond to different preferred pairs of m-sequences, thus corresponding to sequences in different families of gold sequences (of course, in some implementations, the first cell and the second cell can also correspond to different sequences in the same family of gold sequences). Taking the ZC sequence as an example, the first cell and the second cell can correspond to different root sequences (or ZC root sequences).

[0441] In some implementations, the second cell can correspond to the same ninth sequence as the first cell. In this case, the first cell and the second cell can correspond to different tenth sequences (circularly shifted sequences of the ninth sequence).

[0442] In some implementations, the ninth sequence or its number can be associated with (or determined based on) the identifier of the first cell. For example, suppose the communication system uses U ninth sequences, and these U ninth sequences are numbered from 0, 1, 2…U-1 (or they can be numbered starting from 1, i.e., the U ninth sequences are numbered from 1, 2…U, which will not be elaborated further). In this case, the identifier of the first cell modulo U can be used to obtain the remainder, and the remainder is the number of the ninth sequence corresponding to the first cell. Then, the ninth sequences can be cyclically shifted to form one or more tenth sequences. After obtaining the ninth and / or tenth sequences, a first sequence set for use by the first cell can be formed.

[0443] For example, if the ninth sequence can be a basic m-sequence, then the first cell can correspond to a basic m-sequence. In this case, the remainder can be calculated based on the identifier of the first cell modulo N (where N is the number of basic m-sequences), and the remainder is used as the number of the basic m-sequence corresponding to the first cell.

[0444] For example, if the ninth sequence can be a root sequence (or a ZC root sequence), then the first cell can correspond to a root sequence. In this case, the remainder can be calculated based on the identifier of the first cell modulo N (where N is the number of root sequences), and the remainder is used as the number of the root sequence corresponding to the first cell.

[0445] In some implementations, taking the ninth sequence as an example of a gold sequence, the first cell corresponding to a gold sequence may include: the first cell corresponding to a gold sequence family. The number of this gold sequence family can be associated with (or determined based on) the identifier of the first cell. For example, suppose there are I gold sequence families, and the numbers of these I gold sequence families are from 0, 1, 2…I-1. The remainder obtained by taking the identifier of the first cell modulo I is the number of the gold sequence family corresponding to the first cell.

[0446] In some implementations, the ninth sequence or its number can be determined based on the network device's configuration information. For example, the network device can notify the first cell of the ninth sequence number via system information, a medium access control element (MAC CE), or a DCI. Taking the ninth sequence as the basic m-sequence, the network device can notify the first cell of the basic m-sequence number used via system information, MAC CE, or DCI.

[0447] In some implementations, taking the ninth sequence as an example of a gold sequence, the first cell corresponding to a gold sequence may include: the first cell corresponding to a gold sequence family. The number of this gold sequence family can be determined based on the network device's configuration information. For example, the network device can notify the number of the gold sequence family corresponding to the first cell through system information, MAC CE, or DCI.

[0448] Implementation Method 2: The first cell corresponds to multiple ninth sequences.

[0449] The first cell corresponding to multiple ninth sequences refers to the first sequence set used by the first cell including multiple ninth sequences and / or sequences determined by cyclic shifting of these multiple ninth sequences. This implementation can increase the number of sequences allowed to be used by the cell. Taking an m-sequence as an example, the first cell corresponding to multiple ninth sequences may include: the first cell corresponding to multiple basic m-sequences, and correspondingly, the first sequence set may include multiple basic m-sequences and / or cyclic shifted sequences of these multiple basic m-sequences. Taking a gold sequence as an example, the first cell corresponding to multiple ninth sequences may include: the first cell corresponding to multiple preferred pairs of m-sequences. Since a preferred pair of m-sequences can be used to generate a family of gold sequences, in some implementations, the first cell may correspond to multiple families of gold sequences. Taking a ZC sequence as an example, the first cell corresponding to multiple ninth sequences may include: the first cell corresponding to multiple root sequences (or ZC root sequences).

[0450] In some implementations, the second cell (the adjacent cell of the first cell) can correspond to one or more ninth sequences, and the ninth sequence corresponding to the second cell is different from the ninth sequence corresponding to the first cell, thereby reducing mutual interference between cells. Since different cells correspond to different ninth sequences, different cells use different sequences, thus distinguishing the control channels of different cells based on the sequences, thereby preventing a sequence from one cell from mistakenly waking up the terminal equipment of another cell. Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, in some implementations, the sequences can be used for channel estimation, thereby demodulating the control channel. In this case, distinguishing the sequences of the two cells helps improve the demodulation performance of the control channel (because the channel conditions of different cells are different, using the sequence corresponding to one cell to demodulate the control channel transmitted in another cell results in poor demodulation performance). Taking the m-sequence as an example, the first cell and the second cell can correspond to different basic m-sequences. Taking the gold sequence as an example, the first cell and the second cell can correspond to different preferred pairs of m-sequences or different families of gold sequences (of course, in some implementations, the first cell and the second cell can also correspond to different sequences within the same gold sequence). Taking the ZC sequence as an example, the first cell and the second cell can correspond to different root sequences (or ZC root sequences).

[0451] In some implementations, the numbers of the plurality of ninth sequences are associated with (or determined based on) the identifier of the first cell. For example, the remainder obtained by taking the identifier of the first cell modulo N can be used as the number of the starting sequence of the plurality of ninth sequences used by the first cell. Assuming that the first cell needs to use L ninth sequences (L is a positive integer greater than 1), the other sequences among the L ninth sequences can be determined based on the number of the starting sequence.

[0452] Taking gold sequences as an example, in some implementations, multiple ninth sequences can correspond to multiple gold sequence families. Therefore, a first sequence corresponding to multiple ninth sequences can include: the first sequence corresponding to multiple gold sequence families. The numbers of these multiple gold sequence families can be associated with (or determined based on) the identifier of the first cell. For example, the identifier of the first cell can be modulo N to obtain the remainder, and the remainder is the number of the starting sequence of the multiple gold sequence families used by the first cell. Assuming that the first cell needs to use L gold sequence families (L is a positive integer greater than 1), the numbers of the other gold sequence families in these L gold sequence families can be obtained based on the number of the starting sequence.

[0453] In some implementations, the numbering of the plurality of ninth sequences is determined based on the network device's configuration information. For example, the network device can configure the plurality of ninth sequences via system information, MAC CE, or DCI messages or signaling. The network device's configuration information may indicate one or more of the following: the numbering of the plurality of ninth sequences, the number of the starting sequence among the plurality of ninth sequences, the number of the last sequence among the plurality of ninth sequences, and the quantity of the plurality of ninth sequences. For example, the network device may notify the individual numbers of the plurality of ninth sequences. Alternatively, the network device may notify the number of the starting sequence of the plurality of ninth sequences, and the quantity of the plurality of ninth sequences may be determined based on predefined information. Alternatively, the network device may notify the numbers of the starting and last sequences of the plurality of ninth sequences. Alternatively, the network device may notify the number of the starting sequence of the plurality of sequences and the quantity of the plurality of ninth sequences.

[0454] For example, suppose a first cell needs to use L ninth sequences (L is a positive integer greater than 1). After the network device notifies the first cell of the starting sequence number among the L ninth sequences, the L consecutive ninth sequences starting from that starting sequence number can be used as the L ninth sequences corresponding to the first cell. These L ninth sequences can be arranged in a first order. This first order can be, for example, a natural numbering order from smallest to largest. Alternatively, the first order can be a protocol-predefined order. Or, the first order can be the order notified by the network device. As an example, suppose there are 12 ninth sequences, which can be arranged in the following order: 9, 7, 3, 5, 8, 1, 2, 0, 11, 4, 6, 11. If the network device notifies the starting sequence number of the L ninth sequences as 3, and L = 3, then the L ninth sequences used by the first cell include the ninth sequences numbered 3, 5, and 8.

[0455] Taking gold sequences as an example, in some implementations, the multiple ninth sequences can correspond to multiple gold sequence families. The numbering of these multiple gold sequence families can be determined based on the network device's configuration information. For example, the network device can configure these multiple gold sequence families through system information, MAC CE, or DCI messages or signaling. The network device's configuration information can indicate one or more of the following: the numbering of the multiple gold sequence families, the number of the starting gold sequence family among the multiple gold sequence families, the number of the last gold sequence family among the multiple gold sequence families, and the number of the multiple gold sequence families. For example, the network device can notify the individual numbers of the multiple gold sequence families. Alternatively, the network device can notify the number of the starting gold sequence family among the multiple gold sequence families (the number of the multiple gold sequence families can be determined based on predefined information). Alternatively, the network device can notify the numbers of the starting and last gold sequence families among the multiple gold sequence families. Alternatively, the network device can notify the number of the starting gold sequence family among the multiple gold sequence families and the number of the multiple gold sequence families.

[0456] The following detailed description of implementation method one, using specific examples, is provided below. It should be noted that the examples below are merely to help those skilled in the art understand the embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application to the specific numerical values ​​or scenarios illustrated. Those skilled in the art can obviously make various equivalent modifications or variations based on the given examples, and such modifications or variations also fall within the scope of the embodiments of this application.

[0457] Example 1: Each cell corresponds to multiple basic m-sequences

[0458] In Example 1, each cell may use multiple basic m-sequences and / or cyclic shift sequences of those basic m-sequences, and adjacent cells may use different basic m-sequences and / or cyclic shift sequences of those basic m-sequences.

[0459] In some implementations, the network device may notify the terminal device of the numbers of multiple basic m-sequences used in a particular cell (e.g., via system information notification).

[0460] In some implementations, the network device can notify (e.g., through system information notification) the terminal device of the starting basic m-sequence number used by a certain cell, and the numbers of other basic m-sequences can be determined based on the starting basic m-sequence number.

[0461] For example, after the network device notifies the cell of the starting basic m-sequence number, it can select L consecutive basic m-sequences in a certain order, starting from that starting basic m-sequence number, as the L basic m-sequences corresponding to the cell. This order can be natural numbering order, a predefined order, or the order notified by the network device. Assume there are 12 basic m-sequences in total, and the order of these 12 basic m-sequences is: 9, 7, 3, 5, 8, 1, 2, 0, 11, 4, 6, 11. Assume the starting basic m-sequence number notified by the network device is 3, and L is 3, then the basic m-sequence numbers used by the cell are 3, 5, and 8.

[0462] Example 2: Each cell corresponds to multiple gold sequence families.

[0463] In Example 2, each cell can use multiple gold sequence families, and adjacent cells can use different gold sequence families.

[0464] In some implementations, the network device may notify the terminal device of the numbers of multiple gold sequence families used in a particular cell (e.g., via system information notification).

[0465] In some implementations, the network device can notify (e.g., through system information notification) the terminal device of the starting gold sequence family number used by a certain cell, and the numbers of other gold sequence families can be determined based on the starting gold sequence family number.

[0466] For example, after the network device notifies the cell of the starting gold sequence family number, it can select L consecutive gold sequence families in a certain order starting from that starting gold sequence family number as the L gold sequence families corresponding to the cell. This order can be natural numbering order, a predefined order, or the order notified by the network device. Assume there are 12 gold sequence families in total, and the order of these 12 gold sequence families is: 9, 7, 3, 5, 8, 1, 2, 0, 11, 4, 6, 11. Assume the starting gold sequence family number notified by the network device is 3, and L is 3, then the gold sequence families used by the cell are numbered 3, 5, and 8.

[0467] Example 3: Each cell corresponds to multiple root sequences (ZC root sequences)

[0468] In Example 3, each cell may use multiple root sequences and / or cyclic shift sequences of those root sequences, and adjacent cells may use different root sequences and / or cyclic shift sequences of those root sequences.

[0469] In some implementations, the network device may notify the terminal device of the numbers of multiple root sequences used in a particular cell (e.g., via system information notification).

[0470] In some implementations, the network device can notify the terminal device of the starting root sequence number used by a certain cell (e.g., through system information notification), and the numbers of other root sequences can be determined based on the starting root sequence number.

[0471] For example, after the network device notifies the cell of the starting root sequence number, it can select L consecutive root sequences from that starting root sequence number in a certain order as the L root sequences corresponding to the cell. This order can be natural numbering order, a predefined order, or the order notified by the network device. Assume there are 12 root sequences in total, and the order of these 12 root sequences is: 9, 7, 3, 5, 8, 1, 2, 0, 11, 4, 6, 11. Assume the starting root sequence number notified by the network device is 3, and L is 3, then the root sequences used by the cell are 3, 5, and 8.

[0472] Implementation Method 3: The first sequence set corresponding to the first cell is a subset of the third sequence set.

[0473] The third sequence set may include multiple sequence subsets, and these multiple sequence subsets may correspond one-to-one with multiple cells. The first sequence set corresponding to the first cell is one of these multiple sequence subsets.

[0474] In some implementations, the third sequence set may include one or more of the following: one or more ninth sequences, one or more tenth sequences (the tenth sequence is determined based on a cyclic shift of the ninth sequence, or the tenth sequence is a cyclic shift sequence of the ninth sequence). Taking an m-sequence as an example, the one or more ninth sequences may include one or more basic m-sequences, and correspondingly, the third sequence set may include one or more basic m-sequences and / or cyclic shift sequences of the one or more basic m-sequences. Taking a gold sequence as an example, the one or more ninth sequences may include gold sequences corresponding to one or more preferred pairs of m-sequences. Since a preferred pair of m-sequences can be used to generate a family of gold sequences, in some implementations, the third sequence set may include one or more families of gold sequences. Taking a ZC sequence as an example, the one or more ninth sequences may include one or more root sequences (or ZC root sequences).

[0475] In some implementations, the second cell (a neighboring cell of the first cell) can correspond to another subset of sequences in the third sequence set. That is, the sequence subset corresponding to the second cell is different from the sequence subset corresponding to the first cell, thereby reducing mutual interference between cells. Since different cells use different sequence subsets, the control channels of different cells can be distinguished based on the sequence subset to which the sequence belongs, thus preventing a sequence from one cell from mistakenly waking up terminal equipment in another cell. Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, in some implementations, the sequence can be used for channel estimation, thereby demodulating the control channel. In this case, distinguishing the sequences of the two cells helps improve the demodulation performance of the control channel (because the channel conditions of different cells are different, using the sequence corresponding to one cell to demodulate the control channel transmitted in another cell results in poor demodulation performance).

[0476] In some implementations, the number of the first sequence subset can be associated with the identifier of the first cell. For example, assuming the third sequence set includes K sequence subsets (K is a positive integer greater than 1), these K sequence subsets can be numbered in a certain way first, and then the remainder of taking K modulo the identifier of the first cell can be used as the number of the first sequence subset.

[0477] In some implementations, the number of the first sequence subset is determined based on the network device's configuration information. For example, the network device may notify the number of the first sequence subset via system information, MAC CE, or DCI messages or signaling.

[0478] In some implementations, one or more ninth sequences used to form the third sequence set are one or more basic m-sequences, and one or more tenth sequences used to form the third sequence set are cyclically shifted sequences of the one or more basic m-sequences. In this case, the third sequence set can be associated with the numbering of the one or more basic m-sequences.

[0479] For example, assuming there are multiple basic m-sequences, they can first be mapped to a large m-sequence set according to their numbers and in a certain order (such as ascending order, a predefined order, the order of network device notifications, or other specific orders). Then, based on the ascending (or descending) offset of the cyclic shift sequence of each basic m-sequence, these cyclic shift sequences can be mapped to the large m-sequence set, thus forming the final large m-sequence set (corresponding to the third sequence set mentioned above). This large m-sequence set can then be divided into multiple sequence subsets, and these subsets can be numbered.

[0480] In some implementations, the one or more ninth sequences used to form the third sequence set may belong to one or more gold families, and the one or more gold families may correspond to one or more preferred pairs of m sequences. In this case, the third sequence set may be associated with the numbering of the one or more gold families.

[0481] For example, assuming there are multiple families of gold sequences, we can first map these families to a large gold sequence set based on their numbers and in a certain order (such as ascending order, a predefined order, the order of network device notifications, or other specific types of order). Then, based on the ascending (or descending) relative cyclic shift offsets between the two basic m-sequences corresponding to each gold sequence family, we can map each gold sequence in the gold sequence family to this large gold sequence set. Finally, we can divide this large gold sequence set into multiple sequence subsets and number these subsets.

[0482] Sequence allocation between control channels

[0483] In some implementations, the first sequence corresponds to or is associated with a category of control channel. For example, the correspondence between the first sequence and the category of control channel may include one of the following: the first sequence corresponds to one type of control channel; the first sequence corresponds to multiple types of control channels; or multiple sequences, including the first sequence, correspond to one type of control channel.

[0484] This application does not specifically limit the classification method of control channels in its embodiments. For example, they can be classified according to the information content carried by the control channel, or they can be classified according to the function of the control channel. For example, control channels carrying SIB information and control channels carrying uplink and / or downlink scheduling information can be identified as different types of control channels. Similarly, control channels implementing paging functions and control channels implementing uplink and downlink scheduling can be identified as different types of control channels.

[0485] In some implementations, the first sequence may correspond to a first type of control channel (which may include one or more of a common control channel, a terminal device group-specific control channel, and a terminal device-specific control channel). That is, the first terminal device can use the first sequence to detect and / or listen to the first type of control channel.

[0486] As mentioned earlier, the first cell can correspond to a first sequence set. In some implementations, all control channels within the first cell can use sequences from the first sequence set (i.e., all control channels share sequences from the first sequence set). For example, the first sequence set includes sequences 1 to 4; common control channels in the first cell can use sequences 1 to 4, and terminal device-specific control channels in the first cell can also use sequences 1 to 4. In other implementations, one or more sequences (numbers or indices) from the first sequence set can be assigned to different types of control channels according to their type, for detection and / or monitoring of those different types of control channels. For example, the first sequence set includes sequences 1 to 4; common control channels in the first cell can use sequences 1 to 2, and terminal device-specific control channels in the first cell can also use sequences 3 to 4.

[0487] In some implementations, in addition to the first type of control channel, a second type of control channel may also be included. The first type of control channel and the second type of control channel may correspond to the same sequence. Alternatively, the first type of control channel and the second type of control channel may correspond to different sequences. Alternatively, the first type of control channel and the second type of control channel may correspond to the same set of sequences. Alternatively, the first type of control channel and the second type of control channel may correspond to different sets of sequences.

[0488] For example, the first type of control channel is a control channel specific to the terminal device, and the second type of control channel is a common control channel. The first type of control channel corresponds to the first sequence set, and the second type of control channel corresponds to the second sequence set.

[0489] For example, the first type of control channel is a control channel specific to the terminal device, and the second type of control channel is a control channel specific to the group of terminal devices. The first type of control channel corresponds to the first sequence set, and the second type of control channel corresponds to the second sequence set.

[0490] For example, the first type of control channel is a control channel specific to the terminal equipment group, and the second type of control channel is a common control channel. The first type of control channel corresponds to the first sequence set, and the second type of control channel corresponds to the second sequence set.

[0491] Sequence allocation among terminal device groups / terminal devices

[0492] Within a cell, multiple terminal devices may need to be scheduled at the same time. Therefore, sequences can be assigned to multiple terminal devices for them to detect and / or listen to the control channel.

[0493] In some implementations, the first sequence can be associated with a terminal device. A first sequence can be associated with one terminal device, multiple terminal devices, or multiple terminal devices can be associated with one first sequence.

[0494] In some implementations, a first sequence can be associated with a group of terminal devices. A first sequence can be associated with one group of terminal devices, multiple groups of terminal devices, or multiple groups of terminal devices can be associated with a first sequence.

[0495] In some implementations, one terminal device can correspond to one first sequence, and different terminal devices can correspond to different first sequences. That is, a first sequence can be assigned to each terminal device, and different terminal devices can be assigned different first sequences. For example, as mentioned earlier, a first cell corresponds to a first sequence set, which can include multiple first sequences. Different first sequences in the first sequence set can be assigned to different terminal devices within the first cell. Assuming the first sequence set includes four sequences, these four sequences can be assigned to four different terminal devices.

[0496] Taking the first terminal device and the first sequence mentioned earlier as examples, the first sequence can be the sequence corresponding to the first terminal device (i.e., the sequence used by the first terminal device or the sequence assigned to the first terminal device). The first sequence can be determined based on the configuration information of the network device. For example, the network device can configure the first sequence for the first terminal device through RRC signaling, MAC CE, or DCI. Taking RRC signaling as an example, when an RRC connection is established, the first terminal device can send the information of the first sequence (such as the number of the first sequence or the generation parameters of the first sequence) to the first terminal device through an RRC connection establishment message or an RRC connection re-establishment message. Alternatively, the first sequence can also be associated with the identifier of the first terminal device. For example, the first terminal device can generate the first sequence based on the identifier of the first terminal device.

[0497] In some implementations, a terminal device group can correspond to a first sequence, and different terminal device groups can have different first sequences. That is, a first sequence can be assigned to each terminal device group, and different terminal device groups can be assigned different first sequences. For example, as mentioned earlier, a first cell corresponds to a first sequence set, which can include multiple first sequences. Different first sequences in the first sequence set can be assigned to different terminal device groups within the first cell. Assuming the first sequence set includes four sequences, these four sequences can be assigned to four different terminal device groups.

[0498] Taking the correspondence between a first sequence and a first terminal device group (where the first terminal device can be one of the terminal devices within the first terminal group) as an example (or assigning a first sequence to a first terminal device group), the first sequence can be determined based on the network device's configuration information. For example, the network device can configure the first sequence for the first terminal device group through RRC signaling, MAC CE, or DCI. Alternatively, the first sequence (or its number) can be associated with (or determined based on) the information (such as the identifier) ​​of the first terminal device group. For example, the first terminal device group may be one of multiple terminal device groups, and the identifiers of these multiple terminal device groups can correspond one-to-one with the numbers of the multiple sequences. Furthermore, the sequence of the first terminal device group can be determined or generated based on the identifier of the first terminal device group. For instance, the first terminal device group can use its identifier as a factor to calculate the number of the first sequence or generate the first sequence according to certain rules. In actual use, a terminal device can first determine its own terminal device group, then determine the sequence corresponding to that terminal device group based on its information (such as the identifier), and detect and / or listen to the specific control channel of the terminal device group based on the sequence corresponding to that terminal device group.

[0499] Modulation method of the first sequence

[0500] The first sequence can be modulated using methods such as on-off keying (OOK), phase shift keying (PSK), or binary phase shift keying (BPSK).

[0501] For example, the modulation scheme of the first sequence can be OOK, thus forming an OOK sequence. Here, 1 or 0 in the first sequence corresponds to a high level or a low level in the OOK sequence, respectively; or, 1 or 0 in the first sequence corresponds to a low level or a high level in the OOK sequence, respectively.

[0502] For example, the modulation scheme of the first sequence can be PSK, such as BPSK. In this case, 1 in the first sequence can correspond to 1 in BPSK, and 0 in the first sequence can correspond to -1 in BPSK.

[0503] Taking the first sequence as an example, the m-sequence can be represented as a BPSK complex sequence using 1-2x(n). Here, x(n) is the m-sequence, and n is the numerical index of the m-sequence, n = 0, 1, 2, ...

[0504] Taking the first sequence as the gold sequence as an example, the gold sequence can be represented as a BPSK complex sequence using [1-2x1((n+m0)mod P)][1-2x2((n+m1)mod P)]. Here, x1 and x2 are two m-sequences in the preferred pair of m-sequences used to form the gold sequence, and P is the length of the m-sequence. m0 and m1 are the cyclic shift offsets of x1 and x2, respectively, and mod is the modulo operation.

[0505] Precoding of the first sequence and / or the first control channel

[0506] It should be noted that the schemes described in this section can be implemented independently or combined with other embodiments in any way. For example, as mentioned above, the first sequence can be used to demodulate the first control channel (such as DMRS as the first control channel). In this case, one or more precoding schemes described below can be used to demodulate the first control channel. As another example, the sequences, sequence segments, or short sequences mentioned below can be the m-sequences, gold sequences, or ZC sequences mentioned above.

[0507] In some implementations, the first sequence corresponds to (or uses) one or more precoding methods. Alternatively, the resources occupied by the first sequence correspond to (or use) one or more precoding methods. Or, the first terminal device assumes that the network device uses one or more precoding methods corresponding to the first sequence when transmitting it. Or, the first terminal device assumes that the network device uses one or more precoding methods corresponding to the first sequence when transmitting it, when receiving the first sequence. Or, the first terminal device assumes that the network device uses one or more precoding methods corresponding to the first sequence when transmitting it, when demodulating the first control channel based on the first sequence. Or, the first terminal device assumes that the resources occupied by the first sequence correspond to (or use) one or more precoding methods.

[0508] In some implementations, the first control channel corresponds to (or uses) one or more precoding schemes. Alternatively, the resources occupied by the first control channel correspond to (or use) one or more precoding schemes. Or, the first terminal device assumes that the network device uses one or more precoding schemes corresponding to the first control channel when transmitting the first control channel. Or, the first terminal device assumes that the network device uses one or more precoding schemes corresponding to the first control channel when transmitting the first control channel when receiving the first control channel. Or, the first terminal device assumes that the network device uses one or more precoding schemes corresponding to the first control channel when transmitting the first control channel when demodulating the first control channel. Or, the first terminal device assumes that the resources occupied by the first control channel correspond to (or use) one or more precoding schemes.

[0509] In some implementations, the precode corresponding to the first sequence is the same as the precode corresponding to the first control channel. For example, the first sequence may correspond to one type of precode, and the first control channel may also correspond to the same precode. Alternatively, the first sequence may correspond to multiple types of precode, and the first control channel may also correspond to multiple types of precode, with a one-to-one correspondence between the multiple precodes corresponding to the first sequence and the multiple precodes corresponding to the first control channel.

[0510] As mentioned earlier, the resources occupied by the first sequence and the first control channel can be matched one-to-one. In this case, in some implementations, the precoding corresponding to the first sequence is the same as the precoding corresponding to the first control channel. Two examples are given below.

[0511] Example 1: The resources occupied by the first sequence and the first control channel correspond one-to-one, and there is no resource reuse between terminal devices.

[0512] For example, the resource mapping relationship between the transmission resources of the first sequence and the first control channel can be represented by the resource mapping relationship shown in Figure 11, where a, e, and i are shown. Regarding the "one-to-one correspondence between the resources occupied by the first sequence and the first control channel," please refer to the description in the previous section on "Mapping Relationship between the Transmission Resources of the First Sequence and the First Control Channel," which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0513] The absence of resource reuse among terminal devices mentioned here can mean that the transmission resources where the first sequence is located are used only for transmitting the first sequence and not for transmitting sequences of other terminal devices, and that the transmission resources where the first control channel is located are used only for transmitting the first control channel and not for transmitting control channels of other terminal devices.

[0514] In Example 1, the first sequence and the first control correspond to the same precoding, so that the channel propagation environment they experience is consistent, allowing the first sequence to be used as a demodulation reference signal for demodulating the first control channel.

[0515] Example 2: The resources occupied by the first sequence and the first control channel correspond one-to-one, and there is resource reuse among terminal devices.

[0516] In Example 2, the first sequence can be multiplexed with other sequences using CDM (multiple sequences on this transmission resource may correspond to (or use) different precoding). The first control channel can be multiplexed with other control channels using FDM. For details, please refer to the description in the previous section "Mapping Relationship between Transmission Resources of the First Sequence and the First Control Channel", especially the content related to Figure 20, which will not be elaborated here.

[0517] As mentioned earlier, the first sequence can correspond to multiple transmission resources, which are either transmission resources for multiple control channels or candidate transmission resources for the first control channel. In some implementations, the precoding corresponding to the first sequence can be the same as the precoding corresponding to the multiple transmission resources. Taking the first sequence corresponding to multiple control channel transmission resources as an example, it means that all multiple control channels use the same precoding as the first sequence. Taking the first sequence corresponding to multiple candidate transmission resources for the first control channel as an example, the first terminal device can first perform channel estimation based on the first sequence, and then use the channel estimation result of the first sequence to detect the first control channel on the multiple candidate transmission resources until the first control channel is detected. That is, the same channel estimation result (i.e., the channel estimation result determined based on the first sequence) is used for control channel detection on each candidate transmission resource.

[0518] In some implementations, the first control channel occupies multiple resource units. This application does not specifically limit the granularity of the resource units; for example, it can be one of the following: REG binding, REG, CCE, PRB, or PRB group. In this case, the first sequence can correspond to multiple precodings, and these multiple precodings can each correspond to one of the multiple resource units (for example, the multiple precodings corresponding to the first sequence are the same as the precodings corresponding to the multiple resource units). That is, in this implementation, the granularity of the precoding is a resource unit, or the precoding is a resource unit-level precoding. In other words, the scope of a precoding is one resource unit, and different resource units can correspond to the same or different precodings.

[0519] For example, the first sequence corresponds one-to-one with the transmission resources occupied by the first control channel. The transmission resources occupied by the first control channel include multiple resource units. The first sequence corresponds to multiple precodings, and each of these precodings corresponds to one of the multiple resource units. Therefore, in the embodiments of this application, when the first sequence corresponds one-to-one with the transmission resources occupied by the first control channel, different precodings can be used on different resource units, thereby obtaining spatial diversity gain and improving the transmission performance of the first control channel. The precodings used on different resource units can be randomly determined, i.e., random precoding. Alternatively, the precodings used on different resource units can be selected from candidate precoding codebooks in a certain order. The candidate precoding codebooks can be determined based on the implementation of the network device or preset by the standard.

[0520] In some implementations, the first control channel has multiple candidate transmission resources. In this case, the first sequence may correspond to one or more precodes, and the one or more precodes may correspond to the multiple candidate transmission resources. For example, the first sequence may correspond to multiple precodes, and the multiple precodes may correspond one-to-one with the multiple candidate transmission resources. Alternatively, the first sequence may correspond to one or more precodes, which may include a first precode, and the first precode may correspond to at least two candidate transmission resources.

[0521] For example, the first sequence corresponds to multiple candidate transmission resources of the first control channel (i.e., a one-to-many mapping between the first sequence and multiple candidate transmission resources). The first sequence corresponds to multiple precoding methods, and each of these precoding methods corresponds to one of the multiple candidate transmission resources. These multiple candidate resources can correspond to the same precoding method or different precoding methods. Therefore, even with a one-to-many mapping between the first sequence and multiple candidate transmission resources, the scheme provided by this implementation can still effectively achieve precoding of the control channel.

[0522] In some implementations, the first sequence corresponds to multiple precoding methods, and the first sequence also corresponds to multiple control channels (or transmission resources of multiple control channels). These multiple precoding methods can correspond to the multiple control channels (or the transmission resources of the multiple control channels). The multiple control channels (or the transmission resources of the multiple control channels) can correspond to the same precoding method or different precoding methods. Therefore, even when the first sequence is mapped one-to-many to multiple control channels or multiple control channel transmission resources, the scheme provided by this implementation can still effectively achieve the precoding of the control channels.

[0523] In some of the implementations described above, the first sequence may require multiple precoding methods. Several possible implementations are given below.

[0524] Implementation Method 1: The first sequence consists of multiple sequence segments, each corresponding to a different precoding scheme.

[0525] For example, the first sequence can be divided into multiple sequence segments, each corresponding to (or using) a precoder. As an example, if the first sequence is an m-sequence, it can be divided into multiple m-sequence segments, each corresponding to one of the precoders. As another example, if the first sequence is a gold sequence, it can be divided into multiple gold sequence segments, each corresponding to one of the precoders. As yet another example, if the first sequence is a ZC sequence, it can be divided into multiple ZC sequence segments, each corresponding to one of the precoders.

[0526] In some implementations, the multiple precodings correspond to multiple resource units occupied by the first control channel (see above for a detailed description of the resource units). For example, the multiple precodings can be the same as the precodings corresponding to the multiple resource units. Alternatively, the first sequence can include multiple sequence segments, each of which can correspond one-to-one with a resource unit. Each sequence segment in the multiple sequence segments uses the same precoding (or corresponds to the same precoding) as its corresponding resource unit.

[0527] As mentioned earlier, the first sequence can be used for channel estimation of the first control channel. When a sequence segment of the first sequence corresponds to a resource element of the first control channel, the sequence segment can be used to perform channel estimation on the resource element. In this way, different resource elements can use different precoding, thereby obtaining spatial diversity gain and improving the transmission performance of the first control channel.

[0528] In some implementations, the multiple precodings correspond to multiple candidate transmission resources of the first control channel. For example, the multiple precodings may be identical to the precodings corresponding to the multiple candidate transmission resources.

[0529] In some implementations, the multiple precodings correspond to multiple control channels (or transmission resources of multiple control channels). For example, the multiple precodings may be identical to the precodings corresponding to the multiple control channels (or transmission resources of multiple control channels).

[0530] The embodiments of this application do not specifically limit the length of the multiple sequence segments.

[0531] In some implementations, the multiple sequence segments have the same length. For example, if the first sequence is an m-sequence with a length of 256, then the m-sequence can be divided into two sequence segments with a length of 128.

[0532] In some implementations, the lengths of the multiple sequence segments are not exactly the same or are all different. For example, if the first sequence is a gold sequence and the length of the gold sequence is 256, then the gold sequence can be divided into two sequence segments with lengths of 64 and 192.

[0533] In some implementations, these multiple sequence segments are all consecutive sequences in the frequency domain. The frequency domain resources occupied by different sequence segments do not need to overlap.

[0534] In some implementations, multiple sequence segments include a first sequence segment, which corresponds to a first transmission resource. The first transmission resource is either a transmission resource of a control channel or a candidate transmission resource of the first control channel. The frequency domain resource of the first sequence segment corresponds to a first frequency domain range, and the frequency domain resource of the first transmission resource corresponds to a second frequency domain range. The positional relationship between the second frequency domain range and the first frequency domain range can be varied. For example, the second frequency domain range may partially overlap with the first frequency domain range. Alternatively, the second frequency domain range may be a subset of the first frequency domain range (it can be a true subset or a false subset). As mentioned earlier, the first sequence can be used for demodulation of the first control channel (e.g., the first sequence can be the DMRS of the first control channel). Setting the second frequency domain range as a subset of the first frequency domain range is beneficial for using the first sequence segment to demodulate the signal / channel carried by the first transmission resource.

[0535] As shown in Figure 25, the first sequence includes a first sequence segment and a ninth sequence segment (e.g., dividing a long sequence into multiple short sequence segments). Transmission resources R1 and R2 in Figure 25 can represent two resource units within the first control channel, or two control channels including the first control channel, or two candidate transmission resources for the first control channel. In the example shown in Figure 25, the first sequence segment can correspond to the same precoding as transmission resource R1, and the ninth sequence segment can correspond to the same precoding as transmission resource R2. In Figure 25, the first sequence segment and transmission resource R1 occupy the same frequency domain position, and the ninth sequence segment and transmission resource R2 occupy the same frequency domain position. This is advantageous for using the first and ninth sequence segments as DMRS to demodulate the control channels transmitted on transmission resources R1 and R2.

[0536] In some implementations, the multiple sequence segments can be interleaved in the frequency domain. This approach allows each sequence segment to have a wider frequency range in the frequency domain, which is more conducive to supporting channel estimation for demodulating the first control channel and also allows for more flexible design of the frequency domain resource locations of the first control channel.

[0537] As shown in Figure 26, the first sequence includes a first sequence segment and a ninth sequence segment (e.g., dividing a long sequence into multiple short sequence segments). Transmission resources R1 and R2 in Figure 26 can represent two resource units within the first control channel, or two control channels including the first control channel, or two candidate transmission resources for the first control channel. As can be seen from Figure 26, the first sequence segment is not continuous in the frequency domain, but rather includes multiple segments distributed across multiple frequency domain locations. These multiple segments interweave with multiple segments of the ninth sequence segment.

[0538] As mentioned earlier, the first sequence can be used to indicate whether to detect and / or listen to the first control channel. If the first sequence is divided into multiple sequence segments, these multiple sequence segments can be used as a whole to indicate whether to detect and / or listen to the first control channel. That is, although the first sequence is divided into multiple sequence segments, and these multiple sequence segments may use different precoding, the first sequence still indicates as a whole whether to detect and / or listen to the first control channel. For example, if the first terminal device detects the first sequence, it means that the first terminal device needs to detect and / or listen to the first control channel; if the first terminal device does not detect the first sequence, it means that the first terminal device does not need to detect and / or listen to the first control channel. Alternatively, in some implementations, the first control channel can correspond to two sequences (hereinafter referred to as sequence 1 and sequence 2, where sequence 1 can be understood as the first sequence mentioned above). Sequence 1 can be used to indicate whether to detect and / or listen to the first control channel, and sequence 2 can be used to indicate whether to detect and / or listen to the first control channel. If the first terminal device detects sequence 1, it continues to detect and / or listen to the first control channel; if the first terminal device detects sequence 2, it does not detect and / or listen to the first control channel.

[0539] As mentioned earlier, the first sequence may include multiple sequences. In the case where the first sequence includes multiple sequences, each of the multiple sequences may include multiple sequence segments; or, some of the multiple sequences may include multiple sequence segments, and the remaining sequences are not further divided into sequence segments.

[0540] Implementation Method 2: The first sequence consists of multiple short sequences, each corresponding to a different precoding scheme.

[0541] For example, the first sequence can be divided into multiple short sequences, each corresponding to (or using) a precoder. Compared to sequence segments, short sequences have the advantage that when the first sequence needs to be transmitted with other sequences in a CDM manner, short sequences can better guarantee good cross-correlation between the sequences. As an example, the first sequence includes multiple m-sequences, each corresponding to a different precoder. As another example, the first sequence includes multiple gold sequences, each corresponding to a different precoder. As yet another example, the first sequence includes multiple ZC sequences, each corresponding to a different precoder.

[0542] In some implementations, the multiple precodings correspond to multiple resource units occupied by the first control channel (see above for a detailed description of the resource units). For example, the multiple precodings can be the same as the precodings corresponding to the multiple resource units. Alternatively, the first sequence can include multiple short sequences, each of which can correspond one-to-one with a resource unit. Each of the multiple short sequences uses the same precoding (or corresponds to the same precoding) as its corresponding resource unit.

[0543] As mentioned earlier, the first sequence can be used for channel estimation of the first control channel. When a short sequence in the first sequence corresponds to a resource element of the first control channel, the short sequence can be used to perform channel estimation on that resource element. In this way, different resource elements can use different precoding, thereby obtaining spatial diversity gain and improving the transmission performance of the first control channel.

[0544] In some implementations, the multiple precodings correspond to multiple candidate transmission resources of the first control channel. For example, the multiple precodings may be identical to the precodings corresponding to the multiple candidate transmission resources.

[0545] In some implementations, the multiple precodings correspond to multiple control channels (or transmission resources of multiple control channels). For example, the multiple precodings may be identical to the precodings corresponding to the multiple control channels (or transmission resources of multiple control channels).

[0546] The embodiments of this application do not specifically limit the length of the multiple short sequences.

[0547] In some implementations, the multiple short sequences are of the same length. For example, the first sequence consists of two m-sequences of length 128.

[0548] In some implementations, the lengths of the multiple short sequences are not exactly the same or are all different. For example, the first sequence may consist of two gold sequences with lengths of 128 and 256.

[0549] In some implementations, the multiple short sequences can be the same short sequence. For example, the multiple short sequences can be the same m-sequence. Or, the multiple short sequences can be the same gold sequence.

[0550] In some implementations, some of the short sequences in the plurality of short sequences are identical. For example, the plurality of short sequences may include three short sequences: short sequence 1, short sequence 2, and short sequence 3. Short sequence 1 and short sequence 2 are the same short sequence, but short sequence 3 is a different short sequence from short sequence 1. As an example, short sequence 1 and short sequence 2 are the same m-sequence A, and short sequence 3 is an m-sequence B. As another example, short sequence 1 and short sequence 2 are both gold sequences A, and short sequence 3 is a gold sequence B.

[0551] In some implementations, the multiple short sequences are completely different. For example, the multiple short sequences may include three short sequences: short sequence 1, short sequence 2, and short sequence 3. Short sequence 1 is m-sequence A, short sequence 2 is m-sequence B, and short sequence 3 is m-sequence C, where m-sequence A, m-sequence B, and m-sequence C are all distinct. Alternatively, short sequence 1 may be gold sequence A, short sequence 2 may be gold sequence B, and short sequence 3 may be gold sequence C, where gold sequence A, gold sequence B, and gold sequence C are all distinct.

[0552] In some implementations, these multiple short sequences are all consecutive short sequences in the frequency domain. The frequency domain resources occupied by different short sequences do not need to overlap.

[0553] In some implementations, multiple short sequences include a first short sequence, which corresponds to a first transmission resource. The first transmission resource is either a transmission resource of a control channel or a candidate transmission resource of the first control channel. The frequency domain resource of the first short sequence corresponds to a first frequency domain range, and the frequency domain resource of the first transmission resource corresponds to a second frequency domain range. The positional relationship between the second frequency domain range and the first frequency domain range can be varied. For example, the second frequency domain range may partially overlap with the first frequency domain range. Alternatively, the second frequency domain range may be a subset of the first frequency domain range (it can be a true subset or a false subset). As mentioned earlier, the first sequence can be used for demodulation of the first control channel (e.g., the first sequence is the DMRS of the first control channel). Setting the second frequency domain range as a subset of the first frequency domain range is beneficial for using the first short sequence to demodulate the signal / channel carried by the first transmission resource.

[0554] As shown in Figure 27, the first sequence includes a first short sequence and a second short sequence (e.g., dividing a long sequence into multiple short sequences). For example, the first sequence is a sequence of length 256, which can include two sequences of length 128. Transmission resources R1 and R2 in Figure 27 can represent two resource elements within the first control channel, or two control channels including the first control channel, or two candidate transmission resources for the first control channel. In the example shown in Figure 27, the first short sequence can correspond to the same precoding as transmission resource R1, and the second short sequence can correspond to the same precoding as transmission resource R2. In Figure 27, the first short sequence and transmission resource R1 occupy the same frequency domain position, and the second short sequence and transmission resource R2 occupy the same frequency domain position. This is advantageous for using the first and second short sequences as DMRS to demodulate the control channels transmitted on transmission resources R1 and R2.

[0555] In some implementations, the multiple short sequences are interleaved in the frequency domain. This approach allows each short sequence to have a wider frequency range in the frequency domain, which is more conducive to supporting channel estimation for demodulating the first control channel, and also allows for more flexible design of the frequency domain resource location of the first control channel.

[0556] As shown in Figure 28, the first sequence includes a first short sequence and a second short sequence (e.g., dividing a long sequence into multiple short sequences). Transmission resources R1 and R2 in Figure 28 can represent two resource units within the first control channel, or two control channels including the first control channel, or two candidate transmission resources for the first control channel. As can be seen from Figure 28, the first short sequence is not continuous in the frequency domain, but rather comprises multiple segments distributed across multiple frequency domain locations. These multiple segments interweave with multiple segments of the second short sequence.

[0557] As mentioned earlier, the first sequence can be used to indicate whether to detect and / or monitor the first control channel. If the first sequence includes multiple short sequences, these multiple short sequences can jointly indicate whether to detect and / or monitor the first control channel. For example, the multiple short sequences may all carry the same information (e.g., the information carried by the multiple short sequences may all indicate whether to detect and / or monitor the first control channel, or not to detect and / or monitor the first control channel). As mentioned earlier, the multiple short sequences may be the same short sequence or different short sequences. Regardless of whether the multiple short sequences are the same, the first terminal device can determine whether to detect and / or monitor the first control channel based on the joint indication of the multiple short sequences, thereby improving the detection performance of the first control channel.

[0558] As mentioned earlier, the first sequence may include multiple sequences. In the case where the first sequence includes multiple sequences, each of the multiple sequences may include multiple short sequences; or, some of the multiple sequences may include multiple short sequences, and the remaining sequences are not further divided into multiple short sequences.

[0559] It should be noted that the time units mentioned in the preceding embodiments can be symbols. For example, these symbols can be OFDM symbols.

[0560] It should be noted that the first control channel mentioned above can be used to carry control information. This control information can be understood as the payload of the first control channel. In some embodiments, the first control channel mentioned above can be replaced with the payload of the first control channel. Taking PDCCH as an example, in some embodiments, the first control channel can be replaced with PDCCH payload.

[0561] It should be noted that, as mentioned in some of the preceding embodiments, the first sequence can be used to indicate whether to detect and / or monitor the first control channel. In these embodiments, the first terminal device can determine whether to detect or monitor the first control channel based on the detected first sequence. Alternatively, the first terminal device can determine whether to not detect or monitor the first control channel based on the detected first sequence.

[0562] For example, the first terminal device can determine whether to detect or listen to the first control channel based on the detection result of the first sequence. Alternatively, the first terminal device can determine whether to not detect or listen to the first control channel based on the detection result of the first sequence. Exemplarily, if the first terminal device detects the first sequence, it determines whether to detect or listen to the first control channel; and / or, if the first terminal device does not detect the first sequence, it determines whether to not detect or listen to the first control channel.

[0563] For example, the first terminal device may determine whether to detect or listen to the first control channel based on the indication information of the first sequence. Alternatively, the first terminal device may determine whether to not detect or listen to the first control channel based on the indication information of the first sequence. For instance, if the first sequence indicates to detect or listen to the first control channel, the first terminal device determines to detect or listen to the first control channel; and / or, if the first sequence indicates not to detect or listen to the first control channel, the first terminal device determines not to detect or listen to the first control channel.

[0564] As mentioned in some of the preceding embodiments, the first sequence can be the DMRS of the first control channel. In these embodiments, after detecting the first sequence, the first terminal device can determine the channel estimation result based on the first sequence and demodulate the first control channel based on the channel estimation result. Accordingly, from the perspective of the network device, the network device can send the first sequence to the first terminal device. In addition, the network device can also modulate the first control channel and send the modulated first control channel.

[0565] As mentioned in some of the preceding embodiments, the first sequence may have a corresponding relationship with the transmission resources of the first control channel (e.g., a one-to-one, one-to-many, or many-to-one correspondence). In these embodiments, after detecting the first sequence, the first terminal device can determine the transmission resources of the first control channel based on the correspondence between the first sequence and the resources of the first control channel, and detect and / or listen to the first control channel on the transmission resources of the first control channel. Correspondingly, from the perspective of the network device, there is a correspondence between the first sequence sent by the network device and the transmission resources of the first control channel; in other words, the network device transmits the first control channel on the transmission resources corresponding to the first sequence.

[0566] The method embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to Figures 1 to 28. The apparatus embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 29 to 31. It should be understood that the descriptions of the method embodiments correspond to the descriptions of the apparatus embodiments; therefore, any parts not described in detail can be referred to the preceding method embodiments.

[0567] Figure 29 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in one embodiment of this application. The communication device 2900 shown in Figure 29 can be the first terminal device mentioned above. The communication device 2900 may include a communication unit 2910. The communication unit 2910 is used to detect a first sequence, the first sequence being used to indicate whether to detect and / or listen to a first control channel.

[0568] In some implementations, the communication unit 2910 is also used to detect and / or monitor the first control channel. The communication unit 2910 may include one communication module or multiple communication modules. For example, the communication unit 2910 may include two communication modules, one of which is used to detect the first sequence, and the other is used to detect and / or monitor the first control channel.

[0569] In some implementations, the first sequence is a real sequence or a complex sequence.

[0570] In some implementations, the first sequence is further used by the first terminal device to perform one or more of the following operations: demodulating the first control channel, time-frequency synchronization, and automatic gain control.

[0571] In some implementations, the first sequence is the demodulation reference signal of the first control channel.

[0572] In some implementations, the time-domain resources occupied by the first sequence are located at a first time-domain position, and the time-domain resources occupied by the first control channel are located at a second time-domain position. The first time-domain position and the second time-domain position satisfy one of the following: the first time-domain position is the same as the second time-domain position; the first time-domain position and the second time-domain position partially overlap; or the first time-domain position is located before the second time-domain position.

[0573] In some implementations, the first time-domain position is located before the second time-domain position, and the first time-domain position and the second time-domain position satisfy one of the following: the first time-domain position and the second time-domain position are continuous in the time domain; there is a time interval between the first time-domain position and the second time-domain position.

[0574] In some implementations, the first sequence occupies a first frequency domain resource, the first control channel occupies a second frequency domain resource, the first frequency domain resource corresponds to a first frequency domain range, the second frequency domain resource corresponds to a second frequency domain range, and the first frequency domain range and the second frequency domain range satisfy one of the following: the first frequency domain range and the second frequency domain range are the same; the first frequency domain range and the second frequency domain range partially overlap; the first frequency domain range and the second frequency domain range do not overlap.

[0575] In some implementations, the first frequency domain resource is a continuous frequency domain resource or a discontinuous frequency domain resource; and / or, the second frequency domain resource is a continuous frequency domain resource or a discontinuous frequency domain resource.

[0576] In some implementations, the real sequence includes an m-sequence, a gold sequence, a PN sequence, or a Hadamard sequence; and / or, the complex sequence includes a CAZAC sequence or a ZC sequence.

[0577] In some implementations, the first sequence or the first sequence set to which the first sequence is located corresponds to the first cell.

[0578] In some implementations, the first sequence or the first sequence set is used for one or more of the following: detecting and / or listening to one or more common control channels in the first cell; detecting and / or listening to terminal device group-specific control channels in the first cell; and detecting and / or listening to terminal device-specific control channels in the first cell.

[0579] In some implementations, the neighboring cells of the first cell include a second cell, and the sequence corresponding to the second cell is not exactly the same as or completely different from the sequence corresponding to the first cell.

[0580] In some implementations, the sequence of the first length corresponding to the first cell is a different sequence from the sequence of the first length corresponding to the second cell.

[0581] In some implementations, the first sequence corresponds to a first type of control channel.

[0582] In some implementations, the first type of control channel includes one or more of the following types of control channels: a common control channel; a terminal device group-specific control channel; and a terminal device-specific control channel.

[0583] In some implementations, the first type of control channel and the second type of control channel correspond to the same or different sequences; or, the first type of control channel and the second type of control channel correspond to the same or different sequence sets.

[0584] In some implementations, the first sequence corresponds to the first terminal device group.

[0585] In some implementations, the first sequence is determined based on the configuration information of the network device; or, the first sequence is associated with the identifier of the first terminal device group.

[0586] In some implementations, the first sequence corresponds to the first terminal device.

[0587] In some implementations, the first sequence is determined based on the network device's configuration information.

[0588] In some implementations, the first sequence set includes one or more of the following: one or more ninth sequences; one or more tenth sequences, the tenth sequences being determined based on a cyclic shift of the ninth sequences.

[0589] In some implementations, the first sequence set corresponds to a ninth sequence.

[0590] In some implementations, the number of the ninth sequence is associated with the identifier of the first cell; or, the number of the ninth sequence is determined based on the configuration information of the network device.

[0591] In some implementations, the first sequence set corresponds to multiple ninth sequences.

[0592] In some implementations, the numbers of the plurality of ninth sequences are associated with the identifier of the first cell; or, the numbers of the plurality of ninth sequences are based on the configuration information of the network device.

[0593] In some implementations, the configuration information of the network device is used to indicate one or more of the following: the number of the plurality of ninth sequences; the number of the starting sequence among the plurality of ninth sequences; the number of the last sequence among the plurality of ninth sequences; and the number of the plurality of ninth sequences.

[0594] In some implementations, the first sequence set is a first sequence subset of the third sequence set, the third sequence set includes multiple sequence subsets, the multiple sequence subsets correspond to multiple cells, and the third sequence set includes one or more of the following: one or more ninth sequences; one or more tenth sequences, the tenth sequence being determined based on a cyclic shift of the ninth sequences.

[0595] In some implementations, the number of the first sequence subset is associated with the identifier of the first cell; or, the number of the first sequence subset is determined based on the configuration information of the network device.

[0596] In some implementations, the one or more ninth sequences are one or more basic m sequences, the one or more tenth sequences are cyclic shift sequences of the one or more basic m sequences, and the third sequence set is associated with the numbering of the one or more basic m sequences; and / or, the one or more ninth sequences belong to one or more gold families, the one or more gold families correspond to one or more preferred pairs of m sequences, and the third sequence set is associated with the numbering of the one or more gold families.

[0597] In some implementations, the first sequence set is an m-sequence set, the ninth sequence is a basic m-sequence, and the tenth sequence is an m-sequence determined by a cyclic shift of the basic m-sequence; or, the first sequence set is a gold sequence set, the ninth sequence is a gold sequence corresponding to a preferred pair of m-sequences, and the tenth sequence is a gold sequence determined by a cyclic shift of the preferred pair of m-sequences; or, the first sequence set is a ZC sequence set, the ninth sequence is a root sequence, and the tenth sequence is a ZC sequence determined by a cyclic shift of the root sequence.

[0598] In some implementations, the number of the m-sequence in the m-sequence set is associated with the number of the basic m-sequence, the number of the basic m-sequence is associated with the binary number formed by the polynomial coefficients of the primitive polynomial, and the primitive polynomial corresponds to the basic m-sequence; or, the gold sequence set includes the gold sequences in the first gold sequence family, the first gold sequence family corresponds to the first preferred pair of m-sequences, and the number of the first gold sequence family is associated with the number of the basic m-sequence in the preferred pair of m-sequences; or, the number of the ZC sequence in the ZC sequence set is associated with the physical root sequence number corresponding to the root sequence.

[0599] In some implementations, the first sequence set is a gold sequence set, which includes one or more gold sequence families, or the first sequence set includes a subset of gold sequences from a gold sequence family.

[0600] In some implementations, the first sequence belongs to a first sequence set, which includes sequences of various lengths.

[0601] In some implementations, the sequences of various lengths correspond to various channel qualities.

[0602] In some implementations, the communication unit 2910 is further configured to: receive a wake-up signal, the wake-up signal being used to instruct the first terminal device to detect the first control channel; and, in response to the wake-up signal, detect the first sequence.

[0603] In some implementations, the first control channel is used to carry downlink control information.

[0604] Figure 30 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in another embodiment of this application. The communication device 3000 shown in Figure 30 can be the network device mentioned above. The communication device 3000 may include a communication unit 3010. The communication unit 3010 is used to send a first sequence, the first sequence being used to indicate whether the network device sends and / or to indicate whether a first control channel exists.

[0605] In some implementations, the communication unit 3010 is also used to transmit a first control channel. The communication unit 3010 may include one communication module or multiple communication modules. For example, the communication unit 3010 may include two communication modules, one of which is used to transmit a first sequence, and the other is used to transmit the first control channel.

[0606] In some implementations, the first sequence is a real sequence or a complex sequence.

[0607] In some implementations, the first sequence is also used for the first terminal device to perform one or more of the following operations: demodulating the first control channel, time-frequency synchronization, and automatic gain control.

[0608] In some implementations, the first sequence is the demodulation reference signal of the first control channel.

[0609] In some implementations, the time-domain resources occupied by the first sequence are located at a first time-domain position, and the time-domain resources occupied by the first control channel are located at a second time-domain position. The first time-domain position and the second time-domain position satisfy one of the following: the first time-domain position is the same as the second time-domain position; the first time-domain position and the second time-domain position partially overlap; or the first time-domain position is located before the second time-domain position.

[0610] In some implementations, the first time-domain position is located before the second time-domain position, and the first time-domain position and the second time-domain position satisfy one of the following: the first time-domain position and the second time-domain position are continuous in the time domain; there is a time interval between the first time-domain position and the second time-domain position.

[0611] In some implementations, the first sequence occupies a first frequency domain resource, the first control channel occupies a second frequency domain resource, the first frequency domain resource corresponds to a first frequency domain range, the second frequency domain resource corresponds to a second frequency domain range, and the first frequency domain range and the second frequency domain range satisfy one of the following: the first frequency domain range and the second frequency domain range are the same; the first frequency domain range and the second frequency domain range partially overlap; the first frequency domain range and the second frequency domain range do not overlap.

[0612] In some implementations, the first frequency domain resource is a continuous frequency domain resource or a discontinuous frequency domain resource; and / or, the second frequency domain resource is a continuous frequency domain resource or a discontinuous frequency domain resource.

[0613] In some implementations, the real sequence includes an m-sequence, a gold sequence, a PN sequence, or a Hadamard sequence; and / or, the complex sequence includes a CAZAC sequence or a ZC sequence.

[0614] In some implementations, the first sequence or the first sequence set to which the first sequence is located corresponds to the first cell.

[0615] In some implementations, the first sequence or the first sequence set is used for one or more of the following: detecting and / or listening to one or more common control channels in the first cell; detecting and / or listening to terminal device group-specific control channels in the first cell; and detecting and / or listening to terminal device-specific control channels in the first cell.

[0616] In some implementations, the neighboring cells of the first cell include a second cell, and the sequence corresponding to the second cell is not exactly the same as or completely different from the sequence corresponding to the first cell.

[0617] In some implementations, the sequence of the first length corresponding to the first cell is a different sequence from the sequence of the first length corresponding to the second cell.

[0618] In some implementations, the first sequence corresponds to a first type of control channel.

[0619] In some implementations, the first type of control channel includes one or more of the following types of control channels: a common control channel; a terminal device group-specific control channel; and a terminal device-specific control channel.

[0620] In some implementations, the first type of control channel and the second type of control channel correspond to the same or different sequences; or, the first type of control channel and the second type of control channel correspond to the same or different sequence sets.

[0621] In some implementations, the first sequence corresponds to the first terminal device group.

[0622] In some implementations, the first sequence is determined based on the configuration information of the network device; or, the first sequence is associated with the identifier of the first terminal device group.

[0623] In some implementations, the first sequence corresponds to the first terminal device.

[0624] In some implementations, the first sequence is determined based on the network device's configuration information.

[0625] In some implementations, the first sequence set includes one or more of the following: one or more ninth sequences; one or more tenth sequences, the tenth sequences being determined based on a cyclic shift of the ninth sequences.

[0626] In some implementations, the first sequence set corresponds to a ninth sequence.

[0627] In some implementations, the number of the ninth sequence is associated with the identifier of the first cell; or, the number of the ninth sequence is determined based on the configuration information of the network device.

[0628] In some implementations, the first sequence set corresponds to multiple ninth sequences.

[0629] In some implementations, the numbers of the plurality of ninth sequences are associated with the identifier of the first cell; or, the numbers of the plurality of ninth sequences are based on the configuration information of the network device.

[0630] In some implementations, the configuration information of the network device is used to indicate one or more of the following: the number of the plurality of ninth sequences; the number of the starting sequence among the plurality of ninth sequences; the number of the last sequence among the plurality of ninth sequences; and the number of the plurality of ninth sequences.

[0631] In some implementations, the first sequence set is a first sequence subset of the third sequence set, the third sequence set includes multiple sequence subsets, the multiple sequence subsets correspond to multiple cells, and the third sequence set includes one or more of the following: one or more ninth sequences; one or more tenth sequences, the tenth sequence being determined based on a cyclic shift of the ninth sequences.

[0632] In some implementations, the number of the first sequence subset is associated with the identifier of the first cell; or, the number of the first sequence subset is determined based on the configuration information of the network device.

[0633] In some implementations, the one or more ninth sequences are one or more basic m sequences, the one or more tenth sequences are cyclic shift sequences of the one or more basic m sequences, and the third sequence set is associated with the numbering of the one or more basic m sequences; and / or, the one or more ninth sequences belong to one or more gold families, the one or more gold families correspond to one or more preferred pairs of m sequences, and the third sequence set is associated with the numbering of the one or more gold families.

[0634] In some implementations, the first sequence set is an m-sequence set, the ninth sequence is a basic m-sequence, and the tenth sequence is an m-sequence determined by a cyclic shift of the basic m-sequence; or, the first sequence set is a gold sequence set, the ninth sequence is a gold sequence corresponding to a preferred pair of m-sequences, and the tenth sequence is a gold sequence determined by a cyclic shift of the preferred pair of m-sequences; or, the first sequence set is a ZC sequence set, the ninth sequence is a root sequence, and the tenth sequence is a ZC sequence determined by a cyclic shift of the root sequence.

[0635] In some implementations, the number of the m-sequence in the m-sequence set is associated with the number of the basic m-sequence, the number of the basic m-sequence is associated with the binary number formed by the polynomial coefficients of the primitive polynomial, and the primitive polynomial corresponds to the basic m-sequence; or, the gold sequence set includes the gold sequences in the first gold sequence family, the first gold sequence family corresponds to the first preferred pair of m-sequences, and the number of the first gold sequence family is associated with the number of the basic m-sequence in the preferred pair of m-sequences; or, the number of the ZC sequence in the ZC sequence set is associated with the physical root sequence number corresponding to the root sequence.

[0636] In some implementations, the first sequence set is a gold sequence set, which includes one or more gold sequence families, or the first sequence set includes a subset of gold sequences from a gold sequence family.

[0637] In some implementations, the first sequence belongs to a first sequence set, which includes sequences of various lengths.

[0638] In some implementations, the sequences of various lengths correspond to various channel qualities.

[0639] In some implementations, the communication unit 3010 is further configured to: send a wake-up signal, the wake-up signal being used to instruct the first terminal device to detect the first control channel.

[0640] Figure 31 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device applicable to embodiments of this application. The dashed lines in Figure 31 indicate that the unit or module is optional. This device 3100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. Device 3100 can be a chip, a terminal device, or a network device.

[0641] Apparatus 3100 may include one or more processors 3110. The processor 3110 may support apparatus 3100 in implementing the methods described in the preceding method embodiments. The processor 3110 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor. For example, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU). Alternatively, the processor may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0642] The apparatus 3100 may further include one or more memories 3120. The memories 3120 store a program that can be executed by the processor 3110, causing the processor 3110 to perform the methods described in the preceding method embodiments. The memories 3120 may be independent of the processor 3110 or integrated within the processor 3110.

[0643] The device 3100 may also include a transceiver 3130. The processor 3110 can communicate with other devices or chips through the transceiver 3130. For example, the processor 3110 can send and receive data with other devices or chips through the transceiver 3130. Taking the device 3100 as a first terminal device as an example, the first terminal device may include one receiver (or receiver unit) or multiple receivers (or receiver units). For example, the first terminal device includes two receivers (or receiver units), one of which is used to receive a first sequence, and the other receiver (or receiver unit) is used to receive a first control channel. The receiver (or receiver unit) used to receive the first sequence may be, for example, a low-power receiver (or receiver unit), and the receiver (or receiver unit) used to receive the first control channel may be, for example, a high-power receiver (or receiver unit).

[0644] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a program. This computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the communication device provided in this application, and the program causes a computer to execute the methods performed by the communication device in various embodiments of this application.

[0645] This application also provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes a program. The computer program product can be applied to the communication device provided in this application embodiment, and the program causes a computer to execute the methods performed by the communication device in various embodiments of this application.

[0646] This application also provides a computer program. This computer program can be applied to the communication device provided in this application, and causes the computer to execute the methods performed by the communication device in various embodiments of this application.

[0647] It should be understood that the terms "system" and "network" in this application can be used interchangeably. Furthermore, the terminology used in this application is only for explaining specific embodiments of the application and is not intended to limit the application. The terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0648] In the embodiments of this application, the term "instruction" can be a direct instruction, an indirect instruction, or an indication of a relationship. For example, A instructing B can mean that A directly instructs B, such as B being able to obtain information through A; it can also mean that A indirectly instructs B, such as A instructing C, so B can obtain information through C; or it can mean that there is a relationship between A and B.

[0649] In the embodiments of this application, "B corresponding to A" means that B is associated with A, and B can be determined based on A. However, it should also be understood that determining B based on A does not mean that B is determined solely based on A; B can also be determined based on A and / or other information.

[0650] In the embodiments of this application, the term "correspondence" can indicate a direct or indirect correspondence between two things, or an association between two things, or a relationship such as instruction and being instructed, configuration and being configured.

[0651] In this application embodiment, "predefined" or "preconfigured" can be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device (e.g., including terminal devices and network devices). This application does not limit the specific implementation method. For example, predefined can refer to what is defined in the protocol.

[0652] In this application embodiment, the "protocol" may refer to a standard protocol in the field of communication, such as the LTE protocol, the NR protocol, and related protocols applied to future communication systems. This application does not limit this.

[0653] In the embodiments of this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0654] In the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0655] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0656] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0657] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0658] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The 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 website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can read or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs, DVDs) or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks, SSDs), etc.

[0659] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: include: A first terminal device detects a first sequence, the first sequence being used to indicate whether to detect and / or listen to a first control channel; The first sequence is either a real sequence or a complex sequence.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first sequence is also used by the first terminal device to perform one or more of the following operations: demodulating the first control channel, time-frequency synchronization, and automatic gain control.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first sequence is the demodulation reference signal of the first control channel.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The real sequence includes m-sequences, gold sequences, pseudo-random noise pseudo-noise PN sequences, or Hadamard sequences; and / or, The complex sequence includes a constant envelope zero autocorrelation CAZAC sequence or a ZC sequence.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The first sequence or the first sequence set to which the first sequence belongs corresponds to the first cell; or, The first sequence corresponds to the first type of control channel; or, The first sequence corresponds to the first terminal device group.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first terminal device receives a wake-up signal, which is used to wake up the first terminal device to detect the first control channel; In response to the wake-up signal, the first terminal device detects the first sequence.

7. A communication method characterized by comprising: include: The network device sends a first sequence, the first sequence being used to indicate whether the network device sends and / or to indicate the existence of a first control channel; The first sequence is either a real sequence or a complex sequence.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The first sequence is also used by the first terminal device to perform one or more of the following operations: demodulating the first control channel, time-frequency synchronization, and automatic gain control.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The first sequence is the demodulation reference signal of the first control channel.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that: The real sequence includes m-sequences, gold sequences, pseudo-noise PN sequences, or Hadamard sequences; and / or, The complex sequence includes a constant envelope zero autocorrelation CAZAC sequence or a ZC sequence.

11. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that: The first sequence or the first sequence set to which the first sequence belongs corresponds to the first cell; or, The first sequence corresponds to the first type of control channel; or, The first sequence corresponds to the first terminal device group.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: The network device sends a wake-up signal, which is used to wake up the first terminal device to detect the first control channel.

13. A communication device, characterized by The communication device is a first terminal device, and the communication device includes: A communication unit is configured to detect a first sequence, the first sequence being used to indicate whether to detect and / or listen to a first control channel; The first sequence is either a real sequence or a complex sequence.

14. A communication device, characterized by include: A communication unit is configured to transmit a first sequence, the first sequence being used to indicate whether the network device transmits and / or to indicate the existence of a first control channel; The first sequence is either a real sequence or a complex sequence.

15. A communication device, characterized by The device includes a transceiver, a memory, and a processor. The memory stores a program, and the processor invokes the program in the memory and controls the transceiver to receive or transmit signals so that the communication device performs the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6 or 7 to 12.

16. An apparatus, comprising: Includes a processor for calling a program from memory to cause the apparatus to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6 or 7 to 12.

17. A chip, characterized by Includes a processor for calling a program from memory, causing a device on which the chip is mounted to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6 or 7 to 12.

18. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It contains a program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6 or 7 to 12.

19. A computer program product, characterised in that, Includes a program that causes a computer to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 or 7 to 12.

20. A computer program, characterized in that, The computer program causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6 or 7 to 12.

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