Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method comprises: determining first information; sending the first information, the first information instructing: performing time domain spreading precoding on uplink data transmitted in M1 time units; and performing time domain spreading precoding on uplink data transmitted in M3 time units, the M3 time units being all or some of M2 time units, the M1 time units and the M2 time units being located in M time units used for transmitting the uplink data, the M1 time units being divided into K time unit groups, each time unit group among the K time unit groups comprising N time units, 2≤M1≤M, 0≤M2≤M, 0≤M3≤M2, N≥2, M, M1, M2, M3, and N all being integers, and the first information further indicating the M time units.

Description

A communication method and communication device

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411639640.7, filed on November 15, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Communication Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, specifically to a communication method and a communication device. Background Technology

[0003] Mobile communication networks can support lower transmission latency, more reliable communication, higher throughput, and a better user experience, meeting the needs of a wider range of application scenarios. In one implementation, sub-band duplexing can be used to achieve repeated data transmission, thereby improving network uplink coverage. Based on repeated data transmission, orthogonal cover codes (OCC) can be used to reduce interference between multiple users sharing the same resources. However, when the channel is time-varying and / or the communication system has time-frequency offsets, OOC cannot completely eliminate interference between multiple users sharing the same resources. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus. This application configures rules for time-domain spread precoding of uplink data to a terminal device via a network-side device. This allows the network-side device and the terminal-side device to align the rules for time-domain spread precoding of uplink data performed by the terminal-side device, thereby achieving the goal of eliminating or reducing interference between terminal devices through uplink time-domain spread precoding of uplink data. The communication apparatus includes a network-side device and a terminal-side device.

[0005] Firstly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a first device (also referred to as a network-side device). Unless otherwise specified, the first device in this application can refer to a communication device (e.g., a network device), a component in the communication device (e.g., a communication module, processor, circuit, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the communication device.

[0006] The method includes:

[0007] Determine the first piece of information;

[0008] Send the first information to the second device; the first information indicates.

[0009] Perform time-domain spread precoding on the uplink data transmitted over M1 time units;

[0010] Time-domain spread precoding is performed on the uplink data transmitted over M3 time units, where M3 time units are all or part of M2 time units;

[0011] Among them, M1 time units and M2 time units are located in M ​​time units used for transmitting uplink data. M1 time units are divided into K time unit groups, and each time unit group in the K time unit groups includes N time units; 2≤M1≤M, 0≤M2≤M, 0≤M3≤M2, N≥2, and M, M1, M2, M3 and N are all integers;

[0012] The first information also indicates M time units.

[0013] Based on the above technical solution, the first device can send first information to the second device to instruct the second device on the method of performing time-domain extended precoding on the uplink data, so that the first device and the second device can align the method of the second device performing time-domain extended precoding on the uplink data. Furthermore, if the second device performs time-domain extended precoding on the uplink data, and the first device and the second device align their methods, it is beneficial for the first device to correctly demodulate the received uplink data, thereby achieving the purpose of eliminating or reducing interference experienced by the second device using time-domain extended precoding.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first information includes the first field;

[0015] The first field takes the first value, indicating that M3 equals 0; or,

[0016] The first field takes the second value, indicating that M3 equals M2.

[0017] Based on the above technical solution, the first device can instruct the second device whether to perform time-domain extended precoding on the uplink data transmitted over a long period of M2 time units by carrying a first field in the first information.

[0018] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, M2 time units are divided into L time unit groups, each of the L time unit groups includes less than N time units, and M3 time units are time units in the time unit groups of the L time unit groups that include more than or equal to N1 time units, where 2≤N1<N.

[0019] Based on the above technical solution, the first device can instruct the second device to perform time-domain extended precoding on the uplink data transmitted in the time unit group with a time unit number greater than or equal to N1 in the L time unit groups, thereby reducing the processing complexity of the second device and eliminating or reducing the interference received by the second device through time-domain extended precoding.

[0020] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, M1 time units precede M2 ​​time units, or M1 time units follow M2 time units.

[0021] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the M1 time units and / or M2 time units are discontinuous over the M time units;

[0022] The first information also indicates the position of the starting time unit included in each of the T time unit groups;

[0023] Among them, T time unit groups include K time unit groups, or T time unit groups include K time unit groups and L time unit groups, and M2 time units are divided into L time unit groups.

[0024] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first information includes one of the following:

[0025] The index of the starting time unit of each of the T time unit groups;

[0026] The offset of the starting time unit of each of the T time unit groups relative to the starting time units of the M time units;

[0027] The index of the starting time unit of the first time unit group in the T time unit groups, and the offset of the starting time unit of each time unit group other than the first time unit group in the T time unit groups relative to the starting time unit of the first time unit group in the T time unit groups;

[0028] The index of the starting time unit of the first time unit group in the T time unit groups, and the offset of the starting time unit of each of the T time unit groups (excluding the first time unit group) relative to the starting time unit of the previous time unit group; or...

[0029] The offset of the starting time unit of each of the T time unit groups relative to the starting time unit of the previous time unit group.

[0030] Based on the above technical solution, the first device can instruct the second device on the grouping method of the M time domain units.

[0031] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first information is carried in radio resource control (RRC) signaling, downlink control information (DCI) or medium / media access control (MAC) control element (CE) signaling.

[0032] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first information is carried in RRC signaling or MAC CE signaling;

[0033] After sending the first message, the method also includes:

[0034] Send a second message, which is used to activate the first message.

[0035] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the second information is carried by DCI.

[0036] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, before determining the first information, the method further includes:

[0037] Determine that the channel quality between the first device and the second device is less than or equal to a channel quality threshold, and / or determine that the interference experienced by the second device is greater than or equal to an interference threshold.

[0038] Secondly, a communication method is provided. This method can be executed by a second device (also referred to as a terminal-side device). Unless otherwise specified, the second device in this application can refer to a communication device (e.g., a terminal device), a component in the communication device (e.g., a communication module, processor, circuit, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the communication device.

[0039] The method includes:

[0040] Receive first information from the first device, the first information indication;

[0041] Perform time-domain spread precoding on the uplink data transmitted over M1 time units;

[0042] Time-domain spread precoding is performed on the uplink data transmitted over M3 time units, where M3 time units are all or part of M2 time units;

[0043] Among them, M1 time units and M2 time units are located in M ​​time units used for transmitting uplink data. M1 time units are divided into K time unit groups, and each time unit group in the K time unit groups includes N time units; 2≤M1≤M, 0≤M2≤M, 0≤M3≤M2, N≥2, and M, M1, M2, M3 and N are all integers;

[0044] The first information also indicates M time units.

[0045] The beneficial effects of the second aspect and its various implementations can be found in the description of the first aspect above.

[0046] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first information includes the first field;

[0047] The first field takes the first value, indicating that M3 equals 0; or,

[0048] The first field takes the second value, indicating that M3 equals M2.

[0049] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, M2 time units are divided into L time unit groups, each of the L time unit groups includes less than N time units, and M3 time units are time units in the time unit groups of the L time unit groups that include more than or equal to N1 time units, where 2≤N1<N.

[0050] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, M1 time units precede M2 ​​time units, or M1 time units follow M2 time units.

[0051] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the M1 time units and / or M2 time units are discontinuous over the M time units;

[0052] The first information also indicates the position of the starting time unit included in each of the T time unit groups;

[0053] Among them, T time unit groups include K time unit groups, or T time unit groups include K time unit groups and L time unit groups, and M2 time units are divided into L time unit groups.

[0054] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first information includes one of the following:

[0055] The index of the starting time unit of each of the T time unit groups;

[0056] The offset of the starting time unit of each of the T time unit groups relative to the starting time units of the M time units;

[0057] The index of the starting time unit of the first time unit group in the T time unit groups, and the offset of the starting time unit of each time unit group other than the first time unit group in the T time unit groups relative to the starting time unit of the first time unit group in the T time unit groups;

[0058] The index of the starting time unit of the first time unit group in the T time unit groups, and the offset of the starting time unit of each of the T time unit groups (excluding the first time unit group) relative to the starting time unit of the previous time unit group; or...

[0059] The offset of the starting time unit of each of the T time unit groups relative to the starting time unit of the previous time unit group.

[0060] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first information is carried in RRC signaling, DCI, or MAC CE signaling.

[0061] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first information is carried in RRC signaling or MAC CE signaling;

[0062] After receiving the first information, the method further includes:

[0063] Receive second information from the first device, the second information being used to activate the first information.

[0064] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the second information is carried in the DCI.

[0065] Thirdly, a communication device is provided. This communication device has the functions described in the first aspect above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations involved in the first aspect. These modules, units, or means can be implemented through software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0066] For example, the communication device may be the first device described above, such as a module or unit (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit) that corresponds to the method, operation, step, or action described in the first aspect above.

[0067] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver unit (or communication module) and a processing unit (or processing module) connected to the transceiver unit.

[0068] For example, a processing unit is used to determine first information. A transceiver unit is used to send the first information. The first information indicates: time-domain extended precoding is performed on uplink data transmitted over M1 time units; time-domain extended precoding is performed on uplink data transmitted over M3 time units. Wherein, M3 time units are all or part of M2 time units; M1 and M2 time units are located within the M time units used for transmitting uplink data, the M1 time units are divided into K time unit groups, and each of the K time unit groups includes N time units; 2≤M1≤M, M≥M2≥0, 0≤M3≤M2, N≥2, and M, M1, M2, M3, and N are all integers. The first information also indicates M time units.

[0069] Fourthly, a communication device is provided. This communication device has the functions described in the second aspect above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations involved in the second aspect. These modules, units, or means can be implemented through software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0070] For example, the communication device may be the second device described above, such as a module or unit (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit) that corresponds to one-to-one execution of the methods, operations, steps, or actions described in the second aspect above.

[0071] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a transceiver unit (or communication module) and a processing unit (or processing module) connected to the transceiver unit.

[0072] For example, the transceiver unit is configured to receive first information. The first information indicates: time-domain extended precoding is performed on uplink data transmitted over M1 time units; time-domain extended precoding is performed on uplink data transmitted over M3 time units. Wherein, M3 time units are all or part of M2 time units; M1 and M2 time units are located within the M time units used for transmitting uplink data; the M1 time units are divided into K time unit groups, and each of the K time unit groups includes N time units; 2≤M1≤M, M≥M2≥0, 0≤M3≤M2, N≥2, and M, M1, M2, M3, and N are all integers. The first information also indicates M time units.

[0073] Fifthly, a communication device is provided. This communication device may be either the first or second device described above. The communication device includes a transceiver, a processor, and a memory. The processor controls the transceiver to transmit and receive signals, the memory stores a computer program, and the processor retrieves and runs the computer program from the memory, causing the communication device to perform the method in any possible implementation of either the first or second aspect described above.

[0074] Optionally, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories.

[0075] Alternatively, the memory can be integrated with the processor, or the memory can be set up separately from the processor.

[0076] Optionally, the transceiver includes a transmitter and a receiver.

[0077] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, the communication device including one or more processors, the one or more processors being configured to execute a computer program or instructions, which, when executed, cause the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design or implementation of the first or second aspect described above. Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory for storing part or all of the computer program or instructions implementing the functions involved in the first or second aspect described above.

[0078] In one possible design, the communication device may further include an interface circuit, wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices or components through the interface circuit.

[0079] The aforementioned communication device may be a terminal device, or a communication module in a terminal device, or a chip in a terminal device that is responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip), or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip or system-in-a-package (SIP) chip that includes a modem module.

[0080] The aforementioned communication device may be a network device, or a communication module in a network device, or a circuit or chip in a network device responsible for communication functions, or a functional module in a network device capable of calling and executing programs.

[0081] In a seventh aspect, a communication system is provided. The communication system includes a first device and / or a second device, wherein the first device is configured to perform the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the second device is configured to perform the method in any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0082] For example, the first device may be a network device, or a chip or circuit in a network device, or a central unit (CU) or distributed unit (DU) in a network device, or a functional module in a network device capable of calling and executing a program; or, the second device may be a terminal device, or a chip or circuit in a terminal device, or a functional module in a terminal device capable of calling and executing a program.

[0083] Eighthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. This computer-readable storage medium stores computer program code or instructions to cause the method in any of the possible implementations of the first or second aspect to be implemented. For example, when the computer program code or instructions are executed, the method in any of the possible implementations of the first or second aspect is implemented.

[0084] A ninth aspect provides a computer program product. This computer program product includes computer program code or instructions to cause the methods in any of the possible implementations of the first or second aspect to be implemented. For example, when a computer reads and executes the computer program product, the methods in any of the possible implementations of the first or second aspect are implemented.

[0085] In a tenth aspect, a computer program is provided. When the computer program is run, it causes the method in any of the possible implementations of the first or second aspect to be implemented.

[0086] The beneficial effects of the third to tenth aspects mentioned above can be referred to the first aspect mentioned above and any possible implementation thereof, which will not be elaborated here. Attached Figure Description

[0087] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to this application;

[0088] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the sub-band duplex structure;

[0089] Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0090] Figure 4 is an example of a time-domain extended precoding processing rule provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0091] Figure 5 is another example of the time-domain extended precoding processing rule provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0092] Figure 6 is another example of the time-domain spread precoding processing rule provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0093] Figure 7 is an example of a time-domain spread precoding scheme provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0094] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0095] Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0096] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0097] Before introducing the scheme of this application, the following explanation is provided.

[0098] (1) In this application, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0099] (2) In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more (including two). "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, and c can mean: a, or, b, or, c, or, a and b, or, a and c, or, b and c, or, a, b, and c. Where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0100] (3) In this application, the terms "first," "second," and various numerical designations are used for convenience of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. For example, they are used to distinguish different messages, rather than to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such descriptions can be interchanged where appropriate to describe solutions other than those in the embodiments of this application.

[0101] (4) In this application, “instruction” or “for instruction” can include both direct instruction and indirect instruction. When describing an instruction as being used to instruct A, it can include whether the instruction directly instructs A or indirectly instructs A, but does not necessarily mean that the instruction carries A.

[0102] The indication methods involved in the embodiments of this application should be understood to cover various methods that enable the party to be indicated to obtain the information to be indicated. The information to be indicated can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information and sent separately. Moreover, the sending period and / or sending time of these sub-information can be the same or different. This application does not limit the sending method, for example.

[0103] The "instruction information" in this application's embodiments can be an explicit instruction, i.e., a direct instruction via signaling, or an instruction obtained by combining other rules or parameters with parameters indicated by signaling, or by deduction. It can also be an implicit instruction, i.e., an instruction obtained based on rules or relationships, or based on other parameters, or by deduction. This application does not specifically limit this.

[0104] (5) In this application, "protocol" can refer to a standard protocol in the field of communications, such as the 5th generation (5G) protocol, the new radio (NR) protocol, and related protocols applied to future communication systems. This application does not limit the term "protocol". "Predefined" can include predefined terms, such as protocol definitions. "Preconfiguration" can be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device. This application does not limit the implementation method of this feature.

[0105] (6) In this application, “message”, “information”, “signal” or “information element (IE)” can be used interchangeably. There are no restrictions on the name of the message or information, as long as it can achieve the corresponding function.

[0106] "Sending information to XX (device)" can be understood as the destination of the information being that device. This can include sending information to that device directly or indirectly. "Receiving information from XX (device), or receiving information from XX (device)" can be understood as the source of the information being that device. This can include receiving information from that device directly or indirectly. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be interpreted similarly, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0107] "Communication" can also be described as data transmission, information transmission, data processing, etc. "Transmission" includes sending and / or receiving. "Transmission" can be described as output. "Sending" can also be understood as the output of a chip interface, and "receiving" can be understood as the input of a chip interface. In other words, "sending" or "receiving" can occur between devices, for example, between network devices and terminal devices via an air interface. "Sending" or "receiving" can also occur within a device, for example, between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within a device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0108] For example, "sending information" can be understood as one device sending information to another device, or it can also be understood as one logical module within a device sending information to another logical module. For instance, "a network device sending information" can be understood as a network device sending information to another device (such as a terminal), or it can be understood as logical module 1 within the network device sending information to logical module 2 within the network device. Similarly, "receiving information" can be understood as one device receiving information from another device, or it can also be understood as one logical module within a device receiving information from another logical module. For instance, "a network device receiving information" can be understood as a network device receiving information from another device (such as a terminal), or it can be understood as logical module 1 within the network device receiving information from logical module 2 within the network device.

[0109] (7) In this application, the terms "exemplary," "for example," etc., are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as an "example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of the term "example" is intended to present a concept in a concrete manner. In the embodiments of this application, "of," "corresponding, relevant," "corresponding," and "associate" may sometimes be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent unless their distinctions are emphasized.

[0110] (8) In this application, the configuration can be signaling configuration, such as radio resource control (RRC) messages, downlink control information (DCI), or system information block (SIB). Optionally, the signaling configuration can be provided to the terminal device by pre-configured signaling configuration, or configured to the terminal device through pre-configuration. Here, pre-configuration means defining or configuring the values ​​of corresponding parameters in advance in a protocol manner, and storing them in the terminal device during communication. The pre-configured messages can be modified or updated when the terminal device is connected to the network.

[0111] The following describes the communication system to which this application applies.

[0112] The technical solution of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as 5G or NR systems, Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems, and future communication systems. The technical solution of this application can also be applied to non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems such as inter-satellite communication and satellite communication. As an example, a satellite communication system includes a satellite base station and terminal equipment. The satellite base station provides communication services to the terminal equipment. The satellite base station can also communicate with ground base stations. A satellite can act as a base station or as a terminal device. Here, "satellite" can refer to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), hot air balloons, low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, medium-Earth orbit (MEO) satellites, high-Earth orbit (HEO) satellites, etc., or it can refer to non-terrestrial base stations or non-terrestrial equipment.

[0113] In a communication system, a device can send signals to or receive signals from another device. These signals can include information, signaling, or data. The device can also be replaced by an entity, network entity, network element, communication equipment, communication module, node, communication node, etc.; this application uses a device as an example for description. For instance, a communication system can include at least one terminal device and at least one network device. The network device can send downlink signals to the terminal device, and / or the terminal device can send uplink signals to the network device.

[0114] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 10 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. Optionally, the communication system may also include the Internet. RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (120a-120j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 120). RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1). Terminal 120 is wirelessly connected to RAN node 110. RAN node 110 is wirelessly or wired connected to core network 200. The core network equipment in core network 200 and RAN node 110 in RAN 100 may be different physical devices, or they may be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions.

[0115] RAN 100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as a 4th generation (4G) mobile communication system, a 5G mobile communication system, or a future-oriented evolution system. RAN 100 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. RAN 100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0116] RAN node 110, sometimes also referred to as access network equipment, RAN entity, or access node, constitutes part of the communication system and is used to help terminals achieve wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 110 in communication system 10 can be of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of RAN node 110 and terminal 120 are relative. For example, network element 120i in Figure 1 can be a helicopter or drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120j accessing RAN 100 through network element 120i, network element 120i is a base station; but for base station 110a, network element 120i is a terminal. RAN node 110 and terminal 120 are sometimes both referred to as communication devices. For example, network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0117] In one possible scenario, a RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. A RAN node can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 1, 110a), a micro base station or indoor station (as shown in Figure 1, 110b), a relay node or donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, a RAN node can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU).

[0118] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, with each RAN node performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be centralized units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CUs (control planes, CPs), CUs (user planes, UPs), or radio units (RUs), etc. CUs and DUs can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0119] In different systems, CU (including open CU-CP (O-CU-CP) and open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called an open central unit (O-CU), DU can also be called an open distributed unit (O-DU), CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called an open radio unit (O-RU). For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0120] Terminal 120 can be a device or module that accesses the aforementioned communication system and has corresponding communication functions. A terminal can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), terminal, user device, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal unit, terminal station, terminal device, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device. A terminal typically contains a communication module, circuit, or chip that performs the corresponding communication functions. The terminal may also be configured with program instructions for performing these communication functions.

[0121] For example, the terminal in this application embodiment can be a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA) computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a drone, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a machine type communication (MTC) terminal, a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, an Internet of Things (IoT) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical care, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home (e.g., game consoles, smart TVs, smart speakers, smart refrigerators, and fitness equipment), a transport vehicle with wireless communication capabilities, a communication module, or a roadside unit (RSU) with terminal capabilities.

[0122] RAN 100 and terminal 120 can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the scenarios in which RAN 100 and terminal 120 are located.

[0123] CN 200 can be a 5G core network, an evolved 5G core network, or the core network of a future mobile communication system. Taking a 5G core network as an example, CN 200 includes access and mobility management (AMF) network elements responsible for mobility management and access management services; session management (SMF) network elements responsible for session management; user plane (UPF) network elements responsible for user plane packet routing and forwarding and quality of service (QoS) control; and policy control (PCF) network elements. These core network elements can work independently or be combined to implement certain control functions. For example, AMF, SMF, and PCF can be combined into a single core network device.

[0124] It should be understood that the above naming is defined solely for the purpose of distinguishing different functions and should not constitute any limitation on this application. This application does not preclude the possibility of using other naming conventions in 5G networks and other future networks. For example, in future networks, some or all of the above-mentioned network elements may use the terminology from 5G, or they may use other names, etc.

[0125] The technical solution of this application can also be applied to device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), and Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems or other communication systems. Among these, cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X) can be a V2X communication technology developed based on cellular systems. C-V2X can utilize and enhance the functions and elements of cellular networks to achieve low-latency and high-reliability communication between various nodes in the vehicle network. C-V2X can include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, and vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication.

[0126] It is understood that Figure 1 is merely an example provided for ease of understanding and does not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application. The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application may also involve devices not shown in Figure 1, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices, etc. Of course, the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application may also include only some of the devices shown in Figure 1, without limitation.

[0127] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the terms or technologies involved in this application will be explained first.

[0128] 1. Time and frequency resources.

[0129] Data or information can be carried using time-frequency resources. These time-frequency resources can include resources in the time domain (i.e., time-domain resources) and resources in the frequency domain (i.e., frequency-domain resources).

[0130] In the time domain, time-domain resources can include one or more time-domain units (or time units). Time-domain units can include radio frames (RF), subframes, frames, half-subframes, half-frames, slots, slot groups, mini-slots, partial slots, or orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, etc.

[0131] In the frequency domain, frequency domain resources can include one or more frequency domain units. Frequency domain units can include subcarriers, component carriers (CCs), resource blocks (RBs), subchannels, resource pools, bandwidth, bandwidth parts (BWPs), channels, physical resource blocks (PRBs), resource block groups (RBGs), PRB bundling, or an interlaced RB, etc.

[0132] 2. Time Division Duplex (TDD).

[0133] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the subband duplex structure. TDD divides time-domain resources into uplink and downlink. For example, a possible TDD uplink / downlink configuration is DDDDU, as shown in Figure 2(a), where D represents the downlink time slot, and each symbol in the downlink time slot is a downlink symbol, and U represents the uplink time slot, and each symbol in the uplink time slot is an uplink symbol. Limited allocation of uplink time-domain resources may lead to reduced uplink coverage and increased latency in TDD.

[0134] To improve uplink coverage, subband duplexing introduced by 3GPP can be used. Subband duplexing can be simply understood as: a sub-band, such as 40MHz or 80MHz, is included within the TDD carrier. Compared to other frequency bands of the TDD carrier, the downlink and uplink time slot allocation is changed on this subband, for example, all slots are used for uplink, as shown in Figure 2(b). Here, X represents a subband full duplex (SBFD) time unit. The frequency domain resources corresponding to the SBFD time unit include uplink and downlink frequency domain resources. Uplink frequency domain resources are used for uplink transmission, and downlink frequency domain resources are used for downlink transmission. Alternatively, the frequency domain resources corresponding to the SBFD time unit include a subband used for both uplink and downlink transmission. To improve coverage, data retransmission can be used, for example, uplink data is repeatedly transmitted on all available uplink resources. Subband duplexing enables the repeated transmission of uplink data, thus improving uplink coverage. As shown in Figure 2(c), uplink resources can be increased by 5 times, enabling 5 repeated transmissions of uplink data (e.g., S), which theoretically can improve uplink coverage. As shown in Figure 2(d), uplink resources can be increased by 5 times, enabling the transmission of multiple uplink data (e.g., S1, S2, S3, S4, S5).

[0135] Besides limited uplink coverage, the demands for high-speed, low-latency uplink experience assurance for intelligent real-time interaction present challenges to current network capabilities, including interference. For example, considering only a single user, using sub-band duplexing to address coverage issues can improve network capabilities and meet uplink experience assurance requirements. However, as the number of users increases, interference between users may prevent the network from meeting the uplink experience assurance needs of multiple users.

[0136] To address interference between users, OCC (Optical Channel Control) can be employed to reduce interference when users reuse the same resources, building upon the existing data retransmission. For example, assuming UE1 and UE2 both use a 3:2 downlink to uplink time slot ratio (occupying 2 uplink time slots and 3 downlink time slots), uplink data is retransmitted twice (assuming the uplink data for UE1 and UE2 are S1 and S2 respectively). UE1 uses OCC... =[1,1], UE2 uses OCC as UE1 and UE2 reuse the same time-frequency resources. Assume that the channel from UE1 to base station 1 is H1, and the channel from UE2 to base station 1 is H2, and that the channels from UE1 and UE2 to base station 1 remain unchanged across the two uplink time slots. Further, assume that the signals received by base station 1 in the two uplink time slots are Y1 and Y2, respectively, as expressed in formulas (1) and (2) below. Based on the orthogonal OCC codes between UE1 and UE2, adding formulas (1) and (2) eliminates the interference from UE2, yielding data S1 for UE1. Similarly, subtracting formulas (1) and (2) eliminates the interference from UE1, yielding data S2 for UE2.

[0137] However, when the channel is time-varying and / or the system has a time-frequency offset, OCC cannot completely eliminate interference between users. For example, suppose that the channel from UE1 to base station 1 is H11 and H12 in the two uplink time slots mentioned above, and the channel from UE2 to base station 1 is H21 and H22 in the two uplink time slots mentioned above. In this case, the received signals Y1 and Y2 of base station 1 in the two uplink time slots can be re-expressed as Equations (3) and (4) below. Obviously, due to the time-varying channel, the sum of Equations (3) and (4) cannot eliminate the interference of UE2. Similarly, the subtraction of Equations (3) and (4) cannot eliminate the interference of UE1.

[0138] In order to eliminate interference between users sharing the same resources even when the channel is time-varying and / or the system has time-frequency offset, different uplink time-domain precoding can be assigned to different users. By using different uplink time-domain precoding, additional orthogonal dimensions can be provided outside the spatial domain, thereby improving the interference suppression effect.

[0139] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that configures rules for uplink time-domain extended precoding of uplink data to a terminal device through a network device. This enables the network device and the terminal device to align the rules for uplink time-domain extended precoding of uplink data, thereby achieving the purpose of eliminating or reducing interference between terminal devices by performing uplink time-domain extended precoding of uplink data.

[0140] The communication method provided by the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, and can be applied to the communication system shown in Figure 1 above. It should be understood that the embodiments of this application can be applied to scenarios where the sending end and the receiving end communicate.

[0141] It should also be understood that the embodiments shown below do not specifically limit the structure of the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiments of this application, as long as it is possible to communicate according to the method provided in the embodiments of this application by running the code or program that records the method provided in the embodiments of this application. For example, the method provided in the embodiments of this application can be executed by a first device and a second device. Unless otherwise specified, the "first device" in this application can refer to a communication device (e.g., a network device), or a component in the communication device (e.g., a communication module, processor, circuit, chip (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), or a chip system, etc.), or it can be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the communication device. The "second device" in this application can refer to a communication device (e.g., a terminal device), or a component in the communication device (e.g., a communication module, processor, circuit, chip, or chip system, etc.), or it can be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the communication device.

[0142] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 3, the method 300 includes the following steps.

[0143] S310, the first device determines the first information.

[0144] Optionally, the first device may determine the first information based on channel state information between the first device and at least one second device, and / or, interference conditions between at least one second device. At least one second device may reuse the same time-domain resources for uplink transmission.

[0145] For example, if the first device can determine that the channel quality between the first device and at least one of the second devices is less than or equal to a channel quality threshold based on the channel state information between the first device and at least one of the second devices, then the first device can determine the first information based on the uplink time-domain spread precoding method determined by the first device for at least one of the second devices.

[0146] For example, if the first device determines that the interference level between at least one second device is large (e.g., noise is greater than or equal to a noise threshold, and / or the signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) is less than or equal to the SINR threshold), then the first device can determine the first information according to the uplink time-domain spread precoding method determined by the first device for at least one second device.

[0147] S320, the first device sends the first information.

[0148] Correspondingly, the second device receives the first information.

[0149] In one possible implementation, the first device sends the first information to a second device via unicast.

[0150] In one possible implementation, the first device sends first information to at least one second device, and the at least one second device reuses the same time-domain resources.

[0151] First information indication:

[0152] Perform time-domain spread precoding on the uplink data transmitted over M1 time units;

[0153] Time-domain extended precoding is performed on the uplink data transmitted over M3 time units, where M3 time units are all or part of M2 time units.

[0154] Among them, M1 time units and M2 time units are located in the M time units used for transmitting uplink data, or in other words, the M time units include M1 time units and M2 time units. The M1 time units are divided into K time unit groups, and each of the K time unit groups includes N time units. M, M1, M2, M3 and N are all positive numbers, and 2≤M1≤M, 0≤M2≤M, 0≤M3≤M2, N≥2.

[0155] It is understandable that, in the case of M time units including M1 time units and M2 time units, M = M1 + M2.

[0156] It should also be noted that any one of the M1 time units is different from any one of the M2 time units.

[0157] It should also be noted that when M1 time units are divided into K time unit groups, any one of the M1 time units belongs to only one of the K time unit groups, i.e., M1 = K × N.

[0158] The first information also indicates M time units. For example, the first information indicates the start time unit of the M time units and / or the value of M. Alternatively, the first information includes the index of each of the M time units. Or, the first information includes M4 bits, with each of the M4 bits corresponding one-to-one with one of the M4 time units, where the M4 time units include the M time units, i.e., M4 ≥ M. If bit m in the M4 bits is 1, it indicates that the time unit corresponding to bit m belongs to the M time units; if bit m is 0, it indicates that the time unit corresponding to bit m does not belong to the M time units.

[0159] It should be understood that the first device can determine M time units based on the usage of time and frequency resources. For example, if the first device currently has M4 time units available for uplink transmission, then the first device can determine M time units from the M4 time units. For example, the first device can determine all M4 time units as M time units. For example, the first device can determine a portion of the M4 time units as M time units.

[0160] The following describes the possible additional functions that the first information may have.

[0161] In one possible implementation, the first information also indicates the value of N and / or the value of K.

[0162] It should be understood that if the value of N is a predefined value, or if the first information indicates the value of K, or if the value of N has a predefined relationship with the value of M, for example, or, If so, then the first piece of information may not indicate the value of N. Wherein, This indicates rounding down to the nearest integer.

[0163] It should be understood that the value of K is a predefined value, or the first information indicates the value of N, or the value of K has a predefined relationship with the value of M, for example, or, If so, the first piece of information may not indicate the value of K.

[0164] It should also be understood that if the first piece of information indicates the value of K but not the value of N, then M, N, and K can satisfy the following relationship:

[0165] It should also be understood that if the first piece of information indicates the value of N but not the value of K, then M, N, and K can satisfy the following relationship:

[0166] Optionally, if the first information indicates a value for N, the first device can determine the value of N based on the channel state information between the first device and at least one second device and / or the interference between the at least one second device. For example, if the channel quality between the first device and at least one second device is worse, and / or the interference between the at least one second device is greater, then the value of N determined by the first device will be larger. If the channel quality between the first device and at least one second device is better, and / or the interference between the at least one second device is smaller, then the value of N determined by the first device will be smaller.

[0167] In one possible implementation, if M > M1, the first information also indicates the value of M3.

[0168] For example, the first information may include a first field. If the value of the first field is a first value, then the first field indicates that the value of M3 is 0; or, if the value of the first field is a second value, then the first field indicates that M3 equals M2. The first value is 0 and the second value is 1; or, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0.

[0169] It can be understood that if the value of the first information indicator M3 is 0, it is equivalent to the first information indicating that no uplink time-domain spread precoding is performed on the uplink data transmitted over M2 time units. If the first information indicator M3 is equal to M2, it is equivalent to the first information indicating that time-domain spread precoding is performed on the uplink data transmitted over M2 time units.

[0170] It should be understood that if M2 time units are divided into L time unit groups, and the first information indicates that the uplink data transmitted on the M2 time units is to be time-domain extended precoding, then the second device, according to the first information, performs time-domain extended precoding on the data transmitted on each of the L time unit groups at the granularity of the time unit groups.

[0171] Optionally, the first field can be named the time spread (TS) precoding group processing indicator field. The first field can also be named other names; this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0172] For example, if M2 time units are divided into L time unit groups, and each time unit group contains less than N time units, then the first information may include a second field. The second field indicates that time-domain spread precoding is performed on the uplink data transmitted on time unit groups containing more than or equal to N1 time units. In other words, the second field indicates the value of N1. 2 ≤ N1 < N.

[0173] It can be understood that the second field indicates that uplink data transmitted on time unit groups with a number of time units greater than or equal to N1 will be subject to time-domain spread precoding, which is equivalent to the second field indicating that uplink data transmitted on time unit groups with a number of time units less than N1 will not be subject to time-domain spread precoding.

[0174] It should also be understood that when the second field indicates the value of N1, the M3 time units are time units in a time unit group of L whose number of time units is greater than or equal to N1. In other words, when the second field indicates the value of N1, the second device can determine the value of M3 based on N1, which is equivalent to the first information indicating the value of M3.

[0175] It should also be noted that when M2 time units are divided into L time unit groups, any one of the M2 time units belongs to only one of the L time unit groups.

[0176] For example, if M2 time units are divided into L time unit groups, and each of the L time unit groups contains fewer than N time units, then the first information may include a third field, which includes L bits that correspond one-to-one with the L time unit groups. If any bit #1 among the L bits takes the first value, it indicates that the first information instructs that time-domain spread precoding be performed on the uplink data transmitted in the time unit group corresponding to bit #1; or, if any bit #1 among the L bits takes the second value, it indicates that the first information instructs that time-domain spread precoding not be performed on the uplink data transmitted in the time unit group corresponding to bit #1.

[0177] It should be understood that when the first information includes the third field, the M3 time units are the time units in the time unit group corresponding to the bits with the first value among the L bits. In other words, when the first information includes the third field, the second device can determine the value of M3 based on the third field, which is equivalent to the first information indicating the value of M3.

[0178] For example, the first information may include a field #a, which includes M2 bits corresponding one-to-one with M2 time units. If any bit #m among the M2 bits takes the first value, it indicates that the first information instructs time-domain spread precoding to be performed on the uplink data transmitted in the time unit corresponding to bit #m; or, if any bit #m among the M2 bits takes the second value, it indicates that the first information instructs that time-domain spread precoding not be performed on the uplink data transmitted in the time unit corresponding to bit #m.

[0179] It should be understood that when the first information includes the field #a, the M3 time units correspond to the bit among the M2 bits that takes the first value. In other words, when the first information includes the field #a, the second device can determine the value of M3 based on the field #a, which is equivalent to the first information indicating the value of M3.

[0180] In one possible implementation, the first information also indicates the location of the starting time unit included in each of the T time unit groups and / or the number of time units included in each time unit group.

[0181] Among them, the T time unit groups include the aforementioned K time unit groups, or the T time unit groups include the aforementioned K time unit groups and L time unit groups.

[0182] For example, M1 = M, meaning that M time units can be evenly divided into K time units, then T time unit groups include the aforementioned K time unit groups.

[0183] For example, if M2 > 0, and any two adjacent time unit groups in the L time unit groups are not continuous in the M time units, then the T time unit groups can include the aforementioned K time unit groups.

[0184] In the case where any two adjacent time unit groups in the L time unit groups are not consecutive in the M time units, time unit #1 and time unit #1+1 are not two adjacent time units in the M time units. Time unit #1 is the last time unit included in the l-th time unit group in the L time unit groups, and time unit #1+1 is the first time unit included in the (l+1)-th time unit group in the L time unit groups. l = 1, 2, ..., L-1.

[0185] For example, if M2 > 0, then T time unit groups can include K time unit groups and L time unit groups.

[0186] The following describes how the first information indicates the position of the starting time unit in each of the T time unit groups and / or the number of time units in each time unit group.

[0187] For example, the first information may include a fourth field, which indicates the index of the starting time unit included in each of the T time unit groups.

[0188] For example, the first information may include a fifth field, which indicates the offset of the starting time unit of each of the T time unit groups relative to the starting time unit of the M time units.

[0189] For example, the first information may include a sixth field indicating the index of the starting time unit of the first time unit group among the T time unit groups, and the offset of the starting time unit of each time unit group other than the first time unit group among the T time unit groups relative to the starting time unit of the first time unit group among the T time unit groups.

[0190] For example, the first information may include a seventh field, which indicates the index of the starting time unit of the first time unit group among the T time unit groups, and the offset of the starting time unit of each time unit group other than the first time unit group relative to the starting time unit of the previous time unit group.

[0191] For example, the first information may include an eighth field, which indicates the offset of the starting time unit of each of the T time unit groups relative to the starting time unit of the previous time unit group.

[0192] For example, the first information may include a field #b, which indicates the number of time units included in each of the T time unit groups, or a field #b indicating the difference between N and the number of time units included in each of the T time unit groups.

[0193] Optionally, the fourth field can be named the time spread (TS) precoding start indicator field. The fourth field can also be named other names; this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0194] Optionally, the fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth field can be named the Time-Domain Extended Precoding Start Offset Indicator (TS_Precoding_Initial_offset_Indicator) field. The fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth field can also be named other names; this application does not impose any limitations on this.

[0195] Optionally, field #b can be named the Time-Domain Extended Precoding Length Indicator (TS_Precoding_Length_Indicator) field. Field #b can also be named other names, and this application does not limit this.

[0196] Optionally, if the K time unit groups and / or L time unit groups are not consecutive in the M time units, the first information also indicates the position of the starting time unit of each time unit group in the T time unit groups and / or the number of time units included in each time unit group.

[0197] Where the K time unit groups are not consecutive in the M time units, time unit #k and time unit #k+1 are not two adjacent time units in the M time units. Time unit #k is the last time unit included in the k-th time unit group among the K time unit groups, and time unit #k+1 is the first time unit included in the (k+1)-th time unit group among the K time unit groups. 1≤k≤K-1, and k is an integer.

[0198] When L time unit groups are not consecutive across M time units, time unit #l' and time unit #l'+1 are not two adjacent time units within the M time units. Time unit #l' is the last time unit included in the l'-th time unit group among the L time unit groups, and time unit #l'+1 is the first time unit included in the l'+1-th time unit group among the L time unit groups. 1 ≤ l' ≤ L-1, and l' is an integer.

[0199] Optionally, if M1 time units precede M2 ​​time units, or M1 time units follow M2 time units, the first information may not indicate the position of the starting time unit of each time unit group in the T time unit groups and / or the number of time units included in each time unit group.

[0200] It should be understood that if M1 time units precede M2 ​​time units, then the starting time unit of M1 time units is the starting time unit of all M time units, and the last time unit of M2 time units is the last time unit of all M time units. If M1 time units follow M2 time units, then the starting time unit of M2 time units is the starting time unit of all M time units, and the last time unit of M1 time units is the last time unit of all M time units.

[0201] Optionally, if M1 = M, the first information may not indicate the position of the starting time unit of each of the T time unit groups and / or the number of time units included in each time unit group.

[0202] The first piece of information is described below, taking into account several possible time unit grouping methods.

[0203] Example 1: The first and second devices assume that M1 time units precede M2 ​​time units, and K, N, and M satisfy the following relationship:

[0204] In other words, in Example 1, the first device and the second device assume that the second device performs time-domain spread precoding on the uplink data transmitted in the first M1 time units of M time units with a time unit group including N time units as the granularity.

[0205] Based on Example 1, the first information indicates M time units.

[0206] Optionally, if the value of K is a predefined value, or if the value of K has a predefined relationship with the value of M, for example, or, If so, the first information may not indicate the values ​​of K and N.

[0207] Optionally, if the value of N is a predefined value, or if the value of N has a predefined relationship with the value of M, for example, or, If so, the first information may not indicate the values ​​of N and K.

[0208] Optionally, the first information may also indicate the value of K and / or the value of N.

[0209] Optionally, if M > N × K, i.e. M2 = M - M1, then the first information also indicates the value of M3.

[0210] Optionally, if M > N × K, i.e. M2 = M - M1, and the first and second devices default the value of M3 to 0, then the first information does not indicate the value of M3.

[0211] Optionally, if M > N × K, i.e. M2 = M - M1, and the first device and the second device default to M3 = M2, then the first information does not indicate the value of M3.

[0212] Example 1 will be explained below with reference to Figure 4. In Figure 4, M=12 and N=5 are used as examples. The 12 time units are denoted as time unit 0 to time unit 11.

[0213] Assume that the first device allocates 12 time units to the second device. The first device and the second device assume that the second device starts from time unit 0 and performs time-domain spread precoding on the uplink data transmitted in the first N×K time units of the 12 time units with time unit groups of N time units as the granularity.

[0214] In one possible scenario, the first information determined by the first device may indicate the starting time unit of the 12 time units, the value of N being 5, and the value of M3 being 2. Accordingly, after receiving the first information, the second device may, based on the first information, determine to perform time-domain extended precoding on the uplink data transmitted in the first N×K (N×K=10) time units out of the 12 time units, starting from time unit 0, with a granularity of time unit groups including 5 time units; and the second device may, based on the first information, determine to perform time-domain extended precoding on the uplink data transmitted in the last two time units out of the 12 time units. As shown in Figure 4(a), the second device can determine, based on the first information, to perform the first set of time-domain extended precoding (i.e., time-domain extended precoding group 1 as shown in Figure 4(a)) on time units 0 to 4, the second set of time-domain extended precoding (i.e., time-domain extended precoding group 2 as shown in Figure 4(a)) on time units 5 to 9, and the third set of time-domain extended precoding (i.e., time-domain extended precoding group 3 as shown in Figure 4(a)) on time units 10 and 11.

[0215] The first piece of information can indicate the value of M3 by carrying any of the fields described above, from the first field to the third field or field #a. If the first piece of information carries a second field, then the second field indicates that the value of N1 is 2.

[0216] In another possible scenario, the first information determined by the first device may indicate the starting time unit of the 12 time units, the value of N being 5, and the value of M3 being 0. Accordingly, after receiving the first information, the second device may determine, based on the first information, to perform time-domain spread precoding on the uplink data transmitted in the first N×K (N×K=10) time units of the 12 time units, starting from time unit 0, with a granularity of time unit groups including 5 time units, and the second device may determine, based on the first information, not to perform time-domain spread precoding on the uplink data transmitted in the last two time units of the 12 time units. As shown in Figure 4(b), the second device can determine, based on the first information, to perform the first set of time-domain extended precoding (i.e., time-domain extended precoding group 1 as shown in Figure 4(b)) in time units 0 to 4, and the second set of time-domain extended precoding (i.e., time-domain extended precoding group 2 as shown in Figure 4(b)) in time units 5 to 9, and not to perform time-domain extended precoding in time units 10 and 11, which is equivalent to sending uplink data in the existing manner in time units 10 and 11.

[0217] The first piece of information can indicate the value of M3 by carrying any of the fields described above, from the first field to the third field or field #a. If the first piece of information carries a second field, then the value of N1 indicated by the second field is greater than 2 and less than 5.

[0218] Example 2, M2 > 0, and any two adjacent time unit groups in the L time unit groups are not continuous in the M time units.

[0219] Based on Example 1, the first information indicates the starting time unit of each of the M time units and T time unit groups, where the T time unit groups only include K time unit groups.

[0220] Optionally, if the value of K is a predefined value, or if the value of K has a predefined relationship with the value of M, for example, or, If so, the first information may not indicate the values ​​of K and N.

[0221] Optionally, if the value of N is a predefined value, or if the value of N has a predefined relationship with the value of M, for example, or, If so, the first information may not indicate the values ​​of N and K.

[0222] Optionally, the first information may also indicate the value of K and / or the value of N.

[0223] Optionally, the first information also indicates the value of M3.

[0224] Optionally, if the first device and the second device default to a value of 0 for M3, then the first information does not indicate the value of M3.

[0225] Optionally, if the first device and the second device default to M3 = M2, then the first information does not indicate the value of M3.

[0226] Example 2 will be explained below with reference to Figure 5. In Figure 5, M=15 and N=5 are used as examples. The 15 time units are denoted as time unit 0 to time unit 14.

[0227] The first information determined by the first device can indicate the start time unit of 15 time units, the value of N being 5, the start time unit of each time unit group in the K time unit groups, and the value of M3. Correspondingly, after receiving the first information, the second device can determine 15 time units based on the start time units of the 15 time units, and determine K time unit groups based on the start time units of each time unit group in the K time unit groups and the value of N. Furthermore, the second device can determine to perform time-domain spread precoding on the uplink data transmitted in each of the K time unit groups. The second device can also determine, based on the first information, to perform time-domain spread precoding on the uplink data transmitted in M3 time units (excluding the K time unit groups) within the 15 time units.

[0228] If the second device determines, based on the first information, that the starting time units of each of the K time unit groups are time unit 0 and time unit 7 respectively, then, if the second device determines that the value of N is 5 based on the first information, it can determine that the first time unit group of the K time unit groups includes time units 0 to 4, and the second time unit group includes time units 7 to 11. As shown in Figure 5(a), the second device determines, based on the first information, to perform the first group of time-domain extended precoding (i.e., time-domain extended precoding group 1 as shown in Figure 5(a)) on time units 0 to 4, and to perform the third group of time-domain extended precoding (i.e., time-domain extended precoding group 3 as shown in Figure 5(a)) on time units 7 to 11. As shown in (b) or (c) of Figure 5, the second device determines, based on the first information, to perform the first set of time-domain extended precoding (i.e., time-domain extended precoding group 1 as shown in (b) or (c) or (d) of Figure 5) on time units 0 to 4, and to perform the second set of time-domain extended precoding (i.e., time-domain extended precoding group 2 as shown in (b) or (c) or (d) of Figure 5).

[0229] The first information can indicate the starting time unit of each of the K time unit groups by carrying any of the fourth to eighth fields mentioned above.

[0230] For example, if the first information carries a fourth field, which indicates the index "0" and "7" of the starting time unit of each of the K time unit groups, then the fourth field can be a fixed-length bit sequence, such as "0000 0111".

[0231] For example, if the first information carries an eighth field to indicate the offset of the starting time unit of each of the K time unit groups relative to the starting time unit of the previous time unit group, such as "0" and "7", then the eighth field can be a fixed-length bit sequence, such as "00000111".

[0232] After determining the K time unit groups, the second device can determine that the remaining time units 5 and 6 form one of the L time unit groups, and time units 12 to 14 form another time unit group in the L time unit groups.

[0233] If the value of the first information indicator M3 is 5, the second device can determine to perform time-domain extended precoding on the uplink data transmitted on time units 5 and 6, and to perform time-domain extended precoding on the uplink data transmitted on time units 12 to 14. As shown in Figure 5(a), the second device determines, based on the first information, to perform a second set of time-domain extended precoding on time units 5 and 6 (i.e., time-domain extended precoding group 2 as shown in Figure 5(a)), and to perform a fourth set of time-domain extended precoding on time units 12 to 14 (i.e., time-domain extended precoding group 4 as shown in Figure 5(a)).

[0234] Specifically, the first information can indicate that the value of M3 is 5 by carrying any of the first to third fields or field #a mentioned above. If the first information carries a second field, then the second field indicates that the value of N1 is 2. If the first information carries a third field, then the third field can include two bits, and the value of both bits is the first value. If the first information carries field #a, then field #a can include 5 bits, and the value of all 5 bits is the first value.

[0235] If the value of the first information indicator M3 is 0, the second device can determine that no time-domain extended precoding is performed on the uplink data transmitted in time units 5 and 6, and also determine that no time-domain extended precoding is performed on the uplink data transmitted in time units 12 to 14. As shown in Figure 5(b), the second device determines, based on the first information, that no time-domain extended precoding is performed on time units 5 and 6, and that no time-domain extended precoding is performed on time units 12 to 14.

[0236] Specifically, the first information can indicate that the value of M3 is 0 by carrying any of the fields described above, from the first field to the third field or field #a. If the first information carries the second field, then the second field indicates that the value of N1 is greater than 2 and less than 5. If the first information carries the third field, then the third field can include two bits, and the value of both bits is the second value. If the first information carries the field #a, then the field #a can include 5 bits, and the value of all 5 bits is the second value.

[0237] If the value of the first information indicator M3 is 3, the second device can determine that no time-domain extended precoding is performed on the uplink data transmitted in time units 5 and 6, and determine that time-domain extended precoding is performed on the uplink data transmitted in time units 12 to 14. As shown in Figure 5(c), the second device determines, based on the first information, that no time-domain extended precoding is performed on time units 5 and 6, and that a third group of time-domain extended precoding (i.e., time-domain extended precoding group 3 as shown in Figure 5(c)) is performed on time units 12 to 14.

[0238] Specifically, the first information can indicate that the value of M3 is 3 by carrying any of the second to third fields or field #a mentioned above. If the first information carries the second field, then the second field indicates that the value of N1 is 3. If the first information carries the third field, then the third field can include two bits, where the first bit has the second value and the second bit has the first value. If the first information carries field #a, then field #a can include 5 bits, where the first two bits have the second value and the last three bits have the first value.

[0239] If the value of the first information indicator M3 is 2, the second device can determine that no time-domain extended precoding is performed on the uplink data transmitted in time units 5 and 6, and determine that time-domain extended precoding is performed on the uplink data transmitted in two of the time units 12 to 14. As shown in Figure 5(d), the second device determines, based on the first information, that no time-domain extended precoding is performed on time units 5, 6, and 14, and that a third group of time-domain extended precoding (i.e., time-domain extended precoding group 3 as shown in Figure 5(d)) is performed on time units 12 to 13.

[0240] The first piece of information can be indicated by the field #a mentioned above, which indicates that the value of M3 is 2. For example, the field #a can include 5 bits, where the first two bits and the last bit are the second value, and the remaining two bits are the first value.

[0241] Example 3, M2 > 0, the first information indicates the starting time unit of each time unit group in the M time units and T time unit groups, the T time unit groups include K time unit groups and L time unit groups.

[0242] Optionally, if the value of K is a predefined value, or if the value of K has a predefined relationship with the value of M, for example, or, If so, the first information may not indicate the values ​​of K and N.

[0243] Optionally, if the value of N is a predefined value, or if the value of N has a predefined relationship with the value of M, for example, or, If so, the first information may not indicate the values ​​of N and K.

[0244] Optionally, the first information may also indicate the value of K and / or the value of N.

[0245] Optionally, the first information also indicates the value of M3.

[0246] Optionally, if the first device and the second device default to a value of 0 for M3, then the first information does not indicate the value of M3.

[0247] Optionally, if the first device and the second device default to M3 = M2, then the first information does not indicate the value of M3.

[0248] Example 3 will be explained below with reference to Figure 6. In Figure 6, M=14 and N=5 are used as examples. The 14 time units are denoted as time unit 0 to time unit 13.

[0249] The first information determined by the first device can indicate the start time units of 14 time units, the value of N being 5, the start time units of each time unit group in the T time unit groups, and the value of M3. Correspondingly, after receiving the first information, the second device can determine 14 time units based on the start time units of the 14 time units, and determine K time unit groups and L time unit groups based on the start time units of each time unit group in the T time unit groups. Furthermore, the second device can perform time-domain spread precoding on the uplink data transmitted in each of the K time unit groups. The second device can also determine, based on the first information, to perform time-domain spread precoding on the uplink data transmitted in the M3 time units of the L time unit groups.

[0250] If the second device determines, based on the first information, that the starting time units of each of the T time unit groups are time unit 0, time unit 2, time unit 7, and time unit 9, then, if the second device determines that the value of N is 5 based on the first information, it can determine that the first time unit group of the K time unit groups includes time units 2 to 6, and the second time unit group includes time units 9 to 13. As shown in Figure 6(a), the second device determines, based on the first information, to perform a second set of time-domain extended precoding (i.e., time-domain extended precoding group 2 as shown in Figure 6(a)) on time units 2 to 6, and to perform a fourth set of time-domain extended precoding (i.e., time-domain extended precoding group 4 as shown in Figure 6(a)) on time units 9 to 13. As shown in Figure 6(b), the second device determines, based on the first information, to perform a first set of time-domain extended precoding (i.e., time-domain extended precoding group 1 as shown in Figure 6(b)) on time units 2 to 6, and a second set of time-domain extended precoding (i.e., time-domain extended precoding group 2 as shown in Figure 6(b)) on time units 9 to 13. As shown in Figure 6(c), the second device determines, based on the first information, to perform a first set of time-domain extended precoding (i.e., time-domain extended precoding group 1 as shown in Figure 6(c)) on time units 2 to 6, and a third set of time-domain extended precoding (i.e., time-domain extended precoding group 3 as shown in Figure 6(c)) on time units 9 to 13.

[0251] The second device can also determine, based on the first information, that the first time unit group in the L time unit groups includes time unit 0 and time unit 1, and the second time unit group includes time unit 7 and time unit 8.

[0252] The first information can indicate the starting time unit of each of the T time unit groups by carrying any of the fourth to eighth fields mentioned above.

[0253] For example, if the first information carries a fourth field to indicate the index "0", "2", "7" and "9" of the starting time unit of each of the T time unit groups, then the fourth field can be a fixed-length bit sequence, such as "0000 0010 0111 1001".

[0254] For example, if the first information carries an eighth field to indicate the offset of the starting time unit of each of the T time unit groups relative to the starting time unit of the previous time unit group, which is “0”, “2”, “5”, and “2”, then the eighth field can be a fixed-length bit sequence, such as “000 010 101 010”.

[0255] If the value of the first information indicator M3 is 4, the second device can determine that the uplink data transmitted in each of the L time unit groups will be subjected to time-domain extended precoding. As shown in Figure 6(a), the second device determines, based on the first information, to perform the first group of time-domain extended precoding (i.e., time-domain extended precoding group 1 as shown in Figure 6(a)) on time units 0 and 1, and to perform the third group of time-domain extended precoding (i.e., time-domain extended precoding group 3 as shown in Figure 6(a)) on time units 7 and 8.

[0256] Specifically, the first information can indicate that the value of M3 is 4 by carrying any of the fields described above, from the first field to the third field or field #a. If the first information carries the second field, then the second field indicates that the value of N1 is 2. If the first information carries the third field, then the third field can include two bits, and the value of both bits is the first value. If the first information carries the field #a, then the field #a can include four bits, and the value of all four bits is the first value.

[0257] If the value of the first information indicator M3 is 0, the second device can determine that no time-domain spread precoding is performed on the uplink data transmitted on the L time unit groups. As shown in Figure 6(b), the second device determines, based on the first information, that no time-domain spread precoding is performed on time units 0 and 1, and on time units 7 and 8.

[0258] Specifically, the first information can indicate that the value of M3 is 0 by carrying any of the fields described above, from the first field to the third field or field #a. If the first information carries the second field, then the second field indicates that the value of N1 is greater than 2 and less than 5. If the first information carries the third field, then the third field can include two bits, and the value of both bits is the second value. If the first information carries the field #a, then the field #a can include four bits, and the value of all four bits is the second value.

[0259] If the value of the first information indicator M3 is 2, the second device can determine that no time-domain extended precoding is performed on the uplink data transmitted in one of the L time unit groups, and time-domain fall-in precoding is performed on the uplink data transmitted in the other time unit group. As shown in Figure 6(c), the second device determines, based on the first information, that no time-domain extended precoding is performed on time units 0 and 1, and that a second group of time-domain extended precoding (i.e., time-domain extended precoding group 2 as shown in Figure 6(c)) is performed on time units 7 and 8.

[0260] The first information can indicate that the value of M3 is 2 by carrying either the third field or field #a mentioned above. If the first information carries the third field, the third field can include two bits, where the first bit has the second value and the second bit has the first value. If the first information carries field #a, field #a can include four bits, where the first two bits have the second value and the last two bits have the first value.

[0261] The method by which the second device sends the first information to the first device will be described below.

[0262] In one possible implementation, the first information can be carried in RRC signaling. For example, the first device can semi-statically or periodically configure the first information to the second device via RRC signaling.

[0263] In one possible implementation, the first information can be carried in MAC CE signaling. For example, the first device can semi-statically or periodically configure the first information to the second device via MAC CE signaling.

[0264] In one possible implementation, the first information can be carried on a DCI. For example, the first device can dynamically configure the first information to the second device via a DCI.

[0265] Optionally, method 300 also includes S330.

[0266] S330, the first device sends the second information.

[0267] Correspondingly, the second device receives the second information.

[0268] The second information is used to activate the first information. In other words, the second information instructs the first device to take effect the time-domain extended precoding processing rules indicated by the first information.

[0269] For example, the second information may include a ninth field. If the value of the ninth field is a first value, then the ninth field indicates that the uplink data transmitted over M time units is subjected to time-domain extended precoding according to the first information.

[0270] Optionally, the ninth field can be called the Time-Domain Extended Precoding Enable Indicator (TS_Precoding_Enable_Indicator) field. The ninth field can also be named other names, and this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0271] Optionally, if the first information is carried in RRC signaling or MAC CE signaling, the first device may also send a second information, which may be carried in DCI.

[0272] Optionally, method 300 also includes S340 and S350.

[0273] S340, the second device performs time-domain extended precoding on the uplink data based on the first information.

[0274] Specifically, the second device performs time-domain extended precoding on the uplink data transmitted over M1 time units and on the uplink data transmitted over M3 time units based on the first information.

[0275] When M1 time units are divided into K time unit groups, the second device performs time-domain spread precoding on the uplink data transmitted over the M1 time units at the time unit group granularity. In this case, the length of the time-domain spread precoding vector used by the second device when performing time-domain spread precoding on the uplink data transmitted over a time unit group is N. The time-domain spread precoding vector is a complex vector.

[0276] It should also be noted that the second device performs time-domain extended precoding on the uplink data at the granularity of time unit groups, so the uplink data transmitted in different time units within a time unit group is the same.

[0277] Similarly, if M2 time units are divided into L time unit groups, then M3 time units can form at least one of the L time unit groups. The second device then performs time-domain spread precoding on the uplink data transmitted over M3 time units at the time unit group granularity. The length of the time-domain spread precoding vector used by the second device when performing time-domain spread precoding on the uplink data transmitted over a time unit group is the same as the number of time units included in the time unit group.

[0278] Optionally, after receiving the second information from the first device, the second device performs time-domain extended precoding on the uplink data based on the first information. For example, if the first information is carried in RRC signaling or MAC CE signaling, then after receiving the second information carried in DCI signaling, the second device performs time-domain extended precoding on the uplink data based on the first information.

[0279] The method by which the first or second device determines the time-domain spread precoding vector is described below.

[0280] Assume that at least one second device includes UE1 and UE2.

[0281] Step 1: The first device and / or the second device first perform a spatial average of the channel matrix H between the first device and the second device to obtain h. k k represents different time units.

[0282] For example, the spatial average of the channel matrix H1 between the first device and UE1 by the first device and / or the second device can be expressed by the following formula (5-1). The spatial average of the channel matrix H2 between the first device and UE2 by the first device and / or the second device can be expressed by the following formula (5-2).

[0283] Where, N Tx N represents the number of antenna ports on the first device side. Rx Indicates the number of antenna ports on the second device side. This represents the channel between the i-th antenna port on the first device side and the j-th antenna port on the UE1 side at the k-th time unit. This represents the channel between the i-th antenna port on the first device side and the j-th antenna port on the UE2 side at the k-th time unit. This represents the spatial average of the channel matrix between the first device and UE1. This represents the spatial average of the channel matrix between the first device and UE2.

[0284] Step 2, the first device and / or the second device on h k The covariance matrix is ​​subjected to singular value decomposition (SVD) to obtain the v vector corresponding to the second device.

[0285] For example, the first device and / or the second device to The process of performing SVD on the covariance matrix can be represented by the following formula (6-1). The process of performing SVD on the covariance matrix can be represented by the following formula (6-2).

[0286] in, The superscript T indicates transpose. N represents the length of the temporal spread precoding vector.

[0287] Step 3: The first device and / or the second device perform zero-forcing processing on the v vectors between different second devices to ensure that the different second devices are orthogonal, thereby obtaining different time-domain spread precoding vectors P for different second devices. Each element in the time-domain spread precoding vector P represents a time-domain spread precoding element at a different time unit.

[0288] For example, the first device or the second device respectively corresponds to v for UE1 and UE2. 1 vector and v 2 The process of zero-forcing a vector can be represented by the following formula (7). [p 1 p 2 ] = EZF(v1 v 2 ) formula (7).

[0289] in, For the temporal spread precoding vector corresponding to UE1, This is the temporal extended precoding vector corresponding to UE2.

[0290] Figure 7 shows that UE1 and UE2 use p respectively. 1 and p 2 A diagram illustrating time-domain spread precoding. As shown in Figure 7, UE1 transmits data S1 in all 5 time units. UE1 uses p 2 After performing time-domain spread precoding on S1, the data transmitted by UE1 can be represented as follows: Similarly, UE2 transmits S2 data in all 5 time units, and UE2 uses p 2 After performing time-domain spread precoding on S2, the data transmitted by UE2 can be represented as follows:

[0291] It should be noted that if the second device performs uplink transmission on multiple frequency domain units in one time unit, the second device can use the same time-domain spread precoding vector on multiple frequency domain units in one time unit, or it can use different time-domain spread precoding vectors on different frequency domain units in one time unit. This application does not limit this.

[0292] For example, assuming the second device is UE1, and UE1 uses the same time-domain spread precoding vector on multiple frequency domain units in a time unit, then in the above formula (5-1) It can represent the average result of the channel of the i-th antenna port on the first device side and the j-th antenna port on the UE1 side in multiple frequency domain units in the k-th time unit.

[0293] For example, suppose a second device UE1 uses different time-domain spread precoding vectors on multiple frequency domain units in a time unit, then in the above formula (5-1) It can be replaced with This represents the channel between the i-th antenna port on the first device side and the j-th antenna port on the UE1 side at the k-th time unit and the f-th frequency unit. In the above formula (5-1)... It can be replaced with This represents the spatial average of the channel matrix corresponding to the f-th frequency domain unit between the first device and UE2. In the above formula (6-1), v... 1 and They can be replaced with respectively and In the above formula (7), v 1 v 2 p 1 and p 2 They can be replaced with respectively and in, This is the time-domain spread precoding vector used by UE1 in the k-th time unit and the f-th frequency unit.

[0294] S350, the second device sends uplink data.

[0295] Correspondingly, the first device receives the uplink data.

[0296] The uplink data includes time-domain spread precoded data transmitted by the second device in M1 time units, time-domain spread precoded data transmitted by the second device in M3 time units, and un-time-domain spread precoded data transmitted by the second device in M2 time units other than M3 time units.

[0297] Accordingly, the first device can demodulate the uplink data received in M1 and M3 time units according to the method of demodulating uplink data that has undergone time-domain spread precoding. The first device can demodulate the uplink data received in time units other than M3 time units in M2 time units according to the method of demodulating uplink data that has not undergone time-domain spread precoding.

[0298] In this embodiment, the first device can send first information to the second device to instruct the second device on a method for performing time-domain spread precoding on the uplink data, thereby aligning the first and second devices' methods for performing time-domain spread precoding on the uplink data. Furthermore, if the second device performs time-domain spread precoding on the uplink data, and the first and second devices align their methods, it is beneficial for the first device to correctly demodulate the received uplink data, thus achieving the goal of eliminating or reducing interference between the second devices using time-domain spread precoding.

[0299] Optionally, after the first device sends the first information, if the channel quality between the first device and at least one second device changes, and / or the interference between at least one second device changes, the first device may further configure a new time-domain spread precoding method for the second devices. For example, the first device may send third information to the second devices, the third information being used to configure the new time-domain spread precoding method.

[0300] For example, the third information indicates:

[0301] Perform time-domain spread precoding on the uplink data transmitted over M1' time units;

[0302] Time-domain extended precoding is performed on the uplink data transmitted over M3' time units, where M3' time units are all or part of M2' time units.

[0303] Among them, M1' and M2' time units are located in the M' time units used for transmitting uplink data, or in other words, the M' time units include M1' and M2' time units. The M1' time units are divided into K' time unit groups, and each of the K' time unit groups includes N' time units. M', M1', M2', M3', and N' are all positive numbers, and 2≤M1'≤M', 0≤M2'≤M', 0≤M3'≤M2', and N'≥2.

[0304] Among them, M' is the same as or different from M, M1' is the same as or different from M1, M2' is the same as or different from M2, and M3' is the same as or different from M3.

[0305] For more details on the third piece of information, please refer to the first piece of information above.

[0306] For example, after the first device sends the first information, if the channel quality between the first device and at least one second device becomes worse, and / or the interference between at least one second device is greater, the first device can send a third information to the second device, the third information indicating a larger value of N, thereby improving the ability to suppress interference through time-domain spread precoding.

[0307] For example, after the first device sends the first information, if the channel quality between the first device and at least one second device becomes better, and / or the interference between at least one second device is less, the first device can send a third information to the second device. The third information instructs the second device not to perform time-domain spread precoding on the uplink data transmitted over M' time units, thereby reducing the processing complexity of the second device.

[0308] It should be understood that the sequence number of each process 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.

[0309] It should also be understood that this application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features in relation to systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that individual systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these approaches are also possible.

[0310] It should also be understood that in some of the above embodiments, the examples are mainly based on devices in existing network architectures (e.g., a first device or a second device, etc.), and it should be understood that the specific form of the device is not limited in the embodiments of this application. For example, any device that can achieve the same function in the future is applicable to the embodiments of this application.

[0311] It is understood that, in the above-described method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by the device can also be implemented by components of the device (e.g., chips or circuits).

[0312] The communication method provided by the embodiments of this application has been described in detail above with reference to Figures 3 to 7. The above communication method is mainly described from the perspective of the interaction between the first device (e.g., a terminal) and the second device (e.g., a network device). It is understood that, in order to realize the above functions, the terminal and the network device include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to perform each function.

[0313] Those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the exemplary units and algorithm steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is implemented in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0314] The communication device provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 8 and 9. The description of the device embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, for contents not described in detail, please refer to the method embodiments above. For the sake of brevity, some contents will not be repeated.

[0315] This application embodiment can divide the communication device into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated modules can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both. The module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division; other division methods may be used in actual implementation. The following description uses the division of functional modules according to each function as an example.

[0316] Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1000 provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8, the communication device 1000 includes a processing module 1010 and a communication module 1020. The communication device 1000 can be a transmitting device, or a communication device applied to or used in conjunction with a transmitting device to implement a method executed by the transmitting device, such as a chip, chip system, or circuit; or, the communication device 1000 can be a receiving device, or a communication device applied to or used in conjunction with a receiving device to implement a method executed by the receiving device, such as a chip, chip system, or circuit.

[0317] The communication module can also be called a transceiver module, transceiver, transceiver unit, or transceiver device. The processing module can also be called a processor, processing board, processing unit, or processing device. Optionally, the communication module is used to execute the sending and receiving operations of the sending and receiving devices in the above method. The device in the communication module that implements the receiving function can be considered a receiving unit, and the device in the communication module that implements the sending function can be considered a sending unit; that is, the communication module includes a receiving unit and a sending unit.

[0318] Optionally, the communication device 1000 may also include a storage module for storing device program code and / or data.

[0319] In one example, when the communication device 1000 is applied to the first device (e.g., a network device), the processing module 1010 can be used to implement the processing function of the first device in the above embodiments, and the communication module 1020 can be used to implement the sending and receiving function of the first device in the above embodiments.

[0320] In another example, when the communication device 1000 is applied to the second device (e.g., a terminal device), the processing module 1010 can be used to implement the processing function of the second device in the above embodiments, and the communication module 1020 can be used to implement the sending and receiving function of the second device in the above embodiments.

[0321] Furthermore, it should be noted that the aforementioned communication module and / or processing module can be implemented through virtual modules. For example, the processing module can be implemented through software functional units or virtual devices, and the communication module can be implemented through software functions or virtual devices. Alternatively, the processing module or communication module can also be implemented through physical devices, such as chips / circuits (e.g., integrated circuits or logic circuits). The communication module can be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, performing input operations (corresponding to the aforementioned receiving operation) and output operations (corresponding to the aforementioned sending operation); the processing module is an integrated processor, microprocessor, or circuit (e.g., integrated circuits or logic circuits).

[0322] The module division in this application is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods are possible. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various examples of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0323] In one example, the functional unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as: one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microcontroller units (MCUs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0324] In one example, the storage module may include random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory or electrically erasable programmable memory and / or registers, etc.

[0325] Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 2000 provided in an embodiment of this application. Optionally, the communication device 2000 may be a chip or a chip system. Optionally, in this application, the chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0326] As shown in Figure 9, the communication device 2000 can be used to implement the functions of any device (e.g., terminal device, network device) in the communication system described in the foregoing examples. The communication device 2000 may include at least one processor 2010. Optionally, the processor 2010 is coupled to a memory, which may be located within the device, integrated with the processor, or located outside the device. For example, the communication device 2000 may also include at least one memory 2020. The memory 2020 stores the computer programs, computer programs or instructions, and / or data necessary for implementing any of the above examples; the processor 2010 may execute the computer programs stored in the memory 2020 to complete the methods in any of the above examples.

[0327] The communication device 2000 may also include a communication interface 2030, through which the communication device 2000 can interact with other devices. Exemplarily, the communication interface 2030 may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, pin, or other type of communication interface. When the communication device 2000 is a chip-based device or circuit, the communication interface 2030 in the device 2000 may also be an input / output circuit, capable of inputting information (or receiving information) and outputting information (or sending information). The processor 2010 may be an integrated processor, microprocessor, integrated circuit, or logic circuit, etc., and the processor can determine the output information based on the input information.

[0328] In one example, when the communication device 2000 is applied to the first device (e.g., a network device), the processor 2010 can be used to implement the processing function of the first device in the above embodiments, and the communication interface 2030 can be used to implement the sending and receiving function of the first device in the above embodiments.

[0329] In another example, when the communication device 2000 is applied to the second device (e.g., a terminal device), the processor 2010 can be used to implement the processing function of the second device in the above embodiments, and the communication interface 2030 can be used to implement the sending and receiving function of the second device in the above embodiments.

[0330] The coupling in this application refers to indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 2010 may operate in conjunction with the memory 2020 and the communication interface 2030. This application does not limit the specific connection medium between the processor 2010, the memory 2020, and the communication interface 2030.

[0331] Optionally, as shown in FIG9, the processor 2010, the memory 2020, and the communication interface 2030 are interconnected via a bus 2040. Optionally, the bus may include buses of the types such as address bus, data bus, and control bus. Furthermore, for ease of illustration, FIG9 shows one bus 2040, but does not indicate that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

[0332] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be one of the following devices or a portion of the circuitry used for processing functions: a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0333] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM can be used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, RAM includes the following forms: static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0334] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated into the processor.

[0335] It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0336] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions for implementing the methods executed by a communication device (e.g., a first device and / or a second device) in the above-described method embodiments.

[0337] This application also provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, implement the methods performed by a communication device (e.g., a first device and / or a second device) in the above-described method embodiments.

[0338] This application also provides a communication system, which includes the first device and / or the second device described in the above embodiments.

[0339] Optionally, the communication system may further include the first device and / or the second device described in the above embodiments.

[0340] The explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant contents in any of the devices provided above can be found in the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0341] 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.

[0342] This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features relating to systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that individual systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these approaches are also possible.

[0343] In this application, examples may reference each other without logical contradiction. For example, methods and / or terms between method embodiments may reference each other, functions and / or terms between device embodiments may reference each other, and functions and / or terms between device examples and method examples may reference each other.

[0344] It should be understood that the above embodiments are mainly illustrated using devices in existing network architectures as examples, and the specific form of the devices is not limited in the embodiments of this application. For example, any device that can achieve the same function in the future is applicable to the embodiments of this application.

[0345] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0346] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be described again here.

[0347] 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.

[0348] 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 implementation scheme according to actual needs.

[0349] 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.

[0350] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to existing solutions, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, external hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0351] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the first device, comprising: Determine the first piece of information; Send the first message, the first message indicating: Perform time-domain spread precoding on the uplink data transmitted over M1 time units; Time-domain extended precoding is performed on the uplink data transmitted over M3 time units, wherein the M3 time units are all or part of the M2 time units; The M1 time units and the M2 time units are located in the M time units used for transmitting uplink data. The M1 time units are divided into K time unit groups, and each of the K time unit groups includes N time units; 2≤M1≤M, 0≤M2≤M, 0≤M3≤M2, N≥2, and M, M1, M2, M3 and N are all integers. The first information also indicates the M time units.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first information includes a first field; The first field takes the first value, indicating that M3 equals 0; or, The first field takes the second value, and the first field indicates that M3 equals M2.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The M2 time units are divided into L time unit groups, and each time unit group in the L time unit groups includes less than N time units. The M3 time units are time units in the time unit groups in the L time unit groups that include more than or equal to N1 time units, where 2≤N1<N.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The M1 time units are either before the M2 time units, or the M1 time units are after the M2 time units.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The M1 time units and / or the M2 time units are not continuous in the M time units; The first information also indicates the position of the starting time unit included in each of the T time unit groups; Wherein, the T time unit groups include the K time unit groups, or the T time unit groups include the K time unit groups and L time unit groups, and the M2 time units are divided into the L time unit groups.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first information includes one of the following: The index of the starting time unit of each of the T time unit groups; The offset of the starting time unit of each of the T time unit groups relative to the starting time unit of the M time units; The index of the starting time unit of the first time unit group in the T time unit groups, and the offset of the starting time unit of each time unit group other than the first time unit group in the T time unit groups relative to the starting time unit of the first time unit group in the T time unit groups; The index of the starting time unit of the first time unit group in the T time unit groups, and the offset of the starting time unit of each of the T time unit groups other than the first time unit group relative to the starting time unit of the previous time unit group; or The offset of the starting time unit of each of the T time unit groups relative to the starting time unit of the previous time unit group.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first information is carried in Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Downlink Control Information (DCI) or Media Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) signaling.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first information is carried in RRC signaling or MAC CE signaling; After sending the first information, the method further includes: Send a second message, which is used to activate the first message.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second information is carried in DCI.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, Before determining the first information, the method further includes: Determine that the channel quality between the first device and the second device is less than or equal to a channel quality threshold, and / or determine that the interference experienced by the second device is greater than or equal to an interference threshold.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a second device, comprising: Receive first information from the first device, the first information indicating: Perform time-domain spread precoding on the uplink data transmitted over M1 time units; Time-domain extended precoding is performed on the uplink data transmitted over M3 time units, wherein the M3 time units are all or part of the M2 time units; The M1 time units and the M2 time units are located in the M time units used for transmitting uplink data. The M1 time units are divided into K time unit groups. Each of the K time unit groups includes N time units, where 2≤M1≤M, 0≤M2≤M, 0≤M3≤M2, and N≥2. M, M1, M2, M3, and N are all integers. The first information also indicates the M time units.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first information includes a first field; The first field takes the first value, indicating that M3 equals 0; or, The first field takes the second value, and the first field indicates that M3 equals M2.

13. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The M2 time units are divided into L time unit groups. Each of the L time unit groups includes fewer than N time units. The M3 time units are time units in the L time unit groups that include more than N1 time units, where 2 ≤ N1 < N.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that, The M1 time units are either before the M2 time units, or the M1 time units are after the M2 time units.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that, The M1 time units and / or the M2 time units are not continuous in the M time units; The first information also indicates the position of the starting time unit included in each of the T time unit groups; Wherein, the T time unit groups include the K time unit groups, or the T time unit groups include the K time unit groups and L time unit groups, and the M2 time units are divided into the L time unit groups.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The first information includes one of the following: The index of the starting time unit of each of the T time unit groups; The offset of the starting time unit of each of the T time unit groups relative to the starting time unit of the M time units; The index of the starting time unit of the first time unit group in the T time unit groups, and the offset of the starting time unit of each time unit group other than the first time unit group in the T time unit groups relative to the starting time unit of the first time unit group in the T time unit groups; The index of the starting time unit of the first time unit group in the T time unit groups, and the offset of the starting time unit of each of the T time unit groups other than the first time unit group relative to the starting time unit of the previous time unit group; or The offset of the starting time unit of each of the T time unit groups relative to the starting time unit of the previous time unit group.

17. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that, The first information is carried in Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Downlink Control Information (DCI) or Media Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) signaling.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The first information is carried in RRC signaling or MAC CE signaling. After receiving the first information from the first device, the method further includes: Receive second information from the first device, the second information being used to activate the first information.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The second information is carried in DCI.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 1-10.

21. The communication device according to claim 20, characterized in that, The communication device includes any one of the following: a network device, a chip in the network device, a central unit (CU), or a distributed unit (DU).

22. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 11-19.

23. The communication device according to claim 22, characterized in that, The communication device includes any one of the following: a terminal device or a chip in a terminal device.

24. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-10, or the method as described in any one of claims 11-19, to be implemented.

25. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-10 to be implemented, or cause the method as described in any one of claims 11-19 to be implemented.

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