Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. The present application supports the NearLink standard or the IEEE 802.11 series standard, etc. In the solution provided in the embodiments of the present application, a first node sends to a second node control information comprising repetition indication information, wherein the repetition indication information can be used for indicating the number of repetitions of data transmission on a plurality of frequency domain units corresponding to the same MCS. Correspondingly, the second node receives the control information. Thus, data transmission can be performed between the first node and the second node on the basis of the control information. By means of the present solution, the probability of transmission errors can be reduced, thereby improving the reliability of data transmission.

Description

Communication methods and devices Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to communication methods and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] StarSpeed ​​technology, as an emerging short-range wireless technology, is currently undergoing standardization. It can be applied to smart offices, smart homes, smart cockpits, and other scenarios, supporting diverse services characterized by low latency, high reliability, and high security. The StarSpeed ​​Consortium released the StarSpeed ​​1.0 standard system in November 2022. After nearly three years of development, StarSpeed ​​technology has achieved progress in technology research, standard setting, chip development, and instrumentation support.

[0003] Currently, the StarSpeed ​​standard is undergoing further evolution to provide a better service experience through technological upgrades. In the StarSpeed ​​standard, management nodes (such as G nodes) can schedule data transmission from terminal (T) nodes. For example, a G node sends a Gnode control indicator (GCI) to a T node. This GCI can be used to indicate the information needed by the G node to schedule data, including but not limited to time and frequency resources. In multi-carrier scheduling scenarios, to reduce GCI overhead, one GCI can be used to schedule multiple carriers. However, because each carrier experiences different channel fading and interference, carriers with low signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratios (SINR) cannot match the modulation and coding scheme (MCS), leading to an increased probability of transmission errors.

[0004] Therefore, when using a single control message to schedule multiple carriers, reducing the probability of transmission errors is an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that can reduce the probability of transmission errors and improve the reliability of data transmission.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which is applied to a first node, or a chip or functional module within the first node. For example, the first node may be a Wi-Fi device, or a device involved in the StarFlash Alliance, etc. The method includes:

[0007] Send control information, which includes repetition indication information, used to indicate the number of times data is repeated on a first frequency domain resource. The first frequency domain resource includes multiple frequency domain elements, which correspond to the same MCS. Transmit data according to the control information.

[0008] In other words, the repetition indication information can be used to indicate the number of times data transmission occurs on multiple frequency domain units corresponding to the same MCS. Taking one frequency domain unit as one carrier as an example, the repetition indication information can be used to indicate the number of times data transmission occurs on multiple carriers corresponding to the frequency domain resources scheduled by the above control information. The multiple frequency domain units included in the first frequency domain resource can be multiple consecutive frequency domain units, multiple discontinuous frequency domain units, or a combination of consecutive and discontinuous frequency domain units.

[0009] The meaning of a frequency domain unit corresponding to an MCS is that when transmitting data on that frequency domain unit, the MCS is used for encoding and modulation; or, in other words, the MCS is used for data transmission.

[0010] Data transmission based on control information may include: sending data based on control information, or receiving data based on control information.

[0011] In this embodiment, when differences in channel fading or interference across multiple frequency domain units lead to SINR imbalance, indicating the repetition count allows both the transmitter and receiver to transmit data according to that repetition count. Therefore, even if the multiple frequency domain units correspond to the same MCS, repeated data transmission improves the performance of frequency domain units with low SINR, reduces the probability of transmission errors, increases the reliability of data transmission, and reduces retransmissions.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: determining the MCS based on the channel quality of multiple frequency domain elements. In other words, the MCS is determined based on the channel quality of multiple frequency domain elements.

[0013] Channel quality includes, but is not limited to, SINR, signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SNR), or signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In this embodiment, link adaptive performance is achieved by combining the channel quality of multiple frequency domain units to determine the MCS. Furthermore, by indicating the number of repetitions of data transmission on these multiple frequency domain units, the performance of frequency domain units with low SINR can be improved, the probability of transmission errors can be reduced, the reliability of data transmission can be improved, retransmissions can be reduced, and the link adaptive performance can be improved.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the set of repetition counts is predefined (e.g., defined by a standard), and the set of repetition counts includes at least two repetition counts, which include the repetition counts indicated by the repetition indication information.

[0015] For example, the set of repetition counts is {1,2,4,8}. Another example is {1,3,5,7}. Yet another example is {1,2,3,4,5}. And yet another example is {1,2}, etc., and so on. These will not be listed here individually.

[0016] In this embodiment of the application, defining a set of repetition counts simplifies the implementation and reduces its complexity.

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending higher-level signaling for indicating a set of repetition counts, the set of repetition counts including at least two repetition counts, the at least two repetition counts including the repetition count indicated by repetition indication information.

[0018] Indicating the set of repetition counts through higher-level signaling can improve the flexibility of repetition count values.

[0019] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, which is applied to a second node, or a chip or functional module within the second node. For example, the second node may be a Wi-Fi device, or a device involved in the StarFlash Alliance, etc. The method includes:

[0020] Receive control information, which includes repetition indication information, used to indicate the number of repetitions of data transmission on a first frequency domain resource, the first frequency domain resource including multiple frequency domain units, the multiple frequency domain units corresponding to the same MCS; transmit data according to the control information.

[0021] Data transmission based on control information may include: receiving data based on control information, or sending data based on control information. The beneficial effects of the second aspect are discussed in the first aspect and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0022] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the MCS is determined based on the channel quality of multiple frequency domain units.

[0023] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the set of repetition counts is predefined (e.g., defined by a standard), and the set of repetition counts includes at least two repetition counts, which include the repetition counts indicated by the repetition indication information.

[0024] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving higher-layer signaling for indicating a set of repetition counts, the set of repetition counts including at least two repetition counts, the at least two repetition counts including a repetition count indicated by repetition indication information.

[0025] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the number of repetitions of data transmission includes the number of repetitions of data transmission in the frequency domain.

[0026] For example, if the repetition count is 2, the data transmitted on the first subcarrier is the same as the data transmitted on the second subcarrier. Alternatively, the data transmitted on the second subcarrier is determined based on the data transmitted on the first subcarrier, such as by performing a conjugate operation on the data transmitted on the first subcarrier. As another example, if the repetition count is 3, the data transmitted on the first, second, and third subcarriers is the same. Alternatively, the data transmitted on the second subcarrier is determined based on the data transmitted on the first subcarrier. Or, the data transmitted on the third subcarrier is determined based on the data transmitted on the first subcarrier.

[0027] In this embodiment, by repeatedly transmitting data in the frequency domain, the SINR of different frequency domain units can be better matched. This improves performance on frequency domain units with low SINR, reduces the probability of transmission errors, increases data transmission reliability, reduces retransmissions, and enhances link adaptive performance.

[0028] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the number of repetitions of data transmission differs across at least two frequency domain units.

[0029] In this embodiment, by indicating different repetition counts for different frequency domain units, the SINR on different frequency domain units can be better matched. This improves performance on frequency domain units with low SINR, reduces the probability of transmission errors, increases the reliability of data transmission, reduces retransmissions, and enhances link adaptive performance.

[0030] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the multiple frequency domain units include a first frequency domain unit and a second frequency domain unit, wherein the number of repetitions of data transmission on the first frequency domain unit is 1, and the number of repetitions of data transmission on the second frequency domain unit is greater than 1.

[0031] For example, the MCS corresponding to multiple frequency domain units can be matched to the first frequency domain unit. Therefore, the number of data transmission repetitions on the first frequency domain unit can be 1, while the number of data transmission repetitions on the second frequency domain unit can be greater than 1. This minimizes the probability of transmission errors on the second frequency domain unit, improves data transmission reliability, reduces retransmissions, and enhances link adaptive performance.

[0032] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the repetition indication information is also used to indicate the number of repetitions of data transmission on the second frequency domain resource.

[0033] The second frequency domain resource may include one or more frequency domain elements. The MCS corresponding to the multiple frequency domain elements included in the second frequency domain resource may be the same. For example, the second frequency domain resource may be a frequency domain resource different from the first frequency domain resource. The second frequency domain resource and the first frequency domain resource do not overlap in frequency domain.

[0034] In one possible implementation, combining the first or second aspect, the MCS corresponding to the first frequency domain resource is different from the MCS corresponding to the second frequency domain resource.

[0035] In this embodiment, the MCS used for the first frequency domain resource is different from that used for the second frequency domain resource. This can better match the channel quality or interference of the first and second frequency domain resources, improve the performance of frequency domain units with low SINR, reduce the probability of transmission errors, improve the reliability of data transmission, reduce retransmissions, and improve the link adaptive performance.

[0036] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the repeated indication information is also used to indicate at least one of the following: frequency domain units included in the first frequency domain resource or frequency domain units included in the second frequency domain resource.

[0037] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the control information further includes information about the MCS corresponding to the first frequency domain resource. Optionally, the control information also includes information about the MCS corresponding to the second frequency domain resource.

[0038] For example, the MCS information corresponding to the first frequency domain resource includes the index of the MCS corresponding to the first frequency domain resource. The MCS information corresponding to the second frequency domain resource includes the MCS offset of the MCS corresponding to the second frequency domain resource relative to the MCS corresponding to the first frequency domain resource, or the index of the MCS corresponding to the second frequency domain resource.

[0039] In conjunction with either the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, when the number of repetitions is greater than 1, the data is determined by scrambling according to a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) sequence. Alternatively, when the number of repetitions is greater than 1, the data is demodulated according to the DMRS sequence. The data transmitter can be the first node, and the data receiver can be the second node; or, the data transmitter can be the second node, and the data receiver can be the first node.

[0040] In this embodiment of the application, when the number of repetitions is greater than 1, since the data transmitted repeatedly is the same, it is equivalent to spreading the spectrum using the DMRS sequence. At low SINR, this can improve channel estimation performance and demodulation performance.

[0041] In one possible implementation, in conjunction with the first or second aspect, the first frequency domain resource is part or all of the frequency domain resources scheduled by the control information.

[0042] When the first frequency domain resource includes a portion of the frequency domain resource scheduled by the control information, the second frequency domain resource also includes a portion of the frequency domain resource scheduled by the control information. Alternatively, the first frequency domain resource includes a portion of the frequency domain resource within the time-frequency resource indicated by the control information, and the second frequency domain resource includes a portion of the frequency domain resource within the time-frequency resource indicated by the control information.

[0043] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the bandwidth of the frequency domain unit is 20MHz.

[0044] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a first node for executing the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation. The first node includes a module for executing the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation.

[0045] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a second node for executing the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation. The second node includes a module having the ability to execute the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation.

[0046] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a first node, the first node including at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured to cause the first node to perform the methods shown in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Alternatively, the at least one processor is configured to execute a computer program stored in a memory, and when the computer program is executed, the methods described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof are performed.

[0047] In one possible implementation, the memory is located outside the first node mentioned above.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the memory is located within the aforementioned first node.

[0049] In this embodiment, the processor and memory can be integrated into a single device; that is, the processor and memory can be integrated together. For example, the first node can be a chip.

[0050] In one possible implementation, the first node also includes a transceiver for receiving or sending signals.

[0051] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a second node including at least one processor, which is configured to cause the second node to perform the methods described in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Alternatively, the at least one processor is configured to execute a computer program stored in memory, wherein when the computer program is executed, the methods described in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof are performed.

[0052] In one possible implementation, the memory is located outside the aforementioned second node.

[0053] In one possible implementation, the memory is located within the aforementioned second node.

[0054] In this embodiment, the processor and memory can be integrated into a single device; that is, the processor and memory can be integrated together. For example, the second node can be a chip.

[0055] In one possible implementation, the second node also includes a transceiver for receiving or sending signals.

[0056] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip including logic circuitry and an interface, the logic circuitry and the interface being coupled to enable the chip to perform the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0057] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a chip including logic circuitry and an interface, the logic circuitry and the interface being coupled to enable the chip to perform the method described in any possible implementation of the second aspect.

[0058] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program that, when run on a computer (such as the node or chip shown above), causes the methods shown in any of the first to second aspects or any possible implementations above to be executed.

[0059] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product comprising a computer program that, when run on a computer (such as the node or chip shown above), causes the methods shown in any of the first to second aspects or any possible implementation thereof to be executed.

[0060] In one aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, executes the methods shown in any of the first to second aspects or any possible implementations described above.

[0061] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system, which includes a first node and a second node. The first node is used to execute the method shown in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof, and the second node is used to execute the method shown in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Attached Figure Description

[0062] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0063] Figure 2a is a schematic diagram of scheduling different carriers using different GCIs;

[0064] Figure 2b is a schematic diagram of scheduling multiple carriers using a single GCI;

[0065] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0066] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of carrier packet scheduling provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0067] Figures 5a and 5b are schematic diagrams of repeated transmission of data on different carriers provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0068] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of different carriers provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0069] Figure 7 is another flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0070] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0071] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of another device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0072] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the chip provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0073] To facilitate understanding of the technical solution of this application, the application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0074] The terms "first" and "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used only to distinguish different objects and not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

[0075] The term "embodiment" as used herein means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0076] In this application, "at least one (item)" refers to one or more, "more than one" refers to two or more, "at least two (items)" refers to two or three or more, and "and / or" is used to describe the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be singular or plural. "Or" indicates that there can be two relationships, such as only A exists and only B exists; when A and B are not mutually exclusive, it can also mean that there are three relationships, such as only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist simultaneously. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one (item) of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items. For example, at least one (item) of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c".

[0077] In this application, "transmission" includes "sending" and / or "receiving".

[0078] In this application, "instruction" can include direct instruction, indirect instruction, explicit instruction, and implicit instruction. When describing a certain instruction information for the purpose of instructing A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, directly instructs A, or indirectly instructs A.

[0079] In this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which can include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission by other units or modules via the air interface. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which can include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY by other units or modules via the air interface. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of a chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of a chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between a first node and a second node, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via a bus, trace, or interface.

[0080] The system involved in this application is described below.

[0081] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to wireless local area network (WLAN) systems, such as Sparklink (or Nearlink) or Wi-Fi. For example, the technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to Sparklink standards, such as the Sparklink Basic (SLB) access standard or the Sparklink Low Energy (SLE) access standard. Furthermore, the technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series standards, such as the 802.11be standard, the 802.11bn standard (also known as Wi-Fi 8, or Ultra High Reliability (UHR) or Ultra High Reliability and Throughput (UHRT)), or next-generation standards, etc., which will not be listed here. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to the following communication systems, such as Internet of Things (IoT) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X, where X can represent anything), device-to-device (D2D), narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) systems, long-term evolution (LTE) systems, 5th-generation (5G) communication systems, and new communication systems emerging in future communication development. For example, V2X can include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), or vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication.

[0082] The method provided in this application embodiment can be implemented by a communication device in a communication system.

[0083] As one possible implementation, the communication device can be a management node (or authorized node, G node, etc.) or a terminal (T) node. For ease of description, the following explanation will use a G node as an example. This G node can also be called a master node, and the T node can be called a slave node.

[0084] G nodes can possess communication and management capabilities. Management capabilities include communication management, such as connection management, resource scheduling, and information security management. For example, a G node can schedule T nodes to enable data transmission between nodes. T nodes can also have communication capabilities, such as data transmission with G nodes. For instance, T nodes can include barcodes, radio frequency identification (RFID), sensors, global positioning systems (GPS), lidar, and battery cells.

[0085] The roles of G-nodes and T-nodes are relative. For example, in one communication domain, node A may be a G-node, but in another communication domain, node A may be a T-node. That is, when a node belongs to two or more communication domains simultaneously, this node can act as a T-node in some domains and as a G-node in others. A communication domain can include one G-node and at least one T-node. For instance, a G-node can manage and allocate time-frequency resources within the communication domain, such as those resources used for communication scheduling between nodes within the domain.

[0086] As another possible implementation, the communication device can be an access point (AP) or a station (STA).

[0087] An Access Point (AP) is a device with wireless communication capabilities, supporting communication via the WLAN protocol. It can communicate with other devices in the WLAN network (such as non-access point stations (non-AP STAs) or other access points), and can also communicate with other devices. Alternatively, an access point acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, primarily connecting various wireless network clients together and then connecting the wireless network to the Ethernet. In a WLAN system, an access point can be called an Access Point Station (AP STA). An AP provides services to non-AP STAs and can support 802.11 series protocols or later protocols. For example, an access point can be an access point for terminals (such as mobile phones) to enter a wired (or wireless) network, mainly deployed in homes, buildings, and campuses, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters; it can also be deployed outdoors. Furthermore, an AP can be a communication server, router, switch, bridge, or other communication entity; APs can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, and repeaters.

[0088] A STA (Stationary Access Point) is a device with wireless communication capabilities that supports communication using the WLAN protocol and has the ability to communicate with other non-access point STAs or access points in a WLAN network. In a WLAN system, a station can be called a non-access point station (non-AP STA). For example, an STA can be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal, and can also be referred to as a user. Other examples of STAs include Wi-Fi-enabled mobile phones, tablets, set-top boxes, smart TVs, smart wearable devices, in-vehicle communication devices, and computers.

[0089] As another possible implementation, the communication device can be a network device or a terminal device. This terminal device is also called user equipment (UE).

[0090] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication system may include one or more G nodes and one or more T nodes. Figure 1 exemplarily shows one G node and four T nodes. T nodes can be connected to G nodes. T nodes can also be connected to each other. The communication system shown in Figure 1 is merely an example and is not intended to limit the embodiments of this application.

[0091] In this embodiment, sending information from the first node to the second node is called downlink, or in other words, sending information from the scheduling device to the scheduled device is called downlink. Sending information from the second node to the first node is called uplink, or in other words, sending information from the scheduled device to the scheduling device is called uplink.

[0092] As an example, the first node can be an AP (Access Point) and the second node can be a non-AP STA (Stationary Access Point). As another example, the first node can be a G (Gateway) node and the second node can be a T (Telematics Point) node. As yet another example, the first node can be a base station and the second node can be a terminal. As yet another example, both the first and second nodes can be non-AP STAs or T nodes, etc. The device types for the first and second nodes are not listed here.

[0093] The methods involved in this application are described below.

[0094] Before the first node schedules the second node to transmit and receive data, the first node may send control information to the second node. This control information may be used to indicate, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: time-frequency resources or MCS. This control information may be called Dynamic Scheduling Data Control Information or GCI. The specific name of this control information is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0095] For example, the first node sends a GCI (Time-Frequency Information Code) to the second node. This GCI can be used to indicate time-frequency resources. Upon receiving the GCI, the second node can then transmit data on the time-frequency resources indicated by the GCI. The transmitted data can be called a transport block (TB), and the size of the TB is the number of information bits before channel coding.

[0096] Figure 2a is a schematic diagram of scheduling different carriers using different GCIs. Taking scheduling one TB at a time as an example, Figure 2a exemplarily shows three GCIs, three TBs such as TB1 to TB3, and three carriers. For example, node G sends three GCIs, such as GCI1 to GCI3, to node T. Each GCI can be used to indicate the time-frequency resources occupied by transmitting one TB. GCI1 indicates the frequency domain resource as carrier 0, GCI2 indicates the frequency domain resource as carrier 2, and GCI3 indicates the frequency domain resource as carrier 3.

[0097] In multi-carrier scheduling scenarios, using one GCI to schedule one carrier will result in high GCI overhead and high blind detection complexity.

[0098] Figure 2b is a schematic diagram of scheduling multiple carriers using a single GCI. Taking scheduling one TB at a time as an example, Figure 2b exemplarily shows one GCI, one TB, and three subcarriers. For example, node G sends a GCI to node T, which indicates frequency domain resources including carrier 0, carrier 2, and carrier 3. Each carrier transmits the same TB, and regardless of the difference in SINR among the carriers, the same MCS is used.

[0099] Using a single GCI to schedule multiple carriers can lead to carriers with low SINR failing to match a suitable MCS, increasing the probability of transmission errors, making retransmissions more likely, and increasing transmission delay.

[0100] Generally speaking, carrier and channel refer to a segment of spectrum resources (or frequency band resources). Channels are commonly used for spectrum resource allocation, such as a channel with a bandwidth of 20MHz. For example, in the unlicensed spectrum of 5.1GHz and 5.8GHz, a segment of spectrum resources can be divided into multiple channels, each with a corresponding number. For example, channel numbers could be 149, 153, 157, 161, 165, etc., with each channel having a bandwidth of 20MHz. A channel can also be called a carrier. For example, a 100MHz bandwidth can be divided into 5 carriers. Due to the different interference or channel fading conditions experienced by each carrier, the SINR of each carrier varies considerably.

[0101] Therefore, embodiments of this application provide a communication method and apparatus that can effectively reduce the probability of transmission errors, improve the reliability of data transmission, and reduce retransmissions.

[0102] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method shown in Figure 3 can be applied to a complete device, and also to chips or functional modules within that device. For ease of description, the following explanation uses the first node and the second node as examples. The description of the first node and the second node can also be found in Figure 1, and will not be detailed here. For ease of reference, different examples or implementations are distinguished by different numbers below. As shown in Figure 3, the method includes:

[0103] 301. The first node sends control information, which includes repetition indication information to indicate the number of repetitions of data transmission on the first frequency domain resource. Correspondingly, the second node receives the control information.

[0104] The number of repetitions of data transmission includes at least one of the following: the number of times data is transmitted in the frequency domain, the number of times data is transmitted in the time domain, or the number of times data is transmitted in the spatial domain.

[0105] In one possible implementation, the control information also includes information for indicating frequency domain resources.

[0106] As an example, this information is a 10-bit subcarrier group indication. If these 10 bits are a 10-bit bitmap, the relationship between the bit values ​​and their meanings is as follows: a value of 1 indicates that the subcarrier group corresponding to this bit is used (i.e., data is transmitted using the subcarrier group corresponding to this bit); a value of 0 indicates that the subcarrier group corresponding to this bit is not used (i.e., data is not transmitted using the subcarrier group corresponding to this bit). The relationship between the values ​​and their meanings shown here is merely an example and is not intended to limit the embodiments of this application.

[0107] As another example, this information is a 16-bit subcarrier group indication. These 16 bits can be used to indicate the subcarrier group used for data transmission.

[0108] Based on the above information, the second node can determine the frequency domain resources for control information scheduling. Alternatively, based on the above information, the second node can determine the frequency domain units for control information scheduling. The frequency domain resources for control information scheduling include some or all of the resources in the first frequency domain. Optionally, the frequency domain resources for control information scheduling may also include some resources in the second frequency domain.

[0109] The frequency domain resources scheduled by the control information shown in this application embodiment refer to the frequency domain resources used for data transmission indicated by the control information. In other words, the control information is used to schedule data transmission, and the frequency domain resources used in the data transmission process are indicated by the control information. This description of frequency domain resources also applies to frequency domain units. For example, the frequency domain unit scheduled by the control information refers to the frequency domain unit corresponding to the frequency domain resources indicated by the control information, or the frequency domain unit corresponding to the frequency domain resources scheduled by the control information. For instance, the frequency domain resources scheduled by the control information include multiple subcarrier groups, and one or at least two of these subcarrier groups are contained in the same frequency domain unit. A frequency domain unit may include one or more subcarrier groups scheduled by the control information. Taking one frequency domain unit as one carrier as an example, some subcarrier groups among the multiple subcarrier groups scheduled by the control information are contained in carrier n1, and some subcarrier groups among these multiple subcarrier groups are contained in carrier n2; these will not be listed individually here. For example, the frequency domain resources for control information scheduling include subcarrier group 0, subcarrier group 3, subcarrier group 4, and subcarrier group 7. Subcarrier group 0 is contained in carrier n1, subcarrier groups 3 and 4 are contained in carrier n2, and subcarrier group 7 is contained in carrier n3. Therefore, the frequency domain units for control information scheduling can include carrier n1, carrier n2, and carrier n3.

[0110] Optionally, the bandwidth of a frequency domain unit is 20MHz. Alternatively, a frequency domain unit can be a 20MHz channel or a 20MHz carrier. The 20MHz shown here is merely an example; as standards evolve, the bandwidth of a channel or carrier may subsequently be 40MHz or 10MHz, etc., and this application does not limit this.

[0111] Optionally, a frequency domain unit includes one or more subcarrier groups. This subcarrier group can be the subcarrier group indicated by the subcarrier group indication information in the control information.

[0112] The following describes the repeating instruction information involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0113] As an example 1, each frequency domain unit corresponds to N bits in the repetition indication information. The value of these N bits indicates the number of repetitions of data transmission on the frequency domain unit corresponding to those N bits. N is a positive integer, such as N = 1, 2, or 3, etc., which will not be listed here.

[0114] Optionally, the number of N bits is determined by the maximum number of frequency domain units corresponding to the repetition indication information. For example, if the maximum number of frequency domain units corresponding to the repetition indication information is X, then the repetition indication information includes X N bits (i.e., X*N bits). The maximum number of frequency domain units corresponding to the repetition indication information can also be referred to as the maximum number of frequency domain units corresponding to the number of repetitions indicated by the repetition indication information, or the maximum number of frequency domain units that the control information can schedule.

[0115] For example, the maximum number of frequency domain units corresponding to the repeat indication information can be defined by a standard, indicated by higher-layer signaling, determined by the maximum bandwidth of the system scheduling, or determined by the first node, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit this. For example, if the maximum bandwidth of the system scheduling is 100MHz and the bandwidth of one frequency domain unit is 20MHz, then the maximum number of frequency domain units corresponding to the repeat indication information is 5. Or, if the maximum bandwidth of the system scheduling is 160MHz and the bandwidth of one frequency domain unit is 20MHz, then the maximum number of frequency domain units corresponding to the repeat indication information is 8.

[0116] Optionally, the number of N bits can be determined by the number of frequency domain units scheduled by the control information. For example, if the frequency domain resource scheduled by the control information is 80MHz and the bandwidth of one frequency domain unit is 20MHz, then the repeat indication information can include 4 N bits (i.e., 4N bits).

[0117] For example, the maximum number of repetitions that the repetition indication information can indicate (i.e., the value of N) is determined by the set of repetitions, or by a standard definition, or by higher-level signaling, or by the first node, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit this. For example, if the maximum number of repetitions indicated by the repetition indication information is 4, that is, the repetition indication information can indicate a maximum of 4 different repetitions. Or, if the maximum number of repetitions indicated by the repetition indication information is 2, that is, the repetition indication information can indicate a maximum of 2 different repetitions.

[0118] Optionally, the bits in the repetition indication information, from least significant bit to most significant bit, can correspond sequentially to frequency domain units in ascending frequency spectrum. Alternatively, the bits in the repetition indication information, from least significant bit to most significant bit, can correspond sequentially to frequency domain units in descending frequency spectrum. Taking a 20MHz channel as an example, the bits in the repetition indication information, from least significant bit to most significant bit, can correspond sequentially to channels with channel numbers from smallest to largest, or vice versa.

[0119] As an example 1a, the repetition indication information indicates the number of repetitions contained in a repetition count set. The N-bit value corresponds to the index of the repetition count in the repetition count set. For example, this repetition count set is {1,2}. Another example is {1,2,4}. Yet another example is {1,2,4,8}. Yet another example is {1,2,3,4}. And yet another example is {1,2,4,6}, etc., and so on, without further listing.

[0120] For example, before sending control information, the first node sends higher-level signaling, which can be used to indicate a set of repetition counts, including at least two repetition counts. Correspondingly, the second node receives this higher-level signaling. Alternatively, the set of repetition counts may be defined by a standard, and this set may include at least two repetition counts.

[0121] For example, the repetition indication information occupies 10 bits, with each pair of bits corresponding to a frequency domain unit. Since each frequency domain unit corresponds to two bits, the repetition count can have four different values. The maximum number of frequency domain units corresponding to these 10 bits is 5. Taking one frequency domain unit as one carrier as an example, the first and second bits of these 10 bits can correspond to carrier n1, the third and fourth bits to carrier n2, the fifth and sixth bits to carrier n3, the seventh and eighth bits to carrier n4, and the ninth and tenth bits to carrier n5. For example, the set of repetition counts is {1, 2, 4, 8}. If the value of two bits is 0, it indicates that the repetition count of the data transmitted on the carrier corresponding to those two bits is the first index in the set of repetition counts, which is 1. For example, if two bits are 1, it indicates that the number of repetitions of data transmission on the carrier corresponding to those two bits is the second index in the repetition count set, which is 2. Similarly, if two bits are 2, it indicates that the number of repetitions of data transmission on the carrier corresponding to those two bits is the third index in the repetition count set, which is 4. And if two bits are 3, it indicates that the number of repetitions of data transmission on the carrier corresponding to those two bits is the fourth index in the repetition count set, which is 8. Optionally, the carriers scheduled by the control information may include carrier n1, carrier n3, and carrier n4. The second node can determine the number of repetitions of data transmission on carrier n1, carrier n3, and carrier n4 based on the carriers scheduled by the control information and the repetition indication information.

[0122] For example, the repetition indication information occupies 5 bits, with each bit corresponding to a frequency domain unit. The set of repetition counts is {1, 2}. A bit with a value of 0 indicates that the data transmission on the carrier corresponding to that bit has repeated at the first index in the set of repetition counts, i.e., 1. A bit with a value of 1 indicates that the data transmission on the carrier corresponding to that bit has repeated at the second index in the set of repetition counts, i.e., 2.

[0123] As another example 1b, the value of the N bits is equal to the number of repetitions of the data transmission on the frequency domain unit corresponding to those N bits plus the offset. In other words, the number of repetitions of the data transmission on the frequency domain unit corresponding to the N bits is determined by the value of the N bits and the offset. This offset can be an integer greater than or equal to 0, such as 0, 1, or 2, etc., and will not be listed here.

[0124] For example, if the offset is 1 and N = 2, when the value of these two bits is 0, the number of times the data is transmitted in the frequency domain unit corresponding to these two bits is 1 (i.e., 0+1). When the value of these two bits is 1, the number of times the data is transmitted in the frequency domain unit corresponding to these two bits is 2 (i.e., 1+1). As another example, if the offset is 2 and N = 2, when the value of these two bits is 0, the number of times the data is transmitted in the frequency domain unit corresponding to these two bits is 2 (i.e., 0+2). When the value of these two bits is 1, the number of times the data is transmitted in the frequency domain unit corresponding to these two bits is 3 (i.e., 1+2).

[0125] The examples in Example 1 all illustrate the case where the values ​​of N bits start from 0, meaning the minimum value of N bits is 0. If the number of frequency domain units scheduled by the control information is less than the maximum number of frequency domain units corresponding to the repetition indication information, and the frequency domain units corresponding to the repetition indication information include those not scheduled by the control information, the second node can determine the number of repetitions of data transmission on the frequency domain units scheduled by the control information based on the repetition indication information and the frequency domain units scheduled by the control information. Alternatively, the second node can determine that the number of repetitions of data transmission on the frequency domain units not scheduled by the control information is an invalid value based on the frequency domain units scheduled by the control information.

[0126] For example, the frequency domain units corresponding to the repetition indication information are carriers n1 to n5, but the carriers scheduled by the control information include carrier n1 but not carrier n2. The first and second bits of the repetition indication information are both 0, as are the third and fourth bits. Therefore, the second node can determine from the control information that the frequency domain units scheduled by the control information include carrier n1, and from the first and second bits of the repetition indication information that the number of repetitions of data transmission on carrier n1 is 1. If the second node can determine from the control information that the frequency domain units scheduled by the control information do not include carrier n2, then the second node may not need to parse the third and fourth bits of the repetition indication information. Alternatively, the second node can determine from the third and fourth bits of the repetition indication information that the number of repetitions of data transmission on carrier n2 is invalid. For an example of the repetition indication information here, refer to the relevant description in Example 1a above; it will not be elaborated further here.

[0127] Optionally, the N bits start from 1, meaning the minimum value of the N bits is 1. If the number of frequency domain units scheduled by the control information is less than the maximum number of frequency domain units corresponding to the repetition indication information, and the frequency domain units corresponding to the repetition indication information include those not scheduled by the control information, the N bits corresponding to the unscheduled frequency domain units can be 0. That is, the number of data repetitions on the frequency domain units scheduled by the control information is greater than 0, and the number of data repetitions on the frequency domain units not scheduled by the control information is equal to 0. In other words, if the N bits are greater than 0, they are valid; if the N bits are equal to 0, they are invalid. Therefore, the second node can determine the number of data repetitions on each frequency domain unit based on the repetition indication information.

[0128] The explanation regarding the minimum value of N bits also applies to the bitmap A shown below.

[0129] As another example 2, the repetition indication information includes M bitmaps, with one bitmap corresponding to one repetition number. The value of M is equal to the maximum number of repetitions. The bitmap is used to indicate the frequency domain unit corresponding to the repetition number of that bitmap. That is, the repetition indication information may include M bitmaps corresponding to different repetition numbers. Optionally, the number of bits in the bitmap corresponds to the maximum number of frequency domain units corresponding to the repetition indication information. For example, if the maximum number of frequency domain units corresponding to the repetition indication information is 5, then each bitmap in these M bitmaps has 5 bits. Refer to the description in Example 1 for the maximum number of repetitions and the maximum number of frequency domain units corresponding to the repetition indication information; details will not be elaborated here.

[0130] For example, an M-bit bitmap includes a first bitmap and a second bitmap. The first bitmap corresponds to a first repetition count, and the second bitmap corresponds to a second repetition count. Bits in the first bitmap indicate whether the corresponding frequency domain unit uses the first repetition count, and bits in the second bitmap indicate whether the corresponding frequency domain unit uses the second repetition count. Alternatively, the first bitmap indicates frequency domain units where the data transmission repetition count is the first repetition count, and the second bitmap indicates frequency domain units where the data transmission repetition count is the second repetition count.

[0131] For example, if the set of repetitions contains 4 repetitions, the repetition indication information can include 4 bitmaps, each corresponding to an index of a repetition in the set. For instance, if the set of repetitions is {1, 2, 4, 8}, the repetition indication information would include 4 bitmaps, corresponding to repetitions 1, 2, 4, and 8 respectively. Alternatively, if each bitmap contains 5 bits, and these 5 bits correspond to carriers n1 through n5, and the first bitmap in the repetition indication information is 10001, the second is 01000, the third is 00000, and the fourth is 00000, then repetition 1 corresponds to carriers n1 and n5, meaning the data transmission repetition on carriers n1 and n5 is 1. Repetition 2 corresponds to carrier n2, meaning the data transmission repetition on carrier n2 is 2. Optionally, the control information does not schedule carriers n3 and n4.

[0132] As another example 3, the repetition indication information includes information indicating the number of repetitions, and information indicating the frequency domain unit corresponding to the number of repetitions.

[0133] As an example 3a, the information indicating a repetition count is N bits. The repetition indication information includes information to indicate one or more repetition counts, that is, the repetition indication information includes one or more N bits. Optionally, the repetition indication information also includes an indication of the number of repetitions. The relationship between the value and meaning of the N bits is explained in Example 1 above, and will not be elaborated here.

[0134] As another example 3b, the information indicating the number of repetitions is a bitmap A, where one bit in bitmap A corresponds to one repetition count. Optionally, the number of bits in bitmap A is the same as the maximum number of repetitions indicated by the repetition indication information.

[0135] For example, if the number of repetitions in the set of repetitions is 4, then the number of bits in bitmap A is 4. If the set of repetitions is {1,2,4,8}, then the first bit in bitmap A corresponds to repetition 1, the second bit in bitmap A corresponds to repetition 2, the third bit in bitmap A corresponds to repetition 4, and the fourth bit in bitmap A corresponds to repetition 8.

[0136] As an example 3c, the information indicating the frequency domain unit corresponding to the number of repetitions is a bit map B, with one bit map B corresponding to one number of repetitions. Optionally, the number of bit maps B is equal to the number of repetitions indicated by the repetition indication information. For a description of the bit map B, please refer to the description in Example 2 above.

[0137] For example, if the repetition indication information indicates 1 or 2 repetitions, then the number of bits in bitmap B is 2. Or, if the repetition indication information indicates 1, 2, or 4 repetitions, then the number of bits in bitmap B is 3. The values ​​of the bits in bitmap B are used to indicate the frequency domain unit corresponding to the repetition number in bitmap B. The following explanation uses the information indicating the frequency domain unit corresponding to the repetition number, including the first bitmap and the second bitmap, as an example.

[0138] For example, the repetition indication information includes 2 bits indicating a first repetition number, 2 bits indicating a second repetition number, a first bitmap corresponding to the first repetition number, and a second bitmap corresponding to the second repetition number. The first bitmap is used to indicate the frequency domain unit where the data transmission repetition number is the first repetition number, and the second bitmap is used to indicate the frequency domain unit where the data transmission repetition number is the second repetition number. Optionally, when the repetition indication information indicates both the first and second repetition numbers, the repetition indication information may also include the number of different repetition numbers indicated, i.e., 2.

[0139] For example, the repetition indication information includes a bitmap A indicating the number of repetitions, a first bitmap, a second bitmap, etc. The number of repetitions indicated in bitmap A includes the first repetition number and the second repetition number.

[0140] For explanations regarding the information indicating the number of repetitions, please refer to Examples 3a and 3b above; they will not be elaborated upon here. For explanations regarding the first bitmap and the second bitmap, please refer to Example 2 above; they will not be elaborated upon here.

[0141] As another example 3d, the information indicating the frequency domain cell corresponding to a repetition number includes at least one of the start subcarrier index and the end subcarrier index of the frequency domain cell. Alternatively, the information indicating the frequency domain cell corresponding to a repetition number includes at least one of the start subcarrier group index and the end subcarrier group index of the frequency domain cell. Optionally, if one repetition number corresponds to multiple frequency domain cells, these multiple frequency domain cells are consecutive.

[0142] Optionally, the information indicating the frequency domain cell corresponding to a repetition count may include the start subcarrier index (or subcarrier group index) or end subcarrier index (subcarrier group index) of the frequency domain cell corresponding to a partial repetition count. If the information indicating the repetition count indicates multiple repetition counts, the information indicating the frequency domain cell corresponding to a repetition count may include the start subcarrier index (or subcarrier group index) of the frequency domain cell corresponding to a non-minimum repetition count. The frequency domain cell corresponding to the minimum repetition count can be determined by the start subcarrier index (or subcarrier group index) of the frequency domain cell corresponding to a non-minimum repetition count. Again, if the information indicating the repetition count indicates multiple repetition counts, the information indicating the frequency domain cell corresponding to a repetition count may include the end subcarrier index (or subcarrier group index) of the frequency domain cell corresponding to a non-maximum repetition count. The frequency domain cell corresponding to the maximum repetition count is determined by the end subcarrier index (or subcarrier group index) of the frequency domain cell corresponding to a non-maximum repetition count.

[0143] For example, the repetition indication information includes two bits indicating the first repetition number, two bits indicating the second repetition number, and the starting subcarrier group index of the frequency domain unit corresponding to the second repetition number. The frequency domain unit corresponding to the first repetition number can be determined based on the starting subcarrier group index of the frequency domain unit corresponding to the second repetition number and the subcarrier group index scheduled by the control information.

[0144] For example, the repetition indication information includes two bits indicating the first repetition count, two bits indicating the second repetition count, and the terminating subcarrier group index of the frequency domain unit corresponding to the first repetition count. The frequency domain unit corresponding to the second repetition count can be determined based on the terminating subcarrier group index of the frequency domain unit corresponding to the first repetition count and the subcarrier group index scheduled by the control information.

[0145] Optionally, the information indicating the frequency domain cell corresponding to the number of repetitions may include the start subcarrier index (or subcarrier group index) or end subcarrier index (or subcarrier group index) of the frequency domain cell corresponding to each number of repetitions.

[0146] Optionally, the minimum value of a bit in bitmap A is 1. Taking Example 3c as an example, the number of bits in bitmap A with values ​​greater than 0 can be used to determine the number of bits in bitmap B, such as the number of bits in bitmap A with values ​​greater than 0 equaling the number of bits in indicator bitmap B. Taking Example 3d as an example, the number of bits in bitmap A with values ​​greater than 0 can be used to determine the number of start subcarrier indices, or the number of end subcarrier indices, or the number of start subcarrier group indices, or the number of end subcarrier group indices. Optionally, the minimum value of a bit in bitmap A can also be 0. The principle of determining the minimum value of a bit in bitmap A is similar to that of the minimum value of N bits mentioned above; therefore, the explanation regarding the minimum value of a bit in bitmap A being 0 or 1 refers to the relevant description in Example 1 above, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0147] Example 3a above can be combined with Example 3c or Example 3d, and Example 3b above can be combined with Example 3c or Example 3d. Specific explanations regarding these combinations will not be elaborated upon here.

[0148] The above explanation of the repetition indication information applies to both the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource. For further explanation of the first and second frequency domain resources, please refer to the following text. That is, the specific method by which the repetition indication information indicates the number of repetitions of data transmission on the first frequency domain resource can be found in the descriptions of Examples 1 to 3 above, and the specific method by which the repetition indication information indicates the number of repetitions of data transmission on the second frequency domain resource can also be found in the descriptions of Examples 1 to 3 above; they will not be repeated here.

[0149] The following describes the first frequency domain resource involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0150] Optionally, the first frequency domain resource includes a frequency domain unit.

[0151] Optionally, the first frequency domain resource includes multiple frequency domain units. These multiple frequency domain units can be consecutive, discontinuous, or partially consecutive and partially discontinuous. The first frequency domain resource is a portion or all of the frequency domain resources scheduled by control information. Alternatively, the first frequency domain resource includes some or all of the frequency domain units scheduled by control information. For example, the first frequency domain resource can be composed of all or some of the frequency domain units corresponding to the frequency domain resources used for data transmission.

[0152] The multiple frequency domain elements included in the first frequency domain resource can correspond to the same MCS. This MCS is determined based on the channel quality of these multiple frequency domain elements. For example, before transmitting control information, the first node determines the MCS based on the channel quality of the multiple frequency domain elements. For instance, the first node determines the MCS based on the average channel quality of these multiple frequency domain elements. Alternatively, the first node determines the MCS based on the channel quality of the frequency domain element with the best channel quality among these multiple frequency domain elements. Yet another example is that the first node determines the MCS based on the number of repetitions and the channel quality of the multiple frequency domain elements. The specific method by which the first node determines the MCS is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0153] As one possible implementation, the number of repetitions of data transmission is different in at least two of the multiple frequency domain units.

[0154] The frequency domain units may include a first frequency domain unit and a second frequency domain unit. The repetition indication information includes the following: information indicating the number of repetitions of data transmission on the first frequency domain unit, and information indicating the number of repetitions of data transmission on the second frequency domain unit. The number of repetitions of data transmission on the first frequency domain unit differs from the number of repetitions of data transmission on the second frequency domain unit.

[0155] For ease of description, the number of times data is transmitted in the first frequency domain unit is called the first repetition number, and the number of times data is transmitted in the second frequency domain unit is called the second repetition number.

[0156] As an example, the first repetition count is 1, and the second repetition count is greater than 1. For example, the second repetition count could be 2, 3, 4, or 8, etc., which will not be listed here. A first repetition count of 1 indicates that the channel quality of the first frequency domain unit matches the MCS.

[0157] As another example, both the first and second repetition counts are greater than 1. For instance, the first repetition count is 2 and the second repetition count is 3.

[0158] For example, the first repetition count is determined based on the channel quality and MCS of the first frequency domain unit, and the second repetition count is determined based on the channel quality and MCS of the second frequency domain unit. If the second repetition count is greater than the first repetition count, it indicates that the channel quality of the first frequency domain unit is better than that of the second frequency domain unit. Therefore, by repeatedly transmitting data, the data transmission performance of the second frequency domain unit with poor channel quality can be improved, the probability of transmission errors can be reduced, and retransmissions can be decreased.

[0159] As another possible implementation, in the second scenario, at least two frequency domain elements have the same number of data transmission repetitions. For example, in the first frequency domain resource, different frequency domain elements have the same number of data transmission repetitions. The channel quality of these multiple frequency domain elements can be the same or different.

[0160] As another possible implementation, in the case of frequency domain elements, at least two frequency domain elements have different numbers of data repetitions, and at least two frequency domain elements have the same number of data repetitions. The first frequency domain resource includes at least three frequency domain elements.

[0161] For further explanation of implementation method 3, please refer to implementation method 1 or implementation method 2, which will not be elaborated here. The explanations of implementation methods 1 to 3 above also apply to the second frequency domain resources, and will not be repeated below.

[0162] In one possible implementation, the repetition indication information is further used to indicate the number of repetitions of data transmission on the second frequency domain resource. The second frequency domain resource includes one or more frequency domain elements. The multiple frequency domain elements included in the second frequency domain resource correspond to the same MCS. For example, the second frequency domain resource can be a frequency domain resource different from the first frequency domain resource. The second frequency domain resource does not overlap with the first frequency domain resource. In other words, the frequency domain elements included in the second frequency domain resource are not the same as those included in the first frequency domain resource.

[0163] Optionally, when the first frequency domain resource includes a portion of the frequency domain units scheduled by control information, the repetition indication information is also used to indicate the number of repetitions of data transmission on the second frequency domain resource. This second frequency domain resource is a portion of the frequency domain units scheduled by control information, and it differs from the first frequency domain resource.

[0164] For details on the specific method of determining the number of repetitions of data transmission on the second frequency domain resources, please refer to Implementation Methods 1 to 3, which will not be elaborated here.

[0165] The following describes the differences between the first frequency domain resources and the second frequency domain resources involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0166] As one possible implementation method 4, the MCS corresponding to the first frequency domain resource is different from the MCS corresponding to the second frequency domain resource.

[0167] Optionally, the control information also includes information indicating at least two MCSs. For example, the information indicating at least two MCSs includes the index of the MCS corresponding to the first frequency domain resource and the index of the MCS corresponding to the second frequency domain resource. Alternatively, the information indicating at least two MCSs may include the index of the MCS corresponding to the first frequency domain resource and an MCS offset. This MCS offset is the offset of the index of the MCS corresponding to the second frequency domain resource relative to the index of the MCS corresponding to the first frequency domain resource. This MCS offset can be defined by a standard or configured by the first node through higher-layer signaling, etc., and this embodiment does not limit this. For example, the first node sends higher-layer signaling to indicate the set of MCS offsets. Correspondingly, the second node receives the higher-layer signaling. The set of MCS offsets includes one or more MCS offsets. Optionally, the MCS offset can occupy 2 bits or 3 bits, etc., and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0168] As an example, the number of data transmission repetitions is the same on frequency domain units in the first frequency domain resource, and the number of data transmission repetitions is the same on frequency domain units in the second frequency domain resource. However, the number of data transmission repetitions on the first frequency domain resource differs from the number of data transmission repetitions on the second frequency domain resource.

[0169] For example, the control information includes the following: two bits indicating the first repetition count, two bits indicating the second repetition count, a first bitmap corresponding to the first repetition count, a second bitmap corresponding to the second repetition count, an index of the MCS corresponding to the first frequency domain resource, and an index of the MCS corresponding to the second frequency domain resource. The index of the MCS corresponding to the first frequency domain resource is also the index of the MCS corresponding to the first bitmap. For example, the first frequency domain resource may include the frequency domain units corresponding to the bits with a value of 1 in the first bitmap. Similarly, the second frequency domain resource may include the frequency domain units corresponding to the bits with a value of 1 in the second bitmap. The first bitmap can also be referred to as information indicating the first frequency domain resource, and the second bitmap can also be referred to as information indicating the second frequency domain resource.

[0170] For example, the control information includes the following: two bits indicating the first repetition number, two bits indicating the second repetition number, a first bit map corresponding to the first repetition number, a second bit map corresponding to the second repetition number, an index of the MCS corresponding to the first frequency domain resource, and an MCS offset.

[0171] For example, the control information includes the following: two bits indicating the first repetition number, two bits indicating the second repetition number, the starting subcarrier group index of the frequency domain unit corresponding to the second repetition number, the index of the MCS corresponding to the first frequency domain resource, and the MCS offset. The first frequency domain resource is determined by the starting subcarrier group index and the frequency domain resources scheduled by the control information.

[0172] The specific methods for handling the various information components included in the control information will not be listed here.

[0173] As another example, the number of repetitions of data transmission on at least two frequency domain units in the first frequency domain resource is different, and / or, the number of repetitions of data transmission on at least two frequency domain units in the second frequency domain resource is different. The specific manner in which the control information includes each piece of information is not listed here.

[0174] As another possible implementation, the MCS corresponding to the first frequency domain resource is the same as the MCS corresponding to the second frequency domain resource.

[0175] For example, the number of data transmission repetitions on frequency domain units in the first frequency domain resource is the same, and the number of data transmission repetitions on frequency domain units in the second frequency domain resource is also the same. However, the number of data transmission repetitions on the first frequency domain resource differs from the number of data transmission repetitions on the second frequency domain resource.

[0176] For example, the control information includes the following: two bits indicating the first repetition count, two bits indicating the second repetition count, a first bitmap corresponding to the first repetition count, a second bitmap corresponding to the second repetition count, and the index of the MCS. The specific arrangements of each piece of information included in the control information will not be listed here.

[0177] Implementation methods 4 and 5 distinguish between the first and second frequency domain resources using MCS as an example. Implementation method 6 below distinguishes between the first and second frequency domain resources using TB as an example. Optionally, for implementation methods 4 and 5, one control information can be used to schedule the transmission of one TB, two TBs, or more than two TBs.

[0178] As another possible implementation, 6, the first frequency domain resource corresponds to the same TB, the second frequency domain resource corresponds to the same TB, and the TBs corresponding to the first and second frequency domain resources are different. For example, the MCS corresponding to the first frequency domain resource is different from the MCS corresponding to the second frequency domain resource. Data within the same TB can use the same coding rate.

[0179] For example, the control information includes the following: two bits indicating the first repetition count, two bits indicating the second repetition count, a first bitmap corresponding to the first repetition count, a second bitmap corresponding to the second repetition count, and an index of the MCS. The MCS corresponding to the first frequency domain resource is the same as the MCS corresponding to the second frequency domain resource. For example, the frequency domain unit corresponding to a bit with a value of 1 in the first bitmap can be used to transmit the first TB, and the frequency domain unit corresponding to a bit with a value of 1 in the second bitmap can be used to transmit the second TB.

[0180] For example, the control information includes the following: two bits indicating the first repetition count, two bits indicating the second repetition count, a first bitmap corresponding to the first repetition count, a second bitmap corresponding to the second repetition count, an index of the MCS corresponding to the first frequency domain resource, and an MCS offset. The MCS corresponding to the first frequency domain resource is different from the MCS corresponding to the second frequency domain resource.

[0181] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of carrier group scheduling provided in an embodiment of this application. Dividing the frequency domain units corresponding to the frequency domain resources scheduled by the control information into first frequency domain resources and second frequency domain resources can be called frequency domain resource group scheduling. Taking one frequency domain unit as a carrier as an example, frequency domain resource group scheduling is also called carrier group scheduling. As shown in Figure 4, the carriers scheduled by the control information include carrier 0, carrier 2, and carrier 3. Carrier 0 and carrier 2 can be used to transmit TB2, and carrier 0 and carrier 2 are aggregated together and scheduled. Carrier 3 can be used to transmit TB1. The MCS corresponding to carrier 0 and carrier 2 is different from the MCS corresponding to carrier 3. For example, the number of repetitions of data transmission on carrier 0 and carrier 2 can be 2, while the number of repetitions of data transmission on carrier 3 can be 0.

[0182] Taking Figure 4 as an example, the control information includes: N bits indicating the first repetition count, N bits indicating the second repetition count, a first bitmap (indicating carrier 0 and carrier 2), a second bitmap (indicating carrier 3), the index of the MCS corresponding to the first bitmap (i.e., the MCS corresponding to carrier 0 and carrier 2), and the MCS offset. Alternatively, the control information includes: bitmap A, a first bitmap, a second bitmap, the index of the MCS corresponding to the first bitmap, and the MCS offset. The above control information also includes information for indicating carrier 0, carrier 2, and carrier 3.

[0183] By grouping carriers with similar channel quality into a single group, and allowing carriers within the same group to use the same MCS (Multi-Channel System), while using different MCS for carriers in different groups, the problem of channel or interference imbalance between different carriers can be better addressed. This, in turn, can improve the performance of data transmission on frequency domain resources with poor channel quality, reduce the probability of transmission errors, and decrease retransmissions.

[0184] The above implementation methods 4 to 6 are illustrated using two frequency domain resources (i.e., the first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource) as examples. In specific implementations, the frequency domain units corresponding to the frequency domain resources scheduled by the control information can also be divided into three frequency domain resources, etc., which will not be listed here.

[0185] The following describes the number of repetitions involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0186] The number of times data is transmitted in the frequency domain can include the number of times data is transmitted on subcarriers.

[0187] As an example, if the number of repetitions is greater than 1, the data transmitted on the second subcarrier is the same as the data transmitted on the first subcarrier.

[0188] For example, with a repetition count of 2, the data transmitted on the first subcarrier is the same as the data transmitted on the second subcarrier. The first and second subcarriers can be contained within the same frequency domain unit. Optionally, the first and second subcarriers are continuous, such as being continuous in the spectrum. Alternatively, the first and second subcarriers are discontinuous, such as being discontinuous in the spectrum.

[0189] For example, with a repetition count of 3, the data transmitted on the first subcarrier, the second subcarrier, and the third subcarrier are the same. These three subcarriers can be contained within the same frequency domain unit. Optionally, the spectra of these three subcarriers may be continuous, discontinuous, or partially continuous and partially discontinuous.

[0190] As another example, when the repetition count is greater than 1, the data transmitted on the second subcarrier is determined based on the data transmitted on the first subcarrier. For instance, the data transmitted on the second subcarrier is obtained by performing a conjugate operation on the data transmitted on the first subcarrier.

[0191] As another example, when the number of repetitions is greater than 1, the data is determined by scrambling the demodulated reference signal DMRS sequence. A description of the DMRS sequence is provided below and will not be detailed here.

[0192] Figures 5a and 5b are schematic diagrams illustrating the repeated transmission of data on different carriers according to embodiments of this application. As shown in Figures 5a and 5b, the carriers scheduled by the control information are carrier 0, carrier 2, and carrier 3. The number of data transmission repetitions on carrier 0 and carrier 2 is 2, while the number of data transmission repetitions on carrier 3 is 1. That is, the channel quality of carrier 3 is better than that of carrier 0 (or carrier 2), therefore, data on carrier 3 does not need to be retransmitted.

[0193] As shown in Figure 5a, s01 can be mapped to two consecutive subcarriers in carrier 0, such as the first subcarrier and the second subcarrier. For example, data mapped to the first subcarrier of carrier 0 can be repeatedly mapped to the second subcarrier of carrier 0. s01 can be a constellation-modulated symbol, or a modulation symbol, etc. The specific form of s01 is not limited in this embodiment. Optionally, the data mapped to the first subcarrier and the second subcarrier are the same, or the data mapped to the second subcarrier is determined based on the data mapped to the first subcarrier. For example, the data mapped to the second subcarrier is conj(s01), where conj represents the conjugate operation. Descriptions of carriers 2 and 3 are not listed here.

[0194] As shown in Figure 5b, s01 can be mapped to two non-contiguous subcarriers in carrier 0, such as the first subcarrier and the nth subcarrier. Further explanation of s01 is given in Figure 5a and will not be elaborated here. Explanations of carriers 2 and 3 are also not listed here.

[0195] In this embodiment, the repetition count is equal to the number of data transmissions. Alternatively, the repetition count is equal to the number of subcarriers used to transmit the same data. For example, a repetition count of 1 indicates that the number of data transmissions is 1. Similarly, a repetition count of 2 indicates that the number of data transmissions is 2. Figures 5a and 5b illustrate this with the repetition count equal to the number of data transmissions. In a specific implementation, the repetition count can also be equal to the number of data transmissions minus 1. Or, the repetition count is equal to the number of subcarriers used to transmit the same data minus 1. For example, a repetition count of 1 indicates that the number of data transmissions is 2. Similarly, a repetition count of 2 indicates that the number of data transmissions is 3. The above examples all illustrate this with the repetition count equal to the number of data transmissions. When the repetition count is equal to the number of data transmissions minus 1, the values ​​of the repetition counts listed above can be updated accordingly. For example, taking the repetition count set {1,2,4,8} listed above as an example, when the repetition count is equal to the number of data transmissions minus 1, this repetition count set can be updated to {0,1,3,7}.

[0196] For downlink transmission, the method shown in Figure 3 may further include step 302. For uplink transmission, the method shown in Figure 3 may further include step 303.

[0197] 302. The first node sends data according to the control information, and the corresponding second node receives data according to the control information.

[0198] Optionally, the second node may perform at least one of the following:

[0199] The second node determines the frequency domain resources and frequency domain units scheduled by the control information based on the information in the control information used to indicate time and frequency resources.

[0200] The second node determines the number of repetitions of data transmission on each frequency domain unit based on the repetition indication information in the control information. For example, it performs a weighted average of the data on subcarriers transmitting the same data, thereby resolving the data.

[0201] The second node determines the MCS used for the data based on the MCS index in the control information, and then performs demodulation and decoding of the data.

[0202] The second node performs channel estimation.

[0203] For an explanation of how the first node sends data, please refer to the description of the second node in step 303. The details are similar and will not be elaborated here.

[0204] 303. The second node sends data according to the control information, and correspondingly, the first node receives data according to the control information.

[0205] Optionally, the second node may perform at least one of the following:

[0206] The second node sends data on the time-frequency resources scheduled by the control information based on the control information.

[0207] The second node determines the frequency domain unit to be scheduled based on the frequency domain resources scheduled by the control information.

[0208] The second node determines the number of repetitions of data transmission on each frequency domain unit based on the repetition indication information in the control information, thereby mapping the data to each subcarrier.

[0209] The second node performs encoding and modulation based on the MCS index in the control information. If the MCS corresponding to the first frequency domain resource is the same, and the first frequency domain resource corresponds to MCS1, then the data on the frequency domain resource in the first frequency domain resource and scheduled by the control information can be encoded and modulated using MCS1. Optionally, if the second frequency domain resource corresponds to MCS2, then the data on the frequency domain resource in the second frequency domain resource and scheduled by the control information can be encoded and modulated using MCS2.

[0210] Optionally, since the above information is determined by the second node itself, the second node may send or receive data based on the above information it has determined (or based on the above information it has stored) instead of sending or receiving data based on the control information.

[0211] For an explanation of how the first node receives data, please refer to the description of the second node in step 302. The details are similar and will not be elaborated here.

[0212] In this embodiment, when differences in channel fading or interference across multiple frequency domain units lead to SINR imbalance, indicating the repetition count allows both the transmitter and receiver to transmit data according to that repetition count. Therefore, even if the multiple frequency domain units correspond to the same MCS, repeated data transmission improves the performance of frequency domain units with low SINR, reduces the probability of transmission errors, increases the reliability of data transmission, and reduces retransmissions.

[0213] The method shown in Figure 3 will be illustrated with specific examples below.

[0214] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of different carriers provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6, the Wi-Fi device preempts carrier 1, while the StarNet device preempts carriers 0, 2, and 3. The signal transmitted by the Wi-Fi device on carrier 1 may leak to carriers 0, 2, and 3. Furthermore, the closer the spectrum of the carriers is, the greater the adjacent channel interference will be. For example, the adjacent channel interference experienced on carriers 0 and 2 is greater than or equal to 20 dB greater than that experienced on carrier 3.

[0215] Therefore, when scheduling multiple carriers via control information, this control information may include repetition indication information. For example, this repetition indication information may be used to indicate that the number of repetitions for data transmission on carrier 3 is 1, and the number of repetitions for data transmission on carriers 0 and 2 is 2. Further explanation of the repetition indication information can be found in Figure 3, and will not be listed here.

[0216] Optionally, the control information also includes information indicating the index of the MCS. Optionally, the control information also includes information for indicating time-frequency resources. The frequency domain resources indicated in the information for indicating time-frequency resources are carrier 0, carrier 2, and subcarrier 3.

[0217] For an explanation of the control information, please refer to Figure 3 above or the following text; it will not be elaborated upon here.

[0218] The following section introduces the DMRS sequences mentioned above.

[0219] As shown above, when the repetition count is greater than 1, the data is determined by scrambling according to the demodulation reference signal (DMRS) sequence. In other words, from the perspective of the data transmitter, the data can be scrambled according to the DMRS sequence. For the method of repeatedly transmitting data in the frequency domain, the repeated data is scrambled with the demodulation reference signal. Since the repeated data is identical, it is equivalent to spreading using the DMRS sequence, which can improve channel estimation performance and demodulation performance when the SINR of the frequency domain unit is low. The data transmitter can be either the first node or the second node as described above. For example, the data transmitter is the first node, and the data receiver is the second node. Or, the data transmitter is the second node, and the data receiver is the first node.

[0220] For example, the data transmitted on the k-th subcarrier can be determined based on the DMRS sequence on the k-th subcarrier and the data mapped (or modulation symbols) on the k-th subcarrier. The data transmitted on the (k+1)-th subcarrier is determined based on the data mapped on the k-th subcarrier and the DMRS sequence on the (k+1)-th subcarrier. Alternatively, the data transmitted on the k-th subcarrier can be determined by scrambling the data mapped on the k-th subcarrier using the DMRS sequence on the k-th subcarrier.

[0221] For example, the DMRS sequence on the k-th subcarrier is r(k), and the data mapped on the k-th subcarrier is s(k) = d(j). The (k+1)-th subcarrier is repeatedly transmitted, such as s(k+1) = d(j). When the number of data transmissions is M, s(k+M-1) = d(j). After scrambling according to the DMRS sequence, the data mapped on the k-th subcarrier is p(k). For example, the data after scrambling according to DMRS satisfies: p(k) = s(k) * r(k); p(k+1) = s(k+1) * r(k+1); …. p(k+m) = s(k+m) * r(k+m). Or, p(k) = d(j) * r(k); p(k+1) = d(j) * r(k+1); …. p(k+m) = d(j) * r(k+m).

[0222] For the data receiving end, when the repetition count is greater than 1, the data can be demodulated according to the DMRS sequence, or in other words, descrambled or despread according to the DMRS sequence. When the DMRS is configured as a comb, the DMRS sequence is the pilot sequence within the comb group.

[0223] For example, at the data receiving end, additional noise may be introduced during reception, such as when the actual received data is p. r (k) = p(k) + n(k), where n(k) is noise. The receiver can perform descrambling, such as multiplying by the conjugate transpose of the r(k) sequence. For example, the descrambling method is as follows: p r (k)*conj(r(k))=s(k)*r(k)*conj(r(k))+n*conj(r(k))=d(j)*r(k)*conj(r(k))+n*conj(r(k)

[0224] Where r(k)*conj(r(k)=1).

[0225] Jointly descramble the data repeated M times:

[0226] Since the noise is random, it does not coherently accumulate. After joint descrambling of the received data, it is equivalent to obtaining M times the spreading gain, which is beneficial to improving the demodulation SINR.

[0227] The scrambling and descrambling methods listed above are merely examples. In actual implementations, other methods can also be used for scrambling or descrambling, which will not be listed here.

[0228] Figure 7 is another flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. For a description of the first node and the second node, please refer to Figure 1 or Figure 3, which will not be detailed here. As shown in Figure 7, the method includes:

[0229] 701. The first node sends control information, which includes information indicating the following: a first frequency domain resource, information about a second frequency domain resource, the MCS corresponding to the first frequency domain resource, and the MCS corresponding to the second frequency domain resource. The MCS corresponding to the first frequency domain resource is different from the MCS corresponding to the second frequency domain resource.

[0230] Correspondingly, the second node receives this control information.

[0231] The first frequency domain resource includes one or more frequency domain cells, and the second frequency domain resource includes one or more frequency domain cells. The first frequency domain resource and the second frequency domain resource do not overlap.

[0232] As an example, the information used to indicate the first frequency domain resource is a first bitmap, and the information used to indicate the second frequency domain resource is a second bitmap. Bits in the first bitmap are used to indicate whether the first frequency domain resource includes a frequency domain cell corresponding to that bit. Bits in the second bitmap are used to indicate whether the second frequency domain resource includes a frequency domain cell corresponding to that bit. Optionally, the number of bitmaps in the control information is equal to the number of different MCSs corresponding to the frequency domain resources scheduled by the control information.

[0233] For example, the first bitmap has 5 bits, and the second bitmap has 5 bits. The bits in these two bitmaps correspond to carriers n1 through n5, respectively. The first bitmap is 10001, and the second bitmap is 01000. Therefore, the first frequency domain resource includes carriers n1 and n5, and the second frequency domain resource includes carrier n2.

[0234] The indication method of the first bitmap and the second bitmap is similar to that of Example 3c above. Therefore, the explanation of the first bitmap and the second bitmap can also be found in Example 3c above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0235] As another example, the first frequency domain resource is determined by frequency domain resources scheduled using information indicating the second frequency domain resource and control information. For instance, the information indicating the second frequency domain resource may include an index of the starting subcarrier group in the second frequency domain resource, or include an index of the starting subcarrier in the second frequency domain resource. The first frequency domain resource may be determined by a subcarrier group scheduled by control information and an index of the starting subcarrier group in the second frequency domain resource.

[0236] The method for determining the first frequency domain resource is similar to that in Example 3d above. Therefore, the explanation of the first frequency domain resource and the information used to indicate the second frequency domain resource can also be found in Example 3d above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0237] The control information includes instructions on the MCS corresponding to the first frequency domain resource and the MCS corresponding to the second frequency domain resource. Please refer to Implementation Method 4 above for details.

[0238] Step 701 exemplarily illustrates two frequency domain resources in the frequency domain resources scheduled by the control information. In a specific implementation, the control information may also include the MCS corresponding to three frequency domain resources, and the MCS corresponding to these three frequency domain resources are different. They will not be listed one by one here.

[0239] For downlink transmission, the method shown in Figure 7 may further include step 702. For uplink transmission, the method shown in Figure 7 may further include step 703.

[0240] 702. The first node sends data according to the control information, and the corresponding second node receives data according to the control information.

[0241] Optionally, the second node may perform at least one of the following:

[0242] The second node determines the frequency domain resources scheduled by the control information based on the information in the control information that indicates time and frequency resources.

[0243] The second node determines the MCS corresponding to each frequency domain resource scheduled by the control information based on the MCS index in the control information, and then performs data demodulation and decoding.

[0244] The second node performs channel estimation.

[0245] 703. The second node sends data according to the control information, and correspondingly, the first node receives data according to the control information.

[0246] Optionally, the second node may perform at least one of the following:

[0247] The second node sends data on the time-frequency resources scheduled by the control information based on the control information.

[0248] The second node determines the MCS corresponding to each frequency domain resource scheduled by the control information based on the MCS index in the control information, and then performs modulation.

[0249] The second node determines the MCS corresponding to each frequency domain resource scheduled by the control information based on the index of the MCS in the control information, and then performs encoding.

[0250] In this embodiment of the application, when the SINR imbalance is caused by differences in channel fading or interference on different frequency domain resources, the performance on the frequency domain resources with low SINR can be improved by indicating the MCS corresponding to different frequency domain resources, thereby reducing the probability of transmission errors, improving the reliability of data transmission, and reducing retransmissions.

[0251] The control information involved in Figure 3 or Figure 7 is illustrated below by way of example.

[0252] The control information includes: information for indicating time-frequency resources and information for indicating the MCS. Optionally, the control information also includes repeat indication information. For a description of the various pieces of information shown here, please refer to the preceding text; further details will not be provided here.

[0253] The following exemplifies the content of the control information. It is understood that the field names of the various information shown below are merely examples and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application. The order of the various fields shown below in the control information is not limited in the embodiments of this application. For example, the control information may include at least one of the following:

[0254] 1 bit: Link type indication information. The relationship between the value of this bit and its meaning is as follows: 0 indicates G link transmission, 1 indicates T link transmission.

[0255] 3 bits: Indicator of the number of demodulation reference signal ports. The number of demodulation reference signal ports can be equal to the value of these 3 bits plus 1.

[0256] 16 bits: Subcarrier group indication information. The 16 bits, starting from the least significant bit and ending with the most significant bit, correspond one-to-one with the subcarrier groups in ascending order. A bit with a value of 1 indicates that the subcarrier group corresponding to that bit is used, while a bit with a value of 0 indicates that the subcarrier group corresponding to that bit is not used.

[0257] S bit: Start symbol indicator. The index of the start symbol within this TTI. The value of S is determined by the length of the cycle prefix.

[0258] S bit: End-of-term indicator. The index of the end-of-term indicator within this TTI.

[0259] 2 bits: Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) process indication.

[0260] 1 bit: New packet indicator. When this value is flipped, it indicates that a new packet is being transmitted; when the value remains unchanged, it indicates that an old packet is being retransmitted.

[0261] 5 bits: Modulation and coding scheme indication information. For a single TB transmission, this field indicates the modulation and coding scheme of that single TB; for a two TB transmission, this field indicates the modulation and coding scheme of the first TB.

[0262] X bits: These are the repeating indication messages shown in Figure 3, or the information shown in Figure 7. The explanation of X can be found above, and will not be detailed here.

[0263] 2 bits: 0 indicates retransmission version 0, 1 indicates retransmission version 1, 2 indicates retransmission version 2, and 3 indicates retransmission version 3.

[0264] 5 bits: Indicates resources in multiple acknowledgment (ACK) feedback information / negative ACK (NACK) resource pools configured in the higher-level XRC signaling.

[0265] 24-bit: Using Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) to generate polynomial g CRC24B (D) Calculate the cyclic redundancy check (CRC) code and scramble it using a 24-bit physical layer identifier.

[0266] For example, the transmit time interval (TTI) mentioned above can be understood as the time required for one transmit-receive interaction between the G node and the T node, including one or more radio frames. For example, the length of one radio frame is approximately 125 microseconds. When one TTI includes eight radio frames, the duration of one TTI is 1 millisecond. One radio frame can include multiple time-domain symbols, such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. One superframe includes multiple radio frames; for example, the duration of one superframe is 1 ms.

[0267] For any part of the implementation or example not described in detail in one of the above implementations or examples, please refer to other implementations or examples.

[0268] The apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below.

[0269] This application divides the device into functional modules according to the above method embodiments. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated modules can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules. It should be noted that the module division in this application is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division; other division methods may be used in actual implementation. The communication device of the embodiment of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 8 to 10.

[0270] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8, the device includes a processing module 801 and a transceiver module 802. The transceiver module 802 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 801 is used to implement corresponding processing functions. For example, the transceiver module 802 can also be referred to as an interface, a communication interface, or a communication module, etc.

[0271] In some embodiments of this application, the device can be used to perform the actions performed by the first node in the above method embodiments. In this case, the device can be the device itself or a chip or functional module configurable in the device. The transceiver module 802 is used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the first node in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 801 is used to perform the processing-related operations of the first node in the above method embodiments.

[0272] The transceiver module 802 is used to send or output control information;

[0273] Processing module 801 is used to transmit data according to control information. For example, processing module 801 is used to generate data; transceiver module 802 is used to send or output data. Alternatively, transceiver module 802 is used to receive or input data; processing module 801 is used to parse the data.

[0274] Optionally, the processing module 801 is used to determine information such as time-frequency resources, MCS, and repetition count. For example, the processing module 801 can send or receive data based on control information. Alternatively, since the above information is determined by the first node itself, the first node may also send or receive data based on its own determined information (or based on its stored information) instead of sending or receiving data based on control information.

[0275] Optionally, the transceiver module 802 is also used to send or output higher-layer signaling.

[0276] Reusing Figure 8, in some other embodiments of this application, the above-described device can be used to perform the actions performed by the second node in the above method embodiments. In this case, the device can be the device itself or a chip or functional module configurable in the device. The transceiver module 802 is used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the second node in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 801 is used to perform the processing-related operations of the second node in the above method embodiments.

[0277] The transceiver module 802 is used to receive or input control information;

[0278] Processing module 801 is used to transmit data according to control information. For example, transceiver module 802 is used to receive or input data; processing module 801 is used to parse the data according to control information. Alternatively, processing module 801 is used to generate data according to control information; transceiver module 802 is used to send or output the data.

[0279] Optionally, the transceiver module 802 is used to receive or input higher-layer signaling.

[0280] For example, the transceiver module 802 described above can be an antenna module. Alternatively, the transceiver module 802 can be an input / output module. Optionally, in the above embodiments, the device may further include a storage module, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 801 can read the instructions and / or data from the storage module to enable the device to implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0281] For details regarding the specific explanations of each term, noun, or step in the above embodiments, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments; they will not be detailed here.

[0282] The specific descriptions of the transceiver module and processing module shown in the above embodiments are merely examples. For the specific functions or execution steps of the transceiver module and processing module, please refer to the above method embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0283] It is understandable that the module division in the above-mentioned device is merely a logical functional division. Each function can correspond to a functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one functional module. In actual implementation, all or some modules can be integrated into one physical entity, or they can be distributed across different physical entities. Furthermore, the above-mentioned functional modules can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both.

[0284] 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.

[0285] The apparatus of the embodiments of this application has been described above. The possible product forms of the apparatus are described below. Any product possessing the functions of the apparatus described in FIG8 above falls within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application. The following description is merely illustrative and does not limit the product form of the apparatus of the embodiments of this application to this.

[0286] In one possible implementation, in the device shown in FIG8, the processing module 801 can be one or more processors, and the transceiver module 802 can be a transceiver, or the transceiver module 802 can also be a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module can be a transmitter, and the receiving module can be a receiver. The transmitting module and the receiving module are integrated into one device, such as a transceiver. In the embodiments of this application, the processor and the transceiver can be coupled, etc., and the connection method of the processor and the transceiver is not limited in the embodiments of this application. In the process of executing the above method, the process of sending information in the above method can be the process of the processor outputting the above information. When outputting the above information, the processor outputs the above information to the transceiver so that the transceiver can transmit it. After the above information is output by the processor, it may need to undergo other processing before reaching the transceiver. Similarly, the process of receiving information in the above method can be the process of the processor receiving the input above information. When the processor receives the input information, the transceiver receives the above information and inputs it into the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the above information, the above information may need to undergo other processing before being input into the processor.

[0287] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of another device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 9, the device 90 includes one or more processors 920 and transceivers 910.

[0288] In some embodiments of this application, the apparatus can be used to execute the steps, methods, or functions performed by the first node. For example, the processor 920 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 801 shown in FIG8, and the transceiver 910 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 802 shown in FIG8. Detailed descriptions of the processor 920 and the transceiver 910 can be found in FIG8 or the method embodiments shown above, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0289] In other embodiments of this application, the apparatus is used to execute the steps, methods, or functions performed by the second node. For example, the processor 920 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 801 shown in FIG8, and the transceiver 910 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 802 shown in FIG8. Detailed descriptions of the processor 920 and the transceiver 910 can be found in FIG8 or the method embodiments shown above, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0290] Taking the above-mentioned device as a communication device as an example, in various implementations of the communication device shown in Figure 9, the transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver is used to perform the function (or operation) of receiving, and the transmitter is used to perform the function (or operation) of transmitting. The transceiver is also used to communicate with other devices / appliances via a transmission medium. Optionally, the communication device 90 may also include one or more memories 930 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 930 and the processor 920 are coupled. The coupling in this embodiment is an indirect coupling or communication connection between communication devices, units, or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, for information interaction between communication devices, units, or modules. The processor 920 may operate in conjunction with the memory 930. The processor 920 can execute the program instructions stored in the memory 930. Optionally, at least one of the above-mentioned memories may be included in the processor.

[0291] This embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the transceiver 910, processor 920, and memory 930. In Figure 9, the memory 930, processor 920, and transceiver 910 are connected via a bus 940, indicated by a thick line. The connection methods between other components are merely illustrative and not intended to be limiting. The bus can be an address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in Figure 9, but this does not indicate that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0292] In the embodiments of this application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc., and can implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware processor, or being executed by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0293] In this application embodiment, the memory may include, but is not limited to, non-volatile memory such as hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), read-only memory (ROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc. Memory is any storage medium capable of carrying or storing program code in the form of instructions or data structures, and capable of being read and / or written by a computer (such as the communication device shown in this application), but is not limited to this. The memory in this application embodiment may also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing storage functions, used to store program instructions and / or data.

[0294] The processor 920 is primarily used for processing communication protocols and data, controlling the entire communication device, executing software programs, and processing software program data. The memory 930 is primarily used for storing software programs and data. The transceiver 910 may include control circuitry and an antenna. The control circuitry is primarily used for converting baseband signals to radio frequency signals and processing radio frequency signals. The antenna is primarily used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touchscreens, displays, and keyboards, are primarily used for receiving user input data and outputting data to the user.

[0295] When the communication device is powered on, the processor 920 can read the software program in the memory 930, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor 920 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit processes the baseband signal and transmits the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 920. The processor 920 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0296] In another implementation, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be set up independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be arranged remotely, independent of the communication device.

[0297] The apparatus shown in this application embodiment may have more components than those in Figure 9, and this application embodiment does not limit this. The methods executed by the processor and transceiver shown above are merely examples; the specific steps executed by the processor and transceiver can be referred to the methods described above. The dashed lines in Figure 9 indicate optional components.

[0298] In another possible implementation, in the device shown in Figure 8, the processing module 801 can be one or more logic circuits, and the transceiver module 802 can be an input / output interface, or a communication interface, or an interface circuit, or an interface, etc. Alternatively, the transceiver module 802 can also be a sending module and a receiving module, where the sending module can be an output interface and the receiving module can be an input interface, and the sending module and receiving module are integrated into one module, such as an input / output interface.

[0299] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a chip provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 10, the chip includes a logic circuit 1001 and an interface 1002. That is, the processing module 801 can be implemented using the logic circuit 1001, and the transceiver module 802 can be implemented using the interface 1002. The logic circuit 1001 can be a chip, processing circuit, integrated circuit, or system-on-chip (SoC) chip, etc., and the interface 1002 can be a communication interface, input / output interface, pins, etc. For example, Figure 10 illustrates a chip using the aforementioned device as an example, where the chip includes the logic circuit 1001 and the interface 1002.

[0300] In this embodiment, the logic circuit and the interface can also be coupled to each other. The specific connection method of the logic circuit and the interface is not limited in this embodiment. For example, the logic circuit 1001 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 801 shown in FIG8, and the interface 1002 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 802 shown in FIG8. For a detailed description of the logic circuit 1001 and the interface 1002, please refer to FIG8 or the method embodiment shown above, which will not be detailed here.

[0301] The apparatus shown in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or software, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0302] Furthermore, embodiments of this application also provide a communication system, which includes a first node and a second node, the first node and the second node being able to perform the methods in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0303] This application also provides a computer program for implementing the operations and / or processes performed by various sites in the methods provided in this application.

[0304] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer code that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the operations and / or processes performed by various communication devices in the methods provided in this application.

[0305] This application also provides a computer program product comprising computer code or a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the operations and / or processes performed by various entities in the method provided in this application to be executed.

[0306] In the embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, communication devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the communication device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For instance, the division of modules is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple modules or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. In addition, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, communication devices, or modules, or it may be an electrical, mechanical, or other form of connection.

[0307] The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the technical effects of the solutions provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0308] Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing module, or each module can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0309] If the integrated module is implemented as a software functional module and sold or used as an independent product, it 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 the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a readable 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 readable storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send control information, the control information including repetition indication information, the repetition indication information being used to indicate the number of repetitions of data transmission on a first frequency domain resource, the first frequency domain resource including multiple frequency domain units, the multiple frequency domain units corresponding to the same modulation and coding strategy (MCS); Data is transmitted according to the control information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of repetitions of the data transmission includes: The number of times the data is transmitted in the frequency domain.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The number of repetitions of data transmission is different in at least two of the plurality of frequency domain units.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The plurality of frequency domain units include a first frequency domain unit and a second frequency domain unit, wherein the number of repetitions of data transmission on the first frequency domain unit is 1, and the number of repetitions of data transmission on the second frequency domain unit is greater than 1.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The method further includes: The MCS is determined based on the channel quality of the plurality of frequency domain units.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The repetition indication information is also used to indicate the number of repetitions of data transmission on the second frequency domain resource.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The MCS corresponding to the first frequency domain resource is different from the MCS corresponding to the second frequency domain resource.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The repeat indication information is also used to indicate at least one of the following: the frequency domain unit included in the first frequency domain resource or the frequency domain unit included in the second frequency domain resource.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send higher-level signaling, the higher-level signaling being used to indicate a set of repetition counts, the set of repetition counts including at least two repetition counts, the at least two repetition counts including the repetition count indicated by the repetition indication information.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, When the number of repetitions is greater than 1, the data is determined by scrambling according to the demodulation reference signal (DMRS) sequence; or, the data is descrambled according to the DMRS sequence.

11. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first frequency domain resource is part or all of the frequency domain resources scheduled by the control information.

12. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bandwidth of the frequency domain unit is 20MHz.

13. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive control information, the control information including repetition indication information, the repetition indication information being used to indicate the number of repetitions of data transmission on a first frequency domain resource, the first frequency domain resource including multiple frequency domain units, the multiple frequency domain units corresponding to the same coding modulation strategy (MCS); Data is transmitted according to the control information.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The number of repetitions of the data transmission includes: The number of times the data is transmitted in the frequency domain.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The number of repetitions of data transmission is different in at least two of the plurality of frequency domain units.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13-15, characterized in that, The plurality of frequency domain units include a first frequency domain unit and a second frequency domain unit, wherein the number of repetitions of data transmission on the first frequency domain unit is 1, and the number of repetitions of data transmission on the second frequency domain unit is greater than 1.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13-16, characterized in that, The repetition indication information is also used to indicate the number of repetitions of data transmission on the second frequency domain resource.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The MCS corresponding to the first frequency domain resource is different from the MCS corresponding to the second frequency domain resource.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The repeat indication information is also used to indicate at least one of the following: the frequency domain unit included in the first frequency domain resource or the frequency domain unit included in the second frequency domain resource.

20. The method according to any one of claims 13-19, characterized in that, The method further includes; Receive higher-layer signaling, the higher-layer signaling being used to indicate a set of repetition counts, the set of repetition counts including at least two repetition counts, the at least two repetition counts including the repetition count indicated by the repetition indication information.

21. The method according to any one of claims 13-20, characterized in that, When the number of repetitions is greater than 1, the data is determined by scrambling according to the demodulation reference signal DMRS, or by descrambling the data according to the DMRS sequence.

22. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first frequency domain resource is part or all of the frequency domain resources scheduled by the control information.

23. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The bandwidth of the frequency domain unit is 20MHz.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-23.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes at least one processor, said at least one processor being configured to cause the communication device to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-23.

26. A chip, characterized in that, It includes logic circuitry and an interface, the logic circuitry and the interface being coupled, the logic circuitry being configured to enable the chip to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-23.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program, which, when executed by a computer, performs the method as described in any one of claims 1-23.

28. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is executed by a computer, the method described in any one of claims 1-23 is performed.

29. A communication system, characterized in that, It includes a first node and a second node, wherein the first node is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-12, and the second node is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 13-23.

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