Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a related apparatus. In the communication method provided in the present application, a network device and a terminal device can determine N time-frequency resources for data transmission, and the network device and the terminal device perform data transmission by means of the aligned N time-frequency resources, which can support avoiding blind detection of DCI by the terminal device or blind transmission of the DCI by the network device, thereby being conducive to reducing energy consumption of the network device and the terminal device.

Description

Communication methods and related devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411750899.9, filed on November 29, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Related Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to a communication method and related apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] In wireless communication systems, downlink control information (DCI) can provide terminal devices with necessary information such as physical layer resource allocation, power control commands, modulation and coding schemes, so that network devices and terminal devices can achieve data communication and interaction.

[0004] However, in some scenarios, the network device does not send downlink data to the terminal device. When the terminal device is uncertain whether data transmission is possible, it needs to continuously check the DCI (Data Access Context), leading to high power consumption. Alternatively, the terminal device does not send uplink data to the network device. When the network device is uncertain whether data transmission is possible, it needs to continuously send DCIs to the terminal device so that the terminal device can allocate uplink resources when data transmission is needed, resulting in high power consumption for the network device. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and related apparatus to reduce the possibility of blind detection of DCI by terminal devices and / or blind transmission of DCI by network devices, which is beneficial to reducing the energy consumption of network devices and terminal devices.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a terminal-side device, such as a terminal device or a communication module in a terminal device, or a circuit or chip in a terminal device responsible for communication functions. Taking the application of this method to a terminal device as an example, the method includes: determining M time-frequency resources, where M is a positive integer greater than 1; determining N time-frequency resources among the M time-frequency resources, where the N time-frequency resources are used for data transmission, and N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1; and receiving or sending data in the N time-frequency resources.

[0007] By identifying N time-frequency resources out of M time-frequency resources that are used for data transmission, the terminal device can find the time-frequency resources for receiving or sending data without performing DCI detection, which helps to reduce the energy consumption of the terminal device during communication.

[0008] In some implementations, determining M time-frequency resources includes: receiving first information, which is used to indicate a first artificial intelligence (AI) model; and determining the M time-frequency resources based on the first AI model, channel information, and service information.

[0009] After receiving the first information, the terminal device can determine M time-frequency resources based on the first AI model, channel information, and service information indicated by the first information. Compared with the method of signaling indication by network devices for each data transmission, the method provided in this application embodiment is beneficial to reducing the resource overhead of the terminal device on the air interface.

[0010] In some implementations, determining M time-frequency resources includes: receiving second information, which indicates the M time-frequency resources.

[0011] It is understandable that the terminal device can receive second information from the network device, or it can receive second information from other network elements that have the same indication content or other functions. The terminal device can quickly determine M time-frequency resources through the second information, which helps to improve the efficiency of data transmission.

[0012] In some implementations, the N time-frequency resources are the N time-frequency resources among the M time-frequency resources whose probability of being used for data transmission is greater than a preset threshold, or the N time-frequency resources are the N time-frequency resources with the highest probability of being used for data transmission among the M time-frequency resources.

[0013] It should be noted that the N time-frequency resources can also be the N time-frequency resources among the M time-frequency resources whose probability of being used for data transmission is not less than a preset threshold. When the N time-frequency resources are the N time-frequency resources with the highest probability of being used for data transmission among the M time-frequency resources, the value of N can be 1, meaning the N time-frequency resources are the time-frequency resources with the highest probability of being used for data transmission among the M time-frequency resources; the value of N can also be a positive integer greater than 1, meaning the N time-frequency resources are the N time-frequency resources with the highest combined probability of being used for data transmission among the M time-frequency resources.

[0014] In some implementations, the method also includes: determining the probability of using M time-frequency resources for data transmission based on the second AI model, channel information, and service information.

[0015] The probability of each of the M time-frequency resources determined by the terminal device based on the second AI model for data transmission helps the terminal device determine N time-frequency resources for data transmission from the M time-frequency resources.

[0016] In some implementations, the terminal device can receive third information from the network device, which is used to instruct the second AI model.

[0017] In some implementations, data is received or transmitted in N time-frequency resources, including: receiving downlink data in N time-frequency resources, wherein the channel carrying the downlink data includes downlink control information (DCI); or, transmitting uplink data in N time-frequency resources, wherein the channel carrying the uplink data includes uplink control information (UCI).

[0018] The control information included in the above data enables the terminal device to transmit data more accurately across N time-frequency resources, which helps save energy consumption of the terminal device.

[0019] In some implementations, M time-frequency resources correspond one-to-one with M grids, and the time scale and frequency scale corresponding to each of the M grids are related to channel information and service information.

[0020] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a network-side device, such as a network device or a component (e.g., a chip, a chip system, etc.) within the network device, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device. Taking the application of this method to a network device as an example, the method includes: sending first information, the first information being used to indicate a first AI model; determining M time-frequency resources based on the first AI model, channel information, and service information, where M is a positive integer greater than 1; and sending or receiving data in N time-frequency resources among the M time-frequency resources, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0021] The network device determines M time-frequency resources based on the first AI model, which can align the M time-frequency resources determined by the network device with the M time-frequency resources determined by the terminal device. This allows the network device to send or receive data in N time-frequency resources without sending DCI to schedule resources, which helps reduce the energy consumption of the network device during communication.

[0022] In some implementations, the N time-frequency resources are the N time-frequency resources among the M time-frequency resources whose probability of being used for data transmission is greater than a preset threshold, or the N time-frequency resources are the N time-frequency resources with the highest probability of being used for data transmission among the M time-frequency resources.

[0023] In some implementations, the N time-frequency resources can also be the N time-frequency resources among the M time-frequency resources whose probability of being used for data transmission is not less than a preset threshold. When the N time-frequency resources are the N time-frequency resources with the highest probability of being used for data transmission among the M time-frequency resources, the value of N can be 1, meaning the N time-frequency resources are the time-frequency resource with the highest probability of being used for data transmission among the M time-frequency resources; or the value of N can be a positive integer greater than 1, meaning the N time-frequency resources are the N time-frequency resources with the highest combined probability of being used for data transmission among the M time-frequency resources.

[0024] In some implementations, the method also includes: determining the probability of using M time-frequency resources for data transmission based on the second AI model, channel information, and service information.

[0025] The probability of each of the M time-frequency resources determined by the network device based on the second AI model for data transmission helps the network device determine N time-frequency resources for data transmission from the M time-frequency resources, thereby aligning the N time-frequency resources determined by the network device with the N time-frequency resources determined by the terminal device.

[0026] In some implementations, data is transmitted or received in N time-frequency resources out of M time-frequency resources, including: transmitting downlink data in N time-frequency resources, wherein the channel carrying the downlink data includes DCI; or receiving uplink data in N time-frequency resources, wherein the channel carrying the uplink data includes UCI.

[0027] In some implementations, M time-frequency resources correspond one-to-one with M grids, and the time and frequency scales of each of the M grids are related to channel information and service information.

[0028] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a network-side device, such as a network device or a component (e.g., a chip, a chip system, etc.) within the network device, or it may be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device. Taking the application of this method to a network device as an example, the method includes: sending second information, the second information indicating M time-frequency resources, where M is a positive integer greater than 1; sending or receiving data in N time-frequency resources among the M time-frequency resources, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0029] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, including modules or units for implementing the methods of the first to third aspects and any possible implementations of the first to third aspects. Each module or unit can implement its corresponding function by executing a computer program.

[0030] For example, the communication device in the fourth aspect is a terminal device or a component configured in a terminal device, such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.; or, the communication device in the fourth aspect is a network device or a component configured in a network device, such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.

[0031] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, including a processor, which is configured to execute the communication methods in the first to third aspects and any possible implementations of the first to third aspects.

[0032] Optionally, the communication device includes a memory for storing instructions and data. The memory is coupled to a processor, which, when executing the instructions stored in the memory, can implement the methods described in the foregoing aspects.

[0033] Optionally, the communication device includes a communication interface for communicating with other communication devices. For example, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, pin, or other type of communication interface.

[0034] For example, the communication device provided in the fifth aspect is a chip or chip system, or it may correspond to a terminal device or network device.

[0035] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium including a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to implement the methods of the first to third aspects and any possible implementation of the first to third aspects.

[0036] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product, which includes a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when run, causes a computer to perform the methods of the first to third aspects and any possible implementation of the first to third aspects.

[0037] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system including the aforementioned terminal device and network device. The terminal device can be used to implement the methods in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the network device can be used to implement the methods in the second or third aspect and any possible implementation of the second or third aspect.

[0038] The third to eighth aspects of this application correspond to the technical solutions of the first aspect of this application. The beneficial effects achieved by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation are similar, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0039] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system used in the embodiments of this application;

[0040] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the access network equipment used in the embodiments of this application;

[0041] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating downlink data transmission between network devices and terminal devices;

[0042] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the uplink data transmission between network devices and terminal devices;

[0043] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the uplink data transmission between network devices and terminal devices;

[0044] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in one embodiment of this application;

[0045] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of dividing time-frequency resources in a two-dimensional grid manner according to an embodiment of this application;

[0046] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in another embodiment of this application;

[0047] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0048] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in another embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0049] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numerals in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of the embodiments of this application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0050] It should be understood that in the embodiments of this application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship, but it does not exclude the possibility of indicating that the preceding and following related objects are in an "and" relationship. The specific meaning can be understood in conjunction with the context. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c; a and b; a and c; b and c; or a and b and c. Here, a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0051] In this embodiment of the application, the use of prefixes such as "first" and "second" is merely for the purpose of distinguishing and describing different things belonging to the same name category, and does not constrain the order, size, or quantity of things. For example, "first parameter" and "second parameter" are simply different parameters, and there is no temporal or quantitative relationship between them.

[0052] This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features relating to systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that individual systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these approaches are also possible.

[0053] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplarily" and "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design scheme described as an "example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of the term "example" is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. In the embodiments of this application, "of," "corresponding, relevant," and "corresponding" may sometimes be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent unless their distinction is emphasized.

[0054] "Instruction" can include direct instruction, indirect instruction, explicit instruction, and implicit instruction. When describing a certain instruction information to indicate A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A.

[0055] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system applied in the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a possible, non-limiting system architecture. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal device (120a-120j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 120). RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1). Terminal device 120 is wirelessly connected to RAN node 110. RAN node 110 is wirelessly or wired connected to core network 200. The core network device in core network 200 and RAN node 110 in RAN 100 can be different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions.

[0056] RAN 100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 4G, 5G mobile communication systems, or future-oriented evolution systems. RAN 100 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN) or a cloud radio access network (CRAN). RAN 100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0057] RAN node 110, sometimes also referred to as access network equipment, RAN entity, or access node, is part of the communication system used to help terminal devices achieve wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 110 in the communication system can be of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of RAN node 110 and terminal device 120 are relative. For example, network element 120i in Figure 1 can be a helicopter or drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminal devices 120j accessing RAN 100 through network element 120i, network element 120i is a base station; but for base station 110a, network element 120i is a terminal device. RAN node 110 and terminal device 120 are sometimes both referred to as communication devices. For example, network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0058] In one possible scenario, a RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), or a base station in a future mobile communication system. A RAN node can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 1, 110a), a micro base station or indoor station (as shown in Figure 1, 110b), a relay node or donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, a RAN node can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU).

[0059] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes each implementing some of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control planes (CU-CPs), CU-user planes (CU-UPs), or radio units (RUs). CUs and DUs can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0060] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called an open-CU (open-CU, O-CU), DU can also be called an open-DU (open-DU, O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open-CU-CP (open-CU-CP, O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open-CU-UP (open-CU-UP, O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called an open-RU (open-RU, O-RU). For ease of description, the embodiments of this application use CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in the embodiments of this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0061] Terminal equipment can also be called terminals, user equipment (UE), mobile stations, mobile terminals, etc. Terminal equipment can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, point-of-sale (POS) machines, customer-premises equipment (CPE), light UE, reduced-capability UE (REDCAP UE), industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc.

[0062] Base stations and terminals can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can be deployed on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the base stations and terminals.

[0063] The roles of base stations and terminals can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 1 can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120j that access the wireless access network 100 through 120i, terminal 120i is a base station; however, for base station 110a, 120i is a terminal, meaning that 110a and 120i communicate via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate via a base station-to-base station interface protocol. In this case, relative to 110a, 120i is also a base station. Therefore, both base stations and terminals can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with base station functions, and 120a-120j in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with terminal functions.

[0064] Communication between base stations and terminals, between base stations, and between terminals can be conducted using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. Communication can be conducted using spectrum below 6 GHz, spectrum above 6 GHz, or both simultaneously. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0065] In the embodiments of this application, the functions of the base station can be executed by modules (such as chips) within the base station, or by a control subsystem that includes base station functions. This control subsystem, including base station functions, can be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. Similarly, the functions of the terminal can be executed by modules (such as chips or modems) within the terminal, or by a device that includes terminal functions.

[0066] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the access network device used in the embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 2, the access network device includes one or more CUs, one or more DUs, and one or more RUs. For clarity, only one CU, DU, and RU are shown in Figure 2. The CU is used to connect to the core network and one or more DUs. Optionally, the CU may have some of the functions of the core network. The CU may include CU-CP and CU-UP.

[0067] The CU and DU can be configured according to the protocol layer functions of the wireless network they implement: for example, the CU can be configured to implement the functions of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer and above (such as the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer and / or the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer); the DU can be configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, and / or the Physical (PHY) layer). Alternatively, the CU can be configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers above the PDCP layer (such as the RRC and / or SDAP layers), and the DU can be configured to implement the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (such as the RLC, MAC, and / or PHY layers).

[0068] When a CU includes CU-CP and CU-UP, CU-CP is used to implement the control plane functions of the CU, and CU-UP is used to implement the user plane functions of the CU. For example, when a CU is configured to implement the functions of the PDCP layer, RRC layer, and SDAP layer, CU-CP is used to implement the RRC layer functions and the control plane functions of the PDCP layer, and CU-UP is used to implement the SDAP layer functions and the user plane functions of the PDCP layer.

[0069] The CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement control plane functions. These network elements can be access and mobility function (AMF) network elements, such as the AMF network element in a 5G system. The AMF network element is responsible for mobility management in the mobile network, such as terminal device location updates, terminal device registration with the network, and terminal device handover.

[0070] CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement user plane functions. These network elements, such as the user plane function (UPF) network elements in a 5G system, are responsible for forwarding and receiving data in terminal devices.

[0071] The above CU and DU configurations are merely examples; the functions of the CU and DU can be configured as needed. For instance, the CU or DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or only some protocol layer processing functions. For example, some RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions above the RLC layer can be placed in the CU, while the remaining RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions below the RLC layer can be placed in the DU. Furthermore, the functions of the CU or DU can be divided according to service type or other system requirements, such as by latency. Functions that require low latency can be placed in the DU, while functions that do not require low latency can be placed in the CU.

[0072] The DU and RU can cooperate to implement the functions of the PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs via an enhanced common public radio interface (eCPRI). The functions of the DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, the DU can be configured to implement baseband functions, and the RU can be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Another example is that the DU can be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and the RU can be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer may include a portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the MAC layer, while lower-level functions in the physical layer may include another portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the mid-RF side.

[0073] In the wireless communication system shown in Figure 1, after the terminal device establishes a connection with the network device, the network device generates downlink control information (DCI) based on factors such as the current wireless channel conditions and user data requirements. The DCI is carried in the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) and transmitted to the terminal device through the PDCCH. The DCI may include downlink scheduling allocation information, uplink scheduling allocation information, and other control information.

[0074] During downlink data transmission, since the terminal device cannot know the arrival time of the downlink data, it needs to continuously perform blind DCI checks. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of downlink data transmission between the network device and the terminal device. As an example, the network device can configure periodic time-frequency resources for detecting DCI transmission on the terminal device. Accordingly, the terminal device detects DCI on the periodic DCI transmission resources configured by the network device.

[0075] As shown in Figure 3, if the DCI includes indication information for the time-frequency resources corresponding to the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), the terminal device can receive the PDSCH at the time-frequency resource location corresponding to the PDSCH and parse the downlink data carried in the PDSCH. The dashed line in Figure 3 indicates that the DCI may or may not include this indication information.

[0076] On the other hand, for uplink data transmission, network devices cannot know when terminal devices will send uplink data. Therefore, network devices need to continuously send DCI blindly so that terminal devices can schedule uplink resources when they have data transmission needs.

[0077] Figure 4 illustrates the uplink data transmission between network devices and terminal devices. As shown in Figure 4, when a terminal device prepares to send uplink data, it first sends a scheduling request (SR) to the network device. After detecting the SR, the network device sends a Data Interchange Message (DCI) to the terminal device. This DCI includes indication information for the time-frequency resources of the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH). The terminal device then sends a buffer status report (BSR) to the network device at the time-frequency resource location corresponding to the PUSCH. The terminal device uses the BSR to indicate the size of the uplink data to be sent to the network device.

[0078] Accordingly, after receiving the BSR, the network device sends a DCI to the terminal device to schedule time-frequency resources for uplink data transmission for the terminal device according to the data size indicated by the BSR. The terminal device then sends uplink data to the network device at the time-frequency resource location corresponding to the PUSCH indicated by the DCI.

[0079] Figure 5 illustrates uplink data transmission between a network device and a terminal device. As an example, the network device can configure periodic time-frequency resources for detecting DCI transmissions on the terminal device, where the DCI includes indication information for the time-frequency resources corresponding to the PUSCH. Accordingly, the terminal device detects the DCI on the periodic DCI transmission resources configured by the network device.

[0080] As shown in Figure 5, the terminal device sends uplink data to the network device at the time-frequency resource location corresponding to the PUSCH, and the network device receives the PUSCH. It should be noted that when there is no uplink data transmission between the terminal device and the network device, the PUSCH can carry some 0 and 1 bits without any information, as shown by the dashed lines in Figure 5.

[0081] As described above, even without downlink data transmission, terminal devices still need to periodically check the DCI, resulting in high power consumption. During uplink data transmission, the lengthy interaction process between the terminal and network devices can also increase power consumption for both. Furthermore, even without uplink data transmission, the network device needs to continuously send DCIs to the terminal device to schedule the PUSCH, and the terminal device sends empty 0 and 1 bits on the PUSCH; these situations can also lead to increased power consumption for both the terminal and network devices.

[0082] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of this application provide a communication method and related apparatus. These embodiments enable network devices and terminal devices to perform uplink or downlink data transmission on the same aligned time-frequency resources, which helps avoid blind detection of DCI by terminal devices or blind transmission of DCI by network devices, and helps reduce energy consumption at both ends of the network devices and terminal devices.

[0083] In the embodiments described below, the interaction between a terminal device and a network device is used as an example. It should be understood that the terminal device described above can be replaced by components configured in the terminal device (such as chips, chip systems, processors, etc.), or logical modules or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal device; the network device described above can also be replaced by components configured in the network device (such as chips, chip systems, processors, etc.), or logical modules or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device.

[0084] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in one embodiment of this application. It is understood that Figure 6 is merely an example, and the communication method provided in this embodiment may include more or similar steps. As shown in Figure 6, the communication method may include the following steps:

[0085] S601, the terminal device determines M time-frequency resources, where M is a positive integer greater than 1.

[0086] In this embodiment, time-frequency resources refer to the combination of time-domain and frequency-domain resources used for data transmission. These resources are the foundation for data transmission in wireless communication systems. According to a certain time and frequency scale, time-frequency resources can be divided into multiple grids in a two-dimensional grid format. These multiple grids can also be referred to as multiple meshes, and this embodiment does not limit their specific naming conventions.

[0087] In some implementations, the M time-frequency resources in this step correspond one-to-one with the M grids, and the time scale and frequency scale corresponding to each of the M grids are related to the channel information and service information.

[0088] In this context, each of the M grids, representing a location in both the time and frequency domains, can be understood as one of the M time-frequency resources. The time unit occupied by each grid in the time domain reflects the time scale of the two-dimensional rasterization processing of the time-frequency resource. As an example, the time scale corresponding to each of the M grids is positively correlated with channel quality. This positive correlation means that the higher the channel quality, the larger the time scale, i.e., the larger the time unit corresponding to each grid in the time domain. This is because high channel quality implies relatively stable channel quality, allowing for more relaxed design constraints on the size of the time-frequency resources. Conversely, lower channel quality results in a smaller time scale, i.e., the smaller the time unit corresponding to each grid in the time domain. This is because poor channel quality may mean significant differences in channel quality at different locations, necessitating restrictions on the design size of the time-frequency resources.

[0089] For example, when the terminal device moves slowly, the channel environment is relatively stable, which can be understood as high channel quality for communication between the network device and the terminal device. In this case, the time unit occupied by each of the M grids can be 100 milliseconds (ms), that is, the time domain resources are divided according to a 100ms time scale. When the terminal device moves quickly, the channel environment changes more significantly, which can be understood as low channel quality for communication between the network device and the terminal device. In this case, the time unit occupied by each of the M grids can be 1ms, that is, the time domain resources are divided according to a 1ms time scale.

[0090] Similarly, the frequency unit occupied by each of the M grids in the frequency domain reflects the frequency scale of the two-dimensional rasterization of time-frequency resources. As an example, the frequency scale corresponding to each of the M grids is positively correlated with the amount of service data. This positive correlation means that the larger the amount of service data, the larger the frequency scale, and vice versa.

[0091] For example, when the volume of service data is large, it indicates that more resources are required for data transmission between network devices and terminal devices, and correspondingly, the frequency unit occupied by each of the M grids increases. When the volume of service data is small, it indicates that less resources are required for data transmission between network devices and terminal devices, and correspondingly, the frequency unit occupied by each of the M grids decreases.

[0092] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of dividing time-frequency resources in a two-dimensional grid manner according to an embodiment of this application. For example, as shown in Figure 7, time-frequency resources ABCD are evenly divided into 3 time periods in the time domain and 4 frequency bands in the frequency domain. Time-frequency resources ABCD are evenly divided into 12 grids in a two-dimensional grid manner. The position defined by each grid can be understood as a time-frequency resource corresponding to each grid.

[0093] In this step, the terminal device can determine M time-frequency resources from a plurality of time-frequency resources available to it. As one possible implementation, as shown in optional step S601a in Figure 8, the network device can send first information to the terminal device, the first information indicating a first artificial intelligence (AI) model. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the first information from the network device.

[0094] Here, an AI model can be understood as a mathematical model, function, or algorithm. As an example, the first AI model can be a first neural network model that has already been trained. In step S601a, the first information can be used to indicate the parameter information corresponding to the first AI model. For example, the first information can indicate the number of layers in the first neural network model, the number of neurons in each layer, and the weights, etc.

[0095] Accordingly, as shown in optional step S601b in Figure 8, the terminal device can determine M time-frequency resources based on the first AI model, channel information, and service information. In step S601b, the input parameters of the first AI model include channel information and service information, where channel information can be used to indicate the channel environment, and service information can be used to indicate the resources required by the service. The terminal device can use the channel information and service information as input parameters of the first AI model, and the output parameters of the first AI model include the M time-frequency resources.

[0096] For example, the output parameters of the first AI model may include the frame, subframe, slot or symbol occupied by each of the M time-frequency resources in the time domain, and the frequency band, subcarrier or resource block occupied by each time-frequency resource in the frequency domain.

[0097] It is understandable that, when the terminal device determines M time-frequency resources based on the first AI model, channel information, and service information, as shown in optional step S601c in Figure 8, the network device can also determine M time-frequency resources based on the first AI model, channel information, and service information. Considering that the terminal device and the network device use the same AI model and that the input parameters of the first AI model are the same, the M time-frequency resources determined by the terminal device and the network device are the same M time-frequency resources, that is, the terminal device and the network device align the M time-frequency resources.

[0098] It should be noted that when the network device determines M time-frequency resources based on the AI ​​model, channel information, and service information, the AI ​​model used by the network device may be different from the first AI model used by the terminal device. In this embodiment, it is not limited whether the AI ​​models used by the network device and the terminal device are the same when determining the M time-frequency resources, as long as the network device can align the M time-frequency resources with the terminal device.

[0099] In this implementation, the execution order of steps S601b and S601c is not limited, that is, the order in which the terminal device determines the M time-frequency resources and the network device determines the M time-frequency resources is not limited.

[0100] In the implementations corresponding to steps S601a to S601c above, the terminal device can determine M time-frequency resources based on the first AI model. In another possible implementation, as shown in optional step S601d in Figure 8, the network device can send second information to the terminal device, the second information indicating the above M time-frequency resources. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the second information from the network device.

[0101] As an example, the second information can be used to indicate the frame, subframe, time slot, or symbol occupied by each of the M time-frequency resources in the time domain, and the frequency band, subcarrier, or resource block occupied by each time-frequency resource in the frequency domain.

[0102] In another example, the second information can also be used to indicate the overall position of the M time-frequency resources in the time and frequency domains, as well as the time scale for dividing the time-domain resources and the frequency scale for dividing the frequency-domain resources. In this implementation, the second information implicitly indicates the M time-frequency resources. The terminal device, combining the positions of the M time-frequency resources in the time and frequency domains with the time and frequency scales for dividing the resources, can determine the position of each of the M time-frequency resources.

[0103] It should be noted that the terminal device can receive the above first information or second information from the network device, or it can receive the above first information or second information from other network elements with corresponding functions. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0104] S602, the terminal device determines N time-frequency resources out of M time-frequency resources. The N time-frequency resources are used for data transmission, and N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0105] It is understandable that the above M time-frequency resources are the time-frequency resources that may be used for data transmission between network devices and terminal devices, or in other words, the M time-frequency resources are candidate time-frequency resources for data transmission between network devices and terminal devices. The terminal device determines the M time-frequency resources from the multiple time-frequency resources available to it, which is equivalent to performing a coarse screening.

[0106] In this step, the terminal device can select N time-frequency resources from M time-frequency resources, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1. The terminal device determines which of the N time-frequency resources to use for data transmission with the network device. In other words, the data transmitted between the network device and the terminal device is carried on these N time-frequency resources.

[0107] In some implementations, the above N time-frequency resources are the N time-frequency resources among the M time-frequency resources whose probability of being used for data transmission is greater than a preset threshold, or the N time-frequency resources are the N time-frequency resources with the highest probability of being used for data transmission among the M time-frequency resources.

[0108] In this implementation, the terminal device selects N time-frequency resources from the M time-frequency resources mentioned above. This is equivalent to performing a finer selection based on the initial coarse selection. The criterion for this fine selection is the probability that the M time-frequency resources will be used for data transmission. With a preset threshold, the terminal device can compare the probability of each of the M time-frequency resources being used for data transmission with the preset threshold. The N time-frequency resources whose probability of being used for data transmission is greater than the preset threshold are then selected as the N time-frequency resources for data transmission.

[0109] Alternatively, the terminal device can compare the probability of each of the M time-frequency resources being used for data transmission, thereby determining the time-frequency resource with the highest probability of being used for data transmission. In this case, N is equivalent to being 1. It is understandable that if there are N time-frequency resources among the M resources with the same highest probability of being used for data transmission, then N is a positive integer greater than 1 and less than M.

[0110] It should be noted that the terminal device can also identify N time-frequency resources out of M time-frequency resources that have a probability of being used for data transmission that is not less than a preset threshold as N time-frequency resources for data transmission.

[0111] In some implementations, as shown in optional step S602-1 in Figure 8, the terminal device can determine the probability of using M time-frequency resources for data transmission based on the second AI model, channel information, and service information.

[0112] As can be seen from the aforementioned fine-tuning implementation method, the prerequisite for the terminal device to determine N time-frequency resources out of M time-frequency resources is to obtain the probability of using the M time-frequency resources for data transmission. In step S602-1, the second AI model is different from the first AI model. The second AI model can be understood as a mathematical model, function, or algorithm used to determine the use of M time-frequency resources for data transmission.

[0113] As an example, the second AI model can be a pre-trained second neural network model. The input parameters of the second AI model include channel information and service information. The channel information can be used to indicate the channel environment, and the service information can be used to indicate the resources required for the service. The terminal device can use the channel information and service information as input parameters of the second AI model. The output parameters of the first AI model include the probability of each of the M time-frequency resources being used for data transmission.

[0114] It should be noted that the terminal device can have the above-mentioned pre-trained second AI model installed inside.

[0115] As another possible implementation, as shown in optional step S602-2 of Figure 8, the network device can also send third information to the terminal device, which is used to instruct the second AI model. Accordingly, the terminal device receives the third information from the network device.

[0116] Referring to the aforementioned first information, the second AI model is a trained second neural network model. The third information can indicate the number of layers in the second neural network model, the number of neurons in each layer, and the weights, etc. The third information can indicate the second AI model through the above parameter information.

[0117] Referring to the foregoing description, in this implementation method, where the terminal device determines the probability of using M time-frequency resources for data transmission based on the second AI model, channel information, and service information, as shown in optional step S602-3 in Figure 8, the network device can also determine the probability of using M time-frequency resources for data transmission based on the second AI model, channel information, and service information.

[0118] Further, as shown in optional step S602-4 of Figure 8, the network device can determine N time-frequency resources out of M time-frequency resources, and these N time-frequency resources are used for data transmission. The network device can select N time-frequency resources for data transmission from the M time-frequency resources based on the probability that the M time-frequency resources are used for data transmission. These N time-frequency resources are either the N time-frequency resources whose probability of being used for data transmission is greater than a preset threshold, or the N time-frequency resources with the highest probability of being used for data transmission from the M time-frequency resources.

[0119] It is understandable that the way network devices determine N time-frequency resources is the same as the way terminal devices select N time-frequency resources from M time-frequency resources, and will not be repeated here.

[0120] Considering that the terminal device and the network device use the same second AI model and that the input parameters of the second AI model are the same, the N time-frequency resources selected by the network device from the M time-frequency resources are the same time-frequency resources as the N time-frequency resources selected by the terminal device from the M time-frequency resources. In other words, the terminal device and the network device align the N time-frequency resources.

[0121] It should be noted that, assuming that when the network device determines the probability of using M time-frequency resources for data transmission based on the AI ​​model, channel information, and service information, the AI ​​model used is different from the second AI model used by the terminal device, the network device can also align N time-frequency resources with the terminal device. In this application embodiment, it is not limited whether the AI ​​models used by the network device and the terminal device to determine the probability of using M time-frequency resources for data transmission are the same.

[0122] In the above implementation, step S602-1 is executed before S602, and step S602-3 is executed before S602-4. This implementation does not limit the order of steps S602-1 and S602-3, nor does it limit the order of steps S602 and S602-4.

[0123] S603, the terminal device receives or sends data in N time-frequency resources.

[0124] Understandably, when downlink data transmission occurs between the terminal device and the network device, as shown in optional step S603a in Figure 8, the network device sends downlink data to the terminal device in N time-frequency resources. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives downlink data from the network device in N time-frequency resources.

[0125] In some implementations, the channel carrying the downlink data may include a DCI. As an example, unlike the DCI carried in the PDCCH, this DCI does not have a fixed bit field. Instead, the DCI is transmitted through the channel carrying the downlink data. In this example, the DCI is equivalent to a part of the downlink data and can be understood as a piggyback DCI in the downlink data.

[0126] For example, a network device sends downlink data in N time-frequency resources, and a terminal device receives downlink data from the network device in N time-frequency resources. The downlink data includes 100 bits of information, of which 10 bits correspond to DCI and the remaining 90 bits correspond to the information sent by the network device to the terminal device.

[0127] When downlink data transmission occurs between the terminal device and the network device, as shown in optional step S603b in Figure 8, the terminal device sends uplink data to the network device in N time-frequency resources. Correspondingly, the network device receives uplink data from the terminal device in N time-frequency resources.

[0128] In some implementations, the uplink data may include uplink control information (UCI). As an example, unlike the UCI carried in the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), this UCI does not have a fixed bit field. Instead, it is transmitted through the channel carrying the uplink data. In this example, the UCI is equivalent to a part of the uplink data, and can be understood as the uplink data containing the UCI.

[0129] It is understandable that when network devices and terminal devices transmit data in N time-frequency resources out of M time-frequency resources, specific information such as modulation and coding schemes (MCS) and time-frequency resource fine-tuning may also be involved. During downlink data transmission, the DCI (Discrete Coding Interface) included on the channel carrying downlink data indicates the above information; during uplink data transmission, the UCI (Unified Coding Interface) included on the channel carrying uplink data indicates the above information. This allows network devices and terminal devices to transmit data more accurately in the N time-frequency resources, which helps save energy consumption for both network devices and terminal devices.

[0130] In this embodiment, the network device and the terminal device can determine N time-frequency resources out of M time-frequency resources for data transmission. Data transmission can be performed directly in the N time-frequency resources that are aligned at both ends. This helps to avoid blind detection of DCI by the terminal device or blind transmission of DCI by the network device, thereby helping to reduce the energy consumption of the network device and the terminal device.

[0131] In the above embodiments, a single RAN node is used as the network device for description. The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be further described below using an ORAN or DU-RU separation architecture as the network device.

[0132] As one possible implementation, during system startup or reconfiguration, the DU can send relevant rules to the RU via the eCPRI interface. For example, the relevant rules may specifically include a first AI model and an encoding method for data transmission across M time-frequency resources.

[0133] Corresponding to optional step S601c in the method shown in Figure 6, DU can determine M time-frequency resources based on the first AI model, channel information, and service information. Further, corresponding to the embodiment shown in Figure 6, DU can determine N time-frequency resources for data transmission from the M time-frequency resources based on the probability that the M time-frequency resources are used for data transmission.

[0134] Furthermore, the DU can determine the data to be transmitted in N resources. Accordingly, the DU can transmit the N time-frequency resources and the downlink data to be transmitted in the N time-frequency resources to the RU via the eCPRI interface.

[0135] Corresponding to step S603a in the method shown in Figure 6, after receiving the task notification from the DU, the RU can send downlink data to the terminal device according to the relevant rules received from the DU.

[0136] Figures 9 and 10 are schematic diagrams of possible communication devices provided in embodiments of this application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of terminal devices or network devices in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of this application, the communication device can be the terminal device or network device in the method embodiments shown in Figure 6 or Figure 8, or it can be a component (such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.) configured in the terminal device or network device, or it can be a logic module or software capable of implementing some or all of the functions of the terminal device or network device.

[0137] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 9, the communication device 900 includes a processing module 910 and a transceiver module 920.

[0138] The transceiver module 920 can implement corresponding communication functions and can also be referred to as an input / output interface or communication unit. The processing module 910 can be used to perform processing operations. It should be understood that if the device 900 is a component configured in a network device or terminal device, such as a chip, the transceiver module 920 can be an input / output interface.

[0139] Optionally, the transceiver module 920 may include a sending module and a receiving module. The sending module is used to perform the sending operation of the network device or terminal device in Figure 6 or Figure 8, and the receiving module is used to perform the receiving operation of the network device or terminal device in Figure 6 or Figure 8.

[0140] It should be understood that when the device 900 is a component configured in a network device or terminal device, such as a chip, the transmitting module can be an output interface, and the transmitting operation involved in the embodiments of this application can be performed by the output interface; the receiving module can be an input interface, and the receiving operation involved in the embodiments of this application can be performed by the input interface.

[0141] Optionally, the device 900 may further include a storage module for storing instructions and / or data, and the processing module 910 may read the instructions and / or data from the storage module to enable the device to implement the method embodiment shown in FIG6 or FIG8.

[0142] In one possible design, the device 900 can be used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG6 or FIG8. Alternatively, the device 900 can include a unit for implementing any function or operation of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG6 or FIG8. This unit can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof.

[0143] When device 900 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in the method embodiment shown in FIG6 or FIG8, transceiver module 920 (specifically, receiving module) can be used to execute step S601a in FIG8 to receive first information from network device, the first information being used to indicate the first AI model; processing module 910 can be used to execute step S601b in FIG8 to determine M time-frequency resources based on the first AI model, channel information and service information; processing module 910 can also be used to execute step S602 in FIG6 to determine N time-frequency resources among the M time-frequency resources, the N time-frequency resources being used for data transmission; transceiver module 920 (specifically, sending module) can also be used to execute step S603b in FIG8 to send uplink data to network device in the N time-frequency resources.

[0144] In another possible design, the device 900 can be used to implement the functions of the network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG6 or FIG8. Alternatively, the device 900 can include a unit for implementing any function or operation of the network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG6 or FIG8. This unit can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof.

[0145] When device 900 is used to implement the function of network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG6 or FIG8, transceiver module 920 (specifically, a sending module) can be used to execute step S601a in FIG8 to send first information to terminal device, the first information being used to indicate the first AI model; processing module 910 can also be used to execute step S601c in FIG8 to determine M time-frequency resources based on the first AI model, channel information and service information; transceiver module 920 (specifically, a receiving module) can be used to execute step S603b in FIG8 to receive uplink data from terminal device in N time-frequency resources.

[0146] A more detailed description of the above-mentioned processing module 910 and transceiver module 920 can be obtained directly from the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown in Figure 6 or Figure 8, and will not be repeated here.

[0147] It should be noted that the transceiver module can also be called a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver machine, or transceiver device, etc. The processing module can also be called a processor, processing board, processing unit, or processing device, etc. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform the sending and receiving operations on the terminal device or network device side in the above method. The device in the communication module used to implement the receiving function can be considered as the receiving module, and the device in the communication module used to implement the sending function can be considered as the sending module; that is, the transceiver module includes both a receiving module and a sending module.

[0148] In another possible design, the aforementioned transceiver module and / or processing module can be implemented using virtual modules. For example, the processing module can be implemented using software functional modules or virtual devices, and the transceiver module can also be implemented using software functional modules or virtual devices. In another possible design, the processing module or transceiver module can also be implemented using physical devices. For example, if the device is implemented using a chip / chip circuit, the transceiver module can be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, performing input operations (corresponding to the aforementioned receiving operation) and output operations (corresponding to the aforementioned sending operation); the processing module is an integrated processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit.

[0149] It should be understood that the module division in the embodiments of this application is illustrative and only represents a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into a single processor, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0150] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in another embodiment of this application. This device 1000 can be a chip system, or it can be a device configured with a chip system to implement the above-described method embodiments. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices.

[0151] As shown in Figure 10, device 1000 can be implemented using a processing system including one or more processors 1001. Processor 1001 includes a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, field-programmable gate array, graphics processor, programmable logic device, state machine, gated logic, discrete hardware circuitry, and other suitable hardware configured to various functions. That is, the processor used in device 1000 can be used to implement any one or more of the embodiments described above.

[0152] The processing system in device 1000 can be implemented using a bus architecture, typically represented by bus 1002. Bus 1002 may include any number of interconnect buses and bridges, depending on the specific application and overall design constraints of the processing system. The bus communicatively couples various circuits together, including one or more processors 1001 (typically represented by a processor), memory 1003, and computer-readable medium 1004 (typically represented by a computer-readable medium). Bus 1002 may also link various other circuits, such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art and therefore will not be described further. Bus interface 1005 provides an interface between bus 1002 and transceivers, and between bus 1002 and interfaces. Bus interface 1005 may use, but is not limited to, transceivers to enable communication between device 1000 and other devices or apparatuses.

[0153] A transceiver provides a communication interface or means for communicating with various other devices via a wireless transmission medium. The transceiver may be coupled to an antenna array, and the transceiver and antenna array may be used together for communication with a corresponding network type. At least one interface (e.g., a network interface and / or a user interface) provides a communication interface or means for communication via an internal bus or via an external transmission medium.

[0154] Processor 1001 is responsible for managing bus 1002 and general processing, including executing software stored on computer-readable medium 1004. When executed by processor 1001, the software causes the processing system to perform the various functions described below for any particular device.

[0155] The processor 1001, memory 1003, and computer-readable medium 1004 can perform the following functions: encoding, decoding, rate matching, rate dematching, scrambling, descrambling, modulation, demodulation, layer mapping, fast Fourier transform, inverse fast Fourier transform, inverse discrete Fourier transform, precoding, resource element (RE) mapping, channel equalization, RE demapping, digital beamforming (BF), adding cyclic prefix (CP), removing CP, etc.

[0156] The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or being executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can be located in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art.

[0157] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the methods described above.

[0158] This application also provides a computer program product, including computer instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the various steps in the methods described above.

[0159] This application also provides a communication system, which includes the aforementioned terminal device and network device.

[0160] It should be noted that the modules or components shown in the above embodiments can be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more microprocessors, or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Furthermore, when a module is implemented by a processing element calling program code, the processing element can be a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or other processor capable of calling program code, such as a controller. Additionally, these modules can be integrated together and implemented as a System-on-a-Chip (SoC).

[0161] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, software modules, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. A computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the flow or function according to the embodiments of this application is generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state disk (SSD)).

[0162] Other embodiments of this application will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this application that follow the general principles of this application and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and intent of this application are indicated by the following claims.

[0163] It should be understood that this application is not limited to the precise structure described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this application is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method includes: Identify M time-frequency resources, where M is a positive integer greater than 1; N time-frequency resources are determined from the M time-frequency resources, and the N time-frequency resources are used for data transmission, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1; Receive or transmit data in the N time-frequency resources.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The determination of the M time-frequency resources includes: Receive first information, which is used to instruct a first artificial intelligence (AI) model; The M time-frequency resources are determined based on the first AI model, channel information, and service information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The determination of the M time-frequency resources includes: Receive second information, which indicates the M time-frequency resources.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The N time-frequency resources are the N time-frequency resources among the M time-frequency resources that have a greater than preset threshold probability of being used for data transmission, or the N time-frequency resources are the N time-frequency resources among the M time-frequency resources that have the highest probability of being used for data transmission.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The method further includes: The probability of using the M time-frequency resources for data transmission is determined based on the second AI model, channel information, and service information.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The receiving or transmitting of data in the N time-frequency resources includes: Downlink data is received in the N time-frequency resources, and the channel carrying the downlink data includes downlink control information (DCI); or... Uplink data is transmitted in the N time-frequency resources, and the channel carrying the uplink data includes uplink control information (UCI).

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The M time-frequency resources correspond one-to-one with the M grids, and the time scale and frequency scale of each grid are related to the channel information and service information.

8. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method includes: Send a first message, which is used to instruct a first AI model; Based on the first AI model, channel information, and service information, M time-frequency resources are determined, where M is a positive integer greater than 1; Data is transmitted or received in N time-frequency resources out of the M time-frequency resources, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

9. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method includes: Send a second message indicating M time-frequency resources, where M is a positive integer greater than 1; Data is transmitted or received in N time-frequency resources out of the M time-frequency resources, where N is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The N time-frequency resources are the N time-frequency resources among the M time-frequency resources that have a greater than preset threshold probability of being used for data transmission, or the N time-frequency resources are the N time-frequency resources among the M time-frequency resources that have the highest probability of being used for data transmission.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The method further includes: The probability of using the M time-frequency resources for data transmission is determined based on the second AI model, channel information, and service information.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that, The transmission or reception of data in N time-frequency resources out of the M time-frequency resources includes: Downlink data is transmitted in the N time-frequency resources, and the channel carrying the downlink data includes DCI; or... Uplink data is received in the N time-frequency resources, and the channel carrying the uplink data includes UCI.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that, The M time-frequency resources correspond one-to-one with the M grids, and the time scale and frequency scale of each grid are related to the channel information and service information.

14. A communications device, characterized by The communication device includes a module for implementing the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. A communications device, characterized by include: a processor coupled with the memory; the memory stores computer-executable instructions; the processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, so that the communication device executes the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

16. A computer readable storage medium characterized by: The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by a processor, are used to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

17. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program is executed by a processor to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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