Wireless communication methods, terminal devices, and network devices

Abstract

Provided are wireless communication methods, terminal devices and network devices. A wireless communication method comprises: a terminal device receives first indication information, wherein the first indication information is used for determining a transmission scheme applied when the terminal device is switched from a first access point set to a second access point set, and the transmission scheme comprises a single access point transmission scheme or a multi-access point transmission scheme.

Description

Wireless communication methods, terminal devices, and network devices Technical Field

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

[0002] In some communication systems (such as new radio (NR) systems), when a terminal device switches from a source cell to a target cell due to mobility, the terminal device accesses the target cell using a single access point transmission method, which is less flexible and reduces the performance of the communication system. Summary of the Invention

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

[0004] In a first aspect, a wireless communication method is provided, comprising: a terminal device receiving first indication information; wherein the first indication information is used to determine a transmission scheme applied when the terminal device switches from a first set of access points to a second set of access points, the transmission scheme including a single access point transmission scheme or a multi-access point transmission scheme.

[0005] In a second aspect, a wireless communication method is provided, comprising: a network device sending first indication information to a terminal device; wherein the first indication information is used to determine the transmission scheme applied when the terminal device switches from a first set of access points to a second set of access points, the transmission scheme including a single access point transmission scheme or a multi-access point transmission scheme.

[0006] Thirdly, a terminal device is provided, comprising: a first receiving module, configured to receive first indication information; wherein the first indication information is configured to determine the transmission scheme applied when the terminal device switches from a first set of access points to a second set of access points, the transmission scheme including a single access point transmission scheme or a multi-access point transmission scheme.

[0007] Fourthly, a network device is provided, comprising: a first transmitting module, configured to transmit first indication information to a terminal device; wherein the first indication information is configured to determine the transmission scheme applied by the terminal device when switching from a first set of access points to a second set of access points, the transmission scheme including a single access point transmission scheme or a multi-access point transmission scheme.

[0008] Fifthly, a terminal device is provided, including a processor, a memory, and a communication interface, wherein the memory is used to store one or more computer programs, and the processor is used to invoke the computer programs in the memory to cause the terminal device to perform some or all of the steps in the method of the first aspect.

[0009] In a sixth aspect, a network device is provided, including a processor, a memory, and a communication interface, wherein the memory is used to store one or more computer programs, and the processor is used to invoke the computer programs in the memory to cause the network device to perform some or all of the steps in the method of the second aspect.

[0010] Seventhly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system including the aforementioned terminal device and / or network device. In another possible design, the system may further include other devices that interact with the terminal device or network device as described in the embodiments of this application.

[0011] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that causes a computer to perform some or all of the steps in the methods described above.

[0012] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product, wherein the computer program product includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program operable to cause a computer to perform some or all of the steps of the methods described in the foregoing aspects. In some implementations, the computer program product may be a software installation package.

[0013] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip including a memory and a processor, the processor being able to call and run a computer program from the memory to implement some or all of the steps described in the methods of the foregoing aspects.

[0014] In this embodiment, the terminal device can determine whether to apply a single access point transmission scheme or a multi-access point transmission scheme when switching from a first access point set to a second access point set based on the first indication information. In other words, the terminal device can flexibly choose the transmission scheme when switching from the first access point set to the second access point set. Compared to the terminal device only being able to access the network using a single access point transmission scheme during switching, this embodiment allows for flexible selection from multiple transmission schemes, which is beneficial for improving system throughput, enhancing transmission quality, and facilitating flexible switching of transmission schemes according to changes in the wireless communication environment, thereby improving the performance of the communication system. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 is an example diagram of the system architecture of a wireless communication system to which embodiments of this application can be applied.

[0016] Figure 2 is an example diagram of uplink transmission by a terminal device across multiple panels / transmission points.

[0017] Figure 3 is another example diagram of the system architecture of a wireless communication system to which embodiments of this application can be applied.

[0018] Figure 4 is an example diagram of the handover process of the terminal device in a cellless scenario provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0019] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating the wireless communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0020] Figure 6 is an example diagram illustrating the implementation of the target transmission configuration indicator (TCI) status provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0021] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the terminal device provided in the embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the network device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0023] Figure 9 is a schematic structural diagram of the communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Communication system architecture

[0025] Figure 1 is a system architecture example diagram of a wireless communication system 100 to which embodiments of this application can be applied. The wireless communication system 100 may include a network device 110 and a terminal device 120. The network device 110 may be a device that communicates with the terminal device 120. The network device 110 may provide communication coverage for a specific geographical area and may communicate with the terminal device 120 located within that coverage area.

[0026] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary network device and two terminal devices. Optionally, the wireless communication system 100 may include multiple network devices, and each network device may include other numbers of terminal devices within its coverage area. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0027] Optionally, the wireless communication system 100 may also include other network entities such as a network controller and a mobility management entity, which is not limited in this embodiment.

[0028] It should be understood that the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: 5th generation (5G) systems or new radio (NR), long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, etc. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as 6th generation mobile communication systems, satellite communication systems, and so on.

[0029] The terminal device in this application embodiment can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. The terminal device in this application embodiment can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, and can be used to connect people, objects, and machines, such as a handheld device with wireless connectivity, vehicle-mounted device, etc. The terminal devices in the embodiments of this application can be mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, self-driving, remote medical surgery, smart grids, transportation safety, smart cities, and smart homes, etc. Optionally, the UE can act as a base station. For example, the UE can act as a scheduling entity, providing sidelink signals between UEs in V2X or D2D, etc. For example, cellular phones and cars communicate with each other using sidelink signals. Cellular phones and smart home devices communicate without relaying communication signals through a base station.

[0030] The network device in this application embodiment can be a device for communicating with a terminal device. This network device can also be called an access network device or a wireless access network device, such as a base station. In this application embodiment, the network device can refer to a radio access network (RAN) node (or device) that connects the terminal device to the wireless network. A base station can broadly encompass, or be replaced by, various names including: NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNB), next-generation NodeB (gNB), relay station, transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), master MeNB, auxiliary SeNB, multi-mode radio (MSR) node, home base station, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (AP), transmission node, transceiver node, baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), positioning node, etc. A base station can be a macro base station, micro base station, relay node, donor node, or similar, or a combination thereof. A base station can also refer to a communication module, modem, or chip installed within the aforementioned equipment or apparatus. Base stations can also be mobile switching centers, devices that perform base station functions in device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, network-side devices in 6G networks, and devices that perform base station functions in future communication systems. Base stations can support networks using the same or different access technologies. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the network equipment.

[0031] Base stations can be fixed or mobile. For example, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a mobile base station, and one or more cells can move depending on the location of the mobile base station. In other examples, a helicopter or drone can be configured as a device to communicate with another base station.

[0032] In some deployments, the network device in this application embodiment may refer to a CU or a DU, or the network device may include both a CU and a DU. The gNB may also include an AAU.

[0033] Network devices and terminal devices can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on airplanes, balloons, and satellites. This application does not limit the scenario in which the network devices and terminal devices are located.

[0034] It should be understood that all or part of the functions of the communication device in this application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0035] Transmission schemes in multi-TRP scenarios

[0036] The channel propagation characteristics between multiple TRPs and terminal devices are relatively independent. Therefore, the reliability of data transmission and the delay of data transmission can be improved by utilizing the repeated transmission of multiple TRPs in the spatial, temporal, and frequency domains.

[0037] The following sections will introduce the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) transmission scheme and the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) transmission scheme in the multi-TRP scenario.

[0038] In some embodiments, for an ideal backhaul scenario, network devices can schedule PDSCH transmissions for multiple TRPs using a single downlink control information (DCI). In some embodiments, the PDSCH transmissions for multiple TRPs scheduled by this single DCI can be one or more of the following: frequency division multiplexing (FDM), spatial division multiplexing (SDM), and time division multiplexing (TDM).

[0039] In some embodiments, network devices can send PDSCH to terminal devices using two TCI states through different transmission schemes.

[0040] In some embodiments, the network device may instruct the terminal device to switch transmission schemes. The switching methods between different transmission schemes are described below.

[0041] In some embodiments, network devices can switch transmission schemes by indicating TCI status and by radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0042] In some embodiments, the network device can indicate two TCI states via DCI and configure the transmission scheme to any of the following via RRC signaling: FDM scheme A, FDM scheme B, or TDM scheme A. In this case, the terminal device's transmission scheme also switches accordingly to the transmission scheme configured by the RRC signaling. For example, the network device can indicate two TCI states via DCI and configure the transmission scheme to FDM scheme A via RRC signaling; in this case, the terminal device's transmission scheme switches to FDM scheme A. As another example, the network device can indicate two TCI states via DCI and configure the transmission scheme to TDM scheme A via RRC signaling; in this case, the terminal device's transmission scheme switches to TDM scheme A.

[0043] In some embodiments, the network device can indicate two TCI states via DCI and configure the repetition count via RRC signaling repetitionNumber. In this case, the terminal device's transmission scheme switches to TDM scheme B.

[0044] In some embodiments, the network device can dynamically indicate a switching of the transmission scheme. For example, the network device can indicate one TCI state via DCI to indicate a dynamic switch to the non-repeating transmission scheme of release 15 (R15). As another example, the network device can indicate two TCI states via DCI, and the DCI can indicate the demodulation reference signal (DMRS) port in two code division multiplexing (CDM) groups via the antenna ports field to indicate a switch to the SDM scheme.

[0045] In some embodiments, if the network device configures the RRC parameter repetitionNumber for PDSCH, the terminal device does not expect to be configured with the RRC parameter repetitionScheme. In some embodiments, if the network device configures the RRC parameter repetitionNumber for PDSCH, or if the network device configures the repetitionScheme for PDSCH as FDM scheme A or TDM scheme A, the terminal device does not expect to be configured with the parameter pdsch-AggregationFactor. These limitations demonstrate that FDM and TDM transmission schemes can only be configured individually.

[0046] Currently, for PUSCH transmission schemes in multi-TRP scenarios, some protocols (such as R17 protocol) only support sending multiple PUSCHs to two TRPs in the form of TDM. The TDM method includes PUSCH repetition type A and PUSCH repetition type B.

[0047] In some embodiments, network devices can configure PUSCH transmission schemes for terminal devices in multi-TRP scenarios via RRC signaling. For example, network devices can configure PUSCH repetition type A or PUSCH repetition type B via RRC signaling.

[0048] Uplink multi-panel / TRP transmission

[0049] In some embodiments, if the terminal device is configured with multiple panels and supports simultaneous transmission of uplink information on multiple panels, the terminal device can simultaneously send multiple uplink information messages on multiple panels to improve uplink spectral efficiency. Figure 2 shows an example diagram of a terminal device simultaneously performing uplink transmission on multiple panels / TRPs. As shown in Figure 2, the terminal device is configured with panel 1 and panel 2. If the terminal device supports simultaneous transmission of uplink information on panel 1 and panel 2, the terminal device can simultaneously send uplink information to multiple TRPs 1 and TRPs 2 on panel 1 and panel 2.

[0050] In some embodiments, uplink transmissions for multiple panels / TRPs can be scheduled via a single DCI. As shown in Figure 2, both PUSCH 1 and PUSCH 2 can be scheduled via DCI 1.

[0051] In some embodiments, uplink transmissions for multi-panel / TRP can be scheduled through multiple DCIs. As shown in Figure 2, PUSCH 1 can be scheduled through DCI 1, and PUSCH 2 can be scheduled through DCI 2.

[0052] Currently, when terminal devices switch from one cell (source cell) to another cell (target cell) due to mobility, the terminal devices access the target cell using a single TRP transmission method, resulting in poor transmission flexibility and reduced communication system performance.

[0053] To address the aforementioned issues, this application proposes that a terminal device can determine whether to apply a single access point transmission scheme or a multi-access point transmission scheme when switching from a first access point set to a second access point set based on first indication information. In other words, the terminal device can flexibly choose the transmission scheme when switching from the first access point set to the second access point set. Compared to the limitation that the terminal device can only access the network using a single access point transmission scheme during switching, this application allows for flexible selection from multiple transmission schemes, which is beneficial for improving system throughput, enhancing transmission quality, and facilitating flexible switching of transmission schemes according to changes in the wireless communication environment, thereby improving the performance of the communication system.

[0054] To facilitate understanding, the applicable scenarios of the embodiments of this application will be introduced below.

[0055] In some embodiments, the present application can be applied to cell handover scenarios. That is, the present application can be applied to scenarios where a terminal device hands over from one cell to another.

[0056] In some embodiments, the present application can be applied to cell-free scenarios. Alternatively, the present application can be applied to cell-free multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) scenarios. The cell-free scenario is described below by way of example.

[0057] Some communication systems (such as future communication systems) may adopt cellless network design principles, shifting from a network-centric design to a user (or terminal device)-centric design. Specifically, in traditional network-centric cellular networks, terminal devices access different cells using a single access point. After accessing the cell, subsequent network devices can provide uplink and downlink transmission services to the terminal device using either a single or multiple access points. In a terminal device-centric cellless network, cell boundaries are broken down, or there are no cell boundaries. Geographically, the terminal device can be surrounded by multiple access points (i.e., the terminal device can be jointly served by multiple access points) and perform uplink and downlink transmissions through multiple access points. The baseband portion between multiple access points can share information in ideal or non-ideal ways. In this scenario, the terminal device can be served by multiple access points simultaneously, and either a single-access-point transmission scheme or a multi-access-point transmission scheme can be used during uplink and downlink transmission services. This transmission scenario can be called or understood as cellless MIMO. In other words, cellless technology places users at the core of network design, allowing each terminal device to receive services from multiple access points around it, rather than connecting to only one access point as in traditional cellular networks.

[0058] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, the access point can also be understood or replaced by one or more of the following: TRP, cell. Unless otherwise specified, this application does not distinguish between the concepts of access point, TRP, and cell.

[0059] In some embodiments, cellless technology can be implemented using a large number of distributed access points and a powerful central processing unit (CPU). Figure 3 illustrates an example system architecture for cellless MIMO transmission. As shown in Figure 3, the communication system 300 may include multiple access points, multiple terminal devices, and one or more CPUs.

[0060] In some embodiments, signals collected by multiple access points are sent to the CPU for unified processing.

[0061] In some embodiments, the plurality of access points may be connected to a single CPU. For example, the plurality of access points may be connected to a single CPU via a fiber optic link. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this; for example, the plurality of access points may be connected to multiple CPUs, and the multiple CPUs may communicate with each other.

[0062] It should be noted that the system architecture shown in Figure 3 is only an example, and the embodiments of this application can be applied to the system architecture of any cellless MIMO scenario.

[0063] Unlike traditional cell-based networks, cellless networks have no defined cell boundaries (or rather, they diminish or even eliminate the concept of cells), meaning users can enjoy a more consistent service experience anywhere. Therefore, cellless networks offer many advantages. For example, they improve the coverage of communication systems because the absence of traditional cell boundaries allows for wider and more uniform wireless coverage. They also improve signal quality because multiple antennas can simultaneously provide service to terminal devices from different points, reducing cell edge interference and thus enhancing signal quality. Furthermore, they improve network performance because this architecture allows for better management and utilization of wireless resources, increasing network throughput and performance. They also increase the capacity of communication systems by utilizing MIMO technology, which significantly increases capacity, providing higher data rates and higher system throughput. Finally, they enhance the flexibility and scalability of communication systems because this architecture is more flexible and scalable than traditional cellular structures, allowing for easy addition or removal of access points as needed.

[0064] Figure 4 illustrates an example of the handover process for a terminal device in a cellless scenario. As shown in Figure 4, when a terminal device moves from area 1 to area 2, the set of access points serving the terminal device may switch from the first set of access points (including access points 1, 2, and 3) to the second set of access points (including access points 1, 2, and 4). However, in this scenario, if the terminal device still uses the traditional scheme (i.e., using a single access point transmission scheme) to access the second set of access points after the handover, it will result in poor flexibility of the communication system and reduced system performance. Therefore, this application proposes that the terminal device can determine whether to apply a single access point transmission scheme or a multi-access point transmission scheme when switching from the first set of access points to the second set of access points based on the first indication information. The method embodiments of this application are described below.

[0065] Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart of a wireless communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method shown in Figure 5 is described from the perspective of interaction between a terminal device and a network device. In some embodiments, the terminal device and the network device may be, for example, the terminal device and the CPU shown in Figure 3, respectively. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this; for example, the terminal device and the network device may be, for example, the terminal device 120 and the network device 110 shown in Figure 1, respectively.

[0066] The method shown in Figure 5 includes step S510, which will be described below.

[0067] In step S510, the terminal device receives first indication information. For example, the terminal device receives first indication information sent by the network device.

[0068] In this embodiment, the first indication information can be used to determine the transmission scheme applied when the terminal device switches from the first access point set to the second access point set. In other words, the terminal device can determine the transmission scheme applied when switching from the first access point set to the second access point set based on the first indication information; that is, during the process of switching from the first access point set to the second access point set, the terminal device can determine the transmission scheme (the transmission scheme applied when switching to the second access point set) based on the first indication information. Therefore, in some embodiments, the first indication information can also be understood or referred to as transmission scheme configuration, transmission scheme indication, etc.

[0069] For example, in the scenario shown in Figure 4, the first indication information can be used to determine the transmission scheme applied when the terminal device moves from area 1 to area 2. Alternatively, the first indication information can be used to determine the transmission scheme applied when the terminal device switches from the first set of access points {access point 1, access point 2, access point 3} to the second set of access points {access point 1, access point 2, access point 4}.

[0070] In some embodiments, the first set of access points mentioned in this application may include one or more access points. Similarly, in some embodiments, the second set of access points mentioned in this application may include one or more access points.

[0071] In some embodiments, the first set of access points may be understood or replaced by one or more of the following: source set of access points, source cell, source cell set, first TRP set, source TRP set, etc. Correspondingly, the second set of access points may be understood or replaced by one or more of the following: target set of access points, target cell, target cell set, second TRP set, target TRP set, etc.

[0072] In some embodiments, the transmission scheme applied by the terminal device when switching from the first set of access points to the second set of access points may include one of the following: a single access point transmission scheme or a multi-access point transmission scheme. In this way, during the process of switching from the first set of access points to the second set of access points, the terminal device can flexibly apply either a single access point transmission scheme or a multi-access point transmission scheme according to the first indication information. This improves the flexibility of communication between the terminal device and network devices, increases system throughput, enhances transmission quality, and allows for flexible switching of transmission schemes according to changes in the wireless communication environment, thereby improving the performance of the communication system.

[0073] In some embodiments, a single access point transmission scheme refers to a terminal device accessing the network through a single access point (or a single TRP) to perform uplink and / or downlink transmissions with the network through a single access point.

[0074] In some embodiments, a multi-access point transmission scheme refers to a terminal device accessing the network through multiple access points (or multiple TRPs) to perform uplink and / or downlink transmissions with the network through multiple access points.

[0075] This application does not specifically limit the multi-access point transmission scheme. Exemplarily, a multi-access point transmission scheme may include one or more of the following transmission schemes: a single-DCI scheduled SDM scheme, a single-frequency network (SFN) scheme with single-DCI scheduling, a single-DCI scheduled TDM repetition scheme (such as TDM scheme A and TDM scheme B), a multi-DCI scheduled transmission scheme, and a non-coherent-joint transmission (NC-JT) scheme based on a single DCI. Of course, this application is not limited to these; for example, the multi-access point transmission scheme may also include a single-DCI scheduled FDM scheme (such as FDM scheme A and FDM scheme B).

[0076] This application does not limit the method of carrying the first indication information. Exemplarily, the first indication information can be carried by one or more of the following: RRC signaling, medium access control element (MAC CE), and DCI.

[0077] As an example, the initial indication information can be carried via RRC signaling.

[0078] As another example, the initial instruction information can be carried via MAC CE.

[0079] As yet another example, the first indication information can be carried via DCI.

[0080] As yet another example, the first indication information can be carried via RRC signaling and MAC CE.

[0081] As yet another example, the first indication information can be carried via RRC signaling and DCI.

[0082] As yet another example, the first instruction information can be carried via MAC CE and DCI.

[0083] As yet another example, the first indication information can be carried via RRC signaling, MAC CE, and DCI.

[0084] In some embodiments, where the first indication information implicitly indicates the transmission scheme, the first indication information may be carried by one or more of RRC signaling, MAC CE, and DCI.

[0085] In some embodiments, where the first indication information explicitly indicates the transmission scheme, the first indication information may be carried by one or more of RRC signaling, MAC CE, and DCI.

[0086] In some embodiments, the signaling carrying the first indication information may be related to one or more of the following: cell handover, TCI state. That is, the first indication information may be configured in signaling related to cell handover and / or TCI state.

[0087] In some embodiments, the first indication information may be carried in configuration information related to mobility management. For example, the first indication information may be carried in configuration information related to layer 1 / layer 2 triggered mobility (LTM), such as in LTM-config signaling or LTM-TCI-Info signaling.

[0088] This application does not limit the payload size of the signaling (such as RRC signaling, MAC CE, etc.) carrying the first indication information. As one possible implementation, the payload size of the signaling carrying the first indication information is variable. For example, the payload size of the signaling carrying the first indication information can be determined based on the number of access points the terminal device can communicate with. That is, the payload size of the signaling carrying the first indication information can be determined based on the maximum number of access points supported by the terminal device, or in other words, the payload size of the signaling carrying the first indication information depends on the maximum number of access points the terminal device can communicate with. Taking the terminal device being able to establish communication with a maximum of 4 access points as an example, the signaling carrying the first indication information can be configured to allow the terminal device to communicate with 4 access points (such as access point 1, access point 2, access point 3, and access point 4). In this scenario, if the second set of access points contains 2 access points, then the content indicated by the first indication information corresponds to these 2 access points.

[0089] In some embodiments, the terminal device may report capabilities to the network device to indicate the maximum number of access points that the terminal device can communicate with.

[0090] In some embodiments, the first indication information can be configured separately for the uplink and downlink transmission schemes. That is, the network device can use separate fields to configure the uplink and downlink transmission schemes. For example, the network device can configure the uplink and downlink transmission schemes separately via RRC signaling or MAC CE.

[0091] In some embodiments, the first indication information can be configured individually for different channels. That is, the network device can configure a dedicated transmission scheme for each channel. For example, the network device can configure dedicated transmission schemes for PUSCH, the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), PDSCH, and the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) separately. As an example, the network device can configure dedicated transmission schemes for PUSCH, PUCCH, PDSCH, and PDCCH separately via RRC signaling. As another example, the network device can configure dedicated transmission schemes for PUSCH, PUCCH, PDSCH, and PDCCH separately via MAC CE.

[0092] In some embodiments, the transmission scheme configured by the first indication information can be applied to both the uplink and downlink transmission schemes simultaneously. That is, the transmission scheme configured by the first indication information can be shared (or used together) by uplink and downlink transmissions.

[0093] In some embodiments, the transmission scheme configured by the first indication information can be applied to different channels simultaneously. For example, PUSCH, PUCCH, PDSCH, and PDCCH can share the same first indication information.

[0094] This application does not limit the implementation of the first indication information used to determine the transmission scheme applied when a terminal device switches from the first access point set to the second access point set. In other words, this application does not limit the implementation of the first indication information instructing the terminal device to apply the transmission scheme when switching from the first access point set to the second access point set. As one possible implementation, the first indication information may implicitly indicate the transmission scheme applied when the terminal device switches from the first access point set to the second access point set. As another possible implementation, the first indication information may explicitly indicate the transmission scheme applied when the terminal device switches from the first access point set to the second access point set. This will be described exemplarily below.

[0095] Implementation Method 1: Implicit Indication Transmission Scheme for First Indication Information

[0096] In implementation 1, the first indication information can implicitly indicate the transmission scheme to be applied when the terminal device switches from the first set of access points to the second set of access points. Alternatively, in implementation 1, the terminal device can implicitly determine the transmission scheme to be applied when switching from the first set of access points to the second set of access points based on the first indication information.

[0097] In some embodiments, the first indication information can be used to indicate a target TCI state set corresponding to the second access point set. That is, the first indication information can be used to indicate the second access point set to which the terminal device switches, and this second access point set may include one or more access points. In this way, the terminal device can switch to the second access point set according to the target TCI state set indicated by the first indication information.

[0098] In this embodiment of the application, the network device can indicate the target TCI state set corresponding to the second access point set through the first indication information. In other words, the network device can complete the cell handover (or the handover of the access point set) by indicating the switching of spatial relationships (such as beams), which helps to reduce the handover time.

[0099] This application does not limit the type of TCI states included in the target TCI state set. For example, the target TCI state set may include one or more of the following TCI states: unified TCI state, downlink TCI state, and uplink TCI state.

[0100] As an example, the target TCI state set may include uniform TCI states.

[0101] As another example, the target TCI state set may include downlink TCI states and uplink TCI states.

[0102] As yet another example, the target TCI state set may include a unified TCI state, a downlink TCI state, and an uplink TCI state.

[0103] In some embodiments, if the target TCI state set includes a unified TCI state, the unified TCI state can be applied to the uplink and downlink channels and the reference signal.

[0104] In some embodiments, if the target TCI state set includes a downlink TCI state, the downlink TCI state can be applied to both the downlink signal and the reference signal.

[0105] In some embodiments, if the target TCI state set includes an uplink TCI state, the uplink TCI state can be applied with respect to the uplink signal and the reference signal.

[0106] In some embodiments, the unified TCI state may include three modes: joint TCI state, downlink TCI state, and uplink TCI state. In some embodiments, the downlink and uplink TCI states included in the unified TCI state may be referred to as separate TCI states. For example, the downlink TCI state included in the unified TCI state may be referred to as a separate downlink TCI state; and the uplink TCI state included in the unified TCI state may be referred to as a separate uplink TCI state.

[0107] In some embodiments, the unified TCI state includes a joint TCI state applicable to both uplink and downlink channels and signals. In some embodiments, the unified TCI state includes a downlink TCI state applicable only to downlink channels and signals. In some embodiments, the unified TCI state includes an uplink TCI state applicable only to uplink channels and signals.

[0108] In some embodiments, downlink channels (e.g., partial PDCCH, PDSCH) and signals (e.g., aperiodic channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS)) may use the same downlink transmit beam, and the downlink channels and signals may be indicated using separate downlink TCI states or joint TCI states.

[0109] In some embodiments, the uplink channel (e.g., PUCCH, PUSCH) and the signal (e.g., the sounding reference signal (SRS)) may use the same uplink transmit beam, and the uplink signal and the signal may be indicated using separate uplink TCI states or joint TCI states.

[0110] It's important to clarify that the "unified" in "unified TCI state" has multiple layers of meaning. The first layer of "unified" means that the unified TCI state unifies the uplink and downlink beam indication mechanisms. In the Rel.15 / Rel.16 NR standards, the TCI state is only used for downlink beam indication; uplink beam indication uses signaling based on spatial relation information. The second layer of "unified" means beam unification between different channels. For example, in a separate downlink / uplink TCI state configuration, the terminal device can assume that the downlink PDCCH (UE-specific) and PDSCH (UE-specific) are transmitted using the same beam; similarly, the uplink PUCCH and PUSCH use the same beam. In a combined TCI state configuration, the terminal device can assume that different uplink and downlink channels and signals have good beam symmetry, meaning that symmetrical beam pairs are used for communication between uplink and downlink.

[0111] In some embodiments, the first indication information indicating the target TCI state set can be understood or replaced as: the first indication information indicating the target TCI state ID set, that is, the first indication information can indicate one or more TCI state IDs.

[0112] This application embodiment does not limit the number of TCI states included in the target TCI state set indicated by the first indication information. In some embodiments, the target TCI state set may include one or a pair of TCI states. In some embodiments, the target TCI state set may include multiple or multiple pairs of TCI states. For example, the target TCI state set may include one or a pair of TCI states, so that the terminal device can access a single access point and receive downlink information and / or send uplink information using a single access point transmission scheme. As another example, the target TCI state set may include multiple or multiple pairs of TCI states, so that the terminal device can access multiple access points and can receive downlink information and / or send uplink information using a multi-access point transmission scheme. Taking the handover process shown in FIG4 as an example, the target TCI state set may include multiple or multiple pairs of TCI states, so that the terminal device can access multiple access points corresponding to area 2 and can receive downlink information and / or send uplink information using a multi-access point transmission scheme.

[0113] In some embodiments, the target TCI state set corresponds to the active TCI state corresponding to the set of access points (i.e., the second access point set) that will serve the terminal device. For ease of understanding, an example of the target TCI state set is given below with reference to Figure 6. As shown in Figure 6, during the process of the terminal device switching from area 1 to area 2, the access points that will serve the terminal device are access point 1, access point 2, and access point 4. The network device can indicate (or activate) three unified TCI states {unified TCI state 3, unified TCI state 1, unified TCI state 4} through the first indication information; that is, the target TCI state set includes three unified TCI states {unified TCI state 3, unified TCI state 1, unified TCI state 4}. Each of these three TCI states corresponds to one access point.

[0114] In some embodiments, the transmission scheme applied when the terminal device switches from the first set of access points to the second set of access points can be determined by the target TCI state set indicated by the first indication information. In this way, the terminal device can quickly switch from the first set of access points to the second set of access points during movement by switching spatial relationships, and can adopt a single access point transmission scheme or a multi-access point transmission scheme when switching to the second set of access points.

[0115] For example, the transmission scheme applied when a terminal device switches from a first set of access points to a second set of access points can be determined based on the number of TCI states contained in the target TCI state set. As another example, the transmission scheme applied when a terminal device switches from a first set of access points to a second set of access points can be determined based on the type of TCI states contained in the target TCI state set. Furthermore, the transmission scheme applied when a terminal device switches from a first set of access points to a second set of access points can be determined based on both the type and number of TCI states contained in the target TCI state set.

[0116] In some embodiments, if the target TCI state set includes a unified TCI state, or if the target TCI state set includes a pair of downlink TCI states and uplink TCI states (i.e., including one downlink TCI state and one uplink TCI state), the transmission scheme applied by the terminal device when switching from the first access point set to the second access point set can be a single access point transmission scheme. For example, if the target TCI state set includes a unified TCI state, the transmission scheme applied by the terminal device when switching from the first access point set to the second access point set is a single access point transmission scheme. As another example, if the target TCI state set includes a pair of downlink TCI states and uplink TCI states, the transmission scheme applied by the terminal device when switching from the first access point set to the second access point set is a single access point transmission scheme.

[0117] In some embodiments, if the target TCI state set includes multiple unified TCI states, or if the target TCI state set includes multiple pairs of downlink TCI states and uplink TCI states (i.e., multiple downlink TCI states and multiple uplink TCI states), then the transmission scheme applied by the terminal device when switching from the first access point set to the second access point set is a multi-access point transmission scheme. For example, if the target TCI state set includes multiple unified TCI states, then the transmission scheme applied by the terminal device when switching from the first access point set to the second access point set is a multi-access point transmission scheme. As another example, if the target TCI state set includes multiple pairs of downlink TCI states and uplink TCI states, then the transmission scheme applied by the terminal device when switching from the first access point set to the second access point set is a multi-access point transmission scheme.

[0118] As an example, if the target TCI state set includes a single unified TCI state, the transmission scheme applied when the terminal device switches from the first access point set to the second access point set is a single access point transmission scheme; if the target TCI state set includes multiple unified TCI states, the transmission scheme applied when the terminal device switches from the first access point set to the second access point set is a multi-access point transmission scheme.

[0119] As another example, if the target TCI state set includes a pair of downlink TCI states and uplink TCI states, the transmission scheme applied when the terminal device switches from the first access point set to the second access point set is a single access point transmission scheme; if the target TCI state set includes multiple pairs of downlink TCI states and uplink TCI states, the transmission scheme applied when the terminal device switches from the first access point set to the second access point set is a multi-access point transmission scheme.

[0120] As another example, if the target TCI state set includes a single unified TCI state, the transmission scheme applied when the terminal device switches from the first access point set to the second access point set is a single access point transmission scheme; if the target TCI state set includes multiple pairs of downlink TCI states and uplink TCI states, the transmission scheme applied when the terminal device switches from the first access point set to the second access point set is a multi-access point transmission scheme.

[0121] As another example, if the target TCI state set includes a pair of downlink TCI states and uplink TCI states, the transmission scheme applied when the terminal device switches from the first access point set to the second access point set is a single access point transmission scheme; if the target TCI state set includes multiple unified TCI states, the transmission scheme applied when the terminal device switches from the first access point set to the second access point set is a multi-access point transmission scheme.

[0122] This application does not limit the multi-access point (MIP) transmission scheme applied when a terminal device switches from a first set of access points to a second set of access points. For example, if the network device does not instruct the terminal device to apply a specific MIP transmission scheme, the terminal device can apply the default MIP transmission scheme. As an example, in implementation 1, the terminal device can apply the default MIP transmission scheme. Of course, this application is not limited to this; for example, the network device can instruct the terminal device to apply a specific MIP transmission scheme through indication information.

[0123] This application does not limit the default multi-access point transmission scheme. Exemplarily, the default multi-access point transmission scheme may include one of the following: a single-DCI scheduled SDM scheme, a single-DCI scheduled SFN scheme, a single-DCI scheduled TDM repetition scheme (such as TDM scheme A and TDM scheme B), a multi-DCI scheduled transmission scheme, or a single-DCI based NC-JT scheme. Of course, this application is not limited to these; for example, the default multi-access point transmission scheme may also include an FDM scheme (such as FDM scheme A and FDM scheme B).

[0124] In some embodiments, the default multi-access point (MIP) transmission scheme may be predefined or preconfigured; for example, the default MIP transmission scheme may be protocol-predefined. In some embodiments, the default MIP transmission scheme may be configured by the network device.

[0125] Implementation Method 2: Explicit Indication Transmission Scheme for First Indication Information

[0126] In implementation method 2, the first indication information can be used to indicate (i.e., explicitly indicate) the transmission scheme applied when the terminal device switches from the first set of access points to the second set of access points.

[0127] In some embodiments, when the value of the first indication information is a first value, it indicates that the transmission scheme applied by the terminal device is a single access point transmission scheme; when the value of the first indication information is a second value, it indicates that the transmission scheme applied by the terminal device is a multi-access point transmission scheme.

[0128] As one possible implementation, the first indication information can use 1 bit to indicate the transmission scheme used by the terminal device. For example, a value of 1 for the first indication information indicates that the transmission scheme used by the terminal device is a single access point transmission scheme; a value of 0 for the first indication information indicates that the transmission scheme used by the terminal device is a multi-access point transmission scheme. As another example, a value of 0 for the first indication information indicates that the transmission scheme used by the terminal device is a single access point transmission scheme; a value of 1 for the first indication information indicates that the transmission scheme used by the terminal device is a multi-access point transmission scheme.

[0129] As another possible implementation, the first indication information can use multiple bits to indicate the transmission scheme of the terminal device application. For example, the first indication information can use multiple bits to indicate that the transmission scheme of the terminal device application is a multi-access point transmission scheme, and the specific multi-access point transmission scheme of the application (e.g., a single-DCI scheduled SDM scheme, a single-DCI scheduled SFN scheme, etc.). As another example, the first indication information can use multiple bits to indicate that the transmission scheme of the terminal device application is a single-access point transmission scheme, and the specific TCI status of the application.

[0130] In some embodiments, if the first indication information does not indicate a specific multi-access point transmission scheme applied by the terminal device, the terminal device may apply the default multi-access point transmission scheme. For a description of the default multi-access point transmission scheme, please refer to the above text; it will not be repeated here.

[0131] In some embodiments, if the first indication information indicates that the transmission scheme applied by the terminal device is a single access point (SAP) transmission scheme, but does not indicate the specific TCI state of the application, the terminal device can execute the SAP transmission scheme using the default method. This application embodiment does not limit the default method for executing the SAP transmission scheme. As one possible implementation, the terminal device can apply the TCI state with the smallest TCI state index to execute the SAP transmission scheme. As another possible implementation, the terminal device can apply the TCI state with the largest TCI state index to execute the SAP transmission scheme. As yet another possible implementation, the terminal device can randomly select a TCI state to execute the SAP transmission scheme.

[0132] In some embodiments, if the first indication information indicates that the transmission scheme applied by the terminal device is a single access point transmission scheme, but does not indicate the TCI status of the specific application, the terminal device can use the third indication information to determine the TCI status of the application. A description of the third indication information will be provided later and will not be detailed here.

[0133] It should be noted that in traditional solutions, although network devices can configure multi-access point (MAP) transmission schemes for terminal devices, these schemes are configured according to the parameters of each channel. For example, the PUSCH transmission scheme is configured in the PUSCH-config parameter. When a terminal device switches from one cell to another, it can only use a single-access point (SAP) transmission scheme. However, in this embodiment, the MAP transmission scheme is not configured in each channel, but rather in signaling related to cell handover or TCI status. This allows the terminal device to flexibly choose between a SAP or MAP transmission scheme during handover. For example, the first indication information can be carried in mobility management-related configuration information, such as in LTM-config signaling and / or LTM-TCI-Info signaling.

[0134] In some embodiments, where the first indication information indicates a transmission scheme, the terminal device may also receive second indication information. For example, the terminal device may receive second indication information sent by a network device.

[0135] In some embodiments, the second indication information can be used to indicate a target TCI state set corresponding to the second access point set. That is, the second indication information can be used to indicate the second access point set to which the terminal device switches, and this second access point set may include one or more access points. In this way, the terminal device can switch to the second access point set according to the target TCI state set indicated by the second indication information. In other words, during movement, the terminal device can quickly switch from the first access point set to the second access point set through a change in spatial relationship, and when switching to the second access point set, a single access point transmission scheme or a multi-access point transmission scheme can be used.

[0136] In this embodiment of the application, the network device can indicate the target TCI state set corresponding to the second access point set through the second indication information. That is, the network device can complete the cell handover (or the handover of the access point set) by indicating the switching of the beam, which helps to reduce the handover time.

[0137] This application does not limit the type of TCI states included in the target TCI state set. For example, the target TCI state set may include one or more of the following TCI states: unified TCI state, downlink TCI state, and uplink TCI state.

[0138] As an example, the target TCI state set may include uniform TCI states.

[0139] As another example, the target TCI state set may include downlink TCI states and uplink TCI states.

[0140] As yet another example, the target TCI state set may include a unified TCI state, a downlink TCI state, and an uplink TCI state.

[0141] In some embodiments, if the target TCI state set includes a unified TCI state, the unified TCI state can be applied to the uplink and downlink channels and the reference signal.

[0142] In some embodiments, if the target TCI state set includes a downlink TCI state, the downlink TCI state can be applied to both the downlink signal and the reference signal.

[0143] In some embodiments, if the target TCI state set includes an uplink TCI state, the uplink TCI state can be applied with respect to the uplink signal and the reference signal.

[0144] For more information on the unified TCI status, please refer to the above text; it will not be repeated here.

[0145] In some embodiments, the second indication information indicating the target TCI state set can be understood or replaced as: the second indication information indicating the target TCI state ID set, that is, the second indication information can indicate one or more TCI state IDs.

[0146] This application embodiment does not limit the number of TCI states included in the target TCI state set indicated by the second indication information. In some embodiments, the target TCI state set may include one or a pair of TCI states. In some embodiments, the target TCI state set may include multiple or more pairs of TCI states. For example, if the target TCI state set may include one or a pair of TCI states, the terminal device can determine whether to apply a single access point transmission scheme based on the first indication information. As another example, if the target TCI state set may include multiple or more pairs of TCI states, the terminal device can determine whether to apply a single access point transmission scheme or a multi-access point transmission scheme based on the first indication information. Taking the handover process shown in FIG4 as an example, the target TCI state set may include multiple or more pairs of TCI states. In this way, the terminal device can access multiple access points corresponding to area 2 and receive downlink information and / or send uplink information according to the first indication information using a single access point transmission scheme or a multi-access point transmission scheme.

[0147] In some embodiments, the target TCI state set corresponds to the active TCI state corresponding to the set of access points (i.e., the second access point set) that will serve the terminal device. For ease of understanding, an example of the target TCI state set is given below with reference to Figure 6. As shown in Figure 6, during the process of the terminal device switching from area 1 to area 2, the access points that will serve the terminal device are access point 1, access point 2, and access point 4. The network device can indicate (or activate) three unified TCI states {unified TCI state 3, unified TCI state 1, unified TCI state 4} through the second indication information; that is, the target TCI state set includes three unified TCI states {unified TCI state 3, unified TCI state 1, unified TCI state 4}. Each of these three TCI states corresponds to one access point. In this case, the network device can configure the transmission scheme (single access point transmission or multi-access point transmission) between the terminal device and access points 1, 2, and 4 through the first indication information.

[0148] This application does not limit the method of carrying the second indication information. Exemplarily, the second indication information can be carried by one or more of the following: RRC signaling, MAC CE, and DCI.

[0149] As an example, the second indication information can be carried via RRC signaling.

[0150] As another example, the second indication information can be carried via MAC CE. Carrying the second indication information via MAC CE offers greater flexibility than carrying it via RRC signaling.

[0151] As yet another example, the second instruction information can be carried via DCI.

[0152] As yet another example, the second indication information can be carried via RRC signaling and MAC CE.

[0153] As yet another example, the second indication information can be carried via RRC signaling and DCI.

[0154] As yet another example, the second instruction information can be carried via MAC CE and DCI.

[0155] As yet another example, the second indication information can be carried via RRC signaling, MAC CE, and DCI.

[0156] In some embodiments, the first indication information and the second indication information may be carried in the same signaling. For example, the first indication information and the second indication information may be carried in the same RRC signaling. Another example is that the first indication information and the second indication information may be carried in the same MAC CE. Yet another example is that the first indication information and the second indication information may be carried in the same DCI.

[0157] In some embodiments, when the first indication information and the second indication information are carried in the same signaling, it can also be understood that the first indication information can be used to simultaneously indicate the target TCI state set and the transmission scheme corresponding to the second access point set, or in other words, the first indication information can be used to determine the target TCI state set and the transmission scheme corresponding to the second access point set.

[0158] In some embodiments, the first indication information and the second indication information may be carried in different signaling. For example, the first indication information and the second indication information may be carried in different RRC signaling. Alternatively, the first indication information and the second indication information may be carried in different MAC CEs. Another example is that the first indication information and the second indication information may be carried in different DCIs. Yet another example is that the first indication information and the second indication information may be carried in both RRC signaling and MAC CE. Again, the first indication information and the second indication information may be carried in both RRC signaling and DCI. Finally, the first indication information and the second indication information may be carried in both MAC CE and DCI.

[0159] In some embodiments, the second indication information may indicate other information besides the target TCI state set, and this application embodiment is not limited in this regard. For example, the second indication information may also be used to indicate one or more of the following: the identifier of the second access point set, multiple timing advance commands (TACs) corresponding to the second access point set, the index of the random access sequence corresponding to the second access point set, the index of the synchronization signal block corresponding to the second access point set, and the index of the physical random access channel (PRACH) mask corresponding to the second access point set.

[0160] As an example, the second indication information can indicate the identifiers of the target TCI state set and the second access point set.

[0161] As another example, the second indication information can indicate multiple TACs corresponding to the target TCI state set and the second access point set.

[0162] As yet another example, the second indication information can indicate the target TCI state set, the multiple TACs corresponding to the second access point set, and the index of the random access sequence corresponding to the second access point set.

[0163] As yet another example, the second indication information may indicate the target TCI state set, the identifier of the second access point set, and the index of the synchronization signal block corresponding to the second access point set.

[0164] As another example, the second indication information may include the target TCI state set, multiple TACs corresponding to the second access point set, the index of the random access sequence corresponding to the second access point set, and the index of the PRACH mask corresponding to the second access point set.

[0165] As yet another example, the second indication information may indicate the target TCI state set, multiple TACs corresponding to the second access point set, the index of the random access sequence corresponding to the second access point set, the index of the synchronization signal block corresponding to the second access point set, and the index of the PRACH mask corresponding to the second access point set.

[0166] As another example, the second indication information may include the target TCI state set, the identifier of the second access point set, multiple TACs corresponding to the second access point set, the index of the random access sequence corresponding to the second access point set, the index of the synchronization signal block corresponding to the second access point set, and the index of the PRACH mask corresponding to the second access point set.

[0167] It should be noted that the second instruction information listed above is only an example, and the second instruction information can include any combination of the above information. For the sake of brevity, it will not be listed here.

[0168] As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the first indication information can be carried in the same signaling as the second indication information. In this case, the signaling carrying the first indication information may include one or more of the following information: transmission scheme, target TCI state set, identifier of the second access point set, multiple TACs corresponding to the second access point set, index of the random access sequence corresponding to the second access point set, index of the synchronization signal block corresponding to the second access point set, and index of the PRACH mask corresponding to the second access point set.

[0169] As an example, the signaling carrying the first indication information may include a transmission scheme, a target TCI state set, multiple TACs corresponding to the second access point set, an index of the random access sequence corresponding to the second access point set, an index of the synchronization signal block corresponding to the second access point set, and an index of the PRACH mask corresponding to the second access point set.

[0170] As another example, the signaling carrying the first indication information may include a transmission scheme, a target TCI state set, an identifier of the second access point set, multiple TACs corresponding to the second access point set, an index of the random access sequence corresponding to the second access point set, an index of the synchronization signal block corresponding to the second access point set, and an index of the PRACH mask corresponding to the second access point set.

[0171] As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the first indication information and the second indication information may be carried in different signaling. In this case, the signaling carrying the second indication information may include one or more of the following information: target TCI state set, identifier of the second access point set, multiple TACs corresponding to the second access point set, index of the random access sequence corresponding to the second access point set, index of the synchronization signal block corresponding to the second access point set, and index of the PRACH mask corresponding to the second access point set.

[0172] As an example, the signaling carrying the second indication information may include the target TCI state set, multiple TACs corresponding to the second access point set, the index of the random access sequence corresponding to the second access point set, the index of the synchronization signal block corresponding to the second access point set, and the index of the PRACH mask corresponding to the second access point set.

[0173] As another example, the signaling carrying the second indication information may include a target TCI state set, an identifier of the second access point set, multiple TACs corresponding to the second access point set, an index of the random access sequence corresponding to the second access point set, an index of the synchronization signal block corresponding to the second access point set, and an index of the PRACH mask corresponding to the second access point set.

[0174] In some embodiments, each access point in one or more access points included in the second access point set corresponds to an identifier (or index). However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this. For example, the identifier of the second access point set can also be represented by a cell identifier, such as a physical cell identifier (PCI).

[0175] In some embodiments, if the second indication information does not indicate the identifier of the second access point set, the terminal device may implicitly determine the identifier of the second access point set using the TCI states in the target TCI state set.

[0176] In some embodiments, the multiple TACs corresponding to the second access point set may include multiple timing advances (TAs). That is, the second access point set may correspond to multiple TAs. In some embodiments, if the TA corresponding to an access point in the second access point set is valid, the terminal device does not need to initiate a random access procedure for that access point; if the TA corresponding to an access point in the second access point set is invalid, the terminal device needs to initiate a random access procedure for that access point. In some embodiments, if the TA corresponding to an access point in the second access point set exists, the terminal device does not need to initiate a random access procedure for that access point; if the TA corresponding to an access point in the second access point set does not exist, the terminal device needs to initiate a random access procedure for that access point.

[0177] In some embodiments, the index of the random access sequence corresponding to the second set of access points can be used to indicate the random access preamble index of the non-contentionable random access resource corresponding to each access point in the second set of access points.

[0178] In some embodiments, the index of the synchronization signal block corresponding to the second set of access points can be used to determine the timing of random access for transmitting PRACH based on non-contention-based random access. In some embodiments, each access point in the second set of access points can be configured with an index of a synchronization signal block.

[0179] In some embodiments, the index of the PRACH mask corresponding to the second set of access points can be used to indicate the random access timing associated with the index of the synchronization signal block. In some embodiments, each access point in the second set of access points can be configured with an index of the PRACH mask.

[0180] This application embodiment uses first indication information to indicate the transmission scheme, enabling the terminal device to dynamically switch the access point it communicates with in a communication system (such as a non-cellular network). Furthermore, it allows the terminal device to adopt either a single access point transmission scheme or a multi-access point transmission scheme upon first accessing the second set of access points, removing the limitation that the terminal device can only connect to a single access point. However, considering that there may be temporary obstructions between the terminal device and the access point during subsequent communication, it may be necessary to dynamically close communication between the terminal device and some access points to improve communication flexibility. Therefore, in some embodiments, the terminal device can determine the application's access point based on third indication information. This will be described below.

[0181] In some embodiments, the terminal device may receive third indication information, for example, receiving third indication information sent by a network device (such as a CPU).

[0182] In some embodiments, the third indication information can be used to indicate one or more TCI states applied by the terminal device. That is, the network device can dynamically indicate one or more TCI states currently applied by the terminal device through the third indication information.

[0183] In some embodiments, the one or more TCI states indicated by the third indication information belong to a target TCI state set. That is, the one or more TCI states indicated by the third indication information are selected from the TCI states included in the target TCI state set.

[0184] In some embodiments, the third indication information can indicate one or more TCI states applied by the terminal device in the form of a bitmap. That is, the network device can indicate whether to apply the TCI states activated by the second indication information in the form of a bitmap. In other words, the network device can indicate which TCI states in the target TCI state set indicated by the second indication information are applied by the terminal device in the form of a bitmap.

[0185] In some embodiments, the size of the bitmap described above is determined based on the maximum number of access points that the terminal device can communicate with. For example, the size of the bitmap is the maximum number of access points that the terminal device can communicate with, i.e., the maximum number of communication access points supported by the terminal device. As an example, assuming the maximum number of access points that the terminal device can communicate with is 4, then the size of the bitmap described above is 4.

[0186] In some embodiments, if the number of TCI states in the target TCI state set indicated by the second indication information is less than the maximum number of access points that the terminal device can communicate with (or less than the size of the bit map), then the low-order bits of the bit map are padded with zeros.

[0187] For ease of understanding, the following section, in conjunction with Figure 6, provides an example of one or more TCI states applied by the third indication information of the terminal device.

[0188] As shown in Figure 6, during the process of a terminal device switching from area 1 to area 2, the network device can indicate (or activate) three unified TCI states {unified TCI state 3, unified TCI state 1, unified TCI state 4} through the second indication information. Assuming the maximum number of access points the terminal device can communicate with is 4, in this case, the network device can indicate one or more TCI states applied by the terminal device through the third indication information (a 4-bit bitmap). For example, if the third indication information indicates {1010}, it means that one or more TCI states applied by the terminal device are {unified TCI state 3, unified TCI state 4}. In this case, the transmission scheme used by the terminal device is still the transmission scheme configured through the first indication information.

[0189] In some embodiments, the aforementioned third indication information can also be used for switching between single-access-point (SAP) and multi-access-point (MAP) transmission schemes. For example, if the first indication information indicates that the terminal device uses a MAP transmission scheme when switching from a first set of access points to a second set of access points, in certain scenarios, the terminal device can dynamically switch the MAP transmission scheme to a SAP transmission scheme using the third indication information. As a possible implementation, the network device can use the third indication information (such as a bitmap) to indicate the TCI state of an application. In this case, it can be considered that the terminal device's MAP transmission scheme has switched to a SAP transmission scheme. Taking Figure 6 as an example again, assuming that the network device indicates a MAP transmission scheme through the first indication information, and the third indication information indicated by the network device is {1000}, it means that the TCI state of the terminal device is {Unified TCI State 3}, and the transmission scheme automatically switches to a SAP transmission scheme.

[0190] This application does not limit the method of carrying the third indication information. For example, the third indication information can be carried in DCI. Or, for example, the third indication information can be carried in MAC CE.

[0191] For ease of understanding, the following provides several examples of the transmission scheme applied when a network device explicitly instructs a terminal device to switch from a first set of access points to a second set of access points using the first indication information. It should be noted that any details not described in detail below (such as the first indication information, the second indication information, the third indication information, and the identifier of the second set of access points) can be found in the preceding text.

[0192] Example 1: RRC signaling explicitly indicates the transmission scheme and target TCI state set.

[0193] In Example 1, both the first indication information and the second indication information are carried in RRC signaling.

[0194] In some embodiments, the first indication information and / or the second indication information may be carried in one or more RRC signaling related to cell handover, TCI status, etc.

[0195] In some embodiments, the first indication information and / or the second indication information may be carried in RRC signaling related to mobility management, such as LTM-config signaling or LTM-TCI-Info signaling.

[0196] As one possible implementation, the first and second indication information are carried in the same RRC signaling. For example, both the first and second indication information are carried in LTM-config signaling. Another example is that both the first and second indication information are carried in LTM-TCI-Info signaling.

[0197] As another possible implementation, the first indication information and the second indication information are carried in different RRC signaling. For example, the first indication information can be carried in LTM-TCI-Info signaling, while the second indication information can be carried in LTM-config signaling.

[0198] Example 2: MAC CE explicitly indicates the transmission scheme and target TCI state set.

[0199] In Example 2, both the first instruction information and the second instruction information are carried in the MAC CE.

[0200] In some embodiments, the first indication information and the second indication information may be carried in different MAC CEs.

[0201] In some embodiments, the first indication information and the second indication information may be carried in the same MAC CE.

[0202] In some embodiments, the MAC CE may include, in addition to the first indication information and the second indication information, one or more of the following information: the identifier of the second access point set, multiple TACs corresponding to the second access point set, the index of the random access sequence corresponding to the second access point set, the index of the synchronization signal block corresponding to the second access point set, and the index of the PRACH mask corresponding to the second access point set.

[0203] As an example, the MAC CE carrying the first indication information and the second indication information may include a target TCI state set, a transmission scheme, multiple TACs corresponding to the second access point set, an index of the random access sequence corresponding to the second access point set, an index of the synchronization signal block corresponding to the second access point set, and an index of the PRACH mask corresponding to the second access point set.

[0204] As another example, the MAC CE carrying the first indication information and the second indication information may include a target TCI state set, a transmission scheme, an identifier of the second access point set, multiple TACs corresponding to the second access point set, an index of the random access sequence corresponding to the second access point set, an index of the synchronization signal block corresponding to the second access point set, and an index of the PRACH mask corresponding to the second access point set.

[0205] Taking the scenario shown in Figure 6 as an example, in Example 2, the network device can indicate the target TCI state set and transmission scheme via MAC CE. The target TCI state set corresponds to the active TCI state of the second set of access points (i.e., access point 1, access point 2, and access point 4) that will serve the terminal device. The transmission scheme corresponds to whether the transmission scheme between the terminal device and the second set of access points (i.e., access point 1, access point 2, and access point 4) is a single-access-point transmission scheme or a multi-access-point transmission scheme.

[0206] In some embodiments, the payload size of the MAC CE is variable, which may depend on the maximum number of access points that the terminal device can communicate with.

[0207] Example 2 enables terminal devices to dynamically switch the access point they communicate with in a cellless system. Furthermore, it allows communication using a single access point transmission scheme or a multi-access point transmission scheme immediately upon switching to the second access point set, removing the limitation of only being able to connect to a single access point. In addition, activating the TCI state via MAC CE is more flexible than activating it via RRC signaling.

[0208] In some embodiments, considering the possibility of temporary obstruction between the terminal device and access points during subsequent communication, communication between the terminal device and some access points may be dynamically shut down. In this case, as a possible implementation, the network device can dynamically indicate one or more TCI states currently applied by the terminal device using third indication information. For example, the network device can dynamically indicate one or more TCI states currently applied by the terminal device using a bitmap.

[0209] In some embodiments, the third indication information can also be used for switching between a single access point transmission scheme and a multi-access point transmission scheme.

[0210] Example 3: RRC signaling and MAC CE explicitly indicate the transmission scheme and target TCI status.

[0211] In Example 3, network devices can use RRC signaling in conjunction with MAC CE to indicate the target TCI status and transport scheme.

[0212] In Example 3, the first indication information and the second indication information are carried in different signaling. For example, the first indication information is carried in RRC signaling, and the second indication information is carried in MAC CE. That is, in Example 3, the MAC CE carrying the second indication information does not contain an indication field for the transmission scheme, which is indicated separately by RRC signaling.

[0213] In some embodiments, the MAC CE carrying the second indication information may include, in addition to the second indication information, one or more of the following information: the identifier of the second access point set, multiple TACs corresponding to the second access point set, the index of the random access sequence corresponding to the second access point set, the index of the synchronization signal block corresponding to the second access point set, and the index of the PRACH mask corresponding to the second access point set.

[0214] As an example, the MAC CE carrying the second indication information may include a target TCI state set, multiple TACs corresponding to the second access point set, an index of the random access sequence corresponding to the second access point set, an index of the synchronization signal block corresponding to the second access point set, and an index of the PRACH mask corresponding to the second access point set.

[0215] As another example, the MAC CE carrying the second indication information may include a target TCI state set, an identifier of the second access point set, multiple TACs corresponding to the second access point set, an index of the random access sequence corresponding to the second access point set, an index of the synchronization signal block corresponding to the second access point set, and an index of the PRACH mask corresponding to the second access point set.

[0216] In some embodiments, considering the possibility of temporary obstruction between the terminal device and access points during subsequent communication, communication between the terminal device and some access points may be dynamically shut down. In this case, as a possible implementation, the network device can dynamically indicate one or more TCI states currently applied by the terminal device using third indication information. For example, the network device can dynamically indicate one or more TCI states currently applied by the terminal device using a bitmap.

[0217] In some embodiments, the third indication information can also be used for switching between a single access point transmission scheme and a multi-access point transmission scheme.

[0218] Of course, the first instruction information and / or the second instruction information can also be carried by other signaling. For example, the first instruction information can be carried by RRC signaling or MAC CE, while the second instruction information can be carried by DCI.

[0219] In some embodiments, before the terminal device receives the first indication information and / or the second indication information, the terminal device may also receive fourth indication information. The fourth indication information may be used to indicate a TCI state set of one or more candidate access points. That is, the fourth indication information may include one or more candidate access points and the corresponding TCI state set of those candidate access points. For example, the fourth indication information may include candidate access point 1 and / or TCI state set 1 corresponding to candidate access point 1, candidate access point 2 and / or TCI state set 2 corresponding to candidate access point 2, and so on.

[0220] In some embodiments, the TCI states included in the target TCI state set indicated by the second indication information are determined (selected) from the TCI state sets of the one or more candidate access points. That is, the TCI states included in the target TCI state set indicated by the second indication information belong to the TCI states corresponding to the one or more candidate access point sets.

[0221] In some embodiments, if a network device indicates a set of TCI states for one or more candidate access points through a fourth indication information, and subsequently indicates a target TCI state set through a second indication information, this can also be understood as the network device activating a portion of the TCI states in the set of TCI states for the one or more candidate access points through the second indication information.

[0222] This application does not limit the method of carrying the fourth indication information in its embodiments. In some embodiments, the fourth indication information can be carried via RRC signaling. In some embodiments, the fourth indication information can be carried via MAC CE signaling.

[0223] In some embodiments, the network device may configure a separate set of candidate TCI states for each access point (i.e., the set of TCI states corresponding to the candidate access point).

[0224] In some embodiments, a network device can configure a candidate TCI state set (i.e., the TCI state set corresponding to a candidate access point) for multiple access point sets. In other words, a network device can configure a large set for multiple access point sets, which includes the TCI state corresponding to each of the multiple access point sets.

[0225] The method embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to Figures 1 to 6. The apparatus embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 7 to 9. It should be understood that the descriptions of the method embodiments correspond to the descriptions of the apparatus embodiments; therefore, any parts not described in detail can be referred to the preceding method embodiments.

[0226] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application. The terminal device 700 shown in Figure 7 may include a first receiving module 710. The first receiving module 710 may be used to receive first indication information; wherein, the first indication information is used to determine the transmission scheme applied when the terminal device switches from a first set of access points to a second set of access points, the transmission scheme including a single access point transmission scheme or a multi-access point transmission scheme.

[0227] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate the target TCI state set corresponding to the second access point set, and the transmission scheme is determined based on the target TCI state set.

[0228] In some embodiments, the transmission scheme is determined based on the number of TCI states contained in the target TCI state set.

[0229] In some embodiments, if the target TCI state set includes a unified TCI state, or if the target TCI state set includes a pair of downlink TCI states and uplink TCI states, then the transmission scheme is a single access point transmission scheme; and / or if the target TCI state set includes multiple unified TCI states, or if the target TCI state includes multiple pairs of downlink TCI states and uplink TCI states, then the transmission scheme is a default multi-access point transmission scheme.

[0230] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate the transmission scheme.

[0231] In some embodiments, the terminal device further includes: a second receiving module 720, configured to receive second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate a target TCI state set corresponding to the second access point set.

[0232] In some embodiments, the first indication information and the second indication information are carried in the same signaling; or the first indication information and the second indication information are carried in different signaling.

[0233] In some embodiments, the second indication information is carried by one or more of the following bearers: RRC signaling, MAC CE, DCI.

[0234] In some embodiments, the second indication information is further used to indicate one or more of the following: the identifier of the second access point set; a plurality of timing advance commands corresponding to the second access point set; the index of the random access sequence corresponding to the second access point set; the index of the synchronization signal block corresponding to the second access point set; and the index of the PRACH mask corresponding to the second access point set.

[0235] In some embodiments, the terminal device further includes: a third receiving module, configured to receive third indication information, the third indication information being configured to indicate one or more TCI states applied by the terminal device, the one or more TCI states belonging to the target TCI state set.

[0236] In some embodiments, the third indication information indicates one or more TCI states applied by the terminal device in the form of a bitmap.

[0237] In some embodiments, the size of the bitmap is the maximum number of access points that the terminal device can communicate with.

[0238] In some embodiments, if the number of TCI states in the target TCI state set indicated by the second indication information is less than the maximum number, then the low-order bits of the bitmap are padded with zeros.

[0239] In some embodiments, the third indication information is also used for switching between the single access point transmission scheme and the multi-access point transmission scheme.

[0240] In some embodiments, the third indication information is carried in the DCI.

[0241] In some embodiments, the terminal device further includes: a fourth receiving module, configured to receive fourth indication information, the fourth indication information being used to indicate a TCI state set of one or more candidate access points, wherein the TCI state included in the target TCI state set is determined from the TCI state set of the one or more candidate access points.

[0242] In some embodiments, the first indication information is carried by one or more of the following bearers: RRC signaling, MAC CE, DCI.

[0243] In some embodiments, the payload size of the signaling carrying the first indication information is determined based on the number of access points that the terminal device can communicate with.

[0244] In some embodiments, the first receiving module 710 may be a transceiver 930. The terminal device 700 may also include a processor 910 and a memory 920, as shown in FIG9.

[0245] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device provided in an embodiment of this application. The network device 800 shown in Figure 8 may include a first sending module 810. The first sending module 810 may be used to send first indication information to a terminal device; wherein, the first indication information is used to determine the transmission scheme applied when the terminal device switches from a first set of access points to a second set of access points, the transmission scheme including a single access point transmission scheme or a multi-access point transmission scheme.

[0246] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate the target TCI state set corresponding to the second access point set, and the transmission scheme is determined based on the target TCI state set.

[0247] In some embodiments, the transmission scheme is determined based on the number of TCI states contained in the target TCI state set.

[0248] In some embodiments, if the target TCI state set includes a unified TCI state, or if the target TCI state set includes a pair of downlink TCI states and uplink TCI states, then the transmission scheme is a single access point transmission scheme; and / or if the target TCI state set includes multiple unified TCI states, or if the target TCI state includes multiple pairs of downlink TCI states and uplink TCI states, then the transmission scheme is a default multi-access point transmission scheme.

[0249] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate the transmission scheme.

[0250] In some embodiments, the network device further includes: a second sending module 820, configured to send second indication information to the terminal device, the second indication information being used to indicate a target TCI state set corresponding to the second access point set.

[0251] In some embodiments, the first indication information and the second indication information are carried in the same signaling; or the first indication information and the second indication information are carried in different signaling.

[0252] In some embodiments, the second indication information is carried by one or more of the following bearers: RRC signaling, MAC CE, DCI.

[0253] In some embodiments, the second indication information is further used to indicate one or more of the following: the identifier of the second access point set; a plurality of timing advance commands corresponding to the second access point set; the index of the random access sequence corresponding to the second access point set; the index of the synchronization signal block corresponding to the second access point set; and the index of the PRACH mask corresponding to the second access point set.

[0254] In some embodiments, the network device further includes: a third sending module, configured to send third indication information to the terminal device, the third indication information being used to indicate one or more TCI states applied by the terminal device, the one or more TCI states belonging to the target TCI state set.

[0255] In some embodiments, the third indication information indicates one or more TCI states applied by the terminal device in the form of a bitmap.

[0256] In some embodiments, the size of the bitmap is the maximum number of access points that the terminal device can communicate with.

[0257] In some embodiments, if the number of TCI states in the target TCI state set indicated by the second indication information is less than the maximum number, then the low-order bits of the bitmap are padded with zeros.

[0258] In some embodiments, the third indication information is also used for switching between the single access point transmission scheme and the multi-access point transmission scheme.

[0259] In some embodiments, the third indication information is carried in the DCI.

[0260] In some embodiments, the network device further includes: a fourth sending module, configured to send fourth indication information to the terminal device, the fourth indication information being used to indicate a TCI state set of one or more candidate access points, wherein the TCI state included in the target TCI state set is determined from the TCI state set of the one or more candidate access points.

[0261] In some embodiments, the first indication information is carried by one or more of the following bearers: RRC signaling, MAC CE, DCI.

[0262] In some embodiments, the payload size of the signaling carrying the first indication information is determined based on the number of access points that the terminal device can communicate with.

[0263] In some embodiments, the first transmitting module 810 may be a transceiver 930. The network device 800 may also include a processor 910 and a memory 920, as shown in FIG9.

[0264] Figure 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application. The dashed lines in Figure 9 indicate that the unit or module is optional. This device 900 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. The device 900 can be a chip, a terminal device, or a network device.

[0265] The apparatus 900 may include one or more processors 910. The processor 910 may support the apparatus 900 in implementing the methods described in the preceding method embodiments. The processor 910 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor. For example, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU). Alternatively, the processor may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0266] The apparatus 900 may further include one or more memories 920. The memories 920 store a program that can be executed by the processor 910, causing the processor 910 to perform the methods described in the preceding method embodiments. The memories 920 may be independent of the processor 910 or integrated within the processor 910.

[0267] The device 900 may also include a transceiver 930. The processor 910 can communicate with other devices or chips via the transceiver 930. For example, the processor 910 can send and receive data with other devices or chips via the transceiver 930.

[0268] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a program. This computer-readable storage medium can be applied to a terminal device or network device provided in this application embodiment, and the program causes a computer to execute the methods performed by the terminal device or network device in the various embodiments of this application.

[0269] This application also provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes a program. This computer program product can be applied to a terminal device or network device provided in the embodiments of this application, and the program causes a computer to execute the methods performed by the terminal device or network device in the various embodiments of this application.

[0270] This application also provides a computer program. This computer program can be applied to the terminal device or network device provided in this application, and the computer program causes the computer to execute the methods performed by the terminal device or network device in various embodiments of this application.

[0271] It should be understood that the terms "system" and "network" in this application can be used interchangeably. Furthermore, the terminology used in this application is only for explaining specific embodiments of the application and is not intended to limit the application. The terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0272] In the embodiments of this application, the term "instruction" can be a direct instruction, an indirect instruction, or an indication of a relationship. For example, A instructing B can mean that A directly instructs B, such as B being able to obtain information through A; it can also mean that A indirectly instructs B, such as A instructing C, so B can obtain information through C; or it can mean that there is a relationship between A and B.

[0273] In the embodiments of this application, "B corresponding to A" means that B is associated with A, and B can be determined based on A. However, it should also be understood that determining B based on A does not mean that B is determined solely based on A; B can also be determined based on A and / or other information.

[0274] In the embodiments of this application, the term "correspondence" can indicate a direct or indirect correspondence between two things, or an association between two things, or a relationship such as instruction and being instructed, configuration and being configured.

[0275] In the embodiments of this application, the term "comprising" can refer to direct inclusion or indirect inclusion. Optionally, "comprising" in the embodiments of this application can be replaced with "instructing" or "used to determine". For example, "A includes B" can be replaced with "A instructs B" or "A is used to determine B".

[0276] In this application embodiment, "predefined" or "preconfigured" can be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device (e.g., including terminal devices and network devices). This application does not limit the specific implementation method. For example, predefined can refer to what is defined in the protocol.

[0277] In this application embodiment, the "protocol" may refer to a standard protocol in the field of communication, such as the LTE protocol, the NR protocol, and related protocols applied to future communication systems. This application does not limit this.

[0278] In the embodiments of this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0279] In the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0280] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0281] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0282] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0283] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can read or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs, DVDs) or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks, SSDs), etc.

[0284] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication, characterized in that, include: The terminal device receives the first instruction information; The first indication information is used to determine the transmission scheme applied when the terminal device switches from the first set of access points to the second set of access points. The transmission scheme includes a single access point transmission scheme or a multi-access point transmission scheme.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first indication information is used to indicate the target transmission configuration indication (TCI) status set corresponding to the second access point set, and the transmission scheme is determined based on the target TCI status set.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The transmission scheme is determined based on the number of TCI states contained in the target TCI state set.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: If the target TCI state set includes a unified TCI state, or if the target TCI state set includes a pair of downlink TCI states and uplink TCI states, then the transmission scheme is a single access point transmission scheme; and / or If the target TCI state set includes multiple unified TCI states, or if the target TCI state includes multiple pairs of downlink TCI states and uplink TCI states, then the transmission scheme is the default multi-access point transmission scheme.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first indication information is used to indicate the transmission scheme.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: The terminal device receives second indication information, which is used to indicate the target TCI state set corresponding to the second access point set.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that: The first indication information and the second indication information are carried in the same signaling; or The first indication information and the second indication information are carried in different signaling.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The second indication information is carried by one or more of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) CE, and Downlink Control Information (DCI).

9. The method according to any one of claims 6-8, characterized in that, The second indication information is also used to indicate one or more of the following: The identifier of the second access point set; Multiple advance timing commands corresponding to the second set of access points; The index of the random access sequence corresponding to the second set of access points; The index of the synchronization signal block corresponding to the second set of access points; The index of the physical random access channel (PRACH) mask corresponding to the second set of access points.

10. The method according to any one of claims 6-9, characterized in that, The method further includes: The terminal device receives third indication information, which is used to indicate one or more TCI states applied by the terminal device, and the one or more TCI states belong to the target TCI state set.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The third indication information indicates one or more TCI states applied by the terminal device in the form of a bitmap.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The size of the bitmap is the maximum number of access points that the terminal device can communicate with.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, If the number of TCI states in the target TCI state set indicated by the second indication information is less than the maximum number, then the low-order bits of the bitmap are padded with zeros.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10-13, characterized in that, The third indication information is also used for switching between the single access point transmission scheme and the multi-access point transmission scheme.

15. The method according to any one of claims 10-14, characterized in that, The third indication information is carried in the DCI.

16. The method according to any one of claims 2-15, characterized in that, The method further includes: The terminal device receives fourth indication information, which is used to indicate a TCI state set of one or more candidate access points, wherein the TCI state included in the target TCI state set is determined from the TCI state set of the one or more candidate access points.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1-16, characterized in that, The first indication information is carried by one or more of the following bearers: RRC signaling, MAC CE, DCI.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1-17, characterized in that, The payload size of the signaling carrying the first indication information is determined based on the number of access points that the terminal device can communicate with.

19. A method for wireless communication, characterized in that, include: The network device sends the first instruction information to the terminal device; The first indication information is used to determine the transmission scheme applied when the terminal device switches from the first set of access points to the second set of access points. The transmission scheme includes a single access point transmission scheme or a multi-access point transmission scheme.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The first indication information is used to indicate the target transmission configuration indication (TCI) status set corresponding to the second access point set, and the transmission scheme is determined based on the target TCI status set.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The transmission scheme is determined based on the number of TCI states contained in the target TCI state set.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that: If the target TCI state set includes a unified TCI state, or if the target TCI state set includes a pair of downlink TCI states and uplink TCI states, then the transmission scheme is a single access point transmission scheme; and / or If the target TCI state set includes multiple unified TCI states, or if the target TCI state includes multiple pairs of downlink TCI states and uplink TCI states, then the transmission scheme is the default multi-access point transmission scheme.

23. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The first indication information is used to indicate the transmission scheme.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that, The method further includes: The network device sends a second indication information to the terminal device, the second indication information being used to indicate the target TCI state set corresponding to the second access point set.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that: The first indication information and the second indication information are carried in the same signaling; or The first indication information and the second indication information are carried in different signaling.

26. The method according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that, The second indication information is carried by one or more of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) CE, and Downlink Control Information (DCI).

27. The method according to any one of claims 24-26, characterized in that, The second indication information is also used to indicate one or more of the following: The identifier of the second access point set; Multiple advance timing commands corresponding to the second set of access points; The index of the random access sequence corresponding to the second set of access points; The index of the synchronization signal block corresponding to the second set of access points; The index of the physical random access channel (PRACH) mask corresponding to the second set of access points.

28. The method according to any one of claims 24-27, characterized in that, The method further includes: The network device sends a third indication information to the terminal device, the third indication information being used to indicate one or more TCI states applied by the terminal device, the one or more TCI states belonging to the target TCI state set.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that, The third indication information indicates one or more TCI states applied by the terminal device in the form of a bitmap.

30. The method according to claim 29, characterized in that, The size of the bitmap is the maximum number of access points that the terminal device can communicate with.

31. The method according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that, If the number of TCI states in the target TCI state set indicated by the second indication information is less than the maximum number, then the low-order bits of the bitmap are padded with zeros.

32. The method according to any one of claims 28-31, characterized in that, The third indication information is also used for switching between the single access point transmission scheme and the multi-access point transmission scheme.

33. The method according to any one of claims 28-32, characterized in that, The third indication information is carried in the DCI.

34. The method according to any one of claims 20-33, characterized in that, The method further includes: The network device sends a fourth indication message to the terminal device. The fourth indication message is used to indicate a TCI state set of one or more candidate access points, wherein the TCI state included in the target TCI state set is determined from the TCI state set of the one or more candidate access points.

35. The method according to any one of claims 19-34, characterized in that, The first indication information is carried by one or more of the following bearers: RRC signaling, MAC CE, DCI.

36. The method according to any one of claims 19-35, characterized in that, The payload size of the signaling carrying the first indication information is determined based on the number of access points that the terminal device can communicate with.

37. A terminal device, characterized in that, include: The first receiving module is used to receive the first indication information; The first indication information is used to determine the transmission scheme applied when the terminal device switches from the first set of access points to the second set of access points. The transmission scheme includes a single access point transmission scheme or a multi-access point transmission scheme.

38. The terminal device according to claim 37, characterized in that, The first indication information is used to indicate the target transmission configuration indication (TCI) status set corresponding to the second access point set, and the transmission scheme is determined based on the target TCI status set.

39. The terminal device according to claim 38, characterized in that, The transmission scheme is determined based on the number of TCI states contained in the target TCI state set.

40. The terminal device according to claim 38 or 39, characterized in that: If the target TCI state set includes a unified TCI state, or if the target TCI state set includes a pair of downlink TCI states and uplink TCI states, then the transmission scheme is a single access point transmission scheme; and / or If the target TCI state set includes multiple unified TCI states, or if the target TCI state includes multiple pairs of downlink TCI states and uplink TCI states, then the transmission scheme is the default multi-access point transmission scheme.

41. The terminal device according to claim 37, characterized in that, The first indication information is used to indicate the transmission scheme.

42. The terminal device according to claim 41, characterized in that, The terminal device also includes: The second receiving module is used to receive second indication information, which is used to indicate the target TCI state set corresponding to the second access point set.

43. The terminal device according to claim 42, characterized in that: The first indication information and the second indication information are carried in the same signaling; or The first indication information and the second indication information are carried in different signaling.

44. The terminal device according to claim 42 or 43, characterized in that, The second indication information is carried by one or more of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) CE, and Downlink Control Information (DCI).

45. The terminal device according to any one of claims 42-44, characterized in that, The second indication information is also used to indicate one or more of the following: The identifier of the second access point set; Multiple advance timing commands corresponding to the second set of access points; The index of the random access sequence corresponding to the second set of access points; The index of the synchronization signal block corresponding to the second set of access points; The index of the physical random access channel (PRACH) mask corresponding to the second set of access points.

46. ​​The terminal device according to any one of claims 42-45, characterized in that, The terminal device also includes: The third receiving module is used to receive third indication information, which indicates one or more TCI states applied by the terminal device, and the one or more TCI states belong to the target TCI state set.

47. The terminal device according to claim 46, characterized in that, The third indication information indicates one or more TCI states applied by the terminal device in the form of a bitmap.

48. The terminal device according to claim 47, characterized in that, The size of the bitmap is the maximum number of access points that the terminal device can communicate with.

49. The terminal device according to claim 47 or 48, characterized in that, If the number of TCI states in the target TCI state set indicated by the second indication information is less than the maximum number, then the low-order bits of the bitmap are padded with zeros.

50. The terminal device according to any one of claims 46-49, characterized in that, The third indication information is also used for switching between the single access point transmission scheme and the multi-access point transmission scheme.

51. The terminal device according to any one of claims 46-50, characterized in that, The third indication information is carried in the DCI.

52. The terminal device according to any one of claims 38-51, characterized in that, The terminal device also includes: The fourth receiving module is used to receive fourth indication information, which is used to indicate a TCI state set of one or more candidate access points, wherein the TCI state included in the target TCI state set is determined from the TCI state set of the one or more candidate access points.

53. The terminal device according to any one of claims 37-52, characterized in that, The first indication information is carried by one or more of the following bearers: RRC signaling, MAC CE, DCI.

54. The terminal device according to any one of claims 37-53, characterized in that, The payload size of the signaling carrying the first indication information is determined based on the number of access points that the terminal device can communicate with.

55. A network device, characterized in that, include: The first sending module is used to send first indication information to the terminal device; The first indication information is used to determine the transmission scheme applied when the terminal device switches from the first set of access points to the second set of access points. The transmission scheme includes a single access point transmission scheme or a multi-access point transmission scheme.

56. The network device according to claim 55, characterized in that, The first indication information is used to indicate the target transmission configuration indication (TCI) status set corresponding to the second access point set, and the transmission scheme is determined based on the target TCI status set.

57. The network device according to claim 56, characterized in that, The transmission scheme is determined based on the number of TCI states contained in the target TCI state set.

58. The network device according to claim 56 or 57, characterized in that: If the target TCI state set includes a unified TCI state, or if the target TCI state set includes a pair of downlink TCI states and uplink TCI states, then the transmission scheme is a single access point transmission scheme; and / or If the target TCI state set includes multiple unified TCI states, or if the target TCI state includes multiple pairs of downlink TCI states and uplink TCI states, then the transmission scheme is the default multi-access point transmission scheme.

59. The network device according to claim 55, characterized in that, The first indication information is used to indicate the transmission scheme.

60. The network device according to claim 59, characterized in that, The network device also includes: The second sending module is used to send second indication information to the terminal device, the second indication information being used to indicate the target TCI state set corresponding to the second access point set.

61. The network device according to claim 60, characterized in that: The first indication information and the second indication information are carried in the same signaling; or The first indication information and the second indication information are carried in different signaling.

62. The network device according to claim 60 or 61, characterized in that, The second indication information is carried by one or more of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Media Access Control (MAC) CE, and Downlink Control Information (DCI).

63. The network device according to any one of claims 60-62, characterized in that, The second indication information is also used to indicate one or more of the following: The identifier of the second access point set; Multiple advance timing commands corresponding to the second set of access points; The index of the random access sequence corresponding to the second set of access points; The index of the synchronization signal block corresponding to the second set of access points; The index of the physical random access channel (PRACH) mask corresponding to the second set of access points.

64. The network device according to any one of claims 60-63, characterized in that, The network device also includes: The third sending module is used to send third indication information to the terminal device. The third indication information is used to indicate one or more TCI states applied by the terminal device, and the one or more TCI states belong to the target TCI state set.

65. The network device according to claim 64, characterized in that, The third indication information indicates one or more TCI states applied by the terminal device in the form of a bitmap.

66. The network device according to claim 65, characterized in that, The size of the bitmap is the maximum number of access points that the terminal device can communicate with.

67. The network device according to claim 65 or 66, characterized in that, If the number of TCI states in the target TCI state set indicated by the second indication information is less than the maximum number, then the low-order bits of the bitmap are padded with zeros.

68. The network device according to any one of claims 64-67, characterized in that, The third indication information is also used for switching between the single access point transmission scheme and the multi-access point transmission scheme.

69. The network device according to any one of claims 64-68, characterized in that, The third indication information is carried in the DCI.

70. The network device according to any one of claims 56-69, characterized in that, The network device also includes: The fourth sending module is used to send fourth indication information to the terminal device. The fourth indication information is used to indicate a TCI state set of one or more candidate access points, wherein the TCI state included in the target TCI state set is determined from the TCI state set of the one or more candidate access points.

71. The network device according to any one of claims 55-70, characterized in that, The first indication information is carried by one or more of the following bearers: RRC signaling, MAC CE, DCI.

72. The network device according to any one of claims 55-71, characterized in that, The payload size of the signaling carrying the first indication information is determined based on the number of access points that the terminal device can communicate with.

73. A terminal device, characterized in that, The device includes a transceiver, a memory, and a processor. The memory stores a program, and the processor invokes the program in the memory and controls the transceiver to receive or send signals so that the terminal device performs the method as described in any one of claims 1-18.

74. A network device, characterized in that, The device includes a transceiver, a memory, and a processor. The memory stores a program, and the processor invokes the program in the memory and controls the transceiver to receive or transmit signals so that the network device performs the method as described in any one of claims 19-36.

75. An apparatus, characterized in that, Includes a processor for calling a program from memory to cause the device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-18 or 19-36.

76. A chip, characterized in that, Includes a processor for calling a program from memory, causing a device on which the chip is mounted to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-18 or 19-36.

77. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It contains a program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-18 or 19-36.

78. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes a program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-18 or 19-36.

79. A computer program, characterized in that, The computer program causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-18 or 19-36.

Images