Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of wireless communications. Provided are a communication method and apparatus, which are used for improving the quality of data transmission between a network device and a terminal. In the present application, the method comprises: a terminal receiving first information, wherein the first information is used for indicating a combination coefficient corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal, and the combination coefficient corresponding to the at least two beams is used for generating a composite beam; and the terminal sending an uplink reference signal by means of the composite beam. On the basis of a combination coefficient, a terminal can obtain a composite beam that can cover a signal propagation path between a network device and the terminal; and by means of sending an uplink reference signal, the terminal can obtain channel state information corresponding to the composite beam, and the terminal can perform uplink transmission that better matches the composite beam, such that the terminal communicates with the network device on the basis of the composite beam, and a better communication performance can thus be obtained.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411960058.0, filed on December 25, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0004] Fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication systems can employ high-frequency communication, meaning they use high-frequency signals to transmit data. A major problem with high-frequency communication is that signal energy decreases sharply with transmission distance, resulting in short transmission ranges. To overcome this problem, high-frequency communication uses analog beamforming technology. By weighting the antenna array, the signal energy is concentrated within a small angular range, forming a beam-like signal (called an analog beam, or simply a beam), thereby increasing the transmission distance. Network devices and terminals use beamforming for transmission.

[0005] Currently, the beam sets of network devices and terminals are pre-defined. For example, a network device may include M beams, which can generate M network device beams based on M pre-defined analog beam weights; a terminal may include N beams, which can generate N terminal beams based on N pre-defined analog beam weights. During uplink and downlink data transmission, network devices and terminals can transmit based on the pre-defined beams. When the pre-defined beams of the network devices and terminals cannot cover the signal propagation path between the network devices and terminals, the data transmission quality between them will degrade. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for improving the data transmission quality between network devices and terminals.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to the terminal side, such as a terminal or a communication module within a terminal, or a circuit or chip in the terminal responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core or a system-in-package (SIP) chip), or it can be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal's functions. Taking the application of this method to a terminal as an example, the method may include: the terminal receiving first information, the first information being used to indicate the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal, the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams being used to generate the composite beam; and the terminal transmitting an uplink reference signal through the composite beam.

[0008] Optionally, the terminal receives the first information from the network device.

[0009] Using the above method, the terminal can combine at least two terminal beams into a single composite beam according to the combining coefficient indicated by the network device, thus obtaining a composite beam that can cover the signal propagation path between the network device and the terminal. In addition, the terminal can obtain the channel state information corresponding to the composite beam by sending an uplink reference signal to the network device through the composite beam. Therefore, the terminal can communicate with the network device based on the composite beam and obtain better communication performance.

[0010] In one possible design, the uplink reference signal is used to measure the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam.

[0011] With the above design, since the uplink reference signal is used to measure the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam, the network device can measure the uplink reference signal to obtain the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam. Based on this channel state information, the terminal can perform uplink transmission that is more compatible with the synthesized beam.

[0012] In one possible design, the terminal receives a second message that instructs the terminal to transmit an uplink reference signal using a synthetic beam.

[0013] Optionally, the terminal receives second information from the network device.

[0014] With the above design, the terminal can initiate uplink channel measurement for the synthetic beam based on the second information sent by the network device, thereby obtaining the channel state information of the synthetic beam and realizing high-quality transmission between the terminal and the network device.

[0015] In one possible design, the first and second information are carried in the same signaling.

[0016] With the above design, when the first and second information are carried in the same signaling, after receiving the combining coefficients indicated by the network device, the terminal can determine that the network device has indicated an initiation of uplink channel measurement for the synthesized beam. Thus, after receiving the combining coefficients indicated by the network device, the terminal can immediately initiate uplink channel measurement for the synthesized beam, thereby obtaining the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam. Based on this method, after the terminal receives the combining coefficients indicated by the network device and generates the synthesized beam, it does not need to wait for further measurement instructions from the network device, thereby effectively reducing the latency for the terminal to obtain the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam.

[0017] In one possible design, the signaling is either medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) signaling or downlink control information (DCI) signaling.

[0018] Through the above design, MAC-CE signaling can carry more information, with sufficient fields to carry both the first and second information. Furthermore, using MAC-CE signaling to carry the first and second information reduces transmission latency between network devices and terminals, improving transmission reliability. Similarly, using DCI signaling to carry the first and second information reduces transmission latency and improves transmission reliability.

[0019] In one possible design, the second information includes at least one of the following: indication information of a first resource set, wherein at least one first resource in the first resource set is used to carry an uplink reference signal; indication information of a first resource, wherein the first resource is used to carry an uplink reference signal; and first time domain offset information, wherein the first time domain offset information is used to indicate a first time domain resource unit that transmits the uplink reference signal.

[0020] With the above design, when the second information includes indication information of the first resource set and / or indication information of the first resource, the terminal can determine the first resource carrying the uplink reference signal, and thus the terminal can determine that the uplink reference signal corresponding to the first resource needs to be sent; when the second information includes first time domain offset information, the terminal can determine the first time domain resource unit carrying the uplink reference signal according to the indication of the network device, and send the uplink reference signal on the first time domain resource unit, thereby ensuring the reliability of transmission between the terminal and the network device.

[0021] In one possible design, the terminal determines the first time domain resource unit based on the time domain resource unit carrying the first information and the first time domain offset information; or the terminal determines the first time domain resource unit based on the time domain resource unit carrying the third information and the first time domain offset information, wherein the third information is the feedback information corresponding to the first information.

[0022] With the above design, the terminal and network equipment use the same method to determine the first time domain resource unit, which can ensure the reliability of transmission between the terminal and network equipment.

[0023] In one possible design, the second information also includes second time-domain offset information, which is used to indicate a second time-domain resource unit carrying a downlink reference signal, which is a downlink reference signal associated with an uplink reference signal.

[0024] Through the above design, the terminal can determine the second time domain resource unit carrying the downlink reference signal based on the second time domain offset information, so that the terminal can accurately receive the downlink reference signal on the second time domain resource unit.

[0025] In one possible design, the terminal receives the downlink reference signal via a synthesized beam in the second time-domain resource unit.

[0026] Through the above design, the terminal can accurately receive the downlink reference signal in the second time-domain resource unit using the synthesized beam. Based on this, the terminal can measure the channel state information corresponding to the downlink channel of the synthesized beam, thereby improving the communication quality of uplink transmission between the terminal and network devices.

[0027] In one possible design, the terminal determines the second time-domain resource unit based on the time-domain resource unit carrying the first information and the second time-domain offset information; or the terminal determines the second time-domain resource unit based on the time-domain resource unit carrying the third information and the second time-domain offset information, wherein the third information is the feedback information corresponding to the first information.

[0028] With the above design, the terminal and network equipment determine the second time domain resource unit in the same way, which can ensure the reliability of transmission between the terminal and network equipment.

[0029] Optionally, the uplink reference signal is a sounding reference signal (SRS), and the downlink reference signal is a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

[0030] In one possible design, the terminal receives the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam; the terminal then sends uplink data based on the channel state information.

[0031] Through the above design, the terminal can send uplink data according to the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam, thereby improving the communication quality of uplink transmission between the terminal and network devices.

[0032] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that can be applied to the network side, such as a network device or a communication module or unit in the network device, or a circuit, chip, or chip system in the network device responsible for communication functions, or it can be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device; taking the application of this method to a network device as an example, the method may include: the network device sending first information, the first information being used to indicate the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal, the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams being used to generate the synthesized beam; the network device receiving an uplink reference signal sent through the synthesized beam.

[0033] Using the above method, the network device can determine the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal and send first information to the terminal to indicate the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal. Based on this, the terminal can combine at least two terminal beams into a combined beam according to the instructions of the network device, and obtain a combined beam that can cover the signal propagation path between the network device and the terminal. In addition, the network device can obtain the channel state information corresponding to the combined beam by receiving the uplink reference signal sent by the terminal through the combined beam. Thus, the terminal can communicate with the network device based on the combined beam and obtain better communication performance.

[0034] In one possible design, the uplink reference signal is used to measure the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam.

[0035] With the above design, since the uplink reference signal is used to measure the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam, the network device can measure the uplink reference signal sent by the terminal to obtain the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam. Based on this channel state information, the terminal can perform uplink transmission that is more compatible with the synthesized beam.

[0036] In one possible design, the network device sends a second message that instructs the terminal to transmit an uplink reference signal using a synthetic beam.

[0037] Through the above design, the network device can initiate uplink channel measurement for the synthetic beam through the second information instruction terminal, thereby obtaining the channel state information of the synthetic beam and realizing high-quality transmission between the terminal and the network device.

[0038] In one possible design, the first and second information are carried in the same signaling.

[0039] Through the above design, when the first and second information are carried in the same signaling, the network device indicates the combining coefficient and instructs the terminal to initiate uplink channel measurement for the synthesized beam in a single signaling message. Thus, after receiving the combining coefficient indicated by the network device, the terminal can immediately initiate uplink channel measurement for the synthesized beam, thereby obtaining the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam. Based on this method, after the terminal receives the combining coefficient indicated by the network device and generates the synthesized beam, it does not need to wait for further measurement instructions from the network device, thereby effectively reducing the latency for the terminal to obtain the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam.

[0040] In one possible design, the signaling is either MAC-CE signaling or DCI signaling.

[0041] Through the above design, MAC-CE signaling can carry more information, with sufficient fields to carry both the first and second information. Furthermore, using MAC-CE signaling to carry the first and second information reduces transmission latency between network devices and terminals, improving transmission reliability. Similarly, using DCI signaling to carry the first and second information reduces transmission latency and improves transmission reliability.

[0042] In one possible design, the second information includes at least one of the following: indication information of a first resource set, wherein at least one first resource in the first resource set is used to carry the uplink reference signal; indication information of a first resource, wherein the first resource is used to carry the uplink reference signal; and first time domain offset information, wherein the first time domain offset information is used to indicate a first time domain resource unit that transmits the uplink reference signal.

[0043] With the above design, when the second information includes indication information of the first resource set and / or indication information of the first resource, the terminal can determine the first resource carrying the uplink reference signal, and thus the terminal can determine that the uplink reference signal corresponding to the first resource needs to be sent; when the second information includes first time domain offset information, the terminal can determine the first time domain resource unit carrying the uplink reference signal according to the indication of the network device, and send the uplink reference signal on the first time domain resource unit, thereby ensuring the reliability of transmission between the terminal and the network device.

[0044] In one possible design, the network device determines the first time domain resource unit for receiving the uplink reference signal based on the time domain resource unit carrying the first information and the first time domain offset information; or the network device determines the first time domain resource unit for receiving the uplink reference signal based on the time domain resource unit carrying the third information and the first time domain offset information; the third information is the feedback information corresponding to the first information.

[0045] With the above design, network devices and terminals use the same method to determine the first time domain resource unit, which can ensure the reliability of transmission between terminals and network devices.

[0046] In one possible design, the second information further includes second time-domain offset information, which is used to indicate a second time-domain resource unit carrying a downlink reference signal, the downlink reference signal being the downlink reference signal associated with the uplink reference signal.

[0047] Through the above design, the network device sends the second time domain offset information to the terminal. Based on the second time domain offset information, the terminal can determine the second time domain resource unit carrying the downlink reference signal, so that the terminal can accurately receive the downlink reference signal on the second time domain resource unit.

[0048] In one possible design, the network device determines the second time domain resource unit based on the time domain resource unit carrying the first information and the second time domain offset information; or the network device determines the second time domain resource unit based on the time domain resource unit carrying the third information and the second time domain offset information, wherein the third information is the feedback information corresponding to the first information.

[0049] With the above design, network devices and terminals use the same method to determine the second time domain resource unit, which can ensure the reliability of transmission between terminals and network devices.

[0050] Optionally, the uplink reference signal is SRS, and the downlink reference signal is CSI-RS.

[0051] In one possible design, the network device sends channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam, which is obtained by measuring the uplink reference signal; the network device receives uplink data sent by the terminal based on the channel state information.

[0052] Through the above design, the channel state information corresponding to the synthetic beam measured by the network device to the terminal can improve the communication quality of uplink transmission between the terminal and the network device.

[0053] Thirdly, this application provides a communication device that implements the functions described in the first or second aspect above. The communication device may include modules, units, or means corresponding to the operations involved in the first or second aspect. These modules, units, or means can be implemented through software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware. For example, the communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit to execute the first or second aspect above, or any possible implementation of the first or second aspect. The communication unit is used to perform transmission and reception operations, such as functions related to sending and receiving; the communication unit may be called a transceiver unit; optionally, the communication unit includes a receiving unit and a sending unit. The processing unit is used to perform processing operations.

[0054] In one design, the communication device is a communication chip, the processing unit can be one or more processors or processor cores, and the communication unit can be the input / output circuit, input / output interface or antenna port of the communication chip.

[0055] In another design, the communication unit can be a transmitter and a receiver, or the communication unit can be a transmitter and a receiver.

[0056] Optionally, the communication device may further include various modules that can be used to perform the first aspect or the second aspect described above, or to perform any possible implementation of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0057] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, which can be the aforementioned terminal or network-side device. The communication device may include a processor and a memory to execute the first or second aspect described above, or any possible implementation of the first or second aspect. Optionally, it may also include a transceiver, the memory for storing computer programs or instructions, and the processor for retrieving and running the computer programs or instructions from the memory. When the processor executes the computer programs or instructions in the memory, the communication device executes the first or second aspect described above, or any possible implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0058] Optionally, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories.

[0059] Optionally, the memory can be integrated with the processor, or the memory can be set up separately from the processor.

[0060] Optionally, the transceiver may include a transmitter and a receiver.

[0061] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, which can be the aforementioned terminal or network-side device. The communication device may include a processor to execute the first or second aspect described above, or to execute any possible implementation of the first or second aspect. The processor is coupled to a memory. Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0062] In one implementation, when the communication device is a terminal or a network device, the communication interface can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0063] In another implementation, when the communication device is a chip or chip system, the communication interface can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip or chip system. The processor can also be manifested as a processing circuit or logic circuit.

[0064] Sixthly, this application provides a communication device, which includes a processor and may further include a storage medium storing a computer program or instructions. When executed by the processor, the computer program or instructions are used to implement the method in any of the possible designs in the first or second aspect described above. The communication device may be a chip system. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0065] In a seventh aspect, a communication system is provided, the communication system including a terminal-side device of the first aspect and a network-side device of the second aspect.

[0066] Eighthly, this application also provides a chip including a processor coupled to a memory for reading and executing computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, so that the chip implements the method in any of the possible designs in the first or second aspect described above.

[0067] Ninthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions, which, when read and executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the possible design methods in the first or second aspect described above.

[0068] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a computer program product comprising computer program code, which, when read and executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the possible design methods in the first or second aspect described above.

[0069] For the various aspects from the third to the tenth aspects mentioned above, and the technical effects that each aspect may achieve, please refer to the description of the technical effects that can be achieved by the various possible solutions for the first or second aspects mentioned above, which will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0070] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0071] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a RAN node provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0072] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the network element division and protocol layer structure in an O-RAN system provided by an embodiment of this application;

[0073] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of beam management provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0074] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of a signal propagation path between a network device and a terminal provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0075] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of another signal propagation path between a network device and a terminal provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0076] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0077] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of simulated beam weights for a phased array antenna system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0078] Figure 8 is a schematic flowchart of a method for determining weighting coefficients provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0079] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0080] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0081] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0082] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0083] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0084] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0085] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0086] The at least one item mentioned in the embodiments of this application refers to one or more items. Multiple items refers to two or more items. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship. Furthermore, it should be understood that although the terms "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe objects in the embodiments of this application, these objects should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the objects from each other.

[0087] The terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, used in the following description of embodiments of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include other steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices. It should be noted that in embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any method or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in embodiments of this application should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other methods or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner.

[0088] The technology provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, 4th generation (4G) mobile communication system such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system such as New Radio (NR) system, and future communication systems, etc.

[0089] This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features relating to systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that individual systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these approaches are also possible.

[0090] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplarily" and "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design scheme described as an "example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of the term "example" is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. In the embodiments of this application, "of," "corresponding, relevant," and "corresponding" may sometimes be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent unless their distinction is emphasized.

[0091] In a communication system, a network element can send signals to or receive signals from another network element. These signals can include information or data; a network element can also be referred to as an entity, network entity, device, communication equipment, communication module, node, communication node, etc. This application describes the concept of a network element. For example, a communication system can include at least one terminal and at least one network device. The signal-transmitting network element can be a network device, and the signal-receiving network element can be a terminal; or, the signal-transmitting network element can be a terminal, and the signal-receiving network element can be a network device. Furthermore, it is understood that if the communication system includes multiple terminals, these terminals can also exchange signals; that is, both the signal-transmitting network element and the signal-receiving network element can be terminals.

[0092] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary architecture diagram of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system may also include an Internet 300. The RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 110) and may also include at least one terminal (120a-120j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 120). The RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1). The terminal 120 is wirelessly connected to the RAN node 110, and the RAN node 110 is wirelessly or wiredly connected to the core network 200. The core network equipment in the core network 200 and the RAN node 110 in the RAN 100 can be independent and different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating the logical functions of the core network equipment and the logical functions of the RAN node. Terminals can be connected to each other, as can RAN nodes, via wired or wireless means.

[0093] RAN100 can be an evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) system, an NR system, or a future radio access system as defined in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP). RAN100 can also include two or more of the above-mentioned different radio access systems. RAN100 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN).

[0094] The network device involved in this application embodiment can be a RAN node. A RAN node, also known as a radio access network device, RAN entity, or access node, is used to help terminals access a communication system wirelessly. In one application scenario, the RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system, or a base station in a future mobile communication system. A RAN node can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 1, 110a), a micro base station or an indoor station (as shown in Figure 1, 110b), or a relay node or donor node.

[0095] In another application scenario, multiple RAN nodes can collaborate to help terminals achieve wireless access, with different RAN nodes implementing different functions of the base station. For example, as shown in Figure 2, RAN nodes can include a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). The CU performs the functions of the base station's Radio Resource Control (RRC) and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), and can also perform the functions of the Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP). The DU performs the functions of the base station's Radio Link Control (RAN) and Medium Access Control (MAC) layers, and can also perform some or all of the physical layer functions. For detailed descriptions of each protocol layer, refer to the relevant 3GPP technical specifications. The RU can be used to implement radio frequency signal transmission and reception. The CU and DU can be two independent RAN nodes, or they can be integrated into the same RAN node, such as within a baseband unit (BBU). The BBU communicates with the core network (CN) via a backhaul link, while the RU communicates with at least one terminal via an air interface. The BBU also communicates with at least one RU via a fronthaul link. The BBU and RU can be co-located or not. CUs and DUs integrated within a BBU can communicate via at least one midhaul link. RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment, such as in remote radio units (RRUs) or active antenna units (AAUs). CUs can be further classified into two types of RAN nodes: CU-control plane and CU-user plane.

[0096] In different systems, RAN nodes may have different names. For example, in an O-RAN system, CU can be called an open CU (O-CU), DU can be called an open DU (O-DU), and RU can be called an open RU (O-RU). CU-control panel (CU-CP) can also be called an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), and CU-user panel (CU-UP) can also be called an open CU-UP (O-CU-UP). The RAN nodes in the embodiments of this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules. For example, an RAN node can be a server loaded with the corresponding software modules. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the RAN nodes. For ease of description, a base station is used as an example of a RAN node in the following description.

[0097] A terminal can be a device or module that accesses the aforementioned communication system and has corresponding communication functions. A terminal can also be user equipment (UE), terminal equipment, user device, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal unit, terminal station, terminal device, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device. A terminal typically contains a communication module, circuit, or chip that performs the corresponding communication function. The terminal may also be configured with program instructions for performing the corresponding communication function.

[0098] For example, the terminal in the embodiments of this application can be a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA) computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a drone, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a machine-type communication (MTC) terminal, a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, an Internet of Things (IoT) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical care, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home (e.g., game consoles, smart TVs, smart speakers, smart refrigerators, and fitness equipment), a transportation vehicle with wireless communication capabilities, a communication module, or a roadside unit (RSU) with terminal functionality. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal.

[0099] Base stations and terminals can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can be deployed on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the base stations and terminals.

[0100] The roles of base stations and terminals can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 1 can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120j that access the wireless access network 100 through 120i, terminal 120i is a base station; however, for base station 110a, 120i is a terminal, meaning that 110a and 120i communicate via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate via a base station-to-base station interface protocol. In this case, relative to 110a, 120i is also a base station. Therefore, both base stations and terminals can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with base station functions, and 120a-120j in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with terminal functions.

[0101] Communication between base stations and terminals, between base stations, and between terminals can be conducted using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. Communication can be conducted using spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), spectrum above 6 GHz, or both simultaneously. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0102] In the embodiments of this application, the functions of the base station can be executed by modules (such as chips) within the base station, or by a control subsystem that includes base station functions. This control subsystem, including base station functions, can be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. Similarly, the functions of the terminal can be executed by modules (such as chips or modems) within the terminal, or by a device that includes terminal functions.

[0103] In this application, the base station sends downlink signals or downlink information to the terminal, with the downlink information carried on the downlink channel; the terminal sends uplink signals or uplink information to the base station, with the uplink information carried on the uplink channel. In order to communicate with the base station, the terminal needs to establish a radio connection with a cell controlled by the base station. The cell with which the terminal has established a radio connection is called the terminal's serving cell. When the terminal communicates with this serving cell, it is also subject to interference from signals from neighboring cells.

[0104] Figure 3 illustrates the network element division and protocol layer structure in the O-RAN system. In some examples, the CU (Core Unit) is a logical node carrying the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer, Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, and other control functions of the access network equipment. The CU connects to network nodes such as the core network through interfaces, which can be interfaces such as E2 interfaces. Optionally, the CU may have some core network functions. The CU (e.g., PDCP layer and higher layers) connects to the DU (e.g., RLC layer and lower layers) through interfaces, which can be interfaces such as F1 interfaces. In some examples, these interfaces (e.g., F1 interfaces) can provide control plane (C-plane) and user plane (U-plane) functions (e.g., interface management, system information management, UE context management, RRC message transmission, etc.). F1AP is the application protocol of the F1 interface, defining the F1 signaling procedures in some examples. The F1 interface supports control plane F1-C and user plane F1-U.

[0105] In some examples, the CU can be split into CU-CP and CU-UP. CU-CP is a logical node carrying the RRC layer and PDCP-C (Control plane part of PDCP) layer, used to implement the CU's control plane functions. CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement control plane functions. These network elements in the core network can be access and mobility function (AMF) network elements, such as the AMF network element in a 5G system. The AMF network element is responsible for mobility management in the mobile network, such as terminal location updates, terminal registration with the network, and terminal handover. CU-UP is a logical node carrying the SDAP layer and PDCP-U (User plane part of PDCP) layer, used to implement the CU's user plane functions. CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement user plane functions. These network elements in the core network, such as the UPF network element in a 5G system, are responsible for forwarding and receiving data in the terminal. The above CU and DU configurations are merely examples; the functions of the CU and DU can be configured as needed. For instance, the CU or DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or only some protocol layer processing functions. For example, some RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions above the RLC layer can be placed in the CU, while the remaining RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions below the RLC layer can be placed in the DU. Furthermore, the functions of the CU or DU can be divided according to service type or other system requirements, such as by latency. Functions that require low latency can be placed in the DU, while functions that do not require low latency can be placed in the CU.

[0106] In some examples, a DU is a logical node that carries the radio link control (RLC) layer, MAC layer, higher physical layer (PHY) layer, and other functions. In some examples, a DU can control at least one RU. The DU connects to the RU through interfaces, which can be fronthaul interfaces. In some examples, the higher PHY layer includes the PHY layer processing, such as forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation, and demodulation.

[0107] In some examples, the RU is a logical node that carries both lower physical layer (PHY) and radio frequency (RF) processing. In some examples, the RU can be a 3GPP transmission reception point (TRP), a remote radio head (RRH), or other similar entities. In some examples, the low-PHY includes portions of the PHY processing, such as fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT), digital beamforming, and filtering. The RU communicates with one or more UEs via a radio link.

[0108] The DU and RU may or may not be co-located. The DU and RU exchange control plane and user plane information via a lower-layer split cus-plane (LLS-CUS) interface through a fronthaul link. LLS-CUS may include LLS-C and LLS-U interfaces, respectively providing control plane (C-plane) and user plane (U-plane) access. In some examples, the control plane refers to real-time control between the DU and RU. The DU and RU exchange management information via an LLS-M interface on the fronthaul link; the management plane (M-plane) refers to non-real-time management operations between the DU and RU.

[0109] DU and RU can cooperate to implement the functions of the PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, a DU can be configured to implement baseband functions, and an RU can be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Another example is that a DU can be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and an RU can be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or to implement both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer can include a portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the MAC layer, while lower-level functions in the physical layer can include another portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the mid-RF side.

[0110] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples.

[0111] Optionally, any one of CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU can be a software module, a hardware structure, or a combination of software and hardware structures, without limitation. The different entities can exist in the same or different forms. For example, CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, and DU are software modules, and RU is a hardware structure. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations are listed here. These modules and their executed methods are also within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application. For example, when the method of the embodiments of this application is executed by an access network device, it can be executed by at least one of CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, or DU.

[0112] The relevant terms used in the embodiments of this application will be explained below. It should be noted that these explanations are for the purpose of making the embodiments of this application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope of protection claimed by this application.

[0113] 1. Beam:

[0114] In new radio (NR) protocols, beamforming can be represented as a spatial domain filter, spatial parameter, spatial setting, quasi-colocation (QCL) information, QCL assumption, or QCL indication. Beamforming can be indicated through transmission configuration indicator state (TCI-state) parameters or spatial relationship parameters.

[0115] Therefore, in this application, "beam" can be replaced by spatial filter, spatial filter, spatial parameter, spatial parameter, spatial setting, spatial setting, QCL information, QCL assumption, QCL indication, TCI-state (downlink TCI-state, uplink TCI-state), spatial relationship, etc. The above terms are also equivalent to each other. "Beam" can also be replaced with other beam-related terms, which are not limited in this application.

[0116] The beam used to transmit signals can be called the transmission beam (Tx beam), or it can be referred to as a spatial domain transmission filter, spatial transmission filter, spatial domain transmission parameter, spatial transmission setting, or spatial transmission setting. The downlink transmission beam can be indicated by TCI-state.

[0117] The beam used to receive signals can be called a reception beam (Rx beam), a spatial domain reception filter, a spatial reception filter, a spatial domain reception parameter, a spatial reception setting, or a spatial reception setting. The uplink transmit beam can be indicated by spatial relationships, uplink TCI-state, or SRS resources (indicating the transmit beam using that SRS). Therefore, the uplink beam can also be replaced by an SRS resource.

[0118] The transmitting beam can refer to the distribution of signal strength in different directions in space after a signal is transmitted through an antenna, while the receiving beam can refer to the distribution of signal strength in different directions in space of a wireless signal received from an antenna.

[0119] Furthermore, the beam can be a wide beam, a narrow beam, or other types of beam. The beamforming technology can be beamforming technology or other technologies. Specifically, beamforming technology can be digital beamforming technology, analog beamforming technology, or hybrid digital / analog beamforming technology, etc.

[0120] Beams are generally associated with resources. For example, during beam measurement, network devices measure different beams using different resources. The terminal provides feedback on the measured resource quality, allowing the network device to determine the quality of the corresponding beam. During data transmission, beam information is also indicated through its corresponding resources. For instance, network devices use the Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) field in downlink control information (DCI) to indicate the physical downlink sharing channel (PDSCH) beam information of the terminal.

[0121] Optionally, multiple beams with the same or similar communication characteristics can be considered as a single beam. A beam may include one or more antenna ports for transmitting data channels, control channels, and detection signals, etc. One or more antenna ports forming a beam can also be considered as a set of antenna ports.

[0122] In beam measurement, each beam of a network device corresponds to a resource, so the beam corresponding to that resource can be uniquely identified by the resource index.

[0123] 2. Resources.

[0124] In this embodiment of the application, the network device can configure resource sets or resources for the terminal.

[0125] The resource set may include at least one of the following: a channel status information (CSI) synchronization signal block (CSI-SSB) resource set, a CSI interference measurement (CSI-IM) resource set, a non-zero power-channel state information reference signal (NZP-CSI-RS) resource set, or a zero power-channel state information reference signal (ZP-CSI-RS) resource set.

[0126] In this application embodiment, resources can correspond to beams; for example, network devices use beams to transmit their corresponding resources, and a terminal measuring a resource can be understood as measuring the corresponding beam. Resources can be uplink signal resources or downlink signal resources. Uplink signals include, but are not limited to, SRS and demodulation reference signal (DMRS). Downlink signals include, but are not limited to, CSI-RS, cell specific reference signal (CS-RS), user equipment specific reference signal (US-RS), demodulation reference signal (DMRS), and synchronization system / physical broadcast channel block (SS / PBCH block). The SS / PBCH block can be abbreviated as synchronization signal block (SSB).

[0127] Resources can be configured via radio resource control (RRC) signaling. Structurally, a resource is a data structure that includes relevant parameters of its corresponding uplink / downlink signal, such as the type of uplink / downlink signal, the resource granularity carrying the uplink / downlink signal, the transmission time and period of the uplink / downlink signal, and the number of ports used to transmit the uplink / downlink signal. Each uplink / downlink signal resource has a unique index to identify the resource for that downlink signal. It is understood that the resource index can also be called the resource identifier, and this embodiment does not limit this to that.

[0128] During uplink and downlink data transmission, network devices and terminals need to use specific beams. Network devices and terminals can select the beams for transmitting uplink and downlink data based on a measurement process. Specifically, the network device configures multiple reference signal resources (referred to as measurement resources, which can be a configuration unit in the RRC configuration signaling, rather than a time-frequency resource; see the resource introduction above) for the terminal via RRC signaling. Each measurement resource corresponds to a reference signal. For each measurement resource, the network device transmits the reference signal corresponding to that resource through a beam. The terminal measures the reference signals transmitted by each beam to determine the channel quality information corresponding to each beam, such as reference signal receiving power (RSRP). By measuring the channel quality corresponding to each beam, the terminal selects one or more beams with better channel quality and reports the information of these beams to the network device. Specifically, the terminal reports the index of the measurement resource corresponding to these beams and the corresponding channel quality information (such as RSRP) to the network device. The network device then selects one beam from the beams reported by the terminal for data transmission. For each network device beam, the terminal also determines a corresponding terminal beam. In downlink transmission, the network device uses its own beamwidth for sending, and the terminal uses its own beamwidth for receiving. In uplink transmission, the terminal uses its own beamwidth for sending, and the network device uses its own beamwidth for receiving.

[0129] The following describes an optional beam management process. As shown in Figure 4, the network device includes M network device beams, and the terminal includes N terminal beams. The network device configures M measurement resources for the terminal, each corresponding to one of the M network device beams. In each measurement cycle, the network device transmits reference signals corresponding to the M measurement resources through the M network device beams (e.g., the network device transmits one reference signal for each measurement resource). The terminal uses one terminal beam to receive and measure the reference signals corresponding to the M measurement resources, obtaining the channel quality between the terminal beam and the M network device beams. Through N measurement cycles, the terminal traverses all N terminal beams, thereby obtaining the channel quality between the M network device beams and the N terminal beams. Based on the above measurements, the terminal can select the P network device beams with the best quality and report the index of the measurement resource corresponding to the P network device beams and the channel quality information (e.g., RSRP) to the network device. Simultaneously, the terminal can also determine the terminal beam corresponding to each network device beam. The terminal will cache the optimal receiving beam information corresponding to each network device beam. When a network device indicates that it will use a certain network device beam to send downlink signals, the terminal will use the corresponding optimal terminal beam for reception.

[0130] However, in some cases, the network device beams and terminal beams selected by the network devices and terminals based on the beam measurement process may not cover the signal propagation path between the network devices and terminals, resulting in a degraded data transmission quality between them. For example, in a line-of-sight (LOS) channel scenario, there is only one direct propagation path between the network devices and terminals, with no other propagation paths. When the angle of the signal propagation path between the network devices and terminals is between two beams, as shown in Figure 5A, the P network device beams with the best quality selected by the terminal in the beam management process cannot cover the signal propagation path between the network devices and terminals, thus affecting the data transmission quality. As another example, in a non-LOS (NLOS) channel scenario, there are multiple signal propagation paths (such as multiple reflection paths) between the network devices and terminals, as shown in Figure 5B. Each preset beam (network device beam or terminal beam) can only cover at most one propagation path, and the other propagation paths cannot be utilized, which also affects the data transmission quality between the network devices and terminals.

[0131] Based on this, when the terminal includes multiple preset beams, the terminal in this embodiment can combine at least two of the multiple beams, so that the combined beam can cover the signal propagation path between the network device and the terminal. After the terminal generates the combined beam, the terminal can perform uplink transmission based on the channel state information corresponding to the combined beam. Therefore, how the terminal generates the combined beam and how to obtain the channel state information corresponding to the combined beam are problems that urgently need to be solved.

[0132] This application provides a communication method in which, when a terminal includes N terminal beams, a network device indicates to the terminal the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two terminal beams. The terminal can then generate a composite beam based on these combining coefficients. After generating the composite beam, the terminal can send an uplink reference signal to the network device to measure the composite beam and obtain the channel state information corresponding to it. Based on the communication method provided in this application, the terminal can combine at least two terminal beams into a single composite beam according to the network device's instructions, resulting in a composite beam that covers the signal propagation path between the network device and the terminal. Furthermore, by sending the uplink reference signal to obtain the channel state information corresponding to the composite beam, the terminal can perform uplink transmissions that are more closely matched to the composite beam. Thus, the terminal can achieve better communication performance when communicating with the network device based on the composite beam.

[0133] The communication method provided in this application can be applied to generating composite beams for terminal beams and measuring the composite beams of terminals. It should be understood that the communication method provided in this application can also be applied to generating composite beams for network devices and measuring the composite beams of network devices. In the following description, the application of the communication method provided in this application to generating composite beams for terminal beams and measuring the composite beams of terminals is used as an example.

[0134] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication method mainly includes the following steps 600 to 601. It is understood that the steps and execution order shown in Figure 6 are only examples. In actual implementation, some of the steps may be executed, or the remaining steps may also be executed. Similarly, the execution order of the steps may also be adjusted, and this embodiment of the application does not limit this.

[0135] In this embodiment of the application, as described above, the means for implementing the functions of a terminal or network device can be a terminal or network device itself, or it can be a module or unit applicable to a terminal or network device, or a means (e.g., a chip system) that supports the terminal or network device in implementing the function. The following description uses a terminal or network device as an example. When the means for implementing the functions of a terminal or network device is a module or unit applicable to a terminal or network device, or a means that supports the terminal or network device in implementing the function, receiving / transmitting can be understood as input / output, that is, the means communicates with other modules, units, or components of the terminal or network device. Furthermore, the processing performed by a single execution entity can also be divided into multiple execution entities, which can be logically and / or physically separated. For example, the processing performed by a network device can be divided into execution by at least one of CU, DU, RU, etc.

[0136] Step 600: The network device sends the first information to the terminal.

[0137] Accordingly, the terminal receives the first information from the network device.

[0138] The first information is used to indicate the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal, and the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams are used to generate the composite beam.

[0139] As one possible implementation, the network device can select at least two beams from the N beams of the terminal based on the channel quality of the communication channel between the terminal and the network device, and determine the combining coefficients corresponding to the at least two beams.

[0140] Optionally, the merging coefficients include multiple weighting coefficients, each weighting coefficient corresponding to a beam of a terminal; the weighting coefficients corresponding to at least two beams can form a vector, which can be called the merging coefficients in this embodiment.

[0141] For example, the first information is used to indicate the combining coefficients corresponding to the K beams of the terminal, where K is an integer greater than 1; wherein, each beam corresponds to a weighting coefficient, and the weighting coefficients corresponding to the K beams are a0, a1, ..., a K-1 A vector {a0, a1, ..., a} consisting of the weighted coefficients corresponding to the K beams. K-1} represents the merging coefficient, which is used to merge K beams to generate a merged beam.

[0142] In this embodiment of the application, after receiving the first information, the terminal can generate a composite beam corresponding to at least two beams according to the merging coefficient indicated by the first information.

[0143] As one possible implementation, the terminal combines the analog beam weights corresponding to at least two beams according to the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams to obtain the analog beam weights of the synthesized beam; the terminal generates the synthesized beam according to the analog beam weights of the synthesized beam.

[0144] In this embodiment of the application, the beam of each terminal corresponds to a set of simulated beam weights.

[0145] Simulated beam weights are the weight values ​​used to generate simulated beams in a phased array antenna system. As shown in Figure 7, in a phased array antenna system, each antenna element corresponds to an independent phase shifter, used to set the phase offset of the transmitted and / or received signals on that antenna element. By setting the phase offset of the phase shifters of each antenna element, the transmitted and / or received signals on multiple antenna elements can be modulated to enhance signals in a specific direction, thereby achieving beam-based transmission. The phase offsets used on the phase shifters of each antenna element are represented as a vector, such as {p1,p2,p3,p4,p5,p6}. This vector represents a set of simulated beam weights corresponding to the beam; based on a set of simulated beam weights, a beam corresponding to that set of simulated beam weights can be generated.

[0146] When the terminal obtains the simulated beam weights of the synthesized beam, one possible implementation is that the terminal performs a weighted sum of the simulated beam weights corresponding to at least two beams based on the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams to obtain the simulated beam weights of the synthesized beam.

[0147] The following example illustrates how the terminal obtains the simulated beam weights of the synthesized beam based on the combining coefficients corresponding to the K beams.

[0148] For example, the terminal can obtain the simulated beam weights of the synthesized beam according to the following formula:

[0149] Where, the merging coefficient a = {a0, a1, ..., a K-1}, a0, a1, ..., a K-1 These are the weighting coefficients for each of the K beams, where K is the number of beams that the network device selects from the multiple beams of the terminal.

[0150] a i Let P represent the weighting coefficient corresponding to the i-th (0≤i≤K-1) beam, where P is the simulated beam weight of the synthesized beam, and W is the weighting coefficient. i This represents the simulated beam weight corresponding to the i-th (0≤i≤K-1) beam.

[0151] When K=3, the combining coefficients include a={a0,a1,a2}, where the weighting coefficients corresponding to the three beams are a0, a1, and a2 respectively, and the simulated beam weights corresponding to the three beams are W0, W1, and W2 respectively; for example, W i It can be a vector containing multiple elements, such as W. i This includes the phase shift used on the phase shifters of multiple antenna elements. The simulated beam weight P of the synthesized beam is then P = a0W0 + a1W1 + a2W2.

[0152] Alternatively, after obtaining P according to the above formula, the terminal can process P and use the processed result as the simulated beam weights of the synthesized beam. For example, the terminal can perform constant mode processing on P; specifically, constant mode processing can be performed by setting the amplitude of each element in P to 1 while keeping the phase unchanged.

[0153] Step 601: The terminal sends an uplink reference signal through a synthesized beam.

[0154] Correspondingly, the network device receives the uplink reference signal transmitted by the receiving terminal through a synthesized beam.

[0155] Optionally, the uplink reference signal is used to measure the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam.

[0156] In this embodiment of the application, after receiving the first information and generating a composite beam according to the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams indicated by the first information, the terminal can send an uplink reference signal to the network device through the composite beam.

[0157] After receiving the uplink reference signal sent by the terminal through the synthesized beam, the network device can measure the uplink reference signal to obtain the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam.

[0158] Optionally, the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam may include at least one of the following:

[0159] Channel quality indicator (CQI), precoding matrix indicator (PMI), and rank indicator (RI).

[0160] After obtaining the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam, the network device sends the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam to the terminal.

[0161] Accordingly, the terminal receives the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam; the terminal then sends uplink data based on the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam.

[0162] As one possible implementation, when the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam includes CQI, PMI, and RI, when the terminal transmits uplink data according to the channel state information, the terminal can determine the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) to be used for transmitting the uplink data based on the CQI corresponding to the synthesized beam; the terminal can precode the uplink data to be transmitted based on the PMI corresponding to the synthesized beam; and the terminal can determine the number of transport streams based on the RI corresponding to the synthesized beam.

[0163] Optionally, the uplink reference signal can be SRS; wherein, SRS as an uplink reference signal is only an example of this application, and the signal type of the uplink reference signal is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0164] Since the network device in this embodiment can determine the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal and send first information to the terminal to indicate the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal, the terminal can combine at least two terminal beams into a combined beam according to the instructions of the network device, thereby obtaining a combined beam that can cover the signal propagation path between the network device and the terminal. In addition, the terminal sends an uplink reference signal to the network device, and the network device measures the uplink reference signal to obtain the channel state information corresponding to the combined beam. Based on the channel state information, the terminal can perform uplink transmission that is more matched to the combined beam, so that the terminal can communicate with the network device based on the combined beam and obtain better communication performance.

[0165] Optionally, prior to step 601, the network device may instruct the terminal to transmit an uplink reference signal using a synthesized beam. In one possible implementation, the network device sends second information to the terminal, the second information being used to instruct the terminal to transmit the uplink reference signal using a synthesized beam; correspondingly, the terminal receives the second information.

[0166] In this implementation, after receiving the second information, the terminal sends an uplink reference signal to the network device through a synthesized beam.

[0167] Alternatively, in another possible implementation, after receiving the first information, the terminal can determine to send an uplink reference signal to the network device via the synthesized beam. It should be understood that after the network device indicates the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams to the terminal, it can trigger the terminal to send an uplink reference signal to the network device via the synthesized beam.

[0168] In one embodiment, the first information and the second information can be carried in the same signaling.

[0169] When the first and second information are carried in the same signaling, after receiving the combining coefficients indicated by the network device, the terminal can determine that the network device has instructed it to initiate uplink channel measurement for the synthesized beam. Thus, after receiving the combining coefficients indicated by the network device, the terminal can immediately initiate uplink channel measurement for the synthesized beam, thereby obtaining the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam. Based on this method, after the terminal receives the combining coefficients indicated by the network device and generates the synthesized beam, it does not need to wait for further measurement instructions from the network device, effectively reducing the latency for the terminal to obtain the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam. Furthermore, after obtaining the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam, the terminal can send uplink data based on this information, enabling more accurate uplink transmission and improving the reliability of uplink transmission between the terminal and the network device.

[0170] For example, when the first information and the second information are carried in the same signaling, the first information and the second information can be carried in different fields of the same signaling.

[0171] The signaling carrying the first and second information can be medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) signaling or downlink control information (DCI) signaling.

[0172] Alternatively, the signaling carrying the first and second information can be RRC signaling.

[0173] It should be noted that the above-mentioned methods of carrying the first and second information are merely examples for this application. The methods of carrying the first and second information in the embodiments of this application are not limited to the above examples, and the embodiments of this application do not limit them.

[0174] In other embodiments, the first information and the second information may also be carried in different signaling messages; that is, the network device can send the first information and the second information to the terminal through different signaling messages. For example, the network device can carry the first information through a first MAC-CE signaling message and carry the second information through a second MAC-CE signaling message; or, the network device can carry the first information through a first DCI signaling message and carry the second information through a second DCI signaling message; or, the network device can carry the first information through MAC-CE signaling message and carry the second information through DCI signaling message.

[0175] The following sections will detail the scheme by which the network device determines the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal, the scheme by which the network device indicates the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams to the terminal, and the scheme by which the network device instructs the terminal to transmit uplink reference signals using a synthesized beam. These will be described in detail below.

[0176] I. A scheme for network equipment to determine the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of a terminal.

[0177] In this embodiment, the network device can determine the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal based on the communication flow shown in Figure 8. This communication method mainly includes steps 800 to 801. It is understood that the steps and execution order illustrated in Figure 8 are merely an example; in actual implementation, some steps may be executed, or the remaining steps may also be executed. Similarly, the execution order of the steps can be adjusted, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0178] Step 800: The terminal sends a beam measurement reference signal to the network device.

[0179] Correspondingly, the network device receives the beam measurement reference signal sent by the terminal.

[0180] In one embodiment, the terminal can transmit beam measurement reference signals through multiple beams respectively. For example, the terminal includes N beams, where N is an integer greater than 1; the terminal transmits beam measurement reference signals through the N beams respectively, wherein each beam transmits one beam measurement reference signal.

[0181] In step 800 of this embodiment, a beam measurement reference signal is transmitted on each beam of the terminal. Based on each beam measurement reference signal, the network device can determine the channel information of the beam corresponding to the beam measurement reference signal.

[0182] Step 801: The network device determines the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal.

[0183] Optionally, the network device determines the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams based on the channel information between the network device's beam and at least two beams of the terminal.

[0184] The following section details how network devices determine the combining coefficients for at least two beams.

[0185] The network device measures the beam measurement reference signal sent by the terminal to obtain the channel information corresponding to the beam of each terminal.

[0186] In one embodiment, the network device can sequentially measure the measurement reference signals of each beam sent by the terminal using the first beam to obtain the channel information between the first beam and each beam of the terminal.

[0187] The first beam is one of the M beams of the network device, where M is a positive integer.

[0188] Optionally, the first beam of the network device can be obtained based on a beam management process, such as the beam management process described above. For example, the first beam can be the network device beam that is optimal for the terminal as determined in the beam management process; or the first beam can be any one of the M beams of the network device.

[0189] After measuring the channel information between the first beam and each beam of the terminal, the network device can determine the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal based on the channel information between the first beam and each beam of the terminal.

[0190] Optionally, the network device may select at least two beams from a plurality of beams in the terminal; the network device may determine the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal based on the channel information between the first beam and at least two beams of the terminal.

[0191] For example, the network device can select at least two beams with better channel quality from multiple beams of the terminal based on the channel information between the first beam and each beam of the terminal. For instance, the network device can select the K beams with the best channel quality from multiple beams of the terminal, where K is an integer greater than 1.

[0192] As one possible implementation, the network device can determine the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal by constructing an optimization function based on the channel information between the first beam and at least two beams of the terminal.

[0193] For example, the network device selects K beams from multiple beams of the terminal, and constructs the following optimization function based on the channel information corresponding to each of the K beams:

[0194] The optimization condition can be: ||a|2 = 1.

[0195] In the optimization function above, 'a' represents the combined coefficients, and 'a' can be a vector (a0, a1, ..., a...). K-1 ), a i Let a represent any element in vector a. i H represents the weighting coefficient (0≤i≤K-1) corresponding to beam i of the terminal. i This represents the channel information between the first beam and the terminal's beam i; |||2 represents the L2 norm operation, and arg max represents the expression that makes the objective function (i.e., ...) ... The variable value (a0, a1, ..., a) when it reaches its maximum value K-1 (values).

[0196] Based on the above optimization function, the network device can solve for the merging coefficient 'a', i.e., the vector (a0, a1, ..., a...). K-1).

[0197] II. A scheme in which network devices indicate the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams to the terminal.

[0198] The network device sends first information to the terminal, which indicates the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal.

[0199] In this embodiment, the first information can carry different information content, indicating the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams through these different information contents. The combining coefficients include multiple weighting coefficients, each corresponding to one beam. Different implementation methods are described below.

[0200] Implementation method 1: The first information includes the weighting coefficients corresponding to each beam.

[0201] In this implementation, the network device indicates the weighting coefficients corresponding to each beam to the terminal through the first information.

[0202] For example, when a network device selects K beams from multiple beams of a terminal, the first information includes the weighting coefficients corresponding to the K beams.

[0203] Optionally, the weighting coefficients include a first sub-coefficient and a second sub-coefficient; the first information includes the first sub-coefficient and the second sub-coefficient corresponding to each beam.

[0204] For example, when a network device selects K beams from multiple beams of a terminal, the first information includes the first sub-coefficient and the second sub-coefficient corresponding to the K beams.

[0205] As one possible implementation, the weighting coefficients for each beam can be a complex number.

[0206] The first sub-coefficient indicates the amplitude information of the weighting coefficients, and the second sub-coefficient indicates the phase information of the weighting coefficients. For example, the first information includes the amplitude and phase information corresponding to each beam.

[0207] Accordingly, after receiving the first information, the terminal can determine the amplitude and phase information corresponding to each beam based on the first information; for each beam, a weighting coefficient corresponding to that beam is generated based on the corresponding amplitude and phase information.

[0208] Optionally, the first sub-coefficient can also be used to indicate channel information corresponding to the beam, such as RSRP; for example, the first information includes RSRP and phase information corresponding to each beam.

[0209] Because there is a mapping relationship between the RSRP corresponding to the beam and the amplitude information; for example, the RSRP can be calculated based on the square of the amplitude. When the first sub-coefficient is used to indicate the RSRP corresponding to the beam, after receiving the first information, the terminal can determine the amplitude information based on the RSRP, and then further generate the weighting coefficient corresponding to the beam based on the amplitude information and phase information.

[0210] Alternatively, the first sub-coefficient is used to indicate the real part information of the weighting coefficients, and the second sub-coefficient is used to indicate the imaginary part information of the weighting coefficients. For example, the first information includes the real part information and the imaginary part information corresponding to each beam.

[0211] Accordingly, after receiving the first information, the terminal can determine the real part information and imaginary part information corresponding to each beam based on the first information; for each beam, a weighting coefficient corresponding to that beam is generated based on the corresponding real part information and imaginary part information.

[0212] Implementation Method 2: The first information includes the weighting coefficients corresponding to the reference beam in at least two beams, and the relative values ​​between the weighting coefficients corresponding to the other beams in at least two beams besides the reference beam and the weighting coefficients corresponding to the reference beam.

[0213] In this implementation, the network device indicates to the terminal, through the first information, the weighting coefficient corresponding to the reference beam, and the relative value between the weighting coefficients corresponding to the other beams (excluding the reference beam) and the weighting coefficients corresponding to the reference beam.

[0214] For example, when a network device selects K beams from multiple beams of a terminal, the first information includes a weighting coefficient corresponding to a reference beam, and the relative values ​​between the weighting coefficients corresponding to K-1 other beams and the weighting coefficient corresponding to the reference beam.

[0215] Optionally, the reference beam can be the first of at least two beams. For example, the network device can determine the reference beam among at least two beams based on the terminal's reporting format; for example, the reference beam is the first beam in the reporting format.

[0216] Alternatively, the reference beam can be a beam selected by the network device from at least two beams based on channel information. For example, the reference beam can be the beam with the best channel quality among at least two beams; the network device selects the beam with the best channel quality from at least two beams based on the channel information of each of the at least two beams to determine it as the reference beam.

[0217] It should be understood that the above-described method for determining the reference beam is merely an example of this application. The network device in this application embodiment may also use other methods to determine the reference beam among at least two beams. For example, the reference beam may also be any one of the at least two beams. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0218] Optionally, the weighting coefficients corresponding to the reference beam include a first sub-coefficient and a second sub-coefficient; the relative values ​​between the weighting coefficients corresponding to other beams and the weighting coefficients corresponding to the reference beam include a first relative value and a second relative value, wherein the first relative value is the relative value between the first sub-coefficients corresponding to other beams and the first sub-coefficients corresponding to the reference beam, and the second relative value is the relative value between the second sub-coefficients corresponding to other beams and the second sub-coefficients corresponding to the reference beam.

[0219] In one embodiment, the relative value can be either a difference or a ratio. When the relative value is a difference, the first relative value is the difference between the first sub-coefficient corresponding to other beams and the first sub-coefficient corresponding to the reference beam, and the second relative value is the difference between the second sub-coefficient corresponding to other beams and the second sub-coefficient corresponding to the reference beam. When the relative value is a ratio, the first relative value is the ratio between the first sub-coefficient corresponding to other beams and the first sub-coefficient corresponding to the reference beam, and the second relative value is the ratio between the second sub-coefficient corresponding to other beams and the second sub-coefficient corresponding to the reference beam.

[0220] As one possible implementation, the weighting coefficients for each beam can be a complex number.

[0221] The first sub-coefficient indicates the amplitude information of the weighting coefficients, and the second sub-coefficient indicates the phase information of the weighting coefficients.

[0222] For example, the weighting coefficients corresponding to the reference beam include amplitude information and phase information. The relative values ​​between the weighting coefficients corresponding to other beams and the weighting coefficients corresponding to the reference beam include a first relative value and a second relative value. The first relative value is the relative value between the amplitude information corresponding to other beams and the amplitude information corresponding to the reference beam, and the second relative value is the relative value between the phase information corresponding to other beams and the phase information corresponding to the reference beam.

[0223] Based on this, when the network device selects K beams from multiple beams of the terminal, the first information includes the amplitude and phase information corresponding to the reference beam, as well as the first and second relative values ​​corresponding to K-1 other beams.

[0224] Accordingly, after receiving the first information, the terminal can determine the amplitude and phase information corresponding to the reference beam based on the first information. For each other beam, the terminal determines the amplitude information corresponding to the other beam based on the first relative value corresponding to the other beam and the amplitude information corresponding to the reference beam; the terminal determines the phase information corresponding to the other beam based on the second relative value corresponding to the other beam and the phase information corresponding to the reference beam. Thus, the terminal can obtain the amplitude and phase information corresponding to each of at least two beams other than the reference beam, and generate a weighting coefficient for each other beam.

[0225] Optionally, the first sub-coefficient can also be used to indicate channel information corresponding to the beam, such as RSRP; for example, the first information includes RSRP and phase information corresponding to the reference beam, as well as a first relative value and a second relative value corresponding to each other beam, wherein the first relative value is the relative value between RSRP corresponding to other beams and RSRP corresponding to the reference beam, and the first relative value is the relative value between phase information corresponding to other beams and phase information corresponding to the reference beam.

[0226] Because there is a mapping relationship between the RSRP corresponding to a beam and the amplitude information; for example, the RSRP can be calculated based on the square of the amplitude. When the first sub-coefficient is used to indicate the RSRP corresponding to a beam, after receiving the first information, the terminal determines the RSRP and phase information corresponding to each of at least two beams; for each beam, the amplitude information is determined based on the RSRP corresponding to the beam, and then a weighting coefficient corresponding to that beam is generated based on the amplitude information and the phase information.

[0227] Alternatively, the first sub-coefficient is used to indicate the real part of the weighting coefficients, and the second sub-coefficient is used to indicate the imaginary part of the weighting coefficients.

[0228] For example, the weighting coefficients corresponding to the reference beam include real part information and imaginary part information. The relative values ​​between the weighting coefficients corresponding to other beams and the weighting coefficients corresponding to the reference beam include a first relative value and a second relative value. The first relative value is the relative value between the real part information of other beams and the real part information of the reference beam, and the second relative value is the relative value between the imaginary part information of other beams and the imaginary part information of the reference beam.

[0229] Based on this, when the network device selects K beams from multiple beams of the terminal, the first information includes the real part information and imaginary part information corresponding to the reference beam, as well as the first relative value and the second relative value corresponding to K-1 other beams.

[0230] Accordingly, after receiving the first information, the terminal can determine the real and imaginary parts of the reference beam based on the first information. For each other beam, the terminal determines the real part of the other beam based on the first relative value of the other beam and the real part of the reference beam; and determines the imaginary part of the other beam based on the second relative value of the other beam and the imaginary part of the reference beam. Thus, the terminal can obtain the real and imaginary parts of at least two beams and generate weighting coefficients for each beam.

[0231] Implementation method 3: The first information includes weighting coefficients corresponding to the other beams in at least two beams, excluding the reference beam.

[0232] In this implementation, the network device uses first information to indicate to the terminal the weighting coefficients corresponding to at least two beams other than the reference beam.

[0233] For example, when a network device selects K beams from multiple beams of a terminal, the first information includes weighting coefficients corresponding to K-1 beams other than the reference beam.

[0234] It should be noted that the method for determining the reference beam can be found in the description of Implementation Method 2 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0235] In implementation method 3, the weighting coefficient corresponding to the reference beam can be a set value (or a default value). For example, the weighting coefficient corresponding to the reference beam can be a set value agreed upon between the network device and the terminal, or the weighting coefficient corresponding to the reference beam can be a set value configured by the network device to the terminal.

[0236] Optionally, the weighting coefficients include a first sub-coefficient and a second sub-coefficient; the first information includes the first sub-coefficient and the second sub-coefficient corresponding to at least two beams other than the reference beam.

[0237] For example, when a network device selects K beams from multiple beams of a terminal, the first information includes the first sub-coefficient and the second sub-coefficient corresponding to K-1 beams.

[0238] As one possible implementation, the weighting coefficients for each beam can be a complex number.

[0239] The first sub-coefficient indicates the amplitude information of the weighting coefficients, and the second sub-coefficient indicates the phase information of the weighting coefficients. For example, the first information includes amplitude and phase information corresponding to at least two beams other than the reference beam.

[0240] Accordingly, after receiving the first information, the terminal can determine the amplitude and phase information of each of the at least two beams other than the reference beam based on the first information; and generate a weighting coefficient corresponding to each other beam based on the corresponding amplitude and phase information.

[0241] Optionally, the first sub-coefficient can also be used to indicate channel information corresponding to the beam, such as RSRP; for example, the first information includes RSRP and phase information corresponding to each of the at least two beams other than the reference beam.

[0242] Because there is a mapping relationship between the RSRP corresponding to the beam and the amplitude information; for example, the RSRP can be calculated based on the square of the amplitude. When the first sub-coefficient is used to indicate the RSRP corresponding to the beam, after receiving the first information, the terminal can determine the amplitude information based on the RSRP, and then further generate the weighting coefficient corresponding to the beam based on the amplitude information and phase information.

[0243] Alternatively, the first sub-coefficient is used to indicate the real part information of the weighting coefficients, and the second sub-coefficient is used to indicate the imaginary part information of the weighting coefficients. For example, the first information includes the real and imaginary part information corresponding to each of at least two beams other than the reference beam.

[0244] Accordingly, after receiving the first information, the terminal can determine the real part information and imaginary part information corresponding to each of the at least two beams other than the reference beam based on the first information; for each other beam, a weighting coefficient corresponding to that beam is generated based on the corresponding real part information and imaginary part information.

[0245] Implementation method 4: The first information includes the relative values ​​between the weighting coefficients of the other beams (excluding the reference beam) and the weighting coefficients of the reference beam.

[0246] In this implementation, the network device uses first information to indicate to the terminal the relative values ​​between the weighting coefficients of at least two beams other than the reference beam and the weighting coefficients of the reference beam.

[0247] For example, when a network device selects K beams from multiple beams of a terminal, the first information includes the relative values ​​between the weighting coefficients corresponding to K-1 other beams and the weighting coefficients corresponding to the reference beam.

[0248] It should be noted that the method for determining the reference beam can be found in the description of Implementation Method 2 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0249] In implementation method 4, the weighting coefficient corresponding to the reference beam can be a set value (or a default value). For example, the weighting coefficient corresponding to the reference beam can be a set value agreed upon between the network device and the terminal, or the weighting coefficient corresponding to the reference beam can be a set value configured by the network device to the terminal.

[0250] Optionally, the weighting coefficients include a first sub-coefficient and a second sub-coefficient; the relative values ​​between the weighting coefficients corresponding to other beams and the weighting coefficients corresponding to the reference beam include a first relative value and a second relative value, wherein the first relative value is the relative value between the first sub-coefficient corresponding to other beams and the first sub-coefficient corresponding to the reference beam, and the second relative value is the relative value between the second sub-coefficient corresponding to other beams and the second sub-coefficient corresponding to the reference beam.

[0251] In one embodiment, the relative value can be either a difference or a ratio. When the relative value is a difference, the first relative value is the difference between the first sub-coefficient corresponding to other beams and the first sub-coefficient corresponding to the reference beam, and the second relative value is the difference between the second sub-coefficient corresponding to other beams and the second sub-coefficient corresponding to the reference beam. When the relative value is a ratio, the first relative value is the ratio between the first sub-coefficient corresponding to other beams and the first sub-coefficient corresponding to the reference beam, and the second relative value is the ratio between the second sub-coefficient corresponding to other beams and the second sub-coefficient corresponding to the reference beam.

[0252] As one possible implementation, the weighting coefficients for each beam can be a complex number.

[0253] The first sub-coefficient indicates the amplitude information of the weighting coefficients, and the second sub-coefficient indicates the phase information of the weighting coefficients.

[0254] For example, the weighting coefficients include amplitude information and phase information. The relative values ​​between the weighting coefficients corresponding to other beams and the weighting coefficients corresponding to the reference beam include a first relative value and a second relative value. The first relative value is the relative value between the amplitude information corresponding to other beams and the amplitude information corresponding to the reference beam, and the second relative value is the relative value between the phase information corresponding to other beams and the phase information corresponding to the reference beam.

[0255] Based on this, when a network device selects K beams from multiple beams of a terminal, the first information includes the first relative value and the second relative value corresponding to K-1 other beams other than the reference beam in at least two of the beams.

[0256] Accordingly, after receiving the first information, the terminal can determine the amplitude and phase information corresponding to each of the at least two beams other than the reference beam, based on the first information. Since the weighting coefficient corresponding to the reference beam is a set value, the amplitude and phase information corresponding to the reference beam are also set values. For each other beam, the amplitude information corresponding to the other beam is determined based on the first relative value corresponding to the other beam and the amplitude information corresponding to the reference beam; the phase information is determined based on the second relative value corresponding to the other beam and the phase information corresponding to the reference beam. Thus, the terminal can obtain the amplitude and phase information corresponding to each of the at least two beams other than the reference beam, and generate the weighting coefficient corresponding to each other beam.

[0257] Optionally, the first sub-coefficient can also be used to indicate channel information corresponding to the beam, such as RSRP; for example, the first information includes a first relative value and a second relative value corresponding to each of the other beams in at least two beams other than the reference beam, the first relative value being the relative value between the RSRP corresponding to the other beam and the RSRP corresponding to the reference beam, and the first relative value being the relative value between the phase information corresponding to the other beam and the phase information corresponding to the reference beam.

[0258] Because there is a mapping relationship between the RSRP corresponding to a beam and the amplitude information; for example, the RSRP can be calculated based on the square of the amplitude. When the first sub-coefficient is used to indicate the RSRP corresponding to a beam, after receiving the first information, the terminal determines the RSRP and phase information corresponding to each of at least two beams other than the reference beam; for each other beam, the amplitude information is determined based on the RSRP corresponding to the beam, and then a weighting coefficient corresponding to that beam is generated based on the amplitude and phase information.

[0259] Alternatively, the first sub-coefficient is used to indicate the real part of the weighting coefficients, and the second sub-coefficient is used to indicate the imaginary part of the weighting coefficients.

[0260] For example, the weighting coefficients include real part information and imaginary part information. The relative values ​​between the weighting coefficients corresponding to other beams and the weighting coefficients corresponding to the reference beam include a first relative value and a second relative value. The first relative value is the relative value between the real part information corresponding to other beams and the real part information corresponding to the reference beam, and the second relative value is the relative value between the imaginary part information corresponding to other beams and the imaginary part information corresponding to the reference beam.

[0261] Based on this, when a network device selects K beams from multiple beams of a terminal, the first information includes the first relative value and the second relative value corresponding to K-1 other beams other than the reference beam in at least two of the beams.

[0262] Since the weighting coefficients corresponding to the reference beam are set values, the real and imaginary information of the reference beam are also set values.

[0263] Accordingly, after receiving the first information, the terminal can, based on the first information, determine the real part information of each other beam according to the first relative value corresponding to the other beam and the real part information corresponding to the reference beam; and determine the imaginary part information of each other beam according to the second relative value corresponding to the other beam and the imaginary part information corresponding to the reference beam. Thus, the terminal can obtain the real and imaginary part information of each other beam (excluding the reference beam) among at least two beams, and generate weighting coefficients for each other beam.

[0264] In this embodiment of the application, the network device, based on any of the above-described implementation methods, indicates the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams to the terminal. After determining the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams, the terminal can generate a composite beam based on the combining coefficients corresponding to the at least two beams.

[0265] Optionally, the first information may also include reference signal resource identifiers corresponding to at least two beams.

[0266] In this embodiment of the application, there is a mapping relationship between the beams and the reference signal resources. When the first information sent by the network device to the terminal includes reference signal resource identifiers corresponding to at least two beams, the terminal can determine the at least two beams selected by the network device from the multiple beams of the terminal based on the reference signal resource identifiers corresponding to the at least two beams.

[0267] The reference signal resources can be found in the explanation of resources in the terminology section above, and will not be repeated here.

[0268] The first information in this embodiment may further include first indication information, which is used to indicate the activation of the synthesized beam. Accordingly, after receiving the first information, the terminal can determine, based on the first indication information in the first information, to communicate with the network device based on the synthesized beam.

[0269] In one embodiment, the first information includes first indication information and information for indicating the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal. The information for indicating the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal can be found in any of the embodiments described above. For example, the first indication information and the information for indicating the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal can be carried in different fields of the first information.

[0270] Alternatively, the first information in this embodiment may also include second indication information, which is used to indicate deactivation of the synthetic beam. Accordingly, after receiving the first information, the terminal can determine to stop communicating with the network device based on the second indication information in the first information.

[0271] When the first information includes the second indication information, the first information may not include information on the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal; alternatively, the first information may also include information on the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal. For example, the second indication information and the information on the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal may be carried in different fields of the first information. When the first information includes both the second indication information and the information on the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal, the terminal receives the first information and determines, based on the second indication information, to stop communicating with the network device using the synthesized beams. The terminal may ignore the information on the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal included in the first information.

[0272] As one possible implementation, the first instruction information and the second instruction information can be carried in different fields of the first information. For example, the first instruction information can be carried in field 1 of the first information, and the second instruction information can be carried in field 2 of the first information; for example, when the first information includes the first instruction information, field 1 carries the first instruction information, and field 2 can be empty; or, when the first information includes the second instruction information, field 2 carries the second instruction information, and field 1 can be empty.

[0273] As another possible implementation, the first instruction information and the second instruction information reuse the same field in the first information. For example, the first instruction information and the second instruction information can be different information contents carried on the same field in the first information; for example, the first instruction information and the second instruction information reuse field 3 in the first information, where the information content carried on field 3 is 1 to represent the first instruction information, and the information content carried on field 3 is 0 to represent the second instruction information.

[0274] In this embodiment, the terminal's beam includes multiple preset beams and a composite beam. During implementation, the terminal needs to be compatible with both types of beams (i.e., multiple preset beams and a composite beam). The following describes a scheme for ensuring the terminal is compatible with both multiple preset beams and a composite beam.

[0275] Currently, the terminal supports two beamforming types: non-uniform beamforming and uniform beamforming. Non-uniform beamforming uses an independent beam for each channel (or reference signal), with independent signaling used to indicate the beam for each channel (or reference signal). Uniform beamforming uses a unified beam for multiple channels (or reference signals).

[0276] In the case of using a non-uniform beam, if the terminal receives the first information and determines that the synthesized beam is activated, the terminal uses the synthesized beam to communicate with the network device. In this case, the terminal ignores the previously received non-uniform beam indication information. For example, the terminal may ignore the spatial relation information or SRS resource indicator (SRI) information indicated by the network device. For instance, for a first uplink signal, if the first uplink signal uses a synthesized beam, the terminal ignores the spatial relation information corresponding to the first uplink signal. Alternatively, for a first uplink signal, if the first uplink signal uses a synthesized beam, the terminal ignores the SRI information corresponding to the first uplink signal. The first uplink signal can be a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), or an SRS. The network device indicates whether a first uplink signal uses a synthesized beam via RRC, MAC-CE, or DCI. Alternatively, the network device indicates a first uplink signal using a synthesized beam via RRC, MAC-CE, or DCI. The spatial relation information corresponding to the first uplink signal refers to the spatial relation information indicated by the network device for that first uplink signal. The SRI information corresponding to the first uplink signal refers to the SRI information indicated by the network device for that first uplink signal.

[0277] When using a unified beam, if the terminal receives the first information and determines to activate the synthetic beam, the terminal uses the synthetic beam to communicate with the network device. In this case, the terminal ignores the previously received unified beam indication information. For example, for a first uplink signal, if the first uplink signal uses a synthetic beam, the terminal ignores the quasi-co-location (QCL) information or spatial relation information in the transceiver configuration indicator (TCI) state corresponding to the first uplink signal. In this case, only information other than the beam indication information in the TCI-state, such as power control information, can be used. The TCI state corresponding to the first uplink signal can be a unified uplink / downlink TCI-state or an uplink TCI-state. If the first uplink signal uses a unified beam, the TCI state corresponding to the first uplink signal can refer to the same TCI-state indicated by the DCI. If the first uplink signal does not use a unified beam, the TCI state corresponding to the first uplink signal can be a TCI-state specifically indicated by the network device for that first uplink signal.

[0278] 3. The network equipment indicates that the terminal uses a synthetic beam to transmit uplink reference signals.

[0279] The network device sends a second message to the terminal, which instructs the terminal to use a synthetic beam to send an uplink reference signal.

[0280] Optionally, the second information may include at least one of the following:

[0281] Indication information of the first resource set, indication information of the first resource, and first time domain offset information.

[0282] The following section will introduce the different information contents included in the second information.

[0283] 1. The second information includes indication information for the first resource set:

[0284] The indication information of the first resource set can also be called the identification information of the first resource set, the index of the first resource set, or the sequence number of the first resource set, etc.

[0285] The first resource set includes one or more first resources, and at least one first resource in the first resource set is used to carry uplink reference signals.

[0286] The definition and / or resource format of the first resource included in the first resource set can be found in the explanation of resources in the terminology section above, and will not be repeated here.

[0287] When the second information includes indication information for a first resource set, this indication information can indicate a first resource set, used to indicate the transmission of an uplink reference signal corresponding to a first resource in the first resource set. For example, when the uplink reference signal is an SRS, the first resource set can be an SRS resource set, which may include multiple SRS resources; when the second information includes indication information for an SRS resource set, this second information can instruct the terminal to transmit an SRS signal corresponding to an SRS resource in the SRS resource set.

[0288] When the second information includes indication information of the first resource set, after receiving the second information, the terminal can determine to send an uplink reference signal corresponding to at least one first resource in the first resource set.

[0289] 2. The second information includes indication information for at least one first resource:

[0290] The first resource is used to carry uplink reference signals. The indication information of the first resource can also be called the identification information of the first resource, the index of the first resource, or the sequence number of the first resource, etc.

[0291] The definition of the first resource and / or the resource format can be found in the explanation of resources in the terminology section above, and will not be repeated here.

[0292] When the second information includes indication information for at least one first resource, the indication information for each first resource can indicate a first resource for transmitting the uplink reference signal corresponding to that first resource. For example, when the uplink reference signal is an SRS, the first resource can be an SRS resource; when the second information includes indication information for at least one SRS resource, the second information can instruct the terminal to transmit the SRS signal corresponding to that at least one SRS resource.

[0293] When the second information includes indication information of at least one first resource, after receiving the second information, the terminal can determine to send at least one uplink reference signal corresponding to the first resource.

[0294] It should be noted that the second information may include indication information of the first resource set, or indication information of at least one first resource.

[0295] 3. The second information includes the first time-domain offset information:

[0296] The first time-domain offset information is used to indicate the first time-domain resource unit for transmitting the uplink reference signal.

[0297] When the second information includes the first time-domain offset information, after receiving the second information, the terminal can determine the first time-domain resource unit for transmitting the uplink reference signal based on the first time-domain offset information.

[0298] Optionally, in this embodiment, the terminal may determine the first time-domain resource unit for transmitting the uplink reference signal in a variety of different ways:

[0299] Method 1 for determining the first time domain resource unit: The terminal determines the first time domain resource unit based on the time domain resource unit carrying the first information and the first time domain offset information.

[0300] In the first time-domain resource unit determination method 1, the terminal receives first information and determines the time-domain resource unit of the first information; the terminal can determine the first time-domain resource unit based on the time-domain resource unit carrying the first information and the first time-domain offset information. The terminal sends an uplink reference signal on the first time-domain resource unit.

[0301] Correspondingly, network devices can also determine the first time domain resource unit carrying the uplink reference signal based on the first time domain resource unit determination method 1 mentioned above.

[0302] In one embodiment, the network device sends first information, and the network device can acquire time-domain resource units carrying the first information. The network device also indicates first time-domain offset information to the terminal through second information. Then, the network device can acquire the time-domain resource units carrying the first information and the first time-domain offset information. The network device can determine the first time-domain resource unit carrying the uplink reference signal based on the time-domain resource units carrying the first information and the first time-domain offset information, and receive the uplink reference signal on the first time-domain resource unit.

[0303] For example, the time-domain resource unit can be a time slot, and the first time-domain offset information can be a first time slot offset. The terminal can determine the transmission time slot of the uplink reference signal based on the transmission time slot of the first information and the first time slot offset, and transmit the uplink reference signal in the determined transmission time slot. Correspondingly, the network device can determine the transmission time slot of the uplink reference signal based on the transmission time slot of the first information and the first time slot offset, and receive the uplink reference signal in the determined transmission time slot.

[0304] Method 2 for determining the first time domain resource unit: The terminal determines the first time domain resource unit based on the time domain resource unit carrying the second information and the first time domain offset information.

[0305] In the first time-domain resource unit determination method 2, the terminal receives the second information and determines the time-domain resource unit of the second information; the terminal can determine the first time-domain resource unit based on the time-domain resource unit carrying the second information and the first time-domain offset information. The terminal sends an uplink reference signal on the first time-domain resource unit.

[0306] Correspondingly, network devices can also determine the first time domain resource unit carrying the uplink reference signal based on the above-mentioned first time domain resource unit determination method 2.

[0307] In one embodiment, the network device sends second information, and the network device can acquire time-domain resource units carrying the second information. The network device also indicates first time-domain offset information to the terminal through the second information. Then, the network device can acquire the time-domain resource units carrying the second information and the first time-domain offset information. The network device can determine the first time-domain resource unit carrying the uplink reference signal based on the time-domain resource units carrying the second information and the first time-domain offset information, and receive the uplink reference signal on the first time-domain resource unit.

[0308] For example, the time-domain resource unit can be a time slot, and the first time-domain offset information can be a first time slot offset. The terminal can determine the transmission time slot of the uplink reference signal based on the transmission time slot of the second information and the first time slot offset, and transmit the uplink reference signal in the determined transmission time slot. Correspondingly, the network device can determine the transmission time slot of the uplink reference signal based on the transmission time slot of the second information and the first time slot offset, and receive the uplink reference signal in the determined transmission time slot.

[0309] It should be understood that when the first information and the second information are carried on the same signaling, the time-domain resource unit carrying the first information and the time-domain resource unit carrying the second information are the same time-domain resource unit.

[0310] Method 3 for determining the first time domain resource unit: The terminal determines the first time domain resource unit based on the time domain resource unit carrying the third information and the first time domain offset information.

[0311] The third information is the feedback information corresponding to the first or second information. For example, the third information can be the information that the terminal sends back to the network device after receiving the first or second information; for example, an acknowledgment (ACK) message. In this case, the time-domain resource unit of the third information is the time-domain resource unit of the terminal when sending a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) response.

[0312] It should be understood that when the first and second information are carried on the same signaling, the terminal sends a third information, which is feedback information for the signaling carrying the first and second information.

[0313] In the third method for determining the first time domain resource unit, after receiving the first or second information, the terminal sends the third information to the network device. The terminal can determine the first time domain resource unit based on the time domain resource unit carrying the third information and the first time domain offset information. The terminal then sends an uplink reference signal on the first time domain resource unit.

[0314] Correspondingly, network devices can also determine the first time domain resource unit carrying the uplink reference signal based on the first time domain resource unit determination method 3 described above.

[0315] In one embodiment, the network device receives third information sent by the terminal. The network device can acquire time-domain resource units carrying the third information, and the network device indicates first time-domain offset information to the terminal through second information. Then, the network device can acquire the time-domain resource units carrying the third information and the first time-domain offset information. The network device can determine the first time-domain resource unit carrying the uplink reference signal based on the time-domain resource units carrying the third information and the first time-domain offset information, and receive the uplink reference signal on the first time-domain resource unit.

[0316] For example, the time-domain resource unit can be a time slot, and the first time-domain offset information can be a first time slot offset. The terminal can determine the transmission time slot of the uplink reference signal based on the transmission time slot of the third information (e.g., the HARQ feedback time slot for the first or second information) and the first time slot offset, and transmit the uplink reference signal in the determined transmission time slot. Correspondingly, the network device can determine the transmission time slot carrying the uplink reference signal based on the time slot of the received third information and the first time slot offset, and receive the uplink reference signal in the determined transmission time slot.

[0317] It should be understood that the indication information of the first resource set and the indication information of the first resource both indicate the first resource used to carry the uplink reference signal; therefore, optionally, the second information may include one of the indication information of the first resource set and the indication information of the first resource, as well as the first time domain offset information.

[0318] As an optional implementation of this application, the second information may further include second time-domain offset information. The second time-domain offset information is used to indicate a second time-domain resource unit carrying a downlink reference signal, where the downlink reference signal is a downlink reference signal associated with the uplink reference signal.

[0319] Optionally, the downlink reference signal associated with the uplink reference signal can be understood as the downlink reference signal measured by the terminal when it obtains the precoding information of the uplink reference signal.

[0320] When the uplink reference signal is a non-codebook type signal, the terminal measures the precoding information of the downlink channel and precodes the uplink reference signal based on the precoding information.

[0321] In one implementation, the network device sends a downlink reference signal to the terminal. Accordingly, the terminal determines a second time-domain resource element carrying the downlink reference signal based on the second time-domain offset information in the second information; the terminal then receives the downlink reference signal in the second time-domain resource element using a synthesized beam.

[0322] Optionally, the downlink reference signal can be CSI-RS; where CSI-RS as a downlink reference signal is merely an example of this application, and the signal type of the downlink reference signal is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0323] After receiving the downlink reference signal, the terminal measures the downlink reference signal to obtain precoding information; the terminal then precodes the uplink reference signal based on the precoding information.

[0324] For example, when the uplink reference signal is a non-codebook type signal, after the network device sends the first information and the second information to the terminal, the network device sends the downlink reference signal to the terminal. The terminal generates a composite beam according to the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal indicated by the first information; and the terminal determines the second time-domain resource unit carrying the downlink reference signal according to the second time-domain offset information in the second information, and the terminal receives the downlink reference signal through the composite beam in the second time-domain resource unit.

[0325] Optionally, in this embodiment, the terminal can determine the second time-domain resource unit carrying the downlink reference signal in a variety of different ways:

[0326] Method 1 for determining the second time domain resource unit: The terminal determines the second time domain resource unit based on the time domain resource unit carrying the first information and the second time domain offset information.

[0327] In the second time-domain resource unit determination method 1, the terminal receives first information and determines the time-domain resource unit of the first information; the terminal can determine the second time-domain resource unit based on the time-domain resource unit carrying the first information and the second time-domain offset information. The terminal receives downlink reference signals on the second time-domain resource unit.

[0328] Correspondingly, network devices can also determine the second time domain resource unit for transmitting downlink reference signals based on the above-mentioned second time domain resource unit determination method 1.

[0329] Optionally, the network device determines the second time domain resource unit based on the time domain resource unit carrying the first information and the second time domain offset information.

[0330] In one embodiment, the network device sends first information, and the network device can acquire time-domain resource units carrying the first information. The network device also indicates second time-domain offset information to the terminal through second information. Then, the network device can acquire the time-domain resource units carrying the first information and the second time-domain offset information. The network device can determine the second time-domain resource unit for transmitting downlink reference signals based on the time-domain resource units carrying the first information and the second time-domain offset information, and transmit downlink reference signals on the second time-domain resource units.

[0331] For example, the time-domain resource unit can be a time slot, and the second time-domain offset information can be a second time slot offset. The network device can determine the transmission time slot of the downlink reference signal based on the transmission time slot of the first information and the second time slot offset, and transmit the downlink reference signal on that transmission time slot. Correspondingly, the terminal can determine the time slot carrying the downlink reference signal based on the transmission time slot of the first information and the second time slot offset, and receive the downlink reference signal on that time slot.

[0332] Method 2 for determining the second time domain resource unit: The terminal determines the second time domain resource unit based on the time domain resource unit carrying the second information and the second time domain offset information.

[0333] In the second time-domain resource unit determination method 2, the terminal receives the second information and determines the time-domain resource unit of the second information; the terminal can determine the second time-domain resource unit based on the time-domain resource unit carrying the second information and the second time-domain offset information. The terminal receives the downlink reference signal on the second time-domain resource unit.

[0334] Correspondingly, network devices can also determine the second time domain resource unit for transmitting downlink reference signals based on the above-mentioned second time domain resource unit determination method 2.

[0335] Optionally, the network device determines the second time domain resource unit based on the time domain resource unit carrying the second information and the second time domain offset information.

[0336] In one embodiment, the network device sends second information. The network device can acquire time-domain resource units carrying the second information, and the network device indicates second time-domain offset information to the terminal through the second information. Then, the network device can acquire the time-domain resource units carrying the second information and the second time-domain offset information. The network device can determine the second time-domain resource unit for transmitting downlink reference signals based on the time-domain resource units carrying the second information and the second time-domain offset information, and transmit downlink reference signals on the second time-domain resource units.

[0337] For example, the time-domain resource unit can be a time slot, and the second time-domain offset information can be a second time slot offset. The network device can determine the transmission time slot of the downlink reference signal based on the transmission time slot of the second information and the second time slot offset, and transmit the downlink reference signal on that transmission time slot. Correspondingly, the terminal can determine the time slot carrying the downlink reference signal based on the transmission time slot of the second information and the second time slot offset, and receive the downlink reference signal on that time slot.

[0338] It should be understood that when the first information and the second information are carried on the same signaling, the time-domain resource unit carrying the first information and the time-domain resource unit carrying the second information are the same time-domain resource unit.

[0339] Method 3 for determining the second time domain resource unit: The terminal determines the second time domain resource unit based on the time domain resource unit carrying the third information and the second time domain offset information.

[0340] The third information is the feedback information corresponding to the first or second information. For example, the third information can be the information that the terminal sends back to the network device after receiving the first or second information; for example, ACK information, in which case the time-domain resource unit of the third information is the time-domain resource unit used by the terminal to perform HARQ feedback.

[0341] It should be understood that when the first and second information are carried on the same signaling, the terminal sends a third information, which is feedback information for the signaling carrying the first and second information.

[0342] In the second time-domain resource unit determination method 3, after receiving the first or second information, the terminal sends third information to the network device; the terminal can determine the second time-domain resource unit based on the time-domain resource unit carrying the third information and the second time-domain offset information. The terminal receives the downlink reference signal on the second time-domain resource unit.

[0343] Correspondingly, network devices can also determine the second time domain resource unit carrying the downlink reference signal based on the above-mentioned second time domain resource unit determination method 3.

[0344] Optionally, the network device determines the second time domain resource unit based on the time domain resource unit carrying the third information and the second time domain offset information.

[0345] In one embodiment, the network device receives third information sent by the terminal. The network device can acquire time-domain resource units carrying the third information, and the network device indicates second time-domain offset information to the terminal through second information. Then, the network device can acquire the time-domain resource units carrying the third information and the second time-domain offset information. The network device can determine the second time-domain resource unit carrying the downlink reference signal based on the time-domain resource units carrying the third information and the second time-domain offset information, and send the downlink reference signal on the second time-domain resource unit.

[0346] For example, the time-domain resource unit can be a time slot, and the second time-domain offset information can be a second time slot offset. The network device can determine the transmission time slot of the downlink reference signal based on the time slot of the received third information and the second time slot offset, and transmit the downlink reference signal on the determined transmission time slot. Correspondingly, the terminal can determine the time slot carrying the downlink reference signal based on the transmission time slot of the third information (e.g., the HARQ feedback time slot for the first or second information) and the second time slot offset, and receive the downlink reference signal on the time slot carrying the downlink reference signal.

[0347] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication method mainly includes the following steps 900 to 907. It is understood that the steps and execution order shown in Figure 9 are only examples. In actual implementation, some of the steps may be executed, or the remaining steps may also be executed. Similarly, the execution order of the steps may also be adjusted, and this embodiment of the application does not limit this.

[0348] Step 900: The terminal sends a beam measurement reference signal to the network device.

[0349] For example, the beam measurement reference signal can be a first SRS.

[0350] When the terminal includes N beams (N is an integer greater than 1), the terminal transmits beam measurement reference signals through each of the N beams, with each beam transmitting one beam measurement reference signal.

[0351] Correspondingly, the network device receives the beam measurement reference signal sent by the terminal.

[0352] Step 901: The network device determines the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal.

[0353] In one embodiment, the network device can sequentially measure the measurement reference signals of each beam sent by the terminal using the first beam to obtain the channel information between the first beam and each beam of the terminal; wherein the method for determining the first beam can be found in the description above.

[0354] After measuring the channel information between the first beam and each beam of the terminal, the network device can determine the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal based on the channel information between the first beam and each beam of the terminal.

[0355] It should be noted that the specific method by which network devices determine the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of a terminal can be found in the above description, and will not be repeated here.

[0356] Step 902: The network device sends the first information and the second information to the terminal.

[0357] The first information is used to indicate the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal, and the second information is used to indicate that the terminal uses a synthesized beam to send an uplink reference signal.

[0358] In step 902, the network device can carry first information and second information through the same signaling, and the first information and second information can be carried in different fields within the same signaling. For example, the network device sends MAC-CE signaling to the terminal, and the MAC-CE signaling carries the first information and second information.

[0359] Step 903: The terminal generates a composite beam based on the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two of the terminal's beams.

[0360] In step 903, the specific method for the terminal to generate the synthetic beam can be found in the description of step 600 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0361] Step 904: The terminal sends an uplink reference signal to the network device through a synthesized beam.

[0362] Correspondingly, the network device receives the uplink reference signal transmitted by the receiving terminal through a synthesized beam.

[0363] The uplink reference signal is used to measure the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam.

[0364] For example, the uplink reference signal can be a second SRS.

[0365] Step 905: The network device measures the uplink reference signal to obtain the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam.

[0366] Optionally, the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam may include at least one of the following: CQI, PMI, RI.

[0367] Step 906: The network device sends the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam to the terminal.

[0368] Correspondingly, the terminal receives the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam sent by the network device.

[0369] Step 907: The terminal sends uplink data based on the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam.

[0370] In step 907, the terminal transmits uplink data through the synthesized beam according to the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam.

[0371] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 10, the communication device can be used to execute the process executed by the terminal in any of the embodiments above. For details, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments above.

[0372] The communication device 1000 includes a communication unit 1001 and a processing unit 1002.

[0373] The processing unit 1002 is used for data processing. The communication unit 1001 can implement corresponding communication functions. The communication unit 1001 can also be called a communication interface, a communication module, a transceiver unit, or a transceiver module.

[0374] Optionally, the communication device 1000 may further include a storage unit 1003, which may be used to store computer programs or instructions and / or data. The processing unit 1002 may read the computer programs or instructions and / or data in the storage unit 1003 so that the communication device 1000 implements the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0375] The communication device 1000 can be a terminal-side device as described in the above embodiments, such as a terminal or a communication module in a terminal, or a circuit or chip in a terminal that is responsible for communication functions.

[0376] The processing unit 1002 is used to perform processing-related operations on the terminal side in the above method embodiment. The communication unit 1001 is used to perform transmission and reception-related operations on the terminal side in the above method embodiment.

[0377] Optionally, the communication unit 1001 may include a sending unit and a receiving unit. The sending unit is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments. The receiving unit is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments.

[0378] It should be noted that the communication unit 1001 may include a transmitting unit but not a receiving unit. Alternatively, the communication device 1000 may include a receiving unit but not a transmitting unit. Specifically, it depends on whether the above-described scheme executed by the communication device 1000 includes both transmitting and receiving actions.

[0379] Optionally, the communication device 1000 is used to perform the actions performed by the terminal in any of the embodiments described above.

[0380] For example, the communication device 1000 is used to execute the following scheme:

[0381] The communication unit 1001 is used to receive first information, which indicates the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal, and the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams are used to generate a composite beam; the communication unit 1001 is also used to transmit an uplink reference signal through the composite beam.

[0382] The processing unit 1002 is used to process the received first information accordingly and generate an uplink reference signal.

[0383] It should be understood that the specific procedures for each module to perform the above-mentioned corresponding processes have been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0384] In one possible design, when the communication device 1000 is a terminal or a communication module within a terminal, the function of the processing unit 1002 can be implemented by one or more processors. Specifically, the processor may include a modem chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core. The function of the communication unit 1001 can be implemented by transceiver circuitry.

[0385] In one possible design, when the communication device 1000 is a circuit or chip in a terminal responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a modem core, the function of the processing unit 1002 can be implemented by a circuit system in the aforementioned chip that includes one or more processors or processor cores. The function of the communication unit 1001 can be implemented by an interface circuit or data transceiver circuit on the aforementioned chip.

[0386] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 11, the communication device can be used to execute the process performed by the network device in any of the embodiments above. For details, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments above.

[0387] The communication device 1100 includes a communication unit 1101 and a processing unit 1102.

[0388] The processing unit 1102 is used for data processing. The communication unit 1101 can implement corresponding communication functions. The communication unit 1101 can also be called a communication interface, a communication module, a transceiver unit, or a transceiver module.

[0389] Optionally, the communication device 1100 may further include a storage unit 1103, which may be used to store computer programs or instructions and / or data. The processing unit 1102 may read the computer programs or instructions and / or data in the storage unit 1103 so that the communication device 1100 implements the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0390] The communication device 1100 can be a device on the network device side in the above embodiments, such as a network device or a communication module in a network device, or a circuit, chip, or chip system in a network device that is responsible for communication functions.

[0391] The processing unit 1102 is used to perform processing-related operations on the network device side in the above method embodiment. The communication unit 1101 is used to perform transmission-reception-related operations on the network device side in the above method embodiment.

[0392] Optionally, the communication unit 1101 may include a sending unit and a receiving unit. The sending unit is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments. The receiving unit is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments.

[0393] It should be noted that the communication unit 1101 may include a transmitting unit but not a receiving unit. Alternatively, the communication device 1100 may include a receiving unit but not a transmitting unit. Specifically, it depends on whether the above-described scheme executed by the communication device 1100 includes both transmitting and receiving actions.

[0394] Optionally, the communication device 1100 is used to perform the actions performed by the network device in any of the embodiments described above.

[0395] For example, the communication device 1100 is used to execute the following scheme:

[0396] The communication unit 1101 is configured to transmit first information, the first information being used to indicate the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal, the combining coefficients corresponding to the at least two beams being used to generate the composite beam; the communication unit 1101 is also configured to receive an uplink reference signal transmitted through the composite beam.

[0397] The processing unit 1102 is used to generate first information and to process the received uplink reference signal accordingly.

[0398] It should be understood that the specific procedures for each module to perform the above-mentioned corresponding processes have been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0399] In one possible design, when the communication device 1100 is a network device or a communication module within a network device, the function of the processing unit 1102 can be implemented by one or more processors. Specifically, the processor may include a modem chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip or a SIP chip containing a modem core. The function of the communication unit 1101 can be implemented by transceiver circuitry.

[0400] In one possible design, when the communication device 1100 is a circuit, chip, or chip system responsible for communication functions in a network device, such as a modem chip or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a modem core, the function of the processing unit 1102 can be implemented by a circuit system in the aforementioned chip that includes one or more processors or processor cores. The function of the communication unit 1101 can be implemented by the interface circuitry or data transceiver circuitry on the aforementioned chip.

[0401] It is understood that the division of units in the above-described device is merely a logical functional division. Each function can correspond to a functional unit, or two or more functions can be integrated into one functional unit. In actual implementation, all or some units can be integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be distributed across different physical entities. Furthermore, the aforementioned functional units can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both. Whether a function is executed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0402] In one example, the functional unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as: one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microcontroller units (MCUs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0403] In one example, the aforementioned storage unit 1003 or storage unit 1103 may include random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory or electrically erasable programmable memory and / or registers, etc.

[0404] This application embodiment also provides a communication device 1200. As shown in FIG12, the communication device 1200 includes a processor 1210, which is coupled to a memory 1220. The memory 1220 is used to store computer programs or instructions and / or data, and the processor 1210 is used to execute the computer programs or instructions and / or data stored in the memory 1220, so that the methods in the above method embodiments are executed.

[0405] Optionally, the communication device 1200 may include one or more processors 1210.

[0406] Optionally, as shown in Figure 12, the communication device 1200 may also include a memory 1220.

[0407] Optionally, the communication device 1200 may include one or more memory 1220s.

[0408] Optionally, the memory 1220 can be integrated with the processor 1210 or set separately.

[0409] Optionally, as shown in FIG12, the communication device 1200 may further include a transceiver 1230, which is used for receiving and / or transmitting signals. For example, the processor 1210 is used to control the transceiver 1230 to receive and / or transmit signals.

[0410] As one option, the communication device 1200 is used to implement the operations performed by the terminal in the above method embodiments.

[0411] For example, processor 1210 is used to implement the processing-related operations performed by the terminal in the above method embodiment, and transceiver 1230 is used to implement the sending and receiving-related operations performed by the terminal in the above method embodiment.

[0412] As an alternative, the communication device 1200 is used to implement the operations performed by the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0413] For example, processor 1210 is used to implement the processing-related operations performed by the network device in the above method embodiments, and transceiver 1230 is used to implement the sending and receiving-related operations performed by the network device in the above method embodiments.

[0414] This application also provides a communication device 1300, which can be a terminal, a terminal processor (circuit), or a chip. The communication device 1300 can be used to perform the operations performed by the terminal in the above method embodiments.

[0415] When the communication device 1300 is a terminal, Figure 13 shows a simplified schematic diagram of the terminal structure. As shown in Figure 13, the terminal includes a processor and a transceiver. The transceiver includes a transmitter 1331, a receiver 1332, radio frequency circuitry (not shown in the figure), an antenna 1333, and input / output devices (not shown in the figure).

[0416] Optionally, the terminal may also include a memory that can store computer program code and / or data.

[0417] The processor is primarily used for processing communication protocols and data, controlling the terminal, executing software programs, and processing data from those programs. The memory is mainly used to store software programs and data. The radio frequency (RF) circuitry is primarily used for converting baseband signals to RF signals and processing RF signals. The antenna is primarily used for transmitting and receiving RF signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touchscreens, displays, and keyboards, are mainly used to receive user input and output data to the user. It should be noted that some types of terminals may not have input / output devices.

[0418] When data needs to be sent, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be sent and outputs a baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit then processes the baseband signal and transmits it outward as an electromagnetic wave through the antenna. When data is sent to the terminal, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts it into a baseband signal, and outputs it to the processor. The processor converts the baseband signal back into data and processes it. For ease of explanation, Figure 13 only shows one memory, processor, and transceiver. In actual terminal products, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories. The memory can also be called a storage medium or storage device. The memory can be set up independently of the processor or integrated with the processor; this embodiment does not limit this.

[0419] In the embodiments of this application, the antenna and radio frequency circuit with transceiver function can be regarded as the communication unit of the terminal, and the processor with processing function can be regarded as the processing unit of the terminal.

[0420] As shown in Figure 13, the terminal includes a processor 1310, a memory 1320, and a transceiver 1330. The processor 1310 can also be referred to as a processing unit, processing board, processing module, processing device, etc. The transceiver 1330 can also be referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver device, etc.

[0421] Optionally, the device in transceiver 1330 used for receiving can be considered a receiving module, and the device in transceiver 1330 used for transmitting can be considered a transmitting module. That is, transceiver 1330 includes a receiver and a transmitter. A transceiver is sometimes also called a transceiver unit, transceiver module, or transceiver circuit. A receiver is sometimes also called a receiver unit, receiver module, or receiver circuit. A transmitter is sometimes also called a transmitter, transmitter module, or transmitter circuit.

[0422] The processor 1310 is used to perform the processing actions on the terminal side in the above embodiment, and the transceiver 1330 is used to perform the sending and receiving actions on the terminal side in the above embodiment.

[0423] It should be understood that Figure 13 is merely an example and not a limitation, and the terminal described above, including the communication unit and the processing unit, may not depend on the structure shown in Figure 10 or Figure 13.

[0424] When the communication device 1300 is a chip, the chip includes a processor and a transceiver. The transceiver can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processor can be a processing module integrated on the chip, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit. Optionally, the chip may also include a memory. In the above method embodiments, the terminal's sending operation can be understood as the chip's output, and the terminal's receiving operation in the above method embodiments can be understood as the chip's input.

[0425] This application also provides a communication device 1400, which can be a network device, a processor (circuit) of the network device, or a chip. The communication device 1400 can be used to perform the operations performed by the network device in the method embodiments described above.

[0426] When the communication device 1400 is a network device, such as a base station, Figure 14 shows a simplified schematic diagram of a base station structure. The base station includes part 1410 and part 1430. Part 1410 is mainly used for baseband processing and base station control; part 1410 is usually the control center of the base station, often referred to as a processor, used to control the base station to perform the processing operations on the network device side in the above method embodiments. Part 1430 is mainly used for the transmission and reception of radio frequency signals and the conversion between radio frequency signals and baseband signals; part 1430 is often referred to as a transceiver module, transceiver, transceiver circuit, or transceiver. The transceiver module of part 1430, also referred to as a transceiver or transceiver, includes an antenna 1433 and a radio frequency circuit (not shown in the figure), wherein the radio frequency circuit is mainly used for radio frequency processing. Optionally, the device in part 1430 used to implement the receiving function can be regarded as a receiver, and the device used to implement the transmitting function can be regarded as a transmitter, that is, part 1430 includes a receiver 1432 and a transmitter 1431. A receiver can also be called a receiving module, receiver, or receiving circuit, while a transmitter can be called a transmitting module, transmitter, or transmitting circuit. Optionally, the base station may also include a 1420 section, which is mainly used to store computer program code and / or data.

[0427] Sections 1410 and 1420 may include one or more circuit boards, each of which may include one or more processors and one or more memories. The processors are used to read and execute programs in the memories to implement baseband processing functions and control the base station. If multiple circuit boards exist, they can be interconnected to enhance processing capabilities. As an alternative implementation, multiple circuit boards may share one or more processors, multiple circuit boards may share one or more memories, or multiple circuit boards may simultaneously share one or more processors.

[0428] For example, the transceiver module in section 1430 is used to execute the transceiver-related processes performed by the network device in the above embodiments. The processor in section 1410 is used to execute the processing-related processes performed by the network device in the above embodiments.

[0429] It should be understood that Figure 14 is merely an example and not a limitation, and the network device described above, including the processor, memory, and transceiver, may not depend on the structure shown in Figure 11 or Figure 14.

[0430] When the communication device 1400 is a chip, the chip includes a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processor can be an integrated processor, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit on the chip. Optionally, the chip may also include a memory. In the above method embodiments, the transmitting operation of the network device can be understood as the output of the chip, and the receiving operation of the network device in the above method embodiments can be understood as the input of the chip.

[0431] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions for implementing the methods executed by a terminal or network device in the above method embodiments.

[0432] For example, when the computer program or instructions are executed by the computer, the computer can implement the method executed by the terminal or network device in the above method embodiments.

[0433] This application also provides a computer program product containing a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to implement the method executed by a terminal or network device in the above method embodiments.

[0434] This application also provides a communication system, which includes the terminal and network device described in the above embodiments.

[0435] This application also provides a chip device, including a processor, for calling computer programs or computer instructions stored in the memory to cause the processor to execute the methods provided in any of the above embodiments.

[0436] In one possible implementation, the input of the chip device corresponds to the receiving operation in any of the embodiments shown in Figure 6, Figure 8, or Figure 9, and the output of the chip device corresponds to the transmitting operation in any of the embodiments shown in Figure 6, Figure 8, or Figure 9.

[0437] Optionally, the processor is coupled to the memory via an interface.

[0438] Optionally, the chip device may also include a memory in which computer programs or instructions are stored.

[0439] The processor mentioned above can be a general-purpose central processing unit, a microprocessor, an ASIC, or one or more integrated circuits for controlling the execution of a program that controls the methods provided in any of the above embodiments. The memory mentioned above can be read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices capable of storing static information and instructions, such as random access memory (RAM).

[0440] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant content in any of the communication devices provided above can be referred to the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0441] 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 an indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units through some interfaces, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0442] 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.

[0443] Furthermore, 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. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0444] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the essential contribution of the technical solution of this application, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0445] The above-described embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit it. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive first information, the first information being used to indicate the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal, the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams being used to generate the synthesized beam; The uplink reference signal is transmitted through the synthesized beam.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The uplink reference signal is used to measure the channel state information corresponding to the synthetic beam.

3. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: The terminal receives a second message, which instructs it to transmit the uplink reference signal using the synthesized beam.

4. The method as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The first information and the second information are carried in the same signaling.

5. The method as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The signaling is either Media Access Control-Control Unit (MAC-CE) signaling or Downlink Control Information (DCI) signaling.

6. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, The second information includes at least one of the following: Indication information for a first resource set, wherein at least one first resource in the first resource set is used to carry the uplink reference signal; Indication information of a first resource, wherein the first resource is used to carry the uplink reference signal; First time-domain offset information, which is used to indicate the first time-domain resource unit that transmits the uplink reference signal.

7. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first time-domain resource unit is determined based on the time-domain resource unit carrying the first information and the first time-domain offset information; or The first time domain resource unit is determined based on the time domain resource unit carrying the third information and the first time domain offset information; the third information is the feedback information corresponding to the first information.

8. The method as described in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The second information also includes second time-domain offset information, which is used to indicate a second time-domain resource unit carrying a downlink reference signal, wherein the downlink reference signal is a downlink reference signal associated with the uplink reference signal.

9. The method as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: In the second time-domain resource unit, the downlink reference signal is received through the synthetic beam.

10. The method as described in claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second time-domain resource unit is determined based on the time-domain resource unit carrying the first information and the second time-domain offset information; or The second time-domain resource unit is determined based on the time-domain resource unit carrying the third information and the second time-domain offset information; the third information is the feedback information corresponding to the first information.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that, The uplink reference signal is the sounding reference signal (SRS), and the downlink reference signal is the channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam; Uplink data is sent based on the channel state information.

13. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send first information, the first information being used to indicate the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams of the terminal, the combining coefficients corresponding to at least two beams being used to generate the synthesized beam; Receive the uplink reference signal transmitted through the synthesized beam.

14. The method as described in claim 13, characterized in that, The uplink reference signal is used to measure the channel state information corresponding to the synthetic beam.

15. The method as described in claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second message, which instructs the terminal to send the uplink reference signal using the synthesized beam.

16. The method as described in claim 15, characterized in that, The first information and the second information are carried in the same signaling.

17. The method as described in claim 16, characterized in that, The signaling is either Media Access Control-Control Unit (MAC-CE) signaling or Downlink Control Information (DCI) signaling.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that, The second information includes at least one of the following: Indication information for a first resource set, wherein at least one first resource in the first resource set is used to carry the uplink reference signal; Indication information of a first resource, wherein the first resource is used to carry the uplink reference signal; First time-domain offset information, which is used to indicate the first time-domain resource unit that transmits the uplink reference signal.

19. The method as described in claim 18, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the time-domain resource unit carrying the first information and the first time-domain offset information, determine the first time-domain resource unit for receiving the uplink reference signal; or Based on the time-domain resource unit carrying the third information and the first time-domain offset information, the first time-domain resource unit that receives the uplink reference signal is determined; the third information is the feedback information corresponding to the first information.

20. The method as described in claim 18 or 19, characterized in that, The second information also includes second time-domain offset information, which is used to indicate a second time-domain resource unit carrying a downlink reference signal, wherein the downlink reference signal is a downlink reference signal associated with the uplink reference signal.

21. The method as described in claim 20, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second time-domain resource unit is determined based on the time-domain resource unit carrying the first information and the second time-domain offset information; or The second time-domain resource unit is determined based on the time-domain resource unit carrying the third information and the second time-domain offset information; the third information is the feedback information corresponding to the first information.

22. The method as described in claim 20 or 21, characterized in that, The uplink reference signal is the sounding reference signal (SRS), and the downlink reference signal is the channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

23. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 22, characterized in that, The method further includes: The channel state information corresponding to the synthesized beam is transmitted, and the channel state information is obtained by measuring the uplink reference signal; Receive uplink data sent by the terminal based on the channel state information.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes modules or units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, or modules or units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 13 to 23.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes one or more processors; the one or more processors are configured to execute a computer program in memory, causing the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, or causing the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 13 to 23.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a computer, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, or the method as described in any one of claims 13 to 23.

27. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program or instructions that, when read and executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, or the method as described in any one of claims 13 to 23.

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