Communication method, communication apparatus, and system

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method, a communication apparatus, and a system. In the method, a terminal device can receive first information from a network device, wherein the first information is used for indicating that a transmission mode on a first carrier changes from a first transmission mode to a second transmission mode. The terminal device can perform communication transmission on the first carrier, wherein the transmission mode may be: downlink transmission, uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission. In this way, when the terminal device has different service requirements, the network device can flexibly configure the transmission mode of the first carrier on the basis of the different service requirements, helping to improve the utilization rate of resources carried on the first carrier.

Description

Communication methods, communication devices and systems

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411935707.1, filed on December 25, 2024, entitled "Communication Method, Communication Apparatus and System", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] In the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) protocol, 5G systems can be divided into frequency division duplexing (FDD) and time division duplexing (TDD) depending on the duplexing mode. FDD includes symmetrical downlink and uplink carriers with a guard interval between them, and the downlink and uplink carriers have the same frequency bandwidth.

[0004] In future communication networks, the service rate requirements of terminal devices may be asymmetrical between uplink and downlink services. For example, in downlink services like Extended Reality (XR), XR services have high downlink rate and bandwidth requirements, consuming significant downlink bandwidth resources, while uplink rate and bandwidth requirements are lower. Therefore, in symmetrical uplink and downlink carriers, uplink resource utilization is low, resulting in idle uplink resources. Similarly, in uplink services like high-definition live streaming and time-frequency backhaul, these services also have high uplink rate and bandwidth requirements, consuming significant uplink bandwidth resources, while downlink rate and bandwidth requirements are lower. Therefore, in symmetrical uplink and downlink carriers, downlink frequency resource utilization is low, resulting in idle downlink resources. Consequently, the utilization rate of resources carried on the carrier is low. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method, communication device, and system that are beneficial to improving the utilization rate of resources carried on a carrier wave.

[0006] Firstly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to a terminal device. For example, it can be executed by the terminal device itself, or by components configured in the terminal device (such as processors, chips, chip systems, etc.), or by logic modules or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal device. This application does not limit this approach.

[0007] The method includes: a terminal device receiving first information from a network device, the first information indicating that the transmission mode on a first carrier changes from a first transmission mode to a second transmission mode, wherein the transmission mode is: downlink transmission, uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission; and the terminal device performing communication transmission on the first carrier.

[0008] Based on the above scheme, compared to the fixed transmission mode of the first carrier (e.g., the downlink or uplink carrier of FDD), network devices can configure the transmission mode of the first carrier. For example, the first transmission mode of the first carrier can be configured as a second transmission mode. The first transmission mode can be downlink transmission and uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission, while the second transmission mode can be downlink transmission and uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission. In this way, when terminal devices have different service requirements, network devices can flexibly configure the transmission mode of the first carrier according to different service requirements (e.g., services primarily based on uplink services, or services primarily based on downlink services), which helps improve the utilization rate of resources carried on the first carrier.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the first information is carried in either a first system message or a first radio resource control (RRC) signaling. The first information can be carried in either a first system message or a first RRC signaling, providing diverse transmission methods. Different carrying methods are suitable for different network conditions, terminal capabilities, and service requirements.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the first information is carried in a first system message, and the first transmission mode is predefined; or, the first information is carried in a first RRC signaling, and the first transmission mode is configured by a second system message, which precedes the first RRC signaling, or, the first transmission mode is predefined.

[0011] In one possible implementation, second information is received, indicating that the transmission mode on the second carrier is a third transmission mode, which is: downlink transmission, uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission. This allows network devices to flexibly configure the transmission mode of the second carrier according to the different service requirements of terminal devices, thus improving the utilization rate of the resources carried on the second carrier.

[0012] In one possible implementation, when the transmission mode is a downlink transmission and an uplink transmission mode, the transmission mode is TDD, sub-band full-duplex (SBFD), or in-band full-duplex (IBFD).

[0013] Specifically, when the first transmission mode is both downlink and uplink, the first transmission mode can be TDD, SBFD, or IBFD. When the second transmission mode is both downlink and uplink, the second transmission mode can be TDD, SBFD, or IBFD. When the third transmission mode is both downlink and uplink, the third transmission mode can be TDD, SBFD, or IBFD. No specific limitations are imposed on this.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the first and second carriers belong to the same cell. This eliminates the need for complex inter-cell handovers by the terminal equipment, reducing signaling overhead and improving access flexibility and efficiency.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the first information and the second information are carried in a first system message, and the first carrier is used to carry downlink and uplink information for the terminal device to perform initial access; or the first carrier is used to carry downlink information for the terminal device to perform initial access, and the second carrier is used to carry uplink information for the terminal device to perform initial access; or, the first information is carried in the first system message, the second information is carried in the second RRC signaling, the second RRC signaling is after the first system message, and the first carrier is used to carry downlink and uplink information for the terminal device to perform initial access.

[0016] When the first carrier is used to carry downlink and uplink information for initial access of terminal devices, this method is relatively simple and reduces the overhead caused by complex operations such as carrier switching. It is especially suitable for terminal devices with low resource requirements and simple access scenarios.

[0017] When the first carrier is used to carry downlink information for initial access by the terminal device, and the second carrier is used to carry uplink information for initial access, this carrier division of the initial access uplink and downlink information allows for better optimization of configuration based on the different characteristics of the uplink and downlink (such as signal propagation characteristics, bandwidth requirements, and interference). For example, the initial access downlink information may require a larger bandwidth to broadcast system messages and configuration parameters, while the initial access uplink information consists more of relatively small-volume data such as access requests from the terminal device. Utilizing different carriers to carry the initial access uplink and downlink information can improve the transmission quality and access success rate of the uplink and downlink.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the first capability information indicates that the terminal device supports configuring the first carrier for uplink transmission. This can be understood as the terminal device supporting configuring some or all time slots of the first carrier for uplink transmission, that is, the terminal device supports configuring the transmission mode of the first carrier as uplink transmission, or uplink transmission and downlink transmission.

[0019] In one possible implementation, downlink control information (DCI) is received, which indicates that the scheduled data is carried on a first carrier and / or a second carrier.

[0020] The data scheduled above can be either the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), and there is no limitation on which one.

[0021] Network devices can flexibly select appropriate carriers to carry scheduled data based on the resource conditions of different carriers (such as bandwidth, load, and channel quality of each carrier). For example, DCI can indicate the resource allocation of PDSCH, such as the location of the resource block (RB) allocated to PDSCH (e.g., located on the first and / or second carrier). Similarly, DCI can indicate the resource allocation of PUSCH, such as the location of the RB allocated to PUSCH (e.g., located on the first and / or second carrier).

[0022] In one possible implementation, the DCI indicates that the scheduled data is carried on a first carrier and a second carrier, including: the DCI indicating the bandwidth part (BWP) used to carry the scheduled data, the BWP including the first carrier and the second carrier, with a frequency domain spacing between the first carrier and the second carrier. This approach can utilize the resources of multiple carriers more flexibly, improving the efficiency and reliability of data transmission.

[0023] In one possible implementation, third information is received, which instructs the terminal device to receive DCI on a first carrier and / or a second carrier. In this way, the network device can use the third information to instruct the terminal device to receive DCI on a specific carrier (e.g., the first carrier and / or the second carrier), enabling the network device to perform more precise resource scheduling.

[0024] In one possible implementation, fourth capability information is sent, indicating that the terminal device supports receiving DCI on the first carrier and / or the second carrier. The terminal device indicates the carriers it supports for receiving DCI (e.g., the first carrier and / or the second carrier) to the network device, so that the terminal device only needs to receive DCI on the corresponding carrier downlink resources. This reduces power consumption compared to the terminal device receiving DCI on all available carriers.

[0025] In one possible implementation, second capability information is transmitted, which indicates the frame structure of the first carrier supported by the terminal device, and / or the frame structure of the second carrier. For example, the second capability information indicates the frame structure of the first carrier supported by the terminal device, such as downlink transmission, uplink transmission, TDD, SBFD, or IBFD. As another example, the second capability information indicates the frame structure of the second carrier supported by the terminal device, such as downlink transmission, uplink transmission, TDD, SBFD, or IBFD.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the second capability information is used to indicate at least one set of frame structures, which includes a first frame structure for a first carrier supported by the terminal device and a second frame structure for a corresponding second carrier. In this way, the network device can use at least one set of frame structures sent by the terminal device as a reference, and select one set of frame structures from the at least one set as the frame structure for the first carrier and the corresponding second carrier, which helps to improve the flexibility and effectiveness of network management.

[0027] In one possible implementation, third capability information is sent, indicating that the terminal device supports reconfiguring the frame structure of the first carrier and / or the frame structure of the second carrier. This facilitates network devices in rationally planning carrier resource reconfiguration strategies within the cell, avoiding the issuance of invalid reconfiguration commands to carriers that the terminal device does not support, and improving the accuracy and effectiveness of network resource allocation.

[0028] In one possible implementation, a fourth message is received, which instructs the terminal device to transmit uplink control information (UCI) on the first carrier and / or the second carrier.

[0029] Network devices can flexibly select appropriate carriers for UCI transmission based on the resource conditions of different carriers (such as the bandwidth, load, and channel quality of each carrier). For example, when the channel quality of the first carrier is good and the idle resources are relatively abundant at a certain time, the network device can instruct the terminal device to transmit UCI on the first carrier, thereby improving the efficiency of UCI transmission, avoiding resource waste, and achieving optimized allocation and efficient utilization of carrier resources.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the first information includes information configuring the first frequency band to which the first carrier belongs, and the second information includes information configuring the second frequency band to which the second carrier belongs. In this way, in some special scenarios where it is necessary to utilize the advantages of other frequency bands—for example, when there are high-bandwidth-demand services such as high-definition video uploads or large file transfers, or when certain frequency band resources are temporarily idle and more suitable for data transmission—the system can configure the first and second carriers within other frequency band ranges through the first system message, which helps meet the needs of different services.

[0031] Secondly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to a network device, for example, executed by the network device itself, or executed by components configured in the network device (such as processors, chips, chip systems, etc.), or implemented by logic modules or software capable of realizing all or part of the functions of the network device. This application does not limit this aspect.

[0032] The method includes: a network device generating first information, the first information indicating that the transmission mode on a first carrier changes from a first transmission mode to a second transmission mode, the second transmission mode being one of the following: downlink transmission, uplink transmission, downlink transmission, and uplink transmission; and the network device sending the first information to a terminal device.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the first information is carried in a first system message or a first RRC signaling.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the first information is carried in a first system message, and the first transmission mode is predefined; or, the first information is carried in a first RRC signaling, and the first transmission mode is configured by a second system message, which precedes the first RRC signaling, or, the first transmission mode is predefined.

[0035] In one possible implementation, a second message is sent to indicate that the transmission mode on the second carrier is a third transmission mode, which is: downlink transmission, uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission.

[0036] In one possible implementation, when the transmission mode is a downlink transmission and an uplink transmission transmission mode, the transmission mode is TDD, SBFD, or IBFD.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the first carrier and the second carrier belong to the same cell.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the first information and the second information are carried in a first system message, and the first carrier is used to carry downlink and uplink information for the terminal device to perform initial access; or the first carrier is used to carry downlink information for the terminal device to perform initial access, and the second carrier is used to carry uplink information for the terminal device to perform initial access; or, the first information is carried in the first system message, the second information is carried in the second RRC signaling, the second RRC signaling is after the first system message, and the first carrier is used to carry downlink and uplink information for the terminal device to perform initial access.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the first capability information indicates that the terminal device supports configuring a first carrier for uplink transmission.

[0040] In one possible implementation, a DCI is transmitted, which indicates that the scheduled data is carried on a first carrier and / or a second carrier.

[0041] In one possible implementation, the DCI indicates that the scheduled data is carried on a first carrier and a second carrier, including: the DCI indicates a BWP for carrying the scheduled data, the BWP including the first carrier and the second carrier, and there is a frequency domain interval between the first carrier and the second carrier.

[0042] In one possible implementation, a third message is sent, which instructs the terminal device to receive DCI on the first carrier and / or the second carrier.

[0043] In one possible implementation, fourth capability information is received, which indicates that the terminal device supports receiving DCI on the first carrier and / or the second carrier.

[0044] In one possible implementation, second capability information is received, which is used to indicate the frame structure of the first carrier supported by the terminal device, and / or the frame structure of the second carrier.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the second capability information is used to indicate at least one set of frame structures, which includes a first frame structure of a first carrier supported by the terminal device and a second frame structure of a corresponding second carrier.

[0046] In one possible implementation, third capability information is received, which indicates that the terminal device supports reconfiguration of the frame structure of the first carrier and / or the frame structure of the second carrier.

[0047] In one possible implementation, a fourth message is sent, which instructs the terminal device to send a UCI on the first carrier and / or the second carrier.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the first information includes information configuring the first frequency band to which the first carrier belongs, and the second information includes information configuring the second frequency band to which the second carrier belongs.

[0049] Thirdly, a communication device is provided that can implement the communication method described in any of the possible implementations of the first or second aspect. The device includes one or more functional units or modules for performing the described method. The functional units or modules included in the device can be implemented by software and / or hardware.

[0050] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, comprising at least one processor for executing the communication method described in any possible implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0051] Optionally, the apparatus may further include a memory for storing instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, which, when executing the instructions stored in the memory, can implement the methods described in the foregoing aspects.

[0052] Optionally, the device may further include a communication interface for communicating with other devices. For example, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface.

[0053] Fifthly, a chip system is provided, the chip system including at least one processor for supporting the implementation of the functions involved in any possible implementation of the first or second aspect described above, such as receiving or processing data and / or information involved in the methods described above.

[0054] In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory for storing program instructions and data, which may be located within or outside the processor.

[0055] In one possible design, the chip system further includes an interface circuit and / or a power supply circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to transmit data and the power supply circuit is used to supply power to the chip system.

[0056] The chip system can consist of chips or include chips and other discrete components.

[0057] Sixthly, a communication system is provided, which includes the aforementioned network equipment and terminal equipment.

[0058] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, including a computer program that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to implement the method in any of the possible implementations of the first or second aspect.

[0059] Eighthly, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising: a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions), which, when run, causes a computer to perform the method in any possible implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0060] The beneficial effects of the second to eighth aspects and the possible implementations described above can be found in the first aspect and the beneficial effects of the various possible implementations of the first aspect, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0061] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the uplink working mode provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0063] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the downlink operating mode provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0064] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the TDD working mode provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0065] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the IBFD working mode provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0066] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the SBFD working mode provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0067] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the FDD working mode provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0068] Figure 8 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0069] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the first carrier and the second carrier provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0070] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the first carrier and the second carrier provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0071] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the first carrier and the second carrier provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0072] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the first carrier and the second carrier provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0073] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the first carrier and the second carrier provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0074] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the first carrier and the second carrier provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0075] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the first carrier and the second carrier provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0076] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the BWP provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0077] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources configured with the first carrier and the second carrier according to an embodiment of this application.

[0078] Figure 18 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0079] Figure 19 is another schematic block diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0080] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the following points will be explained first:

[0081] First, in this application, the indication includes explicit indication (also known as direct indication) and implicit indication (also known as indirect indication). Explicit indication information A means including information A; implicit indication information A means indicating information A through the correspondence between information A and information B, and direct indication information B. The correspondence between information A and information B can be predefined, pre-stored, pre-burned, or pre-configured; or it can refer to indicating information A through information B and preset rules.

[0082] Second, in this application, information C is used to determine information D, which includes both determining information D based solely on information C and determining it based on information C and other information. Furthermore, information C can also be used to determine information D indirectly, for example, in the case where information D is determined based on information E, and information E is determined based on information C.

[0083] Third, in this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the preceding and following related objects, but it does not exclude the possibility of indicating an "and" relationship; the specific meaning can be understood in context. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c; a and b; a and c; b and c; or a and b and c. Here, a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0084] Fourth, the use of prefixes such as "first" and "second" in this application is solely for the purpose of distinguishing different things belonging to the same category of names, and does not constrain the order, size, or quantity of things. For example, "first information," "second information," "third information," and "fourth information" are simply different pieces of information, and there is no temporal sequence, size, or priority relationship among them. Similarly, "first carrier" and "second carrier" are simply different carriers. There is no temporal sequence, size, or priority relationship between them.

[0085] Fifth, in the embodiments of this application, "when," "if," and "if" all refer to the device making corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances, and are not limited to a time, nor do they require the device to make a judgment action when it is implemented, nor do they mean that there are other limitations.

[0086] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems, sidelink (SL) communication systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5th Generation (5G) mobile communication systems, or new radio access technology (NR). Among these, 5G mobile communication systems can include non-standalone (NSA) and / or standalone (SA) networking. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to future communication networks. This application does not limit the scope of these applications.

[0087] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system 100 according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 may include at least one network device (e.g., network device 110) and at least one terminal device (e.g., terminal device 120, terminal device 130). Network device 110 can perform uplink and downlink transmissions with terminal device 120, and network device 110 can also perform uplink and downlink transmissions with terminal device 130.

[0088] It should be understood that the aforementioned network device or terminal device can be configured with multiple antennas, which may include at least one transmitting antenna for transmitting signals and at least one receiving antenna for receiving signals. Additionally, the network device or terminal device may also include transmitter chains and receiver chains, which, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, may include multiple components (e.g., processors, modulators, multiplexers, demodulators, demultiplexers, or antennas) related to signal transmission and reception. Therefore, the network device and the terminal device can communicate via multi-antenna technology.

[0089] It should be understood that the communication system shown in Figure 1 is only a schematic diagram, and the communication system may also include other terminal devices and network devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1. The embodiments of this application do not limit the number of network devices and terminal devices included in the communication system.

[0090] In the embodiments of this application, the terminal device may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user apparatus.

[0091] Terminal devices can be devices that provide voice / data, such as handheld devices with wireless connectivity, in-vehicle devices, etc. Currently, examples of terminals include: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks, or future public land mobile communication networks. Terminal devices in a network (PLMN), etc., are not limited to this in the embodiments of this application.

[0092] By way of example and not limitation, in this embodiment, the terminal device can also be a wearable device. Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices, are a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices that are worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not merely hardware devices, but also achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include those that are feature-rich, large in size, and can achieve complete or partial functions without relying on a smartphone, such as smartwatches or smart glasses, as well as those that focus on a specific type of application function and require the use of other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0093] In this embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself, or it can be any device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing those functions, such as a chip system. This device can be installed in or used in conjunction with the terminal device. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete components. This embodiment only uses the terminal device as an example to illustrate the device for implementing the functions of the terminal device, and does not constitute a limitation on the solution of this embodiment.

[0094] The network device in this application embodiment can be a device for communicating with a terminal device. This network device can also be called an access network device or a wireless access network device, such as a base station. In this application embodiment, the network device can refer to a radio access network (RAN) node (or device) that connects the terminal device to the wireless network. A base station can broadly encompass, or be replaced by, various names including: NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNB), next-generation NodeB (gNB), relay station, access point, transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), master station, auxiliary station, multi-standard radio (MSR) node, home base station, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (AP), transmission node, transceiver node, baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), radio unit (RU), positioning node, satellite base station, cellular base station, etc. A base station can be a macro base station, micro base station, relay node, donor node, or similar entities, or a combination thereof. A base station can also refer to a communication module, modem, or chip installed within the aforementioned equipment or apparatus. A base station can also be a mobile switching center, equipment performing base station functions in D2D, V2X, and M2M communications, network-side equipment in future communication networks, or equipment performing base station functions in future communication systems. A base station can support networks using the same or different access technologies. Optionally, a RAN node can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or equipment forms used in the network equipment.

[0095] In some deployments, the network devices mentioned in the embodiments of this application may be devices including CU, DU, or CU and DU, or devices with control plane CU nodes (central unit-control plane (CU-CP)) and user plane CU nodes (central unit-user plane (CU-UP)) and DU nodes. For example, the network devices may include gNB-CU-CP, gNB-CU-UP, and gNB-DU.

[0096] In some deployments, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminals in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes each implementing some of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be CUs, DUs, CU-CPs, CU-UPs, or RUs. CUs and DUs can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a BBU. RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as RRUs, AAUs, or RRHs.

[0097] RAN nodes can support one or more types of fronthaul interfaces, each corresponding to a DU and RU with different functions. If the fronthaul interface between the DU and RU is a common public radio interface (CPRI), the DU is configured to implement one or more baseband functions, and the RU is configured to implement one or more radio frequency functions. If the fronthaul interface between the DU and RU is another type of interface, relative to CPRI, some downlink and / or uplink baseband functions, such as, for downlink, precoding, digital beamforming (BF), or one or more of inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) / cyclic prefix addition (CP), are moved from the DU to the RU; and for uplink, digital beamforming (BF), or one or more of fast Fourier transform (FFT) / cyclic prefix removal (CP), are moved from the DU to the RU. In one possible implementation, the interface can be an enhanced common public radio interface (eCPRI). Under the eCPRI architecture, the segmentation between DU and RU differs, corresponding to different categories (Cat) of eCPRI, such as eCPRI Cat A, B, C, D, E, F.

[0098] Taking eCPRI Cat A as an example, for downlink transmission, the DU is configured to implement one or more functions before and after layer mapping (i.e., coding, rate matching, scrambling, modulation, and layer mapping), while other functions after layer mapping (e.g., RE mapping, digital beamforming (BF), or one or more functions of inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) / adding cyclic prefix (CP)) are moved to the RU. For uplink transmission, the DU is configured to implement one or more functions before and after de-RE mapping (i.e., decoding, de-rate matching, descrambling, demodulation, inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT), channel equalization, and de-RE mapping), while other functions after de-RE mapping (e.g., digital BF or one or more functions of fast Fourier transform (FFT) / removing CP) are moved to the RU. It is understandable that the functional descriptions of the DU and RU corresponding to various types of eCPRI can be found in the eCPRI protocol, and will not be elaborated here.

[0099] In one possible design, the processing unit in the BBU used to implement baseband functions is called the baseband high (BBH) unit, and the processing unit in the RRU / AAU / RRH used to implement baseband functions is called the baseband low (BBL) unit.

[0100] 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. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0101] In this embodiment, the apparatus for implementing the functions of a network device can be a network device itself; it can also be an apparatus capable of supporting the network device in implementing those functions, such as a chip system, hardware circuit, software module, or a hardware circuit plus a software module. This apparatus can be installed in the network device or used in conjunction with the network device. In this embodiment, the example of a network device being used to implement the functions of a network device is provided only and does not constitute a limitation on the solutions described in this embodiment.

[0102] Network devices and / or terminal devices can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on airplanes, balloons, and satellites. This application does not limit the scenario in which the network devices and terminal devices are located. Furthermore, terminal devices and network devices can be hardware devices, or software functions running on dedicated hardware, or software functions running on general-purpose hardware, such as virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform), or entities that include dedicated or general-purpose hardware devices and software functions. This application does not limit the specific form of the terminal devices and network devices.

[0103] Current communication systems (such as the communication system 100 shown in Figure 1) may include various operating modes (or transmission modes), such as TDD, FDD, IBFD, SBFD, pure uplink, and pure downlink. The following will provide a brief explanation of these operating modes in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0104] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the uplink operating mode. As shown in Figure 2, in the uplink operating mode, each time slot can be configured as an uplink (U) time slot, which is used to carry uplink resources. For example, a terminal device can send uplink information within the uplink time slot shown in Figure 2. Correspondingly, a network device can receive uplink information within the uplink time slot shown in Figure 2.

[0105] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the downlink operating mode. As shown in Figure 3, in downlink operating mode, each time slot can be configured as a downlink (D) time slot, which is used to carry downlink resources. For example, network devices can send downlink information within the downlink time slot shown in Figure 3. Correspondingly, terminal devices can receive downlink information within the downlink time slot shown in Figure 3.

[0106] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the TDD working mode. As shown in Figure 4, in the TDD working mode, each time slot can be configured as an uplink time slot, a downlink time slot, or a self-contained (S) time slot (also known as a flexible time slot). The self-contained time slot can be used to carry either uplink or downlink resources. For example, a network device can send downlink information in the downlink time slot and receive uplink information in the uplink time slot. Correspondingly, a terminal device can receive downlink information in the downlink time slot and send uplink information in the uplink time slot. When the self-contained time slot can be used as an uplink time slot, the terminal device can send uplink information within the self-contained time slot; or, when the self-contained time slot is used as a downlink time slot, the network device can send downlink information within the self-contained time slot. It should be understood that the uplink to downlink time slot ratio shown in Figure 4 is 1:3. This is only one possible uplink / downlink time slot ratio; TDD can also have other time slot ratios, which this application does not limit.

[0107] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the IBFD operating mode. As shown in Figure 5, in IBFD operating mode, each time slot can be used to carry uplink and downlink information, but without distinguishing frequency bandwidth. For example, network devices can simultaneously send downlink information and receive uplink information in each time slot shown in Figure 5. Correspondingly, terminal devices can simultaneously receive downlink information and send uplink information in each time slot shown in Figure 5.

[0108] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the SBFD operating mode. As shown in Figure 6, in SBFD operating mode, each time slot can be divided according to different frequency bandwidth ranges. For example, each time slot on all frequency bandwidths of f0 shown in Figure 6 can be configured as an uplink time slot, a downlink time slot, or an S-time slot. The network device transmits downlink information in the downlink time slots on all frequency bandwidths of f0, and the terminal device transmits uplink information in the uplink time slots on all frequency bandwidths of f0. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives downlink information in the downlink time slots on all frequency bandwidths of f0, and the network device receives uplink information in the uplink time slots on all frequency bandwidths of f0. Similarly, each time slot on all frequency bandwidths of f1 shown in Figure 6 can be configured as an uplink time slot, and the network device transmits downlink information in all time slots on all frequency bandwidths of f1. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives downlink information in all time slots on all frequency bandwidths of f1.

[0109] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the FDD operating mode. As shown in Figure 7, in FDD operating mode, each time slot can be divided according to different frequency bandwidths. For example, each time slot on all frequency bandwidths of f0 shown in Figure 7 can be configured as a downlink time slot. Network devices send downlink information within the downlink time slots on all frequency bandwidths of f0, and correspondingly, terminal devices receive downlink information within the downlink time slots on all frequency bandwidths of f0. Similarly, each time slot on all frequency bandwidths of f1 shown in Figure 7 can be configured as an uplink time slot. Terminal devices send uplink information within the uplink time slots on all frequency bandwidths of f1, and correspondingly, network devices receive uplink information within the uplink time slots on all frequency bandwidths of f1. Here, f0 can be referred to as the downlink frequency, and f1 can be referred to as the uplink frequency.

[0110] As can be seen, the FDD operating mode can include a downlink carrier carrying downlink information and an uplink carrier carrying uplink information. The downlink and uplink carriers are symmetrical carriers with a guard interval between them, and their frequency band bandwidths are the same. The 3GPP technical specification (TS) defines the frequency band numbers and the corresponding uplink and downlink carrier frequency band ranges. For example, in 38.101, when the frequency band number is n1, the corresponding uplink carrier frequency band range is 1920MHz-1980MHz, and the corresponding downlink carrier frequency band range is 2110MHz-2170MHz; when the frequency band number is n2, the corresponding uplink carrier frequency band range is 1850MHz-1910MHz, and the corresponding downlink carrier frequency band range is 1930MHz-1990MHz, and so on.

[0111] In future communication networks, the service rate requirements of terminal devices may be asymmetrical between uplink and downlink services. In services dominated by uplink, the utilization rate of downlink resources will be low; conversely, in services dominated by downlink, the utilization rate of uplink resources will be low. This will result in low utilization of the resources carried on the carrier.

[0112] In view of this, this application provides a communication method in which a network device can configure the transmission mode of a carrier (e.g., an uplink or downlink carrier of an FDD network). For example, some or all time slots of the uplink carrier of an FDD network can be used to carry downlink resources, or some or all time slots of the downlink carrier of an FDD network can be used to carry uplink resources. This allows the network device to flexibly configure the transmission mode of the carrier according to service requirements, which is beneficial for improving the utilization rate of the resources carried on the carrier.

[0113] To better understand the embodiments of this application, several terms involved in the embodiments of this application will be explained below.

[0114] 1. System Information Block 1 (SIB1)

[0115] SIB1 plays a crucial role in wireless communication systems. It primarily contains basic information about cell access and cell selection / reselection, serving as a vital source for terminal devices to obtain cell-related parameters. This information is periodically broadcast within the cell so that terminal devices can acquire and utilize it in a timely manner.

[0116] 2. RRC signaling

[0117] In wireless communication systems, RRC signaling is an important signaling mechanism used to control the allocation and management of radio resources. Its main functions are to establish, maintain, and release radio connections, as well as to configure various radio resources.

[0118] In communication between network devices and terminal devices, network devices can dynamically configure carriers using RRC signaling based on factors such as network load, service requirements, and the mobility of terminal devices. For example, network devices can reconfigure the carriers used by terminal devices using RRC signaling (such as RRC Connection Reconfiguration messages). This reconfiguration can include changing the carrier frequency, adjusting bandwidth, or reallocating the resource allocation ratio of uplink and downlink carriers.

[0119] The method provided in this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the technical solution of this application can be applied to the communication system shown in Figure 1.

[0120] In the embodiments illustrated in the following figures, the various processes are described using the interaction process between a terminal device and a network device as an example, but this should not constitute any limitation on the subject of this application. For example, the terminal device can also be replaced by components configured in the terminal device, such as chips, chip systems, or other modules that can be used to implement some or all of the functions of the terminal device; the network device can also be replaced by components configured in the network device, such as chips, chip systems, or other modules that can be used to implement some or all of the functions of the network device.

[0121] The method provided in this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0122] Figure 8 illustrates a communication method 800 provided in an embodiment of this application. The method 800 includes steps 810 to 830. The various steps in method 800 are described in detail below.

[0123] In step 810, the network device generates first information, which is used to indicate that the transmission mode on the first carrier changes from the first transmission mode to the second transmission mode, wherein the transmission mode is: downlink transmission, uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission.

[0124] In this application, the first information may be carried in a first system message or a first RRC signaling. The first system message may be, for example, SIB1.

[0125] In one example, the first information is carried in a first system message, meaning that the second transmission mode of the first carrier is a transmission mode configured by the first system message, while the first transmission mode of the first carrier can be a predefined transmission mode. In this case, the first transmission mode is, for example, downlink transmission or uplink transmission, and the second transmission mode is, for example, downlink transmission, uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission. No limitation is made in this regard.

[0126] In another example, the first information is carried in the first RRC signaling, meaning the second transmission mode of the first carrier is a transmission mode reconfigured by the first RRC signaling, while the first transmission mode of the first carrier is a transmission mode configured by a second system message, which precedes the first RRC signaling. In this case, the first transmission mode is, for example, downlink transmission and uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission, and the second transmission mode is, for example, downlink transmission and uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission. The second system message is, for example, SIB1. This is not limited to any particular type.

[0127] It should be understood that the SIB1 period is, for example, 80ms. Within this period, SIB1 can repeatedly transmit cell access-related information, such as cell selection and reselection parameters, to ensure that the terminal device can receive this information. Therefore, the second system message and the first system message can be understood as SIB1 at different times within this period.

[0128] In another example, the first information is carried in the first RRC signaling, the second transmission mode of the first carrier is a transmission mode reconfigured by the first RRC signaling, and the first transmission mode of the first carrier can be a predefined transmission mode. In this case, the first transmission mode is, for example, downlink transmission or uplink transmission, and the second transmission mode is, for example, downlink transmission, uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission. No limitation is made in this regard.

[0129] It should be understood that when the first transmission mode is downlink or uplink transmission, the first carrier may belong to the first frequency band of the FDD band, or the second frequency band of the FDD band. The first frequency band of the FDD band can be used for downlink transmission, and the second frequency band of the FDD band can be used for uplink transmission; there is no limitation on this.

[0130] It should also be understood that when the first transmission mode is both downlink and uplink, the first transmission mode can be TDD, SBFD, or IBFD. When the second transmission mode is both downlink and uplink, the second transmission mode can be TDD, SBFD, or IBFD. No restrictions are imposed on this.

[0131] The aforementioned first information is used to indicate that the transmission mode on the first carrier changes from the first transmission mode to the second transmission mode; that is, the first transmission mode and the second transmission mode are different transmission modes. For example, when the first transmission mode is uplink transmission, the second transmission mode can be downlink transmission, TDD, SBFD, or IBFD; when the first transmission mode is downlink transmission, the second transmission mode can be uplink transmission, TDD, SBFD, or IBFD. When the first transmission mode is TDD, the second transmission mode can be uplink transmission, downlink transmission, SBFD, or IBFD; when the first transmission mode is SBFD, the second transmission mode can be uplink transmission, downlink transmission, TDD, or IBFD; when the first transmission mode is IBFD, the second transmission mode can be uplink transmission, downlink transmission, TDD, or SBFD.

[0132] When the first carrier is a downlink carrier in FDD, then the transmission mode of the first carrier is downlink transmission. The first carrier cannot carry uplink resources, or in other words, the first carrier cannot perform uplink transmission, or the first carrier does not contain uplink frame structure. No restrictions are imposed on this.

[0133] In this scenario, the terminal device can send first capability information to the network device, indicating that the terminal device supports configuring a first carrier for uplink transmission. Correspondingly, the network device receives the first capability information from the terminal device.

[0134] The first capability information indicates that the terminal device supports configuring the first carrier for uplink transmission. This can be understood as the terminal device supporting configuring some or all time slots of the first carrier for uplink transmission. In other words, the terminal device supports configuring the transmission mode of the first carrier as uplink transmission, or uplink transmission and downlink transmission.

[0135] It should be understood that the first frequency band to which the first carrier belongs can be a predefined frequency band, or in other words, a default frequency band. The first frequency band to which the first carrier belongs can also be a frequency band reconfigured by the first system message. Therefore, the first information may also include information configuring the first frequency band to which the first carrier belongs.

[0136] Thus, in some special scenarios, it is necessary to utilize the advantages of other frequency bands. For example, when there are high-bandwidth-required services such as high-definition video uploads and large file transfers, or when certain frequency band resources are temporarily idle and more suitable for data transmission, the system can configure the first carrier in other frequency bands through the first system message, which is beneficial to meet the needs of different services.

[0137] In step 820, the network device sends first information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first information from the network device.

[0138] The first piece of information has been described in detail in step 810, which can be referred to in step 810, and will not be repeated here.

[0139] Optionally, the network device may also send second information to the terminal device, which indicates that the transmission mode on the second carrier is a third transmission mode, namely: downlink transmission, uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second information from the network device.

[0140] In this application, the first carrier and the second carrier can belong to the same cell. When the first carrier and the second carrier belong to the same cell, the terminal equipment does not need to perform complex inter-cell handover, which helps to reduce signaling overhead and improve access flexibility and efficiency.

[0141] Optionally, the second information may be carried in a first system message, a first RRC signaling, or a second RRC signaling. It should be understood that the first RRC signaling and the second RRC signaling may be the same RRC signaling or different RRC signaling, and there is no limitation on this.

[0142] For example, the second information is carried in the first system message, that is, the third transmission mode of the second carrier is the transmission mode configured in the first system message. The third transmission mode is, for example, downlink transmission, uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission.

[0143] For example, the second information is carried in the first RRC signaling, that is, the third transmission mode of the second carrier is the transmission mode reconfigured by the first RRC signaling. The third transmission mode is, for example, downlink transmission, uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission.

[0144] For example, the second information is carried in the second RRC signaling, that is, the third transmission mode of the second carrier is the transmission mode reconfigured by the second RRC signaling. For example, the third transmission mode is downlink transmission, uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission.

[0145] In this context, the information indicated by the second information can also be understood as indicating a change in the transmission mode on the second carrier from the fourth transmission mode to the third transmission mode. Specifically, the fourth transmission mode of the second carrier may be a predefined transmission mode, such as downlink or uplink transmission. Alternatively, the fourth transmission mode of the second carrier may be a transmission mode configured by the first system message, such as downlink, uplink, or both. It should be understood that the fourth transmission mode is merely an example and is not intended to be limiting.

[0146] It can be concluded that the third transmission mode can be understood as a transmission mode that is configured or reconfigured, wherein being configured is, for example, the transmission mode configured by the first system message, and being reconfigured is, for example, the transmission mode reconfigured by the first RRC signaling.

[0147] It should be understood that when the third transmission mode is downlink or uplink, the second carrier can belong to either the first band of the FDD band or the second band of the FDD band. The first band of the FDD band can be used for downlink transmission, and the second band of the FDD band can be used for uplink transmission; there is no limitation on this.

[0148] It should also be understood that when the third transmission mode is both downlink and uplink, the third transmission mode can be TDD, SBFD, or IBFD. When the fourth transmission mode is both downlink and uplink, the fourth transmission mode can be TDD, SBFD, or IBFD. No restrictions are imposed on this.

[0149] When the second carrier is an uplink carrier in FDD, then the transmission mode of the second carrier is uplink transmission. The second carrier cannot carry downlink resources, or in other words, the second carrier cannot perform downlink transmission, or the second carrier does not contain a downlink frame structure. No restrictions are imposed on this.

[0150] In this scenario, the terminal device can send fifth capability information to the network device, indicating that the terminal device supports configuring a second carrier for downlink transmission. Correspondingly, the network device receives the fifth capability information from the terminal device.

[0151] The fifth capability information indicates that the terminal device supports configuring a second carrier for downlink transmission. This can be understood as the terminal device supporting configuring some or all time slots of the second carrier for downlink transmission. In other words, the terminal device supports configuring the transmission mode of the second carrier as downlink transmission, or uplink transmission and downlink transmission.

[0152] It should be understood that the second frequency band to which the second carrier belongs can be a predefined frequency band, or in other words, a default frequency band. The second frequency band to which the second carrier belongs can also be a frequency band reconfigured by the first system message. Therefore, the second information may also include information configuring the second frequency band to which the second carrier belongs.

[0153] Thus, in some special scenarios, it is necessary to utilize the advantages of other frequency bands. For example, when there are high-bandwidth-required services such as high-definition video uploads and large file transfers, or when certain frequency band resources are temporarily idle and more suitable for data transmission, the system can configure the second carrier in other frequency bands through the first system message, which is beneficial to meet the needs of different services.

[0154] In a possible design, based on the above, when both the first and second information are carried in the first system message, the second transmission mode of the first carrier and the third transmission mode of the second carrier are both transmission modes configured by the first system message. In different transmission modes, the carriers carried by the uplink and downlink information can be the same or different. For example, the downlink and uplink information for initial access by the terminal device can be carried simultaneously on the first carrier, or the downlink and uplink information for initial access by the terminal device can be carried simultaneously on the second carrier, or the downlink information for initial access by the terminal device can be carried on the first carrier and the uplink information can be carried on the second carrier; there is no limitation on this.

[0155] In Design 1, the second transmission mode of the first carrier can be downlink transmission and uplink transmission, i.e., the second transmission mode of the first carrier is, for example, TDD, SBFD, or IBFD. In this case, the first carrier can be used to carry downlink and uplink information for the terminal device to perform initial access.

[0156] It should be understood that the downlink information for initial access by the terminal device can be understood as the initial downlink bandwidth part (Initial DL BWP), and the uplink information for initial access by the terminal device can be understood as the initial uplink bandwidth part (Initial UL BWP).

[0157] The downlink information for initial access refers to the information received by the terminal device from the network device for initial access, such as system bandwidth, cell configuration parameters, and random access information. The uplink information for initial access refers to the information sent by the terminal device to the network device for initial access, such as initial access requests and feedback information. There are no limitations on this.

[0158] The first carrier carries the downlink information for initial access by the terminal device. This means the first carrier is the carrier containing the synchronization signal block (SSB). Therefore, the first carrier can be considered the primary carrier, and the terminal device will prioritize this primary carrier during cell search and synchronization. In this case, carrying the downlink information for initial access on the primary carrier (e.g., the first carrier) allows the terminal device to obtain downlink information on this primary carrier, facilitating subsequent access and communication.

[0159] In TDD, SBFD, and IBBF transmission modes, the first carrier offers flexible uplink and downlink transmission. Taking TDD as an example, it divides uplink and downlink transmission time slots, allowing uplink transmission in some slots and downlink transmission in others. SBFD and IBBF also have their own methods to support uplink and downlink transmission. In this scenario, the uplink and downlink information for initial access by the terminal device can be carried on the first carrier. This fully utilizes the flexibility of the first carrier's uplink and downlink transmission, facilitating the terminal device's reception of downlink information and transmission of uplink information.

[0160] In Design 1, the third transmission mode of the second carrier can be uplink transmission, downlink transmission, or both uplink and downlink transmission. Specifically, when uplink resources on the first carrier are scarce or the terminal device has low communication efficiency on the uplink resources of the first carrier, the network device can use the second carrier as a supplementary uplink, that is, configure the third transmission mode of the second carrier as uplink transmission. This allows the terminal device to send uplink information through the second carrier, thereby reducing the uplink transmission pressure on the first carrier.

[0161] For example, Figure 9 shows a schematic diagram of a first carrier and a second carrier. As shown in Figure 9, in (a) of Figure 9, the second transmission mode of the first carrier is TDD, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is downlink transmission. In (b) of Figure 9, the transmission mode of the first carrier is TDD, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is uplink transmission. In (c) of Figure 9, the second transmission mode of the first carrier is TDD, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is TDD. In (d) of Figure 9, the second transmission mode of the first carrier is TDD, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is SBFD. In (e) of Figure 9, the second transmission mode of the first carrier is TDD, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is IBFD.

[0162] Figure 10 shows a schematic diagram of the first carrier and the second carrier. As shown in Figure 10, (a) the second transmission mode of the first carrier is SBFD, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is downlink transmission. (b) the second transmission mode of the first carrier is SBFD, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is uplink transmission. (c) the second transmission mode of the first carrier is SBFD, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is SBFD. (d) the second transmission mode of the first carrier is SBFD, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is TDD.

[0163] Figure 11 shows a schematic diagram of the first and second carriers. As shown in Figure 11, (a) the second transmission mode of the first carrier is IBFD, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is downlink transmission. (b) The second transmission mode of the first carrier is IBFD, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is uplink transmission. (c) The second transmission mode of the first carrier is IBFD, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is IBFD. (d) The second transmission mode of the first carrier is IBFD, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is TDD.

[0164] As can be seen, in Figure 9(a), (b), (c), (d), and (e), the first carrier is TDD, and the second carrier is uplink transmission, downlink transmission, TDD, SBFD, or IBFD. In Figure 10(a), (b), (c), and (d), the first carrier is SBFD, and the second carrier is uplink transmission, downlink transmission, TDD, or SBFD. In Figure 11(a), (b), (c), and (d), the first carrier is IBFD, and the second carrier is uplink transmission, downlink transmission, TDD, or IBFD.

[0165] In design two, the third transmission mode of the second carrier can be downlink transmission and uplink transmission, i.e., the third transmission mode of the second carrier is, for example, TDD, SBFD, or IBFD. In this case, the second carrier can also be used to carry downlink and uplink information for initial access by the terminal equipment.

[0166] It should be understood that the downlink and uplink information for the initial access of the terminal device has already been described in detail in Design 1, and will not be repeated here.

[0167] In Design 2, the second transmission mode of the first carrier can be uplink transmission, downlink transmission, or both uplink and downlink transmission. Specifically, when uplink resources on the second carrier are scarce or the terminal device has low communication efficiency on the uplink resources of the second carrier, the network device can use the first carrier as a supplementary uplink, that is, configure the second transmission mode of the first carrier as uplink transmission, so that the terminal device can send uplink information through the first carrier, thereby helping to alleviate the uplink transmission pressure on the second carrier.

[0168] The difference between Design 2 and Design 1 is that the first carrier in Design 1 is used to carry downlink and uplink information for the initial access of the terminal device, while the second carrier in Design 2 is used to carry downlink and uplink information for the initial access of the terminal device.

[0169] For example, Figure 12 shows a schematic diagram of a first carrier and a second carrier. As shown in Figure 12, in (a) of Figure 12, the second transmission mode of the first carrier is downlink transmission, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is TDD. In (b) of Figure 12, the transmission mode of the first carrier is uplink transmission, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is TDD. In (c) of Figure 12, the second transmission mode of the first carrier is TDD, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is TDD. In (d) of Figure 12, the second transmission mode of the first carrier is SBFD, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is TDD. In (e) of Figure 12, the second transmission mode of the first carrier is IBFD, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is TDD.

[0170] Figure 13 shows a schematic diagram of the first and second carriers. In Figure 13(a), the second transmission mode of the first carrier is downlink transmission, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is SBFD. In Figure 13(b), the second transmission mode of the first carrier is uplink transmission, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is SBFD. In Figure 13(c), the second transmission mode of the first carrier is SBFD, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is SBFD. In Figure 13(d), the second transmission mode of the first carrier is TDD, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is SBFD.

[0171] Figure 14 shows a schematic diagram of the first and second carriers. As shown in Figure 14, (a) the second transmission mode of the first carrier is downlink transmission, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is IBFD. (b) the second transmission mode of the first carrier is uplink transmission, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is IBFD. (c) the second transmission mode of the first carrier is IBFD, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is IBFD. (d) the second transmission mode of the first carrier is TDD, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is IBFD.

[0172] As can be seen, in Figure 12(a), (b), (c), (d), and (e), the first carrier is uplink transmission, downlink transmission, TDD, SBFD, or IBFD, and the second carrier is TDD. In Figure 13(a), (b), (c), and (d), the first carrier is uplink transmission, downlink transmission, TDD, or SBFD, and the second carrier is SBFD. In Figure 14(a), (b), (c), and (d), the first carrier is uplink transmission, downlink transmission, TDD, or IBFD, and the second carrier is IBFD.

[0173] Design 3: The second transmission mode of the first carrier is downlink transmission, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is, for example, uplink transmission, TDD, SBFD, or IBFD. In this case, the first carrier can be used to carry downlink information for initial access by the terminal device, and the second carrier can be used to carry uplink information for initial access by the terminal device.

[0174] When the first carrier's transmission mode is downlink, it lacks the resources required for uplink transmission. In this case, the first carrier can only be used to carry downlink information for initial access. However, the second carrier's transmission mode is uplink, TDD, SBFD, or IBFD. The second carrier has uplink resources available for uplink transmission; therefore, the second carrier can be used to carry uplink information for initial access by the terminal device.

[0175] For example, Figure 15 shows a schematic diagram of a first carrier and a second carrier. As shown in Figure 15, (a) the second transmission mode of the first carrier is downlink transmission, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is TDD. (b) the second transmission mode of the first carrier is downlink transmission, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is SBFD. (c) the second transmission mode of the first carrier is downlink transmission, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is IBFD.

[0176] In another possible design, when the first information is carried on a first system message and the second information is carried on a second RRC signaling message, the transmission mode of the first carrier is the transmission mode configured by the first system message, and the transmission mode of the second carrier is the transmission mode reconfigured by the second RRC signaling message. Since the transmission mode of the second carrier is configured in the RRC connected state, the second carrier cannot be used for initial access by the terminal device. In this case, the downlink and uplink information for initial access by the terminal device can be carried on the first carrier.

[0177] For example, the transmission mode of the first carrier can be downlink transmission and uplink transmission, and the second transmission mode can be, for example, TDD, SBFD, or IBFD. The transmission mode of the second carrier can be uplink transmission, downlink transmission, or uplink and downlink transmission, and the third transmission mode can be, for example, downlink transmission, uplink transmission, TDD, SBFD, or IBFD.

[0178] It should be understood that in this design, the schematic diagrams of the carriers (first carrier and second carrier) are similar to those in Figures 9 to 11 of Design 1, and will not be repeated here.

[0179] Optionally, before the network device sends the first information and the second information to the terminal device, the method further includes: the terminal device sending second capability information to the network device, the second capability information indicating the frame structure (or transmission mode) of the carriers (e.g., the first carrier and / or the second carrier) supported by the terminal device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the second capability information from the terminal device.

[0180] For example, the second capability information is used to indicate the frame structure of the first carrier supported by the terminal device, such as downlink transmission, uplink transmission, TDD, SBFD, or IBFD.

[0181] For example, the second capability information is used to indicate the frame structure of the second carrier supported by the terminal device, such as downlink transmission, uplink transmission, TDD, SBFD, or IBFD. As another example, the second capability information is used to indicate the frame structure of the first and second carriers supported by the terminal device, such as downlink transmission, uplink transmission, TDD, SBFD, or IBFD. Note that the frame structure of the first and second carriers cannot simultaneously be either uplink or downlink transmission.

[0182] Optionally, the second capability information is also used to indicate at least one set of frame structures, wherein the set of frame structures includes a first frame structure of a first carrier supported by the terminal device and a second frame structure of a corresponding second carrier, or in other words, includes a second transmission mode of a first carrier supported by the terminal device and a third transmission mode of a corresponding second carrier.

[0183] The terminal device supports a set of frame structures, such as any one of (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) shown in Figure 9, where (a) is TDD and downlink transmission, (b) is TDD and uplink transmission, (c) is TDD and TDD, (d) is TDD and SBFD, and (e) is TDD and IBFD. For example, any one of (a), (b), (c), and (d) shown in Figure 10, where (a) is SBFD and downlink transmission, (b) is SBFD and uplink transmission, (c) is SBFD and SBFD, and (d) is SBFD and TDD. For example, any one of (a), (b), (c), and (d) shown in Figure 11, where (a) is IBFD and downlink transmission, (b) is IBFD and uplink transmission, (c) is IBFD and IBFD, and (d) is IBFD and TDD. For example, any group of (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) shown in Figure 12, where (a) is downlink transmission and TDD, (b) is uplink transmission and TDD, (c) is TDD and TDD, (d) is SBFD and TDD, and (e) is IBFD and TDD. For example, any group of (a), (b), (c), and (d) shown in Figure 13, where (a) is downlink transmission and SBFD, (b) is uplink transmission and SBFD, (c) is SBFD and SBFD, and (d) is TDD and SBFD. For example, any group of (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) shown in Figure 14, where (a) is downlink transmission and IBFD, (b) is uplink transmission and IBFD, (c) is IBFD and IBFD, and (d) is TDD and IBFD. For example, any one of (a), (b), and (c) shown in Figure 15, where (a) represents downlink transmission and TDD, (b) represents downlink transmission and SBFD, and (c) represents downlink transmission and IBFD. No limitation is imposed on this.

[0184] In some embodiments, each set of frame structures or each set of transmission modes has a corresponding index value, which can be predefined. The second capability information can then be used to indicate the index value of at least one set of frame structures supported by the terminal device. In this way, the network device can use the index values ​​of at least one set of frame structures as a reference to select a set of frame structures from among the at least one set of frame structures.

[0185] Optionally, before the network device sends the first and second information to the terminal device, the method further includes: the terminal device sending third capability information to the network device, the third capability information indicating that the terminal device supports the frame structure (or transmission mode) of a reconfigurable carrier (e.g., the first carrier and / or the second carrier). Correspondingly, the network device receives the third capability information from the terminal device.

[0186] The above reconfiguration can be performed by SIB1 reconfiguration or RRC signaling reconfiguration of the frame structure of the carrier (e.g., the first carrier and / or the second carrier), without limitation.

[0187] In some embodiments, the frame structure for reconfiguring carriers (e.g., the first carrier and / or the second carrier) supported by the terminal device is predefined, or in other words, the network device assumes that the terminal device supports the frame structure for reconfiguring carriers. This is not limited.

[0188] This helps network devices to rationally plan the reconfiguration strategy of carrier resources within the cell, avoids issuing invalid reconfiguration commands to carriers that are not supported by terminal devices, and improves the accuracy and effectiveness of network resource allocation.

[0189] Optionally, the method further includes: exemplarily, the network device may send a DCI to the terminal device, wherein the DCI may indicate the carrier (e.g., a first carrier and / or a second carrier) carried by the scheduled data. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the DCI from the network device.

[0190] The data to be scheduled can be PDSCH or PUSCH, and there is no limitation on which one.

[0191] It should be understood that DCI is carried in the physical downlink channel (e.g., the physical downlink control channel, PDCCH). Therefore, network devices can send DCI to terminal devices; this can be understood as network devices sending DCI to terminal devices via the PDCCH.

[0192] When a network device needs to send downlink information to a terminal device, it can provide PDSCH scheduling information in the DCI via the PDCCH. For example, the DCI can indicate the resource allocation of the PDSCH, such as the location of the RB allocated to the PDSCH (e.g., located on the first carrier and / or the second carrier). Based on this information, the terminal device can receive and demodulate data on the specified PDSCH.

[0193] When a terminal device needs to send uplink information to a network device, the network device provides PUSCH scheduling information in the DCI of the PDCCH. For example, the DCI can indicate the resource allocation of the PUSCH, such as the location of the RB allocated to the PUSCH (e.g., located on the first carrier and / or the second carrier). Based on this information, the terminal device can receive and demodulate data on the designated PUSCH.

[0194] For example, in a DCI, there is a 1-bit indicator bit. One bit is the basic unit of a binary number and can only have two values: 0 or 1. When the indicator bit is 0, it indicates that the scheduled data is located on the first carrier; when the indicator bit is 1, it indicates that the scheduled data is located on the second carrier.

[0195] When the second transmission mode of the first carrier is uplink and downlink, the scheduled data (e.g., PDSCH or PUSCH) is located on the first carrier by default, and the indicator bit in the DCI is set to 0 by default. However, network devices can flexibly allocate the use of the two carriers according to the actual network load and service requirements. When the first carrier is congested or unsuitable for a certain type of service (e.g., certain frequency bands have high propagation loss for specific services), the network device can allocate the scheduled data (e.g., PDSCH or PUSCH) to the second carrier. For example, when the third transmission mode of the second carrier is downlink, PDSCH can be allocated to the second carrier; or when the third transmission mode of the second carrier is uplink, PUSCH can be allocated to the second carrier; or when the third transmission mode of the second carrier is downlink and uplink, PDSCH or PUSCH can be allocated to the second carrier, and the indicator bit in the DCI can be set to 1 to indicate that the data scheduled by the terminal device is carried on the second carrier.

[0196] Another example is a 2-bit indicator bit in DCI. 2 bits are the basic unit of binary numbers, consisting of two binary digits. Since each bit has two possibilities (e.g., 0 or 1), 2 bits can be combined to create 2 × 2 = 4 different states: 00, 01, 10, and 11. 00 corresponds to 0, 01 to 1, 10 to 2, and 11 to 3. When the indicator bit is 0, it indicates that the scheduled data is located on the first carrier by default; when the indicator bit is 1, it indicates that the scheduled data is located on the first carrier; when the indicator bit is 2, it indicates that the scheduled data is located on the second carrier; and when the indicator bit is 3, it indicates that the scheduled data is located on both the first and second carriers.

[0197] When the indicator position 3 in the DCI indicates that the scheduled data is located on the first carrier and the second carrier, it can be understood that the DCI indicates the BWP used to carry the scheduled data, or in other words, the DCI indicates the BWP where the scheduled data is located. The BWP includes resources on the first carrier and resources on the second carrier, and there is a frequency domain gap between the first carrier and the second carrier.

[0198] When the second transmission mode of the first carrier and the third transmission mode of the second carrier are both downlink transmissions, or both downlink and uplink transmissions, the same PDSCH can be located on the downlink resources of both the first and second carriers; when the third transmission mode of the first carrier and the third transmission mode of the second carrier are both uplink transmissions, or both downlink and uplink transmissions, the same PUSCH can be located on the uplink resources of both the first and second carriers. This approach allows for more flexible utilization of the resources of multiple carriers, improving the efficiency and reliability of data transmission.

[0199] For example, Figure 16 shows a schematic diagram of a BWP. As shown in Figure 16, the second transmission mode of the first carrier is downlink transmission, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is downlink transmission. The BWP to which the first carrier and the second carrier belong can be called a downlink BWP. There is a frequency domain interval between the first carrier and the second carrier in the downlink BWP.

[0200] In this downlink BWP, when the DCI schedules the PDSCH, resource mapping is first performed on the first carrier. This means that data is placed onto the corresponding time-frequency resources according to the resource mapping rules. For example, in the frequency domain, the PDSCH can be allocated to certain RBs on the first carrier; in the time domain, the PDSCH can be allocated according to time resources such as time slots. During resource mapping, if a frequency domain interval is encountered, resource mapping is not performed. Instead, the process shifts to the second carrier for resource mapping, continuing to place the unmapped PDSCH onto suitable time-frequency resources on the second carrier according to the resource mapping rules, ensuring that the PDSCH can be completely scheduled and transmitted. It can be seen that, as shown in Figure 16, the time domain position of the PDSCH on the first carrier is the same as its position on the second carrier, but its frequency domain position differs between the two carriers.

[0201] Optionally, the method further includes: the network device can send third information to the terminal device, the third information being used to instruct the terminal device to receive the carrier of the DCI (e.g., a first carrier and / or a second carrier). Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the third information from the network device.

[0202] In one possible scenario, the third information is used to instruct the terminal device to receive DCI on the first carrier. In other words, the third information can be used to instruct the terminal device to receive PDCCH on the downlink resources of the first carrier.

[0203] It should be understood that the above-mentioned receiving of PDCCH can be interpreted as monitoring or detecting PDCCH, etc., and is not limited thereto.

[0204] In another possible scenario, the third information is used to instruct the terminal device to receive DCI on the second carrier. In other words, the third information can be used to instruct the terminal device to receive PDCCH on the downlink resources of the second carrier.

[0205] Based on the two possible scenarios above, network devices can instruct terminal devices to receive DCI on a specific carrier (e.g., the first carrier or the second carrier) through third information, enabling network devices to perform resource scheduling more accurately.

[0206] In another possible scenario, the third information is used to instruct the terminal device to receive DCI on the first carrier and the second carrier. In other words, the third information can be used to instruct the terminal device to receive PDCCH on the downlink resources of the first carrier and the downlink resources of the second carrier.

[0207] In this possible scenario, the terminal device may receive two PDCCHs on the downlink resources of the first and second carriers. The two PDCCHs can schedule the PDSCH resources on the first and second carriers, or the two PDCCHs can schedule the PUSCH resources on the first and second carriers. No limitation is imposed on this.

[0208] In some embodiments, the terminal device receives a predefined DCI on the first carrier, or in other words, the terminal device receives a DCI on the first carrier by default.

[0209] Optionally, before the network device sends the DCI indication to the terminal device, the process may further include: the terminal device sending fourth capability information to the network device, the fourth capability information indicating that the terminal device supports carriers (e.g., a first carrier and / or a second carrier) for receiving the DCI. Correspondingly, the network device receives the fourth capability information from the terminal device.

[0210] As an example, the fourth capability information is used to indicate that the terminal device supports receiving DCI on the first carrier. In other words, the first capability information can be used to indicate that the terminal device supports receiving PDCCH on the downlink resources of the first carrier.

[0211] In another example, the first capability information is used to indicate that the terminal device supports receiving DCI on the second carrier. In other words, the first capability information can be used to indicate that the terminal device supports receiving PDCCH on the downlink resources of the second carrier.

[0212] Based on the two examples above, the terminal device indicates to the network device the carrier (first carrier or second carrier) that it supports receiving DCI. In this way, the terminal device only needs to receive DCI on the corresponding carrier's downlink resources. This reduces power consumption compared to the terminal device receiving DCI on all available carriers.

[0213] As another example, the fourth capability information is used to indicate that the terminal device supports receiving DCI on the first carrier and the second carrier. In other words, the fourth capability information can indicate that the terminal device supports receiving PDCCH on the downlink resources of the first carrier and the downlink resources of the second carrier.

[0214] When a terminal device supports receiving DCI on multiple carriers (e.g., the first carrier and the second carrier), the network device can transmit DCI on multiple carriers. Even if one of the multiple carriers experiences channel fading, interference, or other problems, the terminal device can still reliably receive DCI through other supported carriers, which helps maintain the stability of the communication link.

[0215] In this application, when the second transmission mode of the first carrier is uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission, and the third transmission mode of the second carrier is uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission, the network device needs to determine a suitable carrier for transmitting UCI and indicate the carrier that can be used to transmit UCI to the terminal device.

[0216] It should be understood that the second transmission mode of the first carrier and the third transmission mode of the second carrier cannot both be uplink transmissions at the same time, or both can both be downlink transmissions at the same time.

[0217] The UCI is carried in the physical uplink channel (e.g., PUCCH). Therefore, the network device needs to determine a suitable carrier for transmitting the UCI; this can be understood as the network device needing to determine a suitable carrier to transmit the UCI via the PUCCH.

[0218] In one approach, the network device can use semi-static configuration or dynamic indication to determine the transmission carrier of the UCI (e.g., the first carrier or the second carrier). For example, the network device can send a fourth message to the terminal device, which instructs the terminal device to transmit the UCI on the first carrier, or the fourth message instructs the terminal device to transmit the UCI on the second carrier.

[0219] Semi-static configuration allows network devices to configure a first or second carrier for terminal devices to transmit UCIs based on factors such as cell coverage and expected interference. This allows terminal devices to transmit UCIs on the indicated carrier, reducing the overhead of frequent adjustments. Dynamic instruction, on the other hand, involves network devices dynamically instructing terminal devices to transmit UCIs on the first or second carrier based on real-time network conditions and service requirements. For example, when interference or congestion occurs on one carrier, the network device can quickly instruct the terminal device to switch to another carrier to transmit UCIs. This approach better adapts to real-time network changes.

[0220] Method Two: Network devices can use semi-static configuration or dynamic indication to determine whether to transmit UCI across carriers (or frequency hopping). For example, the network device can send a fourth message to the terminal device, instructing the terminal device to transmit UCI across carriers (e.g., the first carrier and the second carrier), or instructing the terminal device not to transmit UCI across carriers (or not to frequency hopping). Not transmitting across carriers could, for example, instruct the terminal device to transmit UCI on the first carrier, or instruct the terminal device to transmit UCI on the second carrier. There are no limitations on this.

[0221] Semi-static configuration allows network devices to configure terminal devices to transmit UCIs across or without carriers based on factors such as cell coverage and expected interference. This allows terminal devices to transmit UCIs according to the specified instructions, reducing the overhead of frequent adjustments. Dynamic frequency hopping (VHF) instructs network devices to dynamically instruct terminal devices to transmit UCIs across or without carriers based on real-time network conditions such as channel fading and interference changes. This approach better adapts to real-time network changes.

[0222] For example, Figure 17 shows a schematic diagram of the PUCCH resources configured for the first and second carriers. As shown in Figure 17, the second transmission mode of the first carrier is TDD, and the first carrier includes one downlink time slot, one self-contained time slot, and one uplink time slot. The third transmission mode of the second carrier is uplink transmission, and the second carrier includes three uplink time slots, such as a first uplink time slot, a second uplink time slot, and a third uplink time slot.

[0223] The PUCCH resource can be located in the uplink time slot of the second carrier without crossing carriers. For example, if the PUCCH resource is located in the first time domain position (corresponding to the downlink time slot of the first carrier and the first uplink time slot of the second carrier) and the second time domain position (corresponding to the self-contained time slot of the first carrier and the second uplink time slot of the second carrier), both are located in the uplink time slot of the second carrier (e.g., the first uplink time slot and the second uplink time slot). The terminal device transmits UCI through the PUCCH resource in the uplink time slot (e.g., the first uplink time slot and the second uplink time slot) of the frequency bandwidth f2 of the second carrier, and transmits UCI through the PUCCH resource in the uplink time slot (e.g., the first uplink time slot and the second uplink time slot) of the frequency bandwidth f1 of the second carrier.

[0224] PUCCH resources can also be used across carriers in uplink time slots where the first and second carriers are located at the same time domain position (e.g., the third time domain position). The terminal device transmits UCI through PUCCH resources in the uplink time slot of the frequency bandwidth f0 of the first carrier, and transmits UCI through PUCCH resources across carriers in the uplink time slot of the frequency bandwidth f1 of the second carrier (e.g., the third uplink time slot).

[0225] Optionally, the terminal device may send sixth capability information to the network device, which indicates that the terminal device supports cross-carrier frequency hopping transmission of UCI. Correspondingly, the network device receives the sixth capability information from the terminal device.

[0226] When a terminal device transmits UCI via frequency hopping, it can avoid being on a carrier that may be subject to interference or have poor channel quality for an extended period. For example, if a carrier may be affected by co-channel interference from neighboring cells, by hopping to another carrier, the UCI can avoid this interference.

[0227] It should be understood that the aforementioned first capability information, second capability information, third capability information, fourth capability information, fifth capability information, and sixth capability information can be the same capability information carrying different indication information, or they can be different capability information. No limitation is imposed in this regard.

[0228] In step 830, the terminal device performs communication transmission on the first carrier.

[0229] The terminal device communicates and transmits data with the network device on the first carrier according to the second transmission mode. For example, for uplink transmission, the terminal device can encode and modulate the data to be sent (such as user-uploaded files, instant messages, etc.) according to the obtained PUSCH resource allocation on the first carrier, and then send it to the network device through the uplink of the first carrier.

[0230] Optionally, the terminal device can communicate and transmit data with the network device on the second carrier according to the third transmission mode. For example, for uplink transmission, the terminal device can also encode and modulate the data to be transmitted according to the obtained PUSCH resource allocation on the second carrier, and then transmit it to the network device through the uplink of the second carrier.

[0231] Based on the above scheme, compared to the fixed transmission mode of the first carrier (e.g., the downlink or uplink carrier of FDD), network devices can configure the transmission mode of the first carrier. For example, the first transmission mode of the first carrier can be configured as a second transmission mode. The first transmission mode can be downlink transmission and uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission, while the second transmission mode can be downlink transmission and uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission. In this way, when terminal devices have different service requirements, network devices can flexibly configure the transmission mode of the first carrier according to different service requirements (e.g., services primarily based on uplink services, or services primarily based on downlink services), which helps improve the utilization rate of resources carried on the first carrier.

[0232] It should be understood that the process shown in Figure 8 is merely an example and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this application. In other embodiments, these processes may also include more or fewer steps.

[0233] It should also be understood that the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0234] The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application has been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. The apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0235] Figures 18 and 19 are schematic block diagrams of possible communication devices provided in the embodiments of this application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the terminal device or the network device in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments.

[0236] The communication device provided in this application is shown in Figure 18. The communication device 1800 includes a communication unit 1810 and a processing unit 1820. The communication unit 1810 can be used to perform receiving or sending actions, and the processing unit 1820 can be used to perform actions other than receiving and sending, such as generating information or messages, processing received information or messages, etc.

[0237] One possible design is that the communication device 1800 is used to implement the functions of the terminal device in any of the method embodiments shown in FIG8 above. For example, the communication device may be the terminal device, or a component configured in the terminal device (such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.), or a logic module or software capable of implementing some or all of the functions of the terminal device.

[0238] For example, when the communication device 1800 is used to implement the function of the terminal device in method 800, the communication unit 1810 is used to receive first information, which is used to indicate that the transmission mode on the first carrier changes from the first transmission mode to the second transmission mode, wherein the transmission mode is: downlink transmission, uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission; the processing unit 1820 is used to perform communication transmission on the first carrier.

[0239] Optionally, the first information is carried in a first system message or a first RRC signaling.

[0240] Optionally, the first information is carried in a first system message, and the first transmission mode is predefined; or, the first information is carried in a first RRC signaling, and the first transmission mode is configured by a second system message, which precedes the first RRC signaling, or the first transmission mode is predefined.

[0241] Optionally, the communication unit 1810 is further configured to receive second information, which indicates that the transmission mode on the second carrier is a third transmission mode, wherein the transmission mode is: downlink transmission, uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission.

[0242] Optionally, when the transmission mode is a transmission mode that combines downlink and uplink transmission, the transmission mode is TDD, SBFD, or IBFD.

[0243] Optionally, the first carrier and the second carrier belong to the same cell.

[0244] Optionally, the first information and the second information are carried in a first system message, and the first carrier is used to carry downlink and uplink information for the terminal device to perform initial access; or the first carrier is used to carry downlink information for the terminal device to perform initial access, and the second carrier is used to carry uplink information for the terminal device to perform initial access; or, the first information is carried in a first system message, and the second information is carried in a second RRC signaling, the second RRC signaling is after the first system message, and the first carrier is used to carry downlink and uplink information for the terminal device to perform initial access.

[0245] Optionally, the communication unit 1810 is also used to send first capability information, which indicates that the terminal device supports configuring a first carrier for uplink transmission.

[0246] Optionally, the communication unit 1810 is also used to receive DCI, which indicates that scheduled data is carried on a first carrier and / or a second carrier.

[0247] Optionally, the DCI indicates that the scheduled data is carried on a first carrier and a second carrier, including: the DCI indicates a BWP for carrying the scheduled data, the BWP including a first carrier and a second carrier, and there is a frequency domain interval between the first carrier and the second carrier.

[0248] Optionally, the communication unit 1810 is also used to receive third information, which is used to instruct the terminal device to receive DCI on the first carrier and / or the second carrier.

[0249] Optionally, the communication unit 1810 is also used to transmit fourth capability information, which indicates that the terminal device supports receiving DCI on the first carrier and / or the second carrier.

[0250] Optionally, the communication unit 1810 is further configured to transmit second capability information, which indicates the frame structure of the first carrier supported by the terminal device, and / or the frame structure of the second carrier.

[0251] Optionally, the second capability information is used to indicate at least one set of frame structures, the set of frame structures including a first frame structure of a first carrier supported by the terminal device and a second frame structure of a corresponding second carrier.

[0252] Optionally, the communication unit 1810 is also used to transmit third capability information, which indicates that the terminal device supports reconfiguration of the frame structure of the first carrier and / or the frame structure of the second carrier.

[0253] Optionally, the communication unit 1810 is also configured to receive fourth information, which instructs the terminal device to transmit UCI on the first carrier and / or the second carrier.

[0254] Optionally, the first information includes information configuring the first frequency band to which the first carrier belongs, and the second information includes information configuring the second frequency band to which the second carrier belongs.

[0255] Another possible design is that the communication device 1800 is used to implement the functions of the network device in any of the method embodiments shown in FIG8 above. For example, the communication device can be a network device, a component configured in the network device (such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.), or a logic module or software capable of implementing some or all of the functions of the network device.

[0256] For example, when the communication device 1800 is used to implement the function of the network device in method 800, the processing unit 1820 is used to generate first information, the first information is used to indicate that the transmission mode on the first carrier changes from a first transmission mode to a second transmission mode, the second transmission mode being one of the following: downlink transmission, uplink transmission, downlink transmission and uplink transmission; the communication unit 1810 is used to send the first information.

[0257] Optionally, the first information is carried in a first system message or a first RRC signaling.

[0258] Optionally, the first information is carried in a first system message, and the first transmission mode is predefined; or, the first information is carried in a first RRC signaling, and the first transmission mode is configured by a second system message, which precedes the first RRC signaling, or the first transmission mode is predefined.

[0259] Optionally, the communication unit 1810 is further configured to transmit second information, which indicates that the transmission mode on the second carrier is a third transmission mode, wherein the transmission mode is: downlink transmission, uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission.

[0260] Optionally, when the transmission mode is a transmission mode that combines downlink and uplink transmission, the transmission mode is TDD, SBFD, or IBFD.

[0261] Optionally, the first carrier and the second carrier belong to the same cell.

[0262] Optionally, the first information and the second information are carried in a first system message, and the first carrier is used to carry downlink and uplink information for the terminal device to perform initial access; or the first carrier is used to carry downlink information for the terminal device to perform initial access, and the second carrier is used to carry uplink information for the terminal device to perform initial access; or, the first information is carried in a first system message, and the second information is carried in a second RRC signaling, the second RRC signaling is after the first system message, and the first carrier is used to carry downlink and uplink information for the terminal device to perform initial access.

[0263] Optionally, the communication unit 1810 is also configured to receive first capability information, which indicates that the terminal device supports configuring a first carrier for uplink transmission.

[0264] Optionally, the communication unit 1810 is also used to transmit a DCI, which indicates that scheduled data is carried on a first carrier and / or a second carrier.

[0265] Optionally, the DCI indicates that the scheduled data is carried on a first carrier and a second carrier, including: the DCI indicates a BWP for carrying the scheduled data, the BWP including a first carrier and a second carrier, and there is a frequency domain interval between the first carrier and the second carrier.

[0266] Optionally, the communication unit 1810 is also used to transmit third information, which is used to instruct the terminal device to receive DCI on the first carrier and / or the second carrier.

[0267] Optionally, the communication unit 1810 is also configured to receive fourth capability information, which indicates that the terminal device supports receiving DCI on the first carrier and / or the second carrier.

[0268] Optionally, the communication unit 1810 is further configured to receive second capability information, which indicates the frame structure of the first carrier supported by the terminal device, and / or the frame structure of the second carrier.

[0269] Optionally, the second capability information is used to indicate at least one set of frame structures, the set of frame structures including a first frame structure of a first carrier supported by the terminal device and a second frame structure of a corresponding second carrier.

[0270] Optionally, the communication unit 1810 is also configured to receive third capability information, which indicates that the terminal device supports reconfiguration of the frame structure of the first carrier and / or the frame structure of the second carrier.

[0271] Optionally, the communication unit 1810 is also used to transmit fourth information, which instructs the terminal device to transmit UCI on the first carrier and / or the second carrier.

[0272] Optionally, the first information includes information configuring the first frequency band to which the first carrier belongs, and the second information includes information configuring the second frequency band to which the second carrier belongs.

[0273] When the communication device 1900 is used to implement the method in the embodiment shown in FIG8, the processor 1910 is used to execute the functions of the processing unit, and the interface circuit 1920 is used to execute the functions of the receiving unit and / or the transmitting unit. Whether the interface circuit 1920 is used for transmitting or receiving depends on whether the communication device 1900 is used to perform a transmitting or receiving action in the scheme it executes.

[0274] It is understood that when the communication device 1900 is a communication device (e.g., a terminal or network device), the interface circuit 1920 can be a transceiver, specifically including a transmitter and a receiver, with the transmitter used to send signals and the receiver used to receive signals. When the communication device 1900 is a chip used in a communication device, the interface circuit 1920 can be an input / output circuit, a bus, a module, a pin, or other type of communication interface, wherein the input circuit in the input / output circuit can be used for receiving, and the output interface can be used for sending.

[0275] It should be understood that in the communication device 1900 shown in FIG19, the processor 1910 may correspond to the processing unit 1820 in the aforementioned communication device 1900, and the interface circuit 1920 may correspond to the communication unit 1810 in the aforementioned communication device 1800.

[0276] It should also be understood that the coupling in the embodiments of this application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information interaction between devices, units, or modules. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific connection medium between the at least one processor 1910, at least one memory 1920, interface circuit 1930, and power supply circuit 1940. In Figure 19, the embodiments of this application show the processor 1910, memory 1920, interface circuit 1930, and power supply circuit 1940 connected via a bus 1970. The bus 1950 is represented by a thick line in Figure 19. The connection methods between other components are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting. The bus can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in Figure 19, but this does not indicate that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0277] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0278] The memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory used in the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0279] This application also provides a communication system, which includes the aforementioned network equipment and terminal equipment.

[0280] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes: a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions), which, when run, causes a computer to perform a method executed by a terminal or a method executed by a network device in the embodiment shown in FIG8.

[0281] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions). When the computer program is run, it causes the computer to perform the method executed by the terminal device and the method executed by the network device in the embodiment shown in FIG8.

[0282] The terms “unit”, “module”, etc., used in this specification may be used to refer to computer-related entities, hardware, firmware, combinations of hardware and software, software, or software in execution.

[0283] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application. In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus, devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for example, the division of units is merely 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 shown or discussed mutual couplings or direct couplings or communication connections may be through some interfaces; indirect couplings or communication connections between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0284] The unit described as a separate component may or may not be physically separate. The component shown as a unit may or may not be a physical unit; that is, it 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.

[0285] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0286] In the above embodiments, the functions of each functional unit can be implemented entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer instructions (programs). When the computer program instructions (programs) are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

[0287] If this function 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 technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods of 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.

[0288] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive first information, the first information being used to indicate that the transmission mode on the first carrier changes from a first transmission mode to a second transmission mode, the transmission mode being: downlink transmission, uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission; Communication transmission is performed on the first carrier.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first information is carried in a first system message or a first radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first information is carried in the first system message, and the first transmission mode is predefined; or, The first information is carried in the first RRC signaling, the first transmission mode is configured by the second system message, the second system message precedes the first RRC signaling, or the first transmission mode is predefined.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive second information, the second information being used to indicate that the transmission mode on the second carrier is a third transmission mode, the transmission mode being: downlink transmission, uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, When the transmission mode is a downlink transmission and uplink transmission mode, the transmission mode is Time Division Duplex (TDD), Subband Full Duplex (SBFD), or In-Band Full Duplex (IBFD).

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The first carrier and the second carrier belong to the same cell.

7. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that, The first information and the second information are carried in the first system message. The first carrier is used to carry downlink information and uplink information for the initial access of the terminal device, or the first carrier is used to carry downlink information for the initial access of the terminal device, and the second carrier is used to carry uplink information for the initial access of the terminal device. or, The first information is carried in the first system message, the second information is carried in the second RRC signaling, the second RRC signaling follows the first system message, and the first carrier is used to carry downlink and uplink information for the terminal device to perform initial access.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The first transmission mode is downlink transmission, and the method further includes: Send first capability information, which indicates that the terminal device supports configuring the first carrier for uplink transmission.

9. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Generate first information, which indicates that the transmission mode on the first carrier changes from a first transmission mode to a second transmission mode, wherein the transmission mode is: downlink transmission, uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission; and send the first information.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first information is carried in a first system message or a first RRC signaling.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first information is carried in the first system message, and the first transmission mode is predefined; or, The first information is carried in the first RRC signaling, the first transmission mode is configured by the second system message, the second system message precedes the first RRC signaling, or the first transmission mode is predefined.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second message, which indicates that the transmission mode on the second carrier is a third transmission mode, wherein the transmission mode is: downlink transmission, uplink transmission, or downlink transmission and uplink transmission.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that, When the transmission mode is a downlink transmission and an uplink transmission mode, the transmission mode is TDD, SBFD, or IBFD.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The first carrier and the second carrier belong to the same cell.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that, The first information and the second information are carried in the first system message. The first carrier is used to carry downlink information and uplink information for the initial access of the terminal device, or the first carrier is used to carry downlink information for the initial access of the terminal device, and the second carrier is used to carry uplink information for the initial access of the terminal device. or, The first information is carried in the first system message, the second information is carried in the second RRC signaling, the second RRC signaling follows the first system message, and the first carrier is used to carry downlink and uplink information for the terminal device to perform initial access.

16. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that, The first transmission mode is downlink transmission, and the method further includes: The terminal device receives first capability information, which indicates that it supports configuring the first carrier for uplink transmission.

17. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a unit for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or a unit for performing the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 16.

18. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes one or more processors, which are configured to execute computer programs or instructions in memory to cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or to cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 16.

19. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by a processor, it causes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8 to be performed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 16 to be performed.

20. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes a computer program that, when run, causes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8 to be performed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 16 to be performed.

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