Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method comprises: after acquiring MPCs, a first apparatus sends to a second apparatus some MPCs of the MPCs, i.e. a first type of MPCs, and further sends to the second apparatus the remaining MPCs of the MPCs, i.e. a second type of MPCs, the first type of MPCs and the second type of MPCs being used for determining channel information in light of a combination mode of the first type of MPCs and the second type of MPCs. Compared with directly sending whole MPCs, reporting a first type of MPCs and a second type of MPCs, and designing a combination mode of the first type of MPCs and the second type of MPCs, the present application can not only implement channel information feedback, but also reduce channel information feedback overheads.

Description

Communication methods and communication devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411950633.9, filed on December 26, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Communication Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] In communication systems, reference signals are transmitted between the transmitting and receiving ends to send and receive data, obtain system synchronization, and provide feedback channel information. For example, the transmitting end sends a reference signal to the receiving end, which receives the reference signal and can then estimate channel information based on it, and provide feedback channel information, such as channel state information (CSI).

[0004] In existing technologies, CSI feedback codebooks mainly include the following types: Type I codebook, Type II codebook, and Enhanced Type II (eType II) codebook. Type I codebooks use a feedback method based on the feedback codebook index, while eType II and Type II codebooks use a feedback method based on both the feedback codebook index and quantization coefficients. As the number of antennas and bandwidth increase, the overhead of these feedback methods increases exponentially. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and a communication device that can reduce the feedback overhead of channel information.

[0006] Firstly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a communication device. This communication device can be a terminal device, or a component for a terminal device (such as a chip or circuit, which can be a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) or system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem core, etc.), or a logic module or software capable of implementing some or all of the functions of the terminal device, etc.; alternatively, the communication device can be a network device, or a component for a network device (such as a chip, chip system, or circuit), or a logic module or software capable of implementing some or all of the functions of the network device, etc., and this application does not limit this.

[0007] The method may include: transmitting a first type of multipath component (MPC); transmitting a second type of MPC, wherein the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC are used to determine channel information by combining the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC.

[0008] Based on the above technical solution, taking a terminal device as an example, the terminal device can send a first type of multipath component (MPC) and a second type of MPC. These first and second types of MPC can be combined to jointly determine a complete MPC, i.e., to determine the channel information. Compared to directly sending a complete MPC, reporting the first and second types of MPC and designing their combination not only enables channel information feedback but also reduces the feedback overhead.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the sending period of the first type of MPC is shorter than the sending period of the second type of MPC.

[0010] Based on the above technical solution, the sending cycle of the first type of MPC can be designed to be different from that of the second type of MPC. In this way, when sending the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC periodically, the overhead caused by sending the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC every time can be reduced.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the combination of the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC is any one of the following: a second type of MPC and at least one first type of MPC form a combination, wherein the at least one first type of MPC is a first type of MPC within a first time period, and the start or end time unit of the first time period is the time unit occupied by the one second type of MPC; W first type of MPCs and one second type of MPC form a combination, wherein the one second type of MPC is the first second type of MPC preceding the W first type of MPCs, or, the one second type of MPC is the first second type of MPC following the W first type of MPCs, where W is an integer greater than or equal to 1; N1 consecutive first type of MPCs and N2 consecutive second type of MPCs form a combination, where N1 and N2 are integers greater than or equal to 1; a second time period consisting of first type of MPCs and second type of MPCs forming a combination, wherein the length of the second time period is greater than the length of the transmission period of the first type of MPC, and the length of the second time period is greater than the length of the transmission period of the second type of MPC.

[0012] Based on the above technical solution, the combination of Type I MPC and Type II MPC can be flexibly designed. This not only enables channel information feedback but also allows for flexible selection of appropriate combination methods based on actual communication conditions, such as the configuration of Type I and Type II MPCs. For example, if a network device needs to quickly acquire channel information, it can choose a combination of W Type I MPCs and one Type II MPC. That is, based on the time unit occupied by the Type I MPC, a Type II MPC before or after that time unit is selected to jointly determine the channel information.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending first indication information, the first indication information indicating a supported combination of the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC.

[0014] Based on the above technical solutions, the terminal device can recommend a suitable combination to the network device, so that the combination determined by the network device can match the actual capabilities of the terminal device.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC satisfy at least one of the following: the first type of MPC includes MPCs with R1 paths, the second type of MPC includes MPCs with R2 paths, wherein the R1 paths include at least one path different from the R2 paths, and R1 and R2 are integers greater than or equal to 1; the first type of MPC includes P1 type MPCs, the second type of MPC includes P2 type MPCs, wherein the P1 type MPC includes at least one type of MPC different from the P2 type MPCs, and P1 and P2 are integers greater than or equal to 1; the first type of MPC includes MPCs with Y1 channels, the second type of MPC includes MPCs with Y2 channels, wherein the Y1 channels include at least one channel different from the Y2 channels, and Y1 and Y2 are integers greater than or equal to 1.

[0016] Based on the above technical solutions, the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC can be divided according to the path, or according to the MPC type, or according to the channel. This not only enables the feedback of channel information, but also allows for the transmission of more important MPC information (such as MPC for weak paths, or high-priority MPC) based on short cycles to improve the accuracy of the fed-in MPC.

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first type of MPC includes MPC with a first path, and the second type of MPC includes MPC with a second path, wherein the first path and the second path satisfy at least one of the following: the strength of the first path is less than the strength of the second path; the strength of the first path is less than a first threshold; the strength of the second path is greater than a second threshold; the delay of the first path is greater than the delay of the second path; the delay of the first path is greater than a third threshold; and the delay of the second path is less than a fourth threshold.

[0018] Based on the above technical solution, the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC can be divided according to the path, and the MPC with a partial path can be designed as the first type of MPC and the MPC with a partial path as the second type of MPC. In this way, the cycle of the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC can be designed according to the characteristics of the path, which can improve the accuracy of MPC and reduce feedback overhead.

[0019] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving second indication information, the second indication information indicating the number of paths contained in the first path and / or the number of paths contained in the second path.

[0020] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the MPC type of the first type of MPC has a higher priority than the MPC type of the second type of MPC.

[0021] Based on the above technical solution, the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC can be divided according to MPC type, and the priority of the first type of MPC can be designed to be higher than that of the second type of MPC. This allows for a shorter transmission cycle for the first type of MPC compared to the second type of MPC. This can improve the accuracy of MPC and reduce feedback overhead.

[0022] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first type of MPC includes an MPC with a first channel and the second type of MPC includes an MPC with a second channel, wherein the first channel is a channel between a first communication device and a configurable smart surface RIS device, and the second channel is a channel between the RIS device and a second communication device.

[0023] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending capability information, the capability information indicating supported MPC configurations, the MPC configurations including the configurations of the first type of MPC and the configurations of the second type of MPC.

[0024] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving third indication information, the third indication information indicating at least one of the following: the transmission period of the first type of MPC, the transmission period of the second type of MPC, the resources occupied by the first type of MPC, the resources occupied by the second type of MPC, the MPC type of the first type of MPC, and the MPC type of the second type of MPC.

[0025] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a communication device. This communication device can be a network device, or a component for a network device (such as a chip, chip system, or circuit), or a logic module or software capable of implementing some or all of the functions of a network device, etc.; alternatively, the communication device can be a terminal device, or a component for a terminal device (such as a chip or circuit, which can be a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC or SIP chip containing a modem core, etc.), or a logic module or software capable of implementing some or all of the functions of a terminal device, etc., and this application does not limit this.

[0026] The method may include: receiving a first type of multipath component (MPC); receiving a second type of MPC, wherein the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC are used to determine channel information by combining the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC.

[0027] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the transmission period of the first type of MPC is shorter than the transmission period of the second type of MPC.

[0028] In conjunction with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the combination of the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC is any one of the following: a second type of MPC and at least one first type of MPC form a combination, wherein the at least one first type of MPC is a first type of MPC within a first time period, and the start or end time unit of the first time period is the time unit occupied by the one second type of MPC; W first type of MPCs and one second type of MPC form a combination, wherein the one second type of MPC is the first second type of MPC preceding the W first type of MPCs, or, the one second type of MPC is the first second type of MPC following the W first type of MPCs, where W is an integer greater than or equal to 1; N1 consecutive first type of MPCs and N2 consecutive second type of MPCs form a combination, where N1 and N2 are integers greater than or equal to 1; a second time period consisting of first type of MPCs and second type of MPCs forming a combination, wherein the length of the second time period is greater than the length of the transmission period of the first type of MPC, and the length of the second time period is greater than the length of the transmission period of the second type of MPC.

[0029] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the combination of the first MPC and the second MPC is as follows: a combination of one second-type MPC and at least one first-type MPC, and the method further includes: determining channel information based on one second MPC and at least one first MPC; or, the combination of the first MPC and the second MPC is as follows: a combination of W first-type MPCs and one second-type MPC, and the method further includes: determining channel information based on W first-type MPCs and one second-type MPC; or, the combination of the first MPC and the second MPC is as follows: a combination of N1 consecutive first-type MPCs and N2 consecutive second-type MPCs, and the method further includes: determining channel information based on N1 consecutive first-type MPCs and N2 consecutive second-type MPCs; or, the combination of the first MPC and the second MPC is as follows: a combination of first-type MPCs and second-type MPCs in a second time period, and the method further includes: determining channel information based on first-type MPCs and second-type MPCs in the second time period.

[0030] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving first indication information, the first indication information indicating a supported combination of the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC.

[0031] In conjunction with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC satisfy at least one of the following: the first type of MPC includes MPCs with R1 paths, the second type of MPC includes MPCs with R2 paths, wherein the R1 paths include at least one path different from the R2 paths, and R1 and R2 are integers greater than or equal to 1; the first type of MPC includes P1 type MPCs, the second type of MPC includes P2 type MPCs, wherein the P1 type MPC includes at least one type of MPC different from the P2 type MPCs, and P1 and P2 are integers greater than or equal to 1; the first type of MPC includes MPCs with Y1 channels, the second type of MPC includes MPCs with Y2 channels, wherein the Y1 channels include at least one channel different from the Y2 channels, and Y1 and Y2 are integers greater than or equal to 1.

[0032] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first type of MPC includes MPC with a first path, and the second type of MPC includes MPC with a second path, wherein the first path and the second path satisfy at least one of the following: the strength of the first path is less than the strength of the second path; the strength of the first path is less than a first threshold; the strength of the second path is greater than a second threshold; the delay of the first path is greater than the delay of the second path; the delay of the first path is greater than a third threshold; and the delay of the second path is less than a fourth threshold.

[0033] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending second indication information, the second indication information indicating the number of paths contained in the first path and / or the number of paths contained in the second path.

[0034] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the MPC type of the first type of MPC has a higher priority than the MPC type of the second type of MPC.

[0035] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first type of MPC includes an MPC with a first channel and the second type of MPC includes an MPC with a second channel, wherein the first channel is a channel between a first communication device and a configurable smart surface RIS device, and the second channel is a channel between the RIS device and a second communication device.

[0036] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving capability information, the capability information indicating supported MPC configurations, the MPC configurations including the configurations of the first type of MPC and the configurations of the second type of MPC.

[0037] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending third indication information, the third indication information indicating at least one of the following: the sending period of the first type of MPC, the sending period of the second type of MPC, the resources occupied by the first type of MPC, the resources occupied by the second type of MPC, the MPC type of the first type of MPC, and the MPC type of the second type of MPC.

[0038] Regarding the beneficial effects not described in detail in the second aspect, please refer to the relevant description in the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0039] Thirdly, a communication apparatus is provided for performing the method in any possible implementation of the first or second aspect described above. Specifically, the apparatus may include units and / or modules for performing the method in any possible implementation of the first or second aspect, such as processing units and / or communication units.

[0040] In one implementation, the device is a communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device). When the device is a communication device, the communication unit can be a transceiver or an input / output interface; the processing unit can be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0041] In another implementation, the device is a chip, chip system, or circuit for communication equipment (such as terminal equipment or network equipment). When the device is a chip, chip system, or circuit for communication equipment, the communication unit can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip, chip system, or circuit; the processing unit can be at least one processor, processing circuit, or logic circuit.

[0042] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, comprising: at least one processor for executing a computer program or instructions stored in a memory to perform the method in any possible implementation of the first or second aspect described above. Optionally, the device further comprises a memory for storing the computer program or instructions; correspondingly, at least one processor is configured to execute the computer program or instructions in the memory. Optionally, the device further comprises a communication interface coupled to the processor, which can be used to input information to the processor or output information from the processor. Optionally, the processor reads the computer program or instructions from the memory through the communication interface.

[0043] In one implementation, the device is a communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device).

[0044] In another implementation, the device is a chip, chip system, or circuit for communication equipment (such as terminal equipment or network equipment).

[0045] Fifthly, a processor is provided for performing the methods provided in the first or second aspect above.

[0046] Unless otherwise specified, or if it does not contradict its actual function or internal logic in the relevant description, the transmission and acquisition / reception operations involved in the processor can be understood as processor output and reception, input and other operations, or as transmission and reception operations performed by radio frequency circuits and antennas. This application does not limit them in this regard.

[0047] In a sixth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program or instructions are stored, which, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method in any possible implementation of the first or second aspect described above.

[0048] A seventh aspect provides a computer program product comprising a computer program or instructions for performing the methods of any possible implementation of the first or second aspect described above. In other words, when the computer program product is run on a computer, it causes the computer to perform the methods of any possible implementation of the first or second aspect described above.

[0049] Eighthly, a chip is provided, the chip including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the processor reads instructions from a memory through the communication interface and executes the method provided by any of the above implementations of the first or second aspect.

[0050] Optionally, as one implementation, the chip further includes a memory storing computer programs or instructions, and a processor for executing the computer programs or instructions in the memory. When the computer programs or instructions are executed, the processor is used to perform the method provided by any of the above implementations of the first or second aspect.

[0051] A ninth aspect provides a communication system, including a first communication device and a second communication device. The first communication device is used to perform the method provided as in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof, and the second communication device is used to perform the method provided as in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Attached Figure Description

[0052] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application.

[0053] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of another wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application.

[0054] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an ORAN system applicable to an embodiment of this application.

[0055] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an access network device applicable to an embodiment of this application.

[0056] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 500 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0057] Figures 6 to 13 are schematic diagrams of the combination methods provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0058] Figures 14 to 16 are schematic diagrams of the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0059] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 1700 applicable to an embodiment of this application.

[0060] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of a communication device 1800 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0061] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of another communication device 1900 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0062] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of a chip system 2000 provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0063] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0064] Before introducing the scheme of this application, the following points should be noted.

[0065] (1) In this application, "instruction" can include direct instruction, indirect instruction, explicit instruction, implicit instruction, etc. When describing a certain instruction information as being used to instruct A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, carries the identifier of A, carries B which is associated with A, carries the identifier of B which is associated with A, etc. In other words, if the receiving side of a certain instruction information can determine A based on the instruction information, it can be described as the instruction information being used to instruct A, and the specific method of determination is not limited. When it is understood that the instruction information carries A, "instruction" or "used to instruct" can be replaced with "includes". In this case, a statement similar to "sending / receiving instruction information, the instruction information being used to instruct A" can be replaced with "sending / receiving A".

[0066] In this application, the information indicated by the instruction information is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementations, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly indicate the information to be instructed by indicating other information, where there is a relationship between the other information and the information to be instructed. It can also indicate only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement of various pieces of information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent. Furthermore, the information to be instructed can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information pieces, and the sending period and / or timing of these sub-information pieces can be the same or different.

[0067] (2) In this application, the expression " / " is used to indicate that the objects before and after are in an "or" relationship; for example, A / B can mean: A or B. The expression "and / or" is used to indicate that the objects before and after are in a relationship of either "and" or "or"; for example, A and / or B can mean the following: A exists alone, B exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be single or multiple. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions are used to indicate any combination of the listed items; for example, at least one of A, B and / or C can mean the following: A exists alone, B exists alone, C exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, B and C exist simultaneously, A and C exist simultaneously, A, B and C exist simultaneously, where A, B, and C can be single or multiple.

[0068] (3) In this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which may include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission by other units or modules via the air interface. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which may include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY by other units or modules via the air interface. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between network devices and terminal devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0069] (4) In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0070] (5) In this application, "first," "second," and "#1," "#2," and "#A" are merely for descriptive convenience and are used to distinguish objects, and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. They are not used to describe the order or sequence of features. It should be understood that such described objects can be interchanged where appropriate in order to describe solutions other than those in the embodiments of this application.

[0071] (6) In this application, "predefined" can mean a standard protocol predefined, or it can mean a pre-agreed or pre-negotiated agreement between devices. Here, "protocol" can refer to a standard protocol in the field of communications, for example, it may include fourth-generation (4G) protocols. th Generation 4G network, fifth generation (5G) network th This application does not limit the scope to network protocols such as 5G (generation, 5G), New Radio (NR), 5.5G, and related protocols applied in future communication networks.

[0072] (7) In this application, the words “exemplary,” “for example,” etc., are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as an “example” in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of the word “example” is intended to present the concept in a concrete manner. In the embodiments of this application, “of,” “corresponding, relevant,” and “corresponding” may sometimes be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent unless their distinction is emphasized.

[0073] (8) In this application, “reporting”, “feedback” and “sending” can sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when the distinction is not emphasized, they have the same meaning.

[0074] First, let me introduce the communication system to which this application applies.

[0075] The technical solution provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as 5th generation (5G) or new radio (NR) systems, frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, and time division duplex (TDD) systems. The technical solution provided in this application can also be applied to 6th generation (6G) systems. th 6G (6G generation, or 6G radio, 6GR) systems and future communication networks. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), and Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems such as inter-satellite communication and satellite communication.

[0076] As an example, a satellite communication system includes a satellite base station and terminal equipment. The satellite base station provides communication services to the terminal equipment. Satellite base stations can also communicate with each other. A satellite can act as a base station or as a terminal device. Here, "satellite" can refer to drones, hot air balloons, low-Earth orbit satellites, medium-Earth orbit satellites, high-Earth orbit satellites, etc. "Satellite" can also refer to non-terrestrial base stations or non-terrestrial equipment.

[0077] As an example, V2X communication can include: vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication, and vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication.

[0078] In a communication system, a device can send signals to or receive signals from another device. These signals can include information, signaling, or data. The device can also be replaced by an entity, network entity, communication equipment, communication module, node, communication node, etc. This application uses a device as an example for description.

[0079] The terminal device in this application embodiment can be a device or module that accesses the aforementioned communication system and has corresponding communication functions. The terminal device can include various devices with wireless communication capabilities, which can be used to connect people, objects, machines, etc. The terminal device can be widely applied in various scenarios, such as: cellular communication, D2D, V2X, peer-to-peer, M2M, MTC, IoT, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, drones, robots, remote sensing, passive sensing, positioning, navigation and tracking, autonomous delivery, etc. The terminal device can be a terminal in any of the above scenarios, such as an MTC terminal, an IoT terminal, etc. Terminal equipment can be user equipment (UE), terminal, fixed equipment, mobile station equipment or mobile equipment, subscriber unit, handheld device, vehicle-mounted equipment, wearable device, cellular phone, smartphone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless data card, personal digital assistant (PDA), computer, tablet computer, laptop computer, wireless modem, handset, laptop computer, computer with wireless transceiver capability, smart book, vehicle, satellite, global positioning system (GPS) device, target tracking device, aircraft (e.g., drone, helicopter, multiple helicopters, four helicopters, or airplanes), ship, remote control device, smart home device, industrial equipment, transportation vehicle with wireless communication capability, communication module, or roadside unit with terminal function, all conforming to the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) standard. The device may be a wireless communication unit (RSU), or a device built into the aforementioned device (e.g., a communication module, modem, or chip in the aforementioned device), or other processing devices connected to the wireless modem.

[0080] It should be understood that in certain scenarios, a UE can also be used as a base station. For example, a UE can act as a scheduling entity, providing sidelink signaling between UEs in scenarios such as V2X, D2D, or end-to-end.

[0081] In this embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of a terminal device, i.e., the terminal device, can be the terminal device itself, or it can be any device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system, chip, circuit, or communication module (i.e., a communication module that performs communication functions). This device can be installed in the terminal device. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices. Furthermore, the device can also be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions.

[0082] The network device in this application embodiment can be a device or module with corresponding communication functions. The network device can be a device used to communicate with terminal devices; it 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), transmitter, master station, auxiliary station, multiple 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), positioning node, etc. A base station can be a macro base station, micro base station, relay node, donor node, or similar, or a combination thereof. A base station can also refer to a communication module, modem, or chip installed within the aforementioned equipment or apparatus. A base station can also be a mobile switching center, a device that performs base station functions in D2D, V2X, and M2M communications, or a device that performs base station functions in future communication systems. A base station can support networks using the same or different access technologies. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the network equipment.

[0083] Base stations can be fixed or mobile. For example, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a mobile base station, and one or more cells can move depending on the location of the mobile base station. In other examples, a helicopter or drone can be configured as a device to communicate with another base station.

[0084] In some deployments, the network devices mentioned in the embodiments of this application may be devices including CU, or DU, or devices including 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.

[0085] In some deployments, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminal devices 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 radio units (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 equipment or radio units, such as RRUs, AAUs, or RRHs.

[0086] 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, a radio access network can also be an open radio access network (O-RAN or ORAN) architecture. In an O-RAN system, CU can also be called an open CU (open CU, O-CU), DU can also be called an open DU (open DU, O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called an open RU (open RU, 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.

[0087] In this embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of a network device can be a network device itself, or a device capable of supporting the network device in implementing those functions, such as a chip system, chip, circuit, or communication module (i.e., a communication module that performs communication functions). This device can be installed within the network device. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices. Furthermore, the device can be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions. This embodiment only uses a network device as an example to illustrate the device for implementing the functions of a network device, and does not limit the solution of this embodiment.

[0088] Network devices and terminal devices can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on airplanes, balloons, and satellites. This application does not limit the scenario in which the network devices and terminal devices are located.

[0089] Referring to Figure 1, as an example, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the wireless communication system includes a wireless access network 100. The wireless access network 100 can be a next-generation (e.g., 6G, or future or higher) wireless access network, or a traditional (e.g., 5G, 4G, 3G, or 2G) wireless access network. One or more terminal devices (120a-120j, collectively referred to as 120) can be interconnected or connected to one or more network devices (110a, 110b, collectively referred to as 110) in the wireless access network 100. Network elements in the wireless communication system are connected through interfaces (e.g., NG, Xn) or air interfaces.

[0090] When network devices and terminal devices communicate, the network device can manage one or more cells, and a cell can include at least one terminal device. A cell can be understood as an area within the wireless signal coverage range of the network device.

[0091] Figure 1 is just a schematic diagram. The wireless communication system may also include other devices, such as core network devices, wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1.

[0092] Referring to Figure 2, as an example, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of another wireless communication system applicable to embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 2, the wireless communication system includes at least one network device, such as network device 210 shown in Figure 2, and may also include at least one terminal device, such as terminal device 220 shown in Figure 2. Both the network device and the terminal device can be configured with multiple antennas, and the network device and the terminal device can communicate using multi-antenna technology. The wireless communication system also includes a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) 230. The RIS can be used to assist communication between devices, such as between a network device and a terminal device. For example, if the transmitting end (such as a network device or a terminal device) and the receiving end (such as a network device or a terminal device) cannot communicate directly, or the signal is weak when communicating directly, such as when there is an obstacle blocking the transmission between the transmitting end and the receiving end, communication can be achieved through the RIS.

[0093] RIS, also known as an intelligent reflective surface (IRS) or large intelligent surface (LIS), will be used as the example below for simplicity. RIS is a subwavelength-scale artificial two-dimensional material, typically composed of metals, dielectrics, and tunable elements, and can be equivalently characterized as a radio link control (RLC) circuit. By adjusting the physical properties of the electromagnetic units, such as capacitive reactance, impedance, or inductive reactance, the radiation characteristics of the RIS can be altered, enabling unconventional physical phenomena such as irregular reflection, negative refraction, absorption, focusing, and polarization conversion, thereby dynamically controlling electromagnetic waves. RIS can generate the required electromagnetic behavior for each electromagnetic unit by controlling the bias voltage of varactor diodes, PIN switches, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) switches, liquid crystals, graphene, etc.

[0094] The RIS can be considered a reflective panel, which is a smart panel comprising multiple antenna elements 231 (referred to as elements). At least one element can act as a passive reflector. By flexibly configuring the parameters of each element (such as amplitude and / or phase), the fading of the wireless channel can be controlled, and a desired directional beam can be formed. The RIS can be installed in various environments, such as on large flat surfaces (e.g., indoor walls or ceilings, outdoor buildings or signs), to reflect radio frequency (RF) energy around obstacles and create a virtual line-of-sight (LoS) propagation path between the communication source and the target.

[0095] The above description of RIS is merely illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, while the following embodiments primarily use RIS as an example, any device or apparatus capable of implementing the functions of RIS is applicable to the embodiments of this application.

[0096] Figures 1 and 2 above are only schematic diagrams. The wireless communication system may also include other devices, such as core network devices, wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices, as well as a greater number of network devices, terminal devices, etc., which are not shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0097] Referring to Figure 3, as an example, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another wireless communication system applicable to embodiments of this application. As an example, this communication system may also be referred to as an ORAN system. This communication system may include a core network, access network equipment, and a UE. As an example, this communication system may also include other components besides those shown in Figure 3; specific details are not limited in this application.

[0098] Access network equipment can communicate with the core network (CN) via a backhaul link. Access network equipment can also communicate with the UE via an air interface. Specifically, the BBU in the access network equipment communicates with the core network via a backhaul link. The RU in the access network equipment communicates with at least one UE via an air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU via a fronthaul link; the BBU and RU may or may not be co-located. A BBU includes at least one CU and at least one DU, and the CU and DU can communicate via at least one midhaul link.

[0099] Referring to Figure 4, as an example, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an access network device applicable to an embodiment of this application.

[0100] Optionally, the access network equipment includes a CU. The CU is a logical node that carries the radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and other control functions of the access network equipment. The CU can connect to network nodes such as the core network through interfaces, such as the E2 interface. The CU may have some core network functions. The CU (e.g., the PDCP layer and / or higher layers of the CU) connects to the DU (e.g., the radio link control (RLC) layer and lower layers of the DU) through interfaces, such as the F1 interface. Optionally, the F1 interface can provide control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane) functions (e.g., interface management, system information management, UE context management, RRC message transmission, etc.). F1AP is the application protocol of the F1 interface, defining the signaling procedures of F1 in some examples. The F1 interface supports control plane F1-C and user plane F1-U.

[0101] As an example, a CU includes CU-CP and CU-UP. CU-CP is a logical node carrying the control plane (PDCP-C) layer, which carries the RRC layer and the Packet Data Convergence Protocol layer, and is used to implement the CU's control plane functions. CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement control plane functions. These network elements in the core network can be access and mobility function (AMF) network elements, such as the access and mobility management function (AMF) in a 5G system. The AMF network element is responsible for mobility management in the mobile network, such as terminal device location updates, terminal device registration with the network, and terminal device handover. CU-UP is a logical node carrying the user plane (PDCP-U) layer, which carries the SDAP layer and the Packet Data Convergence Protocol layer, and is used to implement the CU's user plane functions. CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement user plane functions. These network elements in the core network, such as the user plane function (UPF) in a 5G system, are responsible for data forwarding and receiving in terminal devices. The above CU and DU configurations are merely examples. In practical applications, the functions of the CU and DU can be configured as needed. For instance, the CU or DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or to have only some protocol layer processing functions. For example, some RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions above the RLC layer can be placed in the CU, while the remaining RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions below the RLC layer can be placed in the DU. Furthermore, the functions of the CU or DU can be divided according to service type or other system requirements, such as by latency. Functions that require low latency can be placed in the DU, while functions that do not require low latency can be placed in the CU.

[0102] Optionally, the access network equipment includes a DU. As shown in Figure 4, the DU is a logical node carrying the RLC layer, medium access control (MAC) layer, higher physical layer (Higher PHY) layer, and other functions. In some examples, the DU can control at least one RU. The DU connects to the RU through interfaces, which may be fronthaul interfaces. In some examples, the Higher PHY layer includes the PHY layer processing, such as forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation, and demodulation.

[0103] Optionally, the access network equipment includes a Runner (RU). As shown in Figure 4, the RU is a logical node that carries lower physical layer (Lower PHY) and radio frequency (RF) processing. In some examples, the RU may be a 3GPP transmission reception point (TRP), a remote radio head (RRH), or other similar entities. In some examples, the Lower PHY includes PHY processing functions such as fast fourier transform (FFT), inverse fast fourier transform (IFFT), digital beamforming, and filtering. The RU communicates with one or more UEs via a radio link (such as an RF chain).

[0104] The DU and RU can be co-located or not. The DU and RU exchange control plane and user plane information via a fronthaul link through the lower-layer split CUS-plane (LLS-CUS-Plane) (or O-RAN CUS-Plane) interface. Here, CUS-Plane represents the control plane (C-Plane), user plane (UPlane), and synchronization plane (S-Plane) (CUS-Plane). LLS-CUS may include a lower-layer split control (LLS-C) interface providing the control plane and a lower-layer split user (LLS-U) interface providing the user plane. Additionally, LLS-CUS may include a lower-layer split synchronization (LLS-S) interface providing the synchronization plane. In some examples, the control plane (or control plane) refers to the real-time control between the DU and RU. The DU and RU exchange management plane information via the lower-layer split management (LLS-M) interface of the fronthaul link. The management plane (M-Plane) refers to the non-real-time management operations between the DU and RU.

[0105] DU and RU can cooperate to implement the functions of the PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, a DU can be configured to implement baseband functions, and an RU can be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Another example is that a DU can be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and an RU can be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or to implement both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer can include a portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the MAC layer, while lower-level functions in the physical layer can include another portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the mid-RF side.

[0106] Figures 1 to 4 above are illustrative examples, and the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto.

[0107] To facilitate a better understanding of the technical solution of this application, some related technologies involved in the technical solution of this application are introduced.

[0108] 1. Multi-input multi-output (MIMO) technology: Utilizing spatial resources, signals can obtain array gain, multiplexing and diversity gain, and interference cancellation gain in space without increasing system bandwidth, thereby multiplying the capacity and spectral efficiency of the communication system.

[0109] 2. Reference signal (RS): Also known as pilot, reference sequence, reference signal, etc. For consistency, it will be described as reference signal below. A reference signal is a physical signal that transmits a sequence to achieve a specific function. Specifically, a reference signal is a physical signal generated by mapping a specific sequence onto corresponding resources according to a preset resource mapping method.

[0110] In a MIMO system, each port has an independent data channel. Based on a known reference signal, the receiver performs channel estimation for each port and reconstructs the transmitted data accordingly. Channel estimation refers to the process of reconstructing the received signal to compensate for channel fading and noise, using the known reference signals from both the transmitter and receiver to track the time and frequency domain variations of the channel.

[0111] In this application, the reference signal, as an example, can be any of the following: channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), sounding reference signal (SRS), demodulation reference signal (DMRS), phase track reference signal (PT-RS), cell reference signal (CRS), etc. Among them, DMRS can be used for demodulation of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). CSI-RS can be used for channel information measurement and to report channel state information (CSI), which includes at least one of the following: precoding matrix indicator (PMI), rank indication (RI), and channel quality indicator (CQI).

[0112] It should be understood that the reference signals listed above are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting this application. This application does not preclude the possibility of defining other reference signals in future agreements to achieve the same or similar functions.

[0113] 3. Channel Information: This refers to information that reflects channel characteristics and channel quality. As an example, channel information includes at least one of the following: CSI, time-varying channel information, or channel frequency offset information, etc. The following explanation primarily uses CSI as an example of channel information; however, it can be understood that any information reflecting channel characteristics and channel quality is applicable to the embodiments of this application.

[0114] 4. Beam: A communication resource. Different beams can be considered different resources. The same information or different information can be transmitted through different beams.

[0115] In the NR protocol, beams can be represented as spatial domain filters, or spatial filters or spatial parameters. The beam used to transmit signals can be called the transmission beam (Tx beam), and the beam used to receive signals can be called the reception beam (Rx beam).

[0116] The transmit beam can refer to the distribution of signal strength in different directions in space after a signal is transmitted through an antenna, while the receive beam can refer to the distribution of signal strength in different directions in space of a wireless signal received from an antenna.

[0117] Furthermore, the beam can be a wide beam, a narrow beam, or other types of beam. The beamforming technology can be beamforming technology or other technologies. Specifically, beamforming technology can be digital beamforming technology, analog beamforming technology, or hybrid digital / analog beamforming technology, etc.

[0118] As an example, multiple beams with the same or similar communication characteristics can be considered as a single beam.

[0119] A beam can correspond to one or more antenna ports, used for transmitting data channels, control channels, and detection signals. The one or more antenna ports corresponding to a beam can also be regarded as a set of antenna ports.

[0120] 5. Resources: Data or information can be carried by resources.

[0121] In the time domain, resources may include one or more time-domain units (or, may also be called time units). A time-domain unit may be a symbol, an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, a mini-slot, a slot, a partial slot, a subframe, or a radio frame, etc. A slot may consist of 6, 7, 12, or 14 symbols; a mini-slot may include at least one symbol (e.g., 2, 7, or 14 symbols, or any number of symbols less than or equal to 14); the duration of a subframe in the time domain may be 1 millisecond (ms). It should be understood that the listed time-domain unit sizes are merely for ease of understanding of the scheme in this application and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application. It is understood that the above-mentioned time-domain unit sizes can be other values, and this application does not limit them.

[0122] In the frequency domain, resources can include one or more frequency domain units. A frequency domain unit can be a resource block (RB), a subcarrier, a resource block group (RBG), a subband, a precoding resource block group (PRG), a bandwidth part (BWP), a carrier, or a serving cell, etc.

[0123] 6. Multipath Component (MPC): Also known as multipath parameters or multipath information, it represents the relevant information of each path a signal travels through a channel, such as the multipath component parameters of a transmitting antenna and / or the multipath component parameters of a receiving antenna. Specifically, when a signal travels through a channel, it can reach the receiving end from the transmitting end via multiple paths, and the MPC can represent the relevant information of these multiple paths. In the embodiments of this application, paths are mentioned multiple times, such as the MPC of a path, and will be explained uniformly here. As an example, a path can be replaced by any of the following: multipath, main path, sub-path, path cluster (or simply cluster). Multipath: A signal is transmitted from the transmitting end to the receiving end through multiple paths, and these multiple paths can be called multipath. Main Path: The main path through which a signal is transmitted from the transmitting end to the receiving end. The main path is usually the most direct and strongest path. Sub-Path: A secondary path through which a signal propagates from the transmitting end to the receiving end, usually a path formed by phenomena such as reflection, refraction, diffraction, and / or scattering. Path cluster: In multipath propagation, a path cluster refers to a set of paths with similar propagation characteristics. A path cluster includes multiple sub-paths (or multiple paths), which typically have similar characteristics in time, frequency, or space, and therefore can be treated as a whole. For ease of description, the following explanation will use paths as an example.

[0124] As an example, MPC information includes information on at least one of the following parameters: angle, delay, power, polarization, Doppler, phase (such as initial phase), etc.

[0125] The angle may include at least one of the following: horizontal angle of arrival (AOA / AoA), horizontal angle of departure (AOD / AoD), vertical angle of arrival (ZOA / ZoA), and vertical angle of departure (ZOD / ZoD). AOA and ZOA refer to the horizontal and vertical angles of arrival of the signal via the wireless channel to the receiving antenna, respectively, while AOD and ZOD refer to the horizontal and vertical angles of departure of the signal transmitted via the transmitting antenna, respectively.

[0126] Polarization, or polarization information, can include: polarization mode and / or the number of polarization directions. For example, the polarization mode can be horizontal or vertical. Another example is single polarization, dual polarization, or four polarizations. Yet another example is cross-polarization, X-polarization (Xpol), or quadrifilar helix antenna (QHA). Furthermore, when the polarization mode is cross-polarization, the cross-polarization ratio (XPR) can also be included.

[0127] As described in the background section, existing CSI feedback overhead is excessive.

[0128] In view of this, this application proposes a scheme that designs the terminal device to feed back a first type of MPC and a second type of MPC, and designs a combination method for the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC. This allows the network device to select a suitable combination of the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC based on the feedback from the terminal device and the combination method, thereby determining the channel information. This reduces the feedback overhead of channel information compared to directly feeding back the MPC.

[0129] The methods provided by the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments provided by this application can be applied to the scenarios shown in the above figures and are not limited thereto. In addition, the terms used below can be referred to the foregoing explanations and will not be repeated hereafter. Furthermore, for ease of description, the first device and the second device are used as examples for illustrative description. Wherein, the first device may represent a device that sends MPC (i.e., a first type of MPC and a second type of MPC), and the second device may represent a device that receives MPC. As an example, the first device (or the first communication device) is a terminal device or a component of a terminal device (e.g., a chip or a chip system or a circuit or a communication module), or the first device is a network device or a component of a network device (e.g., a chip or a chip system or a circuit or a communication module). As an example, the second device (or the second communication device) is a terminal device or a component of a terminal device (e.g., a chip or a chip system or a circuit or a communication module), or the second device is a network device or a component of a network device (e.g., a chip or a chip system or a circuit or a communication module). Furthermore, the steps described below as being performed by a single execution entity can also be divided into being performed by multiple execution entities, which can be logically and / or physically separated.

[0130] Referring to Figure 5, as an example, Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 500 provided in an embodiment of this application. The method 500 shown in Figure 5 may include the following steps.

[0131] S510, the first device sends a first type of MPC. Correspondingly, the second device receives the first type of MPC.

[0132] S520, the first device sends the second type of MPC. Correspondingly, the second device receives the second type of MPC.

[0133] Optionally, method 500 further includes step S530.

[0134] S530, the second device determines the channel information based on the combination method, the first type of MPC, and the second type of MPC.

[0135] The second device determines channel information based on the combination method, the first type of MPC, and the second type of MPC. Alternatively, the second device can determine data transmission parameters based on the combination method, the first type of MPC, and the second type of MPC; or, the second device can transmit data with the first device based on the combination method, the first type of MPC, and the second type of MPC. Specifically, the second device determines a complete MPC based on the combination method, the first type of MPC, and the second type of MPC, and then determines the channel information, i.e., the data transmission parameters, based on these parameters, and then transmits data with the first device based on these parameters.

[0136] One possible implementation involves the second device determining the channel matrix based on the combination method, the first type of MPC, and the second type of MPC. For example, the second device can determine the complete MPC based on the combination method, the first type of MPC, and the second type of MPC, and then generate the channel matrix based on a model (such as a spatial channel model, SCM). Furthermore, as an example, the second device can also determine the precoding weights based on the channel matrix according to a precoding method (such as singular value decomposition, SVD). The precoding method can be predefined or preconfigured, and this is not limited.

[0137] Another possible implementation involves the second device determining the precoding weights based on the combination method, the first type of MPC, and the second type of MPC. For example, the second device can determine the complete MPC based on the combination method, the first type of MPC, and the second type of MPC, and then determine the steering vector based on the complete MPC information. The precoding weights can then be determined based on this steering vector. The steering vector, also known as the array steering vector, can represent the spatial phase difference caused by the spatial spacing between antenna ports in the same direction of arrival. The steering vector can be used to calculate the array response at different arrival / transmission angles. Each steering vector can represent a specific arrival or departure angle, and each element can represent an array element. Different antenna array arrangements may correspond to different steering vectors.

[0138] The method by which the first device acquires (or determines) the MPC (such as type I MPC or type II MPC) is not limited. For example, the MPC may be acquired through a sensing system; or it may be acquired through a radio frequency map (RF map); or it may be obtained by measuring a reference signal, which is also not limited. An RF map, also known as a radio frequency map, is a map used to display the coverage area and signal strength distribution of a wireless signal, reflecting the parameter values ​​of various locations in a wireless network. Common RF maps include channel gain maps, received signal strength maps, power spectral density maps, and channel MPC maps.

[0139] The designations of the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC are merely for differentiation and do not limit the scope of protection of the embodiments in this application. For example, the first type of MPC may also be called the first MPC, the first type of MPC, or the first part of MPC, and the second type of MPC may also be called the second MPC, the second type of MPC, or the second part of MPC.

[0140] Optionally, the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC satisfy at least one of the following: the first type of MPC includes MPCs with R1 paths, and the second type of MPC includes MPCs with R2 paths, where R1 paths include at least one path different from R2 paths, and R1 and R2 are integers greater than or equal to 1; the first type of MPC includes MPCs of type P1, and the second type of MPC includes MPCs of type P2, where P1 MPCs include at least one type of MPC of a different type from P2 MPCs, and P1 and P2 are integers greater than or equal to 1; the first type of MPC includes MPCs of type Y1 channels, and the second type of MPC includes MPCs of type Y2 channels, where Y1 channels include at least one channel different from Y2 channels, and Y1 and Y2 are integers greater than or equal to 1. Specific implementation details will be provided later.

[0141] Regarding the temporal behavior of the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC, the following are some implementation methods.

[0142] In one possible implementation, the first device periodically sends a first type of MPC and a second type of MPC.

[0143] Optionally, the transmission period of the first type of MPC is shorter than the transmission period of the second type of MPC. Specifically, the first device transmits the first type of MPC based on a first period (i.e., an example of the transmission period of the first type of MPC), and the first device transmits the second type of MPC based on a second period (i.e., an example of the transmission period of the second type of MPC), wherein the length of the first period is shorter than the length of the second period.

[0144] Furthermore, when the first device periodically transmits the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC, the starting time units can be the same or different. For example, the first device can start periodically transmitting the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC at the same time unit; as another example, the first device can start periodically transmitting the first type of MPC at a first time unit and start periodically transmitting the second type of MPC at a second time unit, wherein the first time unit and the second time unit are different.

[0145] In a second possible implementation, the first device periodically sends the second type of MPC, and the first device non-periodically sends the first type of MPC.

[0146] For example, the first device can dynamically send the first type of MPC, such as determining the first type of MPC and sending it after receiving an instruction from the second device.

[0147] In a third possible implementation, the first device periodically sends a first type of MPC, and the first device non-periodically sends a second type of MPC.

[0148] For example, the first device can dynamically send the second type of MPC, such as when the first device receives an instruction from the second device, determines the second type of MPC, and sends the second type of MPC.

[0149] A fourth possible implementation is that the first device sends the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC non-periodically.

[0150] The triggering conditions for Type I MPC and Type II MPC can be the same or different, without limitation. For example, the triggering condition for both Type I and Type II MPC might be an instruction from the second device; that is, after receiving the instruction from the second device, the first device determines and sends both Type I and Type II MPCs. As another example, the triggering condition for Type I MPC might be an instruction from the second device, while the triggering condition for Type II MPC might be movement of the first device; that is, after receiving the instruction from the second device, the first device determines and sends Type I MPC, and after determining that it has moved, it determines and sends Type II MPC.

[0151] The methods for obtaining Type I MPC and Type II MPC can be the same or different, and are not limited. For example, both Type I MPC and Type II MPC can be obtained by measuring a reference signal. Another example is that Type I MPC is obtained by measuring a reference signal, while Type II MPC is obtained through sensing.

[0152] The above-described implementation methods are illustrative examples, and the embodiments in this application are not limited thereto.

[0153] Among them, the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC are used to combine and combine to determine channel information; in other words, the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC are used to combine and combine to determine the complete MPC, and then the channel information can be determined based on the complete MPC.

[0154] Here, "combination method" refers to the combination of the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC, that is, the combination method used to determine the channel information using the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC. The second device can determine which type of first type MPC or second type MPC to use to determine the channel information based on this combination method. The combination method can also be called a combination rule or combination condition, etc., and is not limited thereto. For simplicity, the following descriptions will all use "combination method".

[0155] Specifically, in S530, the second device can select a suitable combination of the first and second types of MPCs to jointly determine the channel information. For example, taking the second device as a network device, the network device can determine the downlink channel information based on the first and second types of MPCs reported by the first device (such as a terminal device), as well as the combination of the first and second types of MPCs. Alternatively, it can determine the uplink channel information (e.g., directly determining the uplink channel information, or first determining the downlink channel information and then determining the uplink channel information based on the channel reciprocity of the uplink and downlink channels). Again, taking the second device as a terminal device, the terminal device can determine the uplink channel information based on the first and second types of MPCs sent by the first device (such as a network device), as well as the combination of the first and second types of MPCs. Taking the second device as an example of a terminal device, the terminal device can determine the channel information of the side channel (that is, the channel between two terminal devices) based on the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC sent by the first device (such as the terminal device), as well as the combination of the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC.

[0156] The following section details the combination of the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC.

[0157] Optionally, the combination methods may include at least the following schemes.

[0158] Scheme #1: A second type MPC and at least one first type MPC form a combination, at least one first type MPC is a first type MPC within a first time period, and the start time unit or end time unit of the first time period is the time unit occupied by a second type MPC.

[0159] Scheme #2: W first-type MPCs and one second-type MPC form a combination. A second-type MPC is the first second-type MPC before the W first-type MPCs, or a second-type MPC is the first second-type MPC after the W first-type MPCs, where W is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0160] Solution #3: N1 consecutive first-type MPCs and N2 consecutive second-type MPCs are combined into one combination, where N1 and N2 are integers greater than or equal to 1.

[0161] Option #4: The first type of MPC and the second type of MPC in the second time period are combined into one.

[0162] The above schemes are described in detail below. For simplicity, in the examples below, T1 represents the transmission period of the first type of MPC (i.e., the first period), and T2 represents the transmission period of the second type of MPC (i.e., the second period).

[0163] Scheme #1: A combination of a second type MPC and at least one first type MPC, wherein at least one first type MPC is a first type MPC within a first time period, and the start or end time unit of the first time period is the time unit occupied by a second type MPC.

[0164] Based on this scheme, a second-type MPC and at least one first-type MPC can be combined. That is, in S530, the second device can determine the channel information based on a second-type MPC and at least one first-type MPC. In this way, the time unit occupied by a second-type MPC can be selected as the reference, and at least one first-type MPC before or after that time unit can be selected to jointly determine the channel information. This not only enables timely updates of short-period MPCs (i.e., first-type MPCs), but also reduces the overhead of MPC reporting.

[0165] For distinction and ease of description, the at least one first-class MPC is denoted as X1 first-class MPCs, where X1 is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Several possible implementation methods are introduced below.

[0166] In the first possible implementation, X1 first-type MPCs are first-type MPCs within a first time period, and the end time unit of the first time period is the time unit occupied by the second-type MPCs.

[0167] Based on this, the second device can use the second type of MPC as a reference, and combine the second type of MPC with the X1 first type of MPCs preceding the time unit occupied by the second type of MPC as a combination, and determine the channel information based on this combination. The value of X1 can be predefined, indicated, or determined by the second device itself, and is not limited.

[0168] Assume the first device periodically transmits the second type of MPC based on a second period. For example, the length of the first time period is the length of the second period. As mentioned earlier, the transmission period of the second type of MPC is T2. Based on this, the second device can use the second type of MPC within a certain period (such as the second type of MPC in a time unit T2) as a reference, and combine the second type of MPC with all the first type of MPC from the time unit T2 to the previous time unit T2 (i.e., an example of the first time period) as a combination, and determine the channel information based on this combination.

[0169] Referring to Figure 6, which is a schematic diagram of a combination method provided in an embodiment of this application, as an example, the second device periodically sends RS#1 to the first device. The first device performs measurements based on RS#1 to obtain a first type of MPC and sends the first type of MPC to the second device. The second device periodically sends RS#2 to the first device. The first device performs measurements based on RS#2 to obtain a second type of MPC and sends the second type of MPC to the second device. The periods of RS#1 and RS#2 may be different. As an example, the period of RS#1 is the first period, and the period of RS#2 is the second period. As shown in Figure 6, one second type of MPC on time unit T2#2 and multiple first type of MPCs between time unit T2#1 and time unit T2#2 can be combined. That is, the second device can determine channel information based on one second type of MPC on time unit T2#2 and multiple first type of MPCs between time unit T2#1 and time unit T2#2.

[0170] In a second possible implementation, X1 first-type MPCs are defined as first-type MPCs within a first time period, and the starting time unit of the first time period is the time unit occupied by the second-type MPCs. Based on this, the second device can use the second-type MPCs as a reference, combining the second-type MPCs with X1 first-type MPCs following the time unit occupied by the second-type MPCs, and determine the channel information based on this combination. The value of X1 can be predefined, indicated, or determined by the second device itself; it is not limited.

[0171] Assuming the first device periodically transmits the second type of MPC based on a second period, for example, the length of the first time period is the length of the second period. Based on this, the second device can take the second type of MPC in a time unit T2 as a reference and combine that second type of MPC with all the first type of MPCs in the time unit T2 to the next time unit T2 (i.e., an example of the first time period).

[0172] Referring to Figure 7, as an example, Figure 7 is another schematic diagram of the combination method provided by the embodiments of this application. The description of Figure 7 is similar to that of Figure 6, except that in Figure 7, a second type MPC on time unit T2#1 and multiple first type MPCs between time unit T2#1 and time unit T2#2 can be combined as a whole. That is, the second device can determine the channel information based on a second type MPC on time unit T2#1 and multiple first type MPCs between time unit T2#1 and time unit T2#2.

[0173] Figures 6 and 7 above are illustrative examples, and the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto. For example, taking Figure 6 as an example, a second type MPC on time unit T2#2 and a portion of the first type MPC between time unit T2#1 and time unit T2#2 can also be combined as a group. As another example, taking Figure 7 as an example, a second type MPC on time unit T2#1 and a portion of the first type MPC between time unit T2#1 and time unit T2#2 can also be combined as a group.

[0174] Option #2: W first-class MPCs and one second-class MPC form a combination. A second-class MPC is the first second-class MPC that precedes the W first-class MPCs, or a second-class MPC is the first second-class MPC that follows the W first-class MPCs.

[0175] Based on this scheme, W first-type MPCs and one second-type MPC can be combined as a group. That is, in S530, the second device can determine the channel information based on W first-type MPCs and one second-type MPC. In this way, if the second device needs to quickly obtain channel information, it can choose a combination method of W first-type MPCs and one second-type MPC, that is, using the first-type MPC as a reference, selecting a second-type MPC forward or backward to jointly determine the channel information.

[0176] For distinction and ease of description, this second type of MPC will be referred to as MPC#2. Several possible implementation methods are introduced below.

[0177] In the first possible implementation, MPC#2 is the first second-type MPC preceding the W first-type MPCs. Here, "first second-type MPC preceding the W first-type MPCs" means the second-type MPC that is located before the time units occupied by the W first-type MPCs and is closest in interval to the W first-type MPCs.

[0178] Based on this, the second device can use W first-type MPCs as a reference, and combine the W first-type MPCs with the preceding second-type MPC (i.e., MPC#2) as a group, and determine the channel information based on this combination. The value of W can be predefined, indicated, or determined by the second device itself, and is not limited.

[0179] The following explanation combines two scenarios.

[0180] Case 1, W = 1.

[0181] Assuming the first device periodically transmits the first type of MPC based on the first period, as an example, the second device can take the first type of MPC in a time unit T1 as a reference, combine the first type of MPC and the first second type of MPC before the first type of MPC as a combination, and determine the channel information based on the combination.

[0182] Referring to Figure 8, as an example, Figure 8 is another schematic diagram of the combination method provided in the embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8, as an example, the second device periodically sends RS#1 to the first device. The first device performs measurements based on RS#1 to obtain a first type of MPC and sends the first type of MPC to the second device. The second device periodically sends RS#2 to the first device. The first device performs measurements based on RS#2 to obtain a second type of MPC and sends the second type of MPC to the second device. The periods of RS#1 and RS#2 may be different. As an example, the period of RS#1 is the first period, and the period of RS#2 is the second period. As shown in Figure 8, a first type of MPC on time unit T1#2 and the first second type of MPC before time unit T1#2 can be combined. That is, the second device can determine the channel information based on a first type of MPC on time unit T1#2 and the first second type of MPC before time unit T1#2.

[0183] Case 2, W is greater than 1.

[0184] Assuming the first device periodically transmits a first type of MPC based on a first period, as an example, the second device can take the first type of MPC in a time unit T1 as a reference, combine the first type of MPC, the first second type of MPC before the first type of MPC, and the first type of MPC between the second type of MPC and the first type of MPC, and determine the channel information based on the combination.

[0185] Referring to Figure 9, as an example, Figure 9 is another schematic diagram of the combination method provided by the embodiments of this application. The description of Figure 9 is similar to that of Figure 8, except that in Figure 9, a first type MPC (such as MPC#1) on time unit T1#2, the first second type MPC before time unit T1#2 (i.e., MPC#2), and the first type MPC between MPC#2 and MPC#1 can be combined as a whole. That is, the second device can determine the channel information based on MPC#1 on time unit T1#2, the first second type MPC before time unit T1#2 (i.e., MPC#2), and the first type MPC between MPC#2 and MPC#1.

[0186] In a second possible implementation, MPC#2 is the first second-type MPC following W first-type MPCs. Here, "first second-type MPC following W first-type MPCs" means the second-type MPC that is closest to the W first-type MPCs in terms of time interval.

[0187] Based on this, the second device can use W first-type MPCs as a reference, and combine the W first-type MPCs with a second-type MPC (i.e., MPC#2) following the W first-type MPCs as a combination, and determine the channel information based on this combination. The value of W can be predefined, indicated, or determined by the second device itself, and is not limited.

[0188] The following explanation combines two scenarios.

[0189] Case 1, W = 1.

[0190] Assuming the first device periodically transmits the first type of MPC based on the first period, as an example, the second device can take the first type of MPC in a time unit T1 as a reference, combine the first type of MPC and the first second type of MPC after the first type of MPC as a combination, and determine the channel information based on the combination.

[0191] Referring to Figure 10, as an example, Figure 10 is another schematic diagram of the combination method provided by the embodiments of this application. The description of Figure 10 can be referred to Figure 8, the difference being that in Figure 10, a first type MPC on time unit T1#1 and the first second type MPC after time unit T1#1 can be combined as a whole, that is, the second device can determine the channel information based on a first type MPC on time unit T1#1 and the first second type MPC after time unit T1#1.

[0192] Case 2, W is greater than 1.

[0193] Assuming the first device periodically transmits a first type of MPC based on a first period, as an example, the second device can take the first type of MPC in a time unit T1 as a reference, combine the first type of MPC, the first second type of MPC after the first type of MPC, and the first type of MPC between the second type of MPC and the first type of MPC, and determine the channel information based on the combination.

[0194] Referring to Figure 11, as an example, Figure 11 is another schematic diagram of the combination method provided by the embodiments of this application. The description of Figure 11 can be referred to Figure 8, the difference being that in Figure 11, a first type MPC on time unit T1#1 (as denoted as MPC#1), the first second type MPC after time unit T1#1 (i.e., MPC#2), and the first type MPC between MPC#2 and MPC#1 can be combined as a whole. That is, the second device can determine the channel information based on MPC#1 on time unit T1#1, the first second type MPC after time unit T1#1 (i.e., MPC#2), and the first type MPC between MPC#2 and MPC#1.

[0195] Scheme #3: N1 consecutive first-type MPCs and N2 consecutive second-type MPCs are combined into one group.

[0196] Based on this scheme, N1 consecutive first-type MPCs and N2 consecutive second-type MPCs can be combined as a group. That is, in S530, the second device can determine the channel information based on N1 consecutive first-type MPCs and N2 consecutive second-type MPCs.

[0197] Here, "N1 consecutive Type I MPCs" means that, for Type I MPCs, the N1 Type I MPCs are consecutive, without limiting the consecutive time units occupied by these N1 Type I MPCs. That is, there may be Type II MPCs among these N1 Type I MPCs, or there may be no Type II MPCs. For example, assuming that the first device periodically sends Type I MPCs based on T1, then "N1 consecutive Type I MPCs" can be understood as the N1 Type I MPCs that are consecutively sent by the first device periodically sending Type I MPCs based on T1.

[0198] Here, "N2 consecutive Type II MPCs" means that, for Type II MPCs, N2 Type II MPCs are consecutive, without limiting the consecutive time units occupied by these N2 Type II MPCs. That is, there may be Type I MPCs among these N2 Type II MPCs, or there may be no Type I MPCs. For example, assuming that the first device periodically sends Type II MPCs based on T2, then "N2 consecutive Type II MPCs" can be understood as the N2 consecutive Type II MPCs sent by the first device periodically when sending Type II MPCs based on T2.

[0199] The value of N1 can be predefined, indicated, or determined by the second device itself; there is no limitation on its value. The value of N2 can also be predefined, indicated, or determined by the second device itself; there is no limitation on its value. The values ​​of N1 and N2 can be correlated. For example, after determining N1, the second device can determine the associated N2 based on the correlation between N1 and N2. As an example, N1 is greater than N2.

[0200] Referring to Figure 12, as an example, Figure 12 is another schematic diagram of the combination method provided by the embodiment of this application. The description of Figure 12 can be referred to Figure 6, the difference being that in Figure 12, N1=3 and N2=2, that is, 3 first type MPCs (i.e., the first type MPC on time unit T1#1, the first type MPC on time unit T1#2, and the first type MPC on time unit T1#3) and 2 second type MPCs (i.e., the second type MPC on time unit T2#1 and the second type MPC on time unit T2#2) are combined as a group, that is, the second device can determine the channel information based on the 3 first type MPCs and the 2 second type MPCs.

[0201] Option #4: The first type of MPC and the second type of MPC in the second time period are combined into one.

[0202] Based on this scheme, a time period (or time length, or period, etc.) can be defined, and then the first type MPC and the second type MPC of a certain time period can be combined as a group. That is, in S530, the second device can determine the channel information based on the first type MPC and the second type MPC of a certain time period.

[0203] Assume that the first device periodically sends a first type of MPC based on a first period, and the first device periodically sends a second type of MPC based on a second period. For example, the length of the second time period is greater than the length of the first period, and the length of the second time period is greater than the length of the second period.

[0204] Referring to Figure 13, as an example, Figure 13 is another schematic diagram of the combination method provided by the embodiment of this application. The description of Figure 13 can be referred to Figure 6, the difference being that in Figure 13(a), the two first-type MPCs (i.e., the first-type MPC on time unit T1#1 and the first-type MPC on time unit T1#2) and the two second-type MPCs (i.e., the second-type MPC on time unit T2#1 and the second-type MPC on time unit T2#2) in the second time period can be combined as a group, that is, the second device can determine the channel information based on the two first-type MPCs and the two second-type MPCs. In Figure 13(b), the three first-type MPCs (i.e., the first-type MPCs on time unit T1#1, the first-type MPCs on time unit T1#2, and the first-type MPCs on time unit T1#3) and the two second-type MPCs (i.e., the second-type MPCs on time unit T2#1 and the second-type MPCs on time unit T2#2) in the second time period can be combined as a group. That is, the second device can determine the channel information based on the three first-type MPCs and the two second-type MPCs.

[0205] The above description, in conjunction with schemes #1 to #4, introduces the relevant combination schemes. It is understood that the above description primarily uses the example of the first device acquiring MPC (i.e., the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC) by measuring a reference signal; however, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this. As mentioned earlier, the first device can also acquire MPC through sensing or RF mapping, etc.

[0206] In addition, the determination of the combination method can include the following implementation methods.

[0207] In one possible implementation, the first device indicates the combination method to the second device.

[0208] Specifically, the first device sends instruction information #1 (an example of the first instruction information) to the second device, whereby instruction information #1 indicates the combination methods supported by the first device. Based on instruction information #1, the second device can determine the combination methods supported by the first device. For example, the second device can directly determine that the combination method in S530 is one supported by the first device. For another example, the second device can select one of the multiple combination methods supported by the first device, based on the combination methods supported by the first device (e.g., the first device supports multiple combinations from schemes #1 to #4) and the actual communication situation.

[0209] Wherein, indication information #1 indicates the combination mode supported by the first device, and can be replaced with any of the following: indication information #1 indicates the combination mode suggested by the first device, indication information #1 indicates the combination mode recommended by the first device, and indication information #1 indicates the combination mode.

[0210] The indication information #1 can be indicated by capability information. For example, the first device sends capability information to the second device, which indicates the combination methods supported by the first device.

[0211] The second possible implementation involves the second device determining its own combination method.

[0212] For example, the second device can determine the combination method as one of the above schemes #1 to #4 based on the actual communication situation.

[0213] The third possible implementation method is a predefined combination method.

[0214] For example, one combination method can be predefined. Alternatively, multiple combination methods can be predefined, and the second device can select a suitable one from these predefined methods based on the actual communication situation. Furthermore, multiple combination methods can be predefined, each corresponding to a different scenario, and the second device can select the appropriate combination method based on the scenario.

[0215] The following sections detail the solutions for the first and second types of MPC. It is understood that the solutions described below for the first and second types of MPC can be used in conjunction with the previously mentioned combination methods, or they can be used independently; there are no limitations on this.

[0216] As mentioned above, optionally, the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC include at least the following schemes.

[0217] Scheme #A: The first type of MPC includes MPCs with R1 paths, and the second type of MPC includes MPCs with R2 paths, where each of the R1 paths includes at least one path that is different from the R2 paths.

[0218] Option #B: The first type of MPC includes P1 type MPC, the second type of MPC includes P2 type MPC, and P1 type MPC includes at least one type of MPC that is different from P2 type MPC.

[0219] Scheme #C: The first type of MPC corresponds to the MPC of the first channel, and the second type of MPC corresponds to the MPC of the second channel. The first channel and the second channel are not completely the same.

[0220] The three schemes mentioned above are described in detail below.

[0221] Scheme #A: The first type of MPC includes MPCs with R1 paths, and the second type of MPC includes MPCs with R2 paths, where each of the R1 paths includes at least one path that is different from the R2 paths.

[0222] One possible implementation is that the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC correspond to different paths. Based on this scheme, the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC can be based on path partitioning. For example, the first device can be designed to send a portion of the path's MPC (i.e., the first type of MPC) based on a first cycle, and send another portion of the path's MPC (i.e., the second type of MPC) based on a second cycle. In this way, the second device can obtain the MPCs for all paths based on the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC.

[0223] Wherein, the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC correspond to different paths, and can be replaced with any of the following: the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC correspond to different multipaths, the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC correspond to different path clusters, and the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC correspond to different sub-paths.

[0224] Optionally, R1 paths include the first path, and R2 paths include the second path; in other words, the first type of MPC includes the MPC of the first path, and the second type of MPC includes the MPC of the second path. It is understood that the names "first path" and "second path" here are merely for distinction and do not limit the number of paths to 1. In other words, the first path can contain 1 or more paths, and the second path can contain 1 or more paths; that is, the first path includes at least one path, and the second path includes at least one path.

[0225] Referring to Figure 14, as an example, Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 14, as an example, the second device periodically sends RS#1 to the first device. The first device performs a measurement based on RS#1 to obtain the MPC of the first diameter (i.e., the first type of MPC) and sends the first type of MPC to the second device. The second device periodically sends RS#2 to the first device. The first device performs a measurement based on RS#2 to obtain the MPC of the second diameter (i.e., the second type of MPC) and sends the second type of MPC to the second device. The periods of RS#1 and RS#2 may be different. As an example, the period of RS#1 is the first period, and the period of RS#2 is the second period.

[0226] As an example, the first and second paths satisfy any of the following: the strength of the first path is less than the strength of the second path; the strength of the first path is less than a first threshold; the strength of the second path is greater than a second threshold; the delay of the first path is greater than the delay of the second path; the delay of the first path is greater than a third threshold; or the delay of the second path is less than a fourth threshold. The second path can also be called a strong path, and the first path can also be called a weak path. It can be understood that strong and weak paths are relative. For example, if the strength of the second path is greater than the strength of the first path, then relative to the first path, the second path can be called a strong path; similarly, relative to the second path, the first path can be called a weak path.

[0227] The first and second thresholds can be the same or different, without limitation; similarly, the third and fourth thresholds can be the same or different, without limitation. Furthermore, the thresholds (such as the first, second, third, and fourth thresholds) can be predefined or configured, without limitation.

[0228] The strength of a path can be characterized by at least one of the following indicators: path power, path amplitude, path angle, and signal strength when transmitting signals through the path. For example, taking power as an indicator, if the path power is greater than a threshold, the path is a strong path; if the path power is less than the threshold, the path is a weak path. Furthermore, if the path delay is less than a threshold, the path can also be considered a strong path; if the path delay is greater than the threshold, the path can also be considered a weak path.

[0229] Based on scheme #A, alternatively, method 500 further includes: the first device determining the second diameter and the first diameter.

[0230] In one possible implementation, the first device determines the second path and the first path based on an instruction from the second device. Specifically, the second device sends instruction information #2 (an example of a second instruction information) to the first device, which indicates the second path and / or the first path. For example, instruction information #2 indicates configuration information for the second path, and the second path can be determined based on this configuration information. As another example, instruction information #2 indicates configuration information for the first path, and the first path can be determined based on this configuration information.

[0231] Optionally, indication information #2 indicates at least one of the following: the number of diameters contained in the second diameter, the number of diameters contained in the first diameter, the condition satisfied by the second diameter, and the condition satisfied by the first diameter. For simplicity, in this embodiment, the number of diameters contained in the second diameter is simply referred to as the number of diameters in the second diameter, and the number of diameters contained in the first diameter is simply referred to as the number of diameters in the first diameter. Several examples are given below.

[0232] Example 1, Indication #2 indicates the diameter of the second diameter.

[0233] For example, multiple paths can be sorted according to their parameters (such as intensity or time delay). For instance, if multiple paths are sorted from intensity in descending order or from time delay in ascending order, and indicator information #2 indicates that the second path's path number is R2, then the second path can be determined to be one of the first R2 paths (i.e., the first to the R2th paths after the above sorting), and the first path is the remaining path. Alternatively, multiple paths can be sorted from intensity in ascending order or from time delay in descending order. If indicator information #2 indicates that the second path's path number is R2, then the second path can be determined to be one of the last R2 paths, and the first path is the remaining path. The intensity of a path can be referred to in the previous description and will not be repeated here.

[0234] For example, if the number of diameters of the first diameter and the number of diameters of the second diameter are related, the first device can determine the number of diameters of the second diameter based on indication information #2, and can determine the number of diameters of the first diameter based on the number of diameters of the second diameter and the related relationship. For example, if multiple diameters are sorted in descending order of diameter intensity or in ascending order of diameter delay, and indication information #2 indicates that the number of diameters of the second diameter is R2, then based on the related relationship between the number of diameters of the second diameter and the number of diameters of the first diameter, and the fact that the number of diameters of the second diameter is R2, the number of diameters of the first diameter can be determined to be R1. Furthermore, the second diameter can be determined to be the first R2 diameters (i.e., the first diameter to the R2th diameter after the above sorting), and the first diameter is the R1 diameter following the first R2 diameters (i.e., the (R2+1)th diameter to the (R2+R1)th diameter after the above sorting). In addition, as in the example above, multiple paths can also be sorted in order of increasing intensity or in order of decreasing time delay, which will not be elaborated here.

[0235] Example 2, Indication #2 indicates the diameter of the first diameter.

[0236] For reference, see Example 1 above; it will not be elaborated upon here.

[0237] Example 3, Instruction message #2 indicates the diameter of the second diameter and the diameter of the first diameter.

[0238] In this way, the first device can determine the diameter of the second diameter and the diameter of the first diameter based on the indication information #2.

[0239] For example, multiple paths can be sorted according to their parameters (such as intensity or time delay). For instance, multiple paths can be sorted in descending order of intensity or in ascending order of time delay. If indication information #2 indicates that the second path has a path number of R2 and the first path has a path number of R1, then the second path can be determined to be the first R2 paths (i.e., the first path to the R2th path after the above sorting), and the first path can be the R1 paths following the first R2 paths (i.e., the (R2+1)th path to the (R2+R1)th path after the above sorting). Furthermore, as in Example 1, multiple paths can also be sorted in ascending order of intensity or in descending order of time delay, which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0240] Example 4, Indication Message #2 indicates the conditions satisfied by the second path.

[0241] For example, indication information #2 indicates that the condition for the second path to be satisfied is that the strength of the path is greater than the second threshold, that is, indication information #2 indicates the second threshold. Based on indication information #2, the first device knows that if the strength of the path is greater than the second threshold, then the path is the second path, that is, the MPC of the path is sent based on the second cycle; if the strength of the path is less than or equal to the second threshold, then the path is the first path, that is, the MPC of the path is sent based on the first cycle.

[0242] For example, indication information #2 indicates that the condition for the second path to be satisfied is that the path's delay is less than the fourth threshold, that is, indication information #2 indicates the fourth threshold. Based on indication information #2, the first device knows that if the path's delay is less than the fourth threshold, then the path is the second path, that is, the MPC of the path is sent based on the second cycle; if the path's delay is greater than or equal to the fourth threshold, then the path is the first path, that is, the MPC of the path is sent based on the first cycle.

[0243] For example, indication information #2 indicates that the second path satisfies the following conditions: the strength of the second path is greater than the strength of the first path, or the delay of the second path is less than the delay of the first path. Assuming the number of second paths is predefined or configured, the first device can determine the second path based on the number of second paths and indication information #2.

[0244] Example 5, Indication Message #2 indicates the conditions satisfied by the first path.

[0245] For example, indication information #2 indicates that the condition met by the first path is that the intensity of the path is less than a first threshold, that is, indication information #2 indicates the first threshold. Based on indication information #2, the first device knows that if the intensity of the path is less than the first threshold, then the path is the first path, that is, the MPC of the path is sent based on the first cycle; if the intensity of the path is greater than or equal to the first threshold, then the path is the second path, that is, the MPC of the path is sent based on the second cycle.

[0246] For example, indication information #2 indicates that the condition met by the first path is that the path's delay is greater than a third threshold, that is, indication information #2 indicates a third threshold. Based on indication information #2, the first device knows that if the path's delay is less than or equal to the third threshold, then the path is the second path, that is, the MPC of the path is sent based on the second cycle; if the path's delay is greater than the third threshold, then the path is the first path, that is, the MPC of the path is sent based on the first cycle.

[0247] For example, indication information #2 indicates that the first path satisfies the following conditions: the strength of the first path is less than the strength of the second path, or the time delay of the first path is greater than the time delay of the second path. Assuming that the number of first paths is predefined or configured, the first device can determine the first path based on the number of first paths and indication information #2.

[0248] The above examples are illustrative and are not limited to the embodiments of this application. For example, indication information #2 may also indicate the type of the second path and / or the type of the first path. If indication information #2 indicates that the second path is the main path, then the first device may send the MPC of the main path based on the second cycle based on indication information #2, and send the MPC of the path other than the main path (such as the sub-path) based on the first cycle.

[0249] In a second possible implementation, the first device determines the second diameter and the first diameter itself.

[0250] For example, with predefined thresholds (such as a first threshold, a second threshold, a third threshold, and a fourth threshold), the first device determines the second path and the first path based on the thresholds, as detailed in the relevant descriptions in Examples 4 and 5 above.

[0251] For another example, the diameter of the second diameter or the diameter of the first diameter is predefined. The first device determines the second diameter based on the predefined diameter of the second diameter or the diameter of the first diameter, as detailed in the previous description.

[0252] Furthermore, under this scheme #A, as an example, the types of the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC can be the same or partially the same.

[0253] Optionally, the type of MPC includes at least one of the following: angle, time delay, power, polarization, Doppler, phase, etc.

[0254] For example, the first type of MPC includes all types of MPC, such as angle, time delay, power, polarization, Doppler, phase, etc.; the second type of MPC also includes all types of MPC, such as angle, time delay, power, polarization, Doppler, phase, etc.; the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC correspond to all types of MPC for different paths, so the second device can determine all types of MPC for all paths based on the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC.

[0255] Option #B: The first type of MPC includes P1 type MPC, the second type of MPC includes P2 type MPC, and P1 type MPC includes at least one type of MPC that is different from P2 type MPC.

[0256] As an example, the MPC type may include at least one of the following information: angle (such as one or more of AOA, AOD, ZOA, ZOD), time delay, power, polarization (such as XPR), Doppler, phase (such as initial phase), etc.

[0257] Based on this scheme, the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC can be classified according to MPC type. For example, the first device can be designed to send some types of MPC (i.e., the first type of MPC) in the first cycle and send the remaining types of MPC (i.e., the second type of MPC) in the second cycle. In this way, the second device can obtain all types of MPC based on the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC.

[0258] Referring to Figure 15, as an example, Figure 15 is another schematic diagram of the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC provided in the embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 15, as an example, the second device periodically sends RS#1 to the first device. The first device performs measurements based on RS#1 to obtain the measurement result of the first parameter, and sends the measurement result of the first parameter to the second device (i.e., the first type of MPC). The second device periodically sends RS#2 to the first device. The first device performs measurements based on RS#2 to obtain the measurement result of the second parameter, and sends the measurement result of the second parameter to the second device (i.e., the second type of MPC). The first parameter and the second parameter are of different types; for example, the first parameter is angle and time delay, and the second parameter is phase and power. The periods of RS#1 and RS#2 may be different. As an example, the period of RS#1 is the first period, and the period of RS#2 is the second period.

[0259] As an example, the MPC type priority of the first type of MPC is higher than that of the MPC type of the second type of MPC; in other words, the MPCs contained in the first type of MPC are high-priority MPCs, and the MPCs contained in the second type of MPC are low-priority MPCs. It can be understood that high-priority and low-priority MPCs are relative. For example, since the MPC type priority of the first type of MPC is higher than that of the MPC type of the second type of MPC, the MPCs contained in the first type of MPC can be called high-priority MPCs relative to the second type of MPC; similarly, the MPCs contained in the second type of MPC can be called low-priority MPCs relative to the first type of MPC.

[0260] For example, MPC priorities can be defined in at least one of the following ways: One possible implementation is that high-priority MPCs have a significant impact on the accuracy of channel information acquisition, while low-priority MPCs have a minimal impact. Another possible implementation is that high-priority MPCs have low signaling overhead, while low-priority MPCs have high signaling overhead. For example, assuming MPC types include angle, delay, power, polarization, Doppler, and phase, priorities for these parameters can be designed. Furthermore, as an example, different priorities can be designed for different scenarios; in other words, MPC priorities differ in different scenarios, meaning that high-priority and low-priority MPCs may be different in different scenarios.

[0261] Tables 1 and 2 show two possible forms.

[0262] Table 1

[0263] Table 2

[0264] In Table 2, taking "Angle > Delay > Power" as an example, "Angle > Delay > Power" means that the priority of angle is higher than the priority of delay, and the priority of delay is higher than the priority of power.

[0265] The indices in Tables 1 and 2 can be used to identify corresponding MPC type combinations (or simply MPC combinations). An MPC combination represents a combination of MPC types from the first type of MPC and MPC types from the second type of MPC; in other words, different indices correspond to different MPC priority combinations. Taking Table 1 as an example, index #1 indicates that high-priority MPCs are delay and power, and low-priority MPCs are angle and phase; index #2 indicates that high-priority MPCs are delay, power, angle, and phase, and low-priority MPCs are polarization and Doppler. Taking Table 2 as an example, index #1 indicates that the MPC priorities are sorted from highest to lowest as: angle > delay > power > polarization > Doppler > phase; index #2 indicates that the MPC priorities are sorted from highest to lowest as: delay > power > polarization > Doppler > phase > angle.

[0266] The indexes in Tables 1 and 2 can be replaced with scenarios. For example, index #1 can be replaced with scenario #1, index #2 with scenario #2, and index #3 with scenario #3.

[0267] It is understood that Tables 1 and 2 are merely examples, and the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto. For example, Table 1 or Table 2 may include a greater number of parameters. Furthermore, the high-priority and low-priority parameters in Table 1 may be other combinations. For example, the priority sorting in Table 2 from high to low may be replaced with priority sorting from low to high. For example, Table 1 may also have a column without an index, meaning that the high and low priorities in Table 1 may be of the same type, such as high-priority MPC being delay and power, and low-priority MPC being angle and phase. For example, Table 2 may also have a column without an index, meaning that the MPC priority sorting in Table 2 may be of one type, such as MPC priority sorting from high to low as: angle > delay > power > polarization > Doppler > phase.

[0268] It is also understandable that Tables 1 and 2 can be predefined or indicated, without any limitation.

[0269] Based on scheme #B, alternatively, method 500 further includes: the first device determining the MPC type of the first type of MPC and the MPC type of the second type of MPC. For simplicity, in this embodiment, the MPC type of the first type of MPC is simply referred to as the type of the first type of MPC, and the MPC type of the second type of MPC is simply referred to as the type of the second type of MPC.

[0270] In a first possible implementation, the first device determines the type of a first type of MPC and the type of a second type of MPC based on the instruction from the second device. Specifically, the second device sends instruction information #3 to the first device, which indicates the type of the first type of MPC and / or the type of the second type of MPC.

[0271] Instruction information #3 and the aforementioned instruction information #2 can be carried in one signaling message or in different signaling messages, without limitation.

[0272] Optionally, instruction information #3 indicates at least one of the following: the type of the first type of MPC, the number of MPC types contained in the first type of MPC, the type of the second type of MPC, the number of MPC types contained in the second type of MPC, and one of the S indices, where S is an integer greater than 1. Several examples are given below.

[0273] Example 1, Instruction Message #3 indicates the type of the first type of MPC and the type of the second type of MPC.

[0274] For example, indication information #3 indicates that the type of the first type of MPC is angle, time delay, power, and phase, and indication information #3 indicates that the type of the second type of MPC is polarization and Doppler.

[0275] Example 2, Instruction message #3 indicates the type of the first type of MPC.

[0276] For example, indication information #3 indicates that the type of the first type of MPC is angle, time delay, power, and phase. Based on the fact that the first type of MPC is angle, time delay, power, and phase, and that the MPC type includes angle, time delay, power, phase, polarization, and Doppler, the first device determines that the second type of MPC is the remaining MPC, that is, the second type of MPC is polarization and Doppler.

[0277] Example 3, Instruction Message #3 indicates the type of the second type of MPC.

[0278] Example 3 can be referenced from Example 2, and will not be repeated here.

[0279] Example 4, Instruction Message #3 indicates the number of types of the first type of MPC.

[0280] For example, indication information #3 indicates that the number of types of the first type of MPC is P1. Thus, the first device can determine the first and second types of MPCs based on the fact that the first type of MPC has a higher priority than the second type of MPC. For instance, assuming the predefined or preconfigured MPC priority is: angle > delay > power > polarization > Doppler > phase, and indication information #3 indicates P1 is 2, then the first device can determine that the first type of MPC is angle and delay, and the second type of MPC is power, polarization, Doppler, and phase. Alternatively, indication information #3 may also indicate an index (such as the index in Table 2), so that the first device can determine the first and second types of MPCs based on the index, P1, and Table 2.

[0281] Example 5, Instruction Message #3 indicates the number of types of the second type of MPC.

[0282] For example, indication information #3 indicates that the number of types of the second type of MPC is P2. Thus, the first device can determine the first and second types of MPCs based on the fact that the first type of MPC has a higher priority than the second type of MPC, combined with the MPC priority. For instance, assuming the predefined or preconfigured MPC priority is: angle > delay > power > polarization > Doppler > phase, and indication information #3 indicates P2 is 2, then the first device can determine that the first type of MPC is angle, delay, power, and polarization, and the second type of MPC is Doppler and phase. Alternatively, indication information #3 may further indicate an index (such as the index in Table 2), so that the first device can determine the first and second types of MPCs based on the index and P2, combined with Table 2.

[0283] Example 6, Instruction Message #3 indicates the number of types of the first type of MPC and the number of types of the second type of MPC.

[0284] For example, indication information #3 indicates that the number of types of the first type of MPC is P1 and the number of types of the second type of MPC is P2. Thus, the first device can determine the first and second types of MPCs based on MPC priorities. For instance, assuming the predefined or preconfigured MPC priorities are: angle > delay > power > polarization > Doppler > phase, and indication information #3 indicates that P1 is 2 and P2 is 2, then the first device can determine that the first type of MPC is angle and delay, and the second type of MPC is power and polarization based on indication information #3. Alternatively, indication information #3 may further indicate an index (such as the index in Table 2), so that the first device can determine the first and second types of MPCs based on the index and P1, P2, and in conjunction with Table 2.

[0285] Example 7, Indication #3 indicates one of S indices.

[0286] In this system, different indexes among the S indexes correspond to different combinations of MPC types (or simply MPC combinations). An MPC combination represents a combination of the MPC types of the first type of MPC and the MPC types of the second type of MPC; in other words, different indexes among the S indexes correspond to different combinations of MPC priorities. For example, taking Table 1 as an example, the S indexes could be the first column of Table 1, meaning that different indexes correspond to different high-priority and low-priority MPCs. As another example, taking Table 2 as an example, the S indexes could be the first column of Table 2, meaning that different indexes correspond to different MPC priority orders.

[0287] Taking Table 1 as an example, indication information #3 can indicate an index. Thus, the first device can determine the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC based on the fact that the first type of MPC is a high-priority MPC and the second type of MPC is a low-priority MPC, in conjunction with Table 1. For example, assuming indication information #3 indicates index #1, the first device can determine that the first type of MPC is time delay and power, and the second type of MPC is angle and phase, based on indication information #3.

[0288] The above examples are illustrative and the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto. Any variations of the above examples are applicable to the embodiments of this application.

[0289] In a second possible implementation, the first device determines the type of the first type of MPC and the type of the second type of MPC itself.

[0290] For example, the number of first-type MPC types or the number of second-type MPC types are predefined. The first device determines the first-type MPC based on the predefined number of first-type MPC types or the number of second-type MPC types, and the MPC priority, as detailed in the preceding description. The MPC priority can be predefined or configured, and is not limited thereto.

[0291] The above examples are illustrative and the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto. Any variations of the above examples are applicable to the embodiments of this application.

[0292] Scheme #C, the first type of MPC includes MPC with Y1 channels, the second type of MPC includes MPC with Y2 channels, and the Y1 channels include at least one channel that is different from the Y2 channels.

[0293] Based on this scheme, the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC can be based on channel partitioning. For example, the first device can be designed to transmit MPC for a portion of the channels (i.e., the first type of MPC) based on the first cycle and MPC for another portion of the channels (i.e., the second type of MPC) based on the second cycle. In this way, the second device can obtain the MPC for all channels based on the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC.

[0294] One possible implementation is that the first type of MPC includes the MPC of the first channel, and the second type of MPC includes the MPC of the second channel.

[0295] As an example, the first channel is the channel between the first communication device and the RIS (i.e., the RIS device), and the second channel is the channel between the RIS and the second communication device.

[0296] Specifically, if the first device and the second device transmit signals through other devices (such as RIS), the channels corresponding to the signals include the channels between the first device and other devices, as well as the channels between the other devices and the second device. Therefore, it is possible to design the first device to send the MPC of the channel between the first device and other devices (i.e., the first type of MPC) based on the first cycle, and to send the MPC of the channel between the other devices and the second device (i.e., the second type of MPC) based on the second cycle. In this way, the second device can obtain the MPC of all channels based on the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC.

[0297] Referring to Figure 16, as an example, Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 16, as an example, the second device periodically sends RS#1 to the first device. The first device obtains the MPC of the first channel (i.e., the first type of MPC) based on RS#1 and reports the first type of MPC to the second device. The second device periodically sends RS#2 to the first device. The first device obtains the MPC of the second channel (i.e., the second type of MPC) based on RS#2 and reports the second type of MPC to the second device. The periods of RS#1 and RS#2 are different. As an example, the period of RS#1 is the first period, and the period of RS#2 is the second period.

[0298] Based on this scheme #C, alternatively, method 500 further includes: the first device determining the first channel and the second channel.

[0299] In a first possible implementation, the first device determines a first channel and a second channel based on an instruction from the second device. Specifically, the second device sends instruction information #4 to the first device, which indicates the first channel and / or the second channel.

[0300] Instruction information #4 and the aforementioned instruction information #3 can be carried in one signaling message or in different signaling messages, without limitation.

[0301] In a second possible implementation, the first device determines the first channel and the second channel itself. For example, an MPC that transmits the first channel (such as the channel between the first device and the RIS) based on a first cycle can be predefined, and an MPC that transmits the second channel (such as the channel between the RIS and the second device) based on a second cycle can be predefined.

[0302] The above details the relevant schemes for both Type I and Type II MPC. It is understood that these schemes can be used in combination. For example, when Scheme #A and Scheme #B are combined, a high-priority MPC with a weak path can be sent based on the first cycle, and a low-priority MPC with a strong path can be sent based on the second cycle.

[0303] Optionally, method 500 further includes: the second device sending instruction information #5 (i.e., an example of third instruction information) to the first device, the instruction information #5 indicating relevant information of the first type of MPC and / or relevant information of the second type of MPC.

[0304] The information related to the first type of MPC refers to information related to the first type of MPC. As an example, the information related to the first type of MPC includes at least one of the following: the sending period of the first type of MPC (i.e., the first period), the resources occupied by the first type of MPC, the type of the first type of MPC, and the value of the first type of MPC.

[0305] The resources occupied by the first type of MPC refer to the resources used by the first device when transmitting the first type of MPC. As an example, the resources occupied by the first type of MPC include time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources.

[0306] The first type of MPC includes at least one of the following: angle, time delay, power, polarization, Doppler, phase, etc.

[0307] The value of the first type of MPC can be either an absolute value or a relative value. If indication information #5 indicates that the value of the first type of MPC is an absolute value, then the first device can determine to send the absolute value of the first type of MPC based on indication information #5. If indication information #5 indicates that the value of the first type of MPC is a relative value, then the first device can determine to send the relative value of the first type of MPC based on indication information #5. The relative value of the first type of MPC is the offset between the value of the first type of MPC and a reference value. The reference value can be predefined, indicated by the second device, or determined by the first device itself. If the first device determines the reference value itself, it can also indicate the reference value to the second device.

[0308] The information related to the second type of MPC refers to information related to the second type of MPC. For example, the information related to the second type of MPC includes at least one of the following: the sending period of the second type of MPC (i.e., the second cycle), the resources occupied by the second type of MPC, the type of the second type of MPC, and the value of the second type of MPC. For the meaning of each parameter, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the information related to the first type of MPC mentioned above; they will not be repeated here.

[0309] As an example, the relevant information of the first type of MPC and the relevant information of the second type of MPC can be carried in one signaling message or in different signaling messages, and there is no limitation on this.

[0310] As an example, indication information #5, indication information #4, indication information #3, and indication information #2 can be carried in a single signaling message or in different signaling messages, without limitation. For example, if indication information #5 and indication information #2 are carried in a single signaling message, then the relevant information for the first type of MPC also includes information about the first path, and the relevant information for the second type of MPC also includes information about the second path. As another example, if indication information #5 and indication information #3 are carried in a single signaling message, then the relevant information for the first type of MPC includes the type of the first type of MPC, and the relevant information for the second type of MPC includes the type of the second type of MPC. As yet another example, if indication information #5 and indication information #4 are carried in a single signaling message, then the relevant information for the first type of MPC also includes information about the first channel, and the relevant information for the second type of MPC also includes information about the second channel.

[0311] Optionally, method 500 further includes: the first device sending capability information to the second device.

[0312] One possible scenario is that the capability information could indicate whether the first device supports MPC reporting at different cycles.

[0313] For example, a first device sends capability information to a second device, indicating that the first device supports MPC reporting at different periods. Based on this capability information, the second device configures a first period and a second period for the first device. The first period is the transmission period for a first type of MPC, and the second period is the transmission period for a second type of MPC, with the second period being longer than the first period. As another example, the first device sends capability information to the second device, indicating that the first device does not support MPC reporting at different periods. Based on this capability information, the second device configures a period for the first device, which is the transmission period for both the first and second types of MPC. As yet another example, the first device sends capability information to the second device, indicating that the first device does not support MPC reporting at different periods. Based on this capability information, the second device dynamically configures both the first and second types of MPC for the first device.

[0314] As an example, capability information can be implemented using at least one bit. For instance, capability information can be implemented using 1 bit. For example, if the 1 bit has a first value, it indicates that the first device supports MPC reporting at different periods; if the 1 bit has a second value, it indicates that the first device does not support MPC reporting at different periods. The first and second values ​​are different; for example, the first value is "0" and the second value is "1"; or, the first value is "1" and the second value is "0".

[0315] Another possible scenario is that the capability information may indicate the MPC configuration supported by the first device.

[0316] Here, MPC configuration refers to the configuration related to MPC. MPC configuration includes the configuration of a first type of MPC and / or the configuration of a second type of MPC. Specifically, the first device can send capability information to the second device, which can be used by the second device to determine the configuration of the first type of MPC and / or the configuration of the second type of MPC. For example, the second device can determine relevant information of the first type of MPC and / or relevant information of the second type of MPC based on the capability information of the first device.

[0317] For example, capability information may indicate whether the first device supports classifying MPC into Type I and Type II based on path (i.e., scheme #A). As another example, capability information may indicate whether the first device supports classifying MPC into Type I and Type II based on MPC type (i.e., scheme #B). As yet another example, capability information may indicate whether the first device supports classifying MPC into Type I and Type II based on channel (i.e., scheme #C).

[0318] As an example, capability information can be implemented using at least one bit. For instance, capability information can be implemented using two bits. For example, if the two bits have a first value, it indicates that the first device supports scheme #A; if the two bits have a second value, it indicates that the first device supports scheme #B; and if the two bits have a third value, it indicates that the first device supports scheme #C. The first, second, and third values ​​can be different; for example, the first value might be "00", the second value "01", and the third value "10".

[0319] Another possible scenario is that the capability information can indicate the combination of the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC supported by the first device.

[0320] For example, capability information could indicate whether the first device supports a combination of one Type 2 MPC and at least one Type 1 MPC (i.e., scheme #1). As another example, capability information could indicate whether the first device supports a combination of W Type 1 MPCs and one Type 2 MPC (i.e., scheme #2). As yet another example, capability information could indicate whether the first device supports a combination of N1 consecutive Type 1 MPCs and N2 consecutive Type 2 MPCs (i.e., scheme #3). As yet another example, capability information could indicate whether the first device supports a combination of Type 1 MPCs and Type 2 MPCs in a second time period (i.e., scheme #4).

[0321] As an example, capability information can be implemented using at least one bit. For instance, capability information can be implemented using two bits. For example, if the two bits have a first value, it indicates that the first device supports scheme #1; if the two bits have a second value, it indicates that the first device supports scheme #2; if the two bits have a third value, it indicates that the first device supports scheme #3; and if the two bits have a fourth value, it indicates that the first device supports scheme #4. The first, second, third, and fourth values ​​are different; for example, the first value is "00", the second value is "01", the third value is "10", and the fourth value is "11".

[0322] The above is a simplified example, and the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto. For example, capability information may also indicate whether Type I MPC and Type II MPC are supported.

[0323] The various solutions of the embodiments of this application have been described above. It is understood that, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of the various solutions are consistent and can be referenced by each other. For ease of understanding, the specific process applicable to the embodiments of this application is described below. It is understood that the process described below is only an example, and the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto. Content not described in detail below can be referred to the description in the preceding methods, and will not be repeated hereafter.

[0324] Referring to Figure 17, as an example, Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of a communication method 1700 provided in an embodiment of this application. The method 1700 shown in Figure 17 may include the following steps.

[0325] S1710, the second device sends instruction information #5 to the first device, which indicates relevant information of the first type of MPC and / or relevant information of the second type of MPC.

[0326] The relevant information for the first type of MPC refers to information related to the first type of MPC. As an example, the relevant information for the first type of MPC includes at least one of the following: the transmission period of the first type of MPC (i.e., the first period), the resources occupied by the first type of MPC, the type of the first type of MPC, the value of the first type of MPC, the path corresponding to the first type of MPC (e.g., the first path), and the channel corresponding to the first type of MPC (e.g., the first channel).

[0327] The relevant information for the second type of MPC refers to information related to the second type of MPC. As an example, the relevant information for the second type of MPC includes at least one of the following: the transmission period of the second type of MPC (i.e., the second period), the resources occupied by the second type of MPC, the type of the second type of MPC, the value of the second type of MPC, the path corresponding to the second type of MPC (such as the second path), and the channel corresponding to the second type of MPC (such as the second channel).

[0328] For the meaning of each parameter, please refer to the relevant description in Method 500 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0329] Optionally, the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC include at least the following schemes: the first type of MPC includes MPCs with R1 paths, and the second type of MPC includes MPCs with R2 paths, where the R1 paths include at least one path different from the R2 paths; the first type of MPC includes P1 type MPCs, and the second type of MPC includes P2 type MPCs, where the P1 type MPC includes at least one type of MPC different from the P2 type MPC; the first type of MPC corresponds to the MPC of the first channel, and the second type of MPC corresponds to the MPC of the second channel, where the first channel and the second channel are not completely identical. Refer to the relevant descriptions in Schemes #A to #C above for further details; they will not be repeated here.

[0330] S1720, the first device sends the first type of MPC based on the first cycle.

[0331] For simplicity, the steps of sending the first type of MPC by the first device in Figure 17 are all referred to as S1720. It can be understood that the first device can send the first type of MPC at different time units based on the first cycle.

[0332] S1730, the first device sends the second type of MPC based on the second cycle.

[0333] For simplicity, the steps of sending the second type of MPC by the first device in Figure 17 are all referred to as S1730. It can be understood that the first device can send the second type of MPC at different time units based on the second cycle.

[0334] For example, the second device sends a first reference signal to the first device based on a first cycle, the first device performs a measurement based on the first reference signal to obtain a first type of MPC, and sends the first type of MPC to the second device; the second device sends a second reference signal to the first device based on a second cycle, the first device performs a measurement based on the second reference signal to obtain a second type of MPC, and sends the second type of MPC to the second device.

[0335] In one possible scenario, the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC correspond to different paths, such as the first type of MPC corresponding to the first path and the second type of MPC corresponding to the second path. In this case, the first device can send the MPC of the first path (i.e., the first type of MPC) based on the first cycle, and the first device can send the MPC of the second path (i.e., the second type of MPC) based on the second cycle.

[0336] Another possible scenario is that the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC correspond to different MPC types, such as the first type of MPC being a first-type MPC and the second type of MPC being a second-type MPC. In this case, the first device can send the first type of MPC (i.e., the first-type MPC) based on the first cycle, and the first device can send the second type of MPC (i.e., the second-type MPC) based on the second cycle.

[0337] In one possible scenario, the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC correspond to different channels, such as the first type of MPC corresponding to the first channel and the second type of MPC corresponding to the second channel. In this case, the first device can transmit the MPC on the first channel (i.e., the first type of MPC) based on the first cycle, and the first device can transmit the MPC on the second channel (i.e., the second type of MPC) based on the second cycle; or, the first device can transmit the MPC (i.e., the first type of MPC) through the first channel based on the first cycle, and the first device can transmit the MPC (i.e., the second type of MPC) through the second channel based on the second cycle.

[0338] S1740, the second device determines the channel information based on the first type of MPC, the second type of MPC, and the combination method.

[0339] Optionally, the combination methods include at least the following schemes: a combination of a second type MPC and at least one first type MPC; a combination of W first type MPCs and a second type MPC, where W is an integer greater than or equal to 1; a combination of N1 consecutive first type MPCs and N2 consecutive second type MPCs, where N1 and N2 are integers greater than or equal to 1; and a combination of first type MPCs and second type MPCs in the second time period.

[0340] In one possible scenario, a second type MPC and at least one first type MPC are combined. In this case, the second device in S1740 determines the channel information based on a second type MPC and at least one first type MPC.

[0341] Another possible scenario is that W first-type MPCs and one second-type MPC are combined into a single unit. In this case, the second device in S1740 determines the channel information based on the W first-type MPCs and one second-type MPC.

[0342] Another possible scenario is that N1 consecutive Type I MPCs and N2 consecutive Type II MPCs are combined into one unit. In this case, the second device in S1740 determines the channel information based on the N1 consecutive Type I MPCs and the N2 consecutive Type II MPCs.

[0343] Another possible scenario is that the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC in the second time period are a combination. In this case, the second device in S1740 determines the channel information based on the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC in the second time period.

[0344] For details, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the previous schemes #1 to #4, which will not be repeated here.

[0345] It is understood that the above method embodiments are mainly illustrated by the second device determining channel information based on the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC sent by the first device. The embodiments of this application are not limited thereto, and any variation of the above scheme is applicable to the embodiments of this application.

[0346] It is also understood that some of the above embodiments are illustrated using time units as examples. For example, the first type of MPC on time unit T1, and the second type of MPC on time unit T2. The first type of MPC on time unit T1 can also be replaced with: the first type of MPC at a certain time domain position, or the first type of MPC at a certain time position, or the first type of MPC on a certain time domain resource; similarly, the second type of MPC on time unit T2 can also be replaced with: the second type of MPC at a certain time domain position, or the second type of MPC at a certain time position, or the second type of MPC on a certain time domain resource.

[0347] It is understood that in the above method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by the device can also be implemented by components of the device (such as chips or circuits), without limitation.

[0348] The methods provided by the embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to Figures 5 to 17. The apparatus provided by the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 18 to 20. It should be understood that the descriptions of the apparatus embodiments correspond to the descriptions of the method embodiments; therefore, any content not described in detail can be referred to the method embodiments above, and for the sake of brevity, will not be repeated here.

[0349] Referring to Figure 18, as an example, Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of a communication device 1800 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1800 includes a transceiver unit 1810. The transceiver unit 1810 can be used to implement corresponding communication functions. The transceiver unit 1810 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit. Optionally, the device 1800 further includes a processing unit 1820. The processing unit 1820 can be used to perform processing, such as measurement based on a reference signal.

[0350] Optionally, the device 1800 further includes a storage unit that can be used to store instructions and / or data, and the processing unit 1820 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage unit to enable the device to implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0351] In a first possible design, the device 1800 can be the first device in the aforementioned embodiments (as shown in Figure 5 or Figure 17), which can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the first device in the above method embodiments. Specifically, the transceiver unit 1810 can be used to perform transceiver-related operations (such as sending and / or receiving data or messages) of the first device in the above method embodiments; the processing unit 1820 can be used to perform processing-related operations of the first device in the above method embodiments, or operations other than transceiver (such as operations other than sending and / or receiving data or messages).

[0352] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1810 is used to transmit a first type of MPC; the transceiver unit 1810 is also used to transmit a second type of MPC, and the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC are used to determine channel information by combining the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC. Optionally, the processing unit 1820 is used to determine the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC.

[0353] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1810 is also configured to send first indication information, which indicates a supported combination of a first type of MPC and a second type of MPC.

[0354] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1810 is also configured to receive second indication information, the second indication information indicating the number of paths contained in the first path and / or the number of paths contained in the second path.

[0355] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1810 is also used to transmit capability information, which indicates the supported MPC configurations, including configurations for a first type of MPC and configurations for a second type of MPC.

[0356] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1810 is further configured to receive third indication information, the third indication information indicating at least one of the following: the transmission period of the first type of MPC, the transmission period of the second type of MPC, the resources occupied by the first type of MPC, the resources occupied by the second type of MPC, the MPC type of the first type of MPC, and the MPC type of the second type of MPC.

[0357] In a second possible design, the device 1800 can be the second device in the aforementioned embodiments (as shown in Figure 5 or Figure 17). This device 1800 can implement the steps or processes performed by the second device in the above method embodiments. Specifically, the transceiver unit 1810 can be used to perform transceiver-related operations (such as sending and / or receiving data or messages) of the second device in the above method embodiments; the processing unit 1820 can be used to perform processing-related operations of the second device in the above method embodiments, or operations other than transceiver (such as operations other than sending and / or receiving data or messages).

[0358] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1810 is used to receive a first type of MPC; the transceiver unit 1810 is also used to receive a second type of MPC, and the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC are used to determine channel information by combining the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC. Optionally, the processing unit 1820 is used to determine the channel information.

[0359] Optionally, the combination of the first MPC and the second MPC can be: a combination of one second type MPC and at least one first type MPC, and the method further includes: determining channel information based on one second MPC and at least one first MPC; or, the combination of the first MPC and the second MPC can be: a combination of W first type MPCs and one second type MPC, and the processing unit 1820 is used to determine channel information based on W first type MPCs and one second type MPC; or, the combination of the first MPC and the second MPC can be: a combination of N1 consecutive first type MPCs and N2 consecutive second type MPCs, and the processing unit 1820 is used to determine channel information based on N1 consecutive first type MPCs and N2 consecutive second type MPCs; or, the combination of the first MPC and the second MPC can be: a combination of first type MPCs and second type MPCs in a second time period, and the processing unit 1820 is used to determine channel information based on first type MPCs and second type MPCs in the second time period.

[0360] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1810 is also configured to receive first indication information, which indicates a supported combination of a first type of MPC and a second type of MPC.

[0361] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1810 is also configured to transmit second indication information, the second indication information indicating the number of paths contained in the first path and / or the number of paths contained in the second path.

[0362] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1810 is also used to receive capability information, which indicates the supported MPC configurations, including configurations for a first type of MPC and configurations for a second type of MPC.

[0363] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1810 is further configured to send third indication information, the third indication information indicating at least one of the following: the transmission period of the first type of MPC, the transmission period of the second type of MPC, the resources occupied by the first type of MPC, the resources occupied by the second type of MPC, the MPC type of the first type of MPC, and the MPC type of the second type of MPC.

[0364] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above-mentioned corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0365] It should also be understood that the device 1800 here is embodied in the form of a functional unit. The term "unit" here can refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), electronic circuitry, a processor (e.g., a shared processor, a proprietary processor, or a group processor, etc.) and memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, combined logic circuitry, and / or other suitable components supporting the described functions. In an alternative example, those skilled in the art will understand that the device 1800 can be specifically the communication device in the above embodiments, and can be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the communication device in the above method embodiments; to avoid repetition, these will not be described again here.

[0366] The apparatus 1800 of each of the above-described schemes has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the communication device (such as the first device, or the second device) in the above-described methods. The function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions; for example, the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transceiver (e.g., the transmitting unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver unit can be replaced by a receiver), and other units, such as processing units, can be replaced by processors, each performing the transceiver operations and related processing operations in the respective method embodiments.

[0367] In addition, the transceiver unit 1810 may also be a transceiver circuit (for example, it may include a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing unit may be a processing circuit.

[0368] It should be noted that the device in Figure 18 can be the communication device in the foregoing embodiments (such as the first device or the second device), or it can be a chip or a chip system, such as a system on a chip (SoC). The transceiver unit can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processing unit is a processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit integrated on the chip. No limitations are imposed here.

[0369] Referring to Figure 19, as an example, Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of another communication device 1900 provided in an embodiment of this application. The device 1900 includes a processor 1910, which is coupled to a memory 1920. The memory 1920 is used to store computer programs or instructions and / or data. The processor 1910 is used to execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory 1920, or to read the data stored in the memory 1920, to perform the methods in the above method embodiments.

[0370] Optionally, there may be one or more processors 1910.

[0371] Optionally, the memory 1920 may be one or more.

[0372] Alternatively, the memory 1920 can be integrated with the processor 1910, or it can be set up separately.

[0373] Optionally, as shown in FIG19, the device 1900 further includes a transceiver 1930 for receiving and / or transmitting signals. For example, a processor 1910 is used to control the transceiver 1930 to receive and / or transmit signals.

[0374] As an example, processor 1910 may have the functions of processing unit 1820 shown in FIG18, memory 1920 may have the functions of storage unit, and transceiver 1930 may have the functions of transceiver unit 1810 shown in FIG18.

[0375] As one option, the device 1900 is used to implement the operations performed by the communication device (such as the first device, or the second device) in the various method embodiments described above.

[0376] For example, processor 1910 is used to execute computer programs or instructions stored in memory 1920 to implement the relevant operations of the communication device in the various method embodiments above.

[0377] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), ASICs, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0378] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory. 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. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM can be used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, RAM includes the following forms: 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).

[0379] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated into the processor.

[0380] It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0381] Referring to Figure 20, as an example, Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of a chip system 2000 provided in an embodiment of this application. The chip system 2000 (or may also be called a processing system) includes logic circuitry 2010 and an input / output interface 2020.

[0382] The logic circuit 2010 can be a processing circuit in the chip system 2000. The logic circuit 2010 can be coupled to a memory unit, calling instructions from the memory unit, enabling the chip system 2000 to implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application. The input / output interface 2020 can be an input / output circuit in the chip system 2000, outputting processed information from the chip system 2000, or inputting data or signaling information to be processed into the chip system 2000 for processing.

[0383] As one approach, the chip system 2000 is used to implement the operations performed by the communication device (such as the first device, or the second device) in the various method embodiments described above.

[0384] For example, logic circuit 2010 is used to implement processing-related operations performed by a communication device (such as the first device or the second device) in the above method embodiments; input / output interface 2020 is used to implement sending and / or receiving-related operations performed by a communication device (such as the first device or the second device) in the above method embodiments.

[0385] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions for implementing the methods executed by a communication device (such as a first device or a second device) in the above-described method embodiments. For example, when the computer program or instructions are run on the communication device, the communication device (such as the first device or the second device) performs the above-described methods (such as method 500 or method 1700).

[0386] This application also provides a computer program product comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, implement the methods described above as performed by a communication device (such as a first device or a second device). For example, when the computer program or instructions are run on the communication device, the communication device (such as the first device or the second device) performs the methods described above (such as method 500 or method 1700).

[0387] This application also provides a communication system that includes the first and second devices described in the preceding embodiments. For example, the system includes the first and second devices as described in FIG5. As another example, the system includes the first and second devices as described in FIG17.

[0388] The explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant contents in any of the devices provided above can be found in the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0389] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection of apparatus or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0390] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. For example, the computer can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access 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., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks, SSDs). For example, the aforementioned available media include, but are not limited to, USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks, and other media capable of storing program code.

[0391] 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 technical scope 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: Send Type I Multipath Component (MPC); A second type of MPC is sent, and the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC are used to determine channel information by combining the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transmission period of the first type of MPC is shorter than that of the second type of MPC.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The combination of the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC can be any of the following: A second type MPC and at least one first type MPC constitute a combination, wherein the at least one first type MPC is a first type MPC within a first time period, and the start time unit or end time unit of the first time period is the time unit occupied by the second type MPC. W first-type MPCs and one second-type MPC form a combination, wherein the second-type MPC is the first second-type MPC preceding the W first-type MPCs, or the second-type MPC is the first second-type MPC following the W first-type MPCs, where W is an integer greater than or equal to 1. A combination consists of N1 consecutive first-type MPCs and N2 consecutive second-type MPCs, where N1 and N2 are integers greater than or equal to 1. The first type of MPC and the second type of MPC in the second time period are a combination. The length of the second time period is greater than the length of the sending period of the first type of MPC, and the length of the second time period is greater than the length of the sending period of the second type of MPC.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a first indication message, which indicates the supported combination of the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first type of MPC and the second type of MPC satisfy at least one of the following: The first type of MPC includes MPCs with R1 paths, and the second type of MPC includes MPCs with R2 paths. The R1 paths include at least one path that is different from the R2 paths, and R1 and R2 are integers greater than or equal to 1. The first type of MPC includes P1 type MPC, the second type of MPC includes P2 type MPC, the P1 type MPC includes at least one type of MPC that is different from the P2 type MPC, and P1 and P2 are integers greater than or equal to 1; The first type of MPC includes MPC with Y1 channels, and the second type of MPC includes MPC with Y2 channels. The Y1 channels include at least one channel that is different from the Y2 channels, and Y1 and Y2 are integers greater than or equal to 1.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first type of MPC includes MPCs with a first path, and the second type of MPC includes MPCs with a second path, wherein the first path and the second path satisfy at least one of the following: The strength of the first diameter is less than the strength of the second diameter; The intensity of the first diameter is less than the first threshold. The intensity of the second diameter is greater than the second threshold. The delay of the first path is greater than the delay of the second path; The delay of the first path is greater than the third threshold; The delay of the second path is less than the fourth threshold.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive second indication information, which indicates the number of diameters contained in the first diameter and / or the number of diameters contained in the second diameter.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The MPC type of the first type of MPC has a higher priority than the MPC type of the second type of MPC.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first type of MPC includes MPC with a first channel, and the second type of MPC includes MPC with a second channel. The first channel is the channel between the first communication device and the configurable smart surface RIS device, and the second channel is the channel between the RIS device and the second communication device.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send capability information, which indicates the supported MPC configurations, including the configurations of the first type of MPC and the configurations of the second type of MPC.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive third indication information, the third indication information indicating at least one of the following: the transmission period of the first type of MPC, the transmission period of the second type of MPC, the resources occupied by the first type of MPC, the resources occupied by the second type of MPC, the MPC type of the first type of MPC, and the MPC type of the second type of MPC.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive Type I multipath component (MPC); The second type of MPC is received, and the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC are used to determine the channel information by combining the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The transmission period of the first type of MPC is shorter than that of the second type of MPC.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The combination of the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC can be any of the following: A second type MPC and at least one first type MPC constitute a combination, wherein the at least one first type MPC is a first type MPC within a first time period, and the start time unit or end time unit of the first time period is the time unit occupied by the second type MPC. W first-type MPCs and one second-type MPC form a combination, wherein the second-type MPC is the first second-type MPC preceding the W first-type MPCs, or the second-type MPC is the first second-type MPC following the W first-type MPCs, where W is an integer greater than or equal to 1. A combination consists of N1 consecutive first-type MPCs and N2 consecutive second-type MPCs, where N1 and N2 are integers greater than or equal to 1. The first type of MPC and the second type of MPC in the second time period are a combination. The length of the second time period is greater than the length of the sending period of the first type of MPC, and the length of the second time period is greater than the length of the sending period of the second type of MPC.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The combination of the first MPC and the second MPC is as follows: one second-type MPC and at least one first-type MPC constitute a combination; the method further includes: determining channel information based on one second MPC and at least one first MPC; or, The combination of the first MPC and the second MPC is as follows: W first-type MPCs and one second-type MPC constitute one combination. The method further includes: determining channel information based on the W first-type MPCs and one second-type MPC; or... The combination of the first MPC and the second MPC is as follows: N1 consecutive first-type MPCs and N2 consecutive second-type MPCs form a combination. The method further includes: determining channel information based on the N1 consecutive first-type MPCs and the N2 consecutive second-type MPCs; or... The combination of the first MPC and the second MPC is as follows: the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC in the second time period are combined into one combination. The method further includes: determining channel information based on the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC in the second time period.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive first indication information, which indicates the supported combination of the first type of MPC and the second type of MPC.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that, The first type of MPC and the second type of MPC satisfy at least one of the following: The first type of MPC includes MPCs with R1 paths, and the second type of MPC includes MPCs with R2 paths. The R1 paths include at least one path that is different from the R2 paths, and R1 and R2 are integers greater than or equal to 1. The first type of MPC includes P1 type MPC, the second type of MPC includes P2 type MPC, the P1 type MPC includes at least one type of MPC that is different from the P2 type MPC, and P1 and P2 are integers greater than or equal to 1; The first type of MPC includes MPC with Y1 channels, and the second type of MPC includes MPC with Y2 channels. The Y1 channels include at least one channel that is different from the Y2 channels, and Y1 and Y2 are integers greater than or equal to 1.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that, The first type of MPC includes MPCs with a first path, and the second type of MPC includes MPCs with a second path, wherein the first path and the second path satisfy at least one of the following: The strength of the first diameter is less than the strength of the second diameter; The intensity of the first diameter is less than the first threshold. The intensity of the second diameter is greater than the second threshold. The delay of the first path is greater than the delay of the second path; The delay of the first path is greater than the third threshold; The delay of the second path is less than the fourth threshold.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second indication message, which indicates the number of paths contained in the first path and / or the number of paths contained in the second path.

20. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that, The MPC type of the first type of MPC has a higher priority than the MPC type of the second type of MPC.

21. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that, The first type of MPC includes an MPC with a first channel and the second type of MPC includes an MPC with a second channel. The first channel is the channel between the first communication device and the configurable smart surface RIS device, and the second channel is the channel between the RIS device and the second communication device.

22. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 21, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive capability information, which indicates supported MPC configurations, including configurations for the first type of MPC and configurations for the second type of MPC.

23. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 22, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a third indication message, which indicates at least one of the following: the sending period of the first type of MPC, the sending period of the second type of MPC, the resources occupied by the first type of MPC, the resources occupied by the second type of MPC, the MPC type of the first type of MPC, and the MPC type of the second type of MPC.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes modules or units for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 23.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processor for executing a computer program or instructions in a memory to cause the apparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 23.

26. The apparatus according to claim 25, characterized in that, The device further includes the memory and / or a communication interface, the communication interface being coupled to the processor. The communication interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 23.

28. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program or instructions for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 23.

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