Communication method, terminal, network device, and communication system

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a communication method, a terminal, a network device, and a communication system. The communication method comprises: a terminal sending first information to a network device, wherein the first information is used by the network device to determine the number of layers of data to be sent corresponding to the terminal, the first information includes a first number or a second number, the first number is the number of cells with the power not less than a threshold value among wave number domain cells, and the second number is the maximum number of layers of data to be sent corresponding to the terminal. The embodiments of the present disclosure enable a network device to obtain a reference for the number of layers of data to be sent corresponding to a terminal, thereby optimizing or adjusting the value of the number of layers of data to be sent corresponding to the terminal, and improving the spectral efficiency of a MIMO channel link.

Description

Communication methods, terminals, network equipment and communication systems Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to communication methods, terminals, network devices and communication systems. Background Technology

[0002] Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology can significantly increase data transmission rates without increasing bandwidth, and beamforming gain is proportional to the number of antennas. Therefore, it has always attracted much attention from academia and industry and is one of the core technologies of the physical layer of wireless communication. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This disclosure presents a communication method, a terminal, a network device, and a communication system.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure, a communication method is provided, executed by a terminal, the method comprising:

[0005] Send first information to the network device, the first information being used by the network device to determine the number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal, wherein the first information includes a first number or a second number, the first number being the number of cells in the wavenumber domain with power not less than a threshold value, and the second number being the maximum number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure, a communication method is provided, performed by a network device, the method comprising:

[0007] The receiving terminal sends first information, which includes a first number or a second number. The first number is the number of cells in the wavenumber domain with a power not less than a threshold value, and the second number is the maximum number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal.

[0008] The number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal is determined based on the first information.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure, a terminal is provided, comprising:

[0010] The transceiver module is configured to send first information to a network device. The first information is used by the network device to determine the number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal. The first information includes a first number or a second number. The first number is the number of cells in the wavenumber domain with a power not less than a threshold value. The second number is the maximum number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure, a network device is provided, comprising:

[0012] The transceiver module is configured to receive first information sent by the terminal. The first information includes a first number or a second number. The first number is the number of cells in the wavenumber domain with a power not less than a threshold value. The second number is the maximum number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal.

[0013] The processing module is configured to determine the number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal based on the first information.

[0014] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided for performing the method proposed in the first or second aspect.

[0015] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, including a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the method proposed in the first aspect, and the network device is configured to implement the method proposed in the second aspect.

[0016] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided that stores instructions which, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method as described in the first or second aspect.

[0017] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a program product is provided, comprising at least one of a program and instructions, wherein the program and instructions, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as proposed in the first or second aspect.

[0018] In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the terminal reports first information to the network device, which enables the network device to obtain a reference for the number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal, thereby optimizing or adjusting the value of the number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal and improving the spectral efficiency of the MIMO channel link. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings required for the description of the embodiments are introduced below. The following drawings are only some embodiments of this disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0020] Figure 1A is an exemplary schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 1B is an exemplary schematic diagram of the wavenumber domain power distribution of a channel provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 1C is an exemplary schematic diagram of the wavenumber domain power distribution of a channel provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 2 is an exemplary interactive schematic diagram of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 3 is an exemplary interactive schematic diagram of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 4 is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 5A is an exemplary schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 5B is an exemplary schematic diagram of the structure of a network device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 6A is an exemplary schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 6B is an exemplary schematic diagram of the structure of a chip provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0030] This disclosure presents a communication method, a terminal, a network device, and a communication system.

[0031] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a terminal, the method comprising:

[0032] Send first information to the network device, the first information being used by the network device to determine the number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal, wherein the first information includes a first number or a second number, the first number being the number of cells in the wavenumber domain with power not less than a threshold value, and the second number being the maximum number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal.

[0033] In the above embodiments, the terminal reports first information to the network device, which enables the network device to obtain a reference for the number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal, thereby optimizing or adjusting the value of the number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal and improving the spectral efficiency of the MIMO channel link.

[0034] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the number included in the first information is the smaller of the first number and the second number.

[0035] When the threshold value is high, the first number may be less than the second number; when the threshold value is low, the first number may be greater than the second number. Therefore, the number contained in the first information may be either the first number or the second number. Finally, the data layer transmitted by a terminal needs to meet the following conditions: (1) the power is large enough; (2) it does not exceed the maximum number of data layers allowed by the network device (for example, when the network device performs MU-MIMO transmission, it needs to allocate a certain number of layers to other terminals). By reporting the smaller of the first number and the second number to the network device, the network device can determine the number of data layers corresponding to the terminal.

[0036] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information is included in the channel state information (CSI).

[0037] The first information is a type of CSI. The first information can be included in CSI. The number of the first information is the feedback of the terminal to the wavenumber domain degrees of freedom. That is, CSI includes feedback of the wavenumber domain degrees of freedom.

[0038] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0039] The power distribution in the wavenumber domain of the channel is integrated within each wavenumber domain cell to determine the power within each wavenumber domain cell.

[0040] In the above embodiment, the power in each wavenumber domain cell is the cumulative power of the channel's wavenumber domain power distribution in that cell.

[0041] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the power in each wavenumber domain cell is the integral value of the wavenumber domain power distribution in that wavenumber domain cell, or the product of the integral value and a first coefficient.

[0042] In the above embodiments, the power within each wavenumber domain cell can be the integral value of the channel's wavenumber domain power distribution within that cell, or the product of that integral value and a first coefficient. This first coefficient can be a constant coefficient and is non-zero. The first coefficient can be related to the size of the wavenumber domain cell; for example, it can be the reciprocal of the area of ​​the wavenumber domain cell.

[0043] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0044] Receive configuration information sent by the network device, wherein the configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0045] The reporting cycle of the first piece of information;

[0046] The resource for reporting the first information;

[0047] Wavenumber field cell size;

[0048] The aperture of the transmitting antenna array of the network device is used to determine the size of the wavenumber domain cell;

[0049] The threshold value;

[0050] The second number.

[0051] In the above embodiments, the network device can send configuration information to the terminal, which is used by the terminal to determine the reporting of first information. For example, the network device can configure the reporting period, reporting resources, etc., of the first information in the configuration information. The terminal can report the first information to the network device using the configured reporting resources according to the configured reporting period. When no reporting resources or reporting period are configured in the configuration information, the reporting resources or reporting period can use default values. For example, the network device can configure the wavenumber domain cell size or the aperture of the transmitting antenna array of the network device in the configuration information. The terminal can divide the wavenumber domain into multiple cells according to the configured wavenumber domain cell size or the aperture of the transmitting antenna array. When no threshold value is configured in the configuration information, the threshold value can use a default value.

[0052] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a network device, the method comprising:

[0053] The receiving terminal sends first information, which includes a first number or a second number. The first number is the number of cells in the wavenumber domain with a power not less than a threshold value, and the second number is the maximum number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal.

[0054] The number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal is determined based on the first information.

[0055] In the above embodiments, the network device receives the first information reported by the terminal, enabling the network device to obtain a reference for the number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal, thereby optimizing or adjusting the value of the number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal and improving the spectral efficiency of the MIMO channel link.

[0056] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the number included in the first information is the smaller of the first number and the second number.

[0057] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information is included in the CSI.

[0058] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the power in each wavenumber domain cell is obtained by integrating the wavenumber domain power distribution of the channel within that wavenumber domain cell.

[0059] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the power in each wavenumber domain cell is the integral value of the wavenumber domain power distribution in that wavenumber domain cell, or the product of the integral value and the first coefficient.

[0060] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0061] Send configuration information to the terminal, the configuration information including at least one of the following:

[0062] The reporting cycle of the first piece of information;

[0063] The resource for reporting the first information;

[0064] Wavenumber field cell size;

[0065] The aperture of the transmitting antenna array of the network device is used to determine the size of the wavenumber domain cell;

[0066] The threshold value;

[0067] The second number.

[0068] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a terminal, including:

[0069] The transceiver module is configured to send first information to a network device. The first information is used by the network device to determine the number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal. The first information includes a first number or a second number. The first number is the number of cells in the wavenumber domain with a power not less than a threshold value. The second number is the maximum number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal.

[0070] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a network device, including:

[0071] The transceiver module is configured to receive first information sent by the terminal. The first information includes a first number or a second number. The first number is the number of cells in the wavenumber domain with a power not less than a threshold value. The second number is the maximum number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal.

[0072] The processing module is configured to determine the number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal based on the first information.

[0073] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device for performing the method described in an optional implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0074] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication system including a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the method described in the optional implementation of the first aspect, and the network device is configured to implement the method described in the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0075] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method as described in an optional implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0076] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product, including at least one of a program and instructions, wherein when the program and instructions are executed by a communication device, they implement the method described in the optional implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0077] In a ninth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the methods described in optional implementations of the first or second aspect.

[0078] It is understood that the aforementioned terminals, network devices, communication devices, communication systems, storage media, program products, chips, or chip systems are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0079] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments. In all embodiments of this disclosure, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referenced. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0080] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0081] In this embodiment of the disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a," "an," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "this," etc., can mean "one and only one," or "one or more," "at least one," etc. For example, when using articles such as "a," "an," "the," etc. in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as either a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0082] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0083] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of A or B, at least one of A and B”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0084] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of whether there is a branch B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of whether there is a branch A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, both A and B are executed. The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0085] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of whether a branch B exists); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of whether a branch A exists); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0086] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the object being described is "information", then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0087] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0088] In some embodiments, terms such as "time / frequency" and "time-frequency domain" refer to the time domain and / or frequency domain.

[0089] In some embodiments, terms such as “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “when…”, “if…”, etc. can be used interchangeably. These descriptions all refer to the device making a corresponding action under certain objective circumstances. They do not necessarily limit the time, nor do they require the device to make a judgment action when implementing it, nor do they mean that there must be other limitations.

[0090] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than,” “greater than or equal to,” “not less than,” “more than,” “more than or equal to,” “not less than,” “higher than,” “higher than or equal to,” “not lower than,” and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not greater than,” “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not more than,” “lower than,” “lower than or equal to,” “not higher than,” and “below”.

[0091] In some embodiments, devices, etc., may be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to those described in the embodiments. Terms such as “device,” “equipment,” “circuit,” “network element,” “network function,” “network device,” “function,” “node,” “unit,” “section,” “system,” “network,” “chip,” “chip system,” “entity,” and “subject” are interchangeable.

[0092] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in a network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0093] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)," "radio access network device (RAN device)," "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "fixed station," "node," "access point," "transmission point (TP)," "reception point (RP)," "transmission / reception point (TRP)," "panel," "antenna panel," "antenna array," "cell," "macro cell," "small cell," "femto cell," "pico cell," "sector," "cell group," "serving cell," "carrier," "component carrier," and "bandwidth part (BWP)" can be used interchangeably.

[0094] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", "subscriber station", "mobile unit", "subscriber unit", "wireless unit", "remote unit", "mobile device", "wireless device", "wireless communication device", "remote device", "mobile subscriber station", "access terminal", "mobile terminal", "wireless terminal", "remote terminal", "handset", "user agent", "mobile client", and "client" can be used interchangeably.

[0095] In some embodiments, access network devices, core network devices, or network devices can be replaced by terminals. For example, embodiments of this disclosure can also be applied to structures where communication between access network devices, core network devices, or network devices and terminals is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (e.g., device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the structure can also be configured such that the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can be replaced with terms corresponding to communication between terminals (e.g., "sidelink"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., can be replaced with sidelink channel, and uplink link, downlink, etc., can be replaced with sidelink link.

[0096] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, core network device, or network device may also be configured to have all or some of the functions of the terminal.

[0097] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0098] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0099] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0100] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1A, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102.

[0101] In some embodiments, terminal 101 includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: mobile phone, wearable device, Internet of Things device, car with communication function, smart car, smart door lock, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal device in industrial control, wireless terminal device in self-driving, wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal device in smart grid, wireless terminal device in transportation safety, wireless terminal device in smart city, and wireless terminal device in smart home.

[0102] In some embodiments, network device 102 may include at least one of access network device and core network device. In some embodiments, access network device is, for example, a node or device that connects a terminal to a wireless network. Access network device may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following in a 5G communication system: evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation evolved Node B (ng-eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), node B (NB), home node B (HNB), home evolved node B (HeNB), radio backhaul device, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), base band unit (BBU), mobile switching center, base station in 6G communication system, open RAN, cloud RAN, base station in other communication systems, and access node in Wi-Fi system.

[0103] In some embodiments, a core network device may be a single device comprising one or more network elements, or it may be multiple devices or a group of devices, each comprising all or part of the aforementioned one or more network elements. Network elements may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), or a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0104] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of this disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within access network devices involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of Open RAN. The processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented by software or programs.

[0105] In some embodiments, the access network device may be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU may also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can separate the protocol layer of the access network device. Some of the protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU and centrally controlled by the CU. However, this is not the only possibility.

[0106] It is understood that the system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0107] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1A, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1A are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1A, or it may include other main bodies outside of FIG1A. The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. Each main body may be physical or virtual. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0108] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), and IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth (a registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) systems, systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems built upon them, etc. Furthermore, multiple systems can be combined (e.g., a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0109] Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology can significantly improve data transmission rates without increasing bandwidth. Moreover, beamforming gain is proportional to the number of antennas, so it has always attracted much attention from academia and industry and is one of the core technologies of the physical layer of wireless communication.

[0110] Current low- and mid-frequency spectrum resources are already overcrowded. To meet the ever-increasing demand for data rates, academia and industry have begun exploring higher-frequency spectrum resources, such as millimeter-wave and terahertz bands. High-frequency transmission suffers from greater transmission attenuation, especially due to severe absorption by water molecules and oxygen in the air, resulting in very limited transmission distance and coverage. However, higher frequencies mean shorter wavelengths, allowing for the deployment of more antennas within the same aperture size compared to low- and mid-frequency spectrum. Multi-antenna technology can effectively compensate for high-frequency transmission losses, thereby extending coverage and transmission distance.

[0111] MIMO technology is one of the most important physical layer transmission technologies in recent decades. Examples include MIMO in 4G LTE systems and massive MIMO in 5G NR systems. In the pre-research of 6G wireless communication technologies, MIMO technology has once again gained favor not only in academia but also in industry. The performance of MIMO technology largely depends on accurate channel state information (CSI). If the transmitter cannot obtain accurate CSI, the performance of MIMO technology (including its efficiency and reliability) will be significantly reduced.

[0112] Within the technical realm of 6G MIMO, holographic MIMO, as one of the most promising 6G MIMO candidate technologies, refers to an array that integrates a super-large or even countless antenna elements in a finite space. Gradually, holographic MIMO possesses a spatially continuous electromagnetic aperture, containing countless antenna elements with extremely small antenna spacing. Holographic MIMO boasts very high spatial resolution, spectral efficiency, and energy efficiency.

[0113] In some related studies, based on the Helmholtz equation and Weyl expansion, the channel from the transmitter (located at spatial point s) to the receiver (located at spatial point r) can be expressed as:

[0114] in,

[0115] The wavenumber vector corresponding to the source or transmitter.

[0116] This is the wavenumber vector corresponding to the receiving end.

[0117] H(k x ,k y ,κ x ,κ y() represents the wavenumber domain response of the channel;

[0118] This refers to the source response or the wavenumber domain response of the transmitting array.

[0119] This refers to the receive response or the wavenumber domain response of the receiver array.

[0120] Let λ be the wave number and λ be the wavelength.

[0121] In this embodiment of the disclosure, wavenumber is a physical quantity defined as follows: The wavenumber domain is the transformation domain of the spatial domain.

[0122] It should be noted that in some related academic research, antenna arrays are usually studied and discussed in the xoy plane, so x generally represents the horizontal direction and y generally represents the vertical direction. However, in practical applications, especially in 3GPP technical reports, antenna arrays are often studied and discussed in the yoz plane, where y represents the horizontal direction and z represents the vertical direction. For ease of understanding, in the embodiments of this disclosure, the subscript h represents the horizontal direction and the subscript v represents the vertical direction.

[0123] By utilizing spatial division multiplexing (SDM), MIMO can transmit multiple data streams simultaneously at the same frequency, thereby achieving a significant improvement in spectral efficiency (SE). However, when transmitting data, the transmitting end (such as the base station) needs to determine the number of data streams that can be spatially multiplexed, i.e., the layer number. For this purpose, the receiving end (such as the user equipment) typically needs to send rank indicator information to the transmitting end for reference. For holographic MIMO, how the transmitting end determines the layer number is a problem that needs to be solved.

[0124] Figure 2 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which includes:

[0125] Step S2101: The network device sends configuration information to the terminal.

[0126] In some embodiments, the terminal receives configuration information sent by the network device.

[0127] The aforementioned configuration information is used to configure the reporting of the first information. The first information is used by the network device to determine the corresponding data transmission layer (transmission data layer number) for the terminal. In some embodiments, the name of the aforementioned configuration information is not limited, and may be, for example, "CSI report configuration".

[0128] In some embodiments, the above configuration information includes at least one of the following (1) to (6):

[0129] (1) Reporting cycle of the first information

[0130] Optionally, the above configuration information may indicate the reporting period of the first information. Optionally, the reporting period of the first information may also be a default value or determined by the terminal itself. Optionally, the unit of the reporting period may be seconds or milliseconds, or an integer multiple of frames, radio frames, time slots, or Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, etc.

[0131] Optionally, if the first information is included in channel state information (CSI), the reporting period of the first information can be called the reporting period of CSI.

[0132] (2) Resources for reporting first information

[0133] Optionally, the above configuration information may indicate the reporting resources for the first information. Optionally, the reporting resources for the first information may also be a default value or determined by the terminal itself. Optionally, the reporting resources may be, for example, the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and / or the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH).

[0134] Optionally, if the first information is included in the CSI, the reporting resource of the first information can be called the reporting resource of the CSI.

[0135] (3) Wavenumber field cell size

[0136] Optionally, the above configuration information may indicate the wavenumber field cell size. Optionally, the wavenumber field cell size may also be a default value or determined by the terminal itself. For example, the terminal determines the wavenumber field cell size based on the aperture of the network device's transmit antenna array.

[0137] The wavenumber domain can be divided into multiple cells based on the cell size, which can be called the quantization interval. If the transmitting antenna array of the network device is a one-dimensional array, then the coordinate system of the wavenumber domain is a one-dimensional coordinate system, and each cell is a one-dimensional cell. The size of the wavenumber domain cell is denoted as Δ (also called the quantization interval). If the transmitting antenna array of the network device is a two-dimensional array, then the coordinate system of the wavenumber domain is a two-dimensional coordinate system, and each cell is a two-dimensional cell. The size of the wavenumber domain cell includes both horizontal and vertical dimensions, and the size of the wavenumber domain cell is denoted as (Δ). h ,Δ v ), Δ h Δ represents the cell size in the horizontal direction (also known as the horizontal quantization interval). v This is the cell size in the vertical direction (also known as the vertical quantization interval).

[0138] Optionally, the wavenumber field cell size can be quantized to the wavenumber. That is, it is expressed as a multiple of the wave number.

[0139] (4) The aperture of the transmitting antenna array of the network device.

[0140] Optionally, the above configuration information may indicate the aperture of the network device's transmit antenna array. The aperture of the transmit antenna array can be used to determine the size of the wavenumber domain cells.

[0141] If the transmitting antenna array of the network device is a one-dimensional array, the aperture of the transmitting antenna array is denoted as L. Optionally, the size of the wavenumber domain cell is determined by... Certainly, but not limited to this.

[0142] If the transmitting antenna array of a network device is a two-dimensional array, and the aperture of the transmitting antenna array includes two dimensions, horizontal and vertical, the aperture of the transmitting antenna array is denoted as (L). h ,L v ), L h L represents the horizontal aperture of a two-dimensional array, specifically the one-dimensional aperture in the horizontal direction. v The vertical aperture represents the one-dimensional aperture of the two-dimensional array in the vertical direction. The horizontal aperture L... h Δ is used to determine the cell size in the horizontal direction. h Vertical aperture L v Used to determine the cell size Δ in the vertical direction v Optionally, the size of the horizontal cells is determined by... Certainly, but not limited to this. Optionally, the vertical cell size is determined by... Certainly, but not limited to this.

[0143] In the above embodiments, the wavenumber domain cell size is determined based on the Nyquist sampling rate, that is, the wavenumber domain cell size is determined according to the aperture of the transmitting antenna array, which can ensure the quantization accuracy of the wavenumber domain and the link capacity.

[0144] Optionally, the aperture of the transmitting antenna array can be quantized to the wavelength, that is, expressed as a multiple of the wavelength.

[0145] Optionally, taking a two-dimensional array as an example, assuming the network device's transmitting antenna array is a 32x64 uniform planar array (UPA), if the horizontal antenna spacing and the vertical antenna spacing are both 1 / 4 wavelength... Then the aperture of the transmitting antenna array is (L h ,L v ) = (8λ, 16λ). Optionally, the wavenumber field cell size is Optionally, if the wavenumber field cell size is normalized to wavenumber, then

[0146] Alternatively, the aperture of the transmit antenna array of the network device can be replaced by the number of antennas and the antenna spacing of the transmit antenna array. For example, the aperture can be determined by the number of antennas and the antenna spacing of the transmit antenna array.

[0147] (5) Threshold value.

[0148] Optionally, the above configuration information may indicate a threshold value. Optionally, this threshold value may also be a default value or determined by the terminal itself. This threshold value is used by the terminal to determine the number of wavenumber field cells with power greater than the threshold value, thereby determining the number of wavenumber field cells with power greater than the threshold value.

[0149] The threshold value can be an absolute threshold (e.g., in watts, milliwatts, or their corresponding logarithmic scales, such as decibel watts (dBW) or decibel milliwatts (dBmW)); or it can be a relative threshold. Optionally, the relative threshold can be a positive number between 0 and 1, such as a relative threshold of 0.8, which represents 0.8 times the maximum value.

[0150] (6) The second number.

[0151] Optionally, the above configuration information may or may not indicate a second number. The second number is the maximum number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal. The value of the second number is a positive integer.

[0152] In some embodiments, the name of the second number is not limited, and it may be, for example, "the maximum value of wavenumber-domain degree of freedom (WDDoF)".

[0153] Among them, the wavenumber domain degrees of freedom can be interpreted as the number of independent sub-channels into which a channel (or its main components) can be decomposed in the wavenumber domain; it can also be interpreted as the number of singular values ​​of the channel in the spatial domain whose absolute values ​​are large (e.g., above a certain threshold); it can also be interpreted as the number of eigenvalues ​​of the autocorrelation of the channel in the spatial domain whose absolute values ​​are large (e.g., above a certain threshold); or it can be interpreted as the number of data layers that can realize spatial domain multiplexing (SDM), and so on.

[0154] The maximum value of the wavenumber domain degrees of freedom (WDDoF) is related to at least one of the following factors:

[0155] A. The degrees of freedom of the channel itself, such as the number of multipath paths;

[0156] B. Number of antennas at both the transmitting and receiving ends;

[0157] C. The number of terminal pairs in the multi-user MIMO (multi-user multiple input multiple output, MU-MIMO) transmission to be scheduled by network devices (such as gNB).

[0158] The second number, the maximum value of the wavenumber domain degrees of freedom, limits the number of layers of data transmission (the number of data transmission layers) of the terminal; that is, the number of data transmission layers of the terminal cannot exceed this value. This second number is usually determined by the network device. The wavenumber domain degrees of freedom reported by the terminal cannot exceed this value.

[0159] In some embodiments, the above configuration information can be sent to the terminal via configuration signaling. Optionally, the configuration signaling can be at least one of radio resource control (RRC), media access control element (MAC CE), and downlink control information (DCI). Optionally, the terminal receives the configuration signaling.

[0160] In some embodiments, step S2101 is an optional step. For example, at least one of the parameters indicated by the configuration information may be a default value, a predefined value, or a value determined by the terminal itself.

[0161] Step S2102: The terminal sends the first information to the network device.

[0162] In some embodiments, the network device receives first information sent by the terminal. The first information is used by the network device to determine the number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal. The first information includes a first number or a second number, where the first number is the number of cells in the wavenumber domain with power not less than a threshold value, and the second number is the maximum number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal. Optionally, the power in each wavenumber domain cell can be the cumulative power of the channel's wavenumber domain power distribution within that cell, for example, obtained by integrating the channel's wavenumber domain power distribution within that cell, or it can be implemented in other ways, such as the peak power of the channel's wavenumber domain power distribution within that cell.

[0163] In some embodiments, the name of the first number is not limited, and it may be, for example, "first wavenumber-domain degree of freedom (WDDoF)". The number contained in the first information may be referred to as the wavenumber-domain degree of freedom reported by the terminal.

[0164] In some embodiments, the terminal determines the first number in the following optional implementations:

[0165] Step A. Integrate the wavenumber domain power distribution of the channel in each wavenumber domain cell to determine the power in each wavenumber domain cell.

[0166] The wavenumber domain can be divided into multiple cells based on the cell size. First, the terminal measures a reference signal (such as a channel state information reference signal, CSI-RS) and performs channel estimation. Then, it calculates the wavenumber domain power distribution of the channel based on the estimated channel. This channel is the downlink channel from the network device to the terminal, used for data transmission from the network device to the terminal. The wavenumber domain power distribution refers to the power distribution of the channel in the wavenumber domain. It includes the wavenumber domain power distribution values ​​corresponding to different coordinates (one-dimensional coordinates or two-dimensional coordinates) within the wavenumber domain. Optionally, if the network device's transmitting antenna array is a one-dimensional array, the coordinates in the wavenumber domain are one-dimensional; if the network device's transmitting antenna array is a two-dimensional array, the coordinates in the wavenumber domain are two-dimensional. Taking a two-dimensional coordinate system as an example, Figure 1B shows an exemplary schematic diagram of the channel's wavenumber domain power distribution. As shown in Figure 1B, the channel's wavenumber domain power distribution can be located at a radius equal to the wavenumber. Inside the circle, κ h κ represents the horizontal direction in the wavenumber domain. v This represents the vertical direction in the wavenumber domain. Optionally, the wavenumber domain power distribution of the channel can also be normalized to the wavenumber domain. That is, the wavenumber domain power distribution can lie within a circle with a radius of 1. For a one-dimensional coordinate system, the wavenumber domain power distribution can lie in the one-dimensional coordinate interval from -κ0 to κ0, or in the one-dimensional coordinate interval from -1 to 1 (normalized to wavenumber).

[0167] A coordinate of a channel in the wavenumber domain can represent a direction in the spatial domain (e.g., represented by horizontal and vertical angles), and the wavenumber domain power distribution value corresponding to that coordinate can represent the power of the channel along that direction.

[0168] The wavenumber domain power distribution can be the channel's power density function in the wavenumber domain, or the spatial scattering function, or the square of the spectral factor, or it can only correspond to the power density function on the network device side, or the spatial scattering function on the network device side, or the square of the spectral factor on the network device side.

[0169] Then, the wavenumber domain power distribution (e.g., the wavenumber domain power density function) of the channel is integrated within each wavenumber domain cell. For example, the integration of the wavenumber domain power distribution within a wavenumber domain cell can be expressed as the following formula:

[0170] in:

[0171] Wavenumber domain coordinates The corresponding cell range,

[0172] Channel coordinates in the wavenumber domain The wavenumber domain power distribution value (e.g., power density).

[0173] The wavenumber domain power distribution of the channel in wavenumber domain coordinates Corresponding cell range The integral value within.

[0174] In some embodiments, the power within each wavenumber domain cell can be the integral value of the channel's wavenumber domain power distribution within that cell, or the product of that integral value and a first coefficient. The first coefficient can be a constant coefficient and is non-zero. Optionally, the first coefficient is the same for each wavenumber domain cell. Optionally, the first coefficient can be determined based on the size of the wavenumber domain cell, i.e., it is related to the size of the wavenumber domain cell; for example, the first coefficient can be the reciprocal of the area of ​​the wavenumber domain cell. Of course, the first coefficient can also be independent of the size of the wavenumber domain cell.

[0175] For example, see Figure 1C, cell range The internal power can be It can also be The product of the first coefficient.

[0176] Step B. Determine the number of cells in the wavenumber domain whose power is not less than the threshold value, i.e., the first number.

[0177] The terminal determines the number of cells with power not less than the threshold value, i.e., the first number, based on the power in each wavenumber field cell.

[0178] After determining the first number, the terminal sends the first information to the network device.

[0179] In some embodiments, the first information includes a first number. For example, after determining the first number, the terminal can directly report the first number to the network device. In some embodiments, if the second number is not configured in the configuration information, the terminal, after determining the first number, will directly report the first number to the network device.

[0180] In some embodiments, the number included in the first information is the smaller of a first number and a second number. In some embodiments, if a second number is configured in the configuration information or a default value exists for the second number, then the number included in the first information is the smaller of the first number and the second number. After determining the first number, the terminal compares the first number and the second number, and reports the smaller of the two to the network device. It is easy to understand that when the threshold value is high, the first number may be less than the second number, and when the threshold value is low, the first number may be greater than the second number.

[0181] Therefore, the number contained in the first piece of information may be a first number or a second number.

[0182] When the number contained in the first information is the first number, it may be that the terminal directly reports the first number to the network device, or it may be that the terminal compares the first number and the second number, and since the first number is the smaller of the first number and the second number, the terminal reports the first number to the network device.

[0183] When the number contained in the first information is the second number, it is possible that after the terminal compares the first number and the second number, since the second number is the smaller of the first number and the second number, the terminal reports the second number to the network device.

[0184] Ultimately, the data layer transmitted by a terminal must meet the following conditions: (1) the power is sufficiently high; (2) it does not exceed the maximum number of data layers allowed by the network device (for example, when the network device performs MU-MIMO transmission, it needs to allocate a certain number of layers to other terminals). By reporting the smaller of the first number and the second number to the network device, the network device can determine the number of data layers corresponding to the terminal.

[0185] Degrees of freedom are an inherent property of a channel. First information is a type of CSI and can be included in CSI. The number of degrees of freedom contained in the first information is the terminal's feedback on the wavenumber domain degrees of freedom, that is, CSI includes wavenumber domain degree of freedom feedback.

[0186] In some embodiments, the terminal sends a CSI to the network device, the CSI including a first number, or the CSI including the smaller of a first number and a second number.

[0187] In some embodiments, the first information reporting may be performed via at least one of the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and the physical uplink shared channel.

[0188] Step S2103: The network device determines the data transmission layer corresponding to the terminal based on the first information.

[0189] In the wavenumber domain representation of a channel, each cell in the wavenumber domain represents the capability to transmit one layer of data, with some cells having high power and others low power. Under the same conditions, transmitting data in cells with high power can achieve higher throughput. The first number represents the number of cells with sufficiently high power (e.g., above a configured threshold), which is the terminal's suggestion to the network device regarding how many layers of data it should transmit.

[0190] The network device makes a final decision on the number of data layers to be transmitted based on the first information, thus determining the number of data layers to be transmitted for the terminal. Optionally, the number of data layers to be transmitted for the terminal may be less than or equal to the number contained in the first information.

[0191] For example, if the first piece of information contains 3 data layers, then the network device (such as a gNB) determines that the number of data layers corresponding to the terminal is less than or equal to 3, meaning the network device will transmit a maximum of 3 layers of data to the terminal. Optionally, if it is single-user MIMO (single-user multiple input multiple output, SU-MIMO), then the network device can directly determine that the number of data layers corresponding to the terminal is 3, meaning it will directly determine to transmit 3 layers of data to the terminal. Optionally, if it is MU-MIMO, the network device can adjust the number of data layers transmitted by each terminal (including the terminal itself) according to the MU-MIMO pairing situation of multiple users, for example, adjusting the number of data layers transmitted by the terminal to 2, 1, or 0 (not scheduling the terminal).

[0192] Therefore, based on the first information sent by the terminal, the network device can determine the layer to which data is transmitted to the terminal.

[0193] In the above embodiments, the terminal reports first information to the network device, which enables the network device to obtain a reference for the number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal, thereby optimizing or adjusting the value of the number of data transmission layers and improving the spectral efficiency of the MIMO channel link.

[0194] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc., are not limited to the names described in the embodiments. Terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "codepoint", "bit", and "data" can be used interchangeably.

[0195] In some embodiments, “get,” “obtain,” “receive,” “transmit,” “bidirectional transmission,” and “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, obtaining through self-processing, or autonomous implementation, among other meanings.

[0196] In some embodiments, terms such as “feedback,” “send,” “transmit,” “report,” “transmit,” “bidirectional transmission,” “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably.

[0197] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2103. For example, step S2101 + step S2102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S2102 + step S2103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0198] In some embodiments, step S2101 is optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0199] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0200] Figure 3 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which includes:

[0201] Step S3101: The terminal sends the first information to the network device.

[0202] The optional implementation of step S3101 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2, as well as other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0203] In some embodiments, the network device receives first information sent by the terminal. The first information is used by the network device to determine the number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal, wherein the first information includes a first number or a second number, the first number being the number of cells in the wavenumber field whose power is not less than a threshold value, and the second number being the maximum number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal.

[0204] In some embodiments, the number contained in the first information is a first number.

[0205] In some embodiments, the number contained in the first information is the smaller of a first number and a second number.

[0206] In some embodiments, the first information is included in the CSI.

[0207] In some embodiments, the terminal sends a CSI to the network device, the CSI containing a first number, or the CSI containing the smaller of a first number and a second number.

[0208] In some embodiments, the wavenumber domain is divided into multiple cells according to the size of the wavenumber domain cells. The terminal integrates the wavenumber domain power distribution of the channel within each wavenumber domain cell to determine the power within each wavenumber domain cell. Based on the power within each wavenumber domain cell, the number of cells with power greater than a threshold value is determined, i.e., a first number. Optionally, the power within each wavenumber domain cell can be the integral value of the wavenumber domain power distribution of the channel within that wavenumber domain cell, or the product of the integral value and a first coefficient.

[0209] In some embodiments, the threshold value can be configured by the network device through configuration information, or it can be a default value, or it can be determined by the terminal itself.

[0210] In some embodiments, the network device sends configuration information to the terminal. Optionally, the terminal receives the configuration information sent by the network device.

[0211] Optionally, the configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0212] The reporting cycle for the first piece of information;

[0213] Resources for reporting primary information;

[0214] Wavenumber field cell size;

[0215] The aperture of the transmitting antenna array of the network device is used to determine the size of the wavenumber domain cell;

[0216] Threshold value;

[0217] The second number.

[0218] Optionally, at least one of the parameters indicated by the configuration information may be a default value, a predefined value, or be determined by the terminal itself.

[0219] Step S3102: The network device determines the data transmission layer corresponding to the terminal based on the first information.

[0220] The optional implementation of step S3102 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2, as well as other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figure 2, which will not be repeated here.

[0221] In some embodiments, the number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal determined by the network device is less than or equal to the number contained in the first information.

[0222] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S3101 to S3102.

[0223] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0224] Figure 4 is an interactive schematic diagram of the communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a wavenumber-domain degree of freedom (WDDoF) reporting method, which includes:

[0225] Step S4101: gNB sends the first configuration information to UE.

[0226] In some embodiments, the first configuration information is used by the UE to determine the reporting of CSI, where CSI includes WDDoF.

[0227] In some embodiments, the first configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0228] (1) CSI reporting cycle

[0229] The reporting period can be in seconds or milliseconds, or it can be an integer multiple of a frame, radio frame, time slot, or OFDM symbol.

[0230] (2) CSI reporting resources

[0231] Reported resources include, for example, PUSCH and / or PUCCH.

[0232] (3) Wavenumber field cell size (quantization interval)

[0233] For a one-dimensional antenna array (gNB-side transmitting antenna array), the size of the above wavenumber domain cell is denoted as Δ;

[0234] For a two-dimensional antenna array (gNB-side transmit antenna array), the size of the above wavenumber domain cell is denoted as (Δ). h ,Δ v ); where Δ h and Δ v These represent the cell sizes in the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively.

[0235] Optionally, the wavenumber field cell size can be quantized to the wavenumber. That is, it is expressed as a multiple of the wave number.

[0236] (4) Aperture size of the gNB-side transmitting antenna array

[0237] For a one-dimensional antenna array, the aperture mentioned above is denoted as L;

[0238] For a two-dimensional antenna array, the above aperture is denoted as (L).h ,L v ); where L h and L v These represent the one-dimensional aperture of the two-dimensional array in the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively.

[0239] Optionally, the aforementioned aperture can be quantized to the wavelength, that is, expressed as a multiple of the wavelength. For example, a 32x64 UPA array, if the antenna spacing in both the horizontal and vertical directions is 1 / 4 wavelength. Then (L) h ,L v )=(8λ,16λ).

[0240] (5) Threshold value

[0241] The threshold value can be an absolute threshold (such as a unit of watt, milliwatt, or its corresponding logarithmic scale—dBW, dBmW), or a relative threshold (such as a positive number between 0 and 1, such as 0.8 times the maximum value).

[0242] (6) The maximum value of the wavenumber domain degrees of freedom (WDDoF) (denoted as WDDoF) max )

[0243] WDDoF max The value is a positive integer, and the WDDoF reported by the UE cannot exceed this value.

[0244] Optionally, the first configuration information may be notified by at least one of DCI, MAC CE, and RRC signaling.

[0245] Step S4102: The UE reports WDDoF to the gNB.

[0246] Optionally, the UE receives the first configuration information, calculates and reports the WDDoF based on the first configuration information.

[0247] First, the terminal calculates the power distribution in each cell of the wavenumber domain based on the channel's wavenumber domain power distribution (e.g., integrating the wavenumber domain power density function in each cell separately), thus obtaining the power in each cell. The wavenumber domain power distribution can be the channel's power density function, or the scattering function, or the square of the spectral factor, or it can correspond only to the power density function on the gNB side, or only to the scattering function on the gNB side, or only to the square of the spectral factor on the gNB side.

[0248] Alternatively, the wavenumber domain power density function can be integrated in each cell as follows:

[0249] in:

[0250] Wavenumber domain coordinates The corresponding cell range,

[0251] Channel coordinates in the wavenumber domain The power density.

[0252] Wavenumber domain coordinates Corresponding cell range The power within.

[0253] Then, the terminal compares the power in each cell with the threshold value configured in the first configuration information, and determines the number of cells with power not less than the threshold value as the first WDDoF, denoted as WDDoF1. Optionally, when the first configuration information does not indicate a threshold value, the default value can be used.

[0254] The UE will set the maximum value of the wavenumber domain degrees of freedom configured by the first WDDoF and the first configuration information (WDDoF). max The smaller of ) (i.e., min{WDDoF1,WDDoF) max Report to gNB.

[0255] Optionally, when the first configuration information does not contain WDDoF max At that time, the UE reports WDDoF1.

[0256] Optionally, the resources (such as PUCCH and / or PUSCH) used for WDDoF reporting and the reporting period are determined based on the first configuration information. Optionally, when the first configuration information does not indicate the reporting resources or reporting period, the reporting resources or reporting period can use default values.

[0257] The wavenumber domain degree of freedom reporting method proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure enables the gNB to obtain a reference for the number of data transmission layers, thereby optimizing the value of the number of layers and improving the spectral efficiency of the MIMO channel link.

[0258] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0259] This disclosure also proposes an apparatus (also referred to as a communication device, etc.) for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Furthermore, another apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0260] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through a configuration file, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0261] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be hardware circuits designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as ASICs, such as Neural Network Processing Units (NPUs), Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), and Deep Learning Processing Units (DPUs).

[0262] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the terminal structure proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. Terminal 5100 is used to execute any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 5A, terminal 5100 may include at least one of a transceiver module 5101, a processing module 5102, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to send first information to a network device, the first information being used by the network device to determine the number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal, wherein the first information includes a first number or a second number, the first number being the number of cells in the wavenumber domain with power not less than a threshold value, and the second number being the maximum value of the number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to execute at least one of the communication steps (e.g., step S2102, but not limited thereto) performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here. Optionally, the processing module is used to execute at least one of the other steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0263] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The network device 5200 is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 5B, the network device 5200 may include at least one of a transceiver module 5201, a processing module 5202, etc. In some embodiments, the transceiver module is used to receive first information sent by a terminal, the first information including a first number or a second number, the first number being the number of cells in the wavenumber domain with power not less than a threshold value, and the second number being the maximum value of the number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal. The processing module is used to determine the number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal based on the first information. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., step S2101, but not limited thereto) performed by the network device in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here. Optionally, the processing module is used to perform at least one of other steps (e.g., step S2103, but not limited thereto) performed by the network device in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0264] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with a transceiver.

[0265] In some embodiments, the processing module may be a single module or may include multiple sub-modules. Optionally, the multiple sub-modules may each perform all or part of the steps required by the processing module.

[0266] In some embodiments, the processing module can be interchanged with the processor, and the transceiver module can be interchanged with the transceiver.

[0267] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 6100 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The communication device 6100 can be a network device (e.g., access network device, core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., user equipment, etc.), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The communication device 6100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0268] As shown in Figure 6A, the communication device 6100 is used to execute any of the above methods. In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 includes one or more processors 6101. The processor 6101 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 6100 is used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 6101 are used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 6100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0269] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more transceivers 6102. When the communication device 6100 includes one or more transceivers 6102, the transceiver 6102 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps S2101, S2102, but not limited thereto), and the processor 6101 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., step S2103, but not limited thereto). In optional embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, interface, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0270] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more memories 6103 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, one or more processors 6101 are used to invoke instructions stored in the memory 6103 to cause the communication device 6100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, all or part of the memory 6103 may also be located outside the communication device 6100. In an optional embodiment, the communication device 6100 may include one or more interface circuits 6104. Optionally, the interface circuit 6104 is connected to the memory 6103 and can be used to receive data and / or instructions from the memory 6103 or other devices, and can be used to send data and / or instructions to the memory 6103 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 6104 can read data and / or instructions stored in the memory 6103 and send the data and / or instructions to the processor 6101.

[0271] The communication device 6100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 6100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 6100 may not be limited by FIG. 6A. The communication device may be a standalone device or a part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC collection may also include storage components for storing data, programs and / or instructions; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0272] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the structure of chip 6200 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the communication device 6100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of chip 6200 shown in Figure 6B, but it is not limited thereto.

[0273] Chip 6200 includes one or more processors 6201. Chip 6200 is used to perform any of the methods described above.

[0274] In some embodiments, chip 6200 further includes one or more interface circuits 6202. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 6200 further includes one or more memories 6203 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 6203 may be located outside of chip 6200. Optionally, interface circuit 6202 is connected to memory 6203, and interface circuit 6202 can be used to receive data and / or instructions from memory 6203 or other devices, and interface circuit 6202 can be used to send data and / or instructions to memory 6203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 6202 can read data and / or instructions stored in memory 6203 and send the data and / or instructions to processor 6201.

[0275] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 6202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method (e.g., steps S2101, S2102, but not limited thereto). For example, the interface circuit 6202 performing the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method means that the interface circuit 6202 performs data and / or instruction interaction between the processor 6201, the chip 6200, the memory 6203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 6201 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., step S2103, but not limited thereto).

[0276] The modules and / or devices described in the various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be combined or separated arbitrarily as needed. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0277] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0278] This disclosure also proposes a program product, including a program and / or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product. Optionally, the program product is stored on the storage medium.

[0279] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method, executed by a terminal, includes: Send first information to the network device, the first information being used by the network device to determine the number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal, wherein the first information includes a first number or a second number, the first number being the number of cells in the wavenumber domain with power not less than a threshold value, and the second number being the maximum number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number contained in the first information is the smaller of the first number and the second number.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information is contained in the Channel State Information (CSI).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The method further includes: The power distribution in the wavenumber domain of the channel is integrated within each wavenumber domain cell to determine the power within each wavenumber domain cell.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The power in each wavenumber domain cell is the integral value of the wavenumber domain power distribution within that wavenumber domain cell, or the product of the integral value and the first coefficient.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive configuration information sent by the network device, wherein the configuration information includes at least one of the following: The reporting cycle of the first piece of information; The resource for reporting the first information; Wavenumber field cell size; The aperture of the transmitting antenna array of the network device is used to determine the size of the wavenumber domain cell; The threshold value; The second number.

7. A communication method, characterized in that, Performed by a network device, the method includes: The receiving terminal sends first information, which includes a first number or a second number. The first number is the number of cells in the wavenumber domain with a power not less than a threshold value, and the second number is the maximum number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal. The number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal is determined based on the first information.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The number contained in the first information is the smaller of the first number and the second number.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The first information is contained in the CSI.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7-9, characterized in that, The power in each wavenumber domain cell is obtained by integrating the wavenumber domain power distribution of the channel within that wavenumber domain cell.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The power in each wavenumber domain cell is the integral value of the wavenumber domain power distribution within that wavenumber domain cell, or the product of the integral value and the first coefficient.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7-11, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send configuration information to the terminal, the configuration information including at least one of the following: The reporting cycle of the first piece of information; The resource for reporting the first information; Wavenumber field cell size; The aperture of the transmitting antenna array of the network device is used to determine the size of the wavenumber domain cell; The threshold value; The second number.

13. A terminal, characterized in that, include: The transceiver module is configured to send first information to a network device. The first information is used by the network device to determine the number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal. The first information includes a first number or a second number. The first number is the number of cells in the wavenumber domain with a power not less than a threshold value. The second number is the maximum number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal.

14. A network device, characterized in that, include: The transceiver module is configured to receive first information sent by the terminal. The first information includes a first number or a second number. The first number is the number of cells in the wavenumber domain with a power not less than a threshold value. The second number is the maximum number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal. The processing module is configured to determine the number of data transmission layers corresponding to the terminal based on the first information.

15. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is used to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 1-6 and 7-12.

16. A communication system, characterized in that, The device includes a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the communication method of any one of claims 1-6, and the network device is configured to implement the communication method of any one of claims 7-12.

17. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, When the instruction is executed on the communication device, the communication device performs the communication method as described in any one of claims 1-6 and 7-12.

18. A program product comprising at least one of a program and instructions, characterized in that, When at least one of the programs or instructions is executed by the communication device, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1-6 and 7-12.

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