Interference measurement method and apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are an interference measurement method and apparatus, which are capable of realizing the measurement of grating lobe interference of beams. The method comprises: a first communication apparatus using N beams to respectively transmit reference signals on N time-frequency resources; a second communication apparatus separately receiving the reference signals on the N time-frequency resources corresponding to the N beams, wherein the N beams are in one-to-one correspondence with the N time-frequency resources, a first beam among the N beams is a serving beam corresponding to the second communication apparatus, and at least one second beam among the N beams is an interfering beam corresponding to the second communication apparatus; and the first communication apparatus receiving indication information from the second communication apparatus, wherein the indication information indicates that a signal received power of a reference signal received by the second communication apparatus using a third beam on a first time-frequency resource corresponding to the third beam is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the direction of the third beam and the direction of the first beam satisfy a first condition, the at least one second beam comprises the third beam, and the N time-frequency resources comprise the first time-frequency resource.

Description

Methods and apparatus for interference measurement

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411998634.0, filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of the People's Republic of China on December 31, 2024, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Interference Measurement", 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 method and apparatus for measuring interference. Background Technology

[0003] In satellite communication systems, the signal power received by terminal devices is relatively low due to the distance between the satellite and the ground, which limits the communication performance of the terminal devices to some extent. To improve the received signal power of the terminal devices, a direct method is to increase the number of satellite-side antennas, i.e., to use large-array antennas on the satellite side. This can increase the gain of the satellite-side antennas, allowing the satellite to use a beam with higher gain and narrower beamwidth to serve the terminal devices. In recent years, large-array antennas on the satellite side have attracted research interest from industry.

[0004] A large-array antenna consists of multiple antenna panels. The spacing between adjacent antenna elements within a panel and the spacing between panels should both be λ / 2, where λ is the carrier wavelength. This ensures that the beam formed by the multi-panel antenna does not exhibit grating lobes. From the relationship between carrier wavelength and carrier frequency f (l·f = c, where c is the speed of light in vacuum), we know that λ gradually decreases as the carrier frequency f increases. This means that when the carrier frequency f increases to a certain level, the panel spacing will inevitably exceed λ / 2. As the panel spacing increases, grating lobes will begin to appear in the beam formed by the multi-panel antenna. In short, grating lobes are special beams whose direction differs from the main lobe, but whose gain is close to the main lobe. Generally speaking, grating lobes are detrimental to communication systems and may cause performance degradation.

[0005] To suppress grid lobe interference, how to measure grid lobe interference is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a method and apparatus for measuring interference, which can measure the grating lobe interference of a beam and perform joint precoding on beams with large grating lobe interference, thereby suppressing the grating lobe interference.

[0007] In a first aspect, a method for measuring interference is provided. This method can be applied to a first communication device, such as being executed by the first communication device. The first communication device can be a network device or a module (e.g., a circuit, chip, chip system, or processor) in the network device, or it can be a logic node, logic module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device.

[0008] The method includes: transmitting reference signals on N time-frequency resources using N beams, wherein the N beams correspond one-to-one with the N time-frequency resources, a first beam among the N beams is a serving beam corresponding to a second communication device, and at least one second beam among the N beams is an interference beam corresponding to the second communication device, wherein N is an integer greater than 1; receiving indication information from the second communication device, the indication information indicating that the signal reception power of the reference signal received by the second communication device on the first time-frequency resource corresponding to a third beam is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the direction of the third beam satisfies a first condition with the direction of the first beam, wherein the at least one second beam includes the third beam, and the N time-frequency resources include the first time-frequency resources.

[0009] Based on the above technical solution, the first communication device uses N beams to transmit reference signals on N time-frequency resources respectively, and the second communication device receives reference signals on the N time-frequency resources corresponding to the N beams respectively. The N beams and N time-frequency resources are in one-to-one correspondence. The second communication device can determine which (or which) interfering beams cause greater grating lobe interference based on the signal receiving power of the reference signals received on the N time-frequency resources and the direction of different beams, and indicate this to the second communication device through indication information to suppress grating lobe interference.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the indication information is further used to indicate channel state information, which is determined by the second communication device based on a reference signal received on a second time-frequency resource corresponding to the first beam, wherein the N time-frequency resources also include the second time-frequency resource; and further includes: sending a signal of jointly precoded bearer data to the second communication device based on the indication information. Based on this implementation, the first communication device performs joint precoding on the first and third beams, which can suppress grating lobe interference introduced to the second communication device.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, some implementations of the first aspect further include: sending configuration information, wherein the configuration information indicates the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the N beams.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the configuration information further indicates that the first beam is the serving beam corresponding to the second communication device. Based on this implementation, the second communication device can determine which of the N beams are the corresponding interference beams according to the configuration information.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the configuration information indicates the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the beam pointing information corresponding to the N beams, wherein the beam pointing information includes the elevation angle and azimuth angle relative to the first communication device. The elevation angle can also be understood as the zenith angle.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the direction of the third beam satisfies a first condition with respect to the direction of the first beam, including: the angular difference between the beam pointing of the third beam and the beam pointing of the first beam is greater than or equal to a second threshold. Based on this implementation, it can be shown that the third beam is a grating lobe.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the configuration information indicates the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the beam alignment position information corresponding to the N beams, wherein the beam alignment position information includes ground longitude information and ground latitude information.

[0016] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the direction of the third beam satisfies a first condition with the direction of the first beam, including: the distance between the beam alignment position of the third beam and the beam alignment position of the first beam is greater than or equal to a third threshold. Based on this implementation, it can be shown that the third beam is a grating lobe.

[0017] Secondly, a method for measuring interference is provided. This method can be applied to a second communication device, such as being executed by the second communication device. The second communication device can be a terminal device or a module (e.g., a circuit, chip, chip system, or processor) in the terminal device, or it can be a logic node, logic module, or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the terminal device.

[0018] The method includes: receiving reference signals on N time-frequency resources corresponding to N beams, wherein the N beams and the N time-frequency resources are in one-to-one correspondence, the first beam among the N beams is the corresponding serving beam, and at least one second beam among the N beams is the corresponding interference beam, wherein N is an integer greater than 1; sending indication information to the first communication device, the indication information being used to indicate that the signal reception power of the reference signal received on the first time-frequency resource corresponding to the third beam is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the direction of the third beam satisfies a first condition with the direction of the first beam, wherein the at least one second beam includes the third beam, and the N time-frequency resources include the first time-frequency resources.

[0019] Secondly, the method provided is the same as the method on the second communication device side corresponding to the first aspect, and its beneficial effects can be referred to the first aspect.

[0020] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the indication information is further used to indicate channel state information, which is determined based on a reference signal received on a second time-frequency resource corresponding to the first beam, wherein the N time-frequency resources also include the second time-frequency resource; and further includes: receiving a signal of jointly precoded bearer data from the first communication device, wherein the signal of the bearer data is determined by the first communication device based on the indication information.

[0021] In conjunction with the second aspect, some implementations of the second aspect further include: receiving configuration information, wherein the configuration information indicates the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the N beams.

[0022] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the configuration information further indicates that the first beam is the serving beam corresponding to the second communication device.

[0023] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the configuration information indicates the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the beam pointing information corresponding to the N beams, wherein the beam pointing information includes the elevation angle and azimuth angle relative to the first communication device.

[0024] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the direction of the third beam and the direction of the first beam satisfy a first condition, including: the angle difference between the beam pointing of the third beam and the beam pointing of the first beam is greater than or equal to a second threshold.

[0025] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the configuration information indicates the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the beam alignment position information corresponding to the N beams, wherein the beam alignment position information includes ground longitude information and ground latitude information.

[0026] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the direction of the third beam and the direction of the first beam satisfy a first condition, including: the distance between the beam alignment position of the third beam and the beam alignment position of the first beam is greater than or equal to a third threshold.

[0027] In conjunction with the second aspect, some implementations of the second aspect further include: determining that the signal receiving power of the reference signal received on the first time-frequency resource is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and that the direction of the third beam corresponding to the first time-frequency resource satisfies the first condition with the direction of the first beam.

[0028] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, which can be the first communication device described in the first aspect. The communication device includes: a transceiver module, used to transmit reference signals on N time-frequency resources using N beams respectively, wherein the N beams correspond one-to-one with the N time-frequency resources, the first beam among the N beams is a serving beam corresponding to a second communication device, and at least one second beam among the N beams is an interference beam corresponding to the second communication device, wherein N is an integer greater than 1;

[0029] The transceiver module is further configured to receive indication information from the second communication device, the indication information being used to indicate that the signal receiving power of the reference signal received by the second communication device on the first time-frequency resource corresponding to the third beam is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the direction of the third beam satisfies a first condition with the direction of the first beam, wherein the at least one second beam includes the third beam, and the N time-frequency resources include the first time-frequency resource.

[0030] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the indication information is further used to indicate channel state information, which is determined by the second communication device based on a reference signal received on the second time-frequency resource corresponding to the first beam, and the N time-frequency resources further include the second time-frequency resource;

[0031] The transceiver module is further configured to send a signal of jointly precoded bearer data to the second communication device based on the indication information. Optionally, the communication device further includes a processing module configured to perform joint precoding on the data signals transmitted on the first beam and the third beam.

[0032] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the transceiver module is further configured to send configuration information indicating the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the N beams.

[0033] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the configuration information further indicates that the first beam is the serving beam corresponding to the second communication device.

[0034] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the configuration information indicates the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the beam pointing information corresponding to the N beams, wherein the beam pointing information includes the elevation angle and azimuth angle relative to the first communication device.

[0035] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the direction of the third beam and the direction of the first beam satisfy a first condition, including: the angle difference between the beam pointing of the third beam and the beam pointing of the first beam is greater than or equal to a second threshold.

[0036] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the configuration information indicates the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the beam alignment position information corresponding to the N beams, wherein the beam alignment position information includes ground longitude information and ground latitude information.

[0037] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the direction of the third beam and the direction of the first beam satisfy a first condition, including: the distance between the beam alignment position of the third beam and the beam alignment position of the first beam is greater than or equal to a third threshold.

[0038] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, which can be the second communication device described in the second aspect. The communication device includes: a transceiver module, configured to receive reference signals on N time-frequency resources corresponding to N beams respectively, wherein the N beams correspond one-to-one with the N time-frequency resources, the first beam among the N beams is the corresponding serving beam, and at least one second beam among the N beams is the corresponding interference beam, wherein N is an integer greater than 1;

[0039] The transceiver module is further configured to send indication information to the first communication device, the indication information being used to indicate that the signal receiving power of the reference signal received on the first time-frequency resource corresponding to the third beam is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the direction of the third beam satisfies a first condition with the direction of the first beam, wherein the at least one second beam includes the third beam, and the N time-frequency resources include the first time-frequency resource.

[0040] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the indication information is further used to indicate channel state information, which is determined based on a reference signal received on the second time-frequency resource corresponding to the first beam, and the N time-frequency resources further include the second time-frequency resource;

[0041] The transceiver module is further configured to receive a signal of jointly precoded bearer data from the first communication device, wherein the signal of the bearer data is determined by the first communication device based on the indication information.

[0042] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the transceiver module is further configured to receive configuration information indicating the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the N beams.

[0043] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the configuration information further indicates that the first beam is the serving beam corresponding to the second communication device.

[0044] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the configuration information indicates the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the beam pointing information corresponding to the N beams, wherein the beam pointing information includes the elevation angle and azimuth angle relative to the first communication device.

[0045] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the direction of the third beam and the direction of the first beam satisfy a first condition, including: the angle difference between the beam pointing of the third beam and the beam pointing of the first beam is greater than or equal to a second threshold.

[0046] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the configuration information indicates the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the beam alignment position information corresponding to the N beams, wherein the beam alignment position information includes ground longitude information and ground latitude information.

[0047] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the direction of the third beam and the direction of the first beam satisfy a first condition, including: the distance between the beam alignment position of the third beam and the beam alignment position of the first beam is greater than or equal to a third threshold.

[0048] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the communication device further includes: a processing module, configured to determine that the signal receiving power of the reference signal received on the first time-frequency resource is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and that the direction of the third beam corresponding to the first time-frequency resource satisfies the first condition with the direction of the first beam.

[0049] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor configured to implement the methods of the first and second aspects or any possible implementation thereof. Optionally, the communication device further comprises an interface circuit configured to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices.

[0050] In a sixth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising a first communication device for performing the method as described in the first aspect, and a second communication device for performing the method as described in the second aspect.

[0051] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, the computer-readable medium storing a computer program; when the computer program is executed by a processor, the methods of the first and second aspects and any possible implementation thereof are performed.

[0052] Eighthly, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising a computer program that, when executed, causes the methods of the first and second aspects and any possible implementation thereof to be performed.

[0053] The solutions provided in the third to eighth aspects above are used to implement or cooperate with the methods provided in the first or second aspects above, and therefore can achieve the same or corresponding beneficial effects as the first or second aspects, which will not be elaborated here. Attached Figure Description

[0054] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0055] Figure 2 is an example diagram of an open radio access network (open RAN, O-RAN, or ORAN) system;

[0056] Figure 3a is a schematic diagram of the architecture of an NTN communication system;

[0057] Figures 3b, 3c and 3d are schematic diagrams of the architecture of another NTN communication system;

[0058] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a multi-panel antenna structure;

[0059] Figure 5 is a comparative diagram of the presence and absence of grating lobes;

[0060] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of an interference measurement method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of an example of the interference measurement method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0062] Figure 8 is a schematic flowchart of another example of the interference measurement method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0063] Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0064] Figure 10 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0065] Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0066] The technical solution provided in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0067] The embodiments of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as wireless local area network (WLAN), narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), global system for mobile communications (GSM), enhanced data rate for GSM evolution (EDGE), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), code division multiple access 2000 (CDMA2000), time division-synchronization code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA), long term evolution (LTE), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), terrestrial network communication system, non-terrestrial network (NTN) system, 5th generation (5G) communication system, and future communication network system. The NTN system can be an NTN system integrated with 4G, 5G, and any future generation of communication systems, such as New Radio (NR) NTN, Internet of Things (IoT) NTN, etc. The NTN system can be a satellite communication system, and non-terrestrial network equipment includes satellites, drones, high altitude platform stations (HAPS), and other airborne access network equipment; this application does not limit this.

[0068] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application. The communication system includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal device (120a-120j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 120). RAN may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1). Terminal device 120 is wirelessly connected to RAN node 110. RAN node 110 is wirelessly or wired connected to core network 200. The core network device in core network 200 and RAN node 110 in RAN 100 may be different physical devices, or they may be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions.

[0069] RAN 100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 4G, 5G mobile communication systems, non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems, or future communication network systems. RAN 100 can also be O-RAN, cloud radio access network (CRAN), or wireless fidelity (WiFi) systems, or a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0070] The terminal device 120 involved in this application embodiment can also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as NTN, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc. Terminal devices can also be communication modules with satellite communication capabilities, satellite phones or their components, or satellite communication terminals, such as very small aperture terminals (VSAT) (commonly referred to as VSAT terminals), portable stations, fixed stations, vehicle-mounted or airborne satellite communication terminals, etc. It should be understood that satellite communication terminals can serve as micro base stations to further provide data interfaces to accessed user equipment.

[0071] The RAN node 110 involved in this embodiment can also be called an access network device, RAN entity, or access node, etc., and constitutes part of the communication system to help terminal devices achieve wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 110 in the communication system 1000 can be nodes of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of RAN node 110 and terminal device 120 are relative. For example, network element 120i in Figure 1 can be a helicopter or drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminal devices 120j that access RAN 100 through network element 120i, network element 120i is a base station; but for base station 110a, network element 120i is a terminal. RAN node 110 and terminal device 120 are sometimes referred to as communication devices. For example, network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0072] In one possible scenario, a RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), or a base station in a future communication network system. A RAN node can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 1, 110a), a micro base station or indoor station (as shown in Figure 1, 110b), a relay node or donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. A RAN node can also be a satellite (or satellite base station) or a high altitude platform station (HAPS), or base station equipment mounted on a satellite / HAPS. The satellite can include at least one of the following: a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite (or geosynchronous orbit satellite) or a non-geostationary earth orbit (NGEO) satellite. A non-geostationary earth orbit satellite can include at least one of the following: a medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite or a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite. There are no restrictions here. RAN nodes can also be gateway stations (also known as ground stations, earth stations, signaling stations, gateways, or gateway stations), etc. Optionally, RAN nodes can also be servers, wearable devices, vehicles, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU).

[0073] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes implementing some of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be CUs, DUs, CUs (control plane, CP), CUs (user plane, UP), or radio units (RUs). CUs and DUs can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as the baseband unit (BBU). CU and DU nodes separate the gNB's protocol layers; some protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining partial or complete protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU. As one implementation, the CU deploys the RRC layer, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, and Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer from the protocol stack; the DU deploys the radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer, and physical layer (PHY) from the protocol stack. Therefore, the CU has RRC, PDCP, and SDAP processing capabilities. The DU has RLC, MAC, and PHY processing capabilities. It is understood that the above functional division is merely an example and does not constitute a limitation on the CU and DU. The RU can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as in a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0074] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an O-RAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (Open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. 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 and hardware modules.

[0075] Figure 2 is an example diagram of an O-RAN system. An O-RAN system may include components other than those shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, access network devices (e.g., eNB, gNB, or next-generation access network devices) communicate with the core network (CN) via a backhaul link and with terminal devices via an air interface.

[0076] Specifically, the baseband unit (BBU) in the access network equipment communicates with the core network via a backhaul link, and the radio unit (RU) in the access network equipment communicates with at least one terminal device 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.

[0077] The BBU includes at least one CU and at least one DU, which can communicate via at least one midhaul link.

[0078] There is an interface between the DU and RU. Depending on the functions of the DU and RU, and / or the different switching methods, the interface between the DU and RU can be a common public radio interface (CPRI) or an enhanced common public radio interface (eCPRI).

[0079] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the technical solutions related to the embodiments of this application will be briefly introduced below.

[0080] To achieve truly seamless global network coverage, 5G proposes the construction of non-terrestrial networks. In recent years, LEO satellites, located at altitudes of 200km to 2000km, have attracted widespread attention from academia and industry. The advantages of LEO satellites include low communication latency, low path loss, and low manufacturing cost, and they are considered one of the key infrastructures for achieving global network coverage.

[0081] Based on processing capabilities, satellite payloads can be divided into two categories: transparent payloads and regenerative payloads. When a satellite is equipped with a transparent payload, it only has the functions of frequency conversion and radio frequency signal amplification, meaning it can only transparently relay signals and does not have digital signal processing capabilities. When a satellite is equipped with a regenerative payload, it has the ability to process digital signals. Satellites equipped with regenerative payloads are more expensive to manufacture but offer greater flexibility, while transparent payloads are cheaper.

[0082] The satellite can be a transparent satellite in an NTN-based RAN system. Figure 3a shows a schematic diagram of an NTN communication system architecture. In this transparent satellite scenario, the satellite's role is radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion, and amplification. That is, the satellite primarily acts as a Layer 1 relay node, regenerating physical layer signals, and does not involve any higher protocol layers. The satellite communicates with the ground-based NTN gateway via radio signals. The gateway is connected to the gNB via a wired connection. In this architecture, the satellite can be understood as the RRU of the ground-based gNB. The satellite simply provides basic physical signal coverage; however, the RRU's function requires the gateway and the link between the satellite and the gateway to reach the satellite. No protocol layer processing or logical interfaces are established during this process.

[0083] Satellites can also be regenerative satellites without inter-satellite links. These satellites possess base station processing capabilities and can function as base stations. Figure 3b illustrates another NTN communication system architecture, where the satellite acts as a base station, possessing all protocol layer processing functions. The satellite gNB transmits data back to the ground gateway station via microwave, and the gateway station connects to the 5G core network via wired connection. In regenerative satellite scenarios, the link between the gNB and the gateway station is generally referred to as the satellite radio interface (SRI) or feed link. The link between the satellite and terminal equipment is called the user link or service link.

[0084] Satellites can also function as regenerative satellites with inter-satellite links, possessing base station processing capabilities and thus acting as base stations. Figure 3c shows a schematic diagram of another NTN communication system architecture. The difference between the communication system architecture shown in Figure 3c and that shown in Figure 3b is that the communication system architecture in Figure 3c includes inter-satellite communication links, enabling the establishment of Xn interfaces between satellites. Furthermore, when the satellite is not visible to the ground gateway, it can transmit data back to the ground via other satellites. In contrast, the communication system architecture in Figure 3b lacks inter-satellite communication links.

[0085] The satellite can also be a regenerable satellite with DU processing capabilities as a base station. Figure 3d is a schematic diagram of another NTN communication system architecture. In this scenario, the satellite can be a gNB-DU, which connects to the ground gNB-CU through a ground gateway station.

[0086] The satellite can also be a satellite with integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node functionality. In this scenario, the satellite acts as an IAB node, similar to the system architecture shown in 3d, but the difference is that in this architecture, in addition to deploying DU, the satellite also deploys MT modules. Backhaul is performed using the MT modules and the NR air interface of the ground base station, eliminating the need to establish a separate microwave backhaul link between the satellite and the gateway station.

[0087] Because satellites are far from the ground, the signal power received by terminal devices is relatively low, which limits their communication performance to some extent. To improve the received signal power, a direct method is to increase the number of satellite-side antennas, i.e., using large-array antennas. This increases the gain of the satellite-side antennas, allowing the satellite to use a higher-gain, narrower beam to serve the terminal devices. In recent years, large-array satellite antennas have attracted research interest from industry. For example, in September 2022, AST SpaceMobile launched the LEO satellite BlueWalker 3, equipped with a phased array antenna with an area of ​​64.38 square meters, making it the commercial LEO satellite with the largest antenna array area ever recorded.

[0088] When a satellite is equipped with a large array antenna, the antenna panels typically need to be folded before launch to facilitate transmission. After launch, the panels are deployed in orbit. Foldable large array antennas usually have a multi-panel structure, meaning the antenna array consists of multiple panels connected by winding springs or other mechanical devices. Sufficient space should be provided between the panels to accommodate these mechanical devices. Using multi-panel antennas to construct multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems improves communication performance while reducing hardware requirements, lowering antenna costs, and reducing system power consumption.

[0089] Figure 4 shows a schematic diagram of a multi-panel antenna structure. Ideally, the spacing between adjacent antenna elements within a panel and the spacing between panels should both be λ / 2, where λ is the carrier wavelength. This ensures that the beam formed by the multi-panel antenna does not exhibit grating lobes. From the relationship between carrier wavelength and carrier frequency f, l·f=c (where c is the speed of light in vacuum), we know that λ gradually decreases as the carrier frequency f increases. This means that when the carrier frequency f increases to a certain level, the panel spacing will inevitably exceed λ / 2. As the panel spacing increases, grating lobes will begin to appear in the beam formed by the multi-panel antenna. In short, grating lobes are special beams whose direction differs from the main lobe, but whose gain is close to the main lobe. Generally speaking, grating lobes are detrimental to communication systems and may cause performance degradation.

[0090] Strong interference caused by grating lobes differs from strong interference caused by the main lobe. Strong interference caused by the main lobe requires modification of the user pairing strategy; strong interference caused by grating lobes does not require modification of the user pairing strategy, and can be significantly mitigated simply by precoding the grating lobes. Figure 5 shows a comparison diagram with and without grating lobes; in Figure 5, 'd' represents the spacing between the antenna panels. Assume the system has three terminal devices: terminal devices 2 and 3 are located at the grating lobe position of terminal device 1, terminal devices 1 and 3 are located at the grating lobe position of terminal device 2, and terminal devices 1 and 2 are located at the grating lobe position of terminal device 3. That is, terminal devices 2 and 3 are affected by the grating lobe interference of terminal device 1, terminal devices 1 and 3 are affected by the grating lobe interference of terminal device 2, and terminal devices 1 and 2 are affected by the grating lobe interference of terminal device 3. In this case, joint precoding of the beams of terminal devices 1, 2, and 3 can suppress the interference from grating lobes. It should be noted that precoding all beams is highly complex; to reduce computational load, precoding can be performed only on the strongly interfering grating lobes.

[0091] There are two interference measurement methods in 5G NR: (1) interference measurement method based on non-zero power channel state information reference signal (NZP CSI-RS); and (2) interference measurement method based on zero power channel state information reference signal (ZP CSI-RS). Specifically, in the NZP CSI-RS-based interference measurement method, the base station first sends an NZP CSI-RS signal to the terminal device. After receiving the NZP CSI-RS signal, the terminal device first estimates the channel information, and then subtracts the product of the channel information and the NZP CSI-RS sequence from the received signal. The remaining part is the interference. In the ZP CSI-RS-based interference measurement method, the base station remains silent on the ZP CSI-RS resource (i.e., the power of the transmitted signal is zero), and the signal received by the terminal device on the ZP CSI-RS resource is the interference.

[0092] Existing interference measurement mechanisms can only measure a "mixture" of intra-cell and inter-cell interference, and cannot precisely measure the grating lobe interference of a specific beam. Therefore, this application proposes an interference measurement method that can measure the grating lobe interference of different beams and perform joint precoding on beams with significant grating lobe interference, thereby suppressing grating lobe interference.

[0093] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of an interference measurement method 600 provided in an embodiment of this application. The first communication device in this embodiment can be a network device or a module (e.g., circuit, chip, chip system, or processor) within a network device, or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device. The second communication device in this embodiment can be a terminal device or a module (e.g., circuit, chip, chip system, or processor) within a terminal device, or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal device. The chip can be a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip; or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core; or a system-in-package (SIP) chip. The network device in this embodiment can be a base station. Furthermore, the processing performed by a single execution entity can be divided into multiple execution entities, which can be logically and / or physically separated. For example, the processing performed by the network device can be divided into at least one execution entity among CU, DU, RU, etc.

[0094] S610, the first communication device transmits reference signals on N time-frequency resources using N beams, with a one-to-one correspondence between the N beams and the N time-frequency resources. The first beam among the N beams is the serving beam corresponding to the second communication device, and at least one second beam among the N beams is an interference beam corresponding to the second communication device, where N is an integer greater than 1. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the reference signals on the N time-frequency resources corresponding to the N beams. The signal transmitted by the first communication device using the first beam to the second communication device is a useful signal for the second communication device, while the signal transmitted by the first communication device using at least one second beam to the second communication device is an interference signal for the second communication device. The process of the second communication device receiving reference signals on the time-frequency resources corresponding to at least one second beam can be understood as the process of the second communication device measuring the grating lobe interference of at least one second beam. For example, the first communication device is a satellite base station or a ground base station.

[0095] For example, N=4, the N beams include beam 1, beam 2, beam 3, and beam 4, and the N time-frequency resources include time-frequency resource 1, time-frequency resource 2, time-frequency resource 3, and time-frequency resource 4. The first communication device uses beam 1 to transmit a reference signal to the second communication device 1 on time-frequency resource 1, the first communication device uses beam 2 to transmit a reference signal to the second communication device 2 on time-frequency resource 2, the first communication device uses beam 3 to transmit a reference signal to the second communication device 3 on time-frequency resource 3, and the first communication device uses beam 4 to transmit a reference signal to the second communication device 4 on time-frequency resource 4. Here, beam 1 is the serving beam corresponding to the second communication device 1, and beams 2, 3, and 4 are the interference beams corresponding to the second communication device 1; similarly, beam 2 is the serving beam corresponding to the second communication device 2, and beams 1, 3, and 4 are the interference beams corresponding to the second communication device 2.

[0096] For example, the reference signals in the embodiments of this application are channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), demodulation reference signal (DMRS), and synchronization signal block (SSB).

[0097] Optionally, the N time-frequency resources are periodic resources, and the first communication device periodically transmits reference signals on the N time-frequency resources respectively; correspondingly, the second communication device periodically receives reference signals on the N time-frequency resources respectively.

[0098] Optionally, in step S611, before the first communication device transmits reference signals on N time-frequency resources using N beams, the first communication device sends configuration information indicating the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the N beams. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the configuration information from the first communication device. The correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the N beams can be configured by the first communication device for the second communication device, or it can be predefined; this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0099] Optionally, the configuration information may also indicate N time-frequency resources and N beams. The N time-frequency resources and N beams may be configured by the first communication device for the second communication device, or they may be predefined; this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0100] Optionally, the configuration information also indicates that the first beam is the serving beam corresponding to the second communication device. Based on this implementation, the second communication device can determine which beams among the N beams are interfering beams according to the configuration information. Optionally, the first communication device can also indicate to the second communication device through other information that the first beam is the serving beam corresponding to the second communication device, without limitation.

[0101] S620, the second communication device sends indication information to the first communication device. This indication information indicates that the signal reception power of the reference signal received by the second communication device on the first time-frequency resource corresponding to the third beam is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and that the direction of the third beam satisfies a first condition with the direction of the first beam. The fact that the signal reception power of the reference signal received on the first time-frequency resource corresponding to the third beam is greater than or equal to the first threshold indicates that the second communication device is being interfered with by the third beam, but it cannot be determined whether the third beam is a grating lobe; it could be a grating lobe or a main lobe. The fact that the direction of the third beam satisfies the first condition indicates that the third beam is a grating lobe. Correspondingly, the first communication device receives the indication information from the second communication device. Wherein, at least one second beam includes the third beam, the time-frequency resource corresponding to the third beam is the first time-frequency resource, and N time-frequency resources include the first time-frequency resource. This can be understood as the third beam being the interference beam corresponding to the second communication device, and the first time-frequency resource being the time-frequency resource corresponding to the interference beam.

[0102] For example, the signal reception power of the reference signal received by the second communication device on the first time-frequency resource is denoted as PIB. k The first threshold is represented as PGL. th If the signal receiving power of the reference signal received by the second communication device on the first time-frequency resource is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it is denoted as PIB. k -Hys>PGL th , where Hys is a fixed parameter.

[0103] Optionally, before the second communication device sends instruction information to the first communication device, the second communication device determines that the signal reception power of the reference signal received on the first time-frequency resource corresponding to the third beam is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and that the direction of the third beam corresponding to the first time-frequency resource satisfies a first condition with the direction of the first beam. The first threshold may be indicated by the first communication device to the second communication device, determined by the second communication device, or predefined; this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0104] It should be noted that since the third beam is the interference beam corresponding to the second communication device, if the signal receiving power of the reference signal received by the second communication device on the first time-frequency resource corresponding to the third beam is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it indicates that the third beam corresponding to the first time-frequency resource causes significant grating lobe interference to the second communication device.

[0105] In the technical solution provided in the embodiments of this application, the first communication device uses N beams to transmit reference signals on N time-frequency resources respectively, and the second communication device receives reference signals on the N time-frequency resources corresponding to the N beams respectively. The N beams and N time-frequency resources are in one-to-one correspondence. The second communication device can determine which (or which) interfering beams cause greater grating lobe interference based on the signal receiving power of the reference signals received on the N time-frequency resources and the direction of different beams, and indicate this to the second communication device through indication information to suppress grating lobe interference.

[0106] Optionally, the indication information is also used to indicate channel state information, which is determined by the second communication device based on the reference signal received on the second time-frequency resource corresponding to the first beam, and the N time-frequency resources also include the second time-frequency resource.

[0107] For example, the channel state information includes one or more of the following: channel quality indicator (CQI), precoding matrix indicator (PMI), channel state information reference signal resource indicator (CSI-RS resource indicator, CRI), layer indicator (LI), rank indicator (RI), and layer 1-reference signal received power (L1-RSRP).

[0108] The specific implementation methods for the configuration information indicating the correspondence between N time-frequency resources and N beams include, but are not limited to, the following two. In the first implementation method, the configuration information indicates the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the beam pointing information corresponding to the N beams, wherein the beam pointing information includes the elevation angle and azimuth angle relative to the first communication device.

[0109] For example, the direction of the third beam satisfies a first condition with the direction of the first beam, including: the angular difference between the beam pointing of the third beam and the beam pointing of the first beam is greater than or equal to a second threshold. The second threshold can be indicated by the first communication device to the second communication device, determined by the second communication device, or predefined; this application does not limit this. Based on this implementation, it can be shown that the third beam is a grating lobe.

[0110] For example, if the beam pointing of the first beam is represented as b1 = (q1, f1), the beam pointing of the third beam is represented as b2 = (q2, f2), and the second threshold is represented as beamISOth, then if the angle difference between the beam pointing of the third beam and the beam pointing of the first beam is greater than or equal to the second threshold, it is expressed as ||b2-b1||≥beamISOth. Here, q1 represents the elevation angle of the first beam relative to the first communication device, f1 represents the azimuth angle of the first beam relative to the first communication device, q2 represents the elevation angle of the third beam relative to the first communication device, and f2 represents the azimuth angle of the third beam relative to the first communication device. In this application, the elevation angle can also be understood as the zenith angle.

[0111] In the second implementation, the configuration information indicates the correspondence between N time-frequency resources and the beam alignment position information corresponding to N beams, which includes ground longitude information and ground latitude information.

[0112] For example, the direction of the third beam satisfies a first condition with the direction of the first beam, including: the distance between the beam alignment position of the third beam and the beam alignment position of the first beam is greater than or equal to a third threshold. The third threshold may be indicated by the first communication device to the second communication device, determined by the second communication device, or predefined; this application does not limit this. Based on this implementation, it can be shown that the third beam is a grating lobe.

[0113] For example, if the beam alignment position of the first beam is represented as p1 = (long1, lat1), the beam alignment position of the third beam is represented as p2 = (long2, lat2), and the third threshold is represented as LocISOth, then the distance between the beam alignment position of the third beam and the beam alignment position of the first beam is greater than or equal to the third threshold, expressed as ||p2-p1||≥LocISOth. Here, long1 represents the ground longitude information corresponding to the first beam, lat1 represents the ground latitude information corresponding to the first beam, long2 represents the ground longitude information corresponding to the third beam, and lat2 represents the ground latitude information corresponding to the third beam.

[0114] Optionally, in step S630, the first communication device sends a signal of jointly precoded bearer data to the second communication device based on instruction information. Correspondingly, the second communication device receives the signal of jointly precoded bearer data from the first communication device.

[0115] Specifically, the first communication device determines, based on the instruction information, that the third beam causes significant grating lobe interference to the second communication device. The first communication device performs joint precoding on the first and third beams and transmits the jointly precoded bearer data signal to the second communication device. This joint precoding of the first and third beams suppresses the grating lobe interference to the second communication device. For example, let s1 be the bearer data signal to be transmitted on the first beam and s2 be the bearer data signal to be transmitted on the third beam. Without joint precoding, the bearer data signal X transmitted by the first communication device... nonprecode It can be represented as: In the case of joint precoding, the data-carrying signal X transmitted by the first communication device precode It can be represented as: Among them, W precode For the precoding matrix,

[0116] It should be noted that if the received power of the reference signal received by the second communication device on the first time-frequency resource corresponding to the third beam (any one of the second beams) is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and the direction of the third beam satisfies the first condition with the direction of the first beam, it indicates that a special event has occurred, and the second communication device sends an indication message to the first communication device. Otherwise, it indicates that no special event has occurred, and there is no need to send an indication message to the first communication device.

[0117] The interference measurement method provided in this application embodiment is described below with reference to specific examples. In the following examples, the satellite base station is the first communication device described above, and the first terminal device is the second communication device described above.

[0118] Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of an example of the interference measurement method provided in the embodiments of this application. The specific process includes the following.

[0119] S710, the satellite base station sends first configuration information, which indicates the correspondence between N time-frequency resources and N beam pointing information, with each of the N time-frequency resources corresponding to one beam. The beam pointing information includes the elevation angle and azimuth angle relative to the satellite base station. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first configuration information from the satellite base station.

[0120] For example, the satellite base station sends the first configuration information to multiple terminal devices, including a first terminal device and at least one second terminal device.

[0121] S720, the satellite base station sends second configuration information to the first terminal device, the second configuration information indicating that the first beam among N beams is the serving beam corresponding to the first terminal device. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the second configuration information from the satellite base station, and determines the first beam as the serving beam corresponding to the first terminal device according to the second configuration information, and at least one second beam among the N beams (the other beams among the N beams) is the interference beam corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0122] Step S710 can be executed before step S720, step S710 can be executed after step S720, or step S710 can be executed simultaneously with step S720; there are no restrictions on this.

[0123] Optionally, the first configuration information and the second configuration information can be carried in the same message, or they can be carried in different messages; there is no limitation on this.

[0124] S730, the satellite base station uses N beams to transmit reference signals on N time-frequency resources respectively; correspondingly, the first terminal device receives reference signals on the N time-frequency resources corresponding to the N beams respectively.

[0125] Specifically, the first terminal device receives a reference signal from a satellite base station on the second time-frequency resource corresponding to the first beam; the first terminal device determines the channel state information of the first beam based on the reference signal received on the second time-frequency resource corresponding to the first beam. The first terminal device receives reference signals (measurement reference signals) from the satellite base station on the time-frequency resource corresponding to at least one second beam.

[0126] S740, the first terminal device determines that the received signal power of the reference signal received on the first time-frequency resource corresponding to the third beam is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the angular difference between the beam pointing of the third beam and the beam pointing of the first beam is greater than or equal to a second threshold. Here, at least one second beam includes the third beam, and the N time-frequency resources include the first time-frequency resources. The third beam can be understood as the serving beam corresponding to one of the at least one second terminal devices, the third beam is the interference beam corresponding to the first terminal device, and the first time-frequency resource is the time-frequency resource corresponding to the interference beam.

[0127] The second threshold may be indicated to the first terminal device by the first satellite base station, or it may be determined by the first terminal device, or it may be predefined. This application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0128] For example, the signal reception power of the reference signal received by the first terminal device on the first time-frequency resource is denoted as PIB. k The first threshold is represented as PGL. th If the signal reception power of the reference signal received by the first terminal device on the first time-frequency resource is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it is denoted as PIB. k -Hys>PGL th Where Hys is a fixed parameter. The beam pointing of the first beam is represented as b1 = (q1, f1), and the beam pointing of the third beam is represented as b2 = (q2, f2); where q1 represents the elevation angle of the first beam relative to the satellite base station, f1 represents the azimuth angle of the first beam relative to the satellite base station, q2 represents the elevation angle of the third beam relative to the satellite base station, and f2 represents the azimuth angle of the third beam relative to the satellite base station; the second threshold is represented as beamISOth. If the angle difference between the beam pointing of the third beam and the beam pointing of the first beam is greater than or equal to the second threshold, it is expressed as ||b2-b1||≥beamISOth.

[0129] In short, the first terminal device determines the PIB. k -Hys>PGL th And ||b2-b1||≥beamISOth.

[0130] It should be noted that since the third beam is the interference beam corresponding to the first terminal device, if the signal receiving power of the reference signal received by the first terminal device on the first time-frequency resource corresponding to the third beam is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it indicates that the third beam corresponding to the first time-frequency resource causes significant grating lobe interference to the first terminal device.

[0131] S750, the first terminal device sends indication information to the satellite base station. This indication information indicates that the signal reception power of the reference signal received by the first terminal device on the first time-frequency resource corresponding to the third beam is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the angular difference between the beam pointing of the third beam and the beam pointing of the first beam is greater than or equal to a second threshold. Correspondingly, the satellite base station receives the indication information from the first terminal device.

[0132] Optionally, the indication information is also used to indicate channel state information, which is determined by the first terminal device based on a reference signal received on the second time-frequency resource corresponding to the first beam.

[0133] Based on this technical solution, the satellite base station uses N beams to transmit reference signals on N time-frequency resources respectively, and the first terminal device receives the reference signals on the N time-frequency resources corresponding to the N beams respectively. The N beams and N time-frequency resources are in one-to-one correspondence. The first terminal device can determine which (or which) interfering beams cause greater grating lobe interference based on the signal reception power of the reference signals received on the N time-frequency resources and the beam direction of different beams, and indicate this to the satellite base station through indication information to suppress grating lobe interference.

[0134] S760, based on indication information, the satellite base station determines that the third beam causes significant grating lobe interference to the first terminal device; it then sends a signal of jointly precoded bearer data to the first terminal device. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the signal of jointly precoded bearer data from the satellite base station. The satellite base station's joint precoding of the first and third beams can suppress the grating lobe interference caused to the first terminal device.

[0135] Figure 8 is a schematic flowchart of another example of the interference measurement method provided in the embodiments of this application. The specific process includes the following.

[0136] S810, the satellite base station sends first configuration information, which indicates the correspondence between N time-frequency resources and N beam alignment position information, respectively, wherein the N time-frequency resources and N beams are in a one-to-one correspondence; the beam alignment position information includes ground longitude information and ground latitude information. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the first configuration information from the satellite base station.

[0137] For example, the satellite base station sends the first configuration information to multiple terminal devices, including a first terminal device and at least one second terminal device.

[0138] S820, the satellite base station sends second configuration information to the first terminal device, the second configuration information indicating that the first beam among N beams is the serving beam corresponding to the first terminal device. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the second configuration information from the satellite base station, and determines the first beam as the serving beam corresponding to the first terminal device according to the second configuration information, and at least one second beam among the N beams (the other beams among the N beams) is the interference beam corresponding to the first terminal device.

[0139] Step S810 can be executed before step S820, step S810 can be executed after step S820, or step S810 can be executed simultaneously with step S820; there are no restrictions on this.

[0140] Optionally, the first configuration information and the second configuration information can be carried in the same message, or they can be carried in different messages; there is no limitation on this.

[0141] S830, the satellite base station uses N beams to transmit reference signals on N time-frequency resources respectively; correspondingly, the first terminal device receives reference signals on the N time-frequency resources corresponding to the N beams respectively.

[0142] Specifically, the first terminal device receives a reference signal from a satellite base station on the second time-frequency resource corresponding to the first beam; the first terminal device determines the channel state information of the first beam based on the reference signal received on the second time-frequency resource corresponding to the first beam. The first terminal device receives reference signals (measurement reference signals) from the satellite base station on the time-frequency resource corresponding to at least one second beam.

[0143] S840, the first terminal device determines that the received signal power of the reference signal received on the first time-frequency resource corresponding to the third beam is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the distance between the beam alignment position of the third beam and the beam alignment position of the first beam is greater than or equal to a third threshold. Here, at least one second beam includes the third beam, and N time-frequency resources include the first time-frequency resources. The third beam can be understood as the serving beam corresponding to one of the at least one second terminal devices, the third beam is the interference beam corresponding to the first terminal device, and the first time-frequency resource is the time-frequency resource corresponding to the interference beam.

[0144] The third threshold can be indicated to the first terminal device by the satellite base station, determined by the first terminal device, or predefined; this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0145] For example, the signal reception power of the reference signal received by the first terminal device on the first time-frequency resource is denoted as PIB. k The first threshold is represented as PGL.th If the signal reception power of the reference signal received by the first terminal device on the first time-frequency resource is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it is denoted as PIB. k -Hys>PGL th Where Hys is a fixed parameter. For example, the beam alignment position of the first beam is represented as p1 = (long1, lat1), and the beam alignment position of the third beam is represented as p2 = (long2, lat2), where long1 represents the ground longitude information corresponding to the first beam, lat1 represents the ground latitude information corresponding to the first beam, long2 represents the ground longitude information corresponding to the third beam, and lat2 represents the ground latitude information corresponding to the third beam; the third threshold is represented as LocISOth, and the distance between the beam alignment position of the third beam and the beam alignment position of the first beam is greater than or equal to the third threshold, expressed as ||p2-p1||≥LocISOth.

[0146] In short, the first terminal device determines the PIB. k -Hys>PGL th And ||p2-p1||≥LocISOth.

[0147] It should be noted that since the third beam is the interference beam corresponding to the first terminal device, if the signal receiving power of the reference signal received by the first terminal device on the first time-frequency resource corresponding to the third beam is greater than or equal to the first threshold, it indicates that the third beam corresponding to the first time-frequency resource causes significant grating lobe interference to the first terminal device.

[0148] S850, the first terminal device sends indication information to the satellite base station. This indication information indicates that the signal reception power of the reference signal received by the first terminal device on the first time-frequency resource corresponding to the third beam is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and that the distance between the beam alignment position of the third beam and the beam alignment position of the first beam is greater than or equal to the third threshold. Correspondingly, the satellite base station receives the indication information from the first terminal device.

[0149] Optionally, the indication information is also used to indicate channel state information, which is determined by the first terminal device based on a reference signal received on the second time-frequency resource corresponding to the first beam.

[0150] Based on this technical solution, the satellite base station uses N beams to transmit reference signals on N time-frequency resources respectively, and the first terminal device receives the reference signals on the N time-frequency resources corresponding to the N beams respectively. The N beams and N time-frequency resources are in one-to-one correspondence. The first terminal device can determine which (or which) interfering beams cause greater grating lobe interference based on the signal reception power of the reference signals received on the N time-frequency resources and the beam alignment position of different beams, and indicate this to the satellite base station through indication information to suppress grating lobe interference.

[0151] S860, based on the indication information, the satellite base station determines that the third beam causes significant grating lobe interference to the first terminal device; it then sends a signal of jointly precoded bearer data to the first terminal device. Correspondingly, the first terminal device receives the signal of jointly precoded bearer data from the satellite base station. The satellite base station's joint precoding of the first and third beams can suppress the grating lobe interference caused to the first terminal device.

[0152] The above describes the interference measurement method provided by the embodiments of this application. The following will describe the execution subject used to perform the above interference measurement method.

[0153] Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 900 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 900 can be the first communication device in the method embodiment of Figure 6. The communication device 900 includes:

[0154] The transceiver module 910 is used to transmit reference signals on N time-frequency resources using N beams respectively. The N beams correspond one-to-one with the N time-frequency resources. The first beam among the N beams is the serving beam corresponding to the second communication device, and at least one second beam among the N beams is the interference beam corresponding to the second communication device. Here, N is an integer greater than 1.

[0155] The transceiver module 910 is further configured to receive indication information from the second communication device, the indication information being used to indicate that the signal receiving power of the reference signal received by the second communication device on the first time-frequency resource corresponding to the third beam is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the direction of the third beam satisfies a first condition with the direction of the first beam, wherein the at least one second beam includes the third beam, and the N time-frequency resources include the first time-frequency resource.

[0156] Optionally, the indication information is further used to indicate channel state information, which is determined by the second communication device based on a reference signal received on the second time-frequency resource corresponding to the first beam, and the N time-frequency resources further include the second time-frequency resource;

[0157] The transceiver module 910 is further configured to send a signal of jointly precoded bearer data to the second communication device based on the indication information. Optionally, the communication device further includes a processing module 920, configured to perform joint precoding on the data signals transmitted on the first beam and the third beam.

[0158] Optionally, the transceiver module 910 is further configured to send configuration information, the configuration information indicating the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the N beams.

[0159] Optionally, the configuration information may further indicate that the first beam is the serving beam corresponding to the second communication device.

[0160] Optionally, the configuration information indicates the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the beam pointing information corresponding to the N beams, wherein the beam pointing information includes the elevation angle and azimuth angle relative to the first communication device.

[0161] Optionally, the direction of the third beam satisfies a first condition with the direction of the first beam, including: the angle difference between the beam pointing of the third beam and the beam pointing of the first beam is greater than or equal to a second threshold.

[0162] Optionally, the configuration information indicates the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the beam alignment position information corresponding to the N beams, wherein the beam alignment position information includes ground longitude information and ground latitude information.

[0163] Optionally, the direction of the third beam satisfies a first condition with the direction of the first beam, including: the distance between the beam alignment position of the third beam and the beam alignment position of the first beam is greater than or equal to a third threshold.

[0164] Figure 10 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device 1000 provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication device 1000 can be the second communication device in the method embodiment of Figure 6. The communication device 1000 includes:

[0165] The transceiver module 1010 is used to receive reference signals on N time-frequency resources corresponding to N beams respectively. The N beams correspond one-to-one with the N time-frequency resources. The first beam among the N beams is the corresponding serving beam, and at least one second beam among the N beams is the corresponding interference beam. Here, N is an integer greater than 1.

[0166] The transceiver module 1010 is further configured to send indication information to the first communication device, the indication information being used to indicate that the signal receiving power of the reference signal received on the first time-frequency resource corresponding to the third beam is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the direction of the third beam satisfies a first condition with the direction of the first beam, wherein the at least one second beam includes the third beam, and the N time-frequency resources include the first time-frequency resource.

[0167] Optionally, the indication information is further used to indicate channel state information, which is determined based on a reference signal received on a second time-frequency resource corresponding to the first beam, and the N time-frequency resources further include the second time-frequency resource;

[0168] The transceiver module is further configured to receive a signal of jointly precoded bearer data from the first communication device, wherein the signal of the bearer data is determined by the first communication device based on the indication information.

[0169] Optionally, the transceiver module 1010 is further configured to receive configuration information, the configuration information indicating the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the N beams.

[0170] Optionally, the configuration information may further indicate that the first beam is the serving beam corresponding to the second communication device.

[0171] Optionally, the configuration information indicates the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the beam pointing information corresponding to the N beams, wherein the beam pointing information includes the elevation angle and azimuth angle relative to the first communication device.

[0172] Optionally, the direction of the third beam satisfies a first condition with the direction of the first beam, including: the angle difference between the beam pointing of the third beam and the beam pointing of the first beam is greater than or equal to a second threshold.

[0173] Optionally, the configuration information indicates the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the beam alignment position information corresponding to the N beams, wherein the beam alignment position information includes ground longitude information and ground latitude information.

[0174] Optionally, the direction of the third beam satisfies a first condition with the direction of the first beam, including: the distance between the beam alignment position of the third beam and the beam alignment position of the first beam is greater than or equal to a third threshold.

[0175] Optionally, the communication device further includes: a processing module 1020, configured to determine that the signal receiving power of the reference signal received on the first time-frequency resource is greater than or equal to the first threshold, and that the direction of the third beam corresponding to the first time-frequency resource satisfies the first condition with the direction of the first beam.

[0176] Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device 1100 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1100 can be the first communication device or the second communication device described above. The communication device 1100 includes a processor 1110, which implements the interference measurement method provided in the embodiment of this application through logic circuits or executing code instructions.

[0177] Optionally, the communication device 1100 may further include interface circuitry 1120. Processor 1110 and interface circuitry 1120 are coupled to each other. It is understood that interface circuitry 1120 may be a transceiver or an input / output interface.

[0178] Optionally, the communication device 1100 may also include a memory 1130 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1110, or storing input data required by the processor 1110 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1110 executes instructions.

[0179] The aforementioned processor 1110 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In implementation, each step of the above method embodiments can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The aforementioned processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly embodied in the execution of a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules may reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory; the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

[0180] This application also provides a communication system, including a first communication device in the interference measurement method provided in this application, and other communication devices communicating with the first communication device, a second communication device, and other communication devices communicating with the second communication device.

[0181] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for implementing the methods in the above-described method embodiments. When the computer program is run on a computer, the computer can implement the methods in the above-described method embodiments.

[0182] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the methods in the above method embodiments to be executed.

[0183] This application also provides a chip, including a processor connected to a memory for storing computer programs, and the processor for executing the computer programs stored in the memory, so that the chip performs the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0184] It should be understood that, in the embodiments of this application, for a technical feature, the technical features in that technical feature are distinguished by "first", "second" and "third", and there is no order of precedence or size among the technical features described by "first", "second" and "third".

[0185] Furthermore, the term "and / or" in this application is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship. The term "at least one" in this application can represent "one" and "two or more." For example, A, B, and C can represent: A existing alone, B existing alone, C existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, A and C existing simultaneously, C and B existing simultaneously, and A, B, and C existing simultaneously.

[0186] In this embodiment of the application, expressions such as "A includes B" are used to indicate that A may or may not include other items besides B. When other items are not included, it can be understood as "A is B", in which case "A" can be replaced with "B".

[0187] In the embodiments of 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 via the air interface by other units or modules. "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 via the air interface by other units or modules. "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.

[0188] 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 buses, wiring, or interfaces.

[0189] It is understandable that information may undergo necessary processing, such as encoding and modulation, between the source and destination, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar statements in this application can be interpreted in a similar way and will not be elaborated further.

[0190] In the embodiments of this application, "instruction" can include direct and indirect instructions, as well as explicit and implicit instructions. The information indicated by a certain piece of information (hereinafter referred to as instruction information) is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementation, 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 an association between the other information and the information to be instructed; or it can indicate only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction can be implemented by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol predefined) arrangement of various information, thereby reducing the instruction overhead to a certain extent. This application does not limit the specific method of instruction. It is understood that for the sender of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to indicate the information to be instructed; for the receiver of the instruction information, the instruction information can be used to determine the information to be instructed.

[0191] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other. In the various embodiments of this application, and in the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between different embodiments and between the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment are consistent and can be mutually referenced. The technical features in different embodiments and the various implementation methods / methods / implementations within each embodiment can be combined according to their inherent logical relationships to form new embodiments, implementation methods, methods, or implementation approaches. The embodiments described below do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0192] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0193] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0194] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0195] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0196] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0197] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0198] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

A method for measuring interference, characterized in that, Applied to a first communication device, the method includes: Reference signals are transmitted on N time-frequency resources using N beams, and the N beams correspond one-to-one with the N time-frequency resources. The first beam among the N beams is the serving beam corresponding to the second communication device, and at least one second beam among the N beams is the interference beam corresponding to the second communication device, where N is an integer greater than 1. The device receives indication information from the second communication device, the indication information being used to indicate that the signal receiving power of the reference signal received by the second communication device on the first time-frequency resource corresponding to the third beam is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the direction of the third beam satisfies a first condition with the direction of the first beam, wherein the at least one second beam includes the third beam, and the N time-frequency resources include the first time-frequency resource. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The indication information is also used to indicate channel state information, which is determined by the second communication device based on a reference signal received on the second time-frequency resource corresponding to the first beam. The N time-frequency resources also include the second time-frequency resource. It also includes: sending a signal of jointly precoded bearer data to the second communication device based on the indication information. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Also includes: Send configuration information, which indicates the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the N beams. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The configuration information also indicates that the first beam is the serving beam corresponding to the second communication device. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The configuration information indicates the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the beam pointing information corresponding to the N beams, wherein the beam pointing information includes the elevation angle and azimuth angle relative to the first communication device. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The direction of the third beam satisfies a first condition with the direction of the first beam, including: the angle difference between the beam pointing of the third beam and the beam pointing of the first beam is greater than or equal to a second threshold. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The configuration information indicates the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the beam alignment position information corresponding to the N beams, wherein the beam alignment position information includes ground longitude information and ground latitude information. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The direction of the third beam satisfies a first condition with the direction of the first beam, including: the distance between the beam alignment position of the third beam and the beam alignment position of the first beam is greater than or equal to a third threshold. A method for measuring interference, characterized in that, Applied to a second communication device, the method includes: Reference signals are received on N time-frequency resources corresponding to N beams respectively. The N beams and the N time-frequency resources are in one-to-one correspondence. The first beam among the N beams is the serving beam, and at least one second beam among the N beams is the interference beam. Here, N is an integer greater than 1. Send indication information to the first communication device, the indication information being used to indicate that the signal receiving power of the reference signal received on the first time-frequency resource corresponding to the third beam is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and the direction of the third beam satisfies a first condition with the direction of the first beam, wherein the at least one second beam includes the third beam, and the N time-frequency resources include the first time-frequency resource. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The indication information is also used to indicate channel state information, which is determined based on a reference signal received on the second time-frequency resource corresponding to the first beam, and the N time-frequency resources also include the second time-frequency resource; It also includes: receiving a signal of jointly precoded bearer data from the first communication device, wherein the signal of the bearer data is determined by the first communication device based on the indication information. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive configuration information, which indicates the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the N beams. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The configuration information also indicates that the first beam is the serving beam corresponding to the second communication device. The method according to claim 11 or 12 is characterized in that, The configuration information indicates the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the beam pointing information corresponding to the N beams, wherein the beam pointing information includes the elevation angle and azimuth angle relative to the first communication device. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The direction of the third beam satisfies a first condition with the direction of the first beam, including: the angle difference between the beam pointing of the third beam and the beam pointing of the first beam is greater than or equal to a second threshold. The method according to claim 11 or 12 is characterized in that, The configuration information indicates the correspondence between the N time-frequency resources and the beam alignment position information corresponding to the N beams, wherein the beam alignment position information includes ground longitude information and ground latitude information. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The direction of the third beam satisfies a first condition with the direction of the first beam, including: the distance between the beam alignment position of the third beam and the beam alignment position of the first beam is greater than or equal to a third threshold. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 16, characterized in that, Also includes: The received power of the reference signal received on the first time-frequency resource is determined to be greater than or equal to the first threshold, and the direction of the third beam corresponding to the first time-frequency resource satisfies the first condition with the direction of the first beam. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 17. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processor, the processor being configured to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or to implement the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 17. A communication system, characterized in that, include: A first communication device and a second communication device, wherein the first communication device is used to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 8, and the second communication device is used to implement the method of any one of claims 9 to 17. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, include: The computer-readable medium stores a computer program; When the computer program is run by the processor, the method of any one of claims 1 to 17 is performed. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes a computer program, which, when executed, causes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 17 to be performed.

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