Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and an apparatus. The method comprises: acquiring M measurement results corresponding to M first signals, wherein for example, the M first signals correspond to M beams, for another example, the M beams belong to a first beam combination, and for another example, M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2; and sending first information, wherein for example, the first information may comprise a first identifier and the M measurement results corresponding to the first beam combination, and for example, the first identifier may be used to indicate the first beam combination. In the present application, measurement results for a plurality of reference signals are fed back in a combined form, such that a network device can use the measurement results for the plurality of reference signals in the combination to predict more channel information, thereby improving multi-stream communication efficiency.

Description

Communication methods and devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510056242.0, filed on January 13, 2025, entitled "Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of wireless communication, and more particularly to communication methods and apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] For 5G mobile communication systems, base stations scan their coverage area by sending synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs). The optimal access beam is determined by monitoring feedback from terminals. The terminal may provide the base station with the strongest measured SSB index. However, the base station cannot accurately determine the current channel environment based solely on the terminal's SSB-based feedback. Therefore, the base station cannot optimize multi-stream transmission for terminals based solely on the terminal's SSB-based feedback. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that, by feeding back measurement results for multiple reference signals in a combined manner, enables network devices to use the measurement results of the multiple reference signals in the combination to predict more channel information and improve multi-stream communication efficiency.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] Firstly, a communication method is provided. This method is applied to a terminal, but can also be a component of the terminal (e.g., a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal's functions. The method may include: acquiring M measurement results corresponding to M first signals. For example, the M first signals correspond to M beams. Another example is that the M beams belong to a first beam combination. Yet another example is that M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2. Sending first information. For example, the first information may include a first identifier and the M measurement results corresponding to the first beam combination. For example, the first identifier may be used to indicate the first beam combination.

[0007] This application provides feedback of measurement results for multiple reference signals in a combined manner, enabling network devices to use the measurement results of multiple reference signals in the combination to predict more channel information and improve multi-stream communication efficiency.

[0008] In one possible design, the measurement result may include signal strength. For example, signal strength may include reference signal receiving power (RSRP).

[0009] This application provides a measurement result including signal strength, and feeds back the signal strength of multiple reference signals in a combined form, so that network devices can use the signal strength of the multiple reference signals in the combination to predict possible channel information and improve multi-stream communication efficiency.

[0010] In one possible design scheme, given M measurement results as M first signal strengths, obtaining the M measurement results corresponding to the M first signals may include: obtaining the M second signal strengths corresponding to the M first signals; and determining the M first signal strengths based on the M second signal strengths and quantization parameters.

[0011] This application can also quantize the signal strength to reduce the number of bits required for feedback, thereby reducing terminal feedback overhead.

[0012] In one possible design, determining M first signal strengths based on M second signal strengths and quantization parameters can include: determining M adjusted second signal strengths based on the M second signal strengths and third signal strengths; and determining the M first signal strengths based on the M adjusted second signal strengths and quantization parameters.

[0013] This application first adjusts the measured signal strength to obtain a second signal strength with a smaller value. Then, this adjusted second signal strength is quantized, allowing the quantized signal strength to be indicated using fewer bits, thereby reducing terminal feedback overhead.

[0014] In one possible design, the third signal strength can be determined based on the M second signal strengths.

[0015] This application provides a possible method for determining the third signal strength, so as to better reduce the number of bits required for feedback based on the third signal strength, thereby reducing terminal feedback overhead.

[0016] In one possible design, the first information may also include a second identifier. For example, the second identifier could be used to indicate K of the M first signals. For instance, the K signal strengths corresponding to the K first signals might fall outside the signal strength range. For example, K could be an integer greater than or equal to 0.

[0017] This application allows for signal strength feedback with a smaller number of bits by setting a signal strength range. Furthermore, a second identifier indicates which beams have signal strengths exceeding the range, improving the accuracy of signal strength feedback.

[0018] In one possible design, the first information may also include M third identifiers. For example, the M third identifiers could be used to indicate the beams corresponding to the M first signals.

[0019] This application can also directly indicate the beam corresponding to each measurement result to improve the accuracy of measurement result feedback.

[0020] In one possible design, the method may further include: receiving second information. For example, the second information may be used to indicate a first parameter associated with M first signals. The first information is determined based on the first parameter. The first parameter may be used to indicate at least one of the following: the beam corresponding to the first signal belongs to a first beam combination; the first information feeds back M measurement results in the form of a beam combination; or, the measurement results include the strength of a first signal or the strength of a second signal.

[0021] The network device of this application can flexibly instruct the terminal on how to provide feedback on the first information through the second information, so that the network device can obtain more accurate first information.

[0022] In one possible design, where the first parameter is used to indicate that the first information is fed back in the form of a beam combination of M measurement results, the first parameter can also be used to indicate at least one of the following: the number of first beams; or, the number of first bits. For example, the number of first beams can be the number of M beams. As another example, the number of first bits can be the number of bits used to represent each measurement result.

[0023] This application provides a variety of possible first parameters for the case of feedback of measurement results in the form of beam combination, so as to accurately configure the terminal feedback of first information and improve communication efficiency.

[0024] In one possible design, where the first parameter is used to indicate that the measurement result includes a first signal strength, the first parameter can also be used to indicate at least one of the following information: signal strength range; whether the first information includes a third signal strength; or, a quantization parameter.

[0025] This application provides multiple possible first parameters for the quantized signal strength, so that the terminal can more accurately report the signal strength, enabling network devices to use the feedback measurement results to predict channel information and improve multi-stream communication efficiency.

[0026] In one possible design, the first information can also be used to indicate whether the first beam combination belongs to a nested subset.

[0027] This application can also be applied to scenarios where some beams constitute a subset of beam combinations, thereby improving the system's versatility.

[0028] In one possible design, if the first beam combination is a nested subset, the first information can also be used to indicate the service corresponding to the first beam combination.

[0029] This application can also flexibly indicate the services corresponding to nested subsets, so that network devices can better distinguish the services used between different subsets and complete beam combinations, which is beneficial for subsequent prediction of channel information corresponding to each service based on feedback measurement results and improves communication accuracy.

[0030] In one possible design, if the first beam combination belongs to a nested subset, the first information can also be used to indicate the subset corresponding to the first beam combination.

[0031] This application provides a more convenient way to indicate subsets, so that network devices can more quickly and accurately determine the subset to which the first beam combination belongs.

[0032] In one possible design, the first information can also be used to indicate whether differential feedback is allowed.

[0033] This application also provides differential feedback first information to reduce the overhead of terminal feedback first information.

[0034] In one possible design, the first signal can be a synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel block (SSB).

[0035] This application can be applied to scenarios where SSBs are reused, thereby improving the system's versatility.

[0036] In one possible design, the method may further include transmitting third information. For example, the third information could be used to indicate the number of beams in the first beam combination.

[0037] This application can also be applied to scenarios where the terminal determines and predicts more channel information by informing the network device of the number of beams in the beam combination, so that the network device can send that number of beams for the terminal to measure.

[0038] In one possible design, the third information can also be used to indicate the service corresponding to the first beam combination.

[0039] This application can also inform network devices of relevant services in scenarios where the terminal determines and predicts more channel information, so that the network device can determine M beams related to that service based on the service. This allows the terminal to obtain more accurate measurement results and improves the accuracy of channel information prediction.

[0040] Secondly, a communication method is provided. This method is applied to a network device, but can also be a component of the network device (e.g., a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device. The method may include: transmitting M first signals using M beams. For example, the M beams may belong to a first beam combination. Receiving first information. For example, the first information may include a first identifier and M measurement results corresponding to the first beam combination. The first identifier can be used to indicate the first beam combination. For example, M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0041] In one possible design, the measurement results may include signal strength. For example, signal strength may include RSRP.

[0042] In one possible design, the first information may also include a second identifier. For example, the second identifier could be used to indicate K of the M first signals. For instance, the K signal strengths corresponding to the K first signals might fall outside the signal strength range. For example, K could be an integer greater than or equal to 0.

[0043] In one possible design, the first information may also include M third identifiers. For example, the M third identifiers could be used to indicate the beams corresponding to the M first signals.

[0044] In one possible design, the method may further include: transmitting second information. For example, the second information may be used to indicate a first parameter associated with M first signals. The first parameter may be used to indicate at least one of the following: the beam corresponding to the first signal belongs to a first beam combination; the first information feeds back M measurement results in the form of a beam combination; or, the measurement results include the strength of a first signal or the strength of a second signal.

[0045] In one possible design, where the first parameter is used to indicate that the first information is fed back in the form of a beam combination of M measurement results, the first parameter can also be used to indicate at least one of the following: the number of first beams; or, the number of first bits. For example, the number of first beams can be the number of M beams. As another example, the number of first bits can be the number of bits used to represent each measurement result.

[0046] In one possible design, where the first parameter is used to indicate that the measurement result includes a first signal strength, the first parameter can also be used to indicate at least one of the following information: signal strength range; whether the first information includes a third signal strength; or, a quantization parameter.

[0047] In one possible design, the first information can also be used to indicate whether the first beam combination belongs to a nested subset.

[0048] In one possible design, if the first beam combination is a nested subset, the first information can also be used to indicate the service corresponding to the first beam combination.

[0049] In one possible design, if the first beam combination belongs to a nested subset, the first information can also be used to indicate the subset corresponding to the first beam combination.

[0050] In one possible design, the first information can also be used to indicate whether differential feedback is allowed.

[0051] In one possible design, the first signal can be SSB.

[0052] In one possible design, the M beams are associated with a first service, and the method may further include: determining a first codebook based on the first service; and determining the M beams based on the first codebook.

[0053] The network device of this application can also determine M beams adapted to the first service, so that the M measurement results obtained by the terminal can be more suitable for predicting signal information related to the first service, thereby improving communication efficiency.

[0054] In one possible design, the method may further include receiving third information. For example, the third information could be used to indicate the number of beams in the first beam combination.

[0055] In one possible design, the third information can also be used to indicate the service corresponding to the first beam combination.

[0056] Thirdly, a communication device is provided. This device can be a terminal, a communication module implementing the corresponding functions of the terminal, or a chip responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip), a system-on-chip (SoC) containing a modem module, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip. It can also be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal functions. The communication device may include: a processing unit for acquiring M measurement results corresponding to M first signals. For example, the M first signals correspond to M beams. Another example is that the M beams belong to a first beam combination. Yet another example is that M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2. A transceiver unit for transmitting first information. For example, the first information may include a first identifier and the M measurement results corresponding to the first beam combination. For example, the first identifier may be used to indicate the first beam combination.

[0057] In one possible design, the measurement results may include signal strength. For example, signal strength may include RSRP.

[0058] In one possible design, if the M measurement results are M first signal strengths, the processing unit is further configured to: acquire M second signal strengths corresponding to the M first signals; and determine the M first signal strengths based on the M second signal strengths and quantization parameters.

[0059] In one possible design, the processing unit is further configured to: determine M adjusted second signal strengths based on M second signal strengths and a third signal strength; and determine M first signal strengths based on the M adjusted second signal strengths and quantization parameters.

[0060] In one possible design, the third signal strength can be determined based on the M second signal strengths.

[0061] In one possible design, the first information may also include a second identifier. For example, the second identifier could be used to indicate K of the M first signals. For instance, the K signal strengths corresponding to the K first signals might fall outside the signal strength range. For example, K could be an integer greater than or equal to 0.

[0062] In one possible design, the first information may also include M third identifiers. For example, the M third identifiers could be used to indicate the beams corresponding to the M first signals.

[0063] In one possible design, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive second information. For example, the second information may be used to indicate a first parameter associated with M first signals. The processing unit is further configured to determine the first information based on the first parameter. The first parameter may indicate at least one of the following: the beam corresponding to the first signal belongs to a first beam combination; the first information feeds back M measurement results in the form of a beam combination; or the measurement results include either the first signal strength or the second signal strength.

[0064] In one possible design, where the first parameter is used to indicate that the first information is fed back in the form of a beam combination of M measurement results, the first parameter can also be used to indicate at least one of the following: the number of first beams; or, the number of first bits. For example, the number of first beams can be the number of M beams. As another example, the number of first bits can be the number of bits used to represent each measurement result.

[0065] In one possible design, where the first parameter is used to indicate that the measurement result includes a first signal strength, the first parameter can also be used to indicate at least one of the following information: signal strength range; whether the first information includes a third signal strength; or, a quantization parameter.

[0066] In one possible design, the first information can also be used to indicate whether the first beam combination belongs to a nested subset.

[0067] In one possible design, if the first beam combination is a nested subset, the first information can also be used to indicate the service corresponding to the first beam combination.

[0068] In one possible design, if the first beam combination belongs to a nested subset, the first information can also be used to indicate the subset corresponding to the first beam combination.

[0069] In one possible design, the first information can also be used to indicate whether differential feedback is allowed.

[0070] In one possible design, the first signal can be SSB.

[0071] In one possible design, the transceiver unit is also used to transmit third information. For example, the third information could be used to indicate the number of beams in the first beam combination.

[0072] In one possible design, the third information can also be used to indicate the service corresponding to the first beam combination.

[0073] Fourthly, a communication device is provided. This device can be a network device, a communication module implementing the corresponding functions of the network device, or a chip responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip) or a SoC or SIP chip containing a modem module. It can also be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of a network device. The communication device may include: a transceiver unit for transmitting M first signals using M beams. For example, the M beams may belong to a first beam combination. The transceiver unit is also used to receive first information. For example, the first information may include a first identifier and M measurement results corresponding to the first beam combination. The first identifier may be used to indicate the first beam combination. For example, M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0074] In one possible design, the measurement results may include signal strength. For example, signal strength may include RSRP.

[0075] In one possible design, the first information may also include a second identifier. For example, the second identifier could be used to indicate K of the M first signals. For instance, the K signal strengths corresponding to the K first signals might fall outside the signal strength range. For example, K could be an integer greater than or equal to 0.

[0076] In one possible design, the first information may also include M third identifiers. For example, the M third identifiers could be used to indicate the beams corresponding to the M first signals.

[0077] In one possible design, the transceiver unit is further configured to: transmit second information. For example, the second information may be used to indicate a first parameter associated with M first signals. The first parameter may indicate at least one of the following: the beam corresponding to the first signal belongs to a first beam combination; the first information feeds back M measurement results in the form of a beam combination; or, the measurement results include the strength of a first signal or the strength of a second signal.

[0078] In one possible design, where the first parameter is used to indicate that the first information is fed back in the form of a beam combination of M measurement results, the first parameter can also be used to indicate at least one of the following: the number of first beams; or, the number of first bits. For example, the number of first beams can be the number of M beams. As another example, the number of first bits can be the number of bits used to represent each measurement result.

[0079] In one possible design, where the first parameter is used to indicate that the measurement result includes a first signal strength, the first parameter can also be used to indicate at least one of the following information: signal strength range; whether the first information includes a third signal strength; or, a quantization parameter.

[0080] In one possible design, the first information can also be used to indicate whether the first beam combination belongs to a nested subset.

[0081] In one possible design, if the first beam combination is a nested subset, the first information can also be used to indicate the service corresponding to the first beam combination.

[0082] In one possible design, if the first beam combination belongs to a nested subset, the first information can also be used to indicate the subset corresponding to the first beam combination.

[0083] In one possible design, the first information can also be used to indicate whether differential feedback is allowed.

[0084] In one possible design, the first signal can be SSB.

[0085] In one possible design, the M beams are associated with a first service, and the apparatus may further include: a processing unit for determining a first codebook based on the first service; and determining the M beams based on the first codebook.

[0086] In one possible design, the transceiver unit is also used to receive third information. For example, the third information could be used to indicate the number of beams in the first beam combination.

[0087] In one possible design, the third information can also be used to indicate the service corresponding to the first beam combination.

[0088] Fifthly, a communication device is provided. This device can be a terminal, a communication module implementing the functions corresponding to the terminal, or a chip responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip) or a SoC or SIP chip containing a modem module. It can also be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal functions. The communication device may include: a processor for acquiring M measurement results corresponding to M first signals. For example, the M first signals correspond to M beams. Another example is that the M beams belong to a first beam combination. Yet another example is that M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2. A transceiver for transmitting first information. For example, the first information may include a first identifier and the M measurement results corresponding to the first beam combination. For example, the first identifier may be used to indicate the first beam combination.

[0089] In one possible design, the measurement results may include signal strength. For example, signal strength may include RSRP.

[0090] In one possible design, if the M measurement results are M first signal strengths, the processor is further configured to: acquire M second signal strengths corresponding to the M first signals; and determine the M first signal strengths based on the M second signal strengths and quantization parameters.

[0091] In one possible design, the processor is further configured to: determine M adjusted second signal strengths based on M second signal strengths and a third signal strength; and determine M first signal strengths based on the M adjusted second signal strengths and quantization parameters.

[0092] In one possible design, the third signal strength can be determined based on the M second signal strengths.

[0093] In one possible design, the first information may also include a second identifier. For example, the second identifier could be used to indicate K of the M first signals. For instance, the K signal strengths corresponding to the K first signals might fall outside the signal strength range. For example, K could be an integer greater than or equal to 0.

[0094] In one possible design, the first information may also include M third identifiers. For example, the M third identifiers could be used to indicate the beams corresponding to the M first signals.

[0095] In one possible design, the transceiver is further configured to receive second information. For example, the second information may be used to indicate a first parameter associated with M first signals. The processor is further configured to determine the first information based on the first parameter. The first parameter may indicate at least one of the following: the beam corresponding to the first signal belongs to a first beam combination; the first information feeds back M measurement results in the form of a beam combination; or the measurement results include either the first signal strength or the second signal strength.

[0096] In one possible design, where the first parameter is used to indicate that the first information is fed back in the form of a beam combination of M measurement results, the first parameter can also be used to indicate at least one of the following: the number of first beams; or, the number of first bits. For example, the number of first beams can be the number of M beams. As another example, the number of first bits can be the number of bits used to represent each measurement result.

[0097] In one possible design, where the first parameter is used to indicate that the measurement result includes a first signal strength, the first parameter can also be used to indicate at least one of the following information: signal strength range; whether the first information includes a third signal strength; or, a quantization parameter.

[0098] In one possible design, the first information can also be used to indicate whether the first beam combination belongs to a nested subset.

[0099] In one possible design, if the first beam combination is a nested subset, the first information can also be used to indicate the service corresponding to the first beam combination.

[0100] In one possible design, if the first beam combination belongs to a nested subset, the first information can also be used to indicate the subset corresponding to the first beam combination.

[0101] In one possible design, the first information can also be used to indicate whether differential feedback is allowed.

[0102] In one possible design, the first signal can be SSB.

[0103] In one possible design, the transceiver is also used to transmit third information. For example, the third information could be used to indicate the number of beams in the first beam combination.

[0104] In one possible design, the third information can also be used to indicate the service corresponding to the first beam combination.

[0105] Sixthly, a communication device is provided. This device can be a network device, a communication module implementing the corresponding functions of the network device, or a chip responsible for communication functions, such as a modem chip (also known as a baseband chip) or a SoC or SIP chip containing a modem module. It can also be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of a network device. The communication device may include: a transceiver for transmitting M first signals using M beams. For example, the M beams may belong to a first beam combination. The transceiver is also used to receive first information. For example, the first information may include a first identifier and M measurement results corresponding to the first beam combination. The first identifier may be used to indicate the first beam combination. For example, M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0106] In one possible design, the measurement results may include signal strength. For example, signal strength may include RSRP.

[0107] In one possible design, the first information may also include a second identifier. For example, the second identifier could be used to indicate K of the M first signals. For instance, the K signal strengths corresponding to the K first signals might fall outside the signal strength range. For example, K could be an integer greater than or equal to 0.

[0108] In one possible design, the first information may also include M third identifiers. For example, the M third identifiers could be used to indicate the beams corresponding to the M first signals.

[0109] In one possible design, the transceiver is further configured to transmit second information. For example, the second information may be used to indicate a first parameter associated with M first signals. The first parameter may indicate at least one of the following: the beam corresponding to the first signal belongs to a first beam combination; the first information feeds back M measurement results in the form of a beam combination; or the measurement results include either the strength of a first signal or the strength of a second signal.

[0110] In one possible design, where the first parameter is used to indicate that the first information is fed back in the form of a beam combination of M measurement results, the first parameter can also be used to indicate at least one of the following: the number of first beams; or, the number of first bits. For example, the number of first beams can be the number of M beams. As another example, the number of first bits can be the number of bits used to represent each measurement result.

[0111] In one possible design, where the first parameter is used to indicate that the measurement result includes a first signal strength, the first parameter can also be used to indicate at least one of the following information: signal strength range; whether the first information includes a third signal strength; or, a quantization parameter.

[0112] In one possible design, the first information can also be used to indicate whether the first beam combination belongs to a nested subset.

[0113] In one possible design, if the first beam combination is a nested subset, the first information can also be used to indicate the service corresponding to the first beam combination.

[0114] In one possible design, if the first beam combination belongs to a nested subset, the first information can also be used to indicate the subset corresponding to the first beam combination.

[0115] In one possible design, the first information can also be used to indicate whether differential feedback is allowed.

[0116] In one possible design, the first signal can be SSB.

[0117] In one possible design, the M beams are associated with a first service, and the apparatus may further include: a processor for determining a first codebook based on the first service; and determining the M beams based on the first codebook.

[0118] In one possible design, the transceiver is also used to receive third information. For example, the third information could be used to indicate the number of beams in the first beam combination.

[0119] In one possible design, the third information can also be used to indicate the service corresponding to the first beam combination.

[0120] A seventh aspect provides a communication system comprising: a terminal and a network device, the terminal being configured to execute the methods of the first aspect and various possible implementations thereof, and the network device being configured to execute the methods of the second aspect and various possible implementations thereof.

[0121] Eighthly, a chip is provided, comprising interface circuitry and one or more processors. The one or more processors are coupled to a memory. The memory stores part or all of a computer program or instructions necessary for implementing the functions described in the first and second aspects. The one or more processors are executable to carry out the computer program or instructions, which, when executed, cause the communication device to implement the methods in any possible design or implementation of the first and second aspects. The interface circuitry is used to implement communication functions within the communication device and / or communication functions between the communication device and other devices or components.

[0122] Ninthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions; when the computer instructions are executed on a computer, the computer causes the computer to perform a communication method as designed in any of the foregoing aspects.

[0123] A tenth aspect provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform a communication method as designed in any of the foregoing aspects.

[0124] The beneficial effects of the methods in any of the second to tenth aspects mentioned above can be referred to the description of the beneficial effects of the methods in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0125] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0126] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of beam scanning provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0127] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0128] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a cumulative distribution function provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0129] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a first signal resource provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0130] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a difference feedback provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0131] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0132] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0133] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0134] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0135] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system 1000 provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 1000 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100, wherein the RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 110), and may also include at least one terminal (120a-120j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 120). The RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1). The terminal 120 is wirelessly connected to the RAN node 110. Terminals and RAN nodes can be interconnected via wired or wireless means. The communication system 1000 may also include a core network 200. The RAN node 110 is connected to the core network 200 via wireless or wired means. The core network equipment in core network 200 and the RAN node 110 in RAN 100 can be independent and different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device that integrates the logical functions of the core network equipment and the logical functions of the RAN node. Communication system 1000 may also include Internet 300.

[0136] RAN100 can be an evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) system, a new radio (NR) system, a future communications network, or a future radio access system as defined in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP). RAN100 can also include two or more of the above-mentioned different radio access systems. RAN100 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN).

[0137] RAN nodes, also known as radio access network devices, RAN entities, or access nodes, are used to help terminals access communication systems wirelessly. In one application scenario, an RAN node can be a base station (BS), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB / eNB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system, a future base station in a future communication network, or a base station in a future mobile communication system. RAN nodes can be macro base stations (as shown in Figure 1, 110a), micro base stations or indoor stations (as shown in Figure 1, 110b), relay nodes, or master nodes.

[0138] In another application scenario, multiple RAN nodes can collaborate to help terminals achieve wireless access, with different RAN nodes implementing different functions of the base station. For example, a RAN node can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). An RU can also be called a radio frequency unit. Here, the CU performs the functions of the base station's radio resource control protocol and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), and can also perform the functions of the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP). The DU performs the functions of the base station's radio link control layer and medium access control (MAC) layer, and can also perform some or all of the physical layer functions. For specific descriptions of these protocol layers, refer to the relevant 3GPP technical specifications. The RU can be used to implement radio frequency signal transmission and reception. The CU and DU can be two independent RAN nodes, or they can be integrated into the same RAN node, such as within a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment, such as remote radio units (RRUs) or active antenna units (AAUs). CUs can be further divided into two types of RAN nodes: CU-control plane and CU-user plane.

[0139] In different systems, RAN nodes may have different names. For example, in an open radio access network (O-RAN) system, a CU can be called an open CU (O-CU), a DU can be called an open DU (O-DU), and an RU can be called an open RU (O-RU). The RAN node in the embodiments of this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules. For example, the RAN node can be a server loaded with the corresponding software modules. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the RAN node. For ease of description, a base station is used as an example of a RAN node in the following description. The RAN node may also include a chip with modulation and demodulation functions (e.g., a baseband chip), a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem module, or one or more of the above-mentioned chips that implement RAN functions.

[0140] A terminal is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, capable of sending signals to or receiving signals from a base station. Terminals can also be referred to as terminal equipment, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as 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. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, aircraft, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the terminal. The terminal may also include a chip with modulation and demodulation functions (e.g., a baseband chip), a SoC or SIP chip containing a modem module, or one or more of the above-mentioned chips that implement the terminal functions.

[0141] In some examples, the core network 200 may include any core network device such as the access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, the session management function (SMF) entity, the user plane function (UPF) entity, the sensing service control function (SSCF), the sensing data processing function (SDPF), and the unified data management (UDM).

[0142] Base stations and terminals can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can be deployed on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of the base stations and terminals.

[0143] The roles of base stations and terminals can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 1 can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120j that access the wireless access network 100 through 120i, terminal 120i is a base station; however, for base station 110a, 120i is a terminal, meaning that 110a and 120i communicate via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, 110a and 120i can also communicate via a base station-to-base station interface protocol. In this case, relative to 110a, 120i is also a base station. Therefore, both base stations and terminals can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with base station functions, and 120a-120j in Figure 1 can be called communication devices with terminal functions.

[0144] Communication between base stations and terminals, between base stations, and between terminals can be conducted using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. Communication can be conducted using spectrum below 6 GHz, spectrum above 6 GHz, or both simultaneously. The embodiments of this application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0145] In the embodiments of this application, the functions of the base station can be executed by modules (such as chips) within the base station, or by a control subsystem that includes base station functions. This control subsystem, including base station functions, can be a control center in the aforementioned application scenarios such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, and smart cities. Similarly, the functions of the terminal can be executed by modules (such as chips or modems) within the terminal, or by a device that includes terminal functions.

[0146] In a wireless communication system, communication devices are included, and these devices can communicate wirelessly using air interface resources. These communication devices can include network devices and terminal devices; network devices can also be called base station devices, i.e., the wireless access network devices mentioned above. Air interface resources can include at least one of time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, code resources, and spatial resources. These communication devices can also be called communication apparatuses.

[0147] The solutions provided in this application can be applied to wireless communication between communication devices. Wireless communication can include: wireless communication between network devices and terminals, wireless communication between network devices, and wireless communication between terminals. In this application, the term "wireless communication" can also be simply referred to as "communication," and the term "communication" can also be described as "data transmission," "information transmission," or "transmission."

[0148] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the basic concepts of artificial intelligence (AI) that may be involved in this application will first be explained, which will not limit the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application.

[0149] 1. Machine learning (ML):

[0150] Machine learning is a crucial technological approach to achieving AI. AI endows machines with human-like intelligence, using computer hardware and software to simulate certain intelligent human behaviors, including machine learning and other methods. Machine learning refers to learning models or rules from raw data, such as neural networks, decision trees, and support vector machines. Machine learning can be categorized into supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning.

[0151] Supervised learning, based on collected sample values ​​and labels, uses machine learning algorithms to learn the mapping relationship between sample values ​​and labels, and expresses this learned mapping relationship using a machine learning model. The process of training the machine learning model is the process of learning this mapping relationship. For example, in signal detection, the noisy received signal is the sample, and the corresponding real constellation point is the label. Machine learning aims to learn the mapping relationship between samples and labels through training, that is, to enable the machine learning model to learn a signal detector. During training, the model parameters are optimized by calculating the error between the model's predicted values ​​and the real labels. Once the mapping relationship is learned, it can be used to predict the sample label of each new sample. The mapping relationship learned in supervised learning can include linear mappings and nonlinear mappings. Based on the type of label, the learning task can be divided into classification tasks and regression tasks.

[0152] Unsupervised learning relies solely on collected sample values, using algorithms to discover inherent patterns within the samples. One type of unsupervised learning algorithm uses the samples themselves as supervisory signals; that is, the model learns the mapping relationship from sample to sample, which is called self-supervised learning. During training, model parameters are optimized by calculating the error between the model's predictions and the samples themselves. Self-supervised learning can be used for signal compression and decompression recovery applications; common algorithms include autoencoders and generative adversarial networks.

[0153] Reinforcement learning, unlike supervised learning, is a type of algorithm that learns problem-solving strategies through interaction with the environment. Unlike supervised and unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning problems do not have explicit "correct" action labels. The algorithm needs to interact with the environment to obtain reward signals from the environment, and then adjust its decision actions to obtain a larger reward signal value. For example, in downlink power control, the reinforcement learning model adjusts the downlink transmission power of each user based on the total system throughput feedback from the wireless network, aiming to achieve a higher system throughput. The goal of reinforcement learning is also to learn the mapping relationship between the environment state and the optimal decision action. However, because the label of the "correct action" cannot be obtained in advance, the network cannot be optimized by calculating the error between the action and the "correct action." Reinforcement learning training is achieved through iterative interaction with the environment.

[0154] Deep neural networks (DNNs) are a specific implementation of machine learning. According to the general approximation theorem, neural networks can theoretically approximate any continuous function, thus enabling them to learn arbitrary mappings. Traditional communication systems rely on extensive expert knowledge to design communication modules, while DNN-based deep learning communication systems can automatically discover hidden pattern structures from large datasets, establish mapping relationships between data, and achieve performance superior to traditional modeling methods.

[0155] Based on their construction method, DNNs can be divided into feedforward neural networks (FNNs), convolutional neural networks (CNNs), and recurrent neural networks (RNNs). FNNs can be neural networks where neurons in adjacent layers are completely connected pairwise, which makes FNNs typically require a large amount of storage space and have high computational complexity.

[0156] CNNs are neural networks specifically designed to process data with a grid-like structure. For example, time-series data (discrete sampling along the time axis) and image data (two-dimensional discrete sampling) can both be considered grid-like data. CNNs do not use all the input information at once for computation; instead, they use a fixed-size window to extract a portion of the information for convolution operations, which significantly reduces the computational cost of model parameters. Furthermore, depending on the type of information extracted by the window (such as people and objects in an image representing different types of information), each window can use different convolution kernels, allowing CNNs to better extract features from the input data.

[0157] Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs) are a type of distributed neural network (DNN) that utilizes feedback time-series information. Their input includes the current input value and their own output value from the previous time step. RNNs are well-suited for acquiring temporally correlated sequence features, and are particularly applicable to applications such as speech recognition and channel coding / decoding.

[0158] AI models refer to function models that map inputs of a certain dimension to outputs of a certain dimension, and their parameters can be obtained through machine learning training. For example, f(x) = ax 2 +b is a quadratic function model, which can be viewed as an AI model. a and b correspond to the parameters of this model and can be obtained through machine learning training. In machine learning, the data used for model training, validation, and / or testing can form a dataset or training dataset. The quantity and / or quality of data in the dataset or training dataset will affect the effectiveness of machine learning. Model training involves selecting an appropriate loss function (which measures the difference between the model's predictions and the true values) and using optimization algorithms to train the model parameters to minimize the loss function value. Model testing involves evaluating the model's performance using test data after training. Model application involves using the trained model to solve real-world problems.

[0159] A neural network, or artificial neural network, is a mathematical model that mimics the behavioral characteristics of animal neural networks to perform distributed parallel information processing. It is a special form of AI model.

[0160] 2. Model Training:

[0161] Model training involves selecting an appropriate function (such as a loss function) and using optimization algorithms to train the model parameters so that the difference between the model's predicted values ​​and the ground truth (or target values, labels) tends to be minimized.

[0162] For example, model training methods include, but are not limited to, supervised learning, self-supervised learning, and knowledge distillation.

[0163] 3. Model files and model parameters:

[0164] Model files and / or model parameters can be used to determine the model. Optionally, the model in this application may refer to the model itself, or it may refer to the model files and / or model parameters used to determine the model.

[0165] The model file can be used to indicate the model structure, which may include, but is not limited to, FNN, CNN, or RNN. The model file can have a fixed format, such as a standard predefined format, or a format pre-negotiated by both ends of the interface. Model parameters can refer to parameters in the neural network model, such as, but not limited to, the number of layers in the neural network, the type and weights of neurons in each layer, etc. This application does not limit the method of distributing model parameters.

[0166] Take DNN as an example. The idea behind DNN comes from the neuronal structure of the brain. Each neuron can perform a weighted summation operation on its inputs and then use the result of the weighted summation operation to generate the output through a non-linear function. For example, the input of a neuron is x = [x0, x1, ..., x...]. N-1 The weights corresponding to the inputs are w = [w0, w1, ..., w] N-1 The bias of the weighted summation is b. The nonlinear function f() can take many forms; for example, the nonlinear function f() can be the maximum value function max{0, x}. Then the effect of a neuron's execution is... Where N is a positive integer, and n is a positive integer greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to (N-1). The weights of the weighted summation operation of neurons in a neural network and the nonlinear function are called the parameters of the neural network. The parameters of all neurons in a neural network constitute the parameters of the neural network. The weight w can be considered as the parameter a mentioned above.

[0167] A DNN typically has multiple neural network layers, including an input layer, one or more hidden layers, and an output layer. Generally, the first layer is the input layer, the last layer is the output layer, and the layers in between are hidden layers. Each layer contains multiple neurons. Layers are fully connected; that is, any neuron in the i-th layer is connected to any neuron in the (i+1)-th layer. The input layer processes the received values ​​(i.e., the DNN's input) through neurons and then passes them to the hidden layers. Similarly, the hidden layers pass the computation results to the final output layer, producing the DNN's output. This application does not limit the structure and parameters used in the AI ​​model.

[0168] One of the model structure or model parameters can be predefined, while the other can be sent by the sender (e.g., the network side). Alternatively, both the model structure and model parameters can be sent by the sender (e.g., the network side). This application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0169] Sending a model can refer to sending a model file and / or model parameters, while receiving a model can refer to receiving a model file and / or model parameters.

[0170] In 5G NR systems, network devices such as base stations perform synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) scanning. The terminal measures the SSB and then returns the strongest SSB index. This feedback mechanism limits the network device's acquisition of multipath information. In some cases, the network device can acquire multipath information by sending a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS), and the terminal determines the channel state information (CSI) returned after measuring the CSI-RS. However, this process often requires random terminal access. That is, during the initial access phase, the terminal returns the measurement results of the SSB, and the network device cannot obtain complete channel state information. Therefore, the network device cannot perform multi-stream transmission optimization for the terminal; that is, the network device cannot determine the number of streams required for subsequent communication. Especially for communication scenarios that are sensitive to latency and require one-shot data communication, current solutions rely solely on simple discrete fourier transform (DFT) codebooks for single-stream communication, limiting communication efficiency and system capacity.

[0171] It is evident that resource utilization efficiency is low in the current initial access phase. For 5G applications requiring high bandwidth and low latency, the current solution cannot fully realize the potential of a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system. Referring to Figure 2, the terminal measures and responds to multiple SSBs sent by the network device, such as SSB1, SSB2, SSB3, and SSB4. Based on the terminal's feedback, the network device can determine the optimal beam for that terminal. For example, if the terminal responds with SSB2, the network device can determine that beam 2 is the optimal beam for that terminal. The terminal can then perform random access based on SSB2. However, the measurement results obtained by the terminal for SSB2 do not reflect the current environmental conditions, preventing the network device from using the terminal's SSB measurement results for multi-stream transmission, terminal location, etc., thus leading to low communication efficiency.

[0172] Therefore, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that, by feeding back measurement results for multiple reference signals in a combined form, enables network devices to use the measurement results of the multiple reference signals in the combination to predict more channel information and improve multi-stream communication efficiency.

[0173] The communication method and apparatus will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is understood that the embodiments of this application use a terminal and a network device as examples to illustrate the execution of the interaction, but this application does not limit the execution subject of the interaction. The method executed by the terminal in this application can also be implemented by modules in the terminal (e.g., circuits, processors, chips, or chip systems), or by logical nodes, logical modules, or software that can implement all or part of the terminal's functions. Similarly, the method executed by the network device in this application can also be implemented by modules in the network device (e.g., circuits, processors, chips, or chip systems), or by logical nodes, logical modules, or software that can implement all or part of the network device's functions.

[0174] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0175] This communication process is applicable to, but not limited to, the communication scenario shown in Figure 1. This method can be applied to LTE, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE TDD, 5G systems, or NR systems, future communication systems (such as future communication systems), and V2X. V2X can include vehicle-to-network (V2N), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), long-term evolution-vehicle (LTE-V), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), MTC, IoT, long-term evolution-machine (LTE-M), machine-to-machine (M2M), and device-to-device (D2D) wireless communication scenarios. The method may include the following steps:

[0176] S101, the network device transmits M first signals using M beams. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the M first signals from the network device.

[0177] For example, M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2. In some cases, the first signal and the beam can be in one-to-one correspondence. Assuming M is 3, the network device can use beam 1 to transmit the first signal 1, beam 2 to transmit the first signal 2, and beam 3 to transmit the first signal 3. For example, the M beams mentioned above can belong to the same beam combination, such as the first beam combination.

[0178] In some examples, the first signal sent by the network device can be a signal used to predict more channel information. The measurement results fed back by the terminal on this type of signal can be used to predict more channel information, thereby improving the efficiency of multi-stream communication. The aforementioned first signal can also be called a reference signal, extended measurement signal (EMS), SSB, etc., and this application does not limit it.

[0179] In some embodiments, the M beams may be associated with a first service. The network device can determine a first codebook associated with the first service based on the first service. The network device can also determine the M beams based on the first codebook.

[0180] For example, network devices can be pre-configured with a trained model for providing the first codebook. This model can be an AI model, such as a neural network model. This model can be used to generate the first codebook, which can be considered a matrix containing X rows, each row corresponding to a beam. X is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2. The number of columns in the first codebook can be the same as the number of antennas (or antenna ports) of the network device. Therefore, each row vector of the first codebook can be considered a precoding matrix corresponding to a beam, and each element in the precoding matrix corresponds to the weight (or weight) of an antenna (or antenna port). Thus, the first codebook can also be viewed as a codebook containing X precoding matrices. In some examples, the precoding matrices mentioned above can be analog precoding matrices or digital precoding matrices. The difference is that in analog precoding matrices, the variation between different elements is phase, while in digital precoding matrices, the variation between different elements can include both phase and amplitude. Therefore, the amplitude between different elements in an analog precoding matrix can be considered to be 1. This application does not limit the type of precoding matrix.

[0181] The network device can determine M beams based on the first codebook provided by the above model. It can be understood that the first codebook may include X rows of precoding matrices, meaning that the first codebook provides X beams, but the beams actually transmitting the first signal can be some or all of these X beams. That is, M is less than or equal to X. One case is that X and M are equal. In this case, the network device can transmit the corresponding first signal based on each beam in the first codebook. Another case is that M is less than X. In this case, the network device can transmit the corresponding first signal based on a subset of the beams in the first codebook.

[0182] In some examples, the network device can transmit M first signals in a beam scanning manner. Specific implementation details can be found in related technologies, and will not be elaborated further in the embodiments of this application.

[0183] S102, the terminal acquires M measurement results corresponding to M first signals.

[0184] For example, the terminal receives M first signals and measures the M first signals to obtain the measurement results corresponding to the M first signals respectively.

[0185] In some embodiments, the measurement result may include signal strength. For example, signal strength may include reference signal receiving power (RSRP). Alternatively, signal strength may include reference signal received quality (RSRQ). Furthermore, signal strength may include signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR). Still others, signal strength may include signal to noise ratio (SNR). SINR can also be referred to as signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio.

[0186] For example, the measurement results may also include any possible results obtained from measuring the first signal, such as bit error rate, packet loss rate, throughput, and latency. This application embodiment does not limit these results.

[0187] This application provides a case where the measurement result includes signal strength. The signal strength of multiple reference signals is fed back in a combined form, so that the network device can use the signal strength of the multiple reference signals in the combination to predict possible channel information and improve the efficiency of multi-stream communication.

[0188] In some examples, the terminal can perform subsequent feedback steps based on the actual signal strength obtained from the first signal measurement. That is, the terminal can subsequently provide feedback the actual measured value of the signal strength.

[0189] In other cases, considering that the actual signal strength measured by the terminal may require a large number of bits for indication, the actual signal strength can be adjusted to reduce the number of bits needed for feedback. One approach is to quantize the actual signal strength; the quantized signal strength reduces the number of bits required for indication. For example, the actual signal strength obtained by the terminal from measuring the first signal can be called the second signal strength, and the quantized signal strength can be called the first signal strength.

[0190] For example, a terminal can measure M first signals to obtain the corresponding second signal strength, i.e., obtain M second signal strengths. The terminal can quantize the M second signal strengths using quantization parameters to obtain M first signal strengths. For example, the quantization parameters can be preset, such as 3 dB, 5 dB, -3 dB, -5 dB, etc. Quantization parameters can also be called quantization step size, quantization factor, etc., which are not limited in this embodiment. In some examples, the quantized first signal strength can be the integer value of the quantized second signal strength. For example, if the first signal strength is -75.9 dB, the quantization process can be dividing the first signal strength by the quantization parameter. Assuming the quantization parameter is -3 dB, such as -75.9 / -3, we get 25.3. Then, the rounded second signal strength can be determined to be 25 dB. As another example, assuming the first signal strength is -60 dB and the quantization parameter is -3 dB, then -60 / -3 equals 20. Therefore, the second signal strength can be directly determined to be 20 dB.

[0191] As can be seen, the signal strength of the first signal changes from -75.9 to 25.3, or from -60 to 20. Clearly, the range of values ​​for the quantized signal strength is significantly smaller than that for the unquantized signal strength. This means that fewer bits can be used to indicate the signal strength.

[0192] The embodiments of this application can also quantize the signal strength to reduce the number of bits required for feedback, thereby reducing terminal feedback overhead.

[0193] In some examples, considering that the quantized signal strength values ​​are still relatively large, a third signal strength can be introduced during the signal strength quantization process to further reduce the overhead of terminal signal strength feedback and decrease the number of bits required for feedback. This third signal strength can be used to reduce the number of bits required for signal strength feedback. For example, the terminal can determine M adjusted second signal strengths based on the M second signal strengths and the third signal strength. That is, for each second signal strength, it can be adjusted using the third signal strength. For example, the adjusted second signal strength can be obtained by subtracting the third signal strength from the second signal strength. The terminal then determines M first signal strengths based on the M adjusted second signal strengths and the aforementioned quantization parameters. This process is similar to the process of determining the first signal in the previous embodiments, and will not be repeated in this application.

[0194] For example, the aforementioned third signal strength can be pre-set, such as by protocol predefinition, or pre-configured in the terminal. Another example is that the third signal strength can be indicated by the network device. Yet another example is that the third signal strength can be determined by the terminal itself, such as by the terminal determining the third signal strength based on M second signal strengths. For instance, the third signal strength can be any one of the M second signal strengths; or it can be the second signal strength with the largest value among the M second signal strengths; or it can be the second signal strength with the smallest value among the M second signal strengths. This embodiment of the application does not impose any limitations on this.

[0195] This application provides possible methods for determining the third signal strength, so as to better reduce the number of bits required for feedback based on the third signal strength, thereby reducing terminal feedback overhead.

[0196] In some examples, the third signal strength may also be referred to as the reference signal strength, the base signal strength, the quantization signal strength, etc., and this application does not limit the specific terminology used in the embodiments.

[0197] The process of quantizing signal strength will be described next with a more specific example.

[0198] Assuming M is 5, the third signal strength is the maximum value among the five second signal strengths, and the quantization parameter is -3, take this as an example.

[0199] For example, the five second signal strengths are [-75.9095, -90.9749, -76.4988, -85.3633, -74.8542]. The third signal strength can be -74.8542. Subtracting the third signal strength from the second signal strength yields the adjusted second signal strength, which is [-1.0553, -16.1207, -1.6446, -10.5091, 0.0000]. Then, based on the quantization parameters, quantization and rounding are performed to obtain the first signal strength, which can be [0.0000, 5.0000, 1.0000, 4.0000, 0.0000].

[0200] For example, the five second signal strengths are [-59.0929, -83.4063, -63.7260, -77.1021, -74.3230]. The third signal strength can be -59.0929. Subtracting the third signal strength from the second signal strength yields the adjusted second signal strength, which is [0.0000, -24.3134, -4.6330, -18.0092, -15.2301]. Then, based on the quantization parameters, quantization and rounding are performed, resulting in a first signal strength of [0.0000, 8.0000, 2.0000, 6.0000, 5.0000].

[0201] For example, the five second signal strengths are [-73.9678, -79.7063, -76.8508, -84.0133, -74.6135]. The third signal strength can be -73.9678. Subtracting the third signal strength from the second signal strength yields the adjusted second signal strength, which is [0.0000, -5.3857, -2.8830, -10.0455, -0.6458]. Then, based on the quantization parameters, quantization and rounding are performed, resulting in a first signal strength of [0.0000, 2.0000, 1.0000, 3.0000, 0.0000].

[0202] It can be seen that the values ​​of the first signal strength in the above three examples are basically within 8. Referring to the cumulative distributed function (CDF) diagram shown in Figure 4, it can be seen that the horizontal axis represents the value of the first signal strength, and the vertical axis represents the proportion. Through the above quantization of a large number of second signal strengths, it can be seen that the proportion of the first signal strength value being 0 is approximately 0.3 or 30%; the proportion of the first signal strength value being 0 and 1 is approximately 0.5 or 50%; the proportion of the first signal strength value being 0, 1, and 2 is approximately 0.6 or 60%; ...; the proportion of the first signal strength value being 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 is approximately 1.0 or 100%. This means that the value of the first signal strength can be covered by 0-7. Correspondingly, 3 bits are sufficient to indicate the first signal strength in the above examples. Compared with the second signal strength before quantization, even if the absolute value of the second signal strength is fed back and rounded, at least 7 bits may be needed to complete the indication of the second signal strength. As can be seen, the quantization process described above can effectively reduce the number of bits required to strengthen the terminal feedback signal.

[0203] In this embodiment, the measured signal strength can be adjusted to obtain a second signal strength with a smaller value. This adjusted second signal strength is then quantized, allowing the quantized signal strength to be indicated using fewer bits, thereby reducing terminal feedback overhead.

[0204] S103, the terminal sends the first information to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the first information from the terminal.

[0205] For example, the first information may include M measurement results corresponding to the first beam combination. That is, the first information may include M measurement results fed back in the form of beam combinations. When the measurement results include signal strength, one case is that the first information directly includes M second signal strengths; another case is that the first information includes M first signal strengths.

[0206] For example, the M measurement results in the first information can be represented in the form of a first bitmap. Taking the first information as including M first signal strengths as an example, assuming M equals 3, it means that the first information includes 3 first signal strengths, such as [0, 5, 7]. Then, each first signal strength can be indicated by 3 bits, that is, each first signal strength is converted into a binary number [000, 101, 111]. These 9 bits constitute the first bitmap, that is, 000101111. It is understood that the specific number of bits used to indicate the first signal strength can be preset or indicated by the network device, and this application embodiment does not limit it.

[0207] In various embodiments of this application, the M measurement results in the first information can also be referred to as channel fingerprints.

[0208] In other examples, the first information may also include a first identifier. This first identifier can be used to indicate a first beam combination. That is, the first identifier can indicate which beam combination the M measurement results were measured based on. In some examples, the M measurement results correspond to the measurement results of all beam feedback, or according to predefined rules, the default feedback of the M measurement results is for a beam combination that includes some beams. In such cases, the first information may not include the first identifier, and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0209] For example, the first identifier can be represented in the form of a second bitmap. Suppose the network device transmits a total of 3 beams, the terminal measures these 3 beams, and returns the measurement results for these 3 beams. Then the first identifier can be 111, indicating a total of 3 beams, and the 3 measurement results in the first information pertain to these 3 beams. Assuming the network device transmits a total of 5 beams, the terminal measures 3 of these beams and returns the measurement results for these 3 beams. Then the first identifier can be 11010, indicating a total of 5 beams, and the 3 measurement results in the first information pertain to the first beam, the second beam, and the fourth beam. In the above examples, 1 indicates that the first information includes the measurement results corresponding to that beam. In other examples, any other arbitrary value, such as 0, can be used, and this application embodiment is not limited to this. For example, each bit in the second bitmap corresponds to one beam, and the number of bits in the second bitmap can be the total number of beams transmitted by the network device.

[0210] In some examples, the first identifier may also be called a beam combination index, or a first index, or a beam indicator identifier, etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0211] In some embodiments, the first information may further include a second identifier, which can be used to indicate K of the M first signals. For example, the signal strengths corresponding to the K first signals may fall outside the signal strength range. K is an integer greater than or equal to 0. The signal strength range may be pre-configured or indicated by the network device, which is not limited in this embodiment. The signal strength range can be used to indicate the range that the M signal strengths are allowed to indicate. For example, if the signal strength is a first signal strength, then the signal strength range may be 0-7. If a certain first signal strength is 10, it is obviously outside the range of 0-7, so the first signal strength can be represented by 7 instead of 10. This ensures that the first signal strength can be indicated with 3 bits. However, considering that although the first signal strength is represented as 7, it is actually greater than 7, such first signal strengths can be indicated by a second identifier.

[0212] For example, the second identifier can be represented by a third bitmap. Suppose the terminal reports the signal strengths corresponding to three beams, and the second identifier is 001. Then it can be determined that the signal strength corresponding to the third beam actually exceeds the signal strength range. In this case, suppose the first information includes three first signal strengths, represented as 010111111, meaning the first signal strength of the first beam is 2, the first signal strength of the second beam is 7, and the first signal strength of the third beam is 7. Combining this with the second identifier 001, it can be determined that the first signal strength of the second beam being 7 is accurate, while the first signal strength of the third beam actually exceeds 7.

[0213] In the example above, assuming the first identifier is 11010, the first information can be represented by 17 bits, such as [010 111 11111010 001]. Among them, the first 9 bits represent 3 measurement results, the 10th to 14th bits correspond to the first identifier, and the last 3 bits correspond to the second identifier.

[0214] Of course, in the above example, 1 indicates that the signal strength of the corresponding beam exceeds the signal strength range. In other examples, any other value such as 0 can be used. This application does not limit this.

[0215] In some examples, the second identifier may also be called a threshold exceedance flag, a threshold exceedance index, or a signal strength range exceedance identifier, etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0216] This application embodiment can ensure signal strength feedback with a smaller number of bits by setting a signal strength range. Furthermore, a second identifier indicates which beams' signal strengths exceed the signal strength range, improving the accuracy of signal strength feedback.

[0217] In some embodiments, considering that the M measurement results included in the first information may be arranged sequentially according to the order of the received beams (or the order of the transmitted beams), the first identifier can be used to indicate which beam each measurement result corresponds to. If the M measurement results included in the first information are not arranged sequentially according to the order of the received beams (or the order of the transmitted beams), the first information may further include M third identifiers. These M third identifiers can be used to indicate the beams corresponding to the M first signals. That is, the third identifiers respectively indicate which beam each measurement result corresponds to.

[0218] For example, the third identifier could be a beam identifier or a first signal identifier. When the third identifier is a first signal identifier, each first signal can be considered to correspond to a beam. The network device can determine the first signal based on the first signal identifier, and determine the beam corresponding to that first signal based on the correspondence between the first signal and the beam. For example, if first signal 1 corresponds to beam 1 and first signal 2 corresponds to beam 2, the third identifier can indicate first signal 1, and then, combined with the above correspondence, beam 1 can be determined.

[0219] In various embodiments of this application, the identifier can be an identity identifier (ID) or an index.

[0220] The embodiments of this application can also directly indicate the beam corresponding to each measurement result to improve the accuracy of measurement result feedback.

[0221] For a network device, upon receiving the first information, it can parse the first information to obtain M measurement results. The network device uses these M measurement results to predict possible channel information to improve multi-stream communication efficiency. In some examples, channel information can be referred to as a radio frequency map (RFmap). This RFmap may include multi-stream information, terminal-related area information, multipath information, location information, precoder matrix indicator (PMI), channel quality indicator (CQI), rank indicator (RI), etc., which are not limited in this application embodiment. For example, if the network device uses an AI model to predict the corresponding RFmap, the network device can input the above M measurement results into the corresponding AI model to obtain the output result of the AI ​​model. Subsequent related operations can be performed; specific implementation details can be found in relevant technical documents, which will not be elaborated upon in this application embodiment.

[0222] In some embodiments, the terminal may carry the first information via uplink radio resource control (RRC) signaling. Alternatively, the terminal may carry the first information via the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). Or, the terminal may carry the first information via the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH).

[0223] This application embodiment feeds back measurement results for multiple reference signals in a combined manner, enabling network devices to use the measurement results of the multiple reference signals in the combination to predict more channel information and improve multi-stream communication efficiency.

[0224] In the communication method provided in this application embodiment, the terminal can determine how to feed back the first information on its own. In some examples, the network device can also instruct the terminal how to feed back the first information. The method may further include: the network device sending second information to the terminal. Accordingly, the terminal receives the second information from the network device. This second information can be used to indicate first parameters related to M first signals. The terminal can determine the first information to be fed back based on the first parameters. For example, this second information can also be called configuration information, configuration signaling, indication message, etc., which is not limited in this application embodiment.

[0225] In some embodiments, the first parameter may include a first indicator. This first indicator can be used to indicate whether a first signal transmitted by the network device is a signal used to predict more channel information. If the first signal is called EMS, then the first indicator can indicate whether the signal transmitted by the network device is EMS. In other words, the first indicator can indicate whether EMS beam scanning is enabled or disabled. Accordingly, for the first indicator to indicate that the signal transmitted by the network device is EMS, or to indicate that EMS beam scanning is enabled, it can also be considered that the beam corresponding to the first signal belongs to a certain beam combination, such as a first beam combination. This allows the subsequent terminal to measure the first signal based on the first beam combination and to provide feedback on the measurement results.

[0226] For example, the first indicator can be represented by 1 bit. For instance, 0 indicates that EMS beam scanning is enabled and 1 indicates that EMS beam scanning is disabled; or, 1 indicates that EMS beam scanning is enabled and 0 indicates that EMS beam scanning is disabled. This application does not limit the specific implementation.

[0227] For example, the first indicator may also be called a first signal activation tag, EMS activation tag, EMS activation indicator, etc., and the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto.

[0228] In some embodiments, the first parameter may include a second indicator. This second indicator can be used to indicate whether the first information feeds back M measurement results in a beam combination format. For example, the second indicator can be represented by 1 bit. For instance, 0 indicates that the first information feeds back M measurement results in a beam combination format, and 1 indicates that the first information does not feed back M measurement results in a beam combination format; or, 1 indicates that the first information feeds back M measurement results in a beam combination format, and 0 indicates that the first information does not feed back M measurement results in a beam combination format. This application does not limit the scope of the embodiments.

[0229] For example, the second indicator may also be called a beam combination feedback tag, beam combination feedback indicator, combination feedback indicator, etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0230] In some examples, where the second indicator indicates that the first information is fed back in the form of M measurement results in a beam combination, the first parameter may also include the first beam number. This first beam number can be the number of M beams, i.e., the first beam number can be equal to M. In other words, if the first information indicates that the first information is fed back in the form of M measurement results in a beam combination, then it can also indicate how many beams constitute a beam combination for feedback.

[0231] For example, when the second indicator indicates that the first information is fed back in the form of beam combination M measurement results, the first parameter may also include the first bit count. This first bit count can be the number of bits used to represent each measurement result. For example, it may indicate the use of 3 bits, 5 bits, or more or fewer bits to represent each measurement result. That is, if the first information indicates that the first information is fed back in the form of beam combination M measurement results, it can also indicate how many bits are used to represent each measurement result in the beam combination form. For example, the first bit count can also be called quantization accuracy, beam combination feedback quantization accuracy, beam combination feedback accuracy, etc., which are not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0232] For example, when the second indicator indicates that the first information is fed back in the form of M measurement results in the form of beam combination, the first parameter may also include the first number of beams and the first number of bits.

[0233] This application provides various possible first parameters for feedback of measurement results in the form of beam combinations, so as to accurately configure the terminal to feed back the first information and improve communication efficiency.

[0234] In some other embodiments, the first parameter may include a third indicator. This third indicator may be used to indicate whether the measurement result includes a first signal strength or a second signal strength. In other words, the third indicator may indicate whether the signal strength is quantized, or whether the measurement result included in the first information is considered to be a relative signal strength (or relative intensity). Here, relative signal strength and quantized signal strength can be considered to have the same meaning.

[0235] For example, the third indicator can be represented by 1 bit. For instance, 0 indicates that the measurement result includes the first signal strength (or 0 indicates that the measurement result is a relative signal strength), and 1 indicates that the measurement result includes the second signal strength (or 1 indicates that the measurement result is not a relative signal strength); or, 1 indicates that the measurement result includes the first signal strength (or 1 indicates that the measurement result is a relative signal strength), and 0 indicates that the measurement result includes the second signal strength (or 0 indicates that the measurement result is not a relative signal strength). This application does not limit the specific implementation of the indicator.

[0236] For example, the third indicator can also be called a relative intensity feedback label, relative intensity feedback indicator, relative intensity indicator, etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0237] In some examples, where the third indicator indicates that the measurement result includes a first signal strength (or a relative signal strength), the first parameter may also include a signal strength range. For example, this signal strength range could be a range for the first signal strength or a range for the second signal strength. This signal strength range defines that all signal strengths included in the first information fall within this range. For first or second signal strengths exceeding this range, the maximum value within the range can be directly used as feedback, referring to the aforementioned embodiments. Optionally, a second identifier can also indicate which beam's measurement result exceeds the signal strength range.

[0238] For example, the signal strength range can also be referred to as the relative strength quantization range, the first signal strength range, etc., which are not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0239] For example, assuming the first signal strength is called the first signal strength range, one possibility is that the first parameter directly indicates this first signal strength range. Another possibility is that the first parameter indicates the second signal strength range. This second signal strength range is the range outside the first signal strength range. For instance, the second signal strength range and the first signal strength range form a complete set. For example, if the first signal strength range is 0-27dB, then the range outside 0-27dB can be considered the second signal strength range. Alternatively, the second signal strength range can be a portion of the range outside the first signal strength range. For example, if the first signal strength range is 0-27dB, the second signal strength range could be 27dB-50dB, or it could be 30dB-50dB. Whether the boundary values ​​of the signal strength range belong to that range can be arbitrarily set according to the actual situation; this application does not limit this.

[0240] In other examples, where the third indicator indicates that the measurement result includes the first signal strength (or the measurement result is a relative signal strength), the first parameter may also include a fourth indicator. For example, the fourth indicator may indicate whether the first information includes the third signal strength. If the third signal strength is the largest (or strongest) of the M second signal strengths, then the fourth indicator may also be considered to indicate whether the largest (or strongest) signal strength was subtracted during the quantization process.

[0241] For example, the fourth indicator can be represented by 1 bit. For instance, 0 indicates that the first information includes the third signal strength (or 0 indicates the maximum signal strength subtracted during feedback quantization), and 1 indicates that the first information does not include the third signal strength (or 1 indicates the maximum signal strength not subtracted during feedback quantization); or, 1 indicates that the first information includes the third signal strength (or 1 indicates the maximum signal strength subtracted during feedback quantization), and 0 indicates that the first information does not include the third signal strength (or 0 indicates the maximum signal strength not subtracted during feedback quantization). This application does not limit the specific implementation.

[0242] In other examples, where the third indicator indicates that the measurement result includes a first signal strength (or the measurement result is a relative signal strength), the first parameter may also include a quantization parameter. That is, the first parameter may indicate the quantization parameters required by the terminal during the quantization process of the signal strength.

[0243] In other examples, where the third indicator indicates that the measurement result includes a first signal strength (or the measurement result is a relative signal strength), the first parameter may also include: a signal strength range and a fourth indicator; or, a signal strength range and a quantization parameter; or, a fourth indicator and a quantization parameter; or, a signal strength range, a signal strength range, and a quantization parameter.

[0244] This application provides various possible first parameters for the quantized signal strength, so that the terminal can more accurately report the signal strength, enabling the network device to use the feedback measurement results to predict channel information and improve multi-stream communication efficiency.

[0245] In this embodiment of the application, the network device can flexibly instruct the terminal on how to provide feedback on the first information through the second information, so that the network device can obtain more accurate first information.

[0246] In some embodiments, the first signal in the foregoing embodiments can be similar to an SSB. For example, the first signal can also include a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). In this case, the first signal can be considered a type of SSB, or it can be considered as multiplexing an SSB. The difference from a conventional SSB is that the time-frequency resources of this first signal need to be configured separately from those of a traditional SSB. For example, they can be configured differently in the time domain, frequency domain, or both.

[0247] In other embodiments, the first signal in the foregoing embodiments may be different from any other signal. That is, the first signal is the signal used to acquire the corresponding measurement results to predict more channel information. This first signal does not have functions such as synchronization or carrying the master information block (MIB).

[0248] Therefore, the second information sent by the network device may also include a second parameter, which can be used to indicate the resource configuration of the first signal, so that the terminal can receive the first signal according to the second parameter.

[0249] In some examples, the second parameter can indicate the transmission period of the first signal. For instance, the network device can configure multiple selectable transmission periods for the first signal and select one of these periods as the transmission period for this first signal transmission. For example, the transmission period can be 5ms, 10ms, 20ms, etc., and this embodiment of the application does not limit this to any particular period.

[0250] In other examples, the second parameter can indicate the carrier offset of the first signal. For instance, the second parameter indicates the offset of the starting carrier of the first signal relative to a certain fixed frequency domain position. The terminal can determine the starting carrier position of the first signal based on this offset and the fixed frequency domain position. For example, the fixed frequency domain position can be any preset frequency domain position, such as resource block (RB)0 of control resource set (CORESET)0, or subcarrier 0 of RB0 in CORESET0. The specific location of the fixed frequency domain position is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0251] In other examples, the second parameter can indicate the number of RBs in the first signal. For example, it indicates how many RBs the first signal occupies. The number of RBs can be 5, 10, 20, 40, etc., and this application does not limit the specific number of RBs.

[0252] In some examples, the second parameter can indicate the time-domain offset of the first signal. For instance, it could indicate the starting slot index or the starting symbol index of the first signal. Alternatively, it could indicate the offset of the starting time-domain position of the first signal relative to a fixed time-domain position. For details, please refer to the description related to frequency-domain offset, the difference being that the frequency domain is replaced by the time domain, and the frequency-domain units are replaced by time-domain units. This will not be elaborated further in the embodiments of this application.

[0253] In other examples, the second parameter may include a fifth indicator, which can be used to indicate whether cross-frame measurement of the first signal is allowed. Alternatively, the fifth indicator can be considered as indicating whether cross-frame measurement is initiated. Cross-frame measurement of the first signal (or cross-frame measurement) can be understood as, in some cases, the first signal may be sent in two consecutive frames. In this case, the fifth indicator can indicate whether the terminal is allowed to jointly report the measurement results corresponding to the first signals of those two frames.

[0254] For example, the fifth indicator can be represented by 1 bit. For example, 0 indicates that cross-frame measurement of the first signal is allowed (or 0 indicates that cross-frame measurement is started), and 1 indicates that cross-frame measurement of the first signal is not allowed (or 1 indicates that cross-frame measurement is not started); or, 1 indicates that cross-frame measurement of the first signal is allowed (or 1 indicates that cross-frame measurement is started), and 0 indicates that cross-frame measurement of the first signal is not allowed (or 0 indicates that cross-frame measurement is not started). This application does not limit the specific implementation.

[0255] In other examples, the second parameter can indicate the number of times the M first signals are measured. For instance, considering that the measurement result obtained by the terminal from a single measurement of the first signal may not be accurate, the network device can be configured to configure the terminal to perform multiple measurements of the first signal to improve the accuracy of the first information. For example, the terminal can take the average, maximum, or minimum value of the measurement results from multiple measurements, or perform corresponding calculations based on the measurement results from multiple measurements to determine the measurement result that the terminal needs to report. Specifically, the terminal can choose an appropriate method based on the multiple measurement results to determine the measurement result that needs to be reported, which is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0256] Referring to Figure 5, the terminal can receive the first signal on the corresponding time-frequency resources using the aforementioned possible second parameters. The above configuration information can be applied to cases where the first signal reuses an SSB, or to cases where the first signal is different from an SSB. In the scenario where the first signal reuses an SSB, the first signal and the SSB also need to be configured with different time-frequency resources to avoid mutual interference. The SSB in Figure 5 can be considered a traditional SSB.

[0257] In the communication method provided in this application embodiment, it is considered that the network device's requirement for the number of beams in the first beam combination may vary depending on the channel information (such as RFmap). For example, when determining the relevant area where the terminal is located, the network device may need to feed back the measurement results of a beam combination consisting of 5 beams; while when determining the number of flows, the network device may only need to feed back the measurement results of a beam combination consisting of 3 beams. Different RFmaps can also be referred to as different services or tasks. The beams required for different tasks may partially or completely overlap. Therefore, there are cases where some beam combinations are subsets of others.

[0258] For example, a related area task requires five beams: beam 1, beam 2, beam 3, beam 4, and beam 5. A stream data task requires three beams: beam 2, beam 3, and beam 5. Therefore, the first beam combination corresponding to the stream data task can be considered a subset of the first beam combination corresponding to the related area task. In this case, the first information sent by the terminal to the network device can also indicate whether the first beam combination fed back is a nested subset. Optionally, if the first beam combination is a nested subset, the first information can also indicate parameters related to that first beam combination. This will be described in detail below.

[0259] In some examples, the first information may also include a sixth indicator, which may indicate whether the first beam combination is a nested subset. It is understood that subsets in the embodiments of this application can be considered proper subsets; for example, if A is a nested subset of B, it means that A belongs to B and A is different from B.

[0260] For example, the sixth indicator can be represented by 1 bit. For example, 0 indicates that the first beam combination is a nested subset, and 1 indicates that the first beam combination is not a nested subset; or, 1 indicates that cross-frame measurement of the first signal is allowed (or 1 indicates that cross-frame measurement is started), and 0 indicates that cross-frame measurement of the first signal is not allowed (or 0 indicates that cross-frame measurement is not started). This application does not limit the implementation of the embodiments.

[0261] For example, the sixth indicator can also be called a beam combination nested label, beam combination nested indicator, etc., which are not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0262] In this case, the second identifier in the first information can also be considered to indicate the range of nested subsets. For example, if the second identifier is 11100, it means that the first beam combination in this feedback is a subset composed of the first three beams.

[0263] In other examples, the first information can also indicate the service corresponding to the first beam combination. That is, the terminal can use the first information to inform the network device which service was used in the measurement results of the first beam combination. This could be applicable to predicting flow rates or predicting the relevant area where the terminal is located.

[0264] For example, the service corresponding to the first beam combination can be represented by a type. Type 1 represents a location service, Type 2 represents a streaming task, and Type 3 represents a related area task. The first information can directly indicate the above type, and indirectly indicate the service corresponding to the first beam combination. It should be understood that the above is merely an exemplary description, and the embodiments of this application do not limit the correspondence between type and service.

[0265] In some other examples, the first information may also include a fourth identifier. This fourth identifier can be used to indicate a subset corresponding to the first beam combination. For example, if there is only one subset, a single bit can be used to indicate whether the first beam combination corresponding to the M measurement results in the first information is a subset. For instance, 0 indicates that the first beam combination corresponding to the M measurement results is a nested subset, and 1 indicates that the first beam combination corresponding to the M measurement results is a complete beam combination. In this case, the fourth identifier functions similarly to the sixth indicator.

[0266] For example, suppose there are multiple subsets, such as subset 1, subset 2, and subset 3. These can be indicated using 2 bits, such as 00 corresponding to subset 1, 01 to subset 2, 10 to subset 3, and 11 to the complete beam combination. The fourth information can then use these 2 bits to indicate whether the first beam combination corresponding to the M measurement results in the first information is a subset, and optionally, which subset it corresponds to.

[0267] It is understood that in some cases, the content indicated by the fourth identifier can be inferred from the second identifier, but this application does not limit this.

[0268] For example, the fourth identifier can also be called beam combination feedback level, combination feedback level indicator, etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0269] In some examples, the first information may also include a seventh indicator. This seventh indicator can be used to indicate whether differential feedback is allowed. For instance, the terminal may have fed back the measurement results of a subset of beam combinations. Subsequent terminal feedback may include the measurement results of other subsets of beam combinations, or the measurement results of the complete beam combination. These other subsets or complete beam combinations may include some or all of the beams in the beam combination currently being fed back. Therefore, the terminal can use the seventh indicator to instruct that subsequent feedback should only include the measurement results corresponding to the different beams. This reduces the amount of data in the first information sent by the terminal and lowers feedback overhead.

[0270] Referring to Figure 6, suppose the terminal needs to provide the measurement results corresponding to the first beam combination 1, such as [0,5,1]. The next time the terminal needs to provide the measurement results corresponding to the first beam combination 2, such as [0,5,1,4,0]. If the terminal indicated difference feedback through the first information, then the subsequent feedback of the measurement results corresponding to the first beam combination 2 can only include the measurement results of beam 4 and beam 5, such as [4,0]. The measurement results of beam 1, beam 2, and beam 3 do not need to be fed back again. The network device can directly reuse the measurement results corresponding to the first beam combination 1. This reduces the amount of data required to provide the measurement results corresponding to the first beam combination 2, lowering the feedback overhead.

[0271] In the communication method provided in this application embodiment, considering that the AI ​​model for subsequently predicting channel information may be deployed on the terminal, the network device may not know the service corresponding to the AI ​​model that can be predicted, or the number of beams in the first beam combination required by each service. Therefore, the terminal can also inform the network device of the above information so that the network device can send the first signal using the corresponding number of beams. Thus, the method may further include: the terminal sending third information to the network device. Accordingly, the network device receives the third information from the terminal. This third information can be used to indicate the number of beams in the first beam combination.

[0272] In other words, the terminal can inform the network device of the number of beams included in the first beam combination through third information, so that the network device can configure that number of beams and transmit the first signal based on those beams. For example, the third information indicates that the first beam combination includes M beams. Then the network device can determine the first codebook using a pre-trained AI model that provides the first codebook. The network device then determines the M beams based on this first codebook.

[0273] In some cases, the third information can also indicate the service corresponding to the first beam combination. This is because the AI ​​model used to predict channel information may be deployed at the terminal. Therefore, the network device does not know which service each beam in the first beam combination it needs to transmit is for. Thus, the third information can inform the network device of the service corresponding to the first beam combination.

[0274] In other examples, the third information can indicate both the number of beams included in the first beam combination and the service corresponding to the first beam combination. For example, the third information can indicate 0-3, indicating that service 0 corresponds to a first beam combination of 3 beams; or the third information can indicate 2-10, indicating that service 2 corresponds to a first beam combination of 10 beams. Of course, the above-described third information is only an exemplary description, and the embodiments of this application do not limit the specific form of the third information.

[0275] The embodiments of this application can also be applied to scenarios where the terminal determines and predicts more channel information by informing the network device of the number of beams in the beam combination, so that the network device can send that number of beams for the terminal to measure.

[0276] In the communication method provided in this application embodiment, the terminal can also actively request the network device to transmit M first signals using M beams. In this case, the method may further include: the terminal sending fourth information to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the fourth information from the terminal. The fourth information can be used to request the network device to transmit M first signals using M beams. Upon receiving the fourth information, the network device determines the M beams and transmits the M first signals using the M beams.

[0277] For example, the fourth message can be called a request message, a first signal request message, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit it.

[0278] In the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application, the network device in the above embodiments can determine a first codebook through a pre-trained AI model. The AI ​​model used to determine the first codebook can be referred to as the first AI model. The AI ​​model used to predict the RFmap can be referred to as the second AI model. The following will describe in more detail how to train the first AI model and the second AI model.

[0279] For example, a training dataset for model training can be obtained first. This training dataset may include multiple sets of training data. Each set of training data may include a channel matrix and an RF map. The channel matrix can be considered as input, and the RF map as the label of the channel matrix. The RF map in each set of training data can be understood as the RF map corresponding to the channel matrix of that set of training data. In some examples, the RF map may be different depending on the service. For example, the RF map may include the number of streams, multipath information, related regions, precoding information, etc. Among them, the number of streams can be considered as the number of spatial streams corresponding to the channel, that is, the number of streams that can be used for communication in this channel environment, which is mainly applicable to multi-stream transmission communication scenarios. Related regions can be understood as regions divided based on geographical location. For example, the precoding information in the same region may be the same. The embodiments of this application do not limit the method of obtaining the training dataset. For example, it may be recorded during historical communication. The terminal can measure the channel matrix at a certain moment and determine the RF map corresponding to the channel matrix, thereby using the channel matrix and the corresponding RF map as a set of training data.

[0280] During the training of the first and second AI models using the training dataset, the channel matrix of a set of training data in the training dataset can be used as the input to the first AI model. The first AI model can output a first codebook, denoted as v, comprising X precoding matrices, based on the channel matrix. In some examples, the first AI model can generate the first codebook based on the DFT. For another example, the first AI model can generate a first codebook independent of the DFT. Considering that the DFT method is not designed for predicting RF maps, the first AI model that can generate a first codebook independent of the DFT, after training, can predict a first codebook more suitable for the scenario of this application's embodiments.

[0281] For the first codebook v output by the AI ​​model, the signal s can be determined by combining it with the channel matrix. For example, using the formula s=(H+Iσ 2The value of 'v' is determined. Here, H represents the channel matrix, and I represents the identity matrix. σ represents the addition of noise to H, i.e., simulating possible noise. Because this process is a training process, the signal 's' is obtained through simulation calculation, not actual transmission through the channel. Therefore, the true noise cannot be obtained, and noise simulation is needed through the parameter σ. Afterward, the covariance matrix of the signal 's' can be determined, yielding the X signal strengths P corresponding to the signal 's'. For example, the signal strength can be RSRP, or simply power. For instance, the signal strength P can be expressed by the formula P = s H s is determined. Here, the superscript H is not the channel matrix, but rather represents the conjugate transpose. P can be considered as the second signal strength corresponding to signal s. Referring to the previous embodiment, the signal strength can be quantized or not.

[0282] For the case where quantization is not performed, the X signal strengths P can be directly used as input to the second AI model to obtain the corresponding prediction results. The loss function can be determined based on this prediction result and the RFmap corresponding to the channel matrix H in the training data. Gradient backpropagation can then be used to adjust the corresponding parameters in the first and second AI models. Through multiple sets of training data, the loss function is trained until it converges, resulting in the trained first and second AI models.

[0283] For cases requiring quantization, the same process as in the aforementioned embodiments can be used to quantize the X signal strengths P, resulting in X quantized signal strengths. signal strength This can be understood as the aforementioned first signal strength. Then, X quantized signal strengths... The first and second AI models are then used as input to obtain corresponding prediction results. The loss function can be determined based on this prediction result and the RFmap corresponding to the channel matrix H in the training data. Gradient backpropagation is then used to adjust the corresponding parameters in the first and second AI models. Through multiple sets of training data, the loss function is trained until it converges, resulting in the well-trained first and second AI models.

[0284] Of course, the specific process of training an AI model using loss functions and echelon backpropagation methods can be found in relevant technologies, and will not be elaborated upon in the embodiments of this application.

[0285] The first AI model trained using the above training method can be used by the network device in the aforementioned embodiments to determine M beams. Clearly, the beam used to transmit the first signal in this embodiment can be considered as predicted by the AI ​​model trained for the service, and is more suitable for subsequent RFmap prediction.

[0286] The second AI model trained using the above method can be used to predict the RFmap based on the measurement results fed back from the terminal. It can be understood that different second AI models correspond to different services; therefore, the number of beams in the first beam combination for different services is usually the same as the input dimension of the second AI model corresponding to that service.

[0287] In various embodiments of this application, the channel matrix H may include information in multiple dimensions, such as the number of carriers, the number of terminal antennas, the number of network device antennas, etc., and this application does not limit it.

[0288] In some examples, when the network device uses the pre-trained first AI model to predict the beam corresponding to a certain task, the channel H input to the first AI model can be a historical channel H obtained by the network device. For example, it could be the channel H fed back or measured during the terminal's last network access, or it could be the channel H fed back or measured by other terminals in a similar location, or it could be a pre-set channel H. This pre-set channel H can be considered a channel matched to the service. For example, service 1 can correspond to a default channel H1, service 2 can correspond to a default channel H2, and so on.

[0289] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided by an embodiment of this application.

[0290] This communication process is applicable to, but not limited to, the communication scenarios shown in Figure 1. This method can be applied to LTE, LTE FDD, LTE TDD, 5G, or NR systems, future communication systems, V2X (which can include V2N, V2V, V2I, V2P, etc.), LTE-V, vehicle-to-everything (V2X), MTC, IoT, LTE-M, M2M, D2D, and other wireless communication scenarios. The method flow shown in Figure 7 can be considered a more complete flowchart including the steps in the flow shown in Figure 3. Figure 7 uses a network device deployed with the aforementioned trained second AI model to predict more channel information as an example. The method may include the following steps:

[0291] S201, the terminal sends the fourth information to the network device. Accordingly, the network device receives the fourth information from the terminal.

[0292] For example, the fourth message is used to request the network device to send M first signals using M beams.

[0293] Understandably, S201 is an optional step.

[0294] S202, the network device transmits M first signals using M beams. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the M first signals from the network device.

[0295] S203, the network device sends the second information to the terminal. Accordingly, the terminal receives the second information from the network device.

[0296] For example, the second information can be used to indicate the relevant configuration parameters of the M first signals, such as the first parameter, the second parameter, etc.

[0297] It is understandable that there is no strict order between S203 and S202. The network device may continuously send the first signal, and while sending the first signal, inform the terminal of the second information. Alternatively, the network device may inform the terminal of the second information first, and then send the first signal. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0298] S204, the terminal acquires M measurement results corresponding to M first signals.

[0299] S205, the terminal sends the first information to the network device. Accordingly, the network device receives the first information from the terminal.

[0300] For example, the first piece of information includes M measurement results.

[0301] S206, the network device can input M measurement results into the second AI model to predict channel information.

[0302] For example, the channel information can be any of the RFmaps mentioned above.

[0303] S207, the network device sends data to the terminal based on the predicted precoding information. Correspondingly, the terminal receives data from the network device.

[0304] For example, suppose a second AI model is used to predict precoding information. Then, the network device can use this precoding information to determine the downlink precoding to be used in subsequent communication with the terminal, and send communication data to the terminal based on this downlink precoding.

[0305] Understandably, S207 is an optional step.

[0306] For the specific implementation process of S201 to S207 shown in Figure 7, please refer to the description of S101-S103 and the foregoing embodiments. The embodiments of this application will not be repeated here.

[0307] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided by an embodiment of this application.

[0308] This communication process is applicable to, but not limited to, the communication scenarios shown in Figure 1. This method can be applied to LTE, LTE FDD, LTE TDD, 5G, or NR systems, future communication systems, V2X (which can include V2N, V2V, V2I, V2P, etc.), LTE-V, vehicle-to-everything (V2X), MTC, IoT, LTE-M, M2M, D2D, and other wireless communication scenarios. The method flow shown in Figure 8 can be considered a more complete flowchart including the steps in the flow shown in Figure 3. Figure 8 uses a terminal with the aforementioned trained second AI model as an example to predict more channel information. The method may include the following steps:

[0309] S301, the terminal sends the fourth information to the network device. Accordingly, the network device receives the fourth information from the terminal.

[0310] Understandably, S301 is an optional step.

[0311] The implementation process of S301 is similar to that of S201, and will not be described again in the embodiments of this application.

[0312] S302, the terminal sends third information to the network device. Accordingly, the network device receives the third information from the terminal.

[0313] For example, the third piece of information can tell you the number of beams included in the first beam combination.

[0314] Optionally, the third information can also inform which service the first beam combination corresponds to.

[0315] S303, the network device uses M beams to transmit M first signals. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the M first signals from the network device.

[0316] S304, the network device sends the second information to the terminal. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the second information from the network device.

[0317] S305, the terminal acquires M measurement results corresponding to M first signals.

[0318] The implementation process of S303-S305 is similar to that of S202-S204, and will not be described again in the embodiments of this application.

[0319] S306, the terminal can input M measurement results into the second AI model to predict channel information.

[0320] The implementation process of S306 is similar to that of S206, except that the execution subject is changed from a network device to a terminal, which will not be described in detail in this application embodiment.

[0321] S307, the terminal sends precoding information based on the prediction to the network device. Accordingly, the network device receives the precoding information from the terminal.

[0322] For example, suppose a second AI model is used to predict precoding information. The terminal can then inform the network device of the predicted precoding information. This allows the network device to determine the downlink precoding to be used in subsequent communication with the terminal, and to send communication data to the terminal based on that downlink precoding.

[0323] Understandably, S307 is an optional step.

[0324] For the specific implementation process of S301 to S307 shown in Figure 8, please refer to the description of S101-S103, S201-S207 and the foregoing embodiments. The embodiments of this application will not be repeated here.

[0325] It is understood that each of the above embodiments of this application can be implemented independently or in combination with each other; there is no absolute subordinate relationship between the embodiments, and they can be combined with each other under any conditions to obtain the corresponding effect.

[0326] It is understood that, in order to achieve the functions in the above embodiments, the network device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and method steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution. Some or all of the steps of the communication method in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by a graphics processing unit (GPU) or a neural network processing unit (NPU), or by a GPU or NPU in conjunction with other processors; this application does not limit this.

[0327] Figures 9 and 10 are schematic diagrams of possible communication devices provided in embodiments of this application. The communication device may include modules or units for implementing the solutions in the above method embodiments. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of terminals or network devices in the above method embodiments, and therefore can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of this application, the communication device may be the RAN node 110 shown in Figure 1, wherein the RAN node may also be referred to as an access network device or a network device. The communication device may also be a module (such as a chip) applied to a network device. The communication device may also be the terminal 120 shown in Figure 1. The communication device may also be a module (such as a chip) applied to the terminal.

[0328] In this embodiment, the device for implementing the terminal's functions can be a terminal itself, or a device capable of supporting the terminal in implementing those functions, such as a chip system. This device can be installed in the terminal or used in conjunction with the terminal. Similarly, the device for implementing the network device's functions can be a network device, or a device capable of supporting the network device in implementing those functions, such as a chip system. This device can be installed in the network device or used in conjunction with the network device.

[0329] In this embodiment of the application, the chip system may be composed of chips, or it may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0330] As shown in Figure 9, the communication device 900 includes a processing unit 910 and a transceiver unit 920. The communication device 900 is used to implement the functions of the terminal and network device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 3, 7, and 8.

[0331] When the communication device 900 is used to implement the functions of the terminal in the method embodiment shown in FIG3: the processing unit 910 is used to acquire M measurement results corresponding to M first signals. The transceiver unit 920 is used to send first information.

[0332] When the communication device 900 is used to implement the functions of the network device in the method embodiment shown in FIG3: the transceiver unit 920 is used to transmit M first signals using M beams. The transceiver unit 920 is also used to receive first information. The processing unit 910 is used to perform any processing function in the network device other than transmitting and receiving.

[0333] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 910 and the transceiver unit 920, please refer to the relevant description of the method embodiments shown in Figures 3, 7 and 8.

[0334] As shown in Figure 10, the communication device 1000 includes a processor 1010 and an interface circuit 1020. The processor 1010 and the interface circuit 1020 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the interface circuit 1020 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface. Optionally, the communication device 1000 may also include a memory 1030 for storing instructions executed by the processor 1010, or storing input data required by the processor 1010 to execute instructions, or storing data generated after the processor 1010 executes instructions. Sometimes, the interface circuit 1020 can also be understood as part of the processor 1010, in which case the communication device 1000 includes the processor 1010.

[0335] When the communication device 1000 is used to implement the methods shown in FIG3, FIG7 and FIG8, the processor 1010 is used to implement the functions of the processing unit 910, and the interface circuit 1020 is used to implement the functions of the transceiver unit 920.

[0336] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip applied to a terminal, the terminal chip implements the functions of the terminal in the above method embodiments. The terminal receiving information from a network device can be understood as the information being first received by other modules (such as an RF module or antenna) within the terminal, and then sent to the terminal chip by these modules. The terminal chip sending information to a network device can be understood as the information being forwarded to other modules (such as an RF module or antenna) within the network device, and then sent back to the network device by these modules.

[0337] When the aforementioned communication device is a chip used in a network device, the network device chip implements the functions of the network device in the above method embodiments. The network device chip receives information from the terminal, which can be understood as the information being first received by other modules (such as an RF module or antenna) in the network device, and then sent to the network device chip by these modules. The network device chip sends information to the terminal, which can be understood as the information being sent down to other modules (such as an RF module or antenna) in the terminal, and then sent back to the terminal by these modules.

[0338] In this application, entity A sends information to entity B, either directly or indirectly through other entities. Similarly, entity B receives information from entity A, either directly or indirectly through other entities. Entities A and B can be RAN nodes or terminals, or modules within RAN nodes or terminals. Information transmission and reception can be between RAN nodes and terminals, such as between a base station and a terminal; between two RAN nodes, such as between a CU and a DU; or between different modules within a single device, such as between a terminal chip and other modules of the terminal, or between a base station chip and other modules of the base station.

[0339] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or one or more combinations of other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), microprocessor units (MPUs), microcontroller units (MCUs), GPUs, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), artificial intelligence processors (AI processors), or NPUs; or, the processor mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components (or parts), or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc.

[0340] The method steps in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or in software instructions executable by a processor. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in memory, such as volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). The volatile memory can be a cache or random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM can be used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, RAM includes a variety of forms, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). The memory can also be in registers, hard disks, portable hard disks, compact disc (CD) ROMs, or any other form of storage medium well known in the art.

[0341] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated into the processor. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. The storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. Alternatively, the ASIC can reside in a base station or terminal. The processor and storage medium can also exist as discrete components in a base station or terminal.

[0342] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed entirely or partially. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, a network device, a user equipment, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video optical disc; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium may be a volatile or non-volatile storage medium, or may include both types of storage media.

[0343] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0344] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the preceding and following related objects; in the formulas of this application, the character " / " indicates a "division" relationship between the preceding and following related objects. "Including at least one of A, B, and C" can mean: including A; including B; including C; including A and B; including A and C; including B and C; including A, B, and C.

[0345] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

[0346] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0347] The terms "first" and "second," etc., used in the specification and drawings of the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish different objects or to distinguish different processing of the same object. The terms "first" and "second," etc., can distinguish identical or similar items with substantially the same function and effect. For example, "first device" and "second device" are merely to distinguish different devices and do not limit their order. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first" and "second," etc., do not limit the quantity or execution order, and that "first" and "second," etc., do not necessarily imply that they are different.

[0348] Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, used in the description of the embodiments of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the steps or units listed, but may optionally include other steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0349] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design that is described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design. Specifically, the use of terms such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner to facilitate understanding.

[0350] It is understood that the term "embodiment" used throughout the specification means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic related to an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the embodiments of this application. Therefore, the various embodiments throughout the specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, these specific features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. It is understood that in the various embodiments of the embodiments of this application, the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0351] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, "...when" and "if" both refer to the corresponding processing that will be carried out under certain objective circumstances, and are not limited to a time, nor do they require a judgment action during implementation, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0352] It is understood that some optional features in the embodiments of this application can be implemented independently in certain scenarios without relying on other features, such as the current solution on which they are based, to solve the corresponding technical problems and achieve the corresponding effects. Alternatively, they can be combined with other features as needed in certain scenarios. Correspondingly, the apparatus given in the embodiments of this application can also implement these features or functions, which will not be elaborated here.

[0353] In the embodiments of 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 to form new embodiments, implementation methods, methods, or implementation approaches based on their inherent logical relationships. The following descriptions of the embodiments of this application do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Obtain M measurement results corresponding to M first signals, wherein the M first signals correspond to M beams, the M beams belong to a first beam combination, and M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2; Send first information, wherein the first information includes a first identifier and the M measurement results corresponding to the first beam combination, and the first identifier is used to indicate the first beam combination.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The measurement results include signal strength.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The M measurement results are M first signal strengths, and obtaining the M measurement results corresponding to the M first signals includes: Obtain the strengths of the M second signals corresponding to the M first signals; The M first signal strengths are determined based on the M second signal strengths and quantization parameters.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The step of determining the M first signal strengths based on the M second signal strengths and quantization parameters includes: Based on the M second signal strengths and the third signal strength, determine the M adjusted second signal strengths; The M first signal strengths are determined based on the M adjusted second signal strengths and the quantization parameters.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The third signal strength is determined based on the M second signal strengths.

6. The method according to any one of claims 3-5, characterized in that, The first information also includes a second identifier, which is used to indicate K first signals among the M first signals, wherein the K signal strengths corresponding to the K first signals belong to a range outside the signal strength range, and K is an integer greater than or equal to 0.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The first information also includes M third identifiers, which are used to indicate the beams corresponding to the M first signals.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive second information, the second information being used to indicate a first parameter associated with the M first signals; The first information is determined based on the first parameter; The first parameter is used to indicate at least one of the following information: The beam corresponding to the first signal belongs to the first beam combination; The first information is fed back in the form of beamforming of the M measurement results; or, The measurement results include either a first signal strength or a second signal strength.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first parameter is used to indicate that the first information is fed back in the form of beam combination of the M measurement results, and the first parameter is also used to indicate at least one of the following information: The first number of beams, wherein the first number of beams is the number of the M beams; or, The first number of bits, where the first number of bits is the number of bits used to represent each measurement result.

10. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first parameter is used to indicate that the measurement result includes the first signal strength, and the first parameter is also used to indicate at least one of the following information: Signal strength range; Does the first information include the third signal strength? Quantization parameters.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a third message, wherein the third message is used to indicate the number of beams in the first beam combination.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: M first signals are transmitted using M beams, wherein the M beams belong to a first beam combination; Receive first information, wherein the first information includes a first identifier and the M measurement results corresponding to the first beam combination, the first identifier is used to indicate the first beam combination, and M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The measurement results include signal strength.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The first information also includes a second identifier, which is used to indicate K first signals among the M first signals, wherein the strength of the K second signals corresponding to the K first signals belongs to the range of the first signal strength, and K is an integer greater than or equal to 0.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12-14, characterized in that, The first information also includes M third identifiers, which are used to indicate the beams corresponding to the M first signals.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12-15, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second message, the second message being used to indicate a first parameter associated with the M first signals; The first parameter is used to indicate at least one of the following information: The beam corresponding to the first signal belongs to the first beam combination; The first information is fed back in the form of beamforming of the M measurement results; or, The measurement results include either a first signal strength or a second signal strength.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The first parameter is used to indicate that the first information is fed back in the form of beam combination of the M measurement results, and the first parameter is also used to indicate at least one of the following information: The first number of beams, wherein the first number of beams is the number of the M beams; or, The first number of bits, where the first number of bits is the number of bits used to represent each measurement result.

18. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The first parameter is used to indicate that the measurement result includes the first signal strength, and the first parameter is also used to indicate at least one of the following information: A second power range or a first power range, wherein the second power range is a power range other than the first power range; Does the first information include the third signal strength? Quantization parameters.

19. The method according to any one of claims 12-18, characterized in that, The M beams are associated with the first service, and the method further includes: The first codebook is determined based on the first service; The M beams are determined based on the first codebook.

20. The method according to any one of claims 12-19, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive third information, wherein the third information is used to indicate the number of beams in the first beam combination.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a module for performing the method according to any one of claims 1-20.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the processor or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices, and the processor is used to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-20 through logic circuits and / or executing code instructions.

23. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-20.

24. A computer program product, comprising a computer program or instructions, characterized in that, When the computer program or instructions are executed by the communication device, they implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-20.

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