Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and an apparatus, which are used for preventing mismatches between transmitter precoding and receivers from affecting the space division multiplexing performance of communication systems. The method comprises: sending a first reference signal by means of a first reference signal port, and sending a second reference signal by means of a second reference signal port; receiving first indication information, the first indication information indicating that a first reference signal port group to which the first reference signal port belongs corresponds to a first demodulation reference signal (DMRS) port group; and receiving a DMRS by means of at least one DMRS port comprised in the first DMRS port group.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510046512.X, filed on January 13, 2025, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and more specifically, to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0004] In communication systems, data transmission performance can be improved by increasing the number of antennas on a terminal device. However, when a terminal device has a large number of receiving antennas (e.g., 8 or 16), the receiver complexity is extremely high when using all of them for data reception, limiting the feasibility of using such a device for data transmission. To address this issue, the terminal device can utilize only a subset of its receiving antennas for data reception, achieving performance close to that of using all antennas while maintaining lower receiver complexity. For example, if a terminal device has 8 receiving antennas, these can be divided into antenna group 1 and antenna group 2, with each data stream received using only antenna group 1 or antenna group 2.

[0005] Because network devices are designed with precoding in mind, they assume that terminal devices will use all receiving antennas. If a terminal device uses only some of its receiving antennas, a mismatch will occur between the precoding used by the network device and the receiver of the terminal device, affecting the spatial multiplexing performance of the communication system. Therefore, a new communication method is needed to effectively solve this problem. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus to solve the problem of mismatch between network device precoding and terminal device receiver, and to ensure the spatial multiplexing performance of the communication system.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a terminal device. For example, the method can be executed by the terminal device, which can be a terminal equipment, a component (e.g., a circuit, processor, chip, or chip system), logic module, or software that implements all or part of the terminal device's functions; this application does not limit this. The following description uses a terminal device as an example. The method includes: the terminal device transmitting a first reference signal through a first reference signal port and transmitting a second reference signal through a second reference signal port; the terminal device receiving first indication information, the first indication information indicating that the first reference signal port group to which the first reference signal port belongs corresponds to a first demodulation reference signal (DMRS) port group; and the terminal device receiving DMRS through at least one DMRS port included in the first DMRS port group.

[0008] Based on the above technical solution, the communication method provided in this application embodiment receives DMRS one by one through the DMRS port groups corresponding to each antenna set of the terminal device, ensuring that the data reception weights obtained by each antenna set of the terminal device based on DMRS can match the precoding designed by the network device, thereby improving downlink transmission performance.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving first port grouping indication information, the first port grouping indication information indicating that the first reference signal port belongs to the first reference signal port group. Thus, the terminal device can learn from the network device that the first reference signal port group includes the first reference signal port, and transmit the first reference signal through the first reference signal port.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: the terminal device sending second port grouping indication information, the second port grouping indication information indicating that the first reference signal port belongs to the first reference signal port group. Thus, the terminal device can indicate to the network device that the first reference signal port group includes the first reference signal port, and the reference signal received by the network device through the first reference signal port is the first reference signal.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first indication information indicating that the first reference signal port group corresponds to the first DMRS port group includes: the first indication information indicating that the first reference signal port group corresponds to the first codeword. Thus, by sending the first indication information, the network device indicates that the first reference signal port group corresponds to the first codeword, and indirectly indicates that the first antenna set corresponds to the first DMRS port group, enabling the first antenna set to receive DMRS through the first DMRS port group and calculate the corresponding reception weights.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first indication information indicating that the first reference signal port group corresponds to the first DMRS port group includes: the first indication information indicating that the first antenna set transmitting the first reference signal corresponds to the first codeword; the first antenna set includes at least one antenna of the terminal device. Thus, by sending the first indication information, the network device indicates that the first antenna set corresponds to the first codeword, and indirectly indicates that the first antenna set corresponds to the first DMRS port group, enabling the first antenna set to receive DMRS through the first DMRS port group and calculate the corresponding reception weights.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first indication information includes first DMRS port indication information, which indicates the last DMRS port included in at least one of the Q DMRS port groups; or, the first DMRS port indication information indicates the first DMRS port included in at least one of the Q DMRS port groups; the first DMRS port group is one of the Q DMRS port groups; Q is a positive integer greater than 1. Thus, the network device can indicate the DMRS port included in at least one of the Q DMRS port groups with low overhead.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first indication information includes second DMRS port indication information, which indicates the DMRS ports included in each of the Q DMRS port groups, where Q is a positive integer greater than 1. Thus, the network device can notify the terminal device of the DMRS ports included in the Q DMRS port groups.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first indication information is carried in the first downlink control information (DCI), or in the first radio resource control (RRC) configuration information, or in the first media access control (MAC) control element (CE). Thus, the network device can use existing information transmission methods in the communication system to send the first indication information to the terminal device.

[0016] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a network device. For example, this method can be executed by a network device, which can be a network equipment, a component (e.g., a circuit, processor, chip, or chip system), a logic module, or software that implements all or part of the functions of a network device. This application does not limit the scope of this method. The following description uses a network device as an example. The method includes: the network device receiving a first reference signal through a first reference signal port and receiving a second reference signal through a second reference signal port; the network device sending first indication information, the first indication information indicating that the first reference signal port group to which the first reference signal port belongs corresponds to a first demodulation reference signal (DMRS) port group; and the network device sending DMRS through at least one DMRS port included in the first DMRS port group.

[0017] Based on the above technical solution, the communication method provided in this application embodiment receives DMRS one by one through the DMRS port groups corresponding to each antenna set of the terminal device, ensuring that the data reception weights obtained by each antenna set of the terminal device based on DMRS can match the precoding designed by the network device, thereby improving downlink transmission performance.

[0018] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the network device sends first port group indication information, which indicates that the first reference signal port belongs to the first reference signal port group. Thus, the terminal device can learn from the network device that the first reference signal port group includes the first reference signal port, and send the first reference signal through the first reference signal port.

[0019] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the network device receives second port group indication information, which indicates that the first reference signal port belongs to the first reference signal port group. Thus, the terminal device can indicate to the network device that the first reference signal port group includes the first reference signal port, and the reference signal received by the network device through the first reference signal port is the first reference signal.

[0020] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first indication information indicating that the first reference signal port group corresponds to the first DMRS port group includes: the first indication information indicating that the first reference signal port group corresponds to the first codeword. Thus, the network device, by sending the first indication information, indicates that the first reference signal port group corresponds to the first codeword, and indirectly indicates that the first antenna set corresponds to the first DMRS port group, enabling the first antenna set to receive DMRS through the first DMRS port group and calculate the corresponding reception weights.

[0021] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first indication information indicating that the first reference signal port group corresponds to the first DMRS port group includes: the first indication information indicating that the first antenna set transmitting the first reference signal corresponds to the first codeword; the first antenna set includes at least one antenna of the terminal device. Thus, by sending the first indication information, the network device indicates that the first antenna set corresponds to the first codeword, and indirectly indicates that the first antenna set corresponds to the first DMRS port group, enabling the first antenna set to receive DMRS through the first DMRS port group and calculate the corresponding reception weights.

[0022] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first indication information includes first DMRS port indication information, which indicates the last DMRS port included in at least one of the Q DMRS port groups; or, the first DMRS port indication information indicates the first DMRS port included in at least one of the Q DMRS port groups; the first DMRS port group is one of the Q DMRS port groups; Q is a positive integer greater than 1. Thus, the network device can indicate the DMRS port included in at least one of the Q DMRS port groups with low overhead.

[0023] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first indication information includes second DMRS port indication information, which indicates the DMRS ports included in each of the Q DMRS port groups, where Q is a positive integer greater than 1. Thus, the network device can notify the terminal device of the DMRS ports included in the Q DMRS port groups.

[0024] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first indication information is carried in the first downlink control information (DCI), or in the first radio resource control (RRC) configuration information, or in the first media access control (MAC) control element (CE). Thus, the network device can use existing information transmission methods in the communication system to send the first indication information to the terminal device.

[0025] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a terminal device. For example, the method can be executed by the terminal device, which can be a terminal equipment, a component (e.g., a circuit, processor, chip, or chip system), logic module, or software that implements all or part of the terminal device's functions. This application does not limit the scope of this method. The following description uses a terminal device as an example. The method includes: the terminal device sending precoding indication information (PMI), which indicates a first precoding matrix and a second precoding matrix; the terminal device sending first precoding matrix grouping indication information, which indicates that the first precoding matrix belongs to a first precoding matrix set; the terminal device receiving second indication information, which indicates that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to a first demodulation reference signal (DMRS) port group; and the terminal device receiving DMRS through at least one DMRS port included in the first DMRS port group.

[0026] Based on the above technical solution, the communication method provided in this application embodiment receives DMRS one by one through the DMRS port groups corresponding to each antenna set of the terminal device, ensuring that the data reception weights obtained by each antenna set of the terminal device based on DMRS can match the precoding designed by the network device, thereby improving downlink transmission performance.

[0027] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the second indication information indicating that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first DMRS port group includes: the second indication information indicating that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first codeword. Thus, the network device, by sending the second indication information, indicates that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first codeword, and indirectly indicates that the first antenna set corresponds to the first DMRS port group, enabling the first antenna set to receive DMRS through the first DMRS port group and calculate the corresponding reception weights.

[0028] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the second indication information indicating that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first DMRS port group includes: the second indication information indicating that the first antenna set associated with the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first codeword; the first antenna set includes at least one antenna of the terminal device. Thus, by sending the second indication information, the network device indicates that the first antenna set corresponds to the first codeword, and indirectly indicates that the first antenna set corresponds to the first DMRS port group, enabling the first antenna set to receive DMRS through the first DMRS port group and calculate the corresponding reception weights.

[0029] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the second indication information includes third DMRS port indication information, which indicates the last DMRS port included in at least one of the Q DMRS port groups; or, the third DMRS port indication information indicates the first DMRS port included in at least one of the Q DMRS port groups; the first DMRS port group is one of the Q DMRS port groups; Q is a positive integer greater than 1. Thus, the network device can indicate the DMRS port included in at least one of the Q DMRS port groups with low overhead.

[0030] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the second indication information includes fourth DMRS port indication information, which indicates the DMRS ports included in each of the Q DMRS port groups, where Q is a positive integer greater than 1. Thus, the network device can notify the terminal device of the DMRS ports included in the Q DMRS port groups.

[0031] In conjunction with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the second indication information is carried in the second downlink control information (DCI), or in the second radio resource control (RRC) configuration information, or in the second media access control (MAC) control element (CE). Thus, the network device can use existing information transmission methods in the communication system to send the second indication information to the terminal device.

[0032] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a network device. For example, this method can be executed by a network device, which can be a network equipment, a component (e.g., a circuit, processor, chip, or chip system), a logic module, or software that implements all or part of the functions of the network device. This application does not limit the scope of this method. The following description uses a network device as an example. The method includes: the network device receiving precoding indication information (PMI), the PMI indicating a first precoding matrix and a second precoding matrix; the network device receiving first precoding matrix grouping indication information, the first precoding matrix grouping indication information indicating that the first precoding matrix belongs to a first precoding matrix set; the network device sending second indication information, the second indication information indicating that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to a first demodulation reference signal (DMRS) port group; and the network device sending DMRS through at least one DMRS port included in the first DMRS port group.

[0033] Based on the above technical solution, the communication method provided in this application embodiment receives DMRS one by one through the DMRS port groups corresponding to each antenna set of the terminal device, ensuring that the data reception weights obtained by each antenna set of the terminal device based on DMRS can match the precoding designed by the network device, thereby improving downlink transmission performance.

[0034] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the second indication information indicating that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first DMRS port group includes: the second indication information indicating that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first codeword. Thus, the network device, by sending the second indication information, indicates that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first codeword, and indirectly indicates that the first antenna set corresponds to the first DMRS port group, enabling the first antenna set to receive DMRS through the first DMRS port group and calculate the corresponding reception weights.

[0035] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the second indication information indicating that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first DMRS port group includes: the second indication information indicating that the first antenna set associated with the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first codeword; the first antenna set includes at least one antenna of the terminal device. Thus, the network device, by sending the second indication information, indicates that the first antenna set corresponds to the first codeword, and indirectly indicates that the first antenna set corresponds to the first DMRS port group, enabling the first antenna set to receive DMRS through the first DMRS port group and calculate the corresponding reception weights.

[0036] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the second indication information includes third DMRS port indication information, which indicates the last DMRS port included in at least one of the Q DMRS port groups; or, the third DMRS port indication information indicates the first DMRS port included in at least one of the Q DMRS port groups; the first DMRS port group is one of the Q DMRS port groups; Q is a positive integer greater than 1. Thus, the network device can indicate the DMRS port included in at least one of the Q DMRS port groups with low overhead.

[0037] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the second indication information includes fourth DMRS port indication information, which indicates the DMRS ports included in each of the Q DMRS port groups, where Q is a positive integer greater than 1. Thus, the network device can notify the terminal device of the DMRS ports included in the Q DMRS port groups.

[0038] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in some implementations of the fourth aspect, the second indication information is carried in the second downlink control information (DCI), or in the second radio resource control (RRC) configuration information, or in the second media access control (MAC) control element (CE). Thus, the network device can use existing information transmission methods in the communication system to send the second indication information to the terminal device.

[0039] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device. This communication device is used to execute the methods provided in the first, second, third, or fourth aspects described above. Specifically, the communication device may include units and / or modules for executing the methods provided in the first aspect or any of the above-described implementations of the first aspect, such as a processing unit and an acquisition unit. Alternatively, the communication device may include units and / or modules for executing the methods provided in the second aspect or any of the above-described implementations of the second aspect, such as a processing unit and an acquisition unit. Alternatively, the communication device may include units and / or modules for executing the methods provided in the third aspect or any of the above-described implementations of the third aspect, such as a processing unit and an acquisition unit. Alternatively, the communication device may include units and / or modules for executing the methods provided in the fourth aspect or any of the above-described implementations of the fourth aspect, such as a processing unit and an acquisition unit.

[0040] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the communication device is a terminal device or a network device. The acquisition unit may include a transceiver, or an input or output interface; the processing unit may include at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver may include transceiver circuitry. Optionally, the input interface may include input circuitry, and the output interface may include output circuitry.

[0041] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in some implementations of the fifth aspect, the communication device is a chip, a chip system, or a circuit. The acquisition unit may include an input or output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, or related circuit on the chip, chip system, or circuit; the processing unit may include at least one processor, processing circuit, or logic circuit.

[0042] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a processor for executing the methods provided in the above aspects.

[0043] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium. This computer-readable storage medium stores computer program code, and when the computer program code is executed, the method provided by any one of the first to fourth aspects, and any implementation thereof, is performed.

[0044] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product containing instructions. When these instructions are executed on a computer, the computer performs any one of the first to fourth aspects described above, and the method provided by any implementation of any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0045] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a chip, the chip including a processor and a communication interface, the processor reading computer programs or instructions stored in a memory through the communication interface, executing any one of the first to fourth aspects described above, and the method provided by any implementation of any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0046] Alternatively, as one implementation, the chip may also include the memory.

[0047] Furthermore, the technical effects of the fifth to ninth aspects mentioned above can be referred to the technical effects of the methods described in the first to fourth aspects mentioned above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0048] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the background art, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application or the background art will be described below.

[0049] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an ORAN system applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0051] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an access network device applicable to an embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 400 provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method 500 provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 600 provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 700 provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0056] Figure 8 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device 800 provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 9 is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device 900 provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0058] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0059] Before introducing the scheme of this application, the following points should be noted.

[0060] (1) In this application, "instruction" can include direct instruction, indirect instruction, explicit instruction, implicit instruction, etc. When describing an instruction information as indicating A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, carries the identifier of A, carries B which is associated with A, carries the identifier of B which is associated with A, etc. In other words, if the receiving side of an instruction information can determine A based on the instruction information, it can be described as the instruction information indicating A, and the specific method of determination is not limited. When it is understood that the instruction information carries A, "instruction" can be replaced with "includes". In this case, a statement such as "send / receive instruction information, the instruction information indicates A" can be replaced with "send / receive A".

[0061] In this application, the information indicated by the instruction information is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementations, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly indicate the information to be instructed by indicating other information, where there is a relationship between the other information and the information to be instructed. It can also indicate only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement of various pieces of information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent. Furthermore, the information to be instructed can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information pieces, and the sending period and / or timing of these sub-information pieces can be the same or different.

[0062] (2) In this application, the expression " / " is used to indicate that the objects before and after are in an "or" relationship; for example, A / B can mean: A or B. The expression "and / or" is used to indicate that the objects before and after are in a relationship of either "and" or "or"; for example, A and / or B can mean the following: A exists alone, B exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be single or multiple. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions are used to indicate any combination of the listed items; for example, at least one of A, B and / or C can mean the following: A exists alone, B exists alone, C exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, B and C exist simultaneously, A and C exist simultaneously, A, B and C exist simultaneously, where A, B, and C can be single or multiple.

[0063] (3) In this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which may include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission by other units or modules via the air interface. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which may include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY by other units or modules via the air interface. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between network devices and terminal devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0064] (4) In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0065] (5) In this application, "first," "second," and "#1," "#2," and "#A" are merely for descriptive convenience and are used to distinguish objects, and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. They are not used to describe the order or sequence of features. It should be understood that such described objects can be interchanged where appropriate in order to describe solutions other than those in the embodiments of this application.

[0066] (6) In this application, "predefined" may mean a standard protocol predefined, or it may mean that the devices have agreed or negotiated in advance. Among them, "protocol" may refer to standard protocols in the field of communications, such as fourth-generation (4G) network protocols, fifth-generation (5G) network protocols, new radio (NR) protocols, 5.5G network protocols, and related protocols applied in future communication networks. This application does not limit this.

[0067] (7) In this application, the words “exemplary,” “for example,” etc., are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as an “example” in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Rather, the term “example” is used to present concepts in a specific manner.

[0068] (8) In this application, “of”, “corresponding, relevant”, “corresponding”, and “related” can sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when the distinction is not emphasized, they have the same meaning.

[0069] (9) In this application, the terms “identifier”, “index”, “number” and “serial number” may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when the distinction is not emphasized, they have the same meaning.

[0070] (10) In this application, “when…”, “if” and “if” all refer to the device making a corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances, and are not limited to a time, nor do they require the device to make a judgment when it is implemented, nor do they mean that there are other limitations.

[0071] (11) In this application, matrix transformations are involved in many places. For ease of understanding, a unified explanation is provided here. The superscript T indicates transpose, such as AT indicating the transpose of matrix (or vector) A; the superscript * indicates conjugate, such as A* indicating the conjugate of matrix (or vector) A; the superscript H indicates conjugate transpose, such as AH indicating the conjugate transpose of matrix (or vector) A. For the sake of brevity, explanations of the same or similar cases are omitted in the following text.

[0072] Next, we will introduce the communication system to which this application applies.

[0073] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as 5th generation (5G) or new radio (NR) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, and LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to future communication networks. Furthermore, the technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), and Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems such as inter-satellite communication and satellite communication.

[0074] As an example, a satellite communication system includes a satellite base station and terminal devices. The satellite base station provides communication services to the terminal devices. Satellite base stations can also communicate with each other. A satellite can act as a base station or as a terminal device. Here, "satellite" can refer to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), hot air balloons, low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, medium-Earth orbit (MEO) satellites, high-Earth orbit (HEO) satellites, etc. "Satellite" can also refer to non-terrestrial base stations or non-terrestrial devices.

[0075] As an example, V2X communication can include: vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication, and vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication.

[0076] In a communication system, a device can send signals to or receive signals from another device. These signals can include information, signaling, or data. The device can also be replaced by an equipment, entity, network entity, communication device, communication module, node, communication node, etc. This application describes the device as an example in its embodiments.

[0077] The terminal device in this application embodiment can be a device or module that accesses the aforementioned communication system and has corresponding communication functions. The terminal device can include various devices with wireless communication capabilities, which can be used to connect people, objects, machines, etc. The terminal device can be widely applied in various scenarios, such as: cellular communication, D2D, V2X, peer-to-peer (P2P), M2M, MTC, IoT, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, drones, robots, remote sensing, passive sensing, positioning, navigation and tracking, autonomous delivery, etc. The terminal device can be a terminal in any of the above scenarios, such as an MTC terminal, an IoT terminal, etc. Terminal equipment can be user equipment (UE), terminal, fixed equipment, mobile station equipment or mobile equipment, subscriber unit, handheld device, vehicle-mounted equipment, wearable device, cellular phone, smartphone, session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, wireless data card, personal digital assistant (PDA), computer, tablet computer, laptop computer, wireless modem, handset, laptop computer, computer with wireless transceiver capability, smart book, vehicle, satellite, global positioning system (GPS) device, target tracking device, aircraft (e.g., drone, helicopter, multiple helicopters, four helicopters, or airplanes), ship, remote control device, smart home device, industrial equipment, transportation vehicle with wireless communication capability, communication module, or roadside unit with terminal function, all conforming to the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) standard. The device may be a wireless communication unit (RSU), or a device built into the aforementioned device (e.g., a communication module, modem, or chip in the aforementioned device), or other processing devices connected to the wireless modem.

[0078] It should be understood that in certain scenarios, a UE can also be used as a base station. For example, a UE can act as a scheduling entity, providing sidelink signaling between UEs in scenarios such as V2X, D2D, or P2P.

[0079] In this embodiment, the device for implementing the functions of a terminal device, i.e., the terminal device, can be the terminal device itself, or it can be any device capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system, chip, circuit, or communication module (i.e., a communication module that performs communication functions). This device can be installed in the terminal device. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices. Furthermore, the device can also be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions.

[0080] The network device in this application embodiment can be a device or module with corresponding communication functions. The network device can be a device used to communicate with terminal devices; it can also be called an access network device or a wireless access network device, such as a base station. In this application embodiment, the network device can refer to a radio access network (RAN) node (or device) that connects the terminal device to the wireless network. A base station can broadly encompass, or be replaced by, various names including: NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNB), next-generation NodeB (gNB), relay station, access point, transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitter point, master station, auxiliary station, motor slide retainer (MSR) node, home base station, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (AP), transmission node, transceiver node, baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), positioning node, etc. A base station can be a macro base station, micro base station, relay node, donor node, or a combination thereof. A base station can also refer to a communication module, modem, or chip installed within the aforementioned equipment or apparatus. A base station can also be a mobile switching center, a device that performs base station functions in D2D, V2X, and M2M communications, or a device that performs base station functions in future communication systems. A base station can support networks using the same or different access technologies. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the network equipment.

[0081] Base stations can be fixed or mobile. For example, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a mobile base station, and one or more cells can move depending on the location of the mobile base station. In other examples, a helicopter or drone can be configured as a device to communicate with another base station.

[0082] In some deployments, the network devices mentioned in the embodiments of this application may be devices including CU, or DU, or devices including CU and DU, or devices with control plane CU nodes (central unit-control plane (CU-CP)) and user plane CU nodes (central unit-user plane (CU-UP)) and DU nodes.

[0083] In some deployments, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, with different RAN nodes each implementing some of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be CUs, DUs, CU-CPs, CU-UPs, or radio units (RUs). CUs and DUs can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as a BBU. RUs can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as RRUs, AAUs, or RRHs.

[0084] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, a radio access network can also be an open radio access network (O-RAN or ORAN) architecture. In an O-RAN system, CU can also be called an open CU (open CU, O-CU), DU can also be called an open DU (open DU, O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called an open RU (open RU, O-RU). Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software modules and hardware modules.

[0085] In this embodiment, the apparatus for implementing the functions of a network device, i.e., the network device, can be a network device itself, or an apparatus capable of supporting the network device in implementing that function, such as a chip system, chip, circuit, or communication module (i.e., a communication module that performs communication functions). This apparatus can be installed within the network device. In this embodiment, the chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices. Furthermore, the apparatus can also be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions.

[0086] Network devices and terminal devices can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on airplanes, balloons, and satellites. This application does not limit the scenario in which the network devices and terminal devices are located.

[0087] Referring to Figure 1, as an example, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the wireless communication system includes a wireless access network 100. The wireless access network 100 can be a future or higher version of the wireless access network, or a traditional (e.g., 5G, 4G, 3G, or 2G) wireless access network. One or more terminal devices (120a-120j, collectively referred to as 120) can be interconnected or connected to one or more network devices (110a, 110b, collectively referred to as 110) in the wireless access network 100. Network elements in the wireless communication system are connected through interfaces (e.g., NG, Xn) or air interfaces.

[0088] When the network device and the terminal device communicate, the network device can manage one or more cells, and a cell can include at least one terminal device. A cell can be understood as an area within the wireless signal coverage range of the network device.

[0089] Figure 1 is only a schematic diagram. The wireless communication system may also include other devices, such as core network devices, wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices, which are not shown in Figure 1.

[0090] Referring to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of an ORAN system applicable to an embodiment of this application, the ORAN system includes a core network device, an access network device, and a UE. As an example, the ORAN system may also include other components besides those shown in Figure 2; specific details are not limited in this application.

[0091] Access network devices can communicate with the core network (CN) via a backhaul link. Access network devices can also communicate with the UE via an air interface. Specifically, the BBU in the access network device communicates with the core network via a backhaul link. The RU in the access network device communicates with at least one UE via an air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU via a fronthaul link; the BBU and RU may or may not be co-located. A BBU includes at least one CU and at least one DU, and the CU and DU can communicate via at least one midhaul link.

[0092] Referring to Figure 3, as an example, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an access network device applicable to an embodiment of this application.

[0093] Optionally, the access network device includes a CU. The CU is a logical node that carries the radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, and other control functions of the access network device. The CU can connect to network nodes such as the core network through interfaces, such as the E2 interface. The CU may have some core network functions. The CU (e.g., the PDCP layer and / or higher layers of the CU) connects to the DU (e.g., the radio link control (RLC) layer and lower layers of the DU) through interfaces, such as the F1 interface. Optionally, the F1 interface can provide control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane) functions (e.g., interface management, system information management, UE context management, RRC message transmission, etc.). F1AP is the application protocol of the F1 interface, defining the signaling procedures of F1 in some examples. The F1 interface supports control plane F1-C and user plane F1-U.

[0094] As an example, a CU includes CU-CP and CU-UP. CU-CP is a logical node carrying the control plane (PDCP-C) layer, which carries the RRC layer and the Packet Data Convergence Protocol layer, and is used to implement the CU's control plane functions. CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement control plane functions. These network elements in the core network can be access and mobility function (AMF) network elements, such as the access and mobility management function (AMF) in a 5G system. The AMF network element is responsible for mobility management in the mobile network, such as terminal device location updates, terminal device registration with the network, and terminal device handover. CU-UP is a logical node carrying the user plane (PDCP-U) layer, which carries the SDAP layer and the Packet Data Convergence Protocol layer, and is used to implement the CU's user plane functions. CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement user plane functions. These network elements in the core network, such as the user plane function (UPF) in a 5G system, are responsible for data forwarding and receiving in terminal devices. The above CU and DU configurations are merely examples. In practical applications, the functions of the CU and DU can be configured as needed. For instance, the CU or DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or to have only some protocol layer processing functions. For example, some RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions above the RLC layer can be placed in the CU, while the remaining RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions below the RLC layer can be placed in the DU. Furthermore, the functions of the CU or DU can be divided according to service type or other system requirements. For example, based on latency, functions that require low latency can be placed in the DU, while functions that do not require low latency can be placed in the CU.

[0095] Optionally, the access network equipment includes a DU. As shown in Figure 3, the DU is a logical node carrying the RLC layer, medium access control (MAC) layer, higher physical layer (Higher PHY) layer, and other functions. In some examples, the DU can control at least one RU. The DU connects to the RU through interfaces, which can be fronthaul interfaces. In some examples, the Higher PHY layer includes the PHY layer processing, such as forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation, and demodulation.

[0096] Optionally, the access network equipment includes an RU. As shown in Figure 3, the RU is a logical node that carries lower physical layer (PHY) and radio frequency (RF) processing. In some examples, the RU may be a 3GPP transmission reception point (TRP), a remote radio head (RRH), or other similar entities. In some examples, the Low-PHY includes PHY processing functions such as fast fourier transform (FFT), inverse fast fourier transform (IFFT), digital beamforming, and filtering. The RU communicates with one or more UEs via a radio link.

[0097] The DU and RU may or may not be co-located. The DU and RU exchange control plane and user plane information via a fronthaul link through a lower-layer split CUS-plane (LLS-CUS) interface. The LLS-CUS may include a lower-layer split control (LLS-C) interface and a lower-layer split user (LLS-U) interface, respectively providing the control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane). In some examples, the control plane (C-Plane) refers to real-time control between the DU and RU. The DU and RU exchange management information via an LLS-M interface on the fronthaul link; the management plane (M-Plane) refers to non-real-time management operations between the DU and RU.

[0098] DU and RU can cooperate to implement the functions of the PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, a DU can be configured to implement baseband functions, and an RU can be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Another example is that a DU can be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and an RU can be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or to implement both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer can include a portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the MAC layer, while lower-level functions in the physical layer can include another portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the mid-RF side.

[0099] Figures 1 to 3 above are illustrative examples, and the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto.

[0100] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the terms used in this application will be briefly explained.

[0101] To facilitate a better understanding of the technical solution of this application, some related technologies involved in the technical solution of this application are introduced.

[0102] 1. Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology: Utilizing spatial resources, MIMO can increase the capacity and spectral efficiency of a communication system by leveraging array gain, multiplexing and diversity gain, and interference cancellation gain in space without increasing system bandwidth. For example, in LTE systems, MIMO systems can support up to eight layers of transmission using multiple antennas at both the transmitting and receiving ends.

[0103] 2. Reference signal (RS): This refers to the physical signal that transmits a sequence to achieve a specific function. Specifically, the reference signal is a physical signal generated by mapping a specific sequence onto corresponding resources according to a pre-defined resource mapping method. The reference signal can also be called a pilot, reference sequence, or reference signal.

[0104] In this application, the reference signal, as an example, can be any of the following: channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), sounding reference signal (SRS), demodulation reference signal (DMRS), phase track reference signal (PT-RS), cell reference signal (CRS), etc. Among them, DMRS can be used for demodulation of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) or physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). CSI-RS can be used for channel information measurement and to report channel state information (CSI), which includes at least one of the following: precoding matrix indicator (PMI), rank indication (RI), and channel quality indicator (CQI).

[0105] It should be understood that the reference signals listed above are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting this application. This application does not preclude the possibility of defining other reference signals in future agreements to achieve the same or similar functions.

[0106] 3. Sounding Reference Signal (SRS): SRS is a reference signal transmitted by the terminal equipment. New Radio (NR) access technology systems allow base stations to use SRS to obtain uplink (UL) channel information. Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems also allow base stations to utilize channel reciprocity to obtain downlink (DL) channel information by measuring SRS. Thus, base stations can use SRS to obtain both UL and DL channel information.

[0107] Each SRS resource may include N_"ap"^"SRS"∈{1,2,4,8} SRS ports, where each SRS port corresponds to a physical antenna or a virtual antenna of the UE, and each SRS port corresponds to a specific time-frequency code resource. Ideally, the time-frequency code resources corresponding to each SRS port are orthogonal. This application embodiment designs the mapping relationship between the UE antenna and at least one SRS port contained in an SRS resource.

[0108] It should be understood that different antenna ports within an SRS resource can occupy the exact same symbols and be multiplexed by frequency division (using different subcarriers) or code division (using different ZC sequences or different cyclic shifts of the same sequence). There is a correspondence between the reference signal resource and the reference signal, which can be found in existing standards. Furthermore, in some scenarios, the reference signal resource and the reference signal can be equivalent.

[0109] 4. Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS): DMRS is a reference signal used by the receiver for equivalent channel estimation. It estimates the equivalent channel matrix of the data channel, such as PDSCH, PUSCH, or the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), for data detection and demodulation. Taking the data channel PDSCH as an example, DMRS typically undergoes the same precoding as the transmitted data signal to ensure that DMRS and data experience the same equivalent channel. Assuming the DMRS vector transmitted by the transmitter is s, and the transmitted data symbol vector is x, and DMRS and data undergo the same precoding operation (using the same precoding matrix P), the corresponding received signal vector at the receiver can be represented as...

[0110] data:

[0111] DMRS:

[0112] Where y represents the received data at the receiver, H represents the channel, P represents the precoding matrix, x represents the transmitted data symbol, and n represents noise. denoted by ; r represents the DMRS signal at the receiving end, and s represents the DMRS signal transmitted.

[0113] As can be seen, for both the data signal and DMRS, the equivalent channel experienced is... The receiver, based on the known DMRS vectors s, can obtain the equivalent channel using channel estimation algorithms (such as minimum mean square error (MMSE) channel estimation). The estimation is based on the equivalent channel, which allows for the equalization and subsequent demodulation of the data signal.

[0114] Since DMRS is used to estimate the equivalent channel Its dimension is N R ×R, where N R R represents the number of receive antennas, and R represents the number of transmitted data streams (also known as the number of transmission layers, spatial layers, or rank). Typically, one DMRS port corresponds to one spatial layer. For a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) transmission with R transmitted data streams, the required number of DMRS ports is R. To ensure the quality of channel estimation, different DMRS ports are usually orthogonal ports. The DMRS symbols corresponding to different DMRS ports are orthogonal in the frequency domain, time-frequency domain, or code domain.

[0115] 5. Precoding: Knowing the channel conditions, the terminal device can process the signal to be transmitted using a precoding matrix that matches the channel conditions. This precoded signal is adapted to the channel, thereby improving the received signal strength of the receiving device and reducing interference to other receiving devices. Therefore, through precoding of the signal to be transmitted, the quality of the received signal (e.g., signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio, SINR) is improved.

[0116] It should be understood that the descriptions related to precoding in this application are merely illustrative for ease of understanding and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application. In specific implementations, the transmitting device may also perform precoding in other ways. For example, when channel information (e.g., but not limited to the channel matrix) is unavailable, a pre-set precoding matrix or a weighted processing method may be used for precoding. For the sake of brevity, the specific details will not be elaborated upon in this application.

[0117] 6. Channel Reciprocity: In Time Division Duplex (TDD) mode, uplink and downlink channels transmit signals on the same frequency domain resources but different time domain resources. Within a relatively short time (e.g., the coherence time of channel propagation), the signals on the uplink and downlink channels can be considered to traverse the same channel, and the uplink and downlink channels can be acquired equivalently. This is the reciprocity of uplink and downlink channels. Based on the reciprocity of uplink and downlink channels, network devices can measure the uplink channel based on the uplink reference signal, such as the SRS. They can also estimate the downlink channel based on the uplink channel, thereby determining the precoding matrix used for downlink transmission.

[0118] 7. Reference signal port: The reference signal port is the resource granularity occupied by the terminal device when sending reference signals.

[0119] As one possible implementation, one reference signal port can correspond to one transmitting antenna of the terminal device. In this implementation, the number of reference signal ports of the terminal device can be the number of transmitting antennas of the terminal device.

[0120] As another possible implementation, a reference signal port can correspond to a precoding vector of the transmitting antenna, which can correspond to a spatial beamforming direction. In this implementation, the number of reference signal ports of the terminal device can be less than the number of transmitting antennas of the terminal device.

[0121] Typically, multiple reference signals corresponding to multiple reference signal ports on a single reference signal resource occupy one or more time-frequency resources. Multiple reference signals occupying the same time-frequency resource are multiplexed using code division. For example, reference signals from different reference signal ports may use different cyclic shifts (CS) to occupy the same time-frequency resource.

[0122] Specifically, on the same time-frequency resource, different reference signals from different reference signal ports can avoid interference by using orthogonal code division multiplexing (CDM). This orthogonality can be achieved through cyclic shifting. When the channel delay spread is very small, CDM can be largely achieved. The receiver can eliminate signals using other CDMs and retain only signals using a specific CDM through specific operations, thereby achieving CDM multiplexing.

[0123] In this embodiment, the reference signal port can be an SRS port or a DMRS port.

[0124] 8. Codeword (CW): A codeword contains the data stream to be transmitted through a physical channel. The 5G system defines two codewords: CW0 and CW1, with different codewords corresponding to different data streams. The first step in the modulation process is to place the data to be transmitted through the specified channel into the codeword corresponding to that channel. Next, each codeword is randomized using a random sequence to protect the data from burst errors. During randomization, the binary data to be transmitted is divided into different blocks according to the selected modulation type (e.g., each block includes 6 bits of data when using 64QAM modulation, and each block includes 4 bits of data when using 16QAM modulation), and mapped to different modulation symbols. After randomization and modulation are completed, the codeword is mapped to layers. The maximum number of layers can be the number of antenna ports. Codeword-to-layer mapping divides the data into layers. Since codeword-to-layer mapping is a demultiplexing process, the number of modulation symbols in all layers is the same as the number of modulation symbols in the codeword.

[0125] 9. Code Division Multiplexing (CDM): When multiple data streams can be transmitted simultaneously on the same time-frequency resources and can only be distinguished by coding methods, these multiple data streams can be considered to have performed code division multiplexing on the channel. These multiple data streams using the same time-frequency resources belong to the same CDM group. These data streams cannot be distinguished by time or frequency domains, but only by code domain. Different DMRS ports belonging to the same CDM group need to be further distinguished by orthogonal cover codes (OCCs). DMRS ports belonging to different CDM groups can be distinguished by frequency domain.

[0126] In high-flow transmission (more than 4 data streams), it is difficult and computationally complex for a terminal device with a large number of receiving antennas to use all of them for data reception. Therefore, the terminal device can utilize only a subset of its receiving antennas to receive data, approximating the performance of using all antennas while maintaining lower receiver complexity. For example, a terminal device with 8 receiving antennas can be divided into antenna group 1 and antenna group 2, with each data stream received using only antenna group 1 or antenna group 2. However, since network devices default to using all receiving antennas during precoding design, using only a subset can lead to a mismatch between the precoding used by the network device and the terminal device's receiver, affecting the spatial multiplexing performance of the communication system.

[0127] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a communication method 400 provided in this application embodiment from the perspective of device interaction. This method 400 can be jointly executed by a network device (e.g., a base station, or a chip or device component in the base station used to implement related functions, etc., without specific limitation) and a terminal device (e.g., a UE, or a chip or device component in the UE used to implement related functions, etc., without specific limitation). Method 400 includes a series of steps or operations. It should be understood that the steps or operations in method 400 can be executed in various orders and / or occur simultaneously, and are not limited to the execution order shown in Figure 4. Method 400 may include steps S401 to S405, and the steps of method 400 are described in detail below.

[0128] S401, the terminal device sends a first reference signal through the first reference signal port and a second reference signal through the second reference signal port.

[0129] Specifically, the terminal device transmits a first reference signal and a second reference signal through different reference signal ports, enabling the network device to distinguish between the first and second reference signals based on the different reference signal ports. The first reference signal is transmitted to the network device from the terminal device's first antenna set, and the second reference signal is transmitted to the network device from the terminal device's second antenna set. The first and second antenna sets contain different antennas. Optionally, the first and second reference signals are of the same type, for example, both the first and second reference signals are SRS or both are DMRS.

[0130] Optionally, the first reference signal and / or the second reference signal indicates an uplink reference signal. For example, the first reference signal and / or the second reference signal may be an SRS, or it may be an uplink DMRS. In the future development of the technology, other reference signals may emerge. If the function of these reference signals is the same as that described in the embodiments of this application, they should also be within the scope of protection of this application.

[0131] Optionally, the first reference signal port may include one or more reference signal ports, meaning the terminal device can transmit the first reference signal through one or more reference signal ports; the second reference signal port may also include one or more reference signal ports, meaning the terminal device can also transmit the second reference signal through one or more reference signal ports. This application does not limit the number of ports used for transmitting the first reference signal or the number of ports used for transmitting the second reference signal.

[0132] S402, the network device receives a first reference signal through the first reference signal port and a second reference signal through the second reference signal port.

[0133] Specifically, the network device receives the first reference signal and the second reference signal through different reference signal ports; thus, the network device can distinguish the first reference signal and the second reference signal based on the different reference signal ports. Optionally, the first reference signal and the second reference signal are of the same type, for example, both the first reference signal and the second reference signal are SRS or both the first reference signal and the second reference signal are DMRS.

[0134] S403, the network device sends a first instruction message to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first instruction message from the network device.

[0135] Specifically, the first indication information indicates that the first reference signal port group to which the first reference signal port belongs corresponds to the first DMRS port group. Since the first reference signal port group corresponds to the first antenna set of the terminal device, the first indication information further indicates that the first antenna set of the terminal device corresponds to the first DMRS port group. Before the terminal device receives data using the antennas included in the first antenna set, it can first receive DMRS through the DMRS ports included in the first DMRS group to obtain reception weights matching the precoding, thereby improving the quality of the received data. For example, the first DMRS port group is the second DMRS port group among Q DMRS port groups. According to the first indication information, the first reference signal port group corresponds to the first DMRS port group among the Q DMRS port groups, and the terminal device can receive DMRS through the DMRS ports included in this first DMRS port group.

[0136] It should be understood that "the first reference signal port belongs to the first reference signal port group" and "the first reference signal port group includes the first reference signal port" have the same meaning. For example, the first reference signal port group includes four reference signal ports: reference signal port #1, reference signal port #2, reference signal port #3, and reference signal port #4. Since reference signal port #1 is the first reference signal port, reference signal port #1 (i.e., the first reference signal port) belongs to the first reference signal port group, and the first reference signal port group is the reference signal port group to which reference signal port #1 (i.e., the first reference signal port) belongs.

[0137] Optionally, the first indication information may indicate that the first reference signal port group to which the first reference signal port belongs corresponds to the first DMRS port group, or it may indicate that the second reference signal port group to which the second reference signal port belongs corresponds to the second DMRS port group. Alternatively, it may simultaneously indicate that the first reference signal port group to which the first reference signal port belongs corresponds to the first DMRS port group and the second reference signal port group to which the second reference signal port belongs corresponds to the second DMRS port group. This application does not specifically limit this. The following explanation uses the example of the first indication information indicating that the first reference signal port group to which the first reference signal port belongs corresponds to the first DMRS port group for illustration.

[0138] Optionally, the first indication information indicates that the first reference signal port group to which the first reference signal port belongs corresponds to the first codeword. Thus, the terminal device can determine the DMRS port corresponding to the first reference signal port group through the codeword corresponding to the first reference signal port group. For example, the first codeword includes four data streams, each corresponding to a DMRS port. The four DMRS ports corresponding to the first codeword are: DMRS port #1, DMRS port #2, DMRS port #3, and DMRS port #4. The first codeword indication information indicating that the first reference signal port group corresponds to the first codeword indicates that the first reference signal port group corresponds to the four DMRS ports: DMRS port #1, DMRS port #2, DMRS port #3, and DMRS port #4. Furthermore, it indicates that the first antenna set of the terminal device corresponds to the four DMRS ports: DMRS port #1, DMRS port #2, DMRS port #3, and DMRS port #4. The four antennas in the first antenna set of the terminal device can receive DMRS data through these four DMRS ports.

[0139] Optionally, the first indication information indicates that the first antenna set transmitting the first reference signal corresponds to the first codeword; the first antenna set includes at least one antenna of the terminal device. Thus, the terminal device can determine the DMRS port corresponding to the first antenna set through the codeword corresponding to the first antenna set. For example, the first codeword includes four data streams, each corresponding to a DMRS port, and the four DMRS ports corresponding to the first codeword are: DMRS port #1, DMRS port #2, DMRS port #3, and DMRS port #4. The second codeword indication information indicates that the first antenna set corresponds to the first codeword, that is, it indicates that the first antenna set corresponds to the four DMRS ports: DMRS port #1, DMRS port #2, DMRS port #3, and DMRS port #4. Thus, the four antennas included in the first antenna set of the terminal device can receive DMRS through the four DMRS ports: DMRS port #1, DMRS port #2, DMRS port #3, and DMRS port #4.

[0140] Optionally, the first indication information further includes first DMRS port indication information, which indicates the last DMRS port included in at least one of the Q DMRS port groups; or, the first DMRS port indication information indicates the first DMRS port included in at least one of the Q DMRS port groups; the first DMRS port group is one of the Q DMRS port groups; Q is a positive integer greater than 1. Thus, the terminal device can learn which DMRS ports are included in the first DMRS port group corresponding to the first reference signal port group. For example, each DMRS port group in Q = 2 DMRS port groups contains four DMRS ports, wherein the first DMRS port group includes DMRS port #1, DMRS port #2, DMRS port #3, and DMRS port #4, and the second DMRS port group includes DMRS port #5, DMRS port #6, DMRS port #7, and DMRS port #8. The first DMRS port indication information can indicate DMRS port #4 or DMRS port #5. Thus, when the first indication information indicates that the first reference signal port group corresponds to the first DMRS port group, the terminal device can learn that the first DMRS port group includes DMRS port #1, DMRS port #2, DMRS port #3, and DMRS port #4, and receive DMRS through DMRS port #1, DMRS port #2, DMRS port #3, and DMRS port #4. For example, each of the four DMRS port groups (Q = 4) contains two DMRS ports: the first DMRS port group includes DMRS port #1 and DMRS port #2; the second DMRS port group includes DMRS port #3 and DMRS port #4; the third DMRS port group includes DMRS port #5 and DMRS port #6; and the fourth DMRS port group includes DMRS port #7 and DMRS port #8. The first DMRS port indication information can indicate DMRS port #2, DMRS port #4, and DMRS port #6, or it can indicate DMRS port #3, DMRS port #5, and DMRS port #7. Thus, when the first indication information indicates that the first reference signal port group corresponds to the second DMRS port group, the terminal device can learn that the second DMRS port group includes DMRS port #3 and DMRS port #4, and receive DMRS through DMRS port #3 and DMRS port #4.

[0141] Optionally, the first indication information further includes second DMRS port indication information, which indicates the DMRS ports included in each of the Q DMRS port groups. Thus, the terminal device can determine which DMRS ports are included in the first DMRS port group corresponding to the first reference signal port group. For example, the second DMRS port indication information indicates that the first DMRS port group in the Q = 2 DMRS port groups includes DMRS port #1, DMRS port #2, DMRS port #3, and DMRS port #4, and the second DMRS port group includes DMRS port #5, DMRS port #6, DMRS port #7, and DMRS port #8. Therefore, when the first indication information indicates that the first reference signal port group corresponds to the first DMRS port group, the terminal device can determine that the first DMRS port group includes DMRS port #1, DMRS port #2, DMRS port #3, and DMRS port #4, and receive DMRS through DMRS port #1, DMRS port #2, DMRS port #3, and DMRS port #4. For example, the second DMRS port indication information indicates that the first DMRS port group in Q = 4 DMRS port groups includes DMRS port #1 and DMRS port #2, the second DMRS port group includes DMRS port #3 and DMRS port #4, the third DMRS port group includes DMRS port #5 and DMRS port #6, and the fourth DMRS port group includes DMRS port #7 and DMRS port #8. Thus, when the first indication information indicates that the first reference signal port group corresponds to the second DMRS port group, the terminal device can learn that the second DMRS port group includes DMRS port #3 and DMRS port #4, and receive DMRS through DMRS port #3 and DMRS port #4.

[0142] Optionally, the first indication information is carried in the first DCI, or the first indication information is carried in the first RRC configuration information, or the first indication information is carried in the first MAC CE.

[0143] S404, the network device sends DMRS to the terminal device through the first DMRS port group.

[0144] Specifically, the network device transmits DMRS to the terminal device through at least one DMRS port included in the first DMRS port group. This DMRS is sent to the first antenna set of the terminal device.

[0145] S405, the terminal device receives DMRS through the first DMRS port group.

[0146] Accordingly, the first antenna set of the terminal device receives DMRS through at least one DMRS port included in the first DMRS port group indicated by the first indication information.

[0147] Optionally, before step S401, the method 400 further includes the following steps S406 or S407:

[0148] S406, the network device sends a first port packet indication message to the terminal device.

[0149] Specifically, the network device sends a first port group indication message to the terminal device, enabling the terminal device to know that the first reference signal port belongs to the first reference signal port group, the second reference signal port belongs to the second reference signal port group, or to know that the first and second reference signal ports belong to different reference signal port groups. The terminal device can then send the first reference signal and the second reference signal through the first and second reference signal ports respectively. For example, the first port group indication message indicates that reference signal ports #1, #2, #3, and #4 belong to the first reference signal port group, and reference signal ports #5, #6, #7, and #8 belong to the first reference signal port group. Thus, the terminal device can send the first reference signal through reference signal port #1 and the second reference signal through reference signal port #5. Alternatively, the terminal device can send the first reference signal through reference signal ports #1, #2, #3, and #4, and the second reference signal through reference signal ports #5, #6, #7, and #8. For example, the first port grouping indication information indicates that reference signal port #1 and reference signal port #2 belong to different reference signal port groups. The terminal device can send a first reference signal through reference signal port #1 and a second reference signal through reference signal port #2.

[0150] Optionally, the first port packet indication information is carried in the downlink control information (DCI), or in the radio resource control (RRC) configuration information, or in the media access control element (MAC CE).

[0151] S407, the terminal device sends a second port packet indication message to the network device.

[0152] Specifically, the terminal device sends a second port group indication message to the network device, enabling the network device to know that the first reference signal port belongs to the first reference signal port group, the second reference signal port belongs to the second reference signal port group, or to know that the first and second reference signal ports belong to different reference signal port groups. The network device can then distinguish between the first reference signal received through the first reference signal port and the second reference signal received through the second reference signal port. For example, the second port group indication message indicates that reference signal ports #1, #2, #3, and #4 belong to the first reference signal port group, and reference signal ports #5, #6, #7, and #8 also belong to the first reference signal port group. Thus, the signal received by the network device through reference signal ports #1 and / or #2 and / or #3 and / or #4 is the first reference signal, and the signal received through reference signal ports #5 and / or #6 and / or #7 and / or #8 is the second reference signal. For example, the second port grouping indication information indicates that reference signal port #1 and reference signal port #2 belong to different reference signal port groups. The second port grouping indication information also indicates that reference signal port #1 corresponds to the first reference signal and reference signal port #2 corresponds to the second reference signal. The signal received by the network device through reference signal port #1 is the first reference signal, and the signal received through reference signal port #2 is the second reference signal.

[0153] Optionally, the second port packet indication information is carried in the uplink control information (UCI), or in the RRC configuration information, or in the MAC CE.

[0154] Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a communication method 500 provided in this application embodiment from the perspective of device interaction. This method 500 can be jointly executed by a network device (e.g., a base station, or a chip or device component in the base station used to implement related functions, etc., without specific limitation) and a terminal device (e.g., a UE, or a chip or device component in the UE used to implement related functions, etc., without specific limitation). Method 500 includes a series of steps or operations. It should be understood that the steps or operations in method 500 can be executed in various orders and / or occur simultaneously, and are not limited to the execution order shown in Figure 5. Method 500 may include steps S501 to S505, and the steps of method 500 are described in detail below.

[0155] S501, the terminal device sends a precoded instruction information (PMI) to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the PMI from the terminal device.

[0156] Specifically, the PMI indicates a first precoding matrix and a second precoding matrix, and the network device can obtain the first precoding matrix and the second precoding matrix based on the received PMI.

[0157] Optionally, the first precoding matrix indicates the precoding matrix corresponding to the first multistream data, and / or the second precoding matrix indicates the precoding matrix corresponding to the second multistream data. For example, the first precoding matrix has dimensions [T, L1, S1], where T indicates the number of CSI-RS ports used by the network device when transmitting CSI-RS, the number of CSI-RS ports being less than or equal to the number of antennas included in the network device, L1 indicating the number of first multi-stream data streams that the first antenna set corresponding to the first precoding matrix can receive, and S1 indicating the number of subbands included in the channel between the network device and the first antenna set of the terminal, T and S1 being positive integers, and L1 being a positive integer greater than 1; the second precoding matrix has dimensions [T, L2, S2], where T indicates the number of CSI-RS ports used by the network device when transmitting CSI-RS, the number of CSI-RS ports being less than or equal to the number of antennas included in the network device, L2 indicating the number of second multi-stream data streams that the second antenna set corresponding to the second precoding matrix can receive, and S2 indicating the number of subbands included in the channel between the network device and the second antenna set of the terminal, and L2 being a positive integer greater than 1.

[0158] Optionally, the first precoding matrix indicates the precoding matrix corresponding to a single stream of data, and / or, the second precoding matrix indicates the precoding matrix corresponding to a single stream of data. For example, the first precoding matrix has dimensions [T, S1], where T indicates the number of CSI-RS ports used by the network device when transmitting CSI-RS, the number of CSI-RS ports being less than or equal to the number of antennas included in the network device, and S1 indicates the number of subbands included in the channel between the network device and the terminal's first antenna set; the second precoding matrix has dimensions [T, S2], where T indicates the number of CSI-RS ports used by the network device when transmitting CSI-RS, the number of CSI-RS ports being less than or equal to the number of antennas included in the network device, and S2 indicates the number of subbands included in the channel between the network device and the terminal's second antenna set.

[0159] S502, the terminal device sends a first precoding matrix packet indication message to the network device. Correspondingly, the network device receives the first precoding matrix packet indication message from the terminal device.

[0160] Specifically, the first precoding matrix grouping indication information indicates that the first precoding matrix belongs to the first precoding matrix set. Optionally, the first precoding matrix grouping indication information also indicates that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first antenna set of the terminal device. By receiving the first precoding matrix grouping indication information from the terminal device, the network device can use the first precoding matrix to perform precoding operations on the data received by the first antenna set of the terminal device, thereby improving the data quality received by the first antenna set of the terminal device. Optionally, the first precoding matrix grouping indication information can indicate that the first precoding matrix belongs to the first precoding matrix set, or it can indicate that the second precoding matrix belongs to the second precoding matrix set, or it can indicate that both the first precoding matrix belongs to the first precoding matrix set and the second precoding matrix belongs to the second precoding matrix set simultaneously. This application does not specifically limit this. The following explanation uses the example of the first precoding matrix grouping indication information indicating that the first precoding matrix belongs to the first precoding matrix set.

[0161] S503, the network device sends a second instruction message to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second instruction message from the network device.

[0162] Specifically, the second indication information indicates that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first demodulation reference signal (DMRS) port group. Since the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first antenna set of the terminal device, the second indication information further indicates that the first antenna set of the terminal device corresponds to the first DMRS port group. Before the terminal device receives data using the antennas included in the first antenna set, it can first receive DMRS through the DMRS ports included in the first DMRS group to obtain reception weights that match the precoding (which can be the first precoding matrix or other precoding corresponding to the first antenna set), thereby improving the quality of the received data. For example, the first DMRS port group is the first DMRS port group among Q DMRS port groups. According to the second indication information, the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first DMRS port group among the Q DMRS port groups, and the terminal device can receive DMRS through the DMRS ports included in this first DMRS port group.

[0163] Optionally, the second indication information may indicate that the first precoding matrix set to which the first precoding matrix belongs corresponds to the first DMRS port group, or it may indicate that the second precoding matrix set to which the second precoding matrix belongs corresponds to the second DMRS port group, or it may simultaneously indicate that the first precoding matrix set to which the first precoding matrix belongs corresponds to the first DMRS port group and the second precoding matrix set to which the second precoding matrix belongs corresponds to the second DMRS port group. This application does not specifically limit this. The following description uses the example of the second indication information indicating that the first precoding matrix set to which the first precoding matrix belongs corresponds to the first DMRS port group for illustration.

[0164] Optionally, the second indication information indicates that the first precoding matrix set to which the first precoding matrix belongs corresponds to the first codeword. Thus, the terminal device can determine the DMRS port corresponding to the first precoding matrix set through the codeword corresponding to the first precoding matrix set. For example, the first codeword includes four data streams, each corresponding to a DMRS port. The four DMRS ports corresponding to the first codeword are: DMRS port #1, DMRS port #2, DMRS port #3, and DMRS port #4. The third codeword indication information indicates that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first codeword, that is, it indicates that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the four DMRS ports: DMRS port #1, DMRS port #2, DMRS port #3, and DMRS port #4. Furthermore, it indicates that the first antenna set of the terminal device corresponds to the four DMRS ports: DMRS port #1, DMRS port #2, DMRS port #3, and DMRS port #4. The four antennas in the first antenna set of the terminal device can receive DMRS data through these four DMRS ports.

[0165] Optionally, the second indication information indicates that the first antenna set associated with the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first codeword; the first antenna set includes at least one antenna of the terminal device. Thus, the terminal device can determine the DMRS port corresponding to the first antenna set through the codeword corresponding to the first antenna set. For example, the first codeword includes four data streams, each corresponding to a DMRS port. The four DMRS ports corresponding to the first codeword are: DMRS port #1, DMRS port #2, DMRS port #3, and DMRS port #4. The fourth codeword indication information indicating that the first antenna set corresponds to the first codeword indicates that the first antenna set corresponds to the four DMRS ports: DMRS port #1, DMRS port #2, DMRS port #3, and DMRS port #4. Thus, the four antennas in the first antenna set of the terminal device can receive DMRS through the four DMRS ports: DMRS port #1, DMRS port #2, DMRS port #3, and DMRS port #4.

[0166] Optionally, the second indication information further includes third DMRS port indication information, which indicates the last DMRS port included in at least one of the Q DMRS port groups; or, the third DMRS port indication information indicates the first DMRS port included in at least one of the Q DMRS port groups; the first DMRS port group is one of the Q DMRS port groups; Q is a positive integer greater than 1. Thus, the terminal device can learn which DMRS ports are included in the first DMRS port group corresponding to the first precoding matrix set. For example, each of the Q = 2 DMRS port groups contains four DMRS ports, wherein the first DMRS port group includes DMRS port #1, DMRS port #2, DMRS port #3, and DMRS port #4, and the second DMRS port group includes DMRS port #5, DMRS port #6, DMRS port #7, and DMRS port #8. The third DMRS port indication information can indicate DMRS port #4 or DMRS port #5. Thus, when the second indication information indicates that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first DMRS port group, the terminal device can learn that the first DMRS port group includes DMRS port #1, DMRS port #2, DMRS port #3, and DMRS port #4, and receive DMRS through DMRS port #1, DMRS port #2, DMRS port #3, and DMRS port #4. For example, each of the four DMRS port groups (Q = 4) contains two DMRS ports: the first DMRS port group includes DMRS port #1 and DMRS port #2; the second DMRS port group includes DMRS port #3 and DMRS port #4; the third DMRS port group includes DMRS port #5 and DMRS port #6; and the fourth DMRS port group includes DMRS port #7 and DMRS port #8. The third DMRS port indication information can indicate DMRS port #2, DMRS port #4, and DMRS port #6, or it can indicate DMRS port #3, DMRS port #5, and DMRS port #7. Thus, when the second indication information indicates that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the second DMRS port group, the terminal device can learn that the second DMRS port group includes DMRS port #3 and DMRS port #4, and receive DMRS through DMRS port #3 and DMRS port #4.

[0167] Optionally, the second indication information further includes fourth DMRS port indication information, which indicates the DMRS ports included in each of the Q DMRS port groups. Thus, the terminal device can determine which DMRS ports are included in the first DMRS port group corresponding to the first precoding matrix set. For example, the fourth DMRS port indication information indicates that the first DMRS port group in the Q = 2 DMRS port groups includes DMRS port #1, DMRS port #2, DMRS port #3, and DMRS port #4, and the second DMRS port group includes DMRS port #5, DMRS port #6, DMRS port #7, and DMRS port #8. Therefore, when the second indication information indicates that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first DMRS port group, the terminal device can determine that the first DMRS port group includes DMRS port #1, DMRS port #2, DMRS port #3, and DMRS port #4, and receive DMRS through DMRS port #1, DMRS port #2, DMRS port #3, and DMRS port #4. For example, the fourth DMRS port indication information indicates that the first DMRS port group in Q = 4 DMRS port groups includes DMRS port #1 and DMRS port #2, the second DMRS port group includes DMRS port #3 and DMRS port #4, the third DMRS port group includes DMRS port #5 and DMRS port #6, and the fourth DMRS port group includes DMRS port #7 and DMRS port #8. Thus, when the second indication information indicates that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the second DMRS port group, the terminal device can learn that the second DMRS port group includes DMRS port #3 and DMRS port #4, and receive DMRS through DMRS port #3 and DMRS port #4.

[0168] Optionally, the second indication information is carried in the second downlink control information (DCI), or in the first radio resource control (RRC) configuration information, or in the first media access control (MAC) control element (CE).

[0169] S504, the network device sends DMRS to the terminal device through the first DMRS port group.

[0170] Specifically, the network device transmits DMRS to the terminal device through at least one DMRS port included in the first DMRS port group. This DMRS is sent to the first antenna set of the terminal device.

[0171] S505, the terminal device receives DMRS through the first DMRS port group.

[0172] Accordingly, the first antenna set of the terminal device receives DMRS through at least one DMRS port included in the first DMRS port group indicated by the first indication information.

[0173] Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 600 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 600 includes a receiving module 601, which can be used to implement corresponding receiving functions. The receiving module 601 can also be referred to as a receiving unit.

[0174] The communication device 600 also includes a processing module 602, which can be used to implement corresponding processing functions.

[0175] The communication device 600 also includes a transmitting module 603, which can be used to implement the corresponding transmitting function. The transmitting module 603 can also be called a transmitting unit.

[0176] The communication device 600 can be used to perform the actions performed by the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments. In this case, the communication device 600 can be a component of the terminal device or network device. The receiving module 601 is used to perform receiving-related operations of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments. The processing module 602 is used to perform processing-related operations of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments. The sending module 603 is used to perform sending-related operations of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments.

[0177] As a design feature, the communication device 600 is used to perform actions performed by any device in the various method embodiments described above (method 400 or method 500). In one embodiment, the communication device 600 can be used to perform the operations of the terminal device shown in FIG4. For example:

[0178] The transmitting module 603 is used to transmit a first reference signal through a first reference signal port and a second reference signal through a second reference signal port.

[0179] The receiving module 601 is used to receive first indication information, which indicates that the first reference signal port group to which the first reference signal port belongs corresponds to the first demodulation reference signal DMRS port group.

[0180] It should be understood that the specific process of each module performing the above-mentioned steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0181] In addition, the receiving module 601, processing module 602 and transmitting module 603 in the communication device 600 can also implement other operations or functions of the terminal device in the above method, which will not be described in detail here.

[0182] Optionally, the communication device 600 may include a terminal device. Alternatively, the communication device 600 may be a component configured in the terminal device, such as a chip in the terminal device. In this case, the receiving module 601 and the transmitting module 603 may be interface circuits, etc. Specifically, the interface circuit may include input circuits and output circuits, wherein the receiving module 601 may include input circuits, the transmitting module 603 may include output circuits, and the processing module 602 may include processing circuits.

[0183] In one embodiment, the communication device 600 can be used to perform the operations of the network device shown in FIG4 above. For example:

[0184] The receiving module 601 is used to receive the first reference signal and the second reference signal.

[0185] The transmitting module 603 is used to transmit first indication information, which indicates that the first reference signal port group to which the first reference signal port belongs corresponds to the first demodulation reference signal DMRS port group.

[0186] In addition, the receiving module 601, processing module 602 and transmitting module 603 in the communication device 600 can also implement other operations or functions of the network device in the above method, which will not be described in detail here.

[0187] Optionally, the communication device 600 may include a network device. Alternatively, the communication device 600 may be a component configured in the network device, such as a chip in the network device. In this case, the receiving module 601 and the transmitting module 603 may be interface circuits, etc. Specifically, the interface circuit may include input circuits and output circuits, wherein the receiving module 601 may include input circuits, the transmitting module 603 may include output circuits, and the processing module 602 may include processing circuits.

[0188] In another embodiment, the communication device 600 can be used to perform the operations of the terminal device in FIG5. For example:

[0189] The transmitting module 603 is used to transmit precoding indication information PMI, which indicates the first precoding matrix and the second precoding matrix.

[0190] The receiving module 601 is used to receive second indication information, which indicates that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first demodulation reference signal DMRS port group.

[0191] It should be understood that the specific process of each module performing the above-mentioned steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0192] In addition, the receiving module 601, processing module 602 and transmitting module 603 in the communication device 600 can also implement other operations or functions of the terminal device in the above method, which will not be described in detail here.

[0193] Optionally, the communication device 600 may include a terminal device. Alternatively, the communication device 600 may be a component configured in the terminal device, such as a chip in the terminal device. In this case, the receiving module 601 and the transmitting module 603 may be interface circuits, etc. Specifically, the interface circuit may include input circuits and output circuits, wherein the receiving module 601 may include input circuits, the transmitting module 603 may include output circuits, and the processing module 602 may include processing circuits.

[0194] In one embodiment, the communication device 600 can be used to perform the operations of the network device shown in FIG5 above. For example:

[0195] The receiving module 601 is used to receive precoding indication information PMI, which indicates the first precoding matrix and the second precoding matrix.

[0196] The transmitting module 603 is used to transmit second indication information, which indicates that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first demodulation reference signal DMRS port group.

[0197] In addition, the receiving module 601, processing module 602 and transmitting module 603 in the communication device 600 can also implement other operations or functions of the network device in the above method, which will not be described in detail here.

[0198] Optionally, the communication device 600 may include a network device. Alternatively, the communication device 600 may be a component configured in the network device, such as a chip in the network device. In this case, the receiving module 601 and the transmitting module 603 may be interface circuits, etc. Specifically, the interface circuit may include input circuits and output circuits, wherein the receiving module 601 may include input circuits, the transmitting module 603 may include output circuits, and the processing module 602 may include processing circuits.

[0199] For details on how each module performs the corresponding steps described above, please refer to the above method implementation examples.

[0200] Figure 7 is a schematic structural diagram of another communication device 700 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 700 includes one or more processors 701, which are single-core or multi-core processors. Optionally, the communication device 700 may further include at least one memory 702, which stores computer programs or instructions and / or data. The memory 702 is coupled to the processor 701, and the processor 701 executes the computer programs or instructions and / or data stored in the memory 702, causing the methods (methods 400 or 500) in the above method embodiments to be executed. The coupling in the embodiments of this application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information interaction between devices, units, or modules.

[0201] Optionally, the communication device 700 may include one or more processors 701.

[0202] Alternatively, the memory 702 can be integrated with the processor 701, or it can be set separately.

[0203] The communication device 700 may further include a transceiver 703 for communicating with other devices via a transmission medium, thereby enabling the device to communicate with other devices. Optionally, the transceiver 703 may be an interface, a bus, a circuit, or a device capable of transmitting and receiving functions.

[0204] Alternatively, the device in transceiver 703 used to implement the receiving function can be regarded as a receiving module, and the device in transceiver 703 used to implement the transmitting function can be regarded as a transmitting module. That is, transceiver 703 includes a receiver and a transmitter.

[0205] This application embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the processor 701, memory 702, and transceiver 703. In Figure 7, the processor 701, memory 702, and transceiver 703 are connected via a bus, which is represented by a thick line. The connection methods between other components are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting. The bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc.

[0206] For ease of representation, only one thick line is used in Figure 7, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0207] Optionally, as shown in FIG7, the communication device 700 may further include a transceiver 703 and / or a communication interface, the transceiver 703 and / or the communication interface being used for receiving and / or transmitting signals. For example, the processor 701 is used to control the transceiver 703 and / or the communication interface to receive and / or transmit data.

[0208] A transceiver is sometimes also called a transceiver unit, transceiver module, or transceiver circuit. A receiver is sometimes also called a receiver unit, receiver module, or receiver circuit. A transmitter is sometimes also called a transmitter, transmitter module, or transmitter circuit.

[0209] For example, in one embodiment, processor 701 is configured to implement other operations or functions of the terminal device. Transceiver 703 is used to enable communication between communication device 700 and network device.

[0210] In another embodiment, processor 701 is configured to implement other operations or functions of the network device. Transceiver 703 is used to enable communication between communication device 700 and terminal device.

[0211] One or more of the above modules or units can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of both. When any of the above modules or units is implemented by software, the software exists as computer program instructions and is stored in memory. The processor can be used to execute the program instructions and implement the above method flow. The processor can include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), or an artificial intelligence processor, etc., and various computing devices that run software. Each computing device may include one or more cores for executing software instructions to perform calculations or processing. The processor can be built into a system-on-chip (SoC) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or it can be a separate semiconductor chip. In addition to the cores for executing software instructions to perform calculations or processing, the processor may further include necessary hardware accelerators, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or logic circuits that implement dedicated logic operations.

[0212] When the above modules or units are implemented in hardware, the hardware can be any one or any combination of CPU, microprocessor, DSP, MCU, artificial intelligence processor, ASIC, SoC, FPGA, PLD, special purpose digital circuit, hardware accelerator or non-integrated discrete device, which can run the necessary software or perform the above method flow independently of software.

[0213] When the above modules or units are implemented using software, they can be implemented in whole or in part as a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state disk (SSD)).

[0214] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of this application. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made on the basis of the technical solution of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

[0215] This application provides a communication device 800, which may be a terminal device, a network device, or a chip. The communication device 800 can be used to perform the operations executed by the terminal device or the network device in the above-described method embodiments (method 400 or method 500).

[0216] When the communication device 800 is a terminal device or a network device, Figure 8 shows a simplified structural diagram of the terminal device or network device. The terminal device or network device includes part 810 and part 820. Part 810 includes an antenna and radio frequency (RF) circuitry. The antenna is mainly used for transmitting and receiving RF signals, and the RF circuitry is mainly used for converting RF signals to baseband signals. Part 820 includes a memory and a processor, mainly used for baseband processing and controlling model management network elements. Part 810 is often referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, or transceiver. Part 820 is usually the control center of the terminal device or network device, often referred to as a processing unit, used to control the terminal device or network device to perform the processing operations of the terminal device or network device in the above method embodiments.

[0217] Optionally, the devices in section 810 used to implement the receiving function can be regarded as receiving units, and the devices used to implement the transmitting function can be regarded as transmitting units. That is, section 810 includes receiving units and transmitting units. The receiving unit can also be called a receiver, receiver circuit, etc., and the transmitting unit can be called a transmitter, transmitter, or transmitting circuit, etc.

[0218] When data needs to be transmitted, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit then processes the baseband signal and transmits it outward as an electromagnetic wave through the antenna. When data is sent to the model management network element, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts it into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor. The processor then converts the baseband signal back into data and processes it.

[0219] Part 820 may include one or more boards, each board may include one or more processors and one or more memories. For ease of illustration, only one memory and processor are shown in Figure 8. The processor is used to read and execute programs in the memory to implement baseband processing functions and control the model management network elements. If multiple boards exist, they can be interconnected to enhance processing capabilities. As an optional implementation, multiple boards may share one or more processors, or multiple boards may share one or more memories.

[0220] It should be understood that Figure 8 is merely an example and not a limitation, and the terminal device or network device described above, including the transceiver unit and the processing unit, may not depend on the structure shown in Figure 8.

[0221] When the device 800 is a chip, the chip includes a transceiver unit and a processing unit. The transceiver unit can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processing unit is a processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit integrated on the chip.

[0222] This application embodiment also provides another communication device 900, which can be a terminal device or a chip. The communication device 900 can be used to perform the operations performed by the terminal device in the above-described method embodiments (method 400 or method 500).

[0223] When the communication device 900 is a terminal device, Figure 9 shows a simplified structural diagram of the terminal device. As shown in Figure 9, the terminal device includes a processor, memory, radio frequency circuitry, antenna, and input / output devices. The processor is mainly used for processing communication protocols and communication data, controlling the terminal device, executing software programs, and processing data from the software programs. The memory is mainly used for storing software programs and data. The radio frequency circuitry is mainly used for converting baseband signals to radio frequency signals and processing radio frequency signals. The antenna is mainly used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touchscreens, displays, and keyboards, are mainly used for receiving user input data and outputting data to the user. It should be noted that some types of terminal devices may not have input / output devices.

[0224] When data needs to be sent, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be sent and outputs a baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit then processes the baseband signal and transmits it outward as an electromagnetic wave through the antenna. When data is sent to the terminal device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts it into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor. The processor converts the baseband signal back into data and processes it. For ease of explanation, Figure 7 only shows one memory and one processor. In actual terminal device products, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories. The memory can also be called a storage medium or storage device, etc. The memory can be set up independently of the processor or integrated with the processor; this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0225] In the embodiments of this application, the antenna and radio frequency circuit with transceiver function can be regarded as the transceiver unit of the terminal device, and the processor with processing function can be regarded as the processing unit of the terminal device.

[0226] As shown in Figure 9, the terminal device includes a transceiver unit 10 and a processing unit 20. The transceiver unit 10 can also be referred to as a transceiver, transceiver device, or transceiver circuit, etc. The processing unit 20 can also be referred to as a processor, processing board, processing module, or processing device, etc.

[0227] Optionally, the devices in transceiver unit 10 used to implement the receiving function can be regarded as receiving units, and the devices in transceiver unit 10 used to implement the transmitting function can be regarded as transmitting units. That is, transceiver unit 10 includes receiving units and transmitting units. The receiving unit may also be called a receiver, receiver device, receiving circuit, etc. The transmitting unit may also be called a transmitter, transmitter, transmitting device, transmitting circuit, etc.

[0228] It should be understood that Figure 9 is merely an example and not a limitation, and the terminal device described above, including the transceiver unit and the processing unit, may not depend on the structure shown in Figure 9.

[0229] When the device 900 includes a chip 30, the chip 30 includes a processing unit 20. The processing unit can be a processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit integrated on the chip.

[0230] Optionally, chip 30 also includes a storage unit.

[0231] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a computer program product, which includes: computer program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to execute the method of the terminal device in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0232] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a computer program product, which includes: computer program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of the network device in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0233] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a computer program product, which includes: computer program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of the network-side device in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0234] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a computer program product, which includes: computer program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to execute the method of the terminal-side device in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0235] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a computer-readable medium storing program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of the terminal device in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0236] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a computer-readable medium storing program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of the network device in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0237] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a computer-readable medium storing program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of the network-side device in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0238] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a computer-readable medium storing program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method of the terminal-side device in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0239] This application also provides a processing device, including a processor and an interface; the processor is used to execute the communication method in any of the above method embodiments.

[0240] This application also provides a communication system, which includes a terminal device and a network device as described in the above embodiments.

[0241] As used in this specification, the terms "component," "module," "system," etc., are used to refer to computer-related entities, hardware, firmware, combinations of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable file, an execution thread, a program, and / or a computer. As illustrated, applications running on computing devices and computing devices can both be components. One or more components may reside in a process and / or an execution thread, and components may be located on a single computer and / or distributed among two or more computers. Furthermore, these components can be executed from various computer-readable media on which various data structures are stored. Components can communicate, for example, via local and / or remote processes based on signals having one or more data packets (e.g., data from two components interacting with another component between a local system, a distributed system, and / or a network, such as the Internet interacting with other systems via signals).

[0242] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0243] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0244] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0245] It should be understood that "at least one" in the embodiments of this application refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to 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. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, and c can represent: a, or, b, or, c, or, a and b, or, a and c, or, b and c, or, a, b, and c. Here, a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0246] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0247] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0248] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal device, the method includes: A first reference signal is sent through the first reference signal port, and a second reference signal is sent through the second reference signal port. Receive first indication information, the first indication information indicating that the first reference signal port group to which the first reference signal port belongs corresponds to the first demodulation reference signal DMRS port group; DMRS is received through at least one DMRS port included in the first DMRS port group.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive first port group indication information, which indicates that the first reference signal port belongs to the first reference signal port group.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second port group indication message, which indicates that the first reference signal port belongs to the first reference signal port group.

4. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a network device, the method includes: The first reference signal is received through the first reference signal port, and the second reference signal is received through the second reference signal port. Send a first indication message, the first indication message indicating that the first reference signal port group to which the first reference signal port belongs corresponds to the first demodulation reference signal DMRS port group; DMRS is transmitted through at least one DMRS port included in the first DMRS port group.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a first port group indication message, which indicates that the first reference signal port belongs to the first reference signal port group.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive second port group indication information, which indicates that the first reference signal port belongs to the first reference signal port group.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The first indication information indicating that the first reference signal port group corresponds to the first DMRS port group includes: the first indication information indicating that the first reference signal port group corresponds to the first codeword.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The first indication information indicating that the first reference signal port group corresponds to the first DMRS port group includes: the first indication information indicating that the first antenna set transmitting the first reference signal corresponds to the first codeword; the first antenna set includes at least one antenna of the terminal device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The first indication information includes first DMRS port indication information, which indicates the last DMRS port included in at least one of the Q DMRS port groups; or, the first DMRS port indication information indicates the first DMRS port included in at least one of the Q DMRS port groups; the first DMRS port group is one of the Q DMRS port groups; Q is a positive integer greater than 1.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The first indication information includes second DMRS port indication information, which indicates the DMRS ports included in each of the Q DMRS port groups, where Q is a positive integer greater than 1.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The first indication information is carried in the first downlink control information (DCI), or in the first radio resource control (RRC) configuration information, or in the first media access control (MAC) control element (CE).

12. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal device, the method includes: Send a precoding indication information (PMI), the PMI indicating a first precoding matrix and a second precoding matrix; Send a first precoding matrix grouping indication message, the first precoding matrix grouping indication message indicating that the first precoding matrix belongs to a first precoding matrix set; Receive second indication information, the second indication information indicating that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first demodulation reference signal DMRS port group; DMRS is received through at least one DMRS port included in the first DMRS port group.

13. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a network device, the method includes: Receive precoding indication information (PMI), wherein the PMI indicates a first precoding matrix and a second precoding matrix; Receive first precoding matrix grouping indication information, the first precoding matrix grouping indication information indicating that the first precoding matrix belongs to the first precoding matrix set; Send a second indication message, which indicates that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first demodulation reference signal DMRS port group; DMRS is transmitted through at least one DMRS port included in the first DMRS port group.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The second indication information indicating that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first DMRS port group includes: the second indication information indicating that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first codeword.

15. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The second indication information indicating that the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first DMRS port group includes: the second indication information indicating that the first antenna set associated with the first precoding matrix set corresponds to the first codeword; the first antenna set includes at least one antenna for the terminal device.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12-15, characterized in that, The second indication information includes third DMRS port indication information, which indicates the last DMRS port included in at least one of the Q DMRS port groups; or, the third DMRS port indication information indicates the first DMRS port included in at least one of the Q DMRS port groups; the first DMRS port group is one of the Q DMRS port groups; Q is a positive integer greater than 1.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12-15, characterized in that, The second indication information also includes fourth DMRS port indication information, which indicates the DMRS ports included in each of the Q DMRS port groups.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12-17, characterized in that, The second indication information is carried in the second downlink control information (DCI), or in the second radio resource control (RRC) configuration information, or in the second media access control (MAC) control element (CE).

19. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor coupled to a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the communication device to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, 7-11, or cause the communication device to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 4-11, or cause the communication device to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 12, 14-18, or cause the communication device to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 13-18.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes logic circuitry and an input / output interface. The logic circuitry is coupled to the input / output interface and transmits data through the input / output interface. The communication device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-3 and 7-11, or to perform the method as described in any one of claims 4-11, or to perform the method as described in any one of claims 12 and 14-18, or to perform the method as described in any one of claims 13-18.

21. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, 7-11, or as claimed in any one of claims 4-11, or as claimed in any one of claims 12, 14-18, or as claimed in any one of claims 13-18.

22. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes: a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-3, 7-11, or any one of claims 4-11, or any one of claims 12, 14-18, or any one of claims 13-18.

23. A chip system, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and a memory, the memory being used to store a computer program, and the processor being used to invoke and run the computer program stored in the memory to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-3, 7-11, or the method as described in any one of claims 4-11, or the method as described in any one of claims 12, 14-18, or the method as described in any one of claims 13-18.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes units or modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 1-3, 7-11, or units or modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 4-11, or units or modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 12, 14-18, or units or modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 13-18.

Images