Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and a related apparatus. In the method, a network device may send first information to each of a plurality of terminal devices in a first group, such that the plurality of terminal devices have a first decoding capability and obtain a first decoding mode. The network device sends second information to the plurality of terminal devices, and the terminal devices having the first decoding capability may decode the second information on the basis of the first decoding mode, so as to obtain a time-domain resource, a frequency-domain resource and a code-domain resource that are carried in the second information. Therefore, the plurality of terminal devices can transmit data on the same time-domain resource, the same frequency-domain resource and different code-domain resources. In this way, the plurality of terminal devices can be multiplexed on the same time-frequency resource, such that interference caused by simultaneous data transmission of the plurality of terminal devices is reduced, thereby improving the uplink user capacity.

Description

A communication method and related apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510125982.5, filed on January 26, 2025, entitled “A Communication Method and Related Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and related apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] In scenarios where a terminal device transmits uplink data to a network device, when the uplink transmit power of the terminal device is limited, for example, when the uplink transmit power is less than the minimum power threshold for the network device to receive signals (i.e., the network device's threshold value), the terminal device may need to perform repeated uplink transmissions so that the network device can receive the data from the terminal device.

[0004] Typically, there are multiple terminal devices within the area served by a network device. When a large number of terminal devices are in a state of limited uplink transmission power, these terminal devices may occupy a lot of time resources to perform repeated uplink transmissions, thereby affecting data transmission between the terminal devices and the network device. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The communication method and related apparatus provided in this application embodiment can reuse multiple terminal devices on the same time and frequency resources, reduce interference when multiple terminal devices send data at the same time, and improve uplink user capacity.

[0006] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method applied to a network device, the method comprising:

[0007] Send a first message, wherein the first message is used to indicate that the terminal device in the first group has a first decoding capability;

[0008] Send a second message, wherein the second message is encoded based on a first encoding method, the first decoding method corresponding to the first decoding capability corresponds to the first encoding method, and the second message carries time domain resources, frequency domain resources and code domain resources;

[0009] The third information is received based on the time domain resources and the frequency domain resources, wherein the third information is encoded based on the code domain resources, and the code domain resources are decoded based on the first decoding method.

[0010] The first information may include, but is not limited to, higher-layer signaling, such as radio resource control (RRC) signaling. As an example, the first information is carried in RRC signaling.

[0011] In this embodiment of the application, the network device can determine whether the terminal device needs to perform repeated transmission based on at least one of the signal strength and uplink transmission power of the terminal device. When the number of terminal devices that need to perform repeated transmission is greater than the number threshold, the network device can divide these terminal devices that need to perform repeated transmission into the same group, such as the first group, so as to reuse the time and frequency resources of the terminal devices in the first group in subsequent communications.

[0012] In one implementation, a multi-user communication system can spread a signal by constructing a set of codewords, allowing multiple users to share the same time and frequency domain resources. For example, the transmitting end (e.g., a terminal device) can spread the signal by multiplying the user's signal with its corresponding codeword, enhancing the signal's anti-interference capability and enabling signals from multiple users (multiple terminal devices) to be transmitted on the same frequency band. Alternatively, the receiving end (e.g., a network device) can distinguish the signals of different users (different terminal devices) through the orthogonality of the codewords. This allows for accurate reconstruction of the data transmitted by different users, resulting in high spectrum utilization and anti-interference capabilities, and supporting simultaneous communication by multiple users.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the first information includes a first identifier and a second identifier, wherein the first identifier is used to indicate that the terminal device in the first group has the first decoding capability, and the second identifier is used to indicate the first decoding method.

[0014] Optionally, the second identifier can be a radio network temporary identifier (RNTI), where the RNTI is used to identify different purposes, including distinguishing different users, different transmission modes, or different functions. In this application embodiment, a group RNTI (occGroup-RNTI) is defined for grouping terminal devices performing uplink transmission multiplexing.

[0015] Optionally, the network device scrambles the second information according to the first encoding method corresponding to the second identifier, such as the groupID in occGroup-RNTI, and then sends the scrambled second information to the terminal device in the first group. Further, the terminal device in the first group determines that it has a first decoding capability based on the first identifier. If the terminal device has the first decoding capability, it can descramble / decode the second information based on the second identifier, i.e., according to occGroup-RNTI, to obtain the information carried in the second information.

[0016] In the above method, the network device scrambles the second information using occGroup-RNTI. If the terminal device is unaware of the occGroup-RNTI, even if it receives the second information, it cannot correctly decode it. Therefore, the network device can distinguish different users (or terminal devices) in the network using the second identifier carried in the first information. Furthermore, the network device assigns a first decoding capability to the terminal device in the first packet using the first identifier carried in the first information, and assigns a first decoding method to the terminal device in the first packet using the aforementioned second identifier. This allows the terminal device in the first packet to decode the configuration parameters carried in the second information, while preventing terminal devices outside the first packet from correctly decoding the second information.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the first information further includes a first index for identifying terminal devices in the first group.

[0018] In the above method, the network device sends first information to the terminal devices in the first group based on the index corresponding to the terminal devices in the first group. Accordingly, the terminal device corresponding to the first index can determine whether to process or discard the received first information based on the first index. Further, if the terminal device determines to process the first information, it can determine a first decoding method based on the second identifier carried in the first information, and determine that subsequent received information can be decoded according to the first decoding method based on the first identifier carried in the first information. Thus, the network device can schedule terminal devices based on the first index, and the terminal devices can determine whether to process the received information based on the first index, improving the scheduling flexibility of the network device and reducing the overhead of information processing by the terminal devices.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the second information further includes at least one second index for identifying a terminal device in the first group, the number of second indices being less than or equal to the number of first indices, and the terminal device represented by the second index having the ability to use the time-domain resources, the frequency-domain resources, and the code-domain resources.

[0020] In the above method, in this embodiment of the application, the network device divides multiple terminal devices that need to be repeatedly transmitted into the same group (e.g., the first group), and then sends the second information to the terminal devices in the first group. Compared with the network device sending the second information directly to the multiple terminal devices without dividing them into groups, this embodiment of the application only needs to send one piece of the second information, without having to send the corresponding number of second information to the multiple terminal devices separately, thus saving signaling overhead, saving communication resources, and improving scheduling efficiency.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the second information includes the number of transmissions, which indicates the number of times the terminal device transmits the third information on the time domain resources and the frequency domain resources.

[0022] In the above method, the number of transmissions can be understood as the number of times the terminal device repeatedly transmits data to the network device. Taking the terminal device's repeated transmission in units of time slots as an example, the number of transmissions can be understood as the number of time slots allocated to the terminal device. For example, if the number of transmissions is 5, the terminal device is also allocated 5 time slots. Furthermore, the terminal device can determine the allocated time slots based on the time domain resources carried in the second information and the number of transmissions. For example, if the starting position indicated by the time domain resources is time slot 3 and the number of transmissions is 3, the terminal device can repeatedly transmit in time slots 3, 4, and 5 respectively. Thus, the network device can instruct the terminal device to allocate resources based on the starting position of the time domain resources and the number of transmissions, improving the flexibility of network device scheduling and reducing communication resource overhead.

[0023] In some implementations, the resource allocation information carried by the second information includes time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, and code-domain resources. The time-domain resources include the starting position of the time-domain resources indicated by the second information. In some embodiments, the code-domain resources include, but are not limited to, orthogonal codes or spreading codes. Orthogonal codes, also known as channelization codes, are used to carry information, such as Orthogonal Cover Codes (OCC), Walsh codes, and OVSF codes. Spread codes, also known as scrambling codes or PN pseudo-random sequences, are used to randomize information, such as Gold sequences. This application does not limit the type of code-domain resources.

[0024] Optionally, the terminal device may not receive any other second information besides the aforementioned second information during the time period indicated by the time-domain resources and transmission count in the second information. This reduces the computational load on the terminal device for parsing the second information and improves the efficiency of repeated transmissions.

[0025] Secondly, this application provides a communication method applied to a terminal device, the method comprising:

[0026] Receive first information, wherein the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device belongs to a first group, and the first information is also used to indicate that the terminal device has a first decoding capability;

[0027] Receive second information, wherein the second information is encoded based on the first encoding method, the first decoding method corresponding to the first decoding capability corresponds to the first encoding method, and the second information carries time domain resources, frequency domain resources and code domain resources;

[0028] The third information is transmitted based on the time domain resources and the frequency domain resources, wherein the third information is encoded based on the code domain resources, and the code domain resources are decoded based on the first decoding method.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the first information includes a first identifier and a second identifier, wherein the first identifier is used to indicate that the terminal device has the first decoding capability, and the second identifier is used to indicate the first decoding method.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the first information further includes a first index, which is an index of the terminal device, and the first index is used to identify the terminal device in the first group.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the second information further includes at least one second index for identifying terminal devices in the first group, wherein the number of the second indexes is less than or equal to the number of the first indexes;

[0032] If the terminal device has a second index in at least one second index, the terminal device may use the time domain resources, the frequency domain resources, and the code domain resources.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the second information includes the number of transmissions, and the transmission of the third information based on the time-domain resources and the frequency-domain resources includes:

[0034] The third information is transmitted on the time domain resources and the frequency domain resources based on the number of transmissions.

[0035] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that can be used in the network device of the first aspect, or it can be a device in the network device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit), or a device that can be matched with the network device, or it can be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the network device.

[0036] In one possible implementation, the communication device may include modules or units that perform the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the first aspect. These modules or units may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software.

[0037] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device that can be used in the terminal device of the second aspect, or it can be a device in the terminal device (e.g., a chip, a chip system, or a circuit), or a device that can be matched with the terminal device, or it can be a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the terminal device.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the communication device may include modules or units that perform the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the second aspect one by one. These modules or units may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software.

[0039] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes at least one processor and a communication interface; the communication interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information, and the at least one processor is used to call a computer program stored in at least one memory to implement the method described in any of the embodiments of the first or second aspect.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes at least one of the aforementioned memories. Optionally, the memory and processor are integrated together.

[0041] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes a logic circuit and an interface, the logic circuit and the interface being coupled; the interface is used to input and / or output information, and the logic circuit is used to implement the method described in any of the embodiments of the first to second aspects.

[0042] In one possible implementation of the sixth aspect, the communication device is a chip or chip system.

[0043] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system including a first communication device and a second communication device, which are communicatively connected. The first communication device is used to implement the method of any embodiment of the second aspect, and the second communication device is used to implement the method of any embodiment of the first aspect.

[0044] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing instructions or computer programs; when the instructions or computer programs are executed, they implement the method of any one of the embodiments of the first to second aspects.

[0045] Ninthly, this application provides a computer program product including computer instructions that, when executed on at least one processor, can implement the methods described in any of the first to second aspects or any possible implementations thereof. Exemplarily, the computer program product can be a software installation package, which can be downloaded and executed on a computing device when the aforementioned methods are required.

[0046] The beneficial effects of the technical solutions provided in the second to ninth aspects of this application can be referred to the beneficial effects of the technical solutions in the first aspect, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0047] The accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of this application are described below.

[0048] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0051] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a time-domain resource provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 70 provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 8 is a structural schematic diagram of another communication device 80 provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0056] The terminology used in the following embodiments of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this application. As used in the specification and appended claims of this application, the singular expressions “a,” “an,” “the,” “the,” “the,” and “this” are intended to include the plural expressions as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used in this application refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more of the listed items.

[0057] Hereinafter, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as implying or suggesting relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature, and in the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" means two or more.

[0058] Typically, the uplink transmit power of a terminal device is limited when it is lower than the minimum power threshold for the network device to receive signals (i.e., the network device's threshold). When the uplink transmit power of a terminal device is limited, the network device may have difficulty receiving data transmitted in a single transmission. The terminal device can then repeatedly transmit data to the network device to ensure that the network device receives the data from the terminal device.

[0059] However, there are usually multiple terminal devices in the area served by network equipment. Among these terminal devices, there may be terminal devices in the uplink transmit power limited state. When there are a large number of terminal devices in the uplink transmit power limited state, these terminal devices may occupy a lot of time resources to perform uplink repeated transmissions, thereby reducing the utilization rate of transmission resources.

[0060] For example, in a New Radio-Non-Terrestrial Network (NR-NTN) system, the beam of an NTN network device (such as a satellite) can cover an area of ​​tens to hundreds of kilometers, within which there are numerous terminal devices. Due to the long distance between the terminal devices and the satellite, a significant number of terminal devices may be in a state of limited uplink transmission power; for example, terminal device 1 and terminal device 2 may be in a state of limited uplink transmission power. When terminal devices 1 and 2 need to transmit uplink data, both terminal devices 1 and 2 need to perform time-repeated transmissions to improve the receiving power of the network device. To reduce interference when terminal devices 1 and 2 transmit data, they can transmit data separately on different time resources. For example, terminal device 1 may repeat data transmission three times in sequence on time slots 0, 1, and 2, while terminal device 2 may repeat data transmission four times in sequence on time slots 3 to 6. Thus, time slots 0 to 6 are all used for repeated transmissions, consuming a significant amount of transmission resources and potentially affecting other data transmission tasks between the terminal devices and the network device.

[0061] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method. A network device can send first information to multiple terminal devices in an uplink transmit power limited state, indicating the first decoding capability of the multiple terminal devices. The network device sends second information to the multiple terminal devices, and the terminal devices decode the second information based on a first decoding method corresponding to the first decoding capability to obtain the time domain resources, frequency domain resources, and code domain resources carried by the second information. This enables multiple terminal devices to transmit data on the same time domain resources, the same frequency domain resources, and different code domain resources, realizing the multiplexing of multiple terminal devices on the same time and frequency resources, reducing interference when multiple terminal devices transmit data simultaneously, and improving uplink user capacity.

[0062] The system architecture used in the embodiments of this application is described below. It should be noted that the system architecture and business scenarios described in this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0063] Please refer to Figure 1, which is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication system shown in Figure 1 includes one network device and multiple terminal devices, or includes multiple network devices and one terminal device. A single network device can transmit data or control signaling to one or more terminal devices, and correspondingly, multiple network devices can simultaneously transmit data or control signaling to a single terminal device.

[0064] It is understandable that the communication system illustrates a terminal device, a network device, and a network management device. In actual use, an architecture of at least one terminal device and / or at least one network device and / or at least one network management device may be adopted as needed.

[0065] In this embodiment, the terminal devices involved may include various handheld devices, vehicle-mounted devices, wearable devices, computing devices, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem with wireless communication capabilities. The terminal device 120 shown in Figure 1 may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc., or a device used to provide voice or data connectivity to users, or an Internet of Things (IoT) device. For example, terminal devices include handheld devices and vehicle-mounted devices with wireless connectivity. Currently, terminal devices can include: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices (such as smartwatches, smart bracelets, pedometers, smart glasses, etc.), in-vehicle devices (such as cars, bicycles, electric vehicles, airplanes, ships, trains, high-speed trains, etc.), satellite terminals, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, point-of-sale (POS) machines, customer-premises equipment (CPE), light user equipment (UE), reduced capability user equipment (REDCAP UE), wireless terminals in industrial control, smart home devices (such as refrigerators, televisions, air conditioners, electricity meters, etc.), intelligent robots, robotic arms, workshop equipment, wireless terminals in autonomous driving, wireless terminals in telemedicine, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, or wireless terminals in smart homes, and flying equipment (such as intelligent robots, hot air balloons, drones, airplanes), etc. Terminal devices can also be vehicle devices, such as vehicle devices, vehicle modules, vehicle chips, on-board units (OBUs) or telematics boxes (T-BOXs). Terminal devices can also be other devices with terminal functions. For example, a terminal device can also be a device that performs terminal functions in D2D communication.

[0066] Typically, network device 110 can be a node in a radio access network (RAN), such as a wireless relay device and / or a wireless backhaul device (not shown in Figure 1). Network device 110 may also be referred to as an access network device or a RAN node (or device), forming part of a communication system to help terminal devices achieve wireless access. Network device 110 can also be a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) related cellular system, such as a 4th generation (4G) mobile communication system, a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system, an NTN (non-terrestrial network) system, or a future-oriented evolution system (such as a 6th generation (6G) mobile communication system). Network device 110 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system, or a communication system integrating two or more of the above systems.

[0067] The multiple network devices 110 in the communication system 1000 can be nodes of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of network devices 110 and terminal devices 120 are relative. For example, network element 120i in Figure 1 can be a helicopter or a drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminal devices 120j that access RAN 100 through network element 120i, network element 120i is a base station; but for base station 110a, network element 120i is a terminal device. Network devices 110 and terminal devices 120 are sometimes referred to as communication devices. For example, network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal device functions. Terminal devices 120 are connected to network devices 110 wirelessly. Network devices 110 are connected to the core network wirelessly or via wired connection. The core network equipment and network equipment 110 in the core network can be different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device that integrates core network logical functions and wireless access network logical functions.

[0068] In one possible scenario, network equipment can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a transmission point (TP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future mobile communication system, a satellite, or an access point (AP) in a WiFi system, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, or a network device in a mobile switching center non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication system, meaning it can be deployed on high-altitude platforms or satellites. Network equipment can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 1, 110a), a micro base station or indoor station (as shown in Figure 1, 110b), a relay node or donor node, or a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. Network equipment can also function as a base station in device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, drone communication, and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication. Alternatively, network equipment can also be servers, wearable devices, vehicles, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU).

[0069] In another possible scenario, multiple network devices collaborate to assist terminal devices in achieving wireless access, with each network device performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, these network devices can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), or radio units (RUs). CUs and DUs can be configured separately or included in the same network element, such as the baseband unit (BBU). The CU and DU nodes separate the gNB's protocol layers; some protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining partial or complete protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU. As one implementation, the CU deploys the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer, PDCP layer, and Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer in the protocol stack; the DU deploys the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, Media Access Control (MAC) layer, and Physical Layer (PHY) in the protocol stack. Thus, the CU has the processing capabilities of RRC, PDCP, and SDAP. The DU has the processing capabilities of RLC, MAC, and PHY. It is understood that the above functional division is merely an example and does not constitute a limitation on the CU and DU. The RU can be included in radio equipment or radio units, such as in a remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), or remote radio head (RRH). It is understood that the network device can be a CU node, a DU node, or a device including both CU and DU nodes. Furthermore, the CU can be classified as a network device in the access network RAN ​​or as a network device in the core network CN; there is no restriction on this.

[0070] In this application, the core network equipment refers to equipment in the core network (CN) that provides service support for terminal equipment. Examples of core network equipment include: access and mobility management function (AMF) entities, session management function (SMF) entities, user plane function (UPF) entities, etc., which are not listed here. The AMF entity is responsible for access management and mobility management of the terminal equipment; the SMF entity is responsible for session management, such as user session establishment; and the UPF entity can be a user plane functional entity, primarily responsible for connecting to external networks. It should be noted that in this application, entities can also be referred to as network elements or functional entities. For example, an AMF entity can also be called an AMF network element or an AMF functional entity, and an SMF entity can also be called an SMF network element or an SMF functional entity, etc.

[0071] In this embodiment, the network management device involved can be a network operations administration and maintenance (OAM) network element or a service management and orchestration (SMO) network element. The OAM network element includes a network management system (NMS) and an element management system (EMS). The NMS, also known as a cross-domain management system, is responsible for the operation, management, and maintenance of the network. The EMS, also known as a domain management system or single-domain management system, manages one or more network elements of a specific category. The NMS can directly manage the EMS. The EMS in the RAN domain can directly manage network elements in the RAN domain, such as base stations (gNodeB, gNB). The EMS in the CN domain can directly manage network elements in the CN domain, such as network data analytics function (NWDAF) network elements. The gNB exists in the RAN domain.

[0072] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. It should be understood that Figure 2 illustrates a non-terrestrial communication system, or satellite communication system, to which the technical solution provided in this application is applicable. As shown in Figure 2, the communication system 20 may include at least one terminal device 210 and at least one network device 220. Exemplarily, terminal device 210 may include terminal device 210a and / or terminal device 210b, and network device 220 may include satellite 220a and / or satellite 220b. Network device 220 can communicate directly with terminal device 210, or it can communicate with terminal device 210 through a relay station, such as a relay satellite. It should be understood that network device 220 may include one or more satellites. Satellites can provide communication services, navigation services, and positioning services to terminal devices through multiple beams. Satellites use multiple beams to cover the service area, and different beams can communicate through one or more of time division, frequency division, and space division. Inter-satellite links can be established between satellites, and satellites can process and forward data according to protocols. The communication system 20 may also include a connection device 230, such as a gateway, wherein the network device 220 can communicate with the connection device 230, and the connection device 230 can communicate with the core network 240. It should be understood that Figure 2 is merely an example; in real-world scenarios, the communication system 20 may also include other types of network devices and / or other types of terminal devices, or it may include more or fewer satellites and more or fewer terminal devices. In possible scenarios, the network devices may also include other non-terrestrial devices (or flying devices), such as drones.

[0073] In this application embodiment, the satellite communication system may include a transparent transmission mode and a non-transparent transmission mode. Transparent transmission, also known as bend-tube relay transmission, means that the signal only undergoes frequency conversion and signal amplification on the satellite. Non-transparent transmission can be called regenerative (on-board access / processing) transmission, meaning the satellite has some or all of the base station functions. The satellite involved in this application embodiment refers to an artificial satellite. The satellite can be a satellite base station, or it may include an orbital receiver or repeater for relaying information, or network equipment carried on the satellite; the satellite can be a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a middle Earth orbit (MEO) satellite, a highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite, a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, or a non-geostationary orbit (NGEO) satellite, etc. This application does not impose any limitations on this. It should be understood that the solutions in this application embodiment can also be applied to other communication systems, and the corresponding names can be replaced by the names of the corresponding functions in other communication systems.

[0074] Optionally, the communication between each network device and each terminal in the communication system shown in Figures 1 and / or 2 can also be represented in another form, as shown in Figure 3. The communication system includes a terminal device 310 and a network device 320. The terminal device 310 includes a first processor 311, a first memory 312, and a first transceiver 313. The first transceiver 313 includes a first transmitter 3131, a first receiver 3132, and a first antenna 3133. The network device 320 includes a second processor 321, a second memory 322, and a second transceiver 323. The second transceiver 323 includes a second transmitter 3231, a second receiver 3232, and a second antenna 3233. The first transmitter 3131 can be used to send transmission feedback information to the network device 320 through the first antenna 3133, and the first receiver 3132 can be used to receive transmission control information from the network device 320 through the first antenna 3133. The second transmitter 3231 can be used to send transmission control information to the terminal device 310 via the second antenna 3233, and the second receiver 3232 can be used to receive transmission feedback information sent by the terminal device 310 via the second antenna 3233.

[0075] The embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0076] Please refer to Figure 4, which is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Optionally, this method can be applied to a communication system, such as the communication system shown in Figures 1-3. For ease of description, the communication method described below (as shown in Figure 4) uses a first communication device as a terminal device and a second communication device as a network device as an example, but it should not be construed as a limitation on the embodiments of this application.

[0077] The method shown in Figure 4 may include steps S401-S403. It should be understood that this application describes the steps in the order of S401-S403 for ease of description, and is not intended to limit the execution to this specific order. This application's embodiments do not limit the order of execution, the execution time, or the number of executions of one or more of the above steps. Steps S401-S403 are as follows:

[0078] Step S401: The network device sends the first information to the terminal device.

[0079] Accordingly, the terminal device receives the first information from the network device.

[0080] The first information may include, but is not limited to, higher-layer signaling, such as radio resource control (RRC) signaling. As an example, the first information is carried in RRC signaling.

[0081] For example, the first information includes a first index, which is used to identify a terminal device in a first group.

[0082] The index can also be called an indicator or an identifier (ID).

[0083] In this embodiment of the application, the network device can determine whether the terminal device needs to perform repeated transmission based on at least one of the signal strength and uplink transmission power of the terminal device. When the number of terminal devices that need to perform repeated transmission is greater than the number threshold, the network device can divide these terminal devices that need to perform repeated transmission into the same group, such as the first group, so as to reuse the time and frequency resources of the terminal devices in the first group in subsequent communications.

[0084] In one possible implementation, the network device sends first information to the terminal devices in the first group, indicating that the terminal devices in the first group have first decoding capabilities.

[0085] For example, the first group includes, but is not limited to: the first index UE0 corresponding to terminal device A, the first index UE1 corresponding to terminal device B, the first index UE2 corresponding to terminal device C, etc., and the network device sends the first information to terminal device A, terminal device B, and terminal device C respectively. This application does not limit the indication type of the first index.

[0086] For example, the first information includes a first identifier and a second identifier, the first identifier being used to indicate that the terminal device receiving the first information has a first decoding capability, and the second identifier being used to indicate a first decoding method.

[0087] In one implementation, the network device sends first information to each terminal device in the first packet based on the index corresponding to the terminal device in the first packet. Accordingly, the terminal device corresponding to the first index can determine whether to process or discard the received first information based on the first index. Further, if the terminal device determines to process the first information, it can determine a first decoding method based on a second identifier carried in the first information, and determine that subsequent received information can be decoded according to the first decoding method based on the first identifier carried in the first information.

[0088] For example, the first group includes terminal devices A, B, and C. The first information sent by the network device to terminal device A contains a first identifier (e.g., OCEnableFlag = 1), a second identifier, and a first index (e.g., UE0). The first information sent by the network device to terminal device B contains the first identifier (e.g., OCEnableFlag = 1), the second identifier, and the first index (e.g., UE1). The first information sent by the network device to terminal device C contains the first identifier (e.g., OCEnableFlag = 1), the second identifier, and the first index (e.g., UE2). Therefore, terminal device A can receive the first information with the first index UE0, terminal device B can receive the first information with the first index UE1, and terminal device C can receive the first information with the first index UE2. Then, terminal devices A, B, and C determine, based on the first and second identifiers carried in the first information, that they can attempt to decode subsequently received information according to the first decoding method.

[0089] In some embodiments, the first information further includes the size of the second information. For example, if the second information is downlink control information (DCI), the size of the second information is represented as DCI_size. Further, the terminal device can determine the size required to decode the DCI based on DCI_size.

[0090] Step S402: The network device sends the second information to the terminal device.

[0091] Accordingly, the terminal device receives the second information from the network device.

[0092] The second information is encoded based on the first encoding method, which corresponds to the first decoding method indicated by the second identifier in step S401. Therefore, the electronic device can decode the second information based on the first decoding method.

[0093] For example, the second identifier can be a radio network temporary identifier (RNTI), where the RNTI is used to identify different purposes, including distinguishing different users, different transmission modes, or different functions. In this application embodiment, a group RNTI (occGroup-RNTI) is defined for grouping terminal devices performing uplink transmission multiplexing.

[0094] Specifically, the network device scrambles the second information according to the first encoding method corresponding to the second identifier, such as the groupID in occGroup-RNTI, and then sends the scrambled second information to the terminal device in the first group. Further, the terminal device in the first group determines that it has a first decoding capability based on the first identifier. If the terminal device has the first decoding capability, it can descramble / decode the second information based on the second identifier, i.e., according to occGroup-RNTI, to obtain the information carried in the second information.

[0095] It is understandable that the network device uses occGroup-RNTI to scramble the second information. If the terminal device is unaware of this occGroup-RNTI, even if it receives the second information, it cannot correctly decode it. Therefore, the network device can distinguish different users (or terminal devices) in the network using the second identifier carried in the first information in step S401. Furthermore, the network device assigns a first decoding capability to the terminal device in the first group using the first identifier carried in the first information in step S401, and assigns a first decoding method to the terminal device in the first group using the aforementioned second identifier. This allows the terminal device in the first group to decode the configuration parameters carried in the second information, while preventing terminal devices outside the first group from correctly decoding the second information.

[0096] In one possible implementation, the second information includes at least one second index for identifying a terminal device in the first group. The number of second indices is less than or equal to the number of first indices. The terminal device represented by the second index can use configuration information carried by the second information.

[0097] Specifically, network devices can determine the terminal devices that can perform uplink transmission multiplexing based on information such as the number of users (e.g., the number of terminal devices in the first group), user priority, capacity requirements, and channel status, as well as determine the resource allocation information of the aforementioned terminal devices that can perform uplink transmission multiplexing.

[0098] For example, if the first group includes five terminal devices: terminal device A, terminal device B, terminal device C, terminal device D, and terminal device E, then the first indices corresponding to these five terminal devices could be UE0, UE1, UE2, UE3, and UE4, respectively. The network device determines that the terminal devices eligible for uplink transmission multiplexing are terminal device A, terminal device C, terminal device D, and terminal device E. Accordingly, the second information carries the second indices corresponding to terminal devices A, C, D, and E, which could be UE0, UE2, UE3, and UE4, respectively, as well as the resource allocation information corresponding to terminal devices A, C, D, and E.

[0099] Then, the network device sends the aforementioned second information to the terminal devices (e.g., terminal device A, terminal device B, terminal device C, terminal device D, and terminal device E) included in the first packet. Further, terminal devices A, B, C, D, and E can decode the second information based on the first decoding capability indicated by the first identifier carried in step S401 and the first decoding method indicated by the second identifier carried in step S401. Thus, terminal devices A, B, C, D, and E can decode at least one second index (e.g., UE0, UE2, UE3, and UE4) carried in the second information. For example, terminal device A determines from the at least one second index carried in the second information that the second information contains index UE0 corresponding to terminal device A, indicating that the second information contains resource allocation information corresponding to terminal device A. Further, terminal device A can obtain the resource allocation information corresponding to terminal device A from the second information based on index UE0. For another example, terminal device B determines from at least one second index carried in the second information that the second information does not contain the index UE1 corresponding to terminal device B. This means that the second information does not contain the resource allocation information corresponding to terminal device B, and terminal device B does not participate in this uplink transmission multiplexing; therefore, terminal device B does not need to obtain resource allocation information from the second information.

[0100] It is understood that in this embodiment of the application, the network device divides multiple terminal devices that need to be repeatedly transmitted into the same group (e.g., the first group), and then sends the second information to the terminal devices in the first group. Compared with the network device sending the second information directly to the multiple terminal devices without dividing them into groups, this embodiment of the application only needs to send one piece of second information, without having to send the corresponding number of second information to the multiple terminal devices separately, thus saving signaling overhead and improving scheduling efficiency.

[0101] In some implementations, the resource allocation information carried by the second information includes time-domain resources, frequency-domain resources, and code-domain resources.

[0102] The time-domain resources include the starting position of the time-domain resources indicated by the second information. For example, if the starting position of the time-domain resources indicated by the second information is time slot 2, it means that the terminal device can start sending information from time slot 2. As another example, if the starting position of the time-domain resources indicated by the second information is symbol 1, it means that the terminal device can start sending information from symbol 1.

[0103] In some embodiments, time-domain resources include, but are not limited to, time slots or symbols. A time slot can be a time slot or a mini-slot, or a group of symbols. A time slot or mini-slot includes at least one symbol. A symbol refers to a time unit within a subframe, frame, or time slot, and the unit can be milliseconds, microseconds, nanoseconds, seconds, etc. For example, it can be an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, a single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) symbol, an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) symbol, or symbols corresponding to various new waveforms in future communication systems. This application does not limit the type of time-domain resources.

[0104] In some embodiments, code domain resources include, but are not limited to, orthogonal codes or extended codes. Orthogonal codes, also known as channelization codes, are used to carry information, such as orthogonal cover codes (OCC), Walsh codes, and OVSF codes. Extended codes, also known as scrambling codes or PN pseudo-random sequences, are used to randomize information, such as Gold sequences. This application does not limit the type of code domain resources.

[0105] For example, the second information may indicate a time domain resource, a frequency domain resource, and a code domain resource corresponding to each terminal device represented by at least one second index. For instance, the second index in the second information includes UE0, UE2, UE3, and UE4, where UE0, UE2, UE3, and UE4 correspond to the second indices of terminal devices A, C, D, and E, respectively. Therefore, in this second information, terminal devices A, C, D, and E are allocated the same time domain and frequency domain resources, but different code domain resources.

[0106] In one implementation, the second information also carries the transmission count, which can be understood as the number of times the terminal device repeatedly transmits data to the network device. Taking the terminal device's repeated transmission in units of time slots as an example, the transmission count can be understood as the number of time slots allocated to the terminal device. For example, if the transmission count is 5 times, the terminal device is also allocated 5 time slots. Furthermore, the terminal device can determine the allocated time slots based on the time domain resources and transmission count carried in the second information. For example, if the starting position indicated by the time domain resources is time slot 3 and the transmission count is 3 times, the terminal device can perform repeated transmissions in time slots 3, 4, and 5 respectively.

[0107] For example, taking the example of a terminal device repeatedly transmitting data in units of symbols, the number of transmissions can be understood as the number of symbols allocated to the terminal device. For instance, if the number of transmissions is 3, the terminal device will also be allocated 3 symbols. Furthermore, the terminal device can determine the allocated symbols based on the time-domain resources carried in the second information and the number of transmissions. For example, if the starting position indicated by the time-domain resources is symbol 2, and the number of transmissions is 3, the terminal device can repeatedly transmit data on symbols 2, 3, and 4 respectively.

[0108] In one implementation, the second information carries information related to repeated transmissions, including but not limited to modulation and coding scheme (MCS), hybrid automatic repeat request process number (HARQ process number), new data indicator (NDI), and redundancy version (RV).

[0109] In this application, the uplink repetitive transmission mentioned in the embodiments can be understood as the repetitive transmission of the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH). A PUSCH carrying the same data is transmitted multiple times using different time-frequency resources / antennas / redundancy versions, thereby achieving diversity gain and improving the receiver's receiving power. For repetitive transmission across multiple time slots or symbols, a single DCI can schedule multiple PUSCHs carrying the same data but using different redundancy versions, transmitting them over consecutive time slots or symbols.

[0110] The HARQ process number indicates a HARQ process. A data packet may be retransmitted multiple times using the same HARQ process number. This process number allows the receiver to clearly identify that these data packets belong to the same original transmission. The terminal device may use different redundant versions for each retransmission to increase the probability of successful retransmission. Despite the different redundant versions, all retransmissions still use the same HARQ process number so that the receiver can correctly associate the retransmitted data with the data in the initial transmission.

[0111] For example, in this embodiment of the application, the second information includes at least one second index representing the HARQ process number corresponding to each terminal device. For instance, the second index in the second information includes UE0, UE2, UE3, and UE4, where UE0, UE2, UE3, and UE4 correspond to the second indices of terminal devices A, C, D, and E, respectively. Therefore, the second information includes the HARQ process numbers corresponding to terminal devices A, C, D, and E. Terminal devices A, C, D, and E can perform repeated transmissions based on their respective HARQ process numbers.

[0112] The NDI (Non-Distributed Data Identity) is used to distinguish between new data and retransmitted data (or to differentiate between different types of new data). When new data is transmitted, the NDI value is incremented by 1; when data is retransmitted, the NDI value remains unchanged. In one implementation, NDI has only one bit, so it has only two possible values: 0 and 1. When the first packet of new data is transmitted, NDI is 0; when the second packet is transmitted, NDI is 1; when the third packet is transmitted, NDI is 0, and so on. When data is retransmitted, NDI remains unchanged. For example, when the first packet of new data is retransmitted (i.e., the retransmission of the first packet of new data), whether it's the first retransmission or a subsequent retransmission, NDI remains unchanged; its value is 0, just like the first packet of new data. In other words, the NDI of the first and retransmitted data of the same packet remains the same.

[0113] For example, each HARQ process stores an NDI value, which uses 1 bit to indicate whether the scheduled data is a new transmission or a retransmission. If the NDI value of the same HARQ process has changed compared to before, it means that the data being transmitted is a new transmission. If the NDI value of the same HARQ process has not changed compared to before, it means that the current transmission is a retransmission of the same data.

[0114] The aforementioned "new data" refers to data with new original content, and the original content carried by different new data packets differs. For example, the original content carried by the first packet of new data and the second packet of new data are different. New data sent for the first time is called initial transmission data, and subsequent transmissions are called retransmission data. The original content carried by initial transmission data and retransmission data is the same. For example, the first packet of new data sent for the first time is called initial transmission data; the first packet of new data sent for the second time is called retransmission data; the original content carried by initial transmission data and retransmission data is the same, which is the original content of the first packet of new data.

[0115] For example, in this embodiment of the application, the second information includes at least one second index representing the NDI corresponding to each terminal device. For instance, the second index in the second information includes UE0, UE2, UE3, and UE4, where UE0, UE2, UE3, and UE4 correspond to the second indices of terminal device A, terminal device C, terminal device D, and terminal device E, respectively. Therefore, the second information includes the NDIs corresponding to terminal devices A, C, D, and E. Terminal devices A, C, D, and E can determine whether the currently scheduled data is a new transmission or a retransmission based on their respective corresponding NDIs.

[0116] RV is used to indicate the redundancy version used in the transmission. For example, when using RV, there is a set of available RVs, such as {0, 1, 2, 3}, and different redundancy versions are represented by using the elements in the set in sequence. For a certain data packet, the data sent for the first time is called the "initial transmission data", and the "initial transmission data" can use the redundancy version with RV=0. If this data packet is not correctly received by the receiving end and needs to be retransmitted, the data that needs to be retransmitted is called the "retransmitted data". In the first retransmission, the redundancy information value is increased, and the redundancy version value used by the "retransmitted data" is RV=1. Further, in the second retransmission, the redundancy information value is increased again, and the redundancy version value used by the "retransmitted data" is RV=2. Thus, from the initial transmission of data to each retransmission, the order of using RV can be: 0, 1, 2, 3, 0, 1, 2, 3, ...

[0117] For example, in this embodiment of the application, the second information includes at least one second index representing the RV corresponding to each terminal device. For instance, the second index in the second information includes UE0, UE2, UE3, and UE4, where UE0, UE2, UE3, and UE4 correspond to the second indices of terminal device A, terminal device C, terminal device D, and terminal device E, respectively. Therefore, the second information includes the RVs corresponding to terminal devices A, C, D, and E. Terminal devices A, C, D, and E can transmit data based on their respective RVs.

[0118] MCS refers to the network device informing the terminal device what modulation scheme and coding rate the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) transmitted by the network device should use, or what modulation scheme and coding rate the terminal device should use when transmitting the PUSCH channel.

[0119] For example, in this embodiment of the application, the second information includes at least one second index representing the MCS corresponding to each terminal device. For instance, the second index in the second information includes UE0, UE2, UE3, and UE4, where UE0, UE2, UE3, and UE4 correspond to the second indices of terminal device A, terminal device C, terminal device D, and terminal device E, respectively. Therefore, the second information includes the MCS corresponding to terminal device A, terminal device C, terminal device D, and terminal device E. Terminal device A, terminal device C, terminal device D, and terminal device E can respectively modulate and encode signals based on their respective corresponding MCS.

[0120] Step S403: The terminal device sends third information to the network device based on time domain resources and frequency domain resources.

[0121] Accordingly, network devices receive third information based on time-domain and frequency-domain resources.

[0122] The third information is encoded by the terminal device based on the code domain resource. The code domain resource is sent to the terminal device by the network device through the second information. The terminal device decodes the second information based on the first decoding method to obtain the code domain resource.

[0123] In one implementation, within a multi-user communication system, a set of codewords can be constructed to spread the signal, allowing multiple users to share the same time and frequency domain resources. For example, the transmitting end (e.g., a terminal device) can spread the signal by multiplying the user's signal with its corresponding codeword, enhancing the signal's anti-interference capability and enabling signals from multiple users (multiple terminal devices) to be transmitted on the same frequency band. As another example, the receiving end (e.g., a network device) can distinguish the signals of different users (different terminal devices) through the orthogonality of the codewords.

[0124] For example, at the transmitting end (e.g., the terminal device side), firstly, the binary data of the terminal device is digitally modulated and mapped into a digital signal, and then the above data signal is spread spectrum encoded according to the codeword corresponding to the terminal device.

[0125] For example, terminal device A has codeword A as its code domain resource, and terminal device B has codeword B as its code domain resource, with codeword A and codeword B being orthogonal. Terminal device A performs a dot product operation between digital signal A and codeword A to obtain coded signal A based on codeword A. Terminal device B performs a dot product operation between digital signal B and codeword B to obtain coded signal B based on codeword B. At this point, coded signal A and coded signal B are orthogonal and will not interfere with each other. Furthermore, terminal device A can multiply coded signal A with a carrier signal, and terminal device B can multiply coded signal B with a carrier signal, thereby superimposing the signals from multiple terminal devices (e.g., terminal device A and terminal device B) to form a composite signal, which is then transmitted through the same physical transmission medium. Since each terminal device's signal is encoded using a different codeword, the mixed signal will have different spectral characteristics. Therefore, the aforementioned multiple terminal devices can not only use the same frequency broadband carrier signal for transmission, but their transmission times also overlap, enabling multiple terminal devices to reuse the same time-frequency resources.

[0126] In this process, the encoding of signals by terminal devices based on codewords can be based on the principle of digital spread spectrum. For example, digital spread spectrum can expand one binary bit into N binary bits. Therefore, in a wireless communication scenario, assuming the terminal device needs to transmit information at a data rate of b bits per second (bit / s), because the terminal device superimposes codewords onto the information to be transmitted, each bit in the information is converted into an m-bit chip sequence. This increases the data rate to megabits per second (mb bits per second), and the bandwidth occupied by the terminal device is increased to m times the original value. Thus, based on the principle of digital spread spectrum, the terminal device disperses the energy of the digital signal concentrated in a narrow spectrum (mainly in the carrier amplitude) across a wider spectrum, enabling the multiplexing of signals from multiple terminal devices on the same time-frequency resources.

[0127] For example, the receiving end (e.g., the network device side) receives a mixed signal sent by multiple terminal devices, such as a digital signal resulting from the superposition of signals from multiple terminal devices. The network device despreads the superimposed digital signal based on the codewords corresponding to each of the multiple terminal devices to recover the individual digital signals of each terminal device.

[0128] Despreading refers to the process of restoring the spread signal (such as the signal superimposed by multiple terminal devices) back to the original baseband signal. During despreading, the network device processes the spread signal based on the same codewords as the transmitting end (such as the terminal device), thereby extracting the target signal (such as the signal corresponding to the terminal device) from the superimposed signal without being interfered with by the signals of other terminal devices.

[0129] For example, consider a receiver (e.g., a network device) receiving a mixed signal that is the superposition of signals from terminal device A and terminal device B. Terminal device A corresponds to codeword A, and terminal device B corresponds to codeword B, with codewords A and B being orthogonal. The network device can perform an inner product operation between codeword A and the received mixed signal to separate the signal transmitted by terminal device A from the mixed signal. Similarly, the network device can perform an inner product operation between codeword B and the received mixed signal to separate the signal transmitted by terminal device B from the mixed signal.

[0130] Since codewords A and B are orthogonal, their inner product is zero. Therefore, when the network device performs an inner product operation between codeword A and the mixed signal, the result of the inner product operation between the signal encoded based on codeword B (i.e., the signal sent by terminal device B) and codeword A is 0. This allows the signal sent by terminal device B to be filtered out, thus obtaining the information sent by the target user (e.g., terminal device A). Similarly, for the signal sent by terminal device B, the network device can use codeword B to extract the signal sent by terminal device B from the mixed signal in the same way described above.

[0131] In one possible implementation, orthogonal cover codes (OCCs) are used as an example to describe the code field resources carried in the second information. It should be understood that the orthogonal cover codes are merely an example presented in this application and should not be considered a limitation of the embodiments of this application. The second information carries configuration information for code field resources such as the OCC index, OCC scheme, and OCC length.

[0132] The OCC index and OCC scheme are used to indicate the OCC corresponding to the terminal device. In this embodiment, the second information includes at least one second index representing the OCC index corresponding to each terminal device. For example, the second index in the second information includes UE0, UE2, UE3, and UE4, where UE0, UE2, UE3, and UE4 correspond to the second indices of terminal device A, terminal device C, terminal device D, and terminal device E, respectively. Therefore, the second information includes the OCC indices corresponding to terminal devices A, C, D, and E. Terminal devices A, C, D, and E can determine their respective OCCs based on their respective OCC indices and the same OCC scheme. For example, the OCC index corresponding to terminal device A is OCC index A, so terminal device A can determine its corresponding OCC based on the OCC scheme and OCC index A.

[0133] In some embodiments, the communication system can uniformly number the OCC indexes in the aforementioned OCC scheme. In this case, the second information sent by the network device to the terminal device carries the OCC index but not the OCC scheme. The terminal device can obtain its corresponding OCC based on its respective OCC index.

[0134] The OCC length can be determined by the network device based on information such as the number of users, user allocation, capacity requirements, and channel status. An appropriate OCC length can ensure that the OCCs of the signals from each terminal device are orthogonal, thereby ensuring that the signals transmitted by each terminal device on the same time-frequency resources are orthogonal.

[0135] In one possible implementation, the terminal device transmits third information on time-domain and frequency-domain resources based on the number of transmissions indicated by the second information.

[0136] For example, taking the simultaneous uplink repeated transmission of terminal device A and terminal device B as an example, the second information indicates that the starting position of the time domain resource is time slot 0, and the number of transmissions indicated by the second information is 3. Terminal device A and terminal device B can send data once in time slot 0, then send data once in time slot 1, and finally send data once in time slot 2, thereby achieving 3 repeated transmissions.

[0137] In one possible implementation, the terminal device will not receive any other second information besides the aforementioned second information during the time period indicated by the time domain resources and transmission count in the second information.

[0138] For example, if the second information indicates that the starting position of the time domain resource of terminal device A is time slot 1 and the number of transmissions is 4, it means that terminal device A performs repeated transmissions in time slots 1 to 4. During the time period from time slot 1 to time slot 4, no new second information is received, thereby reducing the computational workload of parsing the second information and improving the efficiency of repeated transmissions by the terminal device.

[0139] The fields included in the second information are described below. It should be understood that the second information shown in the embodiments of this application is a possible example and is not intended to limit the embodiments of this application.

[0140] For example, taking DCI as the second information, the second information includes the following fields: A DCI format identifier field, used to indicate the format of the second information, with a maximum information content of 1 bit; a UE number field, used to indicate the length of the UE group bitmap, where the UE group can be understood as the first group given in this embodiment, with a maximum information content of 2 bits; a UE index field, which can be configured through the first information, with a maximum information content of 16 bits; a frequency domain resource field, used to indicate the frequency domain resources allocated to the terminal device, with the information content set based on the actual transmission situation; a time domain resource field, used to indicate the starting position of the time domain resources, with a maximum information content of 4 bits; and a frequency hopping indicator field, used to indicate whether the terminal device transmits data via frequency hopping, with a maximum information content of 1 bit. The OCC scheme field indicates the OCC scheme of the terminal device represented by the second index, and can be 1 or 2 bits. The OCC repetition number field indicates the number of times the terminal device performs repeated transmissions, and can be 4 or 5 bits. The OCC index per UE field indicates the OCC index of the terminal device represented by the second index, and can be 2 or 3 bits. The Modulation and Coding Scheme per UE field indicates the MCS of the terminal device represented by the second index, and can be 3 bits. The New Data Indicator per UE field indicates the NDI of the terminal device represented by the second index, and can be 1 bit. The Redundancy Version per UE field indicates the RV of the terminal device represented by the second index, and can be 2 bits. The HARQ process number per UE field indicates the HARQ process number of the terminal device represented by the second index, and can be 4 bits.

[0141] The process of multiple terminal devices transmitting information on the same time domain resources will be illustrated below with reference to Figures 5 and 6.

[0142] Please refer to Figure 5, which is a schematic diagram of a time-domain resource provided in an embodiment of this application. The following explanation uses time slots as the time unit for repeated transmission as an example. Figure 5 shows 16 time slots, from time slot 0 to time slot 15, i.e., 16 time units for repeated transmission. The seven terminal devices UE0 to UE6 shown in Figure 5 belong to the first group. Optionally, the network device can determine whether a terminal device needs to perform repeated transmission based on at least one of the terminal device's signal strength and uplink transmit power. For example, if the network device determines that seven terminal devices, UE0 to UE6, need to perform repeated transmission, the network device can divide UE0 to UE6 into the same group, such as the first group.

[0143] The network device determines that UE0 needs to perform 16 repeated transmissions based on at least one of UE0's signal strength and uplink transmit power. Taking a data transmission operation where the terminal device uses one time slot as a unit, UE0 needs to occupy 16 time slots, as shown in Figure 5, where UE0 corresponds to time slots 0 to 15, a total of 16 time slots. The network device determines that UE1 needs to perform 6 repeated transmissions based on at least one of UE1's signal strength and uplink transmit power, so UE0 needs to occupy 6 time slots, as shown in Figure 5, where UE1 corresponds to time slots 0 to 5, a total of 6 time slots. The network device determines that UE2 needs to perform 8 repeated transmissions based on at least one of UE2's signal strength and uplink transmit power, so UE2 needs to occupy 8 time slots, as shown in Figure 5, where UE2 corresponds to time slots 4 to 11, a total of 8 time slots. The network device determines that UE3 needs to perform 4 repeated transmissions based on at least one of UE3's signal strength and uplink transmit power, so UE3 needs to occupy 4 time slots, as shown in Figure 5, where UE3 corresponds to time slots 0 to 3, a total of 4 time slots. The network device determines that UE4 needs to perform 8 repeated transmissions based on at least one of UE4's signal strength and uplink transmit power, requiring UE4 to occupy 8 time slots. For example, in Figure 5, UE4 corresponds to time slots 4 to 11, a total of 8 time slots. The network device determines that UE5 needs to perform 10 repeated transmissions based on at least one of UE5's signal strength and uplink transmit power, requiring UE5 to occupy 10 time slots. For example, in Figure 5, UE5 corresponds to time slots 0 to 3, a total of 4 time slots, and time slots 6 to 11, a total of 6 time slots. The network device determines that UE6 needs to perform 4 repeated transmissions based on at least one of UE6's signal strength and uplink transmit power, requiring UE6 to occupy 4 time slots. For example, in Figure 5, UE6 corresponds to time slots 12 to 15, a total of 4 time slots.

[0144] For example, the network device can determine the terminal devices that can perform uplink transmission multiplexing based on information such as the number of users (e.g., UE0 to UE6 in the first group), user priority, capacity requirements, and channel status, and determine the resource allocation information of the aforementioned terminal devices that can perform uplink transmission multiplexing.

[0145] For example, as shown in Figure 5, the network device allocates the time slot between time slot 0 and time slot 3 to UE0, UE1, UE3, and UE5, allowing them to transmit data simultaneously in time slots 0 to 3. The network device allocates the time slot between time slot 4 and time slot 5 to UE0, UE1, UE2, and UE4, allowing them to transmit data simultaneously in time slots 4 to 5. The network device allocates the time slot between time slot 6 and time slot 11 to UE0, UE2, UE4, and UE5, allowing them to transmit data simultaneously in time slots 6 to 11. The network device allocates the time slot between time slot 12 and time slot 15 to UE0 and UE6, allowing them to transmit data simultaneously in time slots 12 to 15.

[0146] As shown in Figure 6, which is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application, the method includes one or more steps S601-S621. Optionally, this method can be applied to a communication system, such as the communication systems shown in Figures 1-3. For ease of description, the communication method described below (as shown in Figure 6) uses a first communication device as a terminal device and a second communication device as a network device as an example, but this should not be construed as a limitation on the embodiments of this application. Steps S601-S621 are as follows:

[0147] Step S601: The network device sends the first information to the terminal device of the first packet.

[0148] Accordingly, the terminal device of the first group receives the first information from the network device.

[0149] Specifically, the network devices send first information to the terminal devices in the first group, where the terminal devices in the first group may include UE0 to UE6 as shown in Figure 5. The first information may be RRC signaling. The first information includes a first index, a first identifier, and a second identifier. The first index corresponds to UE0 to UE6 and is used to identify the terminal devices in the first group. The first identifier indicates that the terminal device receiving the first information has a first decoding capability, and the second identifier indicates a first decoding method.

[0150] For example, the network device sends first information carrying a first identifier, a second identifier, and a first index to the terminal device (e.g., UE0 to UE6) corresponding to the first index. Accordingly, the terminal device (e.g., UE0 to UE6) corresponding to the first index can receive the first information according to the first index, determine a first decoding method based on the second identifier carried in the first information, and determine, based on the first identifier carried in the first information, that it can decode subsequently received information according to the first decoding method. For a description of the first information, please refer to step S401 above; it will not be repeated here.

[0151] Step S602: The network device sends the second information A to the terminal device of the first packet.

[0152] Accordingly, the terminal device of the first group receives the second information A from the network device.

[0153] Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, UE0, UE1, UE3, and UE5 can simultaneously perform four repeated transmissions within the time period between time slot 0 and time slot 3. Therefore, the second information A is the resource configuration information for UE0, UE1, UE3, and UE5. The second index carried in the second information A includes UE0, UE1, UE3, and UE5, the starting position of the time domain resources carried in the second information is time slot 0, and the number of transmissions carried in the second information is 4. In addition, the second information also carries the code domain resources corresponding to UE0, UE1, UE3, and UE5 respectively. Optionally, the second information also carries the MCS, HARQ process number, NDI, and RV corresponding to UE0, UE1, UE3, and UE5 respectively. The explanation of the second index, time domain resources, code domain resources, MCS, HARQ process number, NDI, and RV, etc., can be found in step S402 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0154] Step S603: UE0, UE1, UE3 and UE5 send information to the network device in time slot 0.

[0155] Accordingly, the network device receives information from UE0, UE1, UE3 and UE5 according to time slot 0.

[0156] Specifically, UE0, UE1, UE3, and UE5 can encode the signals they need to transmit based on their respective code domain resources, and then send the information to the network device through PUSCH in time slot 0 based on the same frequency domain resources. The process of encoding the signal based on the code domain resources can be found in step S403 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0157] Step S604: UE0, UE1, UE3 and UE5 send information to the network device in time slot 1.

[0158] Accordingly, the network device receives information from UE0, UE1, UE3 and UE5 according to time slot 1.

[0159] Specifically, UE0, UE1, UE3 and UE5 can encode the signals they need to send based on their respective code domain resources, and then send the information to the network device in time slot 1 through PUSCH based on the same frequency domain resources.

[0160] Step S605: UE0, UE1, UE3 and UE5 send information to the network device in time slot 2.

[0161] Accordingly, the network device receives information from UE0, UE1, UE3 and UE5 according to time slot 2.

[0162] Specifically, UE0, UE1, UE3 and UE5 can encode the signals they need to send based on their respective code domain resources, and then send the information to the network device in time slot 2 through PUSCH based on the same frequency domain resources.

[0163] Step S606: UE0, UE1, UE3 and UE5 send information to the network device in time slot 3.

[0164] Accordingly, the network device receives information from UE0, UE1, UE3 and UE5 according to time slot 3.

[0165] Specifically, UE0, UE1, UE3 and UE5 can encode the signals they need to send based on their respective code domain resources, and then send the information to the network device in time slot 3 through PUSCH based on the same frequency domain resources.

[0166] Step S607: The network device sends the second information B to the terminal device of the first packet.

[0167] Accordingly, the terminal device of the first group receives the second information B from the network device.

[0168] Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, UE0, UE1, UE2, and UE4 can simultaneously perform two repeated transmissions during the time slot between time slot 4 and time slot 5. Therefore, the second information B is the resource configuration information for UE0, UE1, UE2, and UE4. The second index carried in the second information B includes UE0, UE1, UE2, and UE4. The starting position of the time domain resources carried in the second information is time slot 4, and the number of transmissions carried in the second information is 2. In addition, the second information also carries the code domain resources corresponding to UE0, UE1, UE2, and UE4 respectively. Optionally, the second information also carries the MCS, HARQ process number, NDI, and RV corresponding to UE0, UE1, UE2, and UE4 respectively.

[0169] Step S608: UE0, UE1, UE2 and UE4 send information to the network device in time slot 4.

[0170] Accordingly, the network device receives information from UE0, UE1, UE2 and UE4 according to time slot 4.

[0171] Specifically, UE0, UE1, UE2 and UE4 can encode the signals they need to send based on their respective code domain resources, and then send the information to the network device in time slot 4 through PUSCH based on the same frequency domain resources.

[0172] Step S609: UE0, UE1, UE2 and UE4 send information to the network device in time slot 5.

[0173] Accordingly, the network device receives information from UE0, UE1, UE2 and UE4 according to time slot 5.

[0174] Specifically, UE0, UE1, UE2 and UE4 can encode the signals they need to send based on their respective code domain resources, and then send the information to the network device in time slot 5 through PUSCH based on the same frequency domain resources.

[0175] Step S610: The network device sends the second information C to the terminal device of the first packet.

[0176] Accordingly, the terminal device of the first group receives the second information C from the network device.

[0177] Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, UE0, UE2, UE4, and UE5 can simultaneously perform 6 repeated transmissions during the time period between time slot 6 and time slot 11. Therefore, the second information C is the resource configuration information for UE0, UE2, UE4, and UE5. The second index carried in the second information C includes UE0, UE2, UE4, and UE5, the starting position of the time domain resources carried in the second information is time slot 6, and the number of transmissions carried in the second information is 6. In addition, the second information also carries the code domain resources corresponding to UE0, UE2, UE4, and UE5 respectively. Optionally, the second information also carries the MCS, HARQ process number, NDI, and RV corresponding to UE0, UE2, UE4, and UE5 respectively.

[0178] Step S611: UE0, UE2, UE4 and UE5 send information to the network device in time slot 6.

[0179] Accordingly, the network device receives information from UE0, UE2, UE4 and UE5 according to time slot 6.

[0180] Specifically, UE0, UE2, UE4 and UE5 can encode the signals they need to send based on their respective code domain resources, and then send the information to the network device in time slot 6 through PUSCH based on the same frequency domain resources.

[0181] Step S612: UE0, UE2, UE4 and UE5 send information to the network device in time slot 7.

[0182] Accordingly, the network device receives information from UE0, UE2, UE4 and UE5 according to time slot 7.

[0183] Specifically, UE0, UE2, UE4 and UE5 can encode the signals they need to send based on their respective code domain resources, and then send the information to the network device through PUSCH in time slot 7 based on the same frequency domain resources.

[0184] Step S613: UE0, UE2, UE4 and UE5 send information to the network device in time slot 8.

[0185] Accordingly, the network device receives information from UE0, UE2, UE4 and UE5 according to time slot 8.

[0186] Specifically, UE0, UE2, UE4 and UE5 can encode the signals they need to send based on their respective code domain resources, and then send the information to the network device through PUSCH in time slot 8 based on the same frequency domain resources.

[0187] Step S614: UE0, UE2, UE4 and UE5 send information to the network device in time slot 9.

[0188] Accordingly, the network device receives information from UE0, UE2, UE4 and UE5 according to time slot 9.

[0189] Specifically, UE0, UE2, UE4 and UE5 can encode the signals they need to send based on their respective code domain resources, and then send the information to the network device through PUSCH in time slot 9 based on the same frequency domain resources.

[0190] Step S615: UE0, UE2, UE4 and UE5 send information to the network device in time slot 10.

[0191] Accordingly, the network device receives information from UE0, UE2, UE4 and UE5 according to time slot 10.

[0192] Specifically, UE0, UE2, UE4 and UE5 can encode the signals they need to send based on their respective code domain resources, and then send the information to the network device through PUSCH in time slot 10 based on the same frequency domain resources.

[0193] Step S616: UE0, UE2, UE4 and UE5 send information to the network device in time slot 11.

[0194] Accordingly, the network device receives information from UE0, UE2, UE4 and UE5 according to time slot 11.

[0195] Specifically, UE0, UE2, UE4 and UE5 can encode the signals they need to send based on their respective code domain resources, and then send the information to the network device through PUSCH in time slot 11 based on the same frequency domain resources.

[0196] Step S617: The network device sends the second information D to the terminal device of the first packet.

[0197] Accordingly, the terminal device of the first group receives the second information D from the network device.

[0198] Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, UE0 and UE6 can simultaneously perform four repeated transmissions during the time slot between time slot 12 and time slot 15. Therefore, the second information D is resource configuration information for UE0 and UE6. The second index carried in the second information D includes UE0 and UE6, the starting position of the time domain resources carried in the second information is time slot 12, and the number of transmissions carried in the second information is 4. In addition, the second information also carries the code domain resources corresponding to UE0 and UE6 respectively. Optionally, the second information also carries the MCS, HARQ process number, NDI, and RV corresponding to UE0 and UE6 respectively.

[0199] Step S618: UE0 and UE6 send information to the network device in time slot 12.

[0200] Accordingly, the network device receives information from UE0 and UE6 according to time slot 12.

[0201] Specifically, UE0 and UE6 can encode the signals they need to send based on their respective code domain resources, and then send the information to the network device through PUSCH in time slot 12 based on the same frequency domain resources.

[0202] Step S619: UE0 and UE6 send information to the network device in time slot 13.

[0203] Accordingly, the network device receives information from UE0 and UE6 according to time slot 13.

[0204] Specifically, UE0 and UE6 can encode the signals they need to send based on their respective code domain resources, and then send the information to the network device through PUSCH in time slot 13 based on the same frequency domain resources.

[0205] Step S620: UE0 and UE6 send information to the network device in time slot 14.

[0206] Accordingly, the network device receives information from UE0 and UE6 according to time slot 14.

[0207] Specifically, UE0 and UE6 can encode the signals they need to send based on their respective code domain resources, and then send the information to the network device through PUSCH in time slot 14 based on the same frequency domain resources.

[0208] Step S621: UE0 and UE6 send information to the network device in time slot 15.

[0209] Accordingly, the network device receives information from UE0 and UE6 according to time slot 15.

[0210] Specifically, UE0 and UE6 can encode the signals they need to send based on their respective code domain resources, and then send the information to the network device through PUSCH in time slot 15 based on the same frequency domain resources.

[0211] The methods of the embodiments of this application have been described in detail above. The apparatus of the embodiments of this application is provided below.

[0212] It should be understood that the division of units in the apparatus provided in this application embodiment is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units in the apparatus can be implemented by a processor calling software. For example, the apparatus includes a processor connected to a memory, which stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of each unit of the apparatus. The processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is either internal or external to the apparatus.

[0213] Alternatively, the units in the device can be implemented as hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the above units is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through a configuration file, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the above units.

[0214] In the embodiments of this application, each unit in the device may be one or more processors (or processing circuits) configured to implement the above methods, such as: CPU, graphics processing unit (GPU), neural network processing unit (NPU), tensor processing unit (TPU), deep learning processing unit (DPU), microprocessor unit (MPU), digital signal processor (DSP), ASIC, FPGA, or a combination of at least two of these processor forms.

[0215] Furthermore, the units in the above devices can be integrated in whole or in part, or they can be implemented independently. In one implementation, these units are integrated together as a system-on-a-chip (SOC). The SOC may include at least one processor for implementing any of the above methods or for implementing the functions of the units in the device. The at least one processor can be of different types, such as including a CPU and an FPGA, or including a CPU and an AI processor, or including a CPU and a GPU, etc. Several possible devices are listed below.

[0216] Please refer to Figure 7, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 70 provided in an embodiment of this application. Optionally, the communication device 70 can be a first communication device or a component within the first communication device, such as a chip or integrated circuit. The communication device 70 is used to implement the aforementioned communication method, such as the communication method shown in Figure 4.

[0217] In one possible design, the communication device 70 includes a communication unit 701 and a processing unit 702. The communication device 70 is used to implement the aforementioned communication method, such as the communication method shown in FIG4. Exemplarily, the communication device is used, for example, to execute the method executed by the first communication device.

[0218] In one possible implementation, the communication unit 701 is configured to receive first information, wherein the first information is configured to indicate that the terminal device belongs to a first group, and the first information is further configured to indicate that the terminal device has a first decoding capability.

[0219] The communication unit 701 is further configured to receive second information, wherein the second information is encoded based on a first encoding method, the first decoding method corresponding to the first decoding capability corresponds to the first encoding method, and the second information carries time domain resources, frequency domain resources, and code domain resources.

[0220] The communication unit 701 is further configured to send third information based on the time domain resources and the frequency domain resources, wherein the third information is encoded based on the code domain resources and the code domain resources are decoded based on the first decoding method.

[0221] The processing unit 702 is used to process the data sent and received.

[0222] In another possible implementation, the first information includes a first identifier and a second identifier, wherein the first identifier is used to indicate that the terminal device has the first decoding capability, and the second identifier is used to indicate the first decoding method.

[0223] In another possible implementation, the first information further includes a first index, which is an index of the terminal device, and the first index is used to identify the terminal device in the first group.

[0224] In another possible implementation, the second information further includes at least one second index for identifying terminal devices in the first group, the number of the second indexes being less than or equal to the number of the first indexes;

[0225] If the terminal device has a second index in at least one second index, the terminal device may use the time domain resources, the frequency domain resources, and the code domain resources.

[0226] In yet another possible implementation, the second information includes the number of transmissions, and the transmission of the third information based on the time-domain resources and the frequency-domain resources includes:

[0227] The third information is transmitted on the time domain resources and the frequency domain resources based on the number of transmissions.

[0228] In another possible design, the communication device 70 is used to implement the aforementioned communication method, such as the communication method shown in FIG4. Exemplarily, the communication device may be used to execute, for example, the method executed by the second communication device.

[0229] In one possible implementation, the communication unit 701 is used to send first information, wherein the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device in the first group has a first decoding capability;

[0230] The communication unit 701 is further configured to send second information, wherein the second information is encoded based on a first encoding method, the first decoding method corresponding to the first decoding capability corresponds to the first encoding method, and the second information carries time domain resources, frequency domain resources, and code domain resources.

[0231] The communication unit 701 is further configured to receive third information based on the time domain resources and the frequency domain resources, wherein the third information is encoded based on the code domain resources and the code domain resources are decoded based on the first decoding method.

[0232] The processing unit 702 is used to process the data sent and received.

[0233] In another possible implementation, the first information includes a first identifier and a second identifier, wherein the first identifier is used to indicate that the terminal device in the first group has the first decoding capability, and the second identifier is used to indicate the first decoding method.

[0234] In another possible implementation, the first information further includes a first index for identifying terminal devices in the first group.

[0235] In another possible implementation, the second information further includes at least one second index for identifying a terminal device in the first group, the number of second indices being less than or equal to the number of first indices, and the terminal device represented by the second index having the ability to use the time-domain resources, the frequency-domain resources, and the code-domain resources.

[0236] In another possible implementation, the second information includes the number of transmissions, which indicates the number of times the terminal device transmits the third information on the time domain resources and the frequency domain resources.

[0237] Please refer to Figure 8, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device 80 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 80 can be a standalone device, such as a first communication device or a second communication device, or it can be a component included in a first or second communication device, such as a chip, software module, or integrated circuit. The communication device 80 may include at least one processor 801 and a communication interface 802. Optionally, it may also include at least one memory 803. Further optionally, it may also include a connection line 804, wherein the processor 801, the communication interface 802, and / or the memory 803 are connected through the connection line 804, and / or communicate with each other through the connection line 804 to transmit control signals and / or data signals.

[0238] Wherein: Processor 801 is a module that performs arithmetic and / or logical operations, and may specifically include one or more of the following modules: filter, modem, power amplifier, low noise amplifier (LNA), baseband processor, radio frequency processor, radio frequency circuit, CPU, AP, microcontroller unit (MCU), electronic control unit (ECU), GPU, MPU, ASIC, image signal processor (ISP), DSP, FPGA, complex programmable logic device (CPLD), or coprocessor, etc.

[0239] The communication interface 802 can be used to provide information input or output to at least one processor, or to receive signals sent externally and / or send signals externally.

[0240] For example, the communication interface 802 may include interface circuitry, such as input / output interfaces, chip pins, etc.

[0241] For example, the communication interface 802 may include a wired link interface such as an Ethernet cable, or a wireless link interface (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, general wireless transmission, vehicle short-range communication technology and other short-range wireless communication technologies, etc.).

[0242] Optionally, the communication interface 802 may also include a radio frequency transmitter, an antenna, etc. When the communication interface 802 includes an antenna, the number of antennas can be one or more.

[0243] As one possible design, if the communication device 80 is a terminal device or a network device, the communication interface 802 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver and transmitter may be the same component or different components. When the receiver and transmitter are the same component, this component may be referred to as a transceiver.

[0244] As another possible design, if the communication device 80 is a chip or circuit, the communication interface 802 may include an input interface and an output interface. The input interface and the output interface may be the same interface or they may be different interfaces.

[0245] Alternatively, the functions of the communication interface 802 can be implemented by a transceiver circuit or a dedicated transceiver chip.

[0246] Memory 803 provides storage space, in which data such as the operating system and computer programs can be stored. Memory 803 can be one or a combination of several of the following: cache, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), etc. Memory is any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures, and accessible by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory in the embodiments of this application can also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing storage functions, used to store computer programs or instructions, and / or data.

[0247] The functions and operations of each module or unit in the communication device 80 listed above are merely illustrative examples.

[0248] Each functional unit in the communication device 80 can be used to implement the aforementioned communication method, such as the communication method shown in FIG4, for example, to execute the method executed by the first communication device, or to execute the method executed by the second communication device.

[0249] Optionally, the processor 801 may be a processor specifically designed to perform the aforementioned methods (for ease of distinction, referred to as a dedicated processor), or a processor that performs the aforementioned methods by calling a computer program (for ease of distinction, referred to as a dedicated processor). Optionally, at least one processor may include both dedicated processors and general-purpose processors.

[0250] Optionally, if the communication device 80 includes at least one memory 803, and the processor 801 implements the aforementioned communication method by calling a computer program, the computer program may be stored in the memory 803.

[0251] This application also provides a chip, which includes logic circuitry and a communication interface. The communication interface is used to receive or transmit signals; the logic circuitry is used to receive or transmit signals through the communication interface. The chip is used to implement the aforementioned communication method, such as the communication method shown in FIG4, for example, to execute a method executed by a first communication device, or to execute a method executed by a second communication device.

[0252] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on at least one processor (or communication device), implement the aforementioned communication method, such as the communication method shown in FIG4, for example, for executing a method executed by a first communication device, or for executing a method executed by a second communication device.

[0253] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes computer instructions for implementing the aforementioned communication method, such as the communication method shown in FIG4, for example, for executing a method executed by a first communication device, or for executing a method executed by a second communication device.

[0254] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, the words "exemplarily" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplarily" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of the words "exemplarily" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0255] In the embodiments of this application, "at least one" refers to one or more items, and "more than one" refers to two or more items. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of a single item or a plurality of items.

[0256] For example, at least one of a, b, or c can be represented as: a, b, c, (a and b), (a and c), (b and c), or (a and b and c), where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. "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 have an "OR" relationship.

[0257] Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, the use of ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of this application is for distinguishing multiple objects and is not for limiting the order, sequence, priority, or importance of multiple objects. Similarly, terms like "first node" and "second node" are merely for convenience in describing new parameters in different implementations and do not indicate differences in their execution operations, importance, structure, etc.

[0258] In the above embodiments, the term "when..." can be interpreted, depending on the context, as meaning "if...", "before...", "determined...", or "detected...". The above descriptions are merely optional embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the concept and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

[0259] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps of the above embodiments can be implemented by hardware or by a program instructing related hardware. The program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, such as a read-only memory, a disk, or an optical disk.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to network devices, the method includes: Send a first message, wherein the first message is used to indicate that the terminal device in the first group has a first decoding capability; Send a second message, wherein the second message is encoded based on a first encoding method, the first decoding method corresponding to the first decoding capability corresponds to the first encoding method, and the second message carries time domain resources, frequency domain resources and code domain resources; The third information is received based on the time domain resources and the frequency domain resources, wherein the third information is encoded based on the code domain resources, and the code domain resources are decoded based on the first decoding method.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first information includes a first identifier and a second identifier. The first identifier is used to indicate that the terminal device in the first group has the first decoding capability, and the second identifier is used to indicate the first decoding method.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information also includes a first index, which is used to identify the terminal device in the first group.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second information also includes at least one second index, which is used to identify a terminal device in the first group. The number of second indices is less than or equal to the number of first indices. The terminal device represented by the second index can use the time domain resources, the frequency domain resources, and the code domain resources.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The second information includes the number of transmissions, which indicates the number of times the terminal device sends the third information on the time domain resources and the frequency domain resources.

6. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a terminal device, the method includes: Receive first information, wherein the first information is used to indicate that the terminal device belongs to a first group, and the first information is also used to indicate that the terminal device has a first decoding capability; Receive second information, wherein the second information is encoded based on the first encoding method, the first decoding method corresponding to the first decoding capability corresponds to the first encoding method, and the second information carries time domain resources, frequency domain resources and code domain resources; The third information is transmitted based on the time domain resources and the frequency domain resources, wherein the third information is encoded based on the code domain resources, and the code domain resources are decoded based on the first decoding method.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first information includes a first identifier and a second identifier. The first identifier is used to indicate that the terminal device has the first decoding capability, and the second identifier is used to indicate the first decoding method.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The first information also includes a first index, which is an index of the terminal device and is used to identify the terminal device in the first group.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second information also includes at least one second index, which is used to identify terminal devices in the first group, and the number of the second indexes is less than or equal to the number of the first indexes; If the terminal device has a second index in at least one second index, the terminal device may use the time domain resources, the frequency domain resources, and the code domain resources.

10. The method according to any one of claims 6-9, characterized in that, The second information includes the number of transmissions, and the sending of the third information based on the time-domain resources and the frequency-domain resources includes: The third information is transmitted on the time domain resources and the frequency domain resources based on the number of transmissions.

11. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit, the communication unit and the processing unit being used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-5.

12. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a communication unit and a processing unit, the communication unit and the processing unit being used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 6-10.

13. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor; When the processor invokes a computer program or instruction in memory, it causes the communication device to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-5.

14. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor; When the processor invokes a computer program or instruction in memory, it causes the communication device to implement the method as described in any one of claims 6-10.

15. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes logic circuits and interfaces, wherein the logic circuits and the interfaces are coupled; The interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information, and the logic circuit is used to enable the communication device to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-10.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that, The communication device is a chip or chip system.

17. A communication system, characterized in that, The communication system includes the communication device as described in claim 11 and the communication device as described in claim 12; or The communication system includes the communication device as described in claim 13 and the communication device as described in claim 14.

18. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store instructions or computer programs; The instructions or the computer program are executed to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-10.

19. A computer program product, characterized in that, include: Instructions or computer programs; The instructions or the computer program are executed to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-10.

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