Communication method, device and system

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method, device and system. In the method, when a second CDM group having a larger index is configured to receive a reference signal, a first CDM group having a smaller index, which originally cannot be used for data transmission, can be indicated, by means of indication information, as being available for data transmission. In this way, time-frequency resources can be fully utilized, resource waste can be reduced, and thus a data transmission rate can be improved.

Description

Communication methods, devices and systems

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510208558.7, filed on February 24, 2025, entitled "Communication Method, Apparatus and System", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to a communication method, apparatus, and system. Background Technology

[0003] With the continuous development of communication technology, in order to improve the detection performance of the channel, reference signals can be transmitted based on different code division multiplexing (CDM) groups. Different CDM groups include different reference signal ports, and the different reference signal ports are orthogonal to each other.

[0004] Taking the first CDM group and the second CDM group as examples, the first CDM group can be configured by a first communication device (e.g., a first network device) to transmit reference signals with a second communication device (e.g., a first terminal), and the second CDM group can be configured by a third communication device (e.g., a second network device) to transmit reference signals with a fourth communication device (e.g., a second terminal). It should be understood that in the above configuration, the reference signals emitted by the first communication device and the third communication device are orthogonal, enabling the second communication device to obtain the channels from the first and third communication devices to itself more accurately, thereby improving the data transmission performance at the second communication device.

[0005] In existing technologies, when a CDM group with a large index (e.g., the second CDM group) is used to transmit reference signals, a CDM group with an index smaller than that of the first CDM group (e.g., the first CDM group) cannot be used for data transmission. That is, when a third communication device and a fourth communication device transmit reference signals via the second CDM group, the first CDM group cannot be used for data transmission. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, and system to improve the data transmission rate of the system.

[0007] Firstly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to a fourth communication device. This fourth communication device may be, for example, a terminal device, a component configured in the terminal device (such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal device, etc. This application does not limit the scope of the application.

[0008] For example, the method includes: a fourth communication device receiving indication information indicating that a first CDM group is used for data transmission, the index of the first CDM group is less than the index of a second CDM group, the second CDM group is used to receive a second reference signal, and the antenna port corresponding to the port of the second reference signal is the same as the antenna port corresponding to the data transmission; the fourth communication device receiving the data transmission on the resources included in the first CDM group.

[0009] Based on the above scheme, when the second CDM group with a larger index is configured to receive the reference signal, the first CDM group with a smaller index, which was originally unusable for data transmission, can be indicated to be used for data transmission as well. This fully utilizes time-frequency resources, reduces resource waste, and thus improves the data transmission rate.

[0010] It should be understood that the indication information indicates that the first CDM group is used for data transmission. This can be done directly by indicating that the first CDM group is used for data transmission, or indirectly by indicating that the first CDM group is not used for data transmission.

[0011] It should also be understood that the first CDM group is merely an example, and other CDM groups may be instructed to be used for data transmission through instruction information, etc., which are not limited in this application.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some possible implementations of the first aspect, the first CDM group is configured to transmit the first reference signal.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the first CDM group with a smaller index might not be usable for data transmission, possibly because it is configured to transmit a first reference signal. For example, it could be configured by a first communication device to transmit the first reference signal to a second communication device. The first communication device could be, for example, a network device, a component configured within the network device (such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device, etc., and this application does not limit its scope. The second communication device could be, for example, a terminal device, a component configured within the terminal device (such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal device, etc., and this application does not limit its scope.

[0014] One possibility is that when the first CDM group is not used by the fourth communication device to receive reference signals, the indication information can indicate that the first CDM group can also be used for data transmission with the fourth communication device as the receiver.

[0015] The configuration of the first CDM group for transmitting the first reference signal can be understood as at least one port of the first reference signal belonging to the first CDM group. That is, by indicating the reference signal port in the indication information, it is possible to determine which CDM group is used to transmit the reference signal based on the affiliation between the reference signal port and the CDM group.

[0016] It should be understood that the ports of the first reference signal may also include ports belonging to other CDM groups, and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0017] It should also be understood that the first reference signal and the second reference signal may be the same or different.

[0018] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some possible implementations of the first aspect, the indication information also indicates a port of a second reference signal, the port of which corresponds to a third CDM group, the third CDM group including the second CDM group.

[0019] Optionally, the port of the second reference signal corresponds to the third CDM group, which can be understood as the third CDM group including all the ports of the second reference signal.

[0020] Optionally, the fourth communication device may receive the second reference signal on the resources included in the third CDM group. Since the antenna port corresponding to the data transmission is the same as the antenna port corresponding to the second reference signal, this facilitates the fourth communication device to perform channel estimation and channel compensation on data transmissions on the same antenna port, thereby improving the quality of data transmission.

[0021] Optionally, the third CDM group may include one CDM group or multiple CDM groups, and this application does not limit this.

[0022] Optionally, the dependency relationship between the port of the aforementioned first reference signal or the port of the second reference signal and the CDM group may be predefined by a protocol, or it may be preconfigured, etc., and this application does not limit this. Therefore, in one possible implementation, the indication information can indicate the third CDM group by indicating the port of the second reference signal.

[0023] Optionally, the second CDM group can be one of the CDM groups in the third CDM group, such as the CDM group with the largest index in the third CDM group.

[0024] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some possible implementations of the first aspect, the indication information indicates the number n of CDM groups not used for data transmission, where n is less than m, and m is the number of CDM groups whose index is less than or equal to the index of the second CDM group.

[0025] When the second CDM group is configured to receive the second reference signal, based on existing technology, the first CDM group with an index less than or equal to the second CDM group (i.e., at least one CDM group with an index less than or equal to the second CDM group) is not used for data transmission. Alternatively, all CDM groups with an index less than or equal to the index of the second CDM group have been used to transmit the reference signal. For example, the first CDM group can be configured for the first communication device to transmit the first reference signal.

[0026] One possibility is that the first CDM group is not included in the number of CDM groups not used for data transmission by indicating information, thereby indirectly indicating that the first CDM group can be used for data transmission, which can make fuller use of time and frequency resources, reduce resource waste, and thus improve the data transmission rate.

[0027] Optionally, the number of CDM groups whose index is less than or equal to the index of the second CDM group is denoted as m, and the number of CDM groups not used for data transmission as indicated by the indication information is denoted as n, and it can be determined that n is less than m.

[0028] Optionally, the indication information may include at least one bit, which corresponds to the first information and the second information in a preset correspondence. The first information may indicate the port of the reference signal, which belongs to the third CDM group, or in other words, corresponds to the third CDM group according to a preset rule of the protocol. The second information may indicate the number n of CDM groups not used for data transmission, where n is less than m, and m is the number of CDM groups whose index is less than or equal to the index of the second CDM group. The second CDM group may, for example, be the CDM group with the largest index among the third CDM groups.

[0029] For example, the fourth communication device can determine the third CDM group (e.g., according to a rule preset in the protocol) based on the port of the second reference signal indicated by the first information, thereby determining the second CDM group (e.g., the second CDM group is the CDM group with the largest index among the third CDM groups). Furthermore, based on the number of CDM groups not used for data transmission indicated by the second information, it can determine that the first CDM group with an index smaller than the second CDM group can be used for data transmission.

[0030] In this way, unused time and frequency resources can be fully utilized, reducing resource waste and thus improving data transmission rates.

[0031] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some possible implementations of the first aspect, the indication information includes a bitmap, each bit in which corresponds to a CDM group, and the first bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding first CDM group is used for data transmission.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the indication information can directly indicate that the first CDM group is used for data transmission. For example, the bitmap may include two bits that correspond one-to-one with the first and second CDM groups, with the value of each bit indicating whether the corresponding CDM group is used for data transmission. For example, the first bit is "1" and the second bit is "0". The "10" indicated by this indication information means that the first CDM group can be used for data transmission, and the second CDM group is not used for data transmission.

[0033] Optionally, in addition to the first CDM group, the bitmap can also indicate other CDM groups used for data transmission. For example, the third CDM group includes the fourth CDM group and the second CDM group. The index of the second CDM group is greater than the index of the fourth CDM group. In this case, the bitmap can also include three bits corresponding one-to-one with the first, fourth, and second CDM groups. The value of each bit indicates whether the corresponding CDM group is used for data transmission. For example, the first bit is "1", the second bit is "1", and the third bit is "0". This indication information can indicate "110", meaning that the first CDM group can be used for data transmission, the fourth CDM group can be used for data transmission, and the second CDM group is not used for data transmission.

[0034] It is understood that the fourth CDM group can be a CDM group with an index smaller than that of the second CDM group. The fourth CDM group can be one of the CDM groups included in the third CDM group, or it can be a CDM group that is not one of the CDM groups in the third CDM group, etc., and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0035] Optionally, the first CDM group can be one of the CDM groups used for data transmission and whose index is less than that of the second CDM group.

[0036] It should be understood that there may be one or more CDM groups indicated by the indication information for data transmission and whose index is less than that of the second CDM group. The first and fourth CDM groups are merely examples; for instance, more CDM groups may be included, indicated by the indication information as being suitable for data transmission. That is, there may be one or more CDM groups with the same or similar functions and characteristics as the first or fourth CDM group, and so on; this application does not limit this.

[0037] Using a bitmap to indicate that the first CDM group is used for data transmission is relatively simple and convenient to implement.

[0038] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some possible implementations of the first aspect, the indication information further indicates at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group; receiving data transmission on the resources included in the first CDM group includes: receiving the data transmission on the resources included in the first CDM group, wherein the data transmission on the resources included in the first CDM group is transmitted through an antenna port corresponding to the at least one reference signal port.

[0039] Optionally, at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group may include at least one reference signal port under the second CDM group.

[0040] One possible scenario for this indication information is that it is used to indicate at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group, and the number n of CDM groups not used for data transmission, where n is less than m, and m is the number of CDM groups whose index is less than or equal to the index of the second CDM group, which may be, for example, the CDM group with the largest index in the third CDM group.

[0041] It is understood that the two pieces of information indicated by the indication information—at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group and the number n of CDM groups not used for data transmission—can be indicated by a single indication information or by different indication information, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit this. For example, the indication information includes a first indication information and a second indication information. The first indication information can indicate at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group, and the second indication information can indicate the number n of CDM groups not used for data transmission.

[0042] Another possible scenario for this indication information is that it is used to indicate at least one reference signal port under a third CDM group, and a bit map where each bit in the bit map corresponds to a CDM group, and the first bit in the bit map indicates that the corresponding first CDM group is used for data transmission.

[0043] It is understood that the two pieces of information indicated by the indication information—at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group and the bit map—can be indicated by a single indication information or by different indication information, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit this. For example, the indication information includes third indication information and fourth indication information. The third indication information can indicate at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group, and the fourth indication information can indicate the bit map.

[0044] For details regarding the number n of CDM groups not used for data transmission indicated by the instruction information, as well as the relevant content of the bit map, please refer to the aforementioned related explanations, which will not be repeated here.

[0045] Based on this instruction information, the fourth communication device can receive data transmission on the resources included in the first CDM group on the layer (or the corresponding stream) corresponding to the antenna port corresponding to at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group.

[0046] Alternatively, it can be understood that the fourth communication device can receive data transmission on the resources included in the first CDM group on the layer (or the corresponding stream) corresponding to at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group.

[0047] In this way, unused time and frequency resources can be fully utilized, reducing resource waste and thus improving data transmission rates.

[0048] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some possible implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving the data transmission based on transmission parameters determined based on the at least one reference signal port and the resources included in the first CDM group; the transmission parameters include at least one of the following: transport block size (TBS); rate matching method; layer mapping method.

[0049] Optionally, as mentioned above, both the first CDM group and the fourth CDM group in the third CDM group can be used for data transmission. In another possible implementation, the transmission parameters are determined based on the at least one reference signal port and the resources included in the first CDM group and the fourth CDM group.

[0050] In addition to the existing resources used for receiving data transmission, the resources included in the first CDM group can also be used for receiving data transmission on the layer corresponding to the antenna port of the at least one reference signal port. Accordingly, the relevant transmission parameters also change when receiving data transmission.

[0051] Secondly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to a third communication device. This third communication device may be, for example, a network device, a component configured within the network device (such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device, etc. This application does not limit the scope of the application.

[0052] For example, the method includes: a third communication device sending indication information indicating that a first CDM group is used for data transmission, the index of the first CDM group is less than the index of a second CDM group, the second CDM group is used for transmitting a second reference signal, and the antenna port corresponding to the port of the second reference signal is the same as the antenna port corresponding to the data transmission; the third communication device sending the data transmission on the resources included in the first CDM group.

[0053] Based on the above scheme, when the second CDM group with a larger index is configured to transmit reference signals, the first CDM group with a smaller index, which was originally unusable for data transmission, can be indicated to be used for data transmission as well. This fully utilizes time-frequency resources, reduces resource waste, and thus improves the data transmission rate.

[0054] Optionally, the first CDM group with a smaller index may not have been originally intended for data transmission because it was configured to transmit reference signals. For example, it might be configured by the first communication device to transmit reference signals to the second communication device. The first communication device could be, for example, a network device, a component (such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.) configured within the network device, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device. This application does not limit this. The first and third communication devices may be the same or different. The second communication device could be, for example, a terminal device, a component (such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.) configured within the terminal device, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal device. This application does not limit this.

[0055] Optionally, the indication information indicates that the first CDM group can also be used for data transmission because the first CDM group is not used by the third communication device to transmit reference signals.

[0056] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some possible implementations of the second aspect, the first CDM group is configured to transmit the first reference signal.

[0057] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some possible implementations of the second aspect, the indication information also indicates the port of the second reference signal, the port of the second reference signal corresponding to the third CDM group, the third CDM group including the second CDM group.

[0058] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some possible implementations of the second aspect, the indication information indicates the number n of CDM groups not used for data transmission, where n is less than m, and m is the number of CDM groups whose index is less than or equal to the index of the second CDM group.

[0059] Optionally, the second CDM group may be, for example, the CDM group with the largest index in the third CDM group.

[0060] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some possible implementations of the second aspect, the indication information includes a bitmap, each bit in which corresponds to a CDM group, and a first bit in the bitmap indicating that the corresponding first CDM group is used for data transmission.

[0061] Optionally, the first CDM group can be one of the CDM groups used for data transmission and whose index is smaller than that of the second CDM group. It should be understood that there may be multiple CDM groups indicated for data transmission and whose index is smaller than that of the second CDM group, and this application does not limit this.

[0062] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some possible implementations of the second aspect, the indication information further indicates at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group; the transmission of data over the resources included in the first CDM group includes: transmitting the data over the resources included in the first CDM group, wherein the data transmission over the resources included in the first CDM group is transmitted through an antenna port corresponding to the at least one reference signal port.

[0063] For details regarding the second aspect, please refer to the detailed explanation in the first aspect; further details will not be repeated here.

[0064] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some possible implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: transmitting the data based on transmission parameters determined based on the at least one reference signal port and the resources included in the first CDM group; the transmission parameters include at least one of the following: TBS; rate matching mode; layer mapping mode.

[0065] Optionally, the first CDM group and the fourth CDM group as described above can be used for data transmission. In another possible implementation, the transmission parameters are determined based on the at least one reference signal port and the resources included in the first CDM group and the fourth CDM group.

[0066] For details regarding the second aspect and some possible implementations of the second aspect, please refer to the detailed description of the first aspect above, which will not be repeated here.

[0067] In combination with the first and second aspects, in some possible implementations of the first or second aspect, the TBS includes: the number of information bits carried on the resources included in the first CDM group on the layer corresponding to the at least one reference signal port.

[0068] The layer corresponding to the at least one reference signal port can be understood as the layer corresponding to the antenna port corresponding to the at least one reference signal port.

[0069] When determining the TBS, an additional number of information bits corresponding to the first CDM group on the layer corresponding to the antenna port is added to the original number of information bits. Therefore, the number of information bits N is calculated. infoThe method also needs adaptive adjustments. The adjusted calculation method can be predefined through a protocol, etc., but this application does not limit it in this regard.

[0070] In another possible implementation, TBS includes: the number of information bits carried on the resources included in the first CDM group and the fourth CDM group on the layer corresponding to the at least one reference signal port. The specific method for calculating TBS in this case can be referred to above, and will not be repeated here.

[0071] In combination with the first and second aspects, in some possible implementations of the first or second aspect, in this rate matching method, on the layer corresponding to the at least one reference signal port, the coded bits on the resources included in the first CDM group are included in a first channel coded block, the first channel coded block including at least one channel coded block.

[0072] Optionally, this antenna port is the same antenna port corresponding to at least one reference signal port in the third CDM group. Therefore, the layer corresponding to this antenna port can also be understood as the layer corresponding to at least one reference signal port in the third CDM group.

[0073] Once the TBS is determined, the number of channel-coded blocks used to carry the coded bits can be obtained, and then the coded bits on the resources included in the first CDM group can be carried in the first channel-coded block.

[0074] Compared to the number of coded bits in the resources originally used for data transmission, an additional portion of coded bits is added, corresponding to at least one reference signal port in the third CDM group, on the resources included in the first CDM group. Therefore, the method for calculating the number of coded bits also needs to be adapted. The adjusted calculation method can be, for example, predefined by the protocol, etc., and this application does not limit it in this regard.

[0075] Furthermore, in another possible implementation, in this rate matching method, the coded bits on the resources included in the first CDM group and the fourth CDM group at the layer corresponding to the at least one reference signal port are included in a first channel-coded code block, which includes at least one channel-coded code block. In this case, the determination of the rate matching method can be referred to the above, and will not be repeated here.

[0076] In combination with the first and second aspects, in some possible implementations of the first or second aspect, in this layer mapping method, the modulation symbols on the resources included in the first CDM group are interleaved and mapped on the layer corresponding to the at least one reference signal port.

[0077] Optionally, during the layer mapping process, the modulation symbols on the original resources used for data transmission can be interleaved and mapped on all layers corresponding to all reference signal ports of the third CDM group; and the modulation symbols on the resources included in the first CDM group can be interleaved and mapped on the layer corresponding to at least one reference signal port of the third CDM group.

[0078] Furthermore, in another possible implementation, the modulation symbols on the resources included in the aforementioned first and fourth CDM groups can be interleaved and mapped on the layer corresponding to the antenna port of at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group. The specific method of layer mapping in this case can be referred to above, and will not be repeated here.

[0079] Thirdly, a communication method is provided that can be applied to a fourth communication device. This fourth communication device may be, for example, a terminal device, a component configured in the terminal device (such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal device, etc. This application does not limit the scope of the application.

[0080] For example, the method includes: a fourth communication device receiving indication information indicating that a first code division multiplexing (CDM) group not used for data transmission is permitted to transmit data, a second CDM group in the at least one CDM group is used to receive a second reference signal, the antenna port corresponding to the port of the second reference signal being the same as the antenna port corresponding to the data transmission; and the fourth communication device receiving the data transmission on the resources included in the first CDM group.

[0081] Based on the above scheme, the first CDM group, which was originally not used for data transmission, is indicated to be usable for data transmission through indication information. In this way, time and frequency resources can be fully utilized, resource waste can be reduced, and data transmission rate can be improved.

[0082] The third aspect and some possible implementations of the third aspect are the same as or similar to the first aspect and some possible implementations of the first aspect, so that the same technical effect can be achieved, and will not be elaborated further.

[0083] Fourthly, a communication method is provided, which can be applied to a third communication device. This third communication device may be, for example, a network device, a component configured within the network device (such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device, etc. This application does not limit the scope of the application.

[0084] For example, the method includes: a third communication device sending indication information indicating that a first code division multiplexing (CDM) group not used for data transmission is permitted to transmit data, a second CDM group in the at least one CDM group is used to transmit a second reference signal, the antenna port corresponding to the port of the second reference signal being the same as the antenna port corresponding to the data transmission; and the third communication device transmitting the data transmission on the resources included in the first CDM group.

[0085] Based on the above scheme, the first CDM group, which was originally not used for data transmission, is indicated to be usable for data transmission through indication information. In this way, time and frequency resources can be fully utilized, resource waste can be reduced, and data transmission rate can be improved.

[0086] The fourth aspect and some possible implementations of the fourth aspect are the same as or similar to the second aspect and some possible implementations of the second aspect, so that the same technical effect can be achieved, and will not be elaborated further.

[0087] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device, including modules or units for implementing the methods of the first or third aspect and any possible implementation thereof. Each module or unit can implement its corresponding function by executing a computer program.

[0088] In a sixth aspect, this application provides a communication device including a processor, the processor being configured to execute the communication method described in the first or third aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0089] The device may further include a memory for storing instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, which, when executing the instructions stored in the memory, can implement the methods described in the foregoing aspects. The device may also include a communication interface for communicating with other devices; exemplary, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface.

[0090] For example, the device in the fifth or sixth aspect is a fourth communication device, or a component in the fourth communication device, such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.

[0091] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a chip system including at least one processor for supporting the implementation of the functions involved in the first or third aspect and any possible implementation of the first or third aspect, such as receiving or processing information involved in the above methods.

[0092] In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory for storing program instructions and data, which may be located within or outside the processor.

[0093] The chip system can consist of chips or include chips and other discrete components.

[0094] Eighthly, this application provides a communication device including modules or units for implementing the methods of the second or fourth aspect and any possible implementation of the second or fourth aspect. Each module or unit can implement its corresponding function by executing a computer program.

[0095] Ninthly, this application provides a communication device including a processor, the processor being configured to execute the communication method described in the second or fourth aspect and any possible implementation thereof.

[0096] The device may further include a memory for storing instructions and data. The memory is coupled to the processor, which, when executing the instructions stored in the memory, can implement the methods described in the foregoing aspects. The device may also include a communication interface for communicating with other devices; exemplary, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface.

[0097] For example, the device in the eighth or ninth aspect is a third communication device, or a component in a third communication device, such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.

[0098] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a chip system including at least one processor for supporting the implementation of the functions involved in the second or fourth aspect and any possible implementation of the second or fourth aspect, such as receiving or processing information involved in the above methods.

[0099] In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory for storing program instructions and data, which may be located within or outside the processor.

[0100] The chip system can consist of chips or include chips and other discrete components.

[0101] In one aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium including a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to implement the methods of the first to fourth aspects and any possible implementation of the first to fourth aspects.

[0102] In a twelfth aspect, this application provides a computer program product comprising: a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when run, causes a computer to perform the methods of the first to fourth aspects and any possible implementation thereof.

[0103] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system including the aforementioned third and fourth communication devices.

[0104] The fifth to thirteenth aspects of this application correspond to the technical solutions of the first to fourth aspects of this application. The beneficial effects achieved by each aspect and the corresponding feasible implementation are similar, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0105] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the communication architecture provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0106] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of cell interference provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0107] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of serial interference cancellation provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0108] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the first CDM group and the second CDM group provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0109] Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0110] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the first CDM group used for data transmission provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0111] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a bitmap provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0112] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0113] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0114] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0115] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the network device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0116] The technical solution provided in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0117] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the following points will be explained first:

[0118] First, in this application, the indication includes explicit indication (also known as direct indication) and implicit indication (also known as indirect indication). Explicit indication information A means including information A; implicit indication information A means indicating information A through the correspondence between information A and information B, and direct indication information B. The correspondence between information A and information B can be predefined, pre-stored, pre-burned, or pre-configured; or it can refer to indicating information A through information B and preset rules.

[0119] Second, in this application, information C is used to determine information D, which includes both determining information D based solely on information C and determining it based on information C and other information. Furthermore, information C can also be used to determine information D indirectly, for example, in the case where information D is determined based on information E, and information E is determined based on information C.

[0120] Third, in this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the preceding and following related objects, but it does not exclude the possibility of indicating an "and" relationship; the specific meaning can be understood in context. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c; a and b; a and c; b and c; or a and b and c. Here, a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0121] Fourth, the use of prefixes such as "first" and "second" in this application is merely for the purpose of distinguishing and describing different things belonging to the same category, and does not constrain the order, size, or quantity of things. For example, "first communication device" and "second communication device" are simply different pieces of information, and there is no temporal sequence, size, or priority relationship between them.

[0122] Fifth, the correspondences shown in the tables of this application are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this application. The content in each table is only illustrative and can be configured with other content; this application does not limit this. When configuring these correspondences, it is not necessarily required to configure all the correspondences shown in each table. For example, the correspondences shown in some rows may not be configured. For another example, some columns may be replaced with other forms. Furthermore, appropriate modifications and adjustments can be made to the tables shown herein, such as splitting, merging, etc.

[0123] In addition, tables are only one possible form of correspondence. In specific implementations, other data structures can also be used, such as arrays, queues, containers, stacks, linear lists, pointers, linked lists, trees, graphs, structures, classes, heaps, hash tables, or hash tables.

[0124] Sixth, in this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to a fourth communication device" can be understood as the destination of the information being the fourth communication device, which may include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission via the air interface by other units or modules. "Receive information from a third communication device" can be understood as the source of the information being the third communication device, which may include direct reception from the third communication device via the air interface or indirect reception from the third communication device via the air interface by other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface.

[0125] In other words, sending and receiving can be done between communication devices, such as between a third and a fourth communication device; or it can be done within a communication device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0126] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, sidelink (SL) communication systems, 5th Generation (5G) mobile communication systems, or new radio access technology (NR). Among these, 5G mobile communication systems can include non-standalone (NSA) and / or standalone (SA) networking. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to communication networks of future radio access technologies, etc. This application does not limit the scope of the application.

[0127] The network system architecture provided in this application embodiment may include, for example, terminal equipment and radio access network (RAN) equipment.

[0128] Terminal equipment can be any device or module that accesses the aforementioned communication system and possesses corresponding communication functions. Terminal equipment can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), terminal, user device, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal unit, terminal station, terminal device, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device. Terminals typically contain communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform the corresponding communication functions. They may also be configured with program instructions for performing these functions.

[0129] For example, the terminal in this application embodiment can be a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA) computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a drone, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a machine type communication (MTC) terminal, a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, an Internet of Things (IoT) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical care, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home (e.g., game consoles, smart TVs, smart speakers, smart refrigerators, and fitness equipment), a transport vehicle with wireless communication capabilities, a communication module, or a roadside unit (RSU) with terminal capabilities.

[0130] Radio access network (RAN) equipment, also known as RAN nodes, access network devices, or network equipment, is a component of a communication system. It consists of devices or modules that enable wireless access for terminals and possess corresponding communication functions. RAN equipment typically includes communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform these functions. It can also be configured with program instructions and corresponding program commands for executing these communication functions.

[0131] In one possible scenario, a RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a next-generation base station in a 6th-generation (6G) mobile communication system, a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system. A RAN node can be a macro base station, a micro base station, an indoor station, a relay node, a donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, a RAN node can also be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU).

[0132] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, with each RAN node performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), or radio units (RUs), etc. CUs and DUs can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0133] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. For ease of description, this application uses CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU as examples. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0134] A terminal can also be called a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, etc.

[0135] In the embodiments of this application, the terminal and network device can be hardware devices, or software functions running on dedicated hardware, or software functions running on general-purpose hardware, such as virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., cloud platform), or entities that include dedicated or general-purpose hardware devices and software functions. This application does not limit the specific form of the terminal and network device.

[0136] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the communication architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication architecture may include, for example, a first communication device, a second communication device, a third communication device, and a fourth communication device. The first and third communication devices may be nodes on the network side, or a central node with transceiver capabilities, or network devices, etc. The second and fourth communication devices may be terminal devices, such as mobile phones or other terminal devices, etc., and this embodiment of the application does not limit their use.

[0137] It should be understood that this communication architecture is merely an example, and may include more or fewer network devices or terminal devices, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0138] Optionally, the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application may be applicable to possible application scenarios, such as scenarios with multiple TRPs (e.g., two or more TRPs).

[0139] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of cell interference provided in an embodiment of this application. For example, each cell can deploy one base station. When base stations from different cells serve terminals at the cell edge (hereinafter referred to as edge terminals) on overlapping time-frequency resources, the edge terminals will suffer significant interference from base stations deployed in adjacent cells, resulting in a lower received signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) and thus affecting demodulation performance. The black shaded area in Figure 2 represents the cell edge, and terminals located at the cell edge are likely to be affected by interference from adjacent cells.

[0140] To address the aforementioned interference issues, there are currently two main methods for suppressing interference. One method is to suppress interference by allocating resources between base stations in different cells, meaning that base stations deployed in different cells use different time-frequency resources for data transmission. The other method is to suppress interference by exchanging dynamic information between base stations in real time.

[0141] For example, in multiple transmission reception point (mTRP) technology, one or more TRPs can be deployed within each cell. TRPs located at the edges of different cells can cooperate, that is, exchange dynamic information in real time to suppress interference. For example, based on the above cooperation, interference can be suppressed through methods such as coherent joint transmission (CJT) or non-coherent joint transmission (NCJT).

[0142] In joint transmission, multiple TRPs need to share real-time service data and / or real-time scheduling information of the terminal. Therefore, high-speed interactive interfaces need to be deployed between multiple TRPs, or multiple TRPs may share a baseband BBU. In one possible implementation, these multiple TRPs can be considered to be located in the same cooperation set. In actual deployment, considering the deployment cost of high-speed interactive interfaces, it is generally difficult to deploy high-speed interactive interfaces for all TRPs between adjacent cells. Therefore, a cooperation set may only include a limited number of TRPs, and there may be multiple different cooperation sets in a large area. That is, a TRP cooperation set cannot include all TRPs located at the cell edge in adjacent cells. As shown in Figure 2, the two TRPs enclosed by the dashed ellipse are not in the same cooperation set, while the two TRPs enclosed by the solid ellipse are in the same cooperation set. Therefore, there is inter-TRP interference in NR, or it can be called interference between TRP cooperation sets.

[0143] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of serial interference cancellation provided in an embodiment of this application. Taking two TRPs as an example, denoted as the serving TRP and the interfering TRP respectively, the edge terminal served by the serving TRP is denoted as the first terminal, and the terminal served by the interfering TRP is denoted as the second terminal. The service areas of these two TRPs overlap or are very close to each other, which may result in terminals in their respective service areas being interfered with by the other TRP. These two TRPs may be located in different cells or in different TRP cooperation sets.

[0144] In order to eliminate the interference of the aforementioned interfering TRP to the first terminal, the first terminal can estimate the channel from the serving TRP to the first terminal, and can also estimate the interference channel and interference symbols from the interfering TRP to the first terminal, thereby suppressing / eliminating the interference based on the serial interference cancellation method.

[0145] It should be understood that the above application scenarios are merely examples and can be applied to other scenarios, such as communication between two TRPs, or interference between two communication devices, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit these scenarios.

[0146] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the first CDM group and the second CDM group provided in the embodiments of this application. During PDSCH demodulation, the terminal can typically detect the downlink equivalent channel using the demodulation reference signal (DMRS). When suppressing interference based on the above-described serial interference cancellation method, the terminal needs to detect the equivalent channels from the serving TRP and the interfering TRP to the terminal respectively. To improve channel detection performance, the DMRS ports included in the DMRS sent to the terminal by the serving TRP and the interfering TRP can belong to different CDM groups. For example, the DMRS ports included in the DMRS sent to the terminal by the serving TRP are port 0 and port 1, and the DMRS ports included in the DMRS sent to the terminal by the interfering TRP are port 2 and port 3. Port 0 and port 1 belong to the first CDM group, and port 2 and port 3 belong to the second CDM group.

[0147] It is understandable that different CDM groups occupy different time-frequency resources. For example, in DMRS configuration type 1, there are two CDM groups. In placing the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols for the DMRS, CDM group 0 (an example of the first CDM group) may include REs with even subcarrier indices in the RB, while CDM group 1 (an example of the second CDM group) may include REs with odd subcarrier indices in the RB. The index 0 of CDM group 0 is less than the index 1 of CDM group 1. It can be seen that CDM group 0 and CDM group 1 occupy different frequency-domain resources on the same time-domain resources, or in other words, they occupy different subcarriers. Alternatively, it can be said that CDM group 0 and CDM group 1 occupy different time-frequency resources.

[0148] When the DMRS ports of the two DMRSs belong to different CDM groups, it can be assumed that the two DMRSs occupy different time-frequency resources, thereby improving the detection performance of channel detection for the two TRPs to the terminal.

[0149] Furthermore, in existing technologies, when transmitting multi-stream data or multiplexing multiplexed data, network devices can first allocate DMRS ports in CDM group 0, and then allocate DMRS ports in CDM group 1. For example, the "antenna port(s)" field carried in the downlink control information (DCI) can be used to indicate the terminal's DMRS port and the number of CDM groups (CDM groups(s) without data) not used for data transmission. When the number of CDM groups not used for data transmission is 1, it indicates that CDM group 0 is not used for data transmission; when it is 2, it indicates that neither CDM group 0 nor CDM group 1 is used for data transmission.

[0150] For example, Table 1 can be predefined by the protocol, and the "antenna port" field carried by DCI can represent a row shown in Table 1. Each row in the table includes two fields: "number of CDM groups not used for data transmission" and "DMRS port".

[0151] It should be understood that Table 1 is merely an example, and other tables similar to Table 1 can be predefined by the protocol, etc., which are not limited in this application. For a more detailed description of Table 1, please refer to the existing technology, such as the relevant description in 3GPP technical specification (TS) 38.212, which will not be elaborated here.

[0152] Table 1

[0153] In existing technologies, when the DMRS sent to the terminal includes DMRS ports belonging to CDM group 1 (i.e., belonging to a CDM group with a larger index), neither CDM group 0 nor CDM group 1 can be used for data transmission (i.e., neither CDM group with a smaller index can be used for data transmission). In one possible implementation, it can be assumed that CDM group 0 is already occupied by the DMRS of another terminal. Therefore, the number of CDM groups not used for data transmission is 2, meaning that neither CDM group 0 nor CDM group 1 is used for data transmission.

[0154] For example, the protocol predefines DMRS ports 0 and 1 to belong to CDM group 0, and ports 2 and 3 to belong to CDM group 1. When the terminal's DMRS includes port 2, it can be seen from Table 1 that the number of CDM groups not used for data transmission is 2, meaning that neither CDM group 0 nor CDM group 1 is used for data transmission.

[0155] Furthermore, different CDM groups can be assigned to different communication devices for transmitting reference signals. For example, the first communication device is the serving TRP, the second communication device is the first terminal serving the serving TRP, the third communication device is the interfering TRP, and the fourth communication device is the second terminal serving the interfering TRP. In one possible scenario, the first CDM group can be configured by the first communication device to transmit reference signals with the second communication device (i.e., the ports included in the reference signals transmitted by the first communication device belong to the first CDM group), and the second CDM group can be configured by the third communication device to transmit reference signals with the fourth communication device (i.e., the ports included in the reference signals transmitted by the third communication device belong to the second CDM group). Assigning different CDM groups to different communication devices for transmitting reference signals can improve the performance of channel estimation.

[0156] When a CDM group with a large index (e.g., the second CDM group) is configured for transmitting reference signals by a third communication device, according to the technical solution described above, a CDM group with a smaller index (e.g., the first CDM group) cannot be used by the third communication device for data transmission. Thus, if the third communication device does not use the first CDM group to transmit reference signals, it also cannot use the first CDM group for data transmission, resulting in resource waste.

[0157] In view of this, this application provides a communication method in which, when a second CDM group with a larger index is configured to transmit reference signals, a first CDM group with a smaller index, which was originally not suitable for data transmission, can be indicated to be used for data transmission via indication information. This allows for full utilization of time and frequency resources, reduces resource waste, and thereby improves the data transmission rate.

[0158] The methods provided in the embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0159] Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 5 illustrates the method provided in this application from the perspective of the interaction between a third communication device and a fourth communication device, but this should not constitute any limitation on this application. Furthermore, the third communication device in Figure 5 can be replaced by components in the third communication device, such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc., or it can be replaced by a logic module or software capable of implementing some or all of its functions; similarly, the fourth communication device in Figure 5 can be replaced by components in the fourth communication device, such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc., or it can be replaced by a logic module or software capable of implementing some or all of its functions, and this application does not impose any limitations on this.

[0160] It is understood that the third communication device may be, for example, a network device or a component thereof, and the fourth communication device may be, for example, a terminal device or a component thereof, etc., and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0161] Referring to Figure 5, the communication method 500 shown in Figure 5 may include steps 510 to 520. The various steps in method 500 are described in detail below.

[0162] In step 510, the third communication device sends an indication message indicating that the first CDM group is used for data transmission, the index of the first CDM group is less than the index of the second CDM group, the second CDM group is used for transmitting the second reference signal, and the antenna port corresponding to the port of the second reference signal is the same as the antenna port corresponding to the data transmission. Correspondingly, the fourth communication device receives the indication message.

[0163] The first CDM group and the second CDM group can, for example, be composed of different REs on the same OFDM symbol as shown above. Optionally, on an OFDM symbol, the first CDM group can be composed of REs with even-numbered indices, the second CDM group can be composed of REs with odd-numbered indices, and so on, which is not limited in this application. For example, the first CDM group can be CDM group 0 as shown above, and the second CDM group can be CDM group 1 as shown above.

[0164] Each CDM group can be uniquely identified by an index. In the embodiments of this application, the index of the first CDM group is less than the index of the second CDM group, or in other words, the index of the second CDM group is greater than the index of the first CDM group.

[0165] Optionally, the first CDM group can be configured to transmit a reference signal. For example, the first CDM group can be configured to transmit a first reference signal between a first communication device and a second communication device.

[0166] Similarly, the second CDM group mentioned later can also be configured to transmit a reference signal. For example, the second CDM group can be configured to transmit a second reference signal between the third and fourth communication devices.

[0167] The first or second reference signal may be, for example, a DMRS or a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS), etc., and this application does not limit it in this way.

[0168] The first reference signal and the second reference signal may be the same or different. For example, when the first CDM group is configured by the first communication device to transmit the first reference signal, the first reference signal and the second reference signal may be different reference signals.

[0169] It should be noted that configuring the first CDM group to transmit the first reference signal can be understood as at least one port of the first reference signal belonging to the first CDM group; similarly, configuring the second CDM group to transmit the second reference signal can be understood as at least one port of the second reference signal belonging to the second CDM group.

[0170] In other words, by indicating the port of the reference signal through the indication information, it is possible to determine which CDM group can be used to transmit the reference signal based on the correspondence between the port of the reference signal and the CDM group predefined or preconfigured by the protocol.

[0171] It should be understood that the port of the first reference signal may include ports in the first CDM group, and may also include ports in other CDM groups; the port of the second reference signal may include ports in the second CDM group, and may also include ports in other CDM groups, and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0172] The third communication device can indicate that the first CDM group can be used for data transmission by sending an instruction message. This instruction message may be, for example, downlink control information (DCI), or other signaling, etc., and this application does not limit it in this regard.

[0173] One possible scenario is that when the second CDM group is used to transmit the second reference signal, and the first CDM group is not used by the third communication device, the third communication device can send an indication message to the fourth communication device. This indication message can be used to instruct the first CDM group to be used for data transmission. Here, "the first CDM group is not used by the third communication device" can be understood as meaning that the first CDM group is not used by the third communication device for data transmission or for transmitting reference signals.

[0174] That is, when a CDM group with a large index (e.g., the second CDM group) is used to transmit the second reference signal, the indication information can indicate that at least one CDM group with an index smaller than that CDM group (e.g., the first CDM group) is used for data transmission.

[0175] For example, the first CDM group can be used for data transmission between the third and fourth communication devices. This data transmission can be used, for example, for transmission of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), or for transmission of information bits carried in the PDSCH, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0176] Thus, one possibility is that the first CDM group can be used by the aforementioned first communication device to transmit reference signals, or by the third communication device to transmit data, thereby reducing resource waste.

[0177] Optionally, the antenna port corresponding to data transmission is the one through which the third communication device transmits data. Further, the antenna port corresponding to data transmission can be an antenna port used to transmit the PDSCH, or an antenna port used to transmit the information bits carried in the PDSCH.

[0178] The antenna port corresponding to the data transmission is the same as the antenna port corresponding to the second reference signal. In other words, during communication between the third and fourth communication devices, the second reference signal and the data transmission use the same antenna port. For example, during channel estimation, the second reference signal is transmitted on a specific antenna port. The fourth communication device can estimate the channel characteristics corresponding to that antenna port based on the received second reference signal, and then receive the data transmission on the same specific antenna port to perform channel compensation and other processing, thereby improving the quality of data transmission.

[0179] It should be understood that the indication information used in this embodiment to instruct the first CDM group for data transmission is merely an example. For instance, in addition to the first CDM group, other CDM groups can also be instructed for data transmission using the indication information, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0180] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the first CDM group used for data transmission according to an embodiment of this application. Compared with Figure 3, it can be seen that under one OFDM symbol, CDM group 0 (an example of the first CDM group), which was originally used to transmit the first reference signal, is configured to be used for data transmission, and CDM group 1 (an example of the second CDM group) can be used to transmit the second reference signal.

[0181] Optionally, the indication information can also be used to indicate the port of the second reference signal, the port of which corresponds to the third CDM group, which includes the second CDM group.

[0182] The third CDM group may include at least one CDM group, and the second CDM group is one of the at least one CDM group.

[0183] Optionally, the third CDM group may include all CDM groups corresponding to the port of the second reference signal, and the third CDM group may be used to receive the second reference signal.

[0184] Optionally, the second CDM group is the CDM group with the largest index in the third CDM group.

[0185] One possibility is that the third CDM group comprises a CDM group. That is, the second CDM group is the third CDM group.

[0186] One possibility is that the third CDM group comprises multiple CDM groups. The second CDM group is one of the CDM groups within this third CDM group.

[0187] Optionally, it can be understood that the first CDM group can be one or more CDM groups with an index less than that of the second CDM group. That is, one or more CDM groups with an index less than that of the second CDM group can all be regarded as the first CDM group, and the first CDM group can include one or more CDM groups.

[0188] Alternatively, it can be understood that the first CDM group can be one of the CDM groups whose index is less than that of the second CDM group and is used for data transmission. In addition to the first CDM group, one or more other CDM groups whose index is less than that of the second CDM group can also be used for data transmission.

[0189] Therefore, one possible scenario where the indication information indicates that the first CDM group can be used for data transmission is that one or more CDM groups with indices smaller than the second CDM group can be indicated for data transmission through the indication information.

[0190] Optionally, the second CDM group may be the CDM group with the largest index in the third CDM group, or it may not be the CDM group with the largest index in the third CDM group.

[0191] For example, the third CDM group includes the fourth CDM group and the second CDM group, each representing a CDM group. The index of the fourth CDM group is less than the index of the second CDM group. The fourth and second CDM groups included in the first and third CDM groups are arranged in ascending order of their indices as follows: First CDM group, Fourth CDM group, Second CDM group.

[0192] It can be seen that the second CDM group is the CDM group with the largest index among the third CDM groups. The CDM groups with indices smaller than the second CDM group are the first CDM group and the fourth CDM group. Optionally, the indication information indicates that the first CDM group is used for data transmission; or, optionally, both the first CDM group and the fourth CDM group can be considered as the first CDM group, and an indication information can be used to indicate that both are used for data transmission; or, optionally, the first CDM group can be indicated for data transmission by the indication information, and the fourth CDM group can also be indicated for data transmission by another indication information, etc. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0193] It is understood that the fourth CDM group is a CDM group with an index smaller than that of the second CDM group. In the embodiments of this application, the fourth CDM group being a CDM group within the third CDM group is merely an example. For instance, the fourth CDM group may be one of the CDM groups included in the third CDM group, or it may not be one of the CDM groups in the third CDM group, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0194] In another example, the third CDM group includes the fourth CDM group, the second CDM group, and the fifth CDM group, and the first CDM group and the three CDM groups included in the third CDM group are arranged in ascending order of their indices as follows: the first CDM group, the fourth CDM group, the second CDM group, and the fifth CDM group.

[0195] It can be seen that the fifth CDM group is the CDM group with the largest index in the third CDM group, meaning that the second CDM group is not the CDM group with the largest index in the third CDM group. The CDM groups with indices smaller than the second CDM group are the first CDM group and the fourth CDM group.

[0196] In this case, optionally, the indication information can indicate that the first CDM group is used for data transmission; or, optionally, the first CDM group and the fourth CDM group can both be regarded as the first CDM group, and both can be indicated to be used for data transmission by an indication information; or, optionally, the first CDM group can be indicated to be used for data transmission by an indication information, and the fourth CDM group can also be indicated to be used for data transmission by another indication information, etc., and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0197] Different reference signal ports can belong to different CDM groups, or in other words, different reference signal ports can correspond to different CDM groups. For example, reference signal ports 0 and 1 can belong to the first CDM group (e.g., CDM group 0), and reference signal ports 2 and 3 can belong to the second CDM group (e.g., CDM group 1).

[0198] Optionally, a reference port can correspond to an antenna port, and an antenna port can correspond to one or more layers. That is, there is also a correspondence between reference signal ports and layers. The layer corresponding to a reference signal port can be understood as the reference signal port corresponding to an antenna port, and the antenna port corresponding to a layer.

[0199] One possible scenario where the first CDM group can be used for data transmission is that data transmission can be performed through the antenna ports corresponding to all the reference signal ports in the third CDM group on the resources included in the first CDM group, denoted as Case 1.

[0200] Based on the correspondence between reference signal ports and antenna ports, and the correspondence between antenna ports and layers, data transmission can be performed on the resources included in the first CDM group through the antenna ports corresponding to all reference signal ports in the third CDM group. This can also be understood as: on the resources included in the first CDM group, data transmission or reception can be performed through all layers corresponding to all reference signal ports in the third CDM group. These "all layers" could be, for example, all layers on the PDSCH, or all layers corresponding to the ports of the second reference signal.

[0201] In other words, when data is transmitted on the resources included in the first CDM group, the antenna port corresponding to the data transmission is the same as the antenna port corresponding to all the reference signal ports included in the third CDM group.

[0202] Example 1: This indication information can indicate the number n of CDM groups not used for data transmission, where n is less than m, and m is the number of CDM groups whose index is less than or equal to the index of the second CDM group.

[0203] For example, the first CDM group can be used for data transmission, and the second CDM group can be used for transmitting reference signals. That is, the second CDM group is not used for data transmission, and the index of the first CDM group is less than the index of the second CDM group. In this case, the indication information can indicate that the number n of CDM groups not used for data transmission is 1, the CDM groups with indices less than the index of the second CDM group include the first CDM group, and the CDM groups with indices equal to the index of the second CDM group are the second CDM group. Therefore, m takes the value 2.

[0204] Optionally, the second CDM group may be, for example, the CDM group with the largest index among the CDM groups not used for data transmission.

[0205] One possibility is that the indication information may include at least one bit, which corresponds to a first bit and a second bit in a preset correspondence. The first bit may indicate the port of a reference signal (e.g., a DMRS port), which corresponds to a third CDM group. The second bit may indicate the number n of CDM groups not used for data transmission.

[0206] For example, Table 2 shows the correspondence between at least one bit and the first and second information. Different bit values ​​correspond to different values, and different values ​​can be represented based on at least one bit. That is, the correspondence between the values ​​and the number of CDM groups not used for data transmission and the DMRS ports.

[0207] Optionally, the first information may indicate the number of CDM groups not used for data transmission, the second information may indicate the DMRS port, etc., which are not limited in this application embodiment.

[0208] Table 2

[0209] For example, when at least one bit of the indication information represents a value of "X", based on the correspondence shown in Table 2, the DMRS port is "2", meaning port 2 can be used to transmit the second reference signal, and the third CDM group corresponding to port 2 is used to transmit the second reference signal. At this time, according to the predefined correspondence in the protocol, there is only one third CDM group corresponding to port 2, which is CDM group 1. The second CDM group is also CDM group 1, meaning the second and third CDM groups are the same.

[0210] The number of CDM groups not used for data transmission is 1. Considering there are two CDM groups at this time, the first CDM group and the second CDM group, and knowing that the second CDM group is not used for data transmission (the second CDM group is CDM group 1, used for transmitting the second reference signal), then it can be concluded that the first CDM group is used for data transmission. That is, when the CDM group with the larger index is used to transmit the reference signal, the CDM group with the smaller index can be used for data transmission.

[0211] For example, when at least one bit of the indication information represents a value of "Y", based on the correspondence shown in Table 2, the DMRS port is "3", meaning port 3 can be used to transmit the second reference signal, and the third CDM group corresponding to port 3 is used to transmit the second reference signal. At this time, according to the predefined correspondence in the protocol, there is only one third CDM group corresponding to port 3, which is CDM group 1. The second CDM group is also CDM group 1, meaning the second and third CDM groups are the same.

[0212] The number of CDM groups not used for data transmission is 1. Considering there are two CDM groups at this time, the first CDM group and the second CDM group, and knowing that the second CDM group is not used for data transmission (the second CDM group is CDM group 1, used for transmitting the second reference signal), then it can be concluded that the first CDM group is used for data transmission. That is, when the CDM group with the larger index is used to transmit the reference signal, the CDM group with the smaller index can be used for data transmission.

[0213] For example, when at least one bit of the indication information represents a value of "Z", based on the correspondence shown in Table 2, the DMRS ports are "2, 3". This means that ports 2 and 3 can be used to transmit the second reference signal, and the third CDM group corresponding to ports 2 and 3 is used to transmit the second reference signal. At this time, according to the predefined correspondence in the protocol, there is only one third CDM group corresponding to ports 2 and 3, which is CDM group 1. The second CDM group is also CDM group 1, meaning the second and third CDM groups are the same.

[0214] The number of CDM groups not used for data transmission is 1. Considering there are two CDM groups at this time, the first CDM group and the second CDM group, and knowing that the second CDM group is not used for data transmission (the second CDM group is CDM group 1, used to transmit the second reference signal), then it can be concluded that the first CDM group is used for data transmission. That is, when the CDM group with the larger index is used to transmit the reference signal, the CDM group with the smaller index can be used for data transmission.

[0215] It should be understood that the values ​​X, Y, and Z shown in Table 2 are merely examples. For instance, X, Y, and Z could represent 12, 13, and 14 reserved in Table 1, respectively. That is, Table 2 could be a part of the aforementioned Table 1, or it could be an independent table, etc. This application does not limit this.

[0216] It should also be understood that Table 2 may be predefined by the protocol, or preconfigured, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0217] The correspondence shown in Table 2 is merely an example. For instance, the correspondence shown in Table 2 may also be represented in other forms and should not constitute any limitation on the embodiments of this application.

[0218] The correspondence shown in Table 2 may include, for example, more DMRS ports, or more CDM groups, or the DMRS port may be, for example, a port of other reference signals, etc. This application does not limit this.

[0219] It should be noted that the correspondence between the values ​​X, Y, and Z shown in Table 2 is based on the method provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0220] Alternatively, in another possible implementation of step 510, the third communication device sends an indication message indicating that a first CDM group in at least one CDM group not used for data transmission is allowed to transmit data, and a second CDM group in the at least one CDM group is used to transmit a second reference signal, wherein the antenna port corresponding to the port of the second reference signal is the same as the antenna port corresponding to the data transmission.

[0221] Based on the correspondence shown in Table 1 and the indication information, it can be known that the first CDM group, which was not originally used for data transmission, can be used for data transmission.

[0222] For example, the indication information uses at least one bit to represent the value shown in Table 1. When the value is 5, based on the correspondence shown in Table 1, it can be seen that the DMRS port is "2", that is, port 2 can be used to transmit the second reference signal, that is, the third CDM group corresponding to port 2 can be used to transmit the second reference signal; according to the predefined correspondence of the protocol, the third CDM group is CDM group 1 at this time, and the second CDM group is also CDM group 1; at this time there are two CDM groups, and the number of CDM groups not used for data transmission is 2, indicating that the first CDM group (that is, CDM group 0) and the second CDM group (that is, CDM group 1) are not used for data transmission.

[0223] That is, at least one CDM group not used for data transmission includes a first CDM group and a second CDM group. Indication information indicates that the first CDM group within the at least one CDM group is permitted to transmit data, while the second CDM group within the at least one CDM group is used to transmit a second reference signal. The port of the second reference signal corresponds to a third CDM group, and the third CDM group includes the second CDM group. The antenna port corresponding to the port of the second reference signal is the same as the antenna port corresponding to data transmission. For details regarding the ports of the reference signal and the antenna ports, please refer to the foregoing detailed description; further elaboration is not required here.

[0224] It is understandable that the two possible implementations of step 510 can achieve the same or similar technical effects. That is, by using the instruction information, it can be determined that the first CDM group, which was not originally used for data transmission, can be used for data transmission, thereby reducing resource waste.

[0225] Example 2: The indication information includes a bitmap, where each bit in the bitmap corresponds to a CDM group, and the first bit in the bitmap indicates the corresponding first CDM group used for data transmission.

[0226] This indication information can be used to indicate which CDM group can be used for data transmission and which CDM group cannot be used for data transmission via a bitmap. For example, a bit of "1" indicates that the CDM group can be used for data transmission, and a bit of "0" indicates that the CDM group cannot be used for data transmission.

[0227] One possible scenario is that the third CDM group includes a CDM group, meaning the second CDM group is also the third CDM group. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a bitmap provided in an embodiment of this application. It can be seen that the bitmap indicated by the indication information is "10", the first bit "1" indicates that the first CDM group can be used for data transmission, and the second bit "0" indicates that the second CDM group is not used for data transmission, that is, the second CDM group is used to transmit the second reference signal.

[0228] One possibility is that the third CDM group includes multiple CDM groups. For example, the third CDM group includes the fourth CDM group and the second CDM group. That is, the second CDM group is a CDM group within the third CDM group.

[0229] For example, the first CDM group, the third CDM group (including the fourth CDM group and the second CDM group), are arranged in ascending order of their indices as follows: first CDM group, fourth CDM group, second CDM group. If the bit map indicated by the indication information is "110", it means that the first CDM group and the fourth CDM group can be used for data transmission, while the second CDM group is not used for data transmission.

[0230] In other words, both the first and fourth CDM groups, whose indices are less than those of the second CDM group, can be indicated for data transmission using the indication information.

[0231] Example 3: The indication information may indicate the number n of CDM groups not used for data transmission, and a bit map, where n is less than m, and m is the number of CDM groups whose index is less than or equal to the index of the second CDM group. Each bit in the bit map corresponds to a CDM group, and the first bit in the bit map indicates that the corresponding first CDM group is used for data transmission.

[0232] As mentioned earlier, a CDM group with an index less than the second CDM group may include one or more CDM groups. In this case, the number n of CDM groups not used for data transmission indicated by the indication information cannot clearly tell which CDM group can be used for data transmission and which CDM group is not used for data transmission among the second CDM group and the one or more CDM groups with an index less than the second CDM group.

[0233] For example, a CDM group may include a first CDM group, a fourth CDM group included in the third CDM group, and a second CDM group, for a total of three CDM groups. When the number n of CDM groups not used for data transmission indicated by the indication information is 2, it can be determined that the second CDM group is not used for data transmission through the port of the second reference signal indicated by the indication information. Considering that the number n of CDM groups not used for data transmission is 2, that is, in addition to the second CDM group, it is also necessary to specify that one more CDM group is not used for data transmission.

[0234] At this point, it's possible that either the first CDM group or the fourth CDM group is not used for data transmission. In other words, the number n of CDM groups not used for data transmission indicated by the instruction information alone cannot determine which CDM group (first or fourth) can be used for data transmission and which is not.

[0235] In this case, the bitmap indicated by the indication information can indicate whether each CDM group can be used for data transmission, or the bitmap can also indicate whether each of one or more CDM groups with an index less than the second CDM group can be used for data transmission.

[0236] For example, the indication information can also indicate through the bitmap "110" that the first CDM group and the fourth CDM group can be used for data transmission, while the second CDM group is not used for data transmission.

[0237] For example, the indication information can also indicate that the first CDM group and the fourth CDM group with an index less than the second CDM group can be used for data transmission through the "11" indicated by the bit map, without needing to indicate whether the second CDM group can be used for data transmission, etc., and this application does not limit it in this way.

[0238] It is understood that a CDM group can correspond to one bit in a bit diagram, or a CDM group can correspond to multiple bits in a bit diagram, that is, multiple bits can represent a CDM group, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0239] Optionally, the method further includes: the second communication device transmitting a third reference signal, the indication information being determined based on the third reference signal. Correspondingly, the third communication device receives the third reference signal.

[0240] The third reference signal can be a sounding reference signal (SRS). This third reference signal can be used to determine the magnitude of interference from the third communication device to the second communication device, for example, to determine a first interference parameter. For instance, the third reference signal can be used to obtain the channel between the third and second communication devices, which can be used to characterize the interference of the third communication device on the second communication device.

[0241] For example, the first interference parameter may be the channel energy obtained based on the channel, or it may be the reference signal receiving power (RSRP), etc., and the embodiments of this application do not limit it in this way.

[0242] Taking the first interference parameter as the equivalent channel energy as an example, this equivalent channel is the equivalent channel from the third communication device to the second communication device, and therefore can be regarded as an interference channel for the second communication device. Therefore, the larger the equivalent channel energy corresponding to a certain antenna port, the greater the interference caused by that antenna port to the second communication device. Accordingly, the indication information will not indicate the reference signal port corresponding to that antenna port. For example, this indication information is not used to indicate the first CDM group.

[0243] Optionally, the first interference parameter between the third communication device and the second communication device is less than or equal to a first preset value, and the first CDM group is used for the third communication device and the fourth communication device to send or receive transmission data.

[0244] For example, a first CDM group is configured to transmit a first reference signal between a first communication device and a second communication device, and a second CDM group is configured to transmit a second reference signal between a third communication device and a fourth communication device.

[0245] When the first interference parameter between the third communication device and the second communication device is less than or equal to the first preset value, the first CDM group can be used for data transmission between the third communication device and the fourth communication device, that is, the third communication device can send the indication information to the fourth communication device; conversely, when the first interference parameter between the third communication device and the second communication device is greater than the first preset value, the first CDM group is not used for data transmission between the third communication device and the fourth communication device, that is, the third communication device does not send the indication information.

[0246] It is understood that the first preset value may be, for example, predefined by the protocol or preconfigured, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit it.

[0247] Another possible scenario where the first CDM group can be used for data transmission is that the first CDM group can transmit data through the antenna ports corresponding to some of the reference signal ports in the third CDM group, referred to as scenario two.

[0248] Based on the correspondence between reference signal ports and antenna ports, and the correspondence between antenna ports and layers, data transmission or reception on the resources included in the first CDM group can be achieved through antenna ports corresponding to some reference signal ports in the third CDM group. This can also be understood as: on the resources included in the first CDM group, data transmission or reception can be achieved through some layers corresponding to some reference signal ports in the third CDM group. This partial layer could, for example, be a portion of the layers included in the PDSCH.

[0249] In other words, the antenna ports corresponding to data transmission on the resources included in the first CDM group are the same as the antenna ports corresponding to some of the reference signal ports included in the third CDM group.

[0250] In this case, the indication information can also indicate at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group. Based on this indication information, it can be determined that data transmission can be performed through the first CDM group at the antenna port corresponding to at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group.

[0251] Since some antenna ports in the antenna ports corresponding to data transmission are the same as the antenna ports corresponding to at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group, and the antenna ports and reference signal ports have a corresponding relationship, the indication information indicates at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group. Alternatively, the indication information can directly indicate some layers included in the aforementioned data transmission, or the indication information can indicate some antenna ports in the antenna ports corresponding to the aforementioned data transmission. This application does not limit this.

[0252] As mentioned above, the port of the second reference signal corresponds to the third CDM group. Optionally, at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group can be at least one reference signal port among the ports of the second reference signal.

[0253] Optionally, the third CDM group includes the second CDM group, and the third CDM group may include one or more CDM groups.

[0254] One possible scenario is that the third CDM group comprises another CDM group, meaning the second CDM group is the third CDM group. In this case, the indication information may include at least one bit and at least one reference signal port under the second CDM group. This at least one reference signal port may be at least one reference signal port under the second CDM group (i.e., the third CDM group). For example, the second CDM group includes reference signal ports 2 and 3, and the at least one reference signal port may be either port 2 or port 3.

[0255] One possible scenario is that the third CDM group comprises multiple CDM groups, and the second CDM group is one of the CDM groups within the third CDM group. In this case, the indication information may include at least one bit, and at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group. In other words, the at least one reference signal port is at least one reference signal port under the multiple CDM groups included in the third CDM group.

[0256] For example, the reference signal received by the fourth communication device may originate from one or more CDM groups. For instance, the fourth CDM group and the second CDM group within the third CDM group can be used to transmit the reference signal between the third and fourth communication devices. On the time-frequency resources included in the first CDM group, data transmission can be performed through at least one reference signal port under the fourth CDM group, or through at least one CDM group under the second CDM group.

[0257] In this case, the indication information indicates at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group, which is also the indication information indicating at least one reference signal port under the fourth CDM group and at least one reference signal port under the second CDM group. This indication information allows it to be determined that data transmission or reception is performed on the resources included in the first CDM group via the antenna ports corresponding to at least one reference signal port under the fourth CDM group and / or at least one reference signal port under the second CDM group.

[0258] For example, the reference signal received by the fourth communication device may originate from the second CDM group within the third CDM group; that is, the second CDM group within the third CDM group is used to transmit the reference signal. Both the first and fourth CDM groups, whose indices are less than the second CDM group as indicated by the indication information, can be used for data transmission. In this case, data transmission can be performed on the resources included in the first CDM group through at least one reference signal port under the second CDM group, and similarly, data transmission can be performed on the resources included in the fourth CDM group through at least one reference signal port under the second CDM group.

[0259] In this case, the indication information indicates at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group, which is also the indication information indicates at least one reference signal port under the second CDM group. This indication information allows determination of which antenna ports, corresponding to which reference signal ports, transmit or receive data on the resources included in the first CDM group and / or the resources included in the fourth CDM group.

[0260] Example 1: This indication information is used to indicate the number n of CDM groups not used for data transmission, and at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group, where n is less than m, and m is the number of CDM groups whose index is less than or equal to the index of the second CDM group.

[0261] For details regarding the number n of CDM groups not used for data transmission, please refer to the relevant explanation in Case 1 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0262] One possible implementation is that the indication information indicates at least one bit, which corresponds to first information and second information in a preset correspondence. The first information may indicate a port used for transmitting reference signals (e.g., a DMRS port), which corresponds to a third CDM group. The second information may indicate the number n of CDM groups not used for data transmission.

[0263] The pre-defined correspondence between the at least one bit and the first and second information can be seen in Table 2 of the aforementioned case one, and will not be repeated here.

[0264] For example, by indicating at least one bit in the indication information, it can be determined that a first CDM group that is not originally used for data transmission can be used for data transmission. Then, based on at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group indicated by the indication information, it can be determined that data transmission can be sent or received on the resources included in the first CDM group through the antenna port corresponding to at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group.

[0265] For example, the third CDM group includes a CDM group (e.g., the second CDM group), and the indication information indicates at least one bit value as X shown in Table 2, and the indication information may also indicate port 2 under the second CDM group. According to the description in Case 1, based on the indication information, it can be determined that data transmission or reception on the resources included in the first CDM group can be performed through the antenna port corresponding to port 2 under the second CDM group.

[0266] For example, the third CDM group includes multiple CDM groups (e.g., the fourth CDM group and the second CDM group). Among them, the reference signal ports under the second CDM group include port 2 and port 3.

[0267] The indication information indicates that at least one bit has a value of G, and this at least one bit corresponds to the first information and the second information in a preset correspondence. The first information indicates that ports 2 and 3 are used for transmitting reference signals, and the second information indicates that the number of CDM groups not used for data transmission is 1. Based on this correspondence, it can be determined that the second CDM group is not used for data transmission, while the first and fourth CDM groups can be used for data transmission.

[0268] Furthermore, the indication information also indicates port 3, so it can be determined, based on port 3 under the second CDM group indicated by the indication information (that is, an example of at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group), that data transmission can be performed on the resources included in the first CDM group through the antenna port corresponding to port 3 under the second CDM group, and also through the antenna port corresponding to port 3 under the second CDM group on the resources included in the fourth CDM group.

[0269] It is understood that the two pieces of information indicated by the indication information, namely the number n of CDM groups not used for data transmission and at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group, can be indicated by one indication information or by two indication information respectively, etc., and this application does not limit them.

[0270] It is understood that the indication information includes the number n of CDM groups not used for data transmission, and at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group. This information can be indicated by one indication information, or by two indication information respectively, etc. This application does not limit this.

[0271] Example 2: The indication information includes a bit map and at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group, where each bit in the bit map corresponds to a CDM group, and the first bit in the bit map indicates the corresponding first CDM group for data transmission.

[0272] For example, a bit of "1" indicates that the CDM group can be used for data transmission, and a bit of "0" indicates that the CDM group is not used for data transmission.

[0273] For example, the indication information indicates a bitmap of "10", and the indication information can also indicate port 2 in the third CDM group. Through this indication information, it can be determined that the first CDM group can be used for data transmission, the second CDM group in the third CDM group is not used for data transmission, and data transmission can be sent or received on the antenna port corresponding to port 2 on the resources included in the first CDM group.

[0274] For example, the bitmap indicated by this indication information is "110", and this indication information can also indicate port 2 under the second CDM group in the third CDM group. Through this indication information, it can be determined that the first CDM group and the fourth CDM group in the third CDM group can be used for data transmission, the second CDM group in the third CDM group is not used for data transmission, and data transmission can be sent or received on the antenna port corresponding to port 2 on the resources included in the first CDM group and the fourth CDM group.

[0275] It is understood that the indication information includes both the bit map and at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group. It can be indicated by one indication information or by two indication information respectively, etc. This application does not limit this.

[0276] Optionally, the method further includes: the second communication device transmitting a fourth reference signal. Correspondingly, the third communication device receives the fourth reference signal, and the indication information is determined based on the fourth reference signal.

[0277] The fourth reference signal can be an SRS, which can be used to determine the level of interference between the third communication device and the second communication device at the antenna port corresponding to the reference signal port included in the third CDM group.

[0278] For example, using the fourth reference signal, a second interference parameter between the third communication device and the second communication device can be obtained on the antenna port corresponding to at least one reference signal port included in the third CDM group. This second interference parameter can be used to characterize the interference of the third communication device on the second communication device.

[0279] The channel between the third communication device and the second communication device can be obtained through the fourth reference signal. This channel can be used to characterize the interference of the third communication device on the second communication device.

[0280] For example, the second interference parameter may be the channel energy obtained based on the channel, which can be understood as the equivalent channel energy; or, the second interference parameter may be the reference signal receiving power (RSRP), etc., and the embodiments of this application do not limit it in this way.

[0281] Taking the second interference parameter as the equivalent channel energy as an example, the third communication device can perform channel estimation based on the received SRS to obtain channel state information (CSI). For example, channel estimation can be performed using methods such as least squares (LS) estimation and minimum mean square error (MMSE) estimation. Then, based on the CSI information obtained from the channel estimation and the precoding of data transmission performed by the third communication device, the equivalent channel energy on each layer / each selected port can be calculated.

[0282] It should be understood that the aforementioned equivalent channel is the equivalent channel from the third communication device to the second communication device, and therefore can be regarded as an interference channel to the second communication device. Therefore, the greater the equivalent channel energy corresponding to a certain layer / antenna port, the greater the interference caused by that layer / antenna port to the second communication device, and correspondingly, such a reference signal port / layer will not be indicated in the indication information.

[0283] Optionally, if the second interference parameter between the third communication device and the second communication device on the layer corresponding to at least one reference signal port of the third CDM group is less than or equal to a second preset value, then the antenna port corresponding to at least one reference signal port of the third CDM group can be used for the third communication device and the fourth communication device to send or receive data.

[0284] For example, a first CDM group is configured to transmit a first reference signal between a first communication device and a second communication device, and a second CDM group is configured to transmit a second reference signal between a third communication device and a fourth communication device.

[0285] Optionally, on the antenna port corresponding to at least one reference signal port of the third CDM group, on the resources included in the first CDM group, when the second interference parameter between the third communication device and the second communication device is less than or equal to a second preset value, the third communication device can use the antenna port and the fourth communication device to transmit data on the resources included in the first CDM group; conversely, when the second interference parameter is greater than the second preset value, the third communication device cannot use the antenna port and the fourth communication device to transmit data on the resources included in the first CDM group.

[0286] It is understood that the second preset value may be predefined by the protocol, or preconfigured, etc., and the embodiments of this application do not limit it in any way.

[0287] In step 520, the third communication device transmits data on the resources included in the first CDM group. Correspondingly, the fourth communication device receives data on the resources included in the first CDM group.

[0288] The resources included in the first CDM group can be, for example, resource elements (REs) included in the first CDM group. Data transmission can be sent or received on the resources included in the first CDM group, that is, the resources included in the first CDM group can be used to carry data. Optionally, the above data can be understood as PDSCH, or it can also be understood as the information bits in PDSCH.

[0289] Optionally, the antenna port corresponding to the above data transmission (e.g., transmitting PDSCH) is the same as the antenna port corresponding to the second reference signal port.

[0290] Corresponding to scenario one in step 510, the third and fourth communication devices can transmit or receive data on the resources included in the first CDM group. That is, the third and fourth communication devices can transmit or receive data on the resources included in the first CDM group through the antenna ports corresponding to all reference signal ports in the third CDM group. For example, the third and fourth communication devices can transmit or receive data on all layers / antenna ports of the PDSCH on the resources included in the first CDM group. As another example, the third and fourth communication devices can transmit or receive data on all antenna ports / layers corresponding to the port of the second reference signal on the resources included in the first CDM group.

[0291] Optionally, the fourth CDM group in the aforementioned third CDM group can also be used to transmit reference signals between the third and fourth communication devices. Optionally, according to the indication information, the third and fourth communication devices can also transmit or receive data on the resources included in the first CDM group through the antenna ports corresponding to all the reference signal ports in the fourth CDM group.

[0292] Optionally, the second CDM group is used for transmitting reference signals between the third and fourth communication devices. Indication information indicates that the first and fourth CDM groups can be used for data transmission between the third and fourth communication devices. Therefore, the third and fourth communication devices can transmit or receive data through the antenna ports corresponding to all reference signal ports in the second CDM group, using the resources included in the first and fourth CDM groups.

[0293] It should be understood that the fourth CDM group described above is only an example. For example, data transmission or reception can also be carried out on the resources included in other CDM groups through the antenna ports corresponding to all the reference signal ports in the second reference signal. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0294] Corresponding to Case 2 in step 510, that is, when the indication information can also indicate at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group, optionally, one possible implementation of step 520 is: the third communication device can transmit data on the resources included in the first CDM group through the antenna port / layer corresponding to the at least one reference signal port.

[0295] Accordingly, the fourth communication device can receive the data transmission on the resources included in the first CDM group, the data transmission on the resources included in the first CDM group being transmitted through the antenna port corresponding to the at least one reference signal port.

[0296] For example, the third and fourth communication devices can transmit or receive data on the resources included in the first CDM group through an antenna port corresponding to at least one reference signal port in the third CDM group. For example, the third and fourth communication devices can transmit or receive data on a portion of the PDSCH layer.

[0297] For example, the third and fourth communication devices can transmit or receive data through the antenna port corresponding to at least one reference signal port in the fourth CDM group within the third CDM group, or through the antenna port corresponding to at least one reference signal port in the second CDM group within the third CDM group, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0298] The resources used for data transmission change accordingly. That is, in addition to the original resources used for data transmission, the resources included in the first CDM group can also be used for data transmission. Furthermore, only a portion of the antenna ports / layers within the resources included in the first CDM group can be used for data transmission.

[0299] In other words, data transmission on the resources included in the first CDM group is transmitted based on the antenna ports corresponding to some reference signal ports of the third CDM group, while data transmission on the remaining resources is transmitted based on the antenna ports corresponding to all reference signal ports of the third CDM group. Consequently, the relevant transmission parameters also change during data transmission.

[0300] Optionally, the method further includes: a third communication device transmitting data based on transmission parameters determined based on the at least one reference signal port and the resources included in the first CDM group; and correspondingly, a fourth communication device receiving data based on the transmission parameters.

[0301] The transmission parameters include at least one of the following: transport block size, rate matching mode, and layer mapping mode. The at least one reference signal port is specifically at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group.

[0302] Wherein, TBS includes: the number of information bits carried on the resources included in the first CDM group on the layer corresponding to the at least one reference signal port.

[0303] It can be understood that the layer corresponding to the at least one reference signal port can be understood as the layer corresponding to the antenna port corresponding to the at least one reference signal port. In the rate matching methods and layer mapping described later, any content related to the layer corresponding to the at least one reference signal port can be understood as the layer corresponding to the antenna port corresponding to the at least one reference signal port, and will not be elaborated further.

[0304] One possible approach is to increase the number of information bits calculated using existing methods by adding additional information bits corresponding to certain layers in the first CDM group, thereby obtaining the total number of information bits N. info .

[0305] Alternatively, the calculation formula can be as follows:

[0306] N info =N RE ×R×Q m ×v+M RE ×R×Q m ×u.

[0307] Where, N REThis represents the number of REs available for data transmission at each layer within a time slot, where v represents the number of layers, and M represents the number of REs available for data transmission at each layer. RE This indicates the number of REs in the first CDM group, where R represents the coding rate, and Q represents the coding rate. m This indicates the modulation order, and u represents the number of at least one reference signal port in the third CDM group. For detailed explanations of the above parameters, please refer to section 38.214; further details will not be provided here.

[0308] Another possible approach is to calculate the number N of REs available for data transmission at layer i based on the number of CDM groups not used for data transmission (and the number of CDM groups used for transmission) at each layer. RE，i Then, summing all the layers together, we can obtain the total number of information bits N. info The calculation formula is as follows:

[0309] N info =∑ i N RE,i ×R×Q m .

[0310] Where R represents the coding rate, Q m Indicates the modulation order.

[0311] It should be understood that the above two calculation methods are merely examples, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any limitations on them.

[0312] In summary, when calculating TBS, it is necessary to take into account the additional number of REs added on some layers that can be used in the first CDM group.

[0313] In another possible implementation, for example, on resources included in the fourth CDM group within the first and third CDM groups, data transmission can be performed through at least one reference signal port in the third CDM group. In this case, the TBS can include: the number of information bits carried on the resources included in the first and fourth CDM groups on the layer corresponding to the at least one reference signal port. The specific method for calculating the TBS in this case can be referred to the above, and will not be repeated here.

[0314] In the rate matching mode, on the layer corresponding to the at least one reference signal port, the coded bits on the resources included in the first CDM group are included in the first channel coded code block, which includes at least one channel coded code block.

[0315] By adding REs available for data transmission to the first CDM group of a partial layer, the method provided in this application increases the number of coded bits available on the time-frequency resources of the PDSCH when transmitting data on the resources included in the first CDM group, compared to conventional schemes. Therefore, the adjusted number of coded bits G′ is: G′=G+ΔG.

[0316] Where G represents the number of encoded bits in the traditional scheme, and ΔG represents the number of additional encoded bits. The additional encoded bits are carried in a portion of the layers of resources included in the first CDM group, therefore ΔG is not divisible by the number of layers.

[0317] Once the TBS is determined, the number of channel-coded code blocks can be determined based on existing technologies, such as the LDPC algorithm.

[0318] For example, the protocol can predefine which channel coding blocks the ΔG coded bits will be allocated to. For instance, if the first channel coding block includes the last channel coding block, all ΔG coded bits can be allocated to the last channel coding block; or, if the first channel coding block includes the last two channel coding blocks, the ΔG coded bits can be evenly distributed among the last two channel coding blocks; or, the ΔG coded bits can be distributed among the last two channel coding blocks with the same or different allocation ratios, etc. The embodiments of this application do not impose any limitations on this.

[0319] In another possible implementation, for example, data transmission can be performed on resources included in the fourth CDM group within the first and third CDM groups via at least one reference signal port in the third CDM group. In this case, at the layer corresponding to the at least one reference signal port, the coded bits on the resources included in the first and fourth CDM groups are included in a first channel-coded block, which includes at least one channel-coded block. The determination of the rate matching method in this case can be referred to the above and will not be repeated here.

[0320] In the layer mapping method, the modulation symbols on the resources included in the first CDM group are interleaved and mapped on the layer corresponding to at least one reference signal port.

[0321] For example, multiple channel-coded code blocks can be obtained through a low-density parity check (LDPC) coding algorithm, and then coded bits can be obtained through rate matching.

[0322] Before sending PDSCH, the coded bit is modulated to obtain the modulation symbol, which can be interleaved and mapped on different layers.

[0323] Since some layers include REs for data transmission on the first CDM group, the number of modulation symbols on the time-frequency resources of the PDSCH in the method provided in this application embodiment is adjusted compared to the number of modulation symbols in conventional schemes. Therefore, the adjusted number of modulation symbols M′ is: M′=M+ΔM.

[0324] Where M represents the number of modulation symbols in the traditional scheme, and ΔM represents the number of additional modulation symbols. It should be understood that the additional modulation symbols are carried by a portion of the layers on the first CDM group, therefore ΔM is not divisible by the number of layers.

[0325] Optionally, the first M modulation symbols can be interleaved and mapped on all layers corresponding to all antenna ports, and the last ΔM modulation symbols can be interleaved and mapped on some layers corresponding to some antenna ports indicated by the indication information.

[0326] In another possible implementation, for example, the first CDM group and the fourth CDM group in the third CDM group can transmit data through at least one reference signal port in the third CDM group. In this case, the modulation symbols on the resources included in the first CDM group and the fourth CDM group are interleaved and mapped on the layer corresponding to the at least one reference signal port. The specific method of layer mapping can be referred to above, and will not be repeated here.

[0327] Based on the above technical solution, when the second CDM group with a larger index is configured to transmit reference signals, the first CDM group with a smaller index, which was originally unusable for data transmission, can be indicated to be used for data transmission through indication information. In this way, time and frequency resources can be fully utilized, resource waste reduced, and data transmission rate improved.

[0328] Possible application scenarios applicable to the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application include, for example, its application between two TRPs, namely a serving TRP and an interfering TRP.

[0329] One possibility is that if the interference TRP causes minimal disruption to the first terminal serving the TRP, the interference TRP can transmit data on the resources included in the first CDM group. This allows for resource reuse and reduces resource waste.

[0330] The following describes the method in detail, using the first communication device as the serving TRP and the third communication device as the interfering TRP as an example. The terminal serving the serving TRP (i.e., the second communication device) is denoted as the first terminal, which can also be called an edge terminal. The terminal interfering with the TRP service (i.e., the fourth communication device) is denoted as the second terminal. The method includes the following steps:

[0331] Step 1: The first terminal sends a request message to the serving TRP. The request message is used to request interference suppression, and the request message may also carry the identifier of at least one interfering TRP.

[0332] For example, the first terminal can measure the reference signal receiving power (RSRP) based on the synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) broadcast by different TRPs. Based on the measurement results, the first terminal can identify at least one TRP that causes significant interference to itself, denoted as the interfering TRP. Further, the physical cell identifier (PCI) corresponding to the interfering TRP can be reported to the serving TRP.

[0333] It should be understood that the above-mentioned first terminal reporting the identifier of the interfering TRP to the serving TRP is only an example. For example, it is also possible to report the interfering TRP to the serving TRP based on other possible implementation methods, etc. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0334] Step 2: Information exchange between the serving TRP and the interfering TRP.

[0335] This information may include, for example, the identifier (ID) of the first terminal, such as a radio network temporary identity (RNTI), used to uniquely identify the terminal. This information may also include SRS resource location, the time-frequency range of the serving TRP scheduling the first terminal, and CDM group allocation information. For example, a first CDM group may be allocated for the serving TRP and the first terminal to transmit a first reference signal, while a second CDM group may be allocated for the interfering TRP and the second terminal to transmit a second reference signal.

[0336] Step 3: The first terminal sends an SRS uplink. Correspondingly, the serving TRP and the interfering TRP receive the SRS.

[0337] For example, the serving TRP and interfering TRP can be performed based on the received SRS for channel detection. For instance, based on the received SRS, relevant channel estimation algorithms, such as least squares method or linear minimum mean square error algorithm, are used to estimate the uplink channel state information of the first terminal, thereby obtaining the frequency domain response or time domain response of the channel.

[0338] Step 4: Within the time and frequency range of the first terminal scheduled by the service TRP, the interference TRP can determine that the interference of the second terminal to the first terminal is relatively small.

[0339] The interference TRP can estimate the interference level to the first terminal based on the received SRS, thereby determining whether to send an indication message to the second terminal. When the interference is low, the interference TRP can send an indication message to the second terminal, indicating that the first CDM group can be used for data transmission. Furthermore, the antenna port corresponding to data transmission on the resources included in the first CDM group is the same as the antenna port corresponding to the second reference signal port.

[0340] For example, when the first interference parameter between the interfering TRP and the first terminal is less than or equal to a first preset value, the interfering TRP can send an indication message to the second terminal to inform the second terminal that the first CDM group can be used to send or receive data between the interfering TRP and the second terminal. For example, the interfering TRP can send data on resources included in the first CDM group. Accordingly, the second terminal can receive data on resources included in the first CDM group.

[0341] Conversely, if the first interference parameter between the interfering TRP and the second terminal is greater than a first preset value, the interfering TRP will not send an indication message to the second terminal. That is, the first CDM group cannot be used for data transmission between the interfering TRP and the second terminal.

[0342] For details regarding the instruction information, please refer to the detailed description of the instruction information in the aforementioned method 500, which will not be repeated here. For example, the instruction information may indicate the relevant content shown in Table 2 in method 500.

[0343] It should be understood that the order of operations in steps 1 to 4 above is merely an example, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any limitations on it.

[0344] Based on the above scheme, when the interference from the TRP to the first terminal is minimal, the first CDM group with a smaller index, which was originally unusable for data transmission, can be indicated as usable for data transmission through indication information. This allows for full utilization of time-frequency resources, reduces resource waste, and thereby improves the data transmission rate.

[0345] Another possibility is that the interference TRP can transmit data within the resources included in the first CDM group through layers with less interference to the first terminal. This allows for resource reuse and reduces resource waste.

[0346] The following is a detailed explanation of method 500, using the first communication device as the serving TRP and the third communication device as the interfering TRP as an example. The terminal serving the serving TRP is denoted as the first terminal, and the terminal interfering with the TRP is denoted as the second terminal. That is, the second communication device is the first terminal, and the fourth communication device is the second terminal. The method includes the following steps:

[0347] Step 1: The first terminal sends a request message to the serving TRP. The request message is used to request interference suppression, and the request message may also carry the identifier of at least one interfering TRP.

[0348] Step 2: Information exchange between the serving TRP and the interfering TRP.

[0349] Step 3: The first terminal sends an SRS uplink. Correspondingly, the serving TRP and the interfering TRP receive the SRS.

[0350] For details regarding steps 1 to 3, please refer to the detailed explanations in steps 1 to 3 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0351] Step 4: Within the time-frequency range of the first terminal scheduled by the serving TRP, the interfering TRP can determine that at least one layer in the PDSCH of the interfering TRP has relatively low interference to the first terminal.

[0352] For details regarding the indication information and the determination that at least one layer in the PDSCH has minimal interference to the first terminal, please refer to the detailed explanation of the indication information in the aforementioned method 500, which will not be repeated here.

[0353] It should also be understood that the order of operations in steps 1 to 4 above is merely an example, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any limitations on it.

[0354] Based on the above scheme, when the interference of the TRP to the first terminal at least at one layer in the PDSCH is minimal, the first CDM group with a smaller index, which was originally unusable for data transmission, can be indicated to be used for data transmission through the indication information (that is, data transmission is performed through the at least one layer on the resources included in the first CDM group). In this way, time and frequency resources can be fully utilized, resource waste can be reduced, and the data transmission rate can be improved.

[0355] The methods provided in the embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to several accompanying drawings. The apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0356] Figures 8 to 11 are schematic block diagrams of possible devices provided in the embodiments of this application. These devices can be used to implement the functions of the fourth or third communication device in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of this application, the device can be the fourth or third communication device in the method embodiment shown in Figure 5, or it can be a component (such as a chip, chip system, processor, etc.) configured in the fourth or third communication device, or it can be a logic module or software capable of implementing some or all of the functions of the fourth or third communication device.

[0357] The device provided in this application is shown in FIG8. The device 800 includes a transceiver unit 810 and a processing unit 820.

[0358] One possible design is that device 800 is used to implement the function of the fourth communication device in the method embodiment shown in FIG. 5 above. For example, device 800 may correspond to the fourth communication device in FIG. 5.

[0359] For example, the transceiver unit 810 is configured to receive indication information indicating that a first code division multiplexing (CDM) group is used for data transmission, the index of the first CDM group is less than the index of a second CDM group, the second CDM group is used for transmitting a second reference signal, and the antenna port corresponding to the port of the second reference signal is the same as the antenna port corresponding to the data transmission; the transceiver unit 810 is configured to receive the data transmission on the resources included in the first CDM group.

[0360] Optionally, the first CDM group is configured to transmit a first reference signal.

[0361] Optionally, the indication information may also indicate the port of the second reference signal, the port of the second reference signal corresponding to the third CDM group, the third CDM group including the second CDM group.

[0362] Optionally, the indication information indicates the number n of CDM groups not used for data transmission, where n is less than m, and m is the number of CDM groups whose index is less than or equal to the index of the second CDM group.

[0363] Optionally, the indication information includes a bitmap, where each bit in the bitmap corresponds to a CDM group, and the first bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding first CDM group is used for data transmission.

[0364] Optionally, the indication information also indicates at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group, and the transceiver unit 810 is also used to receive the data transmission on the resources included in the first CDM group, wherein the data transmission on the resources included in the first CDM group is transmitted through the antenna port corresponding to the at least one reference signal port.

[0365] Optionally, the transceiver unit 810 is further configured to receive the data transmission based on transmission parameters determined based on the at least one reference signal port and the resources included in the first CDM group; the transmission parameters include at least one of the following: TBS; rate matching mode; layer mapping mode.

[0366] Optionally, the TBS includes: the number of information bits carried on the resources included in the first CDM group on the layer corresponding to the antenna port.

[0367] Optionally, in this rate matching method, the coded bits on the resources included in the first CDM group on the layer corresponding to the antenna port are included in a first channel coded block, which includes at least one channel coded block.

[0368] Optionally, in this layer mapping method, the modulation symbols on the resources included in the first CDM group are interleaved and mapped on the layer corresponding to the antenna port.

[0369] One possible design is that device 800 is used to implement the function of the third communication device in the method embodiment shown in FIG5 above. For example, device 800 may correspond to the third communication device in FIG5.

[0370] For example, the transceiver unit 810 is used to send indication information indicating that a first code division multiplexing (CDM) group is used for data transmission, the index of the first CDM group is less than the index of a second CDM group, the second CDM group is used to transmit a second reference signal, and the antenna port corresponding to the port of the second reference signal is the same as the antenna port corresponding to the data transmission; the transceiver unit 810 is used to send the data transmission on the resources included in the first CDM group.

[0371] Optionally, the first CDM group is configured to transmit a first reference signal.

[0372] Optionally, the indication information may also indicate the port of the second reference signal, the port of the second reference signal corresponding to the third CDM group, the third CDM group including the second CDM group.

[0373] Optionally, the indication information indicates the number n of CDM groups not used for data transmission, where n is less than m, and m is the number of CDM groups whose index is less than or equal to the index of the second CDM group.

[0374] Optionally, the indication information includes a bitmap, where each bit in the bitmap corresponds to a CDM group, and the first bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding first CDM group is used for data transmission.

[0375] Optionally, the indication information also indicates at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group, and the transceiver unit 810 is also used to transmit the data on the resources included in the first CDM group, wherein the data transmission on the resources included in the first CDM group is transmitted through the antenna port corresponding to the at least one reference signal port.

[0376] Optionally, the transceiver unit 810 is further configured to transmit the data based on transmission parameters determined based on the at least one reference signal port and the resources included in the first CDM group; the transmission parameters include at least one of the following: TBS; rate matching mode; layer mapping mode.

[0377] Optionally, the TBS includes: the number of information bits carried on the resources included in the first CDM group on the layer corresponding to the antenna port.

[0378] Optionally, in this rate matching method, the coded bits on the resources included in the first CDM group on the layer corresponding to the antenna port are included in a first channel coded block, which includes at least one channel coded block.

[0379] Optionally, in this layer mapping method, the modulation symbols on the resources included in the first CDM group are interleaved and mapped on the layer corresponding to the antenna port.

[0380] A more detailed description of the transceiver unit 810 and the processing unit 820 can be obtained directly from the relevant description in any of the embodiments shown in Figure 4, and will not be repeated here.

[0381] In one possible design, when the device 800 is a network device or a communication module within a network device, the functionality of the processing unit 820 can be implemented by one or more processors. Specifically, the processor may include a modem chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a modem core. The functionality of the transceiver unit 810 can be implemented by transceiver circuitry.

[0382] In one possible design, when the device 800 is a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in a network device, such as a modem chip or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a modem core, the function of the processing unit 820 can be implemented by a circuit system in the aforementioned chip that includes one or more processors or processor cores. The function of the transceiver unit 810 can be implemented by the interface circuitry or data transceiver circuitry on the aforementioned chip.

[0383] It should also be understood that the transceiver unit in the communication device 800 can also be called a communication unit. This transceiver unit 810 may include a transmitting unit but not a receiving unit. Alternatively, the transceiver unit 810 may include a receiving unit but not a transmitting unit. Specifically, it depends on whether the above-described scheme performed by the device 800 includes both transmitting and receiving actions. The receiving unit can be used to perform the receiving action in the above-described scheme, and the transmitting unit can be used to perform the transmitting action in the above-described scheme.

[0384] It is understood that the division of units in the above-described device is merely a logical functional division. Each function can correspond to a functional unit, or two or more functions can be integrated into one functional unit. In actual implementation, all or some units can be integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be distributed across different physical entities. Furthermore, the aforementioned functional units can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both. Whether a function is executed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0385] Figure 9 is another schematic block diagram of the device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 9, the device 900 includes one or more processors 910. The processor 910 can be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, etc. For example, it can be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the device (e.g., a vehicle or a chip), execute software programs, and process data from the software programs.

[0386] Optionally, in one design, the processor 910 may include a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that can be run on the processor 910, causing the device 900 to perform the methods executed by the fourth or third communication device in the above method embodiments. In yet another possible design, the device 900 includes circuitry (not shown in FIG. 9) for implementing the functions of the fourth or third communication device in the above method embodiments.

[0387] For example, the processor 910 can be used to execute a computer program in memory to implement the steps performed by the fourth or third communication device in the method embodiment shown in FIG5.

[0388] Optionally, the device 900 may include one or more memories 920 storing computer programs (sometimes referred to as code or instructions) that can be run on the processor 910, causing the device 900 to perform the methods executed by the fourth or third communication device in the above embodiments.

[0389] Optionally, the processor 910 and / or memory 920 may also store data. The processor and memory may be configured separately or integrated together.

[0390] Optionally, the device 900 may also include a communication interface 930. The processor 910, sometimes referred to as a processing unit, controls the device (e.g., a terminal device or a network device). The communication interface 930, sometimes referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, or transceiver, is used to implement the device's transceiver functions; for example, the communication interface 930 can be used to receive instruction information.

[0391] Optionally, the device 900 also includes a communication interface 930. The processor 910 and the communication interface 930 are coupled to each other. It is understood that the communication interface 930 can be a transceiver or an input / output interface.

[0392] When device 900 is used to implement the method shown in FIG. 5, processor 910 can be used to execute the functions of processing unit 820, and communication interface 930 can be used to execute the functions of transceiver unit 810. Whether communication interface 930 is used for sending or receiving depends on whether the scheme executed by device 900 is used to perform a sending action or a receiving action.

[0393] When the aforementioned device 900 is a chip applied to a fourth communication device, the chip implements the functions of the fourth communication device in the above method embodiments. The chip of the fourth communication device receives signals from other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the fourth communication device, and these signals may be sent to the fourth communication device by the third communication device; or, the chip of the fourth communication device sends signals to other modules (such as radio frequency modules or antennas) in the fourth communication device, and these signals may be sent to the third communication device by the fourth communication device.

[0394] When the aforementioned device 900 is a chip applied to a third communication device, the chip implements the functions of the third communication device in the above method embodiments. The chip of the third communication device receives signals from other modules in the third communication device, and these signals may be sent to the third communication device by a fourth communication device; or, the chip of the third communication device sends signals to other modules in the third communication device, and these signals may be sent from the third communication device to the fourth communication device.

[0395] It is understood that when the device 900 is a fourth or third communication device, the communication interface 930 can be a transceiver, specifically including a transmitter and a receiver, with the transmitter used to send signals and the receiver used to receive signals. When the device 900 is a chip applied to a fourth or third communication device, the communication interface 930 can be an input / output circuit, wherein the input circuit can be used for receiving and the output interface can be used for sending.

[0396] Optionally, the device 900 also includes a power supply circuit for supplying power to the device 900.

[0397] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 10, the terminal device 1000 can be applied to the systems shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, and performs the function of the fourth communication device in the method embodiment shown in Figure 5. As shown, the terminal device 1000 includes a processor 1001 and a transceiver 1002. Optionally, the terminal device 1000 also includes a memory 1003. The processor 1001, transceiver 1002, and memory 1003 can communicate with each other through an internal connection path to transmit control and / or data signals. The memory 1003 is used to store computer programs, and the processor 1001 is used to call and run the computer programs from the memory 1003 to control the transceiver 1002 to transmit and receive signals. Optionally, the terminal device 1000 may also include an antenna 1004 for transmitting uplink data or uplink control signaling output by the transceiver 1002 via wireless signals.

[0398] The processor 1001 and memory 1003 can be combined into a single processing device. The processor 1001 executes the program code stored in the memory 1003 to achieve the aforementioned functions. In specific implementations, the memory 1003 can be integrated into the processor 1001 or be independent of the processor 1001. The processor 1001 can correspond to the processing unit in FIG8 or the processor in FIG9.

[0399] The transceiver 1002 described above can correspond to the transceiver unit in Figure 8 or the communication interface in Figure 9. The transceiver 1002 may include a receiver (or receiver circuit) and a transmitter (or transmitter circuit). The receiver is used to receive signals, and the transmitter is used to transmit signals.

[0400] It should be understood that the terminal device 1000 shown in Figure 10 can implement the various processes involving the fourth communication device in the method embodiment shown in Figure 5. The operation and / or function of each module in the terminal device 1000 are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiment. For details, please refer to the description in the above method embodiment; to avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are appropriately omitted here.

[0401] The processor 1001 described above can be used to execute the actions implemented internally by the fourth communication device or the third communication device as described in the preceding method embodiments, while the transceiver 1002 can be used to execute the actions described in the preceding method embodiments of sending data from the third communication device to the fourth communication device or receiving data from the fourth communication device. For details, please refer to the descriptions in the preceding method embodiments; they will not be repeated here.

[0402] Optionally, the terminal device 1000 may also include a power supply 1005 for providing power to various devices or circuits in the terminal device.

[0403] In addition, to make the terminal device more functional, the terminal device 1000 may also include one or more of the following: an input unit 1006, a display unit 1007, an audio circuit 1008, a camera 1009, and a sensor 1010. The audio circuit may also include a speaker 1008a, a microphone 1008b, etc.

[0404] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the network device provided in an embodiment of this application, such as a schematic diagram of a base station. The base station 1100 can be applied to the systems shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3, performing the functions of the third communication device in the method embodiment shown in Figure 5. As shown, the base station 1100 may include one or more of the following: one or more (DU+RU) 1110s and one or more CUs 1120s. CU 1120 can communicate with the next-generation core (NG core). The DU may include at least one antenna 1111, at least one radio frequency unit 1112, at least one processor 1113, and at least one memory 1114. The DU is mainly used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals, converting radio frequency signals to baseband signals, and performing some baseband processing. CU 1120 may include at least one processor 1122 and at least one memory 1121. CU 1120 and DU can communicate through an interface. The control plane (CP) interface can be Fs-C, such as F1-C, and the user plane (UP) interface can be Fs-U, such as F1-U. DUs and RUs can work together to implement the functions of the physical (PHY) layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of DUs and RUs can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, a DU can be configured to implement baseband functions, and an RU can be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Another example is that a DU can be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and an RU can be configured to implement lower-level and RF functions in the PHY layer. Higher-level functions in the PHY layer may include a portion of the PHY layer's functions, which are closer to the medium access control (MAC) layer, while lower-level functions in the PHY layer may include another portion of the PHY layer's functions, which are closer to the mid-RF side.

[0405] The CU 1120 is mainly used for baseband processing and base station control. The DU and CU 1120 can be physically installed together or separately, i.e., a distributed base station. The CU 1120 is the control center of the base station, which can correspond to the processing unit in Figure 8 or the processor in Figure 9, and can also be called a processing unit, mainly used to complete baseband processing functions. For example, the CU 1120 can be used to control the base station to execute the operation flow of the third communication device in the above method embodiments.

[0406] Specifically, baseband processing on the CU and DU can be divided according to the protocol layers of the wireless network. For example, the functions of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer and above are set in the CU, while the functions of protocol layers below PDCP, such as the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer and the MAC layer, are set in the DU. Alternatively, the CU may implement the functions of the RRC and PDCP layers, while the DU may implement the functions of the RLC, MAC, and PHY layers.

[0407] Alternatively, base station 1100 may include one or more radio frequency units (RU), one or more DUs, and one or more CUs. A DU may include at least one processor 1113 and at least one memory 1114, an RU may include at least one antenna 1111 and at least one radio frequency unit 1112, and a CU may include at least one processor 1122 and at least one memory 1121.

[0408] In one example, the CU 1120 can be composed of one or more single boards. These boards can collectively support a single access-indicating radio access network (such as a 5G network), or they can each support radio access networks with different access standards (such as LTE, 5G, or other networks). The memory 1121 and processor 1122 can serve one or more single boards. That is, each single board can have its own memory and processor, or multiple single boards can share the same memory and processor. Furthermore, each single board can also have necessary circuitry. Similarly, the DU can be composed of one or more single boards. These boards can collectively support a single access-indicating radio access network (such as a 5G network), or they can each support radio access networks with different access standards (such as LTE, 5G, or other networks). The memory 1114 and processor 1113 can serve one or more single boards. That is, each single board can have its own memory and processor, or multiple single boards can share the same memory and processor. Furthermore, each single board can also have necessary circuitry.

[0409] It should be understood that the base station 1100 shown in Figure 11 can implement the various processes involving the third communication device in the method embodiment shown in Figure 5. The operation and / or function of each module in the base station 1100 are respectively for implementing the corresponding processes in the above method embodiment. For details, please refer to the description in the above method embodiment; to avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are appropriately omitted here.

[0410] It should be understood that the base station 1100 shown in Figure 11 is only one possible architecture for network devices and should not be construed as limiting this application in any way. The method provided in this application can be applied to network devices with other architectures, such as network devices including CU, DU, and AAU. This application does not limit the specific architecture of the network device.

[0411] It should be understood that Figure 11 is merely an example and not a limitation, and the network device may not depend on the structure shown in Figure 11. For example, the network device may also include an AAU, a CU and / or a DU, or a BBU and an adaptive radio unit (ARU). This application does not limit this.

[0412] The aforementioned CU and / or DU can be used to perform the actions implemented internally by the third communication device as described in the preceding method embodiments, while the AAU can be used to perform the actions described in the preceding method embodiments, whereby the third communication device sends data to the fourth communication device or the fourth communication device receives data from the third communication device. For details, please refer to the descriptions in the preceding method embodiments; they will not be repeated here.

[0413] It should be noted that the above method embodiments can be applied to a processor, or implemented by a processor. A processor may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiments can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by software instructions.

[0414] The aforementioned processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0415] The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can reside in mature storage media in the art, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, or registers. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

[0416] The memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory used in the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0417] This application also provides a chip system including at least one processor for supporting the implementation of the functions of the fourth or third communication device involved in any of the above method embodiments, such as sending, receiving, or processing information involved in the above methods.

[0418] In one possible design, the chip system also includes a memory for storing computer program instructions and data, which may be located inside or outside the processor.

[0419] The chip system can consist of chips or include chips and other discrete components.

[0420] This application also provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions), wherein when the computer program is run, the method executed by the fourth communication device in the embodiment shown in FIG5 is executed, or the method executed by the third communication device is executed.

[0421] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions). When the computer program is run, the method executed by the fourth communication device in the embodiment shown in FIG5, or the method executed by the third communication device, is executed.

[0422] This application also provides a communication system, which includes the aforementioned third communication device and fourth communication device.

[0423] The methods provided in the above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, they can be implemented, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. This computer program product may include one or more computer instructions. When these computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium may be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic disk), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state disk (SSD)).

[0424] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0425] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0426] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0427] The unit described as a separate component may or may not be physically separate. The component shown as a unit may or may not be a physical unit; that is, it may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0428] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0429] If this function is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, or part of it, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory, random access memory, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive indication information, the indication information indicating that a first code division multiplexing (CDM) group is used for data transmission, the index of the first CDM group is less than the index of the second CDM group, the second CDM group is used to receive a second reference signal, and the antenna port corresponding to the port of the second reference signal is the same as the antenna port corresponding to the data transmission; The data transmission is received on the resources included in the first CDM group.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first CDM group is configured to transmit a first reference signal.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The indication information also indicates the port of the second reference signal, the port of the second reference signal corresponding to the third CDM group, the third CDM group including the second CDM group.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The indication information indicates the number n of CDM groups not used for data transmission, where n is less than m, and m is the number of CDM groups whose index is less than or equal to the index of the second CDM group.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The indication information includes a bitmap, where each bit in the bitmap corresponds to a CDM group, and the first bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding first CDM group is used for data transmission.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The indication information also indicates at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group, wherein receiving the data transmission on the resources included in the first CDM group includes: The data transmission is received on the resources included in the first CDM group, and the data transmission on the resources included in the first CDM group is transmitted through the antenna port corresponding to the at least one reference signal port.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: The data transmission is received based on transmission parameters, which are determined based on the at least one reference signal port and the resources included in the first CDM group. The transmission parameters include at least one of the following: Transport Block Size (TBS); Rate matching method; Layer mapping method.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The TBS includes: the number of information bits carried on the resources included in the first CDM group on the layer corresponding to the at least one reference signal port.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, In the rate matching method, on the layer corresponding to the at least one reference signal port, the coded bits on the resources included in the first CDM group are included in the first channel coded code block, and the first channel coded code block includes at least one channel coded code block.

10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that, In the layer mapping method, the modulation symbols on the resources included in the first CDM group are interleaved and mapped on the layer corresponding to at least one reference signal port.

11. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send indication information, the indication information indicating that the first code division multiplexing (CDM) group is used for data transmission, the index of the first CDM group is less than the index of the second CDM group, the second CDM group is used to transmit the second reference signal, and the antenna port corresponding to the port of the second reference signal is the same as the antenna port corresponding to the data transmission; The data transmission is sent on the resources included in the first CDM group.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first CDM group is configured to transmit a first reference signal.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, The indication information also indicates the port of the second reference signal, the port of the second reference signal corresponding to the third CDM group, the third CDM group including the second CDM group.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that, The indication information indicates the number n of CDM groups not used for data transmission, where n is less than m, and m is the number of CDM groups whose index is less than or equal to the index of the second CDM group.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that, The indication information includes a bitmap, where each bit in the bitmap corresponds to a CDM group, and the first bit in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding first CDM group is used for data transmission.

16. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that, The indication information also indicates at least one reference signal port under the third CDM group, and the transmission of the data on the resources included in the first CDM group includes: The data transmission is transmitted on the resources included in the first CDM group through the antenna port corresponding to the at least one reference signal port.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, Also includes: The data transmission is sent based on the transmission parameters, which are determined based on the at least one reference signal port and the resources included in the first CDM group; The transmission parameters include at least one of the following: Transport Block Size (TBS); Rate matching method; Layer mapping method.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The TBS includes: the number of information bits carried on the resources included in the first CDM group on the layer corresponding to the at least one reference signal port.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, In the rate matching method, on the layer corresponding to the at least one reference signal port, the coded bits on the resources included in the first CDM group are included in the first channel coded code block, and the first channel coded code block includes at least one channel coded code block.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that, In the layer mapping method, the modulation symbols on the resources included in the first CDM group are interleaved and mapped on the layer corresponding to at least one reference signal port.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10, or includes modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 20.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes one or more processors, said one or more processors being configured to execute a computer program or instructions in memory, causing the communication device to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, or to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 20.

23. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by a processor, it causes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 10 to be performed, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 11 to 20 to be performed.

24. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes a computer program that, when run, causes the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 to be performed, or causes the method as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 20 to be performed.

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