Method and apparatus for channel estimation

Abstract

A method and apparatus for channel estimation. The method comprises: a first communication apparatus receives first transmission configuration information and a first downlink reference signal from a second communication apparatus, wherein the first transmission configuration information comprises an identifier of a first reference channel; and the first communication apparatus estimates, on the basis of the first downlink reference signal and a parameter of the first reference channel indicated by the identifier of the first reference channel carried in the first transmission configuration information, a first channel corresponding to the first downlink reference signal. The parameter of the first reference channel may be multipath delay information, angle information, power information, or the like of the channel. In this way, a first communication apparatus may estimate channel information of a first downlink reference signal on the basis of channel information of a first reference channel, thereby reducing the time required by a terminal device to acquire channel information.

Description

Methods and apparatus for channel estimation

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510323248.X, filed on March 18, 2025, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Channel Estimation”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for channel estimation. Background Technology

[0003] In communication systems, reference signals are transmitted between the transmitting and receiving ends to send and receive data, obtain system synchronization, and provide feedback channel information. For example, the transmitting end sends a reference signal to the receiving end, which receives the reference signal and can then estimate channel information based on the reference information, and provide feedback channel information, such as channel state information (CSI).

[0004] In addition, the base station can notify the terminal device to measure a certain reference signal through the transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state, or notify the terminal device of the source reference signal and corresponding channel information used in channel estimation through the TCI state. The TCI state can be configured with one (or two) source reference signals and quasi-colocation (QCL) type pairs.

[0005] However, in the current TCI state configuration, the channel information provided by the synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SS / PBCH block) as the source reference signal is limited. The demodulation reference signal (DMRS) of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) and the DMRS of the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) require channel estimation and other processing using other QCL reference signals, and the process of the terminal device measuring other QCL reference signals introduces significant latency. Furthermore, in the current TCI state configuration, the track reference signal (TRS) or channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) as the source reference signal can provide relatively comprehensive channel information, but the process of the terminal device measuring TRS or CSI-RS itself introduces significant latency.

[0006] Therefore, how to reduce the time required for terminal devices to obtain channel information has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This application provides a method for channel estimation, aiming to reduce the time required for terminal devices to acquire channel information.

[0008] Firstly, a method for channel estimation is provided. This method can be executed by a first communication device. Unless otherwise specified, the "first communication device" in this application can be a terminal device, or a component applicable to the terminal device (e.g., a communication module, processor, chip, or chip system, such as circuits or chips responsible for communication functions in the terminal device (e.g., a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, or a system-in-package (SIP) chip), or it can be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal device. For ease of description, the following explanation uses the execution by the first communication device as an example.

[0009] The method for channel estimation includes: a first communication device receiving first transmission configuration information from a second communication device, the first transmission configuration information including an identifier of a first reference channel. The first communication device also receives a first downlink reference signal from the second communication device, and the first communication device can estimate a first channel corresponding to the first downlink reference signal based on the parameters of the first reference channel indicated by the identifier of the first reference channel carried in the first transmission configuration information and the first downlink reference signal. The parameters of the first reference channel include one or more of parameters such as multipath delay information, angle information, or power information.

[0010] In other words, the method for channel estimation includes: a first communication device receiving first transmission configuration information and a first downlink reference signal from a second communication device, the first transmission configuration information including an identifier of a first reference channel, the first reference channel and the first downlink reference signal being quasi-co-located (QCL), and the first communication device estimating a first channel corresponding to the first downlink reference signal based on the first transmission configuration information and the first downlink reference signal.

[0011] Based on the above technical solution, the first transmission configuration information received by the first communication device includes an identifier of a first reference channel, enabling the first communication device to estimate the first channel corresponding to the first downlink reference signal based on the parameters of the first reference channel during channel estimation. The parameters of the first reference channel can be multipath delay information, angle information, or power information, etc. Therefore, the first communication device can estimate the channel information of the first downlink signal through the channel information of the first reference channel; that is, the channel information of the first downlink signal can be represented by the channel information of the first reference channel. For example, the multipath delay of the first downlink signal channel can be the multipath delay of the first reference channel; and for example, the angle of the first downlink signal channel can be the angle of the first reference channel, etc.

[0012] Compared to the scheme of estimating channel information through the source reference signal configured by TCI state, in which the terminal device needs to measure TRS or CSI-RS, the channel estimation scheme provided in this application does not require the measurement of TRS or CSI-RS. Channel estimation can be performed based on the parameters of the first reference channel, which can reduce the time required for the terminal device to obtain channel information.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first transmission configuration information may include the identifier of the first reference channel as follows: the first transmission configuration information includes QCL information, the QCL information includes a reference channel field, and the reference channel field is the identifier of the first reference channel.

[0014] Based on the above technical solution, the method of carrying the identifier of the first reference channel in the first transmission configuration information can be as follows: a reference channel field is carried in the QCL information of the first transmission configuration information, and the value of the reference channel field is the identifier of the first reference channel. This method of carrying the identifier of the first reference channel can be understood as enhancing the current TCI state by adding a reference channel field to the QCL information configured in the TCI state, thereby improving the forward compatibility of the solution.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first transmission configuration information further includes type information of a first quasi-co-located QCL, wherein the first reference channel and the first channel satisfy the first QCL. The type information of the first QCL is used to indicate the type of the first QCL, and the type of the first QCL includes at least one of the following:

[0016] QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C, or QCL type D; or,

[0017] New QCL types besides QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C, and QCL type D,

[0018] Wherein, if the first QCL type is one of QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C, or QCL type D, then the same wireless channel characteristics between the first reference channel and the first channel include at least one of Doppler spread, Doppler frequency shift, average delay, delay spread, or spatial receiver parameters;

[0019] If the first QCL type is the new QCL type described above, then the same wireless channel characteristics between the first reference channel and the first channel include at least one of the multipath delay information, angle information, or power information described above.

[0020] Based on the above technical solution, the first transmission configuration information also includes the type information of the first QCL, wherein the first reference channel and the first channel satisfy the first QCL. This allows the first communication to accurately determine the type of the first QCL based on the first quasi-co-located QCL type information. Different QCL types indicate that the same wireless channel characteristics between the first channel and the first reference channel can be different. By indicating the QCL type to which the first reference channel and the first channel belong, the type information of the first QCL type is clearly defined, thus clarifying which wireless channel characteristics are shared between the first reference channel and the first channel, and improving the accuracy of channel estimation.

[0021] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the matching degree between the first reference channel and the channel of the first communication device is greater than a first threshold.

[0022] Based on the above technical solution, the first reference channel indicated by the identifier of the first reference channel carried in the first transmission configuration information can be one of at least one reference channel that satisfies a first condition, wherein the matching degree between the reference channel and the channel of the first communication device is greater than a first threshold. In other words, as a reference channel in the channel estimation process, a channel with a high matching degree with the channel of the first communication device (e.g., a matching degree greater than a first threshold, where the first threshold can be predefined by the protocol or determined through negotiation between the first and second communication devices) should be selected as the reference channel to improve the accuracy of channel estimation.

[0023] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first downlink reference signal includes at least one of the following: a phase track reference signal (PTRS), a tracking reference signal (TRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a demodulation reference signal (PDSCH DMRS) for the physical layer downlink shared channel, or a demodulation reference signal (PDCCH DMRS) for the physical layer downlink control channel.

[0024] Based on the above technical solution, the first downlink reference signal in this application can be a reference signal such as TRS, CSI-RS, PDSCH DMRS, or PDCCH DMRS. In other words, the parameters of the first reference channel can be used to estimate the channel corresponding to different downlink reference signals. There are no restrictions on the type of downlink reference signal used for transmission in the estimated channel, and it can be applied to different scenarios.

[0025] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, when the first downlink reference signal is the PDSCH DMRS, receiving the first transmission configuration information from the second communication device includes: receiving a radio resource control (RRC) message from the second communication device, the RRC message being used to configure at least one transmission configuration information, the at least one transmission configuration information including the aforementioned first transmission configuration information.

[0026] Optionally, if the RRC configures at least one transmission configuration information as multiple transmission configuration information, the method further includes: receiving a medium access control-control element (MAC CE) from a second communication device, the MAC CE being used to indicate the activation of at least one of the multiple transmission configuration information, the activated at least one transmission configuration information including the first transmission configuration information described above.

[0027] Optionally, if at least one transmission configuration information activated by the MAC CE is a plurality of transmission configuration information, the method further includes: receiving downlink control information (DCI) from a second communication device, the DCI being used to indicate a first transmission configuration information among the plurality of activated transmission configuration information.

[0028] Based on the above technical solution, when the first downlink reference signal is PDSCH DMRS, the process of the second communication device sending the first transmission configuration information to the first communication device can be as follows: configuring multiple transmission configuration information to the first communication device through RRC messages, then activating at least one of the multiple transmission configuration information through MAC CE, and finally indicating the first transmission configuration information among the activated transmission configuration information through DCI. This process of the second communication device sending the first transmission configuration information to the first communication device is compatible with the current process of the second communication device sending TCI state to the first communication device. The difference is that in this application, the first transmission configuration information carries the identifier of the first reference channel, which improves the forward compatibility of the solution.

[0029] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, when the first downlink reference signal is the PDSCH DMRS, the method further includes: if the PDSCH DMRS is not detected, estimating the channel of the PDSCH DMRS based on a first reference channel that satisfies QCL with the PDSCH DMRS; or, if the first transmission configuration information is not successfully parsed, estimating the channel of the PDSCH DMRS based on second transmission configuration information associated with the PDCCH DMRS. Here, "not detecting the PDSCH DMRS" can be understood as the first communication device failing to parse the PDSCH DMRS, or the first communication device failing to receive the PDSCH DMRS, i.e., the first communication device is unaware of the PDSCH DMRS, or the first communication device has not received parameter configuration information about the PDSCH DMRS, and therefore cannot confirm the existence of the PDSCH DMRS, etc.

[0030] In this application, the second transmission configuration information is transmission configuration information associated with the PDCCH DMRS. For example, the second transmission configuration information includes an identifier for reference channel #Y. The first communication device can estimate the channel corresponding to the PDCCH DMRS based on the reference channel #Y and the PDCCH DMRS. When the first transmission configuration information configured for the PDCCH DMRS is not parsed, the channel estimation of the PDCCH DMRS can use the second transmission configuration information configured for the PDCCH DMRS. For example, the first communication device can estimate the channel corresponding to the PDCCH DMRS based on the reference channel #Y and the PDCCH DMRS.

[0031] Based on the above technical solution, the behavior of the first communication device under certain special circumstances is defined so that the first communication device can still perform channel estimation based on pre-defined conditions under certain special circumstances, thereby improving the performance of channel estimation. For example, in the process of obtaining the channel of PDSCH DMRS, if the first communication device fails to detect PDSCH DMRS, it can obtain the channel of PDSCH DMRS based on the first reference channel without waiting for the detection of PDSCH DMRS before performing channel estimation of PDSCH DMRS; as well as in the process of obtaining the channel of PDSCH DMRS, if the first communication device fails to detect (or fails to receive, fails to parse, etc.) the first transmission configuration information, it can estimate the channel of PDSCH DMRS based on the second transmission configuration information associated with PDCCH DMRS.

[0032] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, when the first downlink reference signal is the PDCCH DMRS, receiving the first transmission configuration information from the second communication device includes: receiving control-resource set (CORESET) information from the second communication device, the CORESET information being used to configure at least one transmission configuration information, the at least one transmission configuration information including the aforementioned first transmission configuration information.

[0033] Optionally, if at least one transmission configuration information configured in the CORESET information is a plurality of transmission configuration information, the method further includes: receiving a MAC CE from the second communication device, the MAC CE being used to indicate the activation of a first transmission configuration information among the plurality of transmission configuration information.

[0034] Based on the above technical solution, when the first downlink reference signal is PDCCH DMRS, the process of the second communication device sending the first transmission configuration information to the first communication device can be as follows: configuring multiple transmission configuration information to the first communication device through CORESET information, and then activating the first transmission configuration information among the multiple transmission configuration information through MAC CE. The process of the second communication device sending the first transmission configuration information to the first communication device can be compatible with the current process of the second communication device sending TCI state to the first communication device. The difference is that the first transmission configuration information in this application carries the identifier of the first reference channel, which improves the forward compatibility of the solution.

[0035] In conjunction with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, when the first downlink reference signal is the TRS or the CSI-RS, if the first downlink reference signal is a periodic reference signal, receiving the first transmission configuration information from the second communication device includes: receiving a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message from the second communication device, the RRC message being used to configure the first transmission configuration information; if the first downlink reference signal is a semi-periodic reference signal, receiving the first transmission configuration information from the second communication device includes: receiving Control Resource Set (CORESET) information from the second communication device, the CORESET information being used to configure the first transmission configuration information; if the first downlink reference signal is an aperiodic reference signal, receiving the first transmission configuration information from the second communication device includes: receiving Downlink Control Information (DCI) from the second communication device, the DCI being used to indicate the first transmission configuration information.

[0036] Based on the above technical solution, when the first downlink reference signal is TRS or CSI-RS, different configuration schemes for transmission configuration information can be provided based on the characteristics of the first downlink reference signal (e.g., periodic, aperiodic, or current period), thereby optimizing the configuration process of transmission configuration information and improving configuration efficiency.

[0037] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, when the first downlink reference signal is the periodic TRS or the CSI-RS, the estimation of the first channel based on the parameters of the first reference channel and the first downlink reference signal includes: estimating the first channel based on the parameters of the first reference channel and the first downlink reference signal after a first time point, wherein the first time point is the activation time of the first transmission configuration information.

[0038] Based on the above technical solution, when the first downlink reference signal is a periodic TRS or CSI-RS, the activation time of the first transmission configuration information can be a predefined time, without the need to activate the first transmission configuration information through special activation signaling, which can reduce signaling overhead to a certain extent.

[0039] In conjunction with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, before receiving the first transmission configuration information from the second communication device, the method further includes: receiving a second downlink reference signal from the second communication device; estimating a second channel corresponding to the second downlink reference signal based on parameters of the second reference channel and the second downlink reference signal; wherein the second reference channel and the second channel have the same wireless channel characteristics, and the second downlink reference signal includes a demodulation reference signal PDSCH DMRS for a physical layer downlink shared channel or a demodulation reference signal PDCCH DMRS for a physical layer downlink control channel.

[0040] Based on the above technical solution, when the first communication device does not receive transmission configuration information carrying the identifier of the reference channel, the first communication device can assume that some or all of the channel information of the selected reference channel and the PDSCH DMRS or PDCCH DMRS channel satisfy QCL, and can obtain the channel of PDSCH DMRS or PDCCH DMRS based on the selected reference channel. This allows the first communication device to still perform channel estimation based on the pre-defined selected reference channel even when it does not receive transmission configuration information carrying the identifier of the reference channel, thereby improving the performance of channel estimation.

[0041] In this application, the second reference channel can be understood as the reference channel selected by the first communication device. For example, the second reference channel has similar characteristics to the channel of the first communication device (e.g., the same multipath parameters, channel correlation, and the singular vector correlation of the channel is higher than the second threshold).

[0042] Optionally, the first communication device may select a reference channel as the second reference channel by: the first communication device selecting a reference channel with a matching degree greater than a first threshold with the channel of the first communication device through a predefined process as the second reference channel; or, the second communication device selecting a reference channel with a matching degree greater than the first threshold with the channel of the first communication device through a predefined process as the second reference channel and notifying the first communication device of the information of the second reference channel; or, the first communication device selecting a reference channel as the second reference channel based on historical communication data.

[0043] Secondly, a method for channel estimation is provided. This method can be executed by a second communication device. Unless otherwise specified, the "second communication device" in this application can be a network device, or a component applicable to a network device (e.g., a communication module, processor, chip, or chip system, such as a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in a network device (e.g., a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), or it can be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of a network device. For ease of description, the following explanation uses execution by a second communication device as an example.

[0044] The method for channel estimation includes: a second communication device sending first transmission configuration information to a first communication device, and sending a first downlink reference signal to the first communication device, wherein the first transmission configuration information includes an identifier of a first reference channel, the parameters of the first reference channel and the first downlink reference signal are used to estimate a first channel corresponding to the first downlink reference signal, and the parameters of the first reference channel include at least one of the following: multipath delay information, angle information, or power information.

[0045] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first transmission configuration information includes an identifier of the first reference channel, including: the first transmission configuration information includes quasi-co-located QCL information, the quasi-co-located QCL information includes a reference channel field, and the reference channel field includes an identifier of the first reference channel.

[0046] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first transmission configuration information further includes type information of a first quasi-co-located QCL, wherein the first reference channel and the first channel satisfy a first QCL, wherein the type information of the first QCL is used to indicate the type of the first QCL, and the type of the first QCL includes at least one of the following: QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C, or QCL type D; or, a new QCL type other than QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C, and QCL type D.

[0047] Wherein, if the first QCL type is one of QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C, or QCL type D, then the wireless channel characteristics that are the same between the first reference channel and the first channel include at least one of Doppler spread, Doppler frequency shift, average delay, delay spread, or spatial receiver parameters;

[0048] If the first QCL type is the new QCL type, then the same wireless channel characteristics between the first reference channel and the first channel include at least one of the multipath delay information, the angle information, or the power information.

[0049] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the matching degree between the first reference channel and the channel of the first communication device is greater than a first threshold.

[0050] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first downlink reference signal includes at least one of the following: a phase tracking reference signal PTRS, a tracking reference signal TRS, a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS, a demodulation reference signal PDSCH DMRS for a physical layer downlink shared channel, or a demodulation reference signal PDCCH DMRS for a physical layer downlink control channel.

[0051] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, when the first downlink reference signal is the PDSCH DMRS, sending the first transmission configuration information to the first communication device includes: sending an RRC message to the first communication device, the RRC message being used to configure at least one transmission configuration information, the at least one transmission configuration information including the aforementioned first transmission configuration information.

[0052] Optionally, if the RRC configures at least one transmission configuration information as multiple transmission configuration information, the method further includes: sending a medium access control-control element (MAC CE) to the first communication device, the MAC CE being used to indicate the activation of at least one of the multiple transmission configuration information, the activated at least one transmission configuration information including the aforementioned first transmission configuration information.

[0053] Optionally, if at least one transmission configuration information activated by the MAC CE is one of multiple transmission configuration information, the method further includes: sending downlink control information (DCI) to the first communication device, wherein the DCI is used to indicate the first transmission configuration information among the multiple activated transmission configuration information.

[0054] In conjunction with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, when the first downlink reference signal is the PDCCH DMRS, sending the first transmission configuration information to the first communication device includes: sending CORESET information to the first communication device, the CORESET information being used to configure at least one transmission configuration information, the at least one transmission configuration information including the aforementioned first transmission configuration information.

[0055] Optionally, if at least one transmission configuration information configured in the CORESET information is a plurality of transmission configuration information, the method further includes: sending a MAC CE to a first communication device, wherein the MAC CE is used to indicate the activation of a first transmission configuration information among the plurality of transmission configuration information.

[0056] In conjunction with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, when the first downlink reference signal is the TRS or the CSI-RS, if the first downlink reference signal is a periodic reference signal, sending the first transmission configuration information to the first communication device includes: sending a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message to the first communication device, the RRC message being used to configure the first transmission configuration information; if the first downlink reference signal is a semi-periodic reference signal, sending the first transmission configuration information to the first communication device includes: sending Control Resource Set (CORESET) information to the first communication device, the CORESET information being used to configure the first transmission configuration information; if the first downlink reference signal is an aperiodic reference signal, sending the first transmission configuration information to the first communication device includes: sending Downlink Control Information (DCI) to the first communication device, the DCI being used to indicate the first transmission configuration information.

[0057] Regarding the beneficial effects not described in detail in the second aspect, please refer to the relevant description in the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0058] Thirdly, an apparatus for channel estimation is provided, which is used to perform the method in any possible implementation of the first or second aspect described above. Specifically, the apparatus may include units and / or modules for performing the method in any possible implementation of the first or second aspect, such as processing units and / or communication units.

[0059] In one implementation, the device is a communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device). When the device is a communication device, the communication unit can be a transceiver or an input / output interface; the processing unit can be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0060] In another implementation, the device is a chip, chip system, or circuit for communication equipment (such as terminal equipment or network equipment). When the device is a chip, chip system, or circuit for communication equipment, the communication unit can be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip, chip system, or circuit; the processing unit can be at least one processor, processing circuit, or logic circuit.

[0061] Fourthly, an apparatus for channel estimation is provided, the apparatus comprising: at least one processor for executing a computer program or instructions stored in a memory to perform the method in any possible implementation of the first or second aspect described above. Optionally, the apparatus further comprises a memory for storing the computer program or instructions; correspondingly, at least one processor is configured to execute the computer program or instructions in the memory. Optionally, the apparatus further comprises a communication interface coupled to the processor, which can be used to input information to the processor or output information from the processor. Optionally, the processor reads the computer program or instructions from the memory through the communication interface.

[0062] In one implementation, the device is a communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device).

[0063] In another implementation, the device is a chip, chip system, or circuit for communication equipment (such as terminal equipment or network equipment).

[0064] Fifthly, a processor is provided for performing the methods provided in the first or second aspect above.

[0065] Unless otherwise specified, or if it does not contradict its actual function or internal logic in the relevant description, the transmission and / or reception operations involved by the processor can be understood as processor output and / or input operations, or as transmission and / or reception operations performed by radio frequency circuits and antennas. This application does not limit them in this regard.

[0066] In a sixth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores program code for execution by a device, the program code including methods for performing any possible implementation of the first or second aspect described above.

[0067] In a seventh aspect, a computer program product comprising a computer program or instructions is provided, which, when run on a computer or processor, causes the computer to perform the method in any possible implementation of the first or second aspect described above.

[0068] Eighthly, a chip is provided, the chip including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the processor reads instructions from a memory through the communication interface and executes the method provided by any of the above implementations of the first or second aspect.

[0069] Optionally, as one implementation, the chip further includes a memory storing computer programs or instructions, and a processor for executing the computer programs or instructions in the memory. When the computer programs or instructions are executed, the processor is used to perform the method provided by any of the above implementations of the first or second aspect.

[0070] Ninthly, a communication system is provided, comprising a first device (or a first communication device) and a second device (or a second communication device). The first device is used to perform the method provided as in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof, and the second device is used to perform the method provided as in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Attached Figure Description

[0071] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0072] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of an open radio access network (ORAN) system architecture provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0073] Figure 3 illustrates, exemplarily, a network element function division and protocol layer structure diagram of an ORAN device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0074] Figure 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) transmission process.

[0075] Figure 5 illustrates the QCL types between different reference signals.

[0076] Figure 6 illustrates the relationship between the reference channel and the target channel.

[0077] Figure 7 illustrates the projection matrix corresponding to the centroid channel.

[0078] Figure 8 illustrates CSI acquisition based on the reference channel.

[0079] Figure 9 illustrates the correspondence rules between SSB and reference channel.

[0080] Figure 10 is a schematic flowchart of a channel estimation method provided in this application.

[0081] Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram of a channel estimation apparatus provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0082] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of another device for channel estimation provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0083] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a chip system provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0084] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the following points will be explained first.

[0085] First, in this application, "for indicating" can include both direct and indirect indication. When describing an indication message as indicating A, it can include whether the indication message directly indicates A or indirectly indicates A, but does not necessarily mean that the indication message carries A.

[0086] The information indicated by the instruction is called the information to be instructed. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, where there is a relationship between the other information and the information to be instructed. It can also indicate only a part of the information to be indicated, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement of various pieces of information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent. At the same time, common parts of various pieces of information can be identified and indicated uniformly to reduce the instruction overhead caused by individually indicating the same information.

[0087] Second, in this application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more (including two). Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, "first," "second," and various numerical designations (e.g., "#1," "#2," etc.) are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The sequence numbers of the processes below do not imply an order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application. It should be understood that the objects described in this way can be interchanged where appropriate to describe solutions other than those in the embodiments of this application. Moreover, in the embodiments of this application, terms such as "S1010" are merely identifiers for descriptive convenience and do not limit the order of execution steps.

[0088] Third, in the embodiments of this application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that they are examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design that is described as "exemplary" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design options. Specifically, the use of the words "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0089] Fourth, the term "storage" in the embodiments of this application can refer to storage in one or more memories. These memories can be separate installations or integrated into an encoder, decoder, processor, or communication device. Alternatively, some memories can be separately installed, while others can be integrated into the decoder, processor, or communication device. The type of memory can be any form of storage medium, and this application does not limit this.

[0090] Fifth, in the implementation of this application, "protocol" may refer to standard protocols in the field of communications, such as 5th generation (5G) protocols, new radio (NR) protocols, and related protocols applied to future communication systems; this application does not limit this. "Predefined" may include predefined terms, such as protocol definitions. "Preconfiguration" can be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device; this application does not limit its implementation method.

[0091] Sixth, in the embodiments of this application, the terms "of", "corresponding (relevant)", "corresponding", and "associate" can sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when their differences are not emphasized, their intended meanings are consistent.

[0092] Seventh, in the embodiments of this application, "under the circumstances", "when", and "if" can sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when the distinction is not emphasized, their intended meanings are consistent.

[0093] Eighth, the term "and / or" in this document is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, and c can represent: a, or, b, or, c, or, a and b, or, a and c, or, b and c, or, a, b, and c. Here, a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0094] Ninth, the terms "message", "information", or "information element (IE)" can be used interchangeably in this article. There are no restrictions on the names of messages, information, or frames, as long as they can achieve the corresponding functions.

[0095] Tenth, in this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, and "send information" can include direct transmission or indirect transmission through other units or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, and "receive information" can include direct reception from YY or indirect reception from YY through other units or modules. Besides air interface transmission or reception signals implemented at the system level, such as network devices or terminal devices, "send" can also be understood as the "output" of a chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of a chip interface. For example, a modem or system-on-a-chip (e.g., SoC chip or SIP chip) transmits or receives signals. "Send" or "receive" can also be performed through device components, for example, using buses, traces, or interfaces to transmit or receive signals through several parts, modules, or chips of a device.

[0096] "Communication" can also be described as data transmission, information transmission, data processing, etc. "Transmission" includes sending and / or receiving. "Transmission" can be described as output. "Sending" can also be understood as the output of a chip interface, and "receiving" can be understood as the input of a chip interface. In other words, "sending" or "receiving" can occur between devices, for example, device 1 and device 2 sending or receiving data via an air interface. "Sending" or "receiving" can also occur within a device, for example, sending or receiving data between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via a bus, wiring, or interface.

[0097] For example, "sending information" can be understood as one device sending information to another device, or it can also be understood as one logic module within a device sending information to another logic module. For instance, "device 1 sending information" can be understood as device 1 sending information to device 2, or it can be understood as logic module 1 within device 1 sending information to logic module 2 within device 1. Similarly, "receiving information" can be understood as device 1 receiving information from device 2, or it can also be understood as logic module 1 within device 1 receiving information from logic module 2. For instance, "device 1 receiving information" can be understood as device 1 receiving information from device 2, or it can be understood as logic module 1 within device 1 receiving information from logic module 2 within device 1.

[0098] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0099] The technical solutions in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as wireless local area networks (WLANs), wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi or WiFi) systems, fourth-generation (4G) mobile communication systems (such as long-term evolution (LTE) systems), fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication systems (such as new radio (NR) systems), or future communication systems. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), and Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to low-frequency scenarios, high-frequency scenarios, terahertz frequencies, etc.

[0100] The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to non-terrestrial network (NTN) systems such as inter-satellite communication and satellite communication. As an example, a satellite communication system includes a satellite base station and terminal equipment. The satellite base station provides communication services to the terminal equipment. The satellite base station can also communicate with other base stations. A satellite can act as a base station or as a terminal device. Here, "satellite" can refer to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), hot air balloons, low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, medium-Earth orbit (MEO) satellites, high-Earth orbit (HEO) satellites, etc. "Satellite" can also refer to non-terrestrial base stations or non-terrestrial equipment, etc.

[0101] In a communication system, a device can send signals to or receive signals from another device. These signals can include information, signaling, or data. The device can also be replaced by an entity, network entity, network element, communication equipment, communication module, node, communication node, etc. This application uses a device as an example for description. For instance, a communication system can include at least one terminal device and at least one network device. The network device can send downlink signals to the terminal device, and / or the terminal device can send uplink signals to the network device. This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features related to systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that various systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all the devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these approaches are also possible.

[0102] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 10 includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network (CN) 200. Optionally, the communication system 10 may also include the Internet 300.

[0103] RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (120a-120j in Figure 1, collectively referred to as 120). RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay equipment and / or wireless backhaul equipment (not shown in Figure 1). Terminal 120 is wirelessly connected to RAN node 110. RAN node 110 is wirelessly or wired connected to core network 200. The core network equipment in core network 200 and RAN node 110 in RAN 100 can be different physical devices, or they can be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and wireless access network logical functions.

[0104] RAN 100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 4G, 5G mobile communication systems, or future-oriented evolution systems. RAN 100 can also be ORAN, cloud radio access network (CRAN), or WiFi system. RAN 100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0105] RAN node 110, sometimes referred to as RAN entity or access node, constitutes part of the communication system and assists terminals in achieving wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes 110 in communication system 10 can be of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of RAN node 110 and terminal 120 are relative. For example, network element 120i in Figure 1 can be a helicopter or drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120j accessing RAN 100 through network element 120i, network element 120i is a base station; however, for base station 110a, network element 120i is a terminal. RAN node 110 and terminal 120 are sometimes both referred to as communication devices. For example, network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0106] RAN nodes can also be described in different ways, such as access network equipment. Unless otherwise specified in this application, access network equipment will be used as the term.

[0107] Access network equipment can be devices or modules located on the network side of the aforementioned communication system and possessing corresponding communication functions. Access network equipment typically contains communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform the corresponding communication functions. Access network equipment may also be configured with programs or instructions for performing the corresponding communication functions, as well as the corresponding programs or instructions themselves.

[0108] In one possible scenario, the access network equipment can be a base station (BS), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission point (TP), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a mobile switching center, a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a next-generation base station in a future communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system, etc. The access network equipment can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 1, 110a), a micro base station or indoor station (as shown in Figure 1, 110b), a relay node or donor node, a radio controller in a CRAN scenario, a satellite, a drone, a balloon, or an aircraft, etc. Optionally, the access network equipment can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment, etc. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the access network equipment in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0109] In another possible scenario, multiple access network devices collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, with each device performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, the access network devices can be a central unit (CU or control unit), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), etc. The CU and DU can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as a remote radio unit (RRU), an active antenna unit (AAU), or a remote radio head (RRH).

[0110] 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 an open CU (O-CU), DU can also be called an open DU (O-DU), CU-CP can also be called an open CU-CP (O-CU-CP), CU-UP can also be called an open CU-UP (O-CU-UP), and RU can also be called an open RU (O-RU). Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules.

[0111] For ease of description, the concepts of "access network equipment" and "site" will be used together in this application. Access network equipment can be understood as a collective term for all equipment (including sites) on the access network side; for example, one or more sites can be collectively referred to as access network equipment. A site can refer to a transmission node specifically located in a physical location. In other words, access network equipment conceptually includes sites.

[0112] A terminal is a device or module that connects to the aforementioned communication system and possesses corresponding communication functions. A terminal can also be called a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, wireless terminal device, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, remote station, user terminal, user agent, or user device, etc. A terminal typically contains communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform the corresponding communication functions. The terminal may also be configured with programs or instructions for performing these communication functions.

[0113] 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, and smart cities. 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. Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices or smart wearable devices, are a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables. Terminals used in vehicles are called in-vehicle terminal devices, which include, for example, transportation vehicles with wireless communication capabilities, communication modules, or on-board units (OBUs).

[0114] For example, a terminal may include a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone), a computer with a mobile terminal device, or a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, or computer-embedded mobile device. For instance, a terminal may be a Personal Communication Service (PCS) phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or other similar devices. A terminal may also include restricted devices, such as devices with limited power consumption, limited storage capacity, or limited computing power. For example, a terminal may be an information sensing device such as a barcode scanner, radio frequency identification (RFID), a sensor, a global positioning system (GPS), or a laser scanner. The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form of the terminal.

[0115] In this application, core network equipment refers to equipment in the core network that provides service support to terminals. For example, in the case where CN200 is the core network of a future communication system, a 5G core network, or an evolved 5G core network, some examples of core network equipment include: access and mobility management function (AMF) entities, session management function (SMF) entities, user plane function (UPF) entities, policy control function (PCF) entities, etc., which are not listed here. Among them, the AMF entity can be responsible for terminal access management and mobility management; the SMF entity can be responsible for session management, such as user session establishment; the UPF entity can be a user plane functional entity, mainly responsible for connecting to external networks. For example, in the case of CN200 as the 4G core network, some core network devices include: Mobility Management Entity (MME), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Serving Gateway (S-GW), Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), Public Data Network Gateway (PDN Gateway, P-GW), etc., which will not be listed here. It should be noted that in this application, entities can also be referred to as network elements or functional entities. For example, an AMF entity can also be called an AMF network element or AMF functional entity, and similarly, an SMF entity can also be called an SMF network element or SMF functional entity. The aforementioned core network devices can operate independently or be combined to implement certain control functions. For example, AMF, SMF, and PCF can be combined into a single core network device.

[0116] Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary ORAN system architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. The ORAN system in this embodiment may include components other than those shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, access network devices can communicate with the core network (CN) via a backhaul link and with terminals via an air interface. For example, a BBU in the access network device communicates with the core network via a backhaul link, and an RU in the access network device communicates with at least one terminal via an air interface. The BBU communicates with at least one RU via a fronthaul link; the BBU and RU may or may not be co-located. The BBU includes at least one CU and at least one DU, which can communicate via at least one midhaul link.

[0117] Figure 3 illustrates, exemplarily, a network element function division and protocol layer structure diagram of an ORAN device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0118] In some possible implementations, the CU is a logical node carrying the RRC layer, Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, and other control functions of the access network equipment. The CU can connect to network nodes such as the core network through interfaces (e.g., E2 interfaces). Optionally, the CU may have some core network functions. The CU (e.g., the PDCP layer and higher layers of the CU) connects to the DU (e.g., the radio link control (RLC) layer and lower layers of the DU) through interfaces (e.g., F1 interfaces). For example, the F1 interface can provide control plane (C-Plane) and user plane (U-Plane) functions (e.g., interface management, system information management, UE context management, RRC message transmission, etc.). F1AP is the application protocol of the F1 interface, defining the signaling procedures of F1 in some examples. The F1 interface supports both the F1 control plane (F1-C) and the F1 user plane (F1-U).

[0119] In some examples, a CU may include CU-CP and CU-UP. CU-CP is a logical node carrying the control plane (PDCP-C) layer, which carries the RRC layer and the Packet Data Convergence Protocol layer, and is used to implement the CU's control plane functions. CU-CP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement control plane functions. These network elements in the core network can be Access and Mobility Function (AMF) network elements, such as the AMF in a 5G system. CU-UP is a logical node carrying the user plane (PDCP-U) layer, which carries the SDAP layer and the Packet Data Convergence Protocol layer, and is used to implement the CU's user plane functions. CU-UP can interact with network elements in the core network used to implement user plane functions. These network elements in the core network are, for example, the UPF in a 5G system.

[0120] In some possible implementations, the DU is a logical node that carries the RLC layer, the medium access control (MAC) layer, the higher physical layer (Higher PHY) layer, and other functions. In some examples, the DU can control at least one RU. The DU connects to the RU through some interface (e.g., a fronthaul interface). In some examples, the Higher PHY layer includes the physical layer (PHY) processing, such as forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation, and demodulation.

[0121] The above configurations of CU and DU are merely examples; the functions of CU and / or DU can be configured as needed. For instance, CU or DU can be configured to have more protocol layer functions, or to have only some protocol layer processing functions. For example, some RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions above the RLC layer can be placed in the CU, while the remaining RLC layer functions and protocol layer functions below the RLC layer can be placed in the DU. Furthermore, the functions of CU or DU can be divided according to service type or other system requirements, such as by latency, placing functions that need to meet low latency requirements in the DU and functions that do not need to meet such latency requirements in the CU.

[0122] In some possible implementations, the RU is a logical node that carries both the lower physical layer (Lower PHY) and radio frequency (RF) processing. In some examples, the RU can be a 3GPP TRP or RRH, or other similar functional entities. In some examples, the Low-PHY includes PHY processing functions such as Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT), digital beamforming, and filtering. The RU communicates with one or more terminals via a wireless link.

[0123] The DU and RU can be co-located or not. The DU and RU exchange control plane and user plane information via a fronthaul link through a Lower-Layer Split CUS-Plane (LLS-CUS or LLS-C / U / S) interface. LLS-CUS may include a Lower-Layer Split C-Plane (LLS-C) interface providing the control plane (C-Plane) and a Lower-Layer Split U-Plane (LLS-U) interface providing the user plane (U-Plane). In some examples, the control plane refers to real-time control between the DU and RU. The DU and RU exchange management information via a Lower-Layer Split management (LLS-M) interface on the fronthaul link. The management plane (M-Plane) refers to non-real-time management operations between the DU and RU.

[0124] DU and RU can cooperate to implement the functions of the PHY layer. A DU can be connected to one or more RUs. The functions of DU and RU can be configured in various ways depending on the design. For example, a DU can be configured to implement baseband functions, and an RU can be configured to implement mid-RF functions. Another example is that a DU can be configured to implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and an RU can be configured to implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the physical layer can include a portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the MAC layer, while lower-level functions in the physical layer can include another portion of the physical layer's functions that are closer to the mid-RF side.

[0125] Over the past few decades, wireless communication systems have evolved from first-generation analog communication to NR. Throughout this complex evolution, high throughput and massive connectivity have remained core challenges for wireless communication networks. Massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology can significantly improve system capacity and meet the demands of high-speed transmission. Massive MIMO technology utilizes spatial resources to enable signals to achieve array gain, multiplexing and diversity gain, and interference cancellation gain in space without increasing system bandwidth, thereby multiplying the capacity and spectral efficiency of communication systems.

[0126] MIMO enables multi-stream, high-speed data transmission, relying on precise channel state information for precoding and transmission. A high-precision codebook for multiple streams can support the acquisition of necessary channel information. A typical channel state information acquisition and MIMO transmission process is shown in Figure 4.

[0127] Figure 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of the MIMO transmission process. With the large-scale deployment of interactive services such as digital twins (DT), virtual reality (VR), and drones, future enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) services will exhibit characteristics of "burst-like high traffic and short latency." On the other hand, eMBB services exhibit uneven spatial distribution, meaning that within a specific time period, most traffic is concentrated in a localized area. As shown in Figure 4, for new services with burst-like high traffic and short latency, the channel state information acquisition process introduces additional latency, and the measurement of the channel state information reference signal and the signaling overhead for channel state information feedback are significant, which is detrimental to the transmission of burst services.

[0128] The communication systems and service scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0129] It should be understood that the above naming is defined solely for the purpose of distinguishing different functions and should not constitute any limitation on this application. This application does not preclude the possibility of using other naming conventions in 5G networks and other future networks. For example, in future networks, some or all of the above-mentioned network elements may use the terminology from 5G, or they may use other names, etc.

[0130] It should be understood that Figure 1 is a simplified illustration of a communication scenario in which this application can be applied, using examples of communication between an access network device and a terminal device, and between an access network device and a core network device. It does not limit other scenarios in which this application can be applied. It should also be understood that Figure 1 is only a simplified schematic diagram for ease of understanding. This communication system may also include other network devices or other terminal devices, which are not shown in Figure 1.

[0131] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, some basic concepts involved in this application will be briefly explained.

[0132] 1. Multi-input multi-output (MIMO) technology: Utilizing spatial resources, signals can obtain array gain, multiplexing and diversity gain, and interference cancellation gain in space without increasing system bandwidth, thereby multiplying the capacity and spectral efficiency of the communication system.

[0133] 2. Reference signal (RS): Also known as pilot, reference sequence, reference signal, etc. For consistency, it will be described as reference signal below. A reference signal is a physical signal that transmits a sequence to achieve a specific function. Specifically, a reference signal is a physical signal generated by mapping a specific sequence onto corresponding resources according to a preset resource mapping method.

[0134] In a MIMO system, each port has an independent data channel. Based on a known reference signal, the receiver performs channel estimation for each port and reconstructs the transmitted data accordingly. Channel estimation refers to the process of reconstructing the received signal to compensate for channel fading and noise, using the known reference signals from both the transmitter and receiver to detect changes in the channel's time and frequency domains.

[0135] In this application, the reference signal involved, as an example, can be any of the following: SS / PBCH block, CSI-RS, sounding reference signal (SRS), DMRS, PTRS, cell reference signal (CRS), or TRS, etc. The SS / PBCH block can be abbreviated as synchronization signal block (SSB).

[0136] DMRS can be used for demodulation of PDSCH or physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH).

[0137] CSI-RS can be used to measure channel information and report CSI. The channel state information includes at least one of the following: precoding matrix indicator (PMI), rank indicator (RI), channel quality indicator (CQI), and layer indicator (LI).

[0138] It should be understood that the reference signals listed above are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting this application. This application does not preclude the possibility of defining other reference signals in future agreements to achieve the same or similar functions.

[0139] 3. Channel Information: This refers to information that reflects channel characteristics and channel quality. As an example, channel information includes at least one of the following: CSI, time-varying channel information, or channel frequency offset information, etc.

[0140] 4. Time-domain resources: Time-domain resources may include one or more time-domain units (or time cells). A time-domain unit may be a symbol, an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, a mini-slot, a slot, a partial slot, a subframe, or a radio frame, etc. A slot may consist of 6, 7, 12, or 14 symbols; a mini-slot may include at least one symbol (e.g., 2, 7, or 14 symbols, or any number of symbols less than or equal to 14); the duration of a subframe in the time domain may be 1 millisecond (ms).

[0141] It should be understood that the time-domain unit sizes listed above are merely for the convenience of understanding the scheme of this application and do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application. It is understood that the time-domain unit sizes listed above can be other values, and this application does not limit them.

[0142] 5. Transmission Configuration Indication: In NR, the beam indication for the beam or reference signal transmitted by the downlink channel is implemented by associating the reference resource index in the Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) status table.

[0143] TCI can be used to indicate TCI state. In one implementation, the network device configures a TCI state table for the terminal device through higher-layer signaling (e.g., RRC). Each TCI state table contains several TCI states (corresponding to TCI-RS-Set in 3GPP standard 38.331). Each TCI state includes a TCI state ID, one or two quasi-peer QCL type indications (e.g., QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C, or QCL type D, etc.), and the reference signal index RS-ID corresponding to each type indication.

[0144] After RRC configuration, the network device can activate one or more TCI-states via higher-layer signaling (e.g., MAC CE). The activated TCI-state is a subset of the TCI-state list configured in the aforementioned RRC message. The network device can also indicate a selected TCI-state via the TCI field in physical layer signaling (e.g., DCI). This DCI could, for example, be applicable to the DCI that schedules physical downlink resources.

[0145] The configuration information of a TCI state can include the identifiers of one or two reference signal resources and the associated QCL type. When the QCL relationship is configured as type A, type B, or type C, the terminal device can demodulate the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or PDSCH according to the TCI state indication. When the QCL relationship is configured as type D, the terminal device can know which transmit beam the network device uses to transmit signals, and then determine which receive beam to use to receive signals based on the beam pairing relationship determined by the channel measurement described above. The terminal device can determine the receive beam for receiving PDSCH based on the TCI field in the DCI on the PDCCH.

[0146] For example, the PDSCH can be configured with up to 128 TCI states, and the PDCCH channel can be configured with up to 64 TCI states. Each TCI state can be configured with one (or two) source reference signals and QCL Type pairs.

[0147] For example, the TCI state is configured as Type 1: Source Reference Signal 1 (RS1) -> QCL Type X;

[0148] For example, the TCI state is configured as Type 2: Source Reference Signal 2 (RS2) -> QCL Type Y;

[0149] Among them, QCL Type X and QCL Type Y correspond to QCL Type A, QCL Type B, QCL Type C, or QCL Type D; the source reference signal can be configured as CSI-RS or SSB.

[0150] Furthermore, TCI state Type 1 and TCI state Type 2 constitute a single TCI state configuration, and Type 1 and Type 2 do not overlap (e.g., if Type 1 corresponds to QCL Type A, then Type 2 does not correspond to QCL Type A). The protocol specifies the available TCI state configurations for each type of target reference signal. A target reference signal can be configured with multiple TCI state configurations. The base station informs the terminal device of the TCI state used in the configuration of the target reference signal. When the terminal device uses the TCI state to measure the target reference signal, the target reference signal must meet one of the following conditions:

[0151] The reference signal has been activated (e.g., periodic CSI-RS (Perioid CSI-RS)); or,

[0152] Base stations configure or instruct terminal equipment via MAC CE signaling or DCI.

[0153] As described above, the TCI state can be used to indicate the QCL relationship between two reference signals. The TCI state includes the type of QCL (multiple (e.g., two) different QCL types can be configured) and the reference signal for each QCL type. Specifically, the reference signal may include: the carrier component (CC) identification (ID) and / or the bandwidth part (BWP) ID of the reference signal, and the number (or reference signal resource identifier) ​​of each reference signal resource. The reference signal resource identifier can be, for example, at least one of the following: non-zero power (NZP) CSI-RS reference signal resource identifier (NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceId), non-zero power CSI-RS reference signal resource set identifier (NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSetId), or SSB index (SSB-Index).

[0154] To facilitate understanding, the structure of a TCI state is briefly introduced below:

[0155] 6. QCL: Also known as Quasi-Same-Site. QCL can assist the UE in channel estimation, frequency offset error estimation, and synchronization processing. When the channel characteristics of one antenna port can be derived from those of another antenna port (signals transmitted from two different antenna ports will experience a radio channel with common characteristics), then the two antenna ports are considered to have QCL.

[0156] Common wireless channel characteristics at the antenna port include Doppler spread, Doppler shift, average delay, delay spread, and spatial receiver parameters.

[0157] Doppler shift: The frequency change of a radio signal relative to the receiver.

[0158] Doppler spread: The difference between the signal frequency and time at points Tx and Rx. Doppler spread defines a frequency range. When a transmitter sends a signal to a receiver at frequency f0, and there is relative movement between the transmitter and receiver, due to multipath effects, the frequency of the signal received by the receiver is not necessarily f0, but rather a composite signal ranging from f0-f to f0+f. This frequency range is the Doppler spread. Here, f represents the Doppler frequency shift.

[0159] Average delay: When a signal is transmitted from multiple antennas, it reaches the receiver through multiple paths of reflection from surrounding clutter. The average time taken for the receiver to receive all the signals from these multiple paths is called the average delay.

[0160] Delay spread: The difference between the arrival time of the earliest effective multipath component (i.e., the usual line-of-sight component) and the arrival time of the last multipath component is called delay spread.

[0161] Spatial Receiver Parameters: Spatial receiver parameters refer to the beamforming characteristics of downlink received signals, such as the main angle of arrival (MAA) and average angle of arrival (ASA). These parameters are newly introduced in 5G and correspond to a series of spatial reception attributes. They are primarily used in frequency bands above 6 GHz (FR2) because 5G uses hybrid analog-digital beamforming in these bands. The direction and width of the analog beam affect the wireless channel characteristics; therefore, this parameter is introduced to characterize the beam's impact on channel characteristics. If the spatial receiver parameters of two reference signals are QCL, it means the UE can use the same Rx beam for reception.

[0162] Based on the different scenarios of terminal devices and the QCL relationships between various reference signals, the QCL types are as follows:

[0163] QCL-Type A: This type of QCL inherits Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay, and delay spread from the source reference signal. That is, except for the spatial receiver parameters, all other wireless channel characteristics are the same, providing a comprehensive description of the target channel. Terminal equipment can obtain a complete description of the DMRS characteristics and is often used for channel demodulation.

[0164] QCL-Type B: Can inherit Doppler frequency shift and Doppler spread from the source reference signal. Primarily for low-frequency scenarios, it is divided into two cases:

[0165] When using a narrow-beam reference signal, the wide-beam reference signal is used as the QCL reference.

[0166] The time-domain density of the target reference signal is insufficient, but the frequency-domain density is sufficient.

[0167] QCL-Type C: Inherits Doppler shift and average time delay from the source reference signal. When using the SSB as the QCL reference, due to the limited resources and density of the SSB, only some coarse radio channel characteristics can be obtained from the 5SSB; other radio channel characteristics need to be obtained from the target signal. QCL-Type C is a subset of QCL-Type A.

[0168] QCL-TypeD: Spatial receiver parameters can be inherited from the source reference signal. If two antenna ports belong to TypeD, the same beam can be used to receive signals from both ports. Therefore, in beam management, there is no explicit signaling indicating which receive beam the UE should use; instead, it is implicitly indicated through the spatial receiver parameters. Only applicable to frequency bands above 6 GHz.

[0169] For multiple resources with QCL relationships, the same or similar configurations can be used, meaning that QCL relationships are transitive:

[0170] If the QCL-TypeA of pilot A points to pilot B, and the QCL-TypeA of pilot B points to pilot C, then the QCL-TypeA of pilot A can also point to pilot C.

[0171] The QCL-TypeA of pilot A points to either pilot B or pilot C, which is determined by the UE.

[0172] If pilot A's QCL-Type A points to pilot B, and pilot B's QCL-Type C points to pilot C, then pilot A's QCL-Type C can also point to pilot C.

[0173] To facilitate understanding, the QCL relationship between the reference signals is briefly introduced with reference to Figure 5.

[0174] Figure 5 exemplifies the QCL types between different reference signals. As shown in Figure 5, for low-frequency QCL configurations, Type C is mainly used between different reference signals of the SSB. Generally, relatively coarse, large-scale information can be obtained from a wide beam. The TRS plays a crucial role in the accurate time-frequency synchronization of the entire system, and the CSI-RS needs to obtain Type A or Type B information from the TRS. For the DMRS, depending on the specific signaling, the required Type A information may be obtained directly from the TRS or indirectly through the CSI-RS.

[0175] For high-frequency QCL configurations, due to the introduction of hybrid beamforming at high frequencies, the CSI-RS for CSI, in addition to obtaining precise time-frequency synchronization from the TRS, also needs to acquire QCL-Type D parameters (analog beam information) through measurements or reporting from the SSB or the CSI-RS for beamforming (BM). Since the CSI-RS for CSI only provides CSI (Channel State Information) and cannot provide beam-related information, QCL-Type D can only be obtained indirectly from it; that is, the CSI-RS for CSI first obtains Type D information from the SSB or the CSI-RS for BM.

[0176] It should be understood that QCL relationships are generally configured through RRC higher-level signaling. If it is necessary to change the QCL relationship, it can be reconfigured through RRC signaling. For example, the QCL relationship between TRS and SSB is configured in RRC signaling.

[0177] 7. Reference channel: This is a specific technical approach to radio frequency maps or radio frequency channel maps (RFmaps).

[0178] The basic principle of RF mapping is to establish a mapping relationship that can be used as prior information to design data transmission schemes or determine data transmission parameters. In a narrow sense, RF mapping refers to determining channel multipath parameters (e.g., multipath components (MPCs)) or determining the basis for representing the channel between transceivers based on channel maps, transceiver location information, or sparse (or limited, or partial) channel measurements. In a broader sense, RF mapping includes not only channel maps, transceiver location information, or sparse channel measurements, but also online real-time service information used to determine data transmission parameters between transceivers (e.g., time-frequency domain resources, modulation order, number of transport streams, precoding weights, or transmit power). Intermediate outputs can also exist between the input and final output of a generalized RF mapping, including large-scale channel information (e.g., received power), small-scale information (e.g., MPCs, channel matrix, the basis of the channel matrix), interference, and noise.

[0179] The channel maps mentioned above are derived from a given channel environment. On the one hand, in a given channel environment, since the main scattering objects such as background buildings are predetermined or remain unchanged over a long period, they can be called the deterministic components of the channel. Therefore, based on the propagation laws of electromagnetic waves, the multipath information of the channel at a specific location can be directly obtained from the deterministic components of the channel. On the other hand, since there are also factors such as shadow fading, small-scale fading, and random components of the channel introduced by transceiver non-ideal factors in the channel environment, it is necessary to conduct appropriate channel measurements or observations to further eliminate uncertainties.

[0180] The spatial consistency of a channel originates from the spatial variation patterns of the channel deterministic components described above. Specifically, the reference channel is relative to the target channel. For ease of understanding, the reference channel will be briefly introduced below with reference to Figure 6.

[0181] Figure 6 illustrates the relationship between the reference channel and the target channel. As shown in Figure 6, H1 is the reference channel, and H2 is the target channel. When the terminal on the target channel transmits data, since the reference channel H1 and the target channel H2 have certain similarities, the terminal on the target channel H2 can perform CSI acquisition based on the reference channel H1. Specifically, the reference channel H1 and the target channel H2 can be two spatially similar MIMO channels; they can also be two temporally similar MIMO channels; or they can be two frequency-similar MIMO channels.

[0182] 8. Reference Channel Clustering: This refers to dividing multiple reference channels according to the similarity of a specific quantity. This specific quantity can be the location of each terminal device within the cell; or it can be the initial MPC measurement results of each terminal device within the cell; or it can be the MIMO channel information of each terminal device within the cell (e.g., frequency domain channel, channel delay power spectrum), etc.

[0183] The location of the aforementioned terminal device can be represented using information such as the horizontal dimension angle of departure (AOD / AoD), vertical dimension angle of departure (ZOD / ZoD), horizontal dimension angle of arrival (AOA / AoA), or vertical dimension angle of arrival (ZOA / ZoA); alternatively, the location of the terminal device can also be represented by coordinates, such as geospatial coordinates (e.g., global positioning system (GPS) coordinates, geospatial coordinates relative to the base station, or grid coordinates) or signal space coordinates (e.g., coordinates in the signal space divided by the terminal device measuring the signal strength of multiple base stations).

[0184] For example, the similarity relied upon for clustering reference channels includes: Kullback–Leibler (KL) divergence, Jensen-Shannon (JS) divergence, cosine similarity, Euclidean norm (L2 norm), Frobenius (F) norm, etc. Among these, similarity is described based on a specific metric; two channels are considered similar if the results calculated according to this metric meet a predefined threshold.

[0185] When a specific quantity is taken as an example of cosine similarity, the similarity on which the clustering of the reference channel depends can be described as follows.

[0186] If H1 and H2 are column vectors composed of two channels, then cosine similarity can be represented as follows:

[0187] In equation (1-1), the superscript H represents the conjugate transpose; ||H1||2 represents taking the 2-norm with respect to H1.

[0188] When cosine_similarity(H1,H2)>thresh, H1 and H2 are considered similar, where the threshold thresh can be 0.9. The higher the cosine similarity, the more similar the two pairs. The distance corresponding to cosine similarity (the larger the value, the less similar the two pairs) can be expressed as: range(H1,H2)=1-cosine_similarity(H1,H2) (1-2)

[0189] When a specific quantity is represented by other parameters (such as KL divergence, JS divergence, Euclidean norm, Frobenius norm, etc.), the description of the specific quantity being represented by cosine similarity can be referred to, which will not be repeated here.

[0190] The clustering result of the reference channel can include the following information: the clustering flag or index of the reference channel; and specific quantities after clustering. These specific quantities can be: the centroid MPC vector, the centroid PMI, the centroid channel (channel of the group centroid, or channel of the clustering centroid, or centroid channel), and the projection matrix corresponding to the centroid channel. For ease of understanding, the projection matrix corresponding to the centroid channel is briefly explained below with reference to Figure 7.

[0191] Figure 7 exemplifies the projection matrix corresponding to the centroid channel. As shown in Figure 7, matrix H represents the centroid channel, and matrix U represents the projection matrix corresponding to the centroid channel. Taking matrix H as an example with dimensions n×m, n represents the dimension related to the spatial frequency domain (e.g., the number of transmit antenna ports or the number of frequency domain subcarriers), and m represents the dimension related to the spatial and temporal domains (e.g., the number of receive antenna ports or the number of time-domain transmission time intervals (TTIs)). Matrix H can be transformed into matrix U and matrix C through matrix decomposition, where matrix U has dimensions of n×r, and matrix C has dimensions of r×m.

[0192] The centroid channel of multiple target channels is, under the condition of spatial consistency, a given channel range or channel set, found that has the highest average similarity with the multiple targets. This is illustrated in equation (1-1):

[0193] In equation (1-3), cs(H,H) n ) indicates the calculation of H and H nThe cosine similarity is given by argmax, which represents the parameter that satisfies the maximum value. The centroid position (coordinate, location, or position of the centroid channel) represents the location of the centroid channel.

[0194] One CSI acquisition method based on a reference channel involves terminal devices within the same cluster sharing a common reference signal pattern (RS pattern) and auxiliary information. On one hand, precoding and other processing can be performed using the reference channel to achieve data transmission without online CSI acquisition; on the other hand, the reference channel can also reduce the signaling overhead of indicating the RS pattern and auxiliary information.

[0195] This reference channel-based CSI acquisition method requires the base station to acquire the reference channel of the terminal device. For example, the base station sends a reference signal, the terminal device performs online channel measurement (and necessary feedback reporting), and then the base station acquires the reference channel of the terminal device. However, online CSI acquisition introduces a certain time delay.

[0196] To facilitate understanding, a simple introduction to the CSI acquisition method based on the reference channel is given in conjunction with Figure 8.

[0197] Figure 8 exemplifies CSI acquisition based on a reference channel. As shown in Figure 8, if the angles of UE1 and UE2 are relatively close (e.g., the deviation between the angles of UE1 and UE2 is less than or equal to threshold #1), then it can be determined that the MPC information of UE1 and UE2 is relatively close, and therefore they can be considered as a group of terminal devices. If the angles of UE1 and UE4 differ significantly (e.g., the deviation between the angles of UE1 and UE4 is greater than threshold #1), then it can be determined that the MPC information of UE1 and UE4 differs significantly, and therefore they cannot be considered as a group of terminal devices.

[0198] For example, the base station can provide configuration information indicating the correspondence rules between the SSB and the reference channel (e.g., the SSB and the reference channel are in a 1:1 correspondence; or, the SSB and the reference channel are in a 1:n (n>1) correspondence; or, the SSB and the reference channel are in an m:1 (m>1) correspondence). Based on the correspondence rules between the SSB and the reference channel, the terminal device or the base station can obtain the reference channel of the terminal device through the SSB.

[0199] It should be noted that the fact that a terminal device or base station obtains the reference channel of a terminal device through an SSB does not mean that the time-frequency domain resources of the reference channel are limited to the SSB.

[0200] To facilitate understanding, the correspondence rules between SSB and reference channel are briefly introduced with reference to Figure 9.

[0201] Figure 9 illustrates the correspondence rules between SSBs and reference channels. As shown in Figure 9, the correspondence rules between SSBs and reference channels can be Rule 1, where one SSB corresponds to one reference channel; or, Rule 2, where one SSB corresponds to multiple reference channels; or, Rule 3, where multiple SSBs correspond to one reference channel.

[0202] The preceding text, with reference to Figure 1, briefly introduced the application scenarios of the channel estimation method provided in this application embodiment, and introduced the basic concepts involved in this application embodiment. Among the basic concepts, TCI was introduced. Each TCI state can be configured with one (or two) source reference signals and QCL Type pairs. However, in the current QCL configuration, the channel information provided by SSB is limited (e.g., QCL-Type C). PDSCH DMRS and PDCCH DMRS need to use other QCL reference signals for channel estimation and other processing. The process of the terminal device measuring other QCL reference signals will introduce a large delay. TRS or CSI-RS can provide more comprehensive channel information (e.g., QCL-Type A), but the process of the terminal device measuring TRS or CSI-RS itself will introduce a large delay. Therefore, the current transmission configuration scheme is not conducive to the data transmission of burst services in the network.

[0203] This application provides a method for channel estimation, which aims to reduce the latency of terminal devices in obtaining channel information by using a transmission configuration based on a reference channel.

[0204] It should be understood that the channel estimation method provided in this application embodiment can be applied to communication systems including terminal devices and network devices, for example, in the communication architecture shown in FIG1, and can also be applied to other communication systems. This application does not limit the application scenario in any way, and any communication system including the devices in the following embodiments is applicable.

[0205] It should also be understood that the embodiments shown below do not particularly limit the specific structure of the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiments of this application, as long as it is possible to communicate according to the method provided in the embodiments of this application by running a program that records the code of the method provided in the embodiments of this application. For example, the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiments of this application can be a device, or a functional module in the device that can call and execute a program.

[0206] The following describes in detail the channel estimation method provided in the embodiments of this application, taking the interaction between devices as an example.

[0207] In the following embodiments, the first communication device can refer to the first communication device itself (e.g., a terminal device), or a component within the first communication device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system, such as a circuit or chip in a terminal device responsible for communication functions (e.g., a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core)), or it can be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first communication device. Similarly, the second communication device can refer to the second communication device itself (e.g., a network device), or a component within the second communication device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system, such as a circuit or chip in a network device responsible for communication functions (e.g., a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core)), or it can be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second communication device.

[0208] For ease of description, the following text may use the example of the first communication device as the terminal device and the second communication device as the network device (e.g., a base station).

[0209] Figure 10 is a schematic flowchart of a channel estimation method provided in this application. The channel estimation method may include the following steps:

[0210] S1010, the first communication device receives first transmission configuration information from the second communication device, and correspondingly, the second communication device sends the first transmission configuration information to the first communication device.

[0211] Specifically, the first transmission configuration information includes an identifier of a first reference channel, which is used to indicate the first reference channel.

[0212] Optionally, the identifier of the first reference channel may be an identifier (ID) of the first reference channel, or other information capable of identifying the first reference channel. This application does not limit the specific form of the identifier of the first reference channel, and all information that can be used to identify the first reference channel is within the scope of protection of this application.

[0213] For example, the first reference channel is used to estimate the first channel corresponding to the first downlink reference signal; or, the parameters of the first reference channel are used to estimate the parameters of the first channel; or, some or all of the channel characteristics of the first channel can be derived from the channel characteristics of the first reference channel; or, some or all of the channel characteristics of the first channel can inherit some or all of the channel characteristics of the first reference channel; or, the first reference channel is associated with the first channel; or, the first channel and the first reference channel satisfy QCL; or, the first reference channel is the QCL source channel and the first channel is the QCL target channel; or, in the first transmission configuration information, the QCL source is the first reference channel and the QCL target is the first channel, etc. Here, the first channel corresponding to the first downlink reference signal can be understood as: the first channel is the channel through which the first downlink reference signal is transmitted, or, the first channel is the channel where the first downlink reference signal resides, or, the first channel is the channel through which the first downlink reference signal resides, etc.

[0214] The parameters of the first reference channel mentioned above, or in other words, the channel characteristics of the first reference channel, include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0215] Multipath delay information, angle information, or power information, etc.

[0216] The multipath delay information of the first reference channel is used to indicate the delay information of each multipath component in the multipath component of the channel between the first communication device and the second communication device.

[0217] The angle information of the first reference channel is used to indicate the angle information of each multipath component in the channel multipath component (including the departure angle and the arrival angle, the departure angle corresponds to the transmitter and the arrival angle corresponds to the receiver; the departure angle or azimuth angle each includes the elevation angle and the azimuth angle).

[0218] The power information of the first reference channel is used to indicate the power information of each multipath component in the multipath component of the channel between the first communication device and the second communication device. Optionally, the parameters of the first reference channel, or the channel characteristics of the first reference channel, may also include: Doppler spread, Doppler frequency shift, average delay, delay spread, or space receiver parameters, etc. The descriptions of Doppler spread, Doppler frequency shift, average delay, delay spread, and space receiver parameters can be referred to the relevant descriptions in the basic concepts above, and will not be repeated here.

[0219] In this embodiment, the reference channel is relative to the target channel. The target channel, also called a channel or MIMO channel, can represent the channel carrying data during transmission, or the channel where the first communication device is located, or the channel containing the data, or the transmission resources included in the data; the reference channel can represent a channel similar to the target channel. Because the reference channel and the target channel have certain similarities, the first communication device can perform operations based on the reference channel, such as channel estimation and C-assisted demodulation of data.

[0220] For example, assuming H1 is a reference channel and H2 is a target channel, the relationship between the reference channel H1 and the target channel H2 can be at least one of the following:

[0221] The reference channel and the target channel are two channels that are similar in space (or in the spatial domain), two channels that are similar in the time domain, two channels that are similar in the frequency domain, etc.

[0222] For example, the first reference channel mentioned above belongs to Q reference channels, and the Q reference channels correspond one-to-one with Q groups of communication devices. The first communication device is one of the first group of communication devices in the Q groups of communication devices. The first group of communication devices corresponds to the first reference channel. The channel similarity of at least one communication device included in each group of communication devices is greater than or equal to a first threshold, and Q is a positive integer.

[0223] Assume a set of communication devices corresponds to a reference channel H. A As an example, the H A This refers to the centroid channel (channel of the group centroid / channel of the clustering centroid / centroid channel) of one or more target channels contained in the group of communication devices. The centroid channel of one or more target channels refers to a channel (e.g., channel #1) determined from a channel set (e.g., channel set #1, which includes one or more channels) such that, under the condition of spatial consistency, channel #1 has the highest average similarity to one or more target channels. This application does not limit the similarity measurement criteria; as an example, the similarity measurement criterion is the cosine similarity between channel #1 and one or more target channels. Assume H... centroid If it is a centroid channel, then Among them, H #1 It belongs to channel set #1, i.e., H #1 ∈{H a H b ,…},H n1cs(H) represents the n1-th target channel among one or more target channels (denoted as N target channels). #1 H n1 Characterization calculation of H #1 and H n1 The cosine similarity is used, and argmax() represents taking the maximum value.

[0224] The embodiments of this application are mainly described using target channel and reference channel as examples. The names of target channel and reference channel do not limit the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application.

[0225] The following describes the Q group communication device.

[0226] Specifically, the second communication device groups (or clusters) multiple first communication devices to obtain Q groups of communication devices (or Q clusters of communication devices). Each group of communication devices in the Q groups includes one or more first communication devices, and the number of first communication devices in each group is different. The number of first communication devices in each group of communication devices in the Q groups may be the same or different, and this is not limited. It can be understood that when a group of communication devices includes one first communication device, that group of communication devices can also be called a first communication device.

[0227] The grouping of multiple first communication devices can also be replaced by grouping (or clustering) multiple target channels to obtain Q groups of channels (or Q clusters of channels, or Q clusters). Each group of channels in the Q groups includes one or more target channels. The target channels contained in each group of channels are different, and each group of channels corresponds to a reference channel.

[0228] Taking the target channel and reference channel as examples, the packet operation of the second communication device can be expressed as: f(H1,H2,H3,H4,……,H k )={H A H B H C}, where f(*) represents the grouping algorithm; H i (i = 1, 2, ..., k) represents the target channel; H A H B H C This represents the reference channel associated with each group of communication devices. The grouping algorithm is not limited; for example, it can be a clustering algorithm, such as agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) or the K-means algorithm.

[0229] As shown in Figure 8 above, the network coverage area of ​​the network device is assumed to include at least five terminal devices, referred to as UE1, UE2, UE3, UE4, and UE5. The target channel of UE1 can be denoted as H1, the target channel of UE2 as H2, the target channel of UE3 as H3, the target channel of UE4 as H4, and the target channel of UE5 as H5. In one possible scenario, the network device can divide the five terminal devices (or their target channels) into three groups based on a packet processing algorithm (such as AHC or K-means algorithm). The reference channels associated with these three groups of terminal devices are H1, H2, H3, H4, and H5, respectively. A H B H C .

[0230] Specifically, UE1 and UE2 are a group of terminal devices (referred to as group A). ​​In other words, the target channel H1 of UE1 and the target channel H2 of UE2 are a group, and group A is associated with the reference channel H. A As an example, H A These are the centroid channels of H1 and H2. Similarly, UE3 and UE4 are a group of terminal devices (denoted as group B). In other words, the target channel H3 of UE3 and the target channel H4 of UE4 are a group, and group B is associated with the reference channel H. B As an example, H B These are the centroid channels for H3 and H4. Similarly, UE5 is a group of terminal devices (denoted as group C). In other words, UE5's target channel H5 is a group, and group C is associated with the reference channel H. C As an example, H C This refers to the centroid channel of H5. For ease of description, we will take group A as an example. Group A can also be referred to as the group where UE1 and UE2 are located. That is, the group where UE1 is located is group A, and the group where UE2 is located is group A. Group B and group C are similar and will not be described in detail here.

[0231] For example, the second communication device in this application can determine the Q group of communication devices based on at least one of the following: the location of the first communication device, the multipath parameters of the first communication device, and the channel of the first communication device. In other words, the second communication device groups multiple first communication devices based on at least one of the above. Several examples are described below.

[0232] Example 1: The second communication device determines Q groups of communication devices based on the location of the first communication device. Specifically, when the first communication devices at different locations receive signals, the weighting coefficients corresponding to the channel matrices determined by the signals at different locations also differ because the channels they pass through are different. Therefore, the first communication devices can be grouped based on their locations.

[0233] The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific representation of the location of the first communication device. As an example, the location of the first communication device may include the azimuth angle of departure (AoD) and / or the zenith angle of departure (ZoD) and / or the angle of arrival (AOA) and / or the zenith angle of arrival (ZOA). Alternatively, the location of the first communication device can be represented by coordinates, such as geospatial coordinates (e.g., GPS coordinates, geospatial coordinates relative to a base station, grid coordinates, etc.), or signal space coordinates (e.g., coordinates corresponding to the signal space divided by the signal strength of the first communication device relative to multiple base stations).

[0234] For example, taking UE1 and UE2 in Figure 8 as an example, if the azimuth departure angles of UE1 and UE2 are relatively close (e.g., the deviation between the azimuth departure angles of UE1 and UE2 is less than or equal to threshold #1), and / or, the pitch departure angles of UE1 and UE2 are relatively close (e.g., the deviation between the pitch departure angles of UE1 and UE2 is less than or equal to threshold #2), then it can be determined that the spatial distance between UE1 and UE2 is relatively close, and the distance between the weighting coefficients corresponding to the estimated channel matrices is also relatively close. Therefore, they can be regarded as a group of communication devices.

[0235] For another example, taking UE1 and UE3 in Figure 8 as an example, if the azimuth departure angles of UE1 and UE3 differ significantly (e.g., the deviation between the azimuth departure angles of UE1 and UE3 is greater than threshold #1), and / or, the pitch departure angles of UE1 and UE3 differ significantly (e.g., the deviation between the pitch departure angles of UE1 and UE3 is greater than threshold #2), then it can be determined that the spatial distance between UE1 and UE3 differs significantly, and the distance between the weighting coefficients corresponding to the estimated channel matrices also differs significantly. Therefore, they cannot be regarded as a group of communication devices.

[0236] Example 2: The second communication device determines Q groups of communication devices based on the multipath parameters of the first communication device. Specifically, when the first communication devices at different locations receive signals, the multipath parameters of the first communication devices at different locations also differ because the signals pass through different channels. Therefore, the first communication devices can be grouped based on their multipath parameters.

[0237] Multipath parameters can represent the relevant information of each path when a signal is transmitted through a channel, such as the multipath component parameters of the transmitting antenna and / or the multipath component parameters of the receiving antenna. Multipath parameters can also be called multipath information or multipath component (MPC) information. In this embodiment, for simplicity, MPC information is used for description.

[0238] As an example, MPC information includes at least one of the following: angle, delay, power, polarization, Doppler, phase, etc. The angle may include at least one of the following: AOA, AOD, ZOA, ZOD. AOA and ZOA refer to the azimuth angle of arrival and elevation angle of arrival of the signal at the receiving antenna via the wireless channel, respectively. AOD and ZOD refer to the azimuth angle of departure and elevation angle of departure of the signal from the transmitting antenna via the wireless channel, respectively.

[0239] The MPC information of the first communication device may be obtained through a sensing system, or it may be obtained based on historical channel data, or it may be obtained by measurement based on a reference signal, and there is no limitation on this.

[0240] For example, taking UE1 and UE2 in Figure 8 as an example, if the angles of UE1 and UE2 are relatively close (such as the deviation between the angles of UE1 and UE2 being less than or equal to the threshold #3), it can be determined that the MPC information of UE1 and UE2 is relatively close, and therefore they can be regarded as a group of communication devices.

[0241] For another example, taking UE1 and UE4 in Figure 8 as an example, if the angles of UE1 and UE4 differ significantly (e.g., the deviation between the angles of UE1 and UE4 is greater than the threshold #3), it can be determined that the MPC information of UE1 and UE4 differs significantly, and therefore they cannot be considered as a group of communication devices.

[0242] Example 3: The second communication device determines the Q group of communication devices based on the channel of the first communication device.

[0243] As an example, the channel of the first communication device can be the frequency domain channel of the first communication device. That is, the second communication device can group the first communication devices based on the frequency domain channels of each of the first communication devices.

[0244] For example, taking UE1 and UE2 in Figure 8 as examples, if the frequency domain channels of UE1 and UE2 are relatively close (e.g., the deviation between the frequency domain channels of UE1 and UE2 is less than or equal to threshold #4), then the target channels of UE1 and UE2 can be determined as a group of communication devices.

[0245] For another example, taking UE1 and UE4 in Figure 8 as examples, if the frequency domain channels of UE1 and UE4 are large (such as the deviation between the frequency domain channels of UE1 and UE4 being greater than the threshold #4), then it can be determined that the target channels of UE1 and UE4 cannot be used as a group of communication devices.

[0246] The deviation between the frequency domain channels of the first communication device can be characterized by distance. Taking UE1 and UE2 as examples, assuming that the channel matrix of the frequency domain channel of UE1 is H1 and the channel matrix of the frequency domain channel of UE2 is H2, the second communication device can calculate the distance, such as Euclidean distance, between the weighting coefficients corresponding to the channel matrix H1 and the weighting coefficients corresponding to the channel matrix H2 to determine whether the frequency domain channels of UE1 and UE2 are similar (that is, the deviation between the frequency domain channels of UE1 and UE2).

[0247] Taking Euclidean distance as an example. To calculate the Euclidean distance between the weighted coefficients corresponding to channel matrix H1 and the weighted coefficients corresponding to channel matrix H2, we can first normalize the weighted coefficients corresponding to channel matrix H1 and channel matrix H2, obtaining vector x representing the weighted coefficients corresponding to channel matrix H1 and vector y representing the weighted coefficients corresponding to channel matrix H2, where vectors x and y satisfy: ||x||² = 1, ||y||² = 1, respectively. Here, ||x||² represents the L2 norm of the vector, also known as the Euclidean norm. The Euclidean distance between the weighted coefficients corresponding to channel matrix H1 and the weighted coefficients corresponding to channel matrix H2 can be expressed as: ||xy||². Assuming threshold #3 is... ε For example, ε The value is 0.1. If the distance between the weighted coefficients corresponding to the channel matrix H1 and the weighted coefficients corresponding to the channel matrix H2 of the reference subband satisfies ||xy||2≤ε, then UE1 and UE2 can be considered as a group of communication devices. If the distance between the weighted coefficients corresponding to the channel matrix H1 and the weighted coefficients corresponding to the channel matrix H2 of the reference subband does not satisfy ||xy||2≤ε, or in other words, ||xy||2>ε, then UE1 and UE2 cannot be considered as a group of communication devices.

[0248] It is understood that Euclidean distance is merely one possible implementation for calculating the distance between the weighted coefficients corresponding to the channel matrices of two frequency domain channels, and the embodiments of this application are not limited to this. This distance can also be, for example, Wasserstein distance (also known as earth mover's distance), Jensen-Shannon divergence (JS divergence), cosine similarity, normalized cross-correlation coefficient, F-norm, etc. The formulas for calculating the distance in the examples above can also be adjusted accordingly, and this application does not limit this. Other examples of the above distances and their possible implementations can be found in existing technologies, which will not be detailed here. JS divergence can be abbreviated as JS divergence.

[0249] It is also understood that the thresholds mentioned in the embodiments of this application (such as threshold #1, threshold #2, threshold #3, threshold #4 mentioned above, and threshold #5, threshold #6, threshold #7 mentioned below) may be predefined, configured, or indicated, and there is no limitation thereto.

[0250] Examples 1 to 3 above are merely illustrative of how the second communication device groups multiple first communication devices to obtain Q groups of communication devices, and do not constitute any limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0251] As can be seen from the above, the first transmission configuration information is used to assist the first communication device in estimating the first channel. Furthermore, during the process of estimating the first channel, the first communication device can also perform channel estimation based on the received first downlink reference signal. Therefore, the method flow shown in Figure 10 further includes:

[0252] S1020, the first communication device receives a first downlink reference signal from the second communication device, and correspondingly, the second communication device sends the first downlink reference signal to the first communication device.

[0253] In this application, no limitation is made on the transmission method of the second communication device sending the first downlink reference signal to the first communication device. You can refer to the description of the transmission of downlink reference signal in the current related solutions, which will not be described in detail here.

[0254] Optionally, the first transmission configuration information in this application may be referred to as a first TCI state. For example, the first communication device is a terminal device, and the second communication device is a network device. The network device configures the first TCI state to the terminal device for the terminal device to estimate the first channel. For example, the network device configures at least one TCI state to the terminal device. The at least one TCI state is a list of TCI states, which includes several TCI states. Each TCI state is used by the terminal device to estimate the channel corresponding to the downlink reference signal associated with that TCI state.

[0255] By way of example and not limitation, the downlink reference signals processed by the terminal device in this application include, but are not limited to, reference signals such as TRS, CSI-RS, PDSCH DMRS, or PDCCH DMRS.

[0256] As an example and not a limitation, including the identifier of the first reference channel in the first transmission configuration information can also be understood as: the first transmission configuration information is related to the first reference channel, or the source of the QCL configured in the first transmission configuration information is the first reference channel.

[0257] For example, the first transmission configuration information includes an identifier for the first reference channel, which may be:

[0258] The first transmission configuration information includes QCL information, which includes a reference channel field, and the reference channel field includes an identifier of the first reference channel.

[0259] For example, the first transmission configuration information is TCI state. The differences between the TCI state in this application and the TCI state defined in the current protocol include: adding a new type of referenceChannel in the referenceSignal of the QCL-Info of the TCI state. The value of the referenceChannel is the index of the reference channel (referenceChannel-Index).

[0260] It should be understood that the above-described method of adding a reference channel field to the QCL information of the first transmission configuration information to carry the identifier of the first reference channel is only an example and does not constitute any limitation on the scope of protection of this application. The identifier of the first reference channel can also be carried in other fields in the first transmission configuration information, which will not be illustrated here.

[0261] For example, the first transmission configuration information further includes type information of a first QCL, wherein the first reference channel and the first channel satisfy the first QCL, and the type information of the first QCL is used to indicate the type of the first QCL, and the type of the first QCL includes at least one of the following:

[0262] QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C, or QCL type D; or, a new QCL type other than QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C, and QCL type D, wherein the new QCL type may be called QCL type E or QCL type F, etc.

[0263] Optionally, if the first QCL type is one of QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C, or QCL type D, then the same wireless channel characteristics between the first reference channel and the first channel include at least one of Doppler spread, Doppler frequency shift, average delay, delay spread, or spatial receiver parameters.

[0264] Optionally, if the first QCL type is the new QCL type, then the same wireless channel characteristics between the first reference channel and the first channel include at least one of the multipath delay information, the angle information, or the power information.

[0265] To facilitate understanding, let's take the first transmission configuration information as TCI state as an example and briefly introduce the structure of one type of first transmission configuration information:

[0266] As shown in the structure of the first transmission configuration information above, when the source of the QCL in the first transmission configuration information is the first reference channel, the destination reference signal of the QCL can be a downlink reference signal such as PTRS, TRS, CSI-RS, PDSCH DMRS, or PDCCH DMRS. Furthermore, the QCL-Type in QCL-Info can be QCL-TypeA to QCL-TypeD as defined in the current protocol, or other QCL types (such as TypeE or TypeF), and this application does not impose any limitations on this.

[0267] For example, QCL-Type can be a QCL type that includes Doppler frequency shift, Doppler spread, average delay, delay spread, and spatial receiver parameters; or, for example, QCL-Type can be a QCL type that includes parameters such as multipath delay, angle, and power corresponding to the reference channel.

[0268] It should be understood that the reference channels associated with different transmission configuration information in at least one transmission configuration information may be the same or different.

[0269] For example, at least one transmission configuration information includes transmission configuration information #1 and transmission configuration information #2, wherein transmission configuration information #1 is associated with reference channel #1 of the first communication device, and transmission configuration information #2 is associated with reference channel #2 of the first communication device;

[0270] For example, at least one transmission configuration information includes transmission configuration information #1 and transmission configuration information #2, wherein transmission configuration information #1 is associated with a reference channel #1 of the first communication device, and transmission configuration information #2 is associated with a reference channel #1 of the first communication device.

[0271] It should be understood that the above-described association between transmission configuration information and reference channels is merely an example and does not constitute any limitation on the scope of protection of this application. For example, transmission configuration information may also be associated with multiple reference channels. For instance, at least one transmission configuration information includes transmission configuration information #1 and transmission configuration information #2, wherein transmission configuration information #1 is associated with reference channels #1 and #2 of the first communication device, transmission configuration information #2 is associated with reference channels #3 and #4 of the first communication device, and so on. Further examples will not be provided here.

[0272] For ease of description, the following text mainly uses the example of one transmission configuration information associated with one reference channel. If one transmission configuration information is associated with multiple reference channels, or one reference channel is associated with multiple transmission configuration information, you can refer to the description of the one-to-one correspondence between transmission configuration information and reference channels, and will not repeat the explanation.

[0273] As described above, the second communication device configures first transmission configuration information to the first communication device. This first transmission configuration information can be used by the first communication device to estimate a first channel. For example, the first transmission configuration information can be used to estimate the channel corresponding to downlink reference signals such as PTRS, TRS, CSI-RS, PDSCH DMRS, or PDCCH DMRS. PTRS, similar to DMRS, is a reference signal attached to PDSCH and / or PUSCH.

[0274] For ease of understanding, the following explains how the second communication device configures the first transmission configuration information to the first communication device when the first transmission configuration information is used to estimate the channel of PTRS, TRS, CSI-RS, PDSCH DMRS, or PDCCH DMRS:

[0275] Method 1: Transmit configuration information to obtain the PDSCH DMRS channel. Alternatively, transmit configuration information to determine the PDSCH DMRS channel. Or, transmit configuration information to configure the PDSCH DMRS channel. Or, transmit configuration information to estimate the PDSCH DMRS channel, etc.

[0276] In the case shown in Method 1, the first communication device receives first transmission configuration information from the second communication device, including:

[0277] The first communication device receives at least one transmission configuration information from the second communication device, each of the at least one transmission configuration information being associated with a reference channel of the first communication device, wherein the first transmission configuration information is one of the at least one transmission configuration information.

[0278] For example, the second communication device configures at least one transmission configuration information to the first communication device via RRC. This transmission configuration information can be a TCI state, where the QCL source in each TCI state is a reference channel. For instance, the referenceSignal in the QCL-Info of the TCI state is referenceChannel, and its value is referenceChannel-Index.

[0279] Optionally, if the above-mentioned at least one transmission configuration information is one, it can be understood that the at least one transmission configuration information configured by the second communication device to the first communication device through RRC is the above-mentioned first transmission configuration information, and it is not necessary to perform the step of activating at least one transmission configuration information in step S1001 and the step of indicating the first transmission configuration information in step S1002.

[0280] Optionally, if there are multiple transmission configuration information items, after the second communication device configures multiple transmission configuration information items to the first communication device, it can also activate all or part of the multiple transmission configuration information items through the first information. In the case shown in mode 1, the method flow shown in FIG10 further includes:

[0281] S1001, the first communication device receives first information from the second communication device, and correspondingly, the second communication device sends the first information to the first communication device.

[0282] The first information is used to activate at least one of a plurality of transport configuration information. For example, the first information may be MAC CE.

[0283] For example, the second communication device and the first communication device can acquire at least one reference channel of the first communication device that satisfies a first condition. The first condition can be that the matching degree between the first reference channel and the channel of the first communication device is greater than a first threshold. The first reference channel is one of at least one reference channel of the first communication device that satisfies the first condition; that is, the matching degree between the first reference channel and the channel of the first communication device is greater than the first threshold.

[0284] In this application, the channel of the first communication device refers to the channel on which the first communication device is located, and this channel can be called the target channel of the first communication device. The channel of the first communication device is related to the characteristics of the first communication device (e.g., the location of the first communication device, the number of antennas, the resources occupied, etc.). The channel of the first communication device represents the channel carrying data during data transmission, or the channel for receiving downlink reference signals. For example, the channel of the first communication device can also be used to receive downlink reference signals such as PTRS, TRS, CSI-RS, PDSCH DMRS, or PDCCH DMRS.

[0285] For example, the reference channel with a matching degree greater than a first threshold with the channel of the first communication device may be a reference channel corresponding to the SSB of the first communication device; or,

[0286] For example, a reference channel whose matching degree with the channel of the first communication device is greater than a first threshold may be a channel with similar channel characteristics to the channel of the first communication device. For example, a channel similar to the channel of the first communication device MPC may be at least one reference channel that satisfies the first condition.

[0287] As one possible implementation, the second communication device may configure at least one transmission configuration information to the first communication device after acquiring at least one reference channel of the first communication device that satisfies the first condition.

[0288] In this implementation, at least one transmission configuration information configured by the second communication device to the first communication device can be understood as: at least one transmission configuration information associated with at least one reference channel that satisfies the first condition.

[0289] It should be understood that, under this implementation, since the at least one transmission configuration information configured by the second communication device to the first communication device is at least one transmission configuration information respectively associated with at least one reference channel that satisfies the first condition, the second communication device may randomly select to activate all or part of the at least one transmission configuration information during the process of activating all or part of the transmission configuration information through the first information.

[0290] For example, if the second communication device determines that at least one reference channel satisfying the first condition is reference channel #1 and reference channel #2, then at least one transmission configuration information configured to the first communication device via RRC includes transmission configuration information #1 and transmission configuration information #2. Transmission configuration information #1 is associated with reference channel #1 of the first communication device, and transmission configuration information #2 is associated with reference channel #2 of the first communication device. Therefore, the transmission configuration information activated by the first information can be at least one of transmission configuration information #1 and transmission configuration information #2.

[0291] As another possible implementation, the second communication device may configure at least one transmission configuration information to the first communication device before acquiring at least one reference channel of the first communication device that satisfies the first condition; and after acquiring at least one reference channel of the first communication device that satisfies the first condition, activate all or part of the at least one transmission configuration information through the first information.

[0292] In this implementation, the second communication device does not consider whether the reference channel associated with the transmission configuration information meets the first condition during the process of configuring at least one transmission configuration information to the first communication device. However, the second communication device can activate at least one transmission configuration information associated with at least one reference channel that meets the first condition through the first information instruction.

[0293] It should be understood that, under this implementation, the first information used to activate all or part of the transmission configuration information in at least one transmission configuration information can be understood as: the first information is used to activate the transmission configuration information corresponding to at least one reference channel.

[0294] For example, at least one transmission configuration information configured by the second communication device to the first communication device via RRC includes transmission configuration information #1, transmission configuration information #2, and transmission configuration information #3. Transmission configuration information #1 is associated with reference channel #1 of the first communication device, transmission configuration information #2 is associated with reference channel #2 of the first communication device, and transmission configuration information #3 is associated with reference channel #3 of the first communication device. Furthermore, if at least one reference channel satisfying the first condition is reference channel #1 and reference channel #2, then the transmission configuration information activated by the first information includes transmission configuration information #1 corresponding to reference channel #1 and transmission configuration information #2 corresponding to reference channel #2.

[0295] Optionally, if the first information activated by the above-mentioned transmission configuration information is a single piece, it can be understood that the activated transmission configuration information is the first transmission configuration information mentioned above, and there is no need to perform the step of instructing the first transmission configuration information in step S1002 below. The first communication device can use the activated transmission configuration information to perform channel estimation.

[0296] Optionally, if the first information activates multiple transmission configuration information, the second communication device can also instruct the first communication device to use a certain transmission configuration information for channel estimation through the second information. That is, the method flow shown in FIG10 can also include:

[0297] S1002, the first communication device receives the second information from the second communication device, and correspondingly, the second communication device sends the second information to the first communication device.

[0298] The second information is used to indicate one of a plurality of transmission configuration information corresponding to at least one reference channel. For example, the first information may be DCI.

[0299] For example, the second communication device configures multiple transmission configuration information messages to the first communication device via RRC, including transmission configuration information #1, transmission configuration information #2, and transmission configuration information #3. Transmission configuration information #1 is associated with reference channel #1 of the first communication device, transmission configuration information #2 is associated with reference channel #2 of the first communication device, and transmission configuration information #3 is associated with reference channel #3 of the first communication device. Furthermore, if at least one reference channel satisfying the first condition is reference channel #1 and reference channel #2, then the transmission configuration information activated by the first information includes transmission configuration information #1 corresponding to reference channel #1 and transmission configuration information #2 corresponding to reference channel #2. Thus, the second communication device can instruct the first communication device to use transmission configuration information #1 or transmission configuration information #2 via the second information. For example, the second information can indicate the identifier of transmission configuration information #1, thereby instructing the first communication device to use transmission configuration information #1.

[0300] Method 2: Transmit configuration information to obtain the PDCCH DMRS channel. Alternatively, transmit configuration information to determine the PDCCH DMRS channel. Or, transmit configuration information to configure the PDCCH DMRS channel. Or, transmit configuration information to estimate the PDCCH DMRS channel, etc.

[0301] In the case shown in mode 2, the first communication device receives first transmission configuration information from the second communication device, including:

[0302] The first communication device receives at least one transmission configuration information from the second communication device, each of the at least one transmission configuration information being associated with a reference channel of the first communication device, wherein the first transmission configuration information is one of the at least one transmission configuration information.

[0303] For example, the second communication device configures one or more transmission configuration information to the first communication device via CORESET. The transmission configuration information can be a TCI state, where the QCL source in each TCI state is a reference channel. For instance, the referenceSignal in the QCL-Info of the TCI state is referenceChannel, and its value is referenceChannel-Index.

[0304] It should be understood that in this application, CORESET can be a CORESET for a reference signal configured on the network side. Alternatively, it can be a CORESET configured on the network side for transmitting configuration information, etc.

[0305] Optionally, if the above-mentioned at least one transmission configuration information is one, it can be understood that the at least one transmission configuration information configured by the second communication device to the first communication device through CORESET is the above-mentioned first transmission configuration information, and there is no need to perform the step of activating the first transmission configuration information in step S1003 below.

[0306] Optionally, if the second communication device configures multiple transmission configuration information to the first communication device, the second communication device can also instruct the first communication device to activate and use a certain transmission configuration information through third information. That is, the method flow shown in FIG10 can also include:

[0307] S1003, the first communication device receives third information from the second communication device, and correspondingly, the second communication device sends the third information to the first communication device.

[0308] The third information is used to indicate the activation of one of a plurality of transmission configuration information, wherein the activated transmission configuration information is the first transmission configuration information described above. The first communication device can use the activated transmission configuration information to perform channel estimation.

[0309] For example, the third piece of information could be MAC CE.

[0310] For example, the second communication device and the first communication device can acquire at least one reference channel of the first communication device that satisfies a first condition. The first condition may be that the matching degree between the channel of the first communication device and the channel of the first communication device is greater than a first threshold. The aforementioned first reference channel is one of at least one reference channel of the first communication device that satisfies the first condition.

[0311] As one possible implementation, the second communication device may configure at least one transmission configuration information to the first communication device after acquiring at least one reference channel of the first communication device that satisfies the first condition.

[0312] In this implementation, configuring at least one transmission configuration information from the second communication device to the first communication device can be understood as: configuring at least one transmission configuration information associated with at least one reference channel that satisfies the first condition to the first communication device.

[0313] It should be understood that, under this implementation, since the at least one transmission configuration information configured by the second communication device to the first communication device is at least one transmission configuration information respectively associated with at least one reference channel that satisfies the first condition, the second communication device may randomly select to activate one of the at least one transmission configuration information during the process of activating all or part of the at least one transmission configuration information through the third information.

[0314] For example, if the second communication device determines that at least one reference channel satisfying the first condition is reference channel #1 and reference channel #2, then at least one transmission configuration information configured to the first communication device via RRC includes transmission configuration information #1 and transmission configuration information #2. Transmission configuration information #1 is associated with reference channel #1 of the first communication device, and transmission configuration information #2 is associated with reference channel #2 of the first communication device. Therefore, the transmission configuration information activated by the third information can be either transmission configuration information #1 or transmission configuration information #2.

[0315] As another possible implementation, the second communication device may configure at least one transmission configuration information to the first communication device before acquiring at least one reference channel of the first communication device that satisfies the first condition; and after acquiring at least one reference channel of the first communication device that satisfies the first condition, activate one of the at least one transmission configuration information through third information.

[0316] In this implementation, the second communication device does not consider whether the reference channel associated with the transmission configuration information satisfies the first condition during the process of configuring at least one transmission configuration information to the first communication device. However, the second communication device can activate one of the at least one transmission configuration information associated with at least one reference channel that satisfies the first condition through the third information instruction.

[0317] It should be understood that, under this implementation, the third information being used to activate one of the at least one transmission configuration information can be understood as: the third information being used to activate the transmission configuration information corresponding to the first reference channel in at least one reference channel.

[0318] For example, the second communication device configures multiple transmission configuration information messages to the first communication device via RRC, including transmission configuration information #1, transmission configuration information #2, and transmission configuration information #3. Transmission configuration information #1 is associated with reference channel #1 of the first communication device, transmission configuration information #2 is associated with reference channel #2 of the first communication device, and transmission configuration information #3 is associated with reference channel #3 of the first communication device. Furthermore, if at least one reference channel satisfying the first condition is reference channel #1 or reference channel #2, then the transmission configuration information activated by the third information is either transmission configuration information #1 corresponding to reference channel #1, or transmission configuration information #2 corresponding to reference channel #2.

[0319] Method 3: Transmitting configuration information to obtain the TRS or CSI-RS channel. Alternatively, transmitting configuration information to determine the TRS or CSI-RS channel. Or, transmitting configuration information to configure the TRS or CSI-RS channel. Or, transmitting configuration information to estimate the TRS or CSI-RS channel, etc.

[0320] In the case shown in mode 3, the first communication device receives first transmission configuration information from the second communication device, including:

[0321] The first communication device receives transmission configuration information from the second communication device, the transmission configuration information being related to the first reference channel of the first communication device.

[0322] As one possible implementation, if the TRS or CSI-RS is a periodic reference signal, the second communication device configures the first transmission configuration information to the first communication device via RRC. The first transmission configuration information can be a TCI state, where the QCL source in the TCI state is the first reference channel. For example, the referenceSignal in the QCL-Info of the TCI state is referenceChannel, and its value is referenceChannel-Index.

[0323] In this implementation, the transmission configuration information can be activated after the first moment.

[0324] Optionally, the first moment can be a predefined moment, or the first moment can be a moment determined by the first communication device itself, or the first moment can be a moment determined by negotiation between the first communication device and the second communication device, or the first moment can be a moment specified by the second communication device, etc.

[0325] For example, the first moment can be related to the time required for the first communication device to obtain the channel information corresponding to the QCL type from the first reference channel. For instance, the first moment is the time after the first communication device receives the signaling configuring the first transmission configuration information, where the first duration is the duration required for the first communication device to obtain the channel information corresponding to the QCL type from the first reference channel.

[0326] It should be understood that this application does not impose any restrictions on the method of determining the first moment.

[0327] As another possible implementation, if the TRS or CSI-RS is a semi-periodic reference signal, the second communication device configures the first transmission configuration information in the TRS or CSI-RS resource set. The first transmission configuration information can be a TCI state, where the QCL source in the TCI state is the reference channel. For example, the referenceSignal in the QCL-Info of the TCI state is referenceChannel, and its value is referenceChannel-Index.

[0328] In this implementation, the first transmission configuration information can be activated by the MAC CE.

[0329] As another possible implementation, if the TRS or CSI-RS is an aperiodic reference signal, the second communication device configures the first transmission configuration information to the first communication device via DCI. The first transmission configuration information can be a TCI state, where the QCL source in the TCI state is the reference channel. For example, the referenceSignal in the QCL-Info of the TCI state is referenceChannel, and its value is referenceChannel-Index.

[0330] In this implementation, the activation of the first transport configuration information can be indicated by the TCI activation-related field of the DCI.

[0331] For example, the second communication device and the first communication device can acquire at least one reference channel of the first communication device that satisfies a first condition. The first condition may be that the matching degree between the channel of the first communication device and the channel of the first communication device is greater than a first threshold. The aforementioned first reference channel is one of at least one reference channel of the first communication device that satisfies the first condition.

[0332] Optionally, in the case shown in mode 3, the second communication device may configure the first transmission configuration information to the first communication device after obtaining at least one reference channel of the first communication device that satisfies the first condition. That is, the transmission configuration information configured by the second communication device to the first communication device can be understood as: the second communication device configures the first transmission configuration information associated with the first reference channel among the at least one reference channel that satisfies the first condition to the first communication device.

[0333] Furthermore, after receiving the aforementioned first transmission configuration information and first downlink reference signal, the first communication device can estimate the first channel based on the parameters of the first reference channel indicated by the identifier of the first reference channel carried in the first transmission configuration information and the first downlink reference signal. Therefore, the method flow shown in Figure 10 further includes:

[0334] S1030, the first communication device estimates the first channel based on the parameters of the first reference channel and the first downlink reference signal.

[0335] As can be seen from the above, the second communication device configures first transmission configuration information to the first communication device. This first transmission configuration information can be used by the first communication device to estimate a first channel. For example, the first transmission configuration information can be used to estimate the channel corresponding to downlink reference signals such as TRS, CSI-RS, PDSCH DMRS, or PDCCH DMRS.

[0336] In addition, the phrase “estimating the first channel based on the parameters of the first reference channel and the first downlink reference signal” mentioned above in this application can also be described as “measuring the first channel based on the parameters of the first reference channel and the first downlink reference signal” or “obtaining information about the first channel based on the parameters of the first reference channel and the first downlink reference signal”, etc.

[0337] For ease of understanding, the process of using the first transmission configuration information to estimate the channel for TRS, CSI-RS, PDSCH DMRS, or PDCCH DMRS is explained below:

[0338] Method 1.1: Corresponding to Method 1 above, the first transmission configuration information is used to obtain the channel of PDSCH DMRS.

[0339] In the scenario shown in Method 1.1, when the source reference channel of QCL is the first reference channel, the destination reference channel of QCL is the channel of PDSCH DMRS. The QCL assumptions between the PDSCH DMRS channel and the first reference channel can be:

[0340] If the QCL type satisfied between the PDSCH DMRS channel and the first reference channel is one of QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C, or QCL type D, then the PDSCH DMRS channel is related to the wireless channel characteristics of the first reference channel, such as Doppler frequency shift, Doppler spread, average delay, delay spread, or spatial receiver parameters; or,

[0341] If the QCL type satisfied between the PDSCH DMRS channel and the first reference channel is a new QCL type (e.g., a new QCL type other than QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C and QCL type D), then the PDSCH DMRS channel is related to the wireless channel characteristics of the first reference channel, such as multipath delay, angle, and power.

[0342] Optionally, the first reference channel can be used for precoding the channels of PDSCH DMRS. For example, based on the QCL relationship between the first reference channel and the channels of PDSCH DMRS, some or all of the channel information of PDSCH DMRS can be provided.

[0343] In the case shown in Method 1.1, when the first communication device performs channel estimation based on the first transmission configuration information, it may also include the following special cases:

[0344] When the first communication device fails to detect PDSCH DMRS (e.g., failure to receive or parse PDSCH DMRS), the first communication device can obtain the channel of PDSCH DMRS based on the first reference channel and receive data. This first reference channel is the reference channel with the QCL of PDSCH DMRS.

[0345] If the second communication device indicates the first transmission configuration information through the second information based on the above step S1002, but the second information does not indicate the first transmission configuration information, or the first communication device does not detect the second information (e.g., failure to receive the second information, or failure to parse the second information, etc.), the first communication device can obtain the channel of PDSCH DMRS based on the second transmission configuration information associated with PDCCH DMRS.

[0346] Method 2.1: Corresponding to Method 2 above, the first transmission configuration information is used to obtain the channel of PDCCH DMRS.

[0347] In the scenario shown in Method 2.1, when the source reference channel of QCL is the first reference channel, the destination reference channel of QCL is the PDCCH DMRS. The QCL assumptions between the PDCCH DMRS channel and the first reference channel can be:

[0348] If the QCL satisfied between the PDCCH DMRS channel and the first reference channel is one of QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C, or QCL type D, then the PDCCH DMRS channel is related to the wireless channel characteristics of the first reference channel, such as Doppler frequency shift, Doppler spread, average delay, delay spread, or spatial receiver parameters; or,

[0349] If the QCL type satisfied between the PDCCH DMRS channel and the first reference channel is a new QCL type (e.g., a new QCL type other than QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C and QCL type D), then the PDCCH DMRS channel is related to the multipath delay, angle, power and other wireless channel characteristics of the first reference channel.

[0350] Optionally, the first reference channel can be used for precoding the channels of the PDCCH DMRS. For example, based on the QCL relationship between the first reference channel and the channels of the PDCCH DMRS, some or all of the channel information can be provided for the channels of the PDCCH DMRS.

[0351] Method 3.1: Corresponding to Method 3 above, the first transmission configuration information is used to estimate the channel of TRS or CSI-RS.

[0352] In the scenario shown in Method 1.1, when the source reference channel of the QCL is the first reference channel, the destination reference channel of the QCL is the channel of the TRS or CSI-RS. The QCL assumption between the TRS or CSI-RS channel and the first reference channel can be:

[0353] If the QCL type satisfied between the TRS or CSI-RS channel and the first reference channel is one of QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C, or QCL type D, then the TRS or CSI-RS channel is related to the wireless channel characteristics of the first reference channel, such as Doppler frequency shift, Doppler spread, average delay, delay spread, or spatial receiver parameters; or,

[0354] If the QCL type satisfied between the TRS or CSI-RS channel and the first reference channel is a new QCL type (e.g., a new QCL type other than QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C and QCL type D), then the TRS or CSI-RS channel is related to the wireless channel characteristics of the first reference channel, such as multipath delay, angle, and power.

[0355] Optionally, the first reference channel can be used for precoding the channels of TRS or CSI-RS. For example, based on the QCL relationship between the first reference channel and the channels of TRS or CSI-RS, some or all of the channel information can be provided for the channels of TRS or CSI-RS.

[0356] In the channel estimation method shown in Figure 10, the first transmission configuration information received by the first communication device includes an identifier of a first reference channel, enabling the first communication device to estimate the first channel based on the parameters of the first reference channel during channel estimation. The parameters of the first reference channel can be multipath delay information, angle information, or power information, etc. Therefore, the first communication device can estimate the channel information of the first downlink signal through the channel information of the first reference channel; that is, the channel information of the first downlink signal can be represented by the channel information of the first reference channel. For example, the multipath delay of the first downlink signal channel can be the multipath delay of the first reference channel; and the angle of the first downlink signal channel can be the angle of the first reference channel, etc.

[0357] Compared to the scheme of estimating channel information through the source reference signal configured by TCI state, in which the terminal device needs to measure TRS or CSI-RS, the channel estimation scheme provided in this application does not require the measurement of TRS or CSI-RS. Channel estimation can be performed based on the parameters of the first reference channel, which can reduce the time required for the terminal device to obtain channel information.

[0358] This application also proposes a channel estimation scheme. Even when the first communication device does not receive the aforementioned first transmission configuration information, it can still perform channel estimation based on a reference channel. For example, the first communication device receives a second downlink reference signal from a second communication device and estimates the second channel corresponding to the second downlink reference signal based on the parameters of the second reference channel and the second downlink reference signal. The second reference channel is the reference channel selected by the first communication device, and the second reference channel and the second channel have the same radio channel characteristics (the radio channel characteristics of the second reference channel and the second channel are all or partially the same). The second downlink reference signal includes PDSCH DMRS or PDCCH DMRS. That is, in the absence of transmission configuration information carrying the identifier of the reference channel, the first communication device can assume that all channel information of the selected second reference channel and PDSCH DMRS or PDCCH DMRS is QCL.

[0359] It should be understood that the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0360] It should also be understood that, in the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0361] It should also be understood that the above embodiments are mainly illustrated using devices in existing network architectures as examples. It should be understood that the specific form of the device is not limited in the embodiments of this application. For example, any device that can achieve the same function in the future is applicable to the embodiments of this application.

[0362] For example, the channel estimation method provided in this application can also be applied to an open RAN architecture. The open RAN architecture and the corresponding network elements / modules are shown in Figure 3. The process of implementing the above method under the open RAN architecture is the same as that shown in Figure 10, except that the execution subject is different. For example, the second communication device in the channel estimation method shown in Figure 10 can be replaced with a CU (CU-CP or CU-UP) or DU or RU in the open RAN architecture.

[0363] For example, the channel estimation method provided in this application can also be applied to chip architecture. The process of implementing the above method under chip architecture is the same as that shown in Figure 10, only the execution subject is different. For example, the second communication device in the channel estimation method shown in Figure 10 is replaced with a network device chip, and the first communication device in the channel estimation method shown in Figure 10 is replaced with a terminal device chip.

[0364] It is understood that, in the above-described method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by devices (such as the first communication device and the second communication device) can also be implemented by components (such as chips or circuits) that can be used in the devices.

[0365] It is also understood that some optional features in the various embodiments of this application may not depend on other features in some scenarios, or may be combined with other features in some scenarios, without limitation.

[0366] The method for channel estimation provided in this application has been described in detail above with reference to Figure 10. The method for channel estimation described above is mainly introduced from the perspective of the interaction between the first communication device and the second communication device. It is understood that, in order to achieve the above functions, the first communication device and the second communication device include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function.

[0367] Those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the units and algorithm steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is implemented in hardware or by computer software driving hardware 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.

[0368] The following describes in detail, with reference to Figures 11 to 13, the apparatus for channel estimation provided in the embodiments of this application. It should be understood that the description of the apparatus embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, for content not described in detail, please refer to the method embodiments above. For the sake of brevity, some content will not be repeated.

[0369] This application embodiment can divide the first communication device and the second communication device into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each function can be divided into a separate functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. The following description uses the division of each functional module according to each function as an example.

[0370] Figure 11 is a schematic block diagram of a channel estimation apparatus 10 provided in an embodiment of this application. The apparatus 10 includes a transceiver module 11 and a processing module 12. The transceiver module 11 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 12 is used for data processing. In other words, the transceiver module 11 is used to perform receiving and transmitting related operations, and the processing module 12 is used to perform other operations besides receiving and transmitting. The transceiver module 11 can also be referred to as a communication interface or communication unit. The transceiver module 11 may include a receiving module and / or a transmitting module, whereby the receiving module performs receiving-related operations and the transmitting module performs transmitting-related operations.

[0371] Optionally, the device 10 may further include a storage module 13, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 12 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the device can perform the operation of the device in the aforementioned method embodiments. The above modules may also be referred to as units, such as transceiver unit, processing unit, storage unit, etc.

[0372] In one design, the device 10 may correspond to the first communication device in the above method embodiments, or to a component of the first communication device (such as a chip).

[0373] The device 10 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the first communication device in the above method embodiment. The transceiver module 11 can be used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the first communication device in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 12 can be used to perform the processing-related operations of the first communication device in the above method embodiment.

[0374] In one possible implementation, the transceiver module 11 is configured to receive first transmission configuration information from the second communication device. A description of the first transmission configuration information can be found in the method embodiment of Figure 10 above, and will not be repeated in the device embodiment. The transceiver module 11 is also configured to receive a first downlink reference signal from the second communication device. A description of the first downlink reference signal can be found in the method embodiment of Figure 10 above, and will not be repeated in the device embodiment. The processing module 12 is configured to estimate a first channel corresponding to the first downlink reference signal based on the parameters of the first reference channel and the first downlink reference signal. The parameters of the first reference channel include at least one of the following: multipath delay information, angle information, or power information.

[0375] When the device 10 is used to execute the method in FIG10, the transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as steps S1001, S1002, S1003, S1010 and S1020; the processing module 12 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as step S1030.

[0376] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above-mentioned corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0377] In another design, the device 10 may correspond to the second communication device in the above method embodiment, or to a component of the second communication device (such as a chip).

[0378] The device 10 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to those performed by the second communication device in the above method embodiments. The transceiver module 11 can be used to perform transceiver-related operations of the second communication device in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 12 can be used to perform processing-related operations of the second communication device in the above method embodiments.

[0379] In one possible implementation, transceiver module 11 is configured to send first transmission configuration information to the first communication device. Transceiver module 11 is also configured to send a first downlink reference signal to the first communication device, wherein the parameters of the first reference channel and the first downlink reference signal are used to estimate a first channel corresponding to the first downlink reference signal, and the parameters of the first reference channel include at least one of the following: multipath delay information, angle information, or power information.

[0380] When the device 10 is used to execute the method in FIG10, the transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as steps S1001, S1002, S1003, S1010 and S1020; the processing module 12 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method.

[0381] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above-mentioned corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0382] It should also be understood that the device 10 here is embodied in the form of a functional module. The term "module" here can refer to application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), electronic circuits, processors (e.g., shared processors, proprietary processors, or group processors, etc.) and memories for executing one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuits, and / or other suitable components supporting the described functions. In an alternative example, those skilled in the art will understand that device 10 may specifically be a mobility management network element in the above embodiments, and may be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the mobility management network element in the above method embodiments; or, device 10 may specifically be a terminal device in the above embodiments, and may be used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the terminal device in the above method embodiments. To avoid repetition, further details are omitted here.

[0383] The apparatus 10 of each of the above-described schemes has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the devices (such as the first communication device and the second communication device) in the above-described methods. This function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described functions; for example, the transceiver module can be replaced by a transceiver (for example, the transmitting unit in the transceiver module can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver module can be replaced by a receiver), and other units, such as processing modules, can be replaced by processors, which respectively execute the transceiver operations and related processing operations in each method embodiment.

[0384] In addition, the transceiver module 11 can also be a transceiver circuit (for example, it may include a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing module can be a processing circuit.

[0385] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of another device 20 for channel estimation provided in an embodiment of this application. The device 20 includes a processor 21, which executes computer programs or instructions stored in a memory 22, or reads data / signaling stored in the memory 22, to perform the methods in the above method embodiments. Optionally, there may be one or more processors 21.

[0386] Optionally, as shown in FIG12, the device 20 further includes a memory 22 for storing computer programs or instructions and / or data. The memory 22 may be integrated with the processor 21 or may be separately configured. Optionally, there may be one or more memories 22.

[0387] Optionally, as shown in FIG12, the device 20 further includes a transceiver 23, which is used for receiving and / or transmitting signals. For example, the processor 21 is used to control the transceiver 23 to receive and / or transmit signals. The transceiver 23 may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, the receiver being used for receiving signals and the transmitter for transmitting signals; if the device 20 for channel estimation is a chip, then the transceiver 23 is the chip's input / output interface, where the output corresponds to transmission and the input corresponds to reception.

[0388] As one option, the device 20 is used to implement the operations performed by the first communication device or the second communication device in the various method embodiments described above.

[0389] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0390] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory. 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. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM can be used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, RAM includes the following forms: 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).

[0391] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated into the processor.

[0392] It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0393] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a chip system 30 provided in an embodiment of this application. The chip system 30 (or may also be called a processing system) includes logic circuitry 31 and an input / output interface 32.

[0394] The logic circuit 31 can be a processing circuit in the chip system 30. The logic circuit 31 can be coupled to a memory unit, calling instructions from the memory unit, enabling the chip system 30 to implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application. The input / output interface 32 can be an input / output circuit in the chip system 30, outputting processed information from the chip system 30, or inputting data or signaling information to be processed into the chip system 30 for processing.

[0395] As one option, the chip system 30 is used to implement the operations performed by the terminal device or network device in the various method embodiments described above.

[0396] For example, logic circuit 31 is used to implement the processing-related operations performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments; input / output interface 32 is used to implement the sending and / or receiving-related operations performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments.

[0397] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions for implementing the methods executed by the device in the above-described method embodiments.

[0398] For example, when the computer program is executed by the computer, it enables the computer to implement the methods executed by the first communication device or the second communication device in the various embodiments of the above methods.

[0399] This application also provides a computer program product comprising a computer program or instructions which, when executed by a computer or processor, implement the methods performed by the first or second communication device in the above-described method embodiments.

[0400] This application also provides a communication system, including the aforementioned first communication device and second communication device.

[0401] The explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant contents in any of the devices provided above can be found in the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0402] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus 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 mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, and the indirect coupling or communication connection of apparatus or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0403] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. For example, the computer can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks, SSDs). For example, the aforementioned available media include, but are not limited to, USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks, and other media capable of storing program code.

[0404] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for channel estimation, characterized by, Applied to a first communication device, the method includes: Receive first transmission configuration information from a second communication device, wherein the first transmission configuration information includes an identifier of a first reference channel; Receive a first downlink reference signal from the second communication device; Based on the parameters of the first reference channel and the first downlink reference signal, the first channel corresponding to the first downlink reference signal is estimated. The parameters of the first reference channel include at least one of the following: Multipath delay information, angle information, or power information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first transmission configuration information includes the identifier of the first reference channel, including: The first transmission configuration information includes quasi-co-located QCL information, the QCL information including a reference channel field, the reference channel field including the identifier of the first reference channel.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first transmission configuration information also includes the type information of the first quasi-co-address QCL, wherein the first reference channel and the first channel satisfy the first QCL. The type information of the first QCL is used to indicate the type of the first QCL, and the type of the first QCL includes at least one of the following: QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C, or QCL type D; or, In addition to QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C, and QCL type D, new QCL types, Wherein, if the first QCL type is one of QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C, or QCL type D, then the wireless channel characteristics that are the same between the first reference channel and the first channel include at least one of Doppler spread, Doppler frequency shift, average delay, delay spread, or spatial receiver parameters; If the first QCL type is the new QCL type, then the same wireless channel characteristics between the first reference channel and the first channel include at least one of the multipath delay information, the angle information, or the power information.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The matching degree between the first reference channel and the channel of the first communication device is greater than the first threshold.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first downlink reference signal includes at least one of the following: Phase tracking reference signal PTRS, tracking reference signal TRS, channel state information reference signal CSI-RS, demodulation reference signal PDSCH DMRS for physical layer downlink shared channel, or demodulation reference signal PDCCH DMRS for physical layer downlink control channel.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, When the first downlink reference signal is the PDSCH DMRS, the method further includes: If the PDSCH DMRS is not detected, then the channel of the PDSCH DMRS is estimated based on the first reference channel that satisfies the QCL with the PDSCH DMRS; or, If the first transmission configuration information is not successfully parsed, the channel of the PDSCH DMRS is estimated based on the second transmission configuration information associated with the PDCCH DMRS.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein, When the first downlink reference signal is the TRS or the CSI-RS If the first downlink reference signal is a periodic reference signal, receiving the first transmission configuration information from the second communication device includes: Receive a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message from a second communication device, the RRC message being used to configure the first transmission configuration information; If the first downlink reference signal is a half-periodic reference signal, receiving the first transmission configuration information from the second communication device includes: Receive control resource set (CORESET) information from a second communication device, the control resource set information being used to configure the first transmission configuration information; If the first downlink reference signal is an aperiodic reference signal, receiving the first transmission configuration information from the second communication device includes: Receive downlink control information (DCI) from a second communication device, the DCI being used to indicate the first transmission configuration information.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, When the first downlink reference signal is the periodic TRS or the CSI-RS, the estimation of the first channel based on the parameters of the first reference channel and the first downlink reference signal includes: After the first moment, the first channel is estimated based on the parameters of the first reference channel and the first downlink reference signal, wherein the first moment is the activation moment of the first transmission configuration information.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, Before receiving the first transmission configuration information from the second communication device, the method further includes: Receive a second downlink reference signal from the second communication device; The second channel corresponding to the second downlink reference signal is estimated based on the parameters of the second reference channel and the second downlink reference signal; The second reference channel and the second channel have the same wireless channel characteristics. The second downlink reference signal includes the demodulation reference signal PDSCH DMRS of the physical layer downlink shared channel or the demodulation reference signal PDCCH DMRS of the physical layer downlink control channel.

10. A method for channel estimation, characterized by, Applied to a second communication device, the method includes: Send the first transmission configuration information to the first communication device, wherein the first transmission configuration information includes the identifier of the first reference channel; Send a first downlink reference signal to the first communication device; The parameters of the first reference channel and the first downlink reference signal are used to estimate the first channel corresponding to the first downlink reference signal. The parameters of the first reference channel include at least one of the following: Multipath delay information, angle information, or power information.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The first transmission configuration information includes the identifier of the first reference channel, including: The first transmission configuration information includes quasi-co-located QCL information, which includes a reference channel field, and the reference channel field includes the identifier of the first reference channel.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The first transmission configuration information also includes the type information of the first quasi-co-address QCL, wherein the first reference channel and the first channel satisfy the first QCL. The type information of the first QCL is used to indicate the type of the first QCL, and the type of the first QCL includes at least one of the following: QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C, or QCL type D; or, In addition to QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C, and QCL type D, new QCL types, Wherein, if the first QCL type is one of QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C, or QCL type D, then the wireless channel characteristics that are the same between the first reference channel and the first channel include at least one of Doppler spread, Doppler frequency shift, average delay, delay spread, or spatial receiver parameters; If the first QCL type is the new QCL type, then the same wireless channel characteristics between the first reference channel and the first channel include at least one of the multipath delay information, the angle information, or the power information.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that, The matching degree between the first reference channel and the channel of the first communication device is greater than the first threshold.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that, The first downlink reference signal includes at least one of the following: Phase tracking reference signal PTRS, tracking reference signal TRS, channel state information reference signal CSI-RS, demodulation reference signal PDSCH DMRS for physical layer downlink shared channel, or demodulation reference signal PDCCH DMRS for physical layer downlink control channel.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, When the first downlink reference signal is the TRS or the CSI-RS If the first downlink reference signal is a periodic reference signal, sending the first transmission configuration information to the first communication device includes: A Radio Resource Control (RRC) message is sent to the first communication device. The RRC message is used to configure the first transmission configuration information, wherein the first transmission configuration information is activated after the first moment. If the first downlink reference signal is a semi-periodic reference signal, sending the first transmission configuration information to the first communication device includes: Send control resource set CORESET information to the first communication device, wherein the control resource set information is used to configure the first transmission configuration information; If the first downlink reference signal is an aperiodic reference signal, sending the first transmission configuration information to the first communication device includes: Send downlink control information (DCI) to the first communication device, wherein the DCI is used to indicate the first transmission configuration information.

16. A communications device, characterized by It includes modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9; or it includes modules for implementing the method as described in any one of claims 10 to 15.

17. A communications device, characterized by It includes at least one processor, said at least one processor being configured to execute a computer program or instructions to cause the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 9 to be performed; or to cause the method as described in any one of claims 10 to 15 to be performed.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that, The device further includes a memory for storing the computer program or instructions; and / or, The device further includes a communication interface coupled to the at least one processor, the communication interface being used for inputting and / or outputting information.

19. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program or instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15 to be performed.

20. A computer program product, characterised in that, It includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15 to be performed.

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