Communication method and apparatus
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/CN2026/081078
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2025-04-18
- Filing Date
- 2026-03-03
- Publication Date
- 2026-10-22
Smart Images
Figure CN2026081078_22102026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
A communication method and apparatus
[0001] Cross-references to related applications
[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510505756.X, filed on April 18, 2025, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field
[0003] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology
[0004] Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology is a key technology in the field of wireless communication, capable of meeting the demands of high-speed transmission. This technology can utilize spatial resources to enable signals to achieve array gain, multiplexing and diversity gain, and interference cancellation gain in space without increasing system bandwidth, thereby improving the capacity and spectral efficiency of the communication system.
[0005] In MIMO technology, the terminal device determines the precoding matrix based on the received reference signal and feeds back a precoding matrix indication to the network device. This precoding matrix indication includes at least one precoding matrix indication parameter, which indicates the precoding matrix determined by the terminal device. As the number of antennas, beams, taps, or data streams increases, the feedback overhead of the precoding matrix indication parameter becomes larger. Therefore, how to improve the precoding matrix feedback method to reduce feedback overhead requires further discussion. Summary of the Invention
[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for improving the feedback method of precoding matrices, for example, reducing the feedback overhead of precoding matrices.
[0007] Firstly, this application provides a communication method applicable to a terminal device. The terminal device is, for example, a terminal equipment, or a component applied within a terminal equipment, such as a communication module, circuitry or chip responsible for communication functions (e.g., a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core, a system-in-package (SIP) chip, a chip system, or a processor, etc.) or other functional module applicable to the terminal equipment. This chip (or chip system) or functional module can implement the functions of the terminal equipment. For example, if the chip (or chip system) or other functional module is disposed within the terminal equipment, it can also be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal equipment.
[0008] The method may include: receiving a first reference signal; determining a first value for a first precoding matrix indication parameter based on the first reference signal; if the similarity between a first state value in a first state pool and the first value is greater than or equal to a first threshold, sending a first index, the first index being associated with the first state value and belonging to the first state pool; or, if the similarity between each state value in the first state pool and the first value is less than a first threshold, sending the first precoding matrix indication parameter, determining a second state pool based on the first value and the first state pool, the second state pool including a second state value and an index associated with the second state value, the second state value being the first value; wherein the first state pool includes N state values of the first precoding matrix indication parameter and an index associated with each of the N state values, where N is a positive integer.
[0009] Optionally, the precoding matrix indication parameter may also be referred to as a precoding matrix indication element, or a precoding matrix indication value, or a precoding matrix indication index, or a codebook parameter, or a codebook element, or a codebook index, etc., and this application does not limit this. Optionally, the number of precoding matrix indication parameters may be one or more. For example, a precoding matrix indication may include at least one precoding matrix indication parameter, which includes a first precoding matrix indication parameter, and the at least one precoding matrix indication parameter can be used to indicate (or determine) the precoding matrix.
[0010] Optionally, the similarity between the first state value and the first value being greater than or equal to the first threshold can be understood as: the first state value and the first value being equal (e.g., the similarity between the first state value and the first value being infinite), or the first state value and the first value being close. Optionally, the similarity can be determined by at least one of the following operations: Hamming distance operation, Euclidean distance operation, difference operation, or variance operation, etc.
[0011] Optionally, the second state pool can be understood as: the updated first state pool, or the reconstructed (or rebuilt) first state pool. That is, the second state pool is the state pool of the first precoding matrix parameters.
[0012] In the method provided in this application, a first state pool includes N state values of a first precoding matrix indication parameter and an index associated with each of the N state values. The terminal device feeds back the first precoding matrix indication parameter based on the first state pool, which can reduce the feedback overhead of the first precoding matrix indication parameter. The first precoding matrix indication parameter can be used to indicate (or determine) the precoding matrix, thereby reducing the feedback overhead of the precoding matrix. For example, if the value of the first precoding matrix indication parameter calculated by the terminal device based on the received first reference signal (i.e., the first value) is similar to a certain state value (such as the first state value) in the first state pool, then the terminal device can feed back the first index associated with the first state value. Typically, the number of bits occupied by the index in the state pool is less than the number of bits occupied by the precoding matrix indication parameter. Therefore, compared to feeding back the precoding matrix indication parameter, feeding back the first index can reduce the feedback overhead of the precoding matrix indication parameter. For example, if the value of the first precoding matrix indication parameter (i.e., the first value) calculated by the terminal device based on the received first reference signal is dissimilar to all state values in the first state pool, the terminal device can feed back the first precoding matrix indication parameter, determine the second state pool based on the value of the first precoding matrix indication parameter and the first state pool, and add the first value to the state pool of the first precoding matrix indication parameter. In this way, if the value of the first precoding matrix indication parameter calculated subsequently is similar to the first value, the terminal device can feed back the index associated with the first value in the second state pool based on the second state pool, thereby reducing the feedback overhead of the precoding matrix indication parameter.
[0013] In one possible implementation, the above method may further include: sending first information, the first information being used to indicate that the first index is an index in the first state pool, or the first information being used to indicate that the first index is information fed back based on the first state pool, or the first information being used to indicate that a precoding matrix indication parameter is fed back based on the state pool within a set time period.
[0014] Through the above implementation, the receiving end of the first index (such as a network device) can determine that the first index is an index in the first state pool, and thus determine the value of the first precoding matrix indication parameter through the first state pool and the first index.
[0015] In one possible implementation, the second state pool includes K state values and indices associated with the K state values. The K state values include the second state value, and the index associated with the second state value is either the smallest index among the indices associated with the K state values, or the index associated with the second state value is the largest index among the indices associated with the K state values. The K state values include the second state value and (N-1) state values, where the (N-1) state values are the remaining state values among the N state values included in the first state pool, excluding the state value associated with the largest index, and K is the N. Alternatively, the K state values include the second state value and the N state values included in the first state pool, where K is (N+1).
[0016] With the above implementation method, the index associated with the newly added state value in the first state pool can be either the minimum index in the first state pool or the maximum index in the first state pool. The implementation method is flexible and can be adapted to different communication scenarios.
[0017] In one possible implementation, the method may further include: receiving second information, the second information being used to indicate M precoding matrix indication parameters supporting the creation of a state pool, and / or, the second information being used to indicate the maximum number of state values included in the state pool of each of the M precoding matrix indication parameters; wherein the M precoding matrix indication parameters include the first precoding matrix indication parameter. For example, the second information may only be used to indicate the M precoding matrix indication parameters supporting the creation of a state pool, and the maximum number of state values included in the state pool of each of the M precoding matrix indication parameters may be predefined or pre-agreed upon, etc. For example, the second information may only be used to indicate the maximum number of state values included in the state pool of each of the M precoding matrix indication parameters, and the M precoding matrix indication parameters supporting the creation of a state pool may be predefined or pre-agreed upon, etc.
[0018] Through the above implementation, the terminal device can create state pools for precoding matrix indicator parameters that support state pool creation. This eliminates the need to create a state pool for each precoding matrix indicator parameter, enabling differentiated state pool creation and saving storage resources. For example, precoding matrix indicator parameters with high feedback overhead can support state pool creation, while those with low feedback overhead do not. Similarly, precoding matrix indicator parameters with small value changes over a period of time can support state pool creation, while those with large value changes over a period of time do not. Furthermore, the precoding matrix indicator parameters supporting state pool creation can be predefined or configured on the network side (e.g., network device configuration), offering flexibility to adapt to different communication scenarios. The terminal device can limit the maximum number of state values included in the state pool, eliminating the need to store all values of the precoding matrix indicator parameters and saving storage resources. Again, the maximum number of state values included in the state pool of the precoding matrix indicator parameter can be predefined or configured on the network side (e.g., network device configuration), offering flexibility to adapt to different communication scenarios.
[0019] In one possible implementation, the M precoding matrix indication parameters may include at least one of the following: i 1,1 i 1,2 i 1,5 i 1,6,l i 1,7,l i 1,8,l i 2,3,l i 2,4,l 、or i 2,5,l .in:
[0020] i 1,1 The index used to indicate the selected orthogonal beam group in the oversampled beam group, i 1,1 The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 4 -1;
[0021] i 1,2 The index used to indicate the L beam combinations within the selected beam group, i 1,2 The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 11 -1;
[0022] i 1,5 Used to indicate that when N3 is greater than 19, the two-level indication is continuously 2M. v The initial value of the group tap, i 1,5 The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 9 -1;
[0023] i 1,6,l Used to indicate (M) v -1) taps, the (M)v -1) taps are taps from (N3-1) taps on layer l, or the (M) v -1) When N3 is greater than 19, the 2M on layer l v The tap of the tap, i 1,6,l The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 9 -1;
[0024] i 1,7,l Used to indicate i on layer l 2,4,l and i 2,5,l The bitmap of non-zero reporting coefficients in i 1,7,l The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 64 -1;
[0025] i 1,8,l The index used to indicate the strongest beam of the strongest tap on layer l, i 1,8,l The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 3 -1;
[0026] i 2,3,l The i is used to indicate the bandwidth amplitude coefficient of the selected beam on layer l. 2,3,l The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 4 -1;
[0027] i 2,4,l The i is used to indicate the subband amplitude coefficient of the selected beam on layer l. 2,4,l The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 36 -1;
[0028] Or, i 2,5,l The i is used to indicate the compressed sub-band phase coefficients in the delay domain of the selected beam on layer l. 2,5,l The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 48 -1.
[0029] Where L is the total number of basis selections for the spatial domain, and M is... v N is the total number of bases selected in the frequency domain, N3 is the number of sub-bands, and l is the data stream index.
[0030] Through the above implementation method, there are multiple precoding matrix indication parameters that support the creation of state pools, which can adapt to different communication scenarios.
[0031] In one possible implementation, the N state values can be N values of the first precoding matrix indication parameter that have been fed back historically.
[0032] In one possible implementation, determining the second state pool based on the first value and the first state pool may include: deleting the state value associated with the largest index in the first state pool; incrementing the value of the index associated with each of the remaining (N-1) state values in the first state pool by 1; storing the first value in the first state pool to obtain the second state pool, wherein the second state value is associated with the smallest index in the second state pool. Alternatively, determining the second state pool based on the first value and the first state pool may include: incrementing the value of the index associated with each of the N state values in the first state pool by 1; storing the first value in the first state pool to obtain the second state pool, wherein the second state value is associated with the smallest index in the second state pool.
[0033] Through the above implementation, the terminal device can update the first state pool to obtain the second state pool, and the index associated with the newly added state value is the smallest index in the second state pool, so that the state value associated with the largest index in the second state pool is the value of the first precoding matrix indication parameter that was earliest fed back by the terminal device. If the change in the value of the first precoding matrix indication parameter is small within a certain period of time, then the terminal device can feed back the smallest index in the second state pool, or feed back multiple smaller indices in the second state pool within that period of time.
[0034] In one possible implementation, the method may further include: determining a second value for the second precoding matrix indication parameter based on the first reference signal; sending the first index includes: sending third information, the third information including a first field, a second field, and a third field, wherein the first field indicates that the second field is information based on state pool feedback, the second field carries the first index, and the third field carries the second precoding matrix indication parameter. For example, the second precoding matrix indication parameter does not support the creation of a state pool; or, the similarity between each state value in the third state pool corresponding to the second precoding matrix indication parameter and the second value is less than a second threshold, the third state pool including H state values of the second precoding matrix indication parameter and an index associated with each of the H state values, where H is a positive integer. Optionally, if the similarity between each state value in the third state pool of the second precoding matrix indication parameter and the second value is less than a second threshold, the terminal device may also determine a fourth state pool based on the second value and the third state pool, the fourth state pool including a third state value and an index associated with the third state value, the third state value being the second value.
[0035] In one possible implementation, the above method may further include: determining the value of the third precoding matrix indication parameter as a third value based on the first reference signal; sending the first precoding matrix indication parameter includes: sending fourth information, the fourth information including a fourth field, a fifth field, and a sixth field, the fourth field being used to indicate that the sixth field is information based on state pool feedback, the fifth field being used to carry the first precoding matrix indication parameter, the sixth field being used to carry a second index, the second index being associated with a fourth state value in a fifth state pool, the second index belonging to the fifth state pool, the similarity between the fourth state value and the third value being greater than or equal to a third threshold, the fifth state pool including G state values of the third precoding matrix indication parameter and an index associated with each of the G state values, where G is a positive integer.
[0036] Through the two implementation methods described above, the precoding matrix indication can include multiple parameters. Some of these parameters are fed back based on a state pool, while the remaining parameters may not be fed back based on a state pool (e.g., the values of the remaining parameters are directly fed back). This flexible implementation method can adapt to different communication scenarios. Alternatively, if some parameters are fed back based on a state pool, and the remaining parameters are not, the terminal device can indicate which parameters are based on state pool feedback information through a field (e.g., the first field or the fourth field), so that the receiving end (e.g., the network device) can determine which parameters are based on state pool feedback information.
[0037] Secondly, this application provides a communication method applicable to a terminal device. The terminal device is, for example, a terminal equipment, or a component within a terminal equipment. For a component within a terminal equipment, please refer to the first aspect.
[0038] The method may include: receiving a first reference signal; determining, based on the first reference signal, a first value for a first precoding matrix indication parameter; sending a first index in a first state pool, wherein the first index is associated with a first state value, the first state value belongs to the first state pool, and the similarity between the first state value and the first value is greater than or equal to a first threshold; wherein the first state pool includes N state values of the first precoding matrix indication parameter and an index associated with each of the N state values, and N is a positive integer.
[0039] Optionally, the precoding matrix indication parameter may also be referred to as a precoding matrix indication element, or a precoding matrix indication value, or a precoding matrix indication index, or a codebook parameter, or a codebook element, or a codebook index, etc., and this application does not limit this. Optionally, the number of precoding matrix indication parameters may be one or more. For example, a precoding matrix indication may include at least one precoding matrix indication parameter, which includes a first precoding matrix indication parameter, and the at least one precoding matrix indication parameter can be used to indicate (or determine) the precoding matrix.
[0040] Optionally, the similarity between the first state value and the first value being greater than or equal to the first threshold can be understood as: the first state value and the first value being equal (e.g., the similarity between the first state value and the first value being infinite), or the first state value and the first value being close. Optionally, the similarity can be determined by at least one of the following operations: Hamming distance operation, Euclidean distance operation, difference operation, or variance operation, etc.
[0041] In one possible implementation, the above method may further include: sending first information, the first information being used to indicate that the first index is an index in the first state pool, or the first information being used to indicate that the first index is information fed back based on the first state pool, or the first information being used to indicate that a precoding matrix indication parameter is fed back based on the state pool within a set time period.
[0042] In one possible implementation, the method may further include: receiving second information, the second information being used to indicate M precoding matrix indication parameters supporting the creation of a state pool, and / or, the second information being used to indicate the maximum number of state values included in the state pool of each of the M precoding matrix indication parameters; wherein the M precoding matrix indication parameters include the first precoding matrix indication parameter. For example, the second information may only be used to indicate the M precoding matrix indication parameters supporting the creation of a state pool, and the maximum number of state values included in the state pool of each of the M precoding matrix indication parameters may be predefined or pre-agreed upon, etc. For example, the second information may only be used to indicate the maximum number of state values included in the state pool of each of the M precoding matrix indication parameters, and the M precoding matrix indication parameters supporting the creation of a state pool may be predefined or pre-agreed upon, etc.
[0043] In one possible implementation, the M precoding matrix indication parameters may include at least one of the following: i 1,1 i 1,2 i 1,5 i 1,6,l i 1,7,l i 1,8,l i2,3,l i 2,4,l 、or i 2,5,l .in:
[0044] i 1,1 The index used to indicate the selected orthogonal beam group in the oversampled beam group, i 1,1 The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 4 -1;
[0045] i 1,2 The index used to indicate the L beam combinations within the selected beam group, i 1,2 The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 11 -1;
[0046] i 1,5 Used to indicate that when N3 is greater than 19, the two-level indication is continuously 2M. v The initial value of the group tap, i 1,5 The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 9 -1;
[0047] i 1,6,l Used to indicate (M) v -1) taps, the (M) v -1) taps are taps from (N3-1) taps on layer l, or the (M) v -1) When N3 is greater than 19, the 2M on layer l v The tap of the tap, i 1,6,l The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 9 -1;
[0048] i 1,7,l Used to indicate i on layer l 2,4,l and i 2,5,l The bitmap of non-zero reporting coefficients in i 1,7,l The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 64 -1;
[0049] i 1,8,l The index used to indicate the strongest beam of the strongest tap on layer l, i 1,8,l The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 3 -1;
[0050] i 2,3,l The i is used to indicate the bandwidth amplitude coefficient of the selected beam on layer l. 2,3,l The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 4 -1;
[0051] i 2,4,l The i is used to indicate the subband amplitude coefficient of the selected beam on layer l.2,4,l The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 36 -1;
[0052] Or, i 2,5,l The i is used to indicate the compressed sub-band phase coefficients in the delay domain of the selected beam on layer l. 2,5,l The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 48 -1.
[0053] Where L is the total number of basis selections for the spatial domain, and M is... v N is the total number of bases selected in the frequency domain, N3 is the number of sub-bands, and l is the data stream index.
[0054] In one possible implementation, the N state values are N values of the first precoding matrix indication parameter that have been historically fed back.
[0055] In one possible implementation, the method may further include: determining a second value for the second precoding matrix indication parameter based on the first reference signal; sending the first index includes: sending third information, the third information including a first field, a second field, and a third field, the first field indicating that the second field is information based on state pool feedback, the second field carrying the first index, and the third field carrying the second precoding matrix indication parameter. For example, the second precoding matrix indication parameter does not support the creation of a state pool; or, the similarity between each state value in the third state pool corresponding to the second precoding matrix indication parameter and the second value is less than a second threshold, the third state pool including H state values of the second precoding matrix indication parameter and an index associated with each of the H state values, where H is a positive integer. Optionally, if the similarity between each state value in the third state pool corresponding to the second precoding matrix indication parameter and the second value is less than a second threshold, the terminal device may also determine a fourth state pool based on the second value and the third state pool, the fourth state pool including a third state value and an index associated with the third state value, the third state value being the second value.
[0056] Thirdly, this application provides a communication method applicable to a terminal device. The terminal device is, for example, a terminal equipment, or a component within a terminal equipment. For a component within a terminal equipment, please refer to the first aspect.
[0057] The method may include: receiving a first reference signal; determining a first value for a first precoding matrix indication parameter based on the first reference signal; sending the first precoding matrix indication parameter; determining a second state pool based on the first value and a first state pool, wherein the similarity between each state value in the first state pool and the first value is less than a first threshold; the second state pool includes a second state value and an index associated with the second state value; wherein the second state value is the first value; wherein the first state pool includes N state values of the first precoding matrix indication parameter and an index associated with each of the N state values, and N is a positive integer.
[0058] Optionally, the precoding matrix indication parameter may also be referred to as a precoding matrix indication element, or a precoding matrix indication value, or a precoding matrix indication index, or a codebook parameter, or a codebook element, or a codebook index, etc., and this application does not limit this. Optionally, the number of precoding matrix indication parameters may be one or more. For example, a precoding matrix indication may include at least one precoding matrix indication parameter, which includes a first precoding matrix indication parameter, and the at least one precoding matrix indication parameter can be used to indicate (or determine) the precoding matrix.
[0059] Optionally, the similarity between the first state value and the first value being greater than or equal to the first threshold can be understood as: the first state value and the first value being equal (e.g., the similarity between the first state value and the first value being infinite), or the first state value and the first value being close. Optionally, the similarity can be determined by at least one of the following operations: Hamming distance operation, Euclidean distance operation, difference operation, or variance operation, etc.
[0060] Optionally, the second state pool can be understood as: the updated first state pool, or the reconstructed (or rebuilt) first state pool. That is, the second state pool is the state pool of the first precoding matrix parameters.
[0061] In one possible implementation, the second state pool includes K state values and indices associated with the K state values. The K state values include the second state value, and the index associated with the second state value is either the smallest index among the indices associated with the K state values, or the index associated with the second state value is the largest index among the indices associated with the K state values. The K state values include the second state value and (N-1) state values, where the (N-1) state values are the remaining state values among the N state values included in the first state pool, excluding the state value associated with the largest index, and K is the N. Alternatively, the K state values include the second state value and the N state values included in the first state pool, where K is (N+1).
[0062] In one possible implementation, the method may further include: receiving second information, the second information being used to indicate M precoding matrix indication parameters supporting the creation of a state pool, and / or, the second information being used to indicate the maximum number of state values included in the state pool of each of the M precoding matrix indication parameters; wherein the M precoding matrix indication parameters include the first precoding matrix indication parameter. For example, the second information may only be used to indicate the M precoding matrix indication parameters supporting the creation of a state pool, and the maximum number of state values included in the state pool of each of the M precoding matrix indication parameters may be predefined or pre-agreed upon, etc. For example, the second information may only be used to indicate the maximum number of state values included in the state pool of each of the M precoding matrix indication parameters, and the M precoding matrix indication parameters supporting the creation of a state pool may be predefined or pre-agreed upon, etc.
[0063] In one possible implementation, the M precoding matrix indication parameters may include at least one of the following: i 1,1 i 1,2 i 1,5 i 1,6,l i 1,7,l i 1,8,l i 2,3,l i 2,4,l 、or i 2,5,l .in:
[0064] i 1,1 The index used to indicate the selected orthogonal beam group in the oversampled beam group, i 1,1 The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 4 -1;
[0065] i 1,2 The index used to indicate the L beam combinations within the selected beam group, i 1,2 The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 11 -1;
[0066] i 1,5 Used to indicate that when N3 is greater than 19, the two-level indication is continuously 2M. v The initial value of the group tap, i 1,5 The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 9 -1;
[0067] i 1,6,l Used to indicate (M) v -1) taps, the (M) v -1) taps are taps from (N3-1) taps on layer l, or the (M) v-1) When N3 is greater than 19, the 2M on layer l v The tap of the tap, i 1,6,l The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 9 -1;
[0068] i 1,7,l Used to indicate i on layer l 2,4,l and i 2,5,l The bitmap of non-zero reporting coefficients in i 1,7,l The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 64 -1;
[0069] i 1,8,l The index used to indicate the strongest beam of the strongest tap on layer l, i 1,8,l The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 3 -1;
[0070] i 2,3,l The i is used to indicate the bandwidth amplitude coefficient of the selected beam on layer l. 2,3,l The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 4 -1;
[0071] i 2,4,l The i is used to indicate the subband amplitude coefficient of the selected beam on layer l. 2,4,l The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 36 -1;
[0072] Or, i 2,5,l The i is used to indicate the compressed sub-band phase coefficients in the delay domain of the selected beam on layer l. 2,5,l The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 48 -1.
[0073] Where L is the total number of basis selections for the spatial domain, and M is... v N is the total number of bases selected in the frequency domain, N3 is the number of sub-bands, and l is the data stream index.
[0074] In one possible implementation, the N state values can be N values of the first precoding matrix indication parameter that have been fed back historically.
[0075] In one possible implementation, determining the second state pool based on the first value and the first state pool may include: deleting the state value associated with the largest index in the first state pool; incrementing the value of the index associated with each of the remaining (N-1) state values in the first state pool by 1; storing the first value in the first state pool to obtain the second state pool, wherein the second state value is associated with the smallest index in the second state pool. Alternatively, determining the second state pool based on the first value and the first state pool may include: incrementing the value of the index associated with each of the N state values in the first state pool by 1; storing the first value in the first state pool to obtain the second state pool, wherein the second state value is associated with the smallest index in the second state pool.
[0076] In one possible implementation, the above method may further include: determining the value of the third precoding matrix indication parameter as a third value based on the first reference signal; sending the first precoding matrix indication parameter includes: sending fourth information, the fourth information including a fourth field, a fifth field, and a sixth field, the fourth field being used to indicate that the sixth field is information based on state pool feedback, the fifth field being used to carry the first precoding matrix indication parameter, the sixth field being used to carry a second index, the second index being associated with a fourth state value in a fifth state pool, the second index belonging to the fifth state pool, the similarity between the fourth state value and the third value being greater than or equal to a third threshold, the fifth state pool including G state values of the third precoding matrix indication parameter and an index associated with each of the G state values, where G is a positive integer.
[0077] Fourthly, this application provides a communication method applicable to a network device. The network device is, for example, a network equipment, or a component applied within a network equipment, such as a communication module, circuitry or chip 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, a chip system, or a processor, etc.) or other functional module applicable within the network equipment. This chip (or chip system) or functional module can implement the functions of the network equipment. This chip (or chip system) or other functional module, for example, may be disposed within the network equipment and may also be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network equipment. Optionally, the network equipment may include access network equipment and / or core network equipment. Optionally, the access network equipment may be an open radio access network (ORAN) architecture or an ORAN architecture; or, the access network equipment may be a centralized unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), or radio unit (RU) under an ORAN architecture. The access network device may be located on the ground, or it may be a non-ground device such as a satellite or an airborne aircraft.
[0078] The method may include: sending a first reference signal, the first reference signal being used to determine a first precoding matrix indication parameter; receiving a first index, and determining, based on the first index and a first state pool, that the value of the first precoding matrix indication parameter is a first state value in the first state pool, the first state value being associated with the first index, and the first index belonging to the first state pool; or, receiving the first precoding matrix indication parameter, the value of the first precoding matrix indication parameter being a first value, and determining, based on the first value and a first state pool, the second state pool including a second state value and an index associated with the second state value, the second state value being the first value; wherein, the first state pool includes N state values of the first precoding matrix indication parameter and an index associated with each of the N state values, where N is a positive integer.
[0079] Optionally, the precoding matrix indication parameter may also be referred to as a precoding matrix indication element, or a precoding matrix indication value, or a precoding matrix indication index, or a codebook parameter, or a codebook element, or a codebook index, etc., and this application does not limit this. Optionally, the number of precoding matrix indication parameters may be one or more. For example, a precoding matrix indication may include at least one precoding matrix indication parameter, which includes a first precoding matrix indication parameter, and the at least one precoding matrix indication parameter can be used to indicate (or determine) the precoding matrix.
[0080] Optionally, the similarity between the first state value and the first value being greater than or equal to the first threshold can be understood as: the first state value and the first value being equal (e.g., the similarity between the first state value and the first value being infinite), or the first state value and the first value being close. Optionally, the similarity can be determined by at least one of the following operations: Hamming distance operation, Euclidean distance operation, difference operation, or variance operation, etc.
[0081] Optionally, the second state pool can be understood as: the updated first state pool, or the reconstructed (or rebuilt) first state pool. That is, the second state pool is the state pool of the first precoding matrix parameters.
[0082] In one possible implementation, the above method may further include: receiving first information, wherein the first information is used to indicate that the first index is an index in the first state pool, or the first information is used to indicate that the first index is information fed back based on the first state pool, or the first information is used to indicate that a precoding matrix indication parameter is fed back based on the state pool within a set time period; determining that the value of the first precoding matrix indication parameter is a first state value in the first state pool according to the first index and the first state pool may include: determining that the value of the first precoding matrix indication parameter is the first state value according to the first information, the first index and the first state pool.
[0083] In one possible implementation, the second state pool includes K state values and indices associated with the K state values. The K state values include the second state value, and the index associated with the second state value is either the smallest index among the indices associated with the K state values, or the index associated with the second state value is the largest index among the indices associated with the K state values. The K state values include the second state value and (N-1) state values, where the (N-1) state values are the remaining state values among the N state values included in the first state pool, excluding the state value associated with the largest index, and K is the N. Alternatively, the K state values include the second state value and the N state values included in the first state pool, where K is (N+1).
[0084] In one possible implementation, the method may further include: sending second information, the second information being used to indicate M precoding matrix indication parameters supporting the creation of a state pool, and / or, the second information being used to indicate the maximum number of state values included in the state pool of each of the M precoding matrix indication parameters; wherein the M precoding matrix indication parameters include the first precoding matrix indication parameter. For example, the second information may only be used to indicate the M precoding matrix indication parameters supporting the creation of a state pool, and the maximum number of state values included in the state pool of each of the M precoding matrix indication parameters may be predefined or pre-agreed upon, etc. For example, the second information may only be used to indicate the maximum number of state values included in the state pool of each of the M precoding matrix indication parameters, and the M precoding matrix indication parameters supporting the creation of a state pool may be predefined or pre-agreed upon, etc.
[0085] In one possible implementation, the M precoding matrix indication parameters may include at least one of the following: i 1,1 i 1,2 i 1,5 i 1,6,l i 1,7,l i 1,8,l i 2,3,l i 2,4,l 、or i 2,5,l .in:
[0086] i 1,1 The index used to indicate the selected orthogonal beam group in the oversampled beam group, i 1,1 The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 4 -1;
[0087] i 1,2 The index used to indicate the L beam combinations within the selected beam group, i 1,2 The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 11 -1;
[0088] i 1,5 Used to indicate that when N3 is greater than 19, the two-level indication is continuously 2M. v The initial value of the group tap, i 1,5 The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 9 -1;
[0089] i 1,6,l Used to indicate (M) v -1) taps, the (M) v -1) taps are taps from (N3-1) taps on layer l, or the (M) v-1) When N3 is greater than 19, the 2M on layer l v The tap of the tap, i 1,6,l The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 9 -1;
[0090] i 1,7,l Used to indicate i on layer l 2,4,l and i 2,5,l The bitmap of non-zero reporting coefficients in i 1,7,l The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 64 -1;
[0091] i 1,8,l The index used to indicate the strongest beam of the strongest tap on layer l, i 1,8,l The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 3 -1;
[0092] i 2,3,l The i is used to indicate the bandwidth amplitude coefficient of the selected beam on layer l. 2,3,l The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 4 -1;
[0093] i 2,4,l The i is used to indicate the subband amplitude coefficient of the selected beam on layer l. 2,4,l The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 36 -1;
[0094] Or, i 2,5,l The i is used to indicate the compressed sub-band phase coefficients in the delay domain of the selected beam on layer l. 2,5,l The value range can be, for example, 0 to 2. 48 -1.
[0095] Where L is the total number of basis selections for the spatial domain, and M is... v N is the total number of bases selected in the frequency domain, N3 is the number of sub-bands, and l is the data stream index.
[0096] In one possible implementation, the N state values can be N values of the first precoding matrix indication parameter that have been fed back historically.
[0097] In one possible implementation, determining the second state pool based on the first value and the first state pool may include: deleting the state value associated with the largest index in the first state pool; incrementing the value of the index associated with each of the remaining (N-1) state values in the first state pool by 1; storing the first value in the first state pool to obtain the second state pool, wherein the second state value is associated with the smallest index in the second state pool. Alternatively, determining the second state pool based on the first value and the first state pool may include: incrementing the value of the index associated with each of the N state values in the first state pool by 1; storing the first value in the first state pool to obtain the second state pool, wherein the second state value is associated with the smallest index in the second state pool.
[0098] In one possible implementation, the first reference signal can also be used to determine the second precoding matrix indication parameter. Receiving the first index can include receiving third information, which includes a first field, a second field, and a third field. The first field indicates that the second field is information based on state pool feedback. The second field carries the first index, and the third field carries the second precoding matrix indication parameter. The value of the second precoding matrix indication parameter is a second value. For example, the second precoding matrix indication parameter does not support the creation of a state pool; or, the similarity between each state value in the third state pool of the second precoding matrix indication parameter and the second value is less than a second threshold. The third state pool includes H state values of the second precoding matrix indication parameter and an index associated with each of the H state values, where H is a positive integer. Optionally, the network device determining the value of the first precoding matrix indication parameter as a first state value in the first state pool based on the first index and the first state pool can include: the network device determining the value of the first precoding matrix indication parameter as a first state value based on the first field and the second field. Optionally, if the similarity between each state value in the third state pool of the second precoding matrix indicator parameter and the second value is less than a second threshold, the network device may also determine a fourth state pool based on the second value and the third state pool. The fourth state pool includes the third state value and the index associated with the third state value, wherein the third state value is the second value.
[0099] In one possible implementation, the first reference signal can also be used to determine a third precoding matrix indication parameter. Receiving the first precoding matrix indication parameter includes receiving fourth information, which includes a fourth field, a fifth field, and a sixth field. The fourth field indicates that the sixth field is information based on state pool feedback. The fifth field carries the first precoding matrix indication parameter, and the sixth field carries a second index associated with a fourth state value in a fifth state pool. The second index belongs to the fifth state pool, which includes G state values of the third precoding matrix indication parameter and an index associated with each of the G state values, where G is a positive integer. Optionally, the network device can determine the value of the third precoding matrix indication parameter as a fourth state value in the fifth state pool based on the fourth and sixth fields.
[0100] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device that can be used to execute the methods described in any of the first to third aspects and any possible implementations thereof. The communication device may be, for example, a terminal device. The communication device may include modules, units, or means corresponding to the methods described in any of the first to third aspects and any possible implementations thereof. These modules, units, or means may be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the aforementioned functions.
[0101] In one possible implementation, the communication device may include a baseband device and a radio frequency device.
[0102] In another possible implementation, the communication device may include a processing module (sometimes also called a processing unit) and a transceiver module (sometimes also called a transceiver unit). The transceiver module is capable of both sending and receiving functions. When the transceiver module performs the sending function, it may be called a sending module (sometimes also called a sending unit), and when it performs the receiving function, it may be called a receiving module (sometimes also called a receiving unit). The sending module and the receiving module may be the same functional module, referred to as the transceiver module, which performs both sending and receiving functions; or, the sending module and the receiving module may be different functional modules, with "transceiver module" being a collective term for these functional modules.
[0103] Sixthly, this application provides a communication device that can be used to perform the methods described in the fourth aspect and any possible implementation thereof. The communication device may be, for example, a network device. The communication device may include modules, units, or means corresponding to the methods described in the fourth aspect and any possible implementation thereof. These modules, units, or means may be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software implementations. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the aforementioned functions.
[0104] In one possible implementation, the communication device may include a baseband device and a radio frequency device.
[0105] In another possible implementation, the communication device may include a processing module (sometimes also called a processing unit) and a transceiver module (sometimes also called a transceiver unit). The transceiver module is capable of both sending and receiving functions. When the transceiver module performs the sending function, it may be called a sending module (sometimes also called a sending unit), and when it performs the receiving function, it may be called a receiving module (sometimes also called a receiving unit). The sending module and the receiving module may be the same functional module, referred to as the transceiver module, which performs both sending and receiving functions; or, the sending module and the receiving module may be different functional modules, with "transceiver module" being a collective term for these functional modules.
[0106] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a communication system that may include at least one of the following: a terminal device or a network device. The terminal device may implement any one of the first to third aspects described above, and any possible implementation thereof. The network device may implement the fourth aspect described above, and any possible implementation thereof.
[0107] Eighthly, this application also provides a communication device. The communication device may include one or more processors. Optionally, the communication device may further include a memory. The memory is used to store one or more computer programs or instructions. The one or more processors are used to execute the one or more computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, causing the communication device to perform the methods described in any of the first to fourth aspects and any possible implementations thereof.
[0108] Ninthly, this application also provides a communication device, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit; the interface circuit is configured to receive signals from other communication devices outside the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices outside the communication device. The processor is configured to implement the methods described in any one of the first to fourth aspects and any possible implementations thereof through logic circuits or by executing computer programs or instructions.
[0109] In some possible designs, when the device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips or contain chips and other discrete components.
[0110] In a tenth aspect, this application also provides a chip system comprising at least one chip and a memory, wherein the at least one chip is configured to read and execute a program stored in the memory to implement the method described in any of the first to fourth aspects and any possible implementation thereof.
[0111] Eleventhly, this application also provides a chip, the chip including a processor, the processor being configured to perform the methods described in any of the first to fourth aspects and any possible implementation thereof.
[0112] In a twelfth aspect, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the method described in any of the first to fourth aspects and any possible implementation thereof to be implemented.
[0113] In a thirteenth aspect, this application also provides a computer program product comprising a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the methods described in any of the first to fourth aspects and any possible implementation thereof to be implemented.
[0114] The technical effects achievable by the second to thirteenth aspects and any of their possible implementations are described in the same manner as the technical effects achievable by the first aspect and any of its possible implementations, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description
[0115] Figures 1A and 1B are architectural diagrams of several communication systems provided in the embodiments of this application;
[0116] Figure 2 is an architecture diagram of an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN) device provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0117] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0118] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0119] Figures 5 to 8 are structural diagrams of several communication devices provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation
[0120] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The technical solutions in the embodiments of 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 methods provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to terrestrial network communication systems or non-terrestrial network (NTN) communication systems. NTN communication systems can be, for example, satellite communication systems, and may also include unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), and other aerial access network equipment; this application does not limit these aspects.
[0121] This application will present various aspects, embodiments, or features relating to systems that may include multiple devices, components, modules, etc. It should be understood and appreciated that individual systems may include additional devices, components, modules, etc., and / or may not include all devices, components, modules, etc. discussed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, combinations of these approaches are also possible.
[0122] Figure 1A illustrates a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1A, 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.
[0123] RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 1A, collectively referred to as 110) and at least one terminal (120a-120j in Figure 1A, 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 1A). 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.
[0124] 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.
[0125] RAN node 110, sometimes also referred to as RAN entity, access network equipment, or access node, constitutes part of the communication system and is used to help terminals achieve 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 1A 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; but 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 1A can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functions.
[0126] RAN nodes can also be described in different ways, and this application does not limit this. Unless otherwise specified, this application will use the term "access network device" to refer to them. Additionally, access network devices and / or core network devices can also be called network devices, and network devices may include access network devices and / or core network devices. In this application, unless otherwise specified, network devices can be understood as access network devices.
[0127] 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.
[0128] 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 1A, 110a), a micro base station or indoor station (as shown in Figure 1A, 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).
[0129] 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).
[0130] 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.
[0131] 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.
[0132] 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).
[0133] 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.
[0134] 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.
[0135] Figure 1B 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 1B. As shown in Figure 1B, 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.
[0136] Figure 2 illustrates, exemplarily, a network element function division and protocol layer structure diagram of an ORAN device provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0137] In some possible implementations, the CU is a logical node that carries the radio resource control (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 can have some of the core network's 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., the F1 interface). Exemplarily, 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, and in some examples, it defines the signaling procedures of F1. The F1 interface supports both the F1 control plane (F1-C) and the F1 user plane (F1-U).
[0138] 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.
[0139] In some possible implementations, the DU is a logical node that carries the RLC layer, medium access control (MAC) layer, higher physical layer (Higher PHY) layer, and other functions. In some examples, the DU can control at least one RU. The DU connects to the RU through 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.
[0140] 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.
[0141] 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.
[0142] 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.
[0143] 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.
[0144] 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.
[0145] The relevant terms used in the embodiments of this application will be explained below. It should be noted that these explanations are for the purpose of making the embodiments of this application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope of protection claimed by this application.
[0146] I. Reference signal (RS):
[0147] [Corrected from Rule 91, April 2026] The reference signal, also known as the pilot signal, is essential in communication systems for transmitting and receiving data, obtaining system synchronization and feedback channel information, and estimating the uplink or downlink channel. Channel estimation refers to the process of reconstructing or recovering the received signal to compensate for signal distortion caused by channel fading and noise fading. It utilizes known reference signals from the transmitter and receiver to detect changes in the time and frequency domains of the channel. These reference signals, also called reference signals, are distributed across one or more resource elements (REs) in the time-frequency two-dimensional space within orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, and have known amplitude and phase.
[0148] At the physical layer, uplink communication can include the transmission of uplink physical channels and uplink signals. Uplink physical channels include the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), and Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), etc. Uplink signals include the Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), the PUCCH Demodulation Reference Signal (PUCCH-DMRS), the PUSCH Demodulation Reference Signal (PUSCH-DMRS), the Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS), the Phase Tracking Reference Signal (PTRS), and the Positioning Reference Signal (SRS), etc. The Positioning Reference Signal, for example, is the SRS for Positioning or the Positioning SRS.
[0149] At the physical layer, downlink communication can include the transmission of downlink physical channels and downlink signals. Downlink physical channels include the physical broadcast channel (PBCH), physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), etc. Downlink signals include the primary synchronization signal (PSS) / secondary synchronization signal (SSS), physical downlink control demodulation reference signal (PDCCH-DMRS), physical downlink shared channel demodulation reference signal (PDSCH-DMRS), DMRS, PTRS, channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS), cell reference signal (CRS), tracking reference signal (TRS), positioning reference signal (Positioning RS), synchronization signal block (SSB), etc.
[0150] 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.
[0151] II. Beam:
[0152] Mobile communication systems (e.g., 5G mobile communication systems) can employ high-frequency communication, meaning they use high-frequency signals to transmit data. A major problem with high-frequency communication is that signal energy decreases sharply with transmission distance, resulting in short transmission ranges. To overcome this problem, high-frequency communication uses analog beamforming technology. By weighting the antenna array, the signal energy is concentrated within a small angular range, forming a beam-like signal (called an analog beam, or simply a beam), thereby increasing the transmission distance. Access network equipment and terminals can both use beamforming for transmission. A beam can be understood as a communication resource.
[0153] In protocols (e.g., NR protocol), beams can be referred to as spatial domain filters, spatial filters, spatial domain parameters, spatial parameters, spatial domain settings, spatial settings, quasi-colocation (QCL) information, QCL assumptions, or QCL indications, etc. Beams can also be represented by transmission configuration indicator state parameters or spatial relation parameters. The English terms for transmission configuration indicator state include transmission configuration indicator state (TCI-state), transmission configuration indication state (TCI-state), and transmission configuration index state (TCI-state), etc. Therefore, in this application, "beam" can be replaced by spatial filter, spatial filter, spatial parameter, spatial parameter, spatial setting, spatial setting, QCL information, QCL assumption, QCL indication, TCI-state (e.g., downlink TCI-state, DL TCI-state, and / or uplink TCI-state, UL TCI-state), or spatial relationship, etc. The above terms are also equivalent to each other. "Beam" can also be replaced with other beam-related terms, which are not limited in this application.
[0154] III. Antenna Port:
[0155] An antenna port, often simply called a port, is a logical concept. It can be understood as a virtual transmitting antenna (or antenna array) identified by the receiver, or a spatially distinguishable virtual transmitting antenna (or antenna array). An antenna port generally corresponds to a physical antenna. Each antenna port represents a channel model, which can be derived from a reference signal on the antenna port. Therefore, an antenna port is usually associated with a reference signal, and its meaning can be understood as a transmit / receive interface on the channel through which the reference signal passes. Because antenna ports can be associated with reference signals, each antenna port can be called a port for a reference signal, such as a CSI-RS port, DMRS port, or SRS port. For low frequencies, an antenna port may correspond to one or more antenna elements that jointly transmit the reference signal; the receiver can treat them as a whole without distinguishing between individual elements. For high-frequency systems, an antenna port may correspond to a beam; similarly, the receiver only needs to treat this beam as an interface without distinguishing between individual elements.
[0156] IV. CSI-RS:
[0157] CSI-RS is a reference signal used by terminals to measure and evaluate downlink channel state information. For example, CSI-RS can be transmitted by access network equipment; the terminal uses the received CSI-RS to evaluate the quality of the current wireless channel, such as channel attenuation and multipath effects; the terminal can feed back the measured channel state information to the access network equipment; the access network equipment uses this information to optimize wireless signal transmission, such as adjusting antenna beam direction, power control, modulation and coding schemes, and MIMO configuration, thereby improving communication quality and efficiency. Optionally, CSI-RS can be transmitted periodically or non-periodically, without limitation.
[0158] V. Beamforming:
[0159] Beamforming, also known as beamforming, refers to the process of creating a beam, where a beam is the electromagnetic radiation pattern of an antenna system. In multi-antenna systems, beamforming involves adjusting the amplitude or phase of signals on a radio frequency (RF) link to create a directional electromagnetic radiation pattern. Since RF links are divided into digital and analog links, beamforming can be further categorized into digital beamforming, analog beamforming, and hybrid beamforming.
[0160] Access network devices perform precise beamforming on data streams, which can significantly enhance signal directivity, improve signal reception quality and system spectral efficiency. It can also increase system throughput by transmitting multiple data streams on different spatial paths. Precise beamforming relies on real-time channel state information. In the downlink, access network devices can support channel estimation by transmitting reference signals such as CSI-RS. The terminal receives these reference signals and estimates the current channel state information based on them, calculates the optimal beamforming matrix (e.g., by performing singular value decomposition or other optimization algorithms on the channel matrix to determine the optimal transmission direction), and feeds it back to the access network device. The beamforming matrix is also called the precoding matrix. It should be understood that this application does not limit the implementation method of the terminal calculating the optimal beamforming matrix.
[0161] VI. Precoding Matrix Indicator (PMI) and Precoding Matrix Indicator Parameters:
[0162] Access network equipment needs to know the channel's CSI (channel matrix) to calculate the beamforming matrix (or precoding matrix) on the access network equipment side. The terminal can calculate the channel matrix based on the received CSI-RS; this channel matrix has a high dimension, and direct feedback would incur significant overhead. In one implementation, the terminal calculates the beamforming matrix to be used by the access network equipment based on the channel matrix and feeds the beamforming matrix information back to the access network equipment. This avoids the significant overhead caused by the terminal directly feeding back the channel matrix. The beamforming matrix information may include beamforming vectors (also called precoding vectors) and the beamforming matrix (also called the precoding matrix). The precoding matrix is not directly fed back but is compressed from the codebook and the compressed information is fed back. This compressed information is called the PMI. The PMI can be used to indicate the precoding matrix. For example, the PMI can be used to instruct the access network equipment to select which beams (angle domain) and taps (delay domain) from the codebook to form the beamforming vector. The angular domain and the spatial domain form a Fourier transform pair. A beam can also be called a spatial basis, spatial basis matrix, spatial vector, characteristic matrix, or spatial beam group, etc. The time delay domain and the frequency domain form a Fourier transform pair. A tap can also be called a frequency basis, frequency basis matrix, or frequency vector, etc.
[0163] In one embodiment, the PMI may include one or more parameters (or elements), or the PMI may indicate the precoding matrix through one or more parameters (or elements). In this application, the parameters included in the PMI may be referred to as PMI parameters. For example, a terminal indicates the precoding matrix by feeding back a PMI, which includes at least one PMI parameter. Optionally, the PMI parameter may also be referred to as a PMI element, PMI value, PMI index, codebook parameter, codebook element, or codebook index, etc. This application does not limit the naming of the PMI parameter.
[0164] The codebook can include Type I and Type II codebooks. Type I codebooks are the most basic, requiring only one beam to be selected from the beam set. Type II codebooks are high-precision codebooks designed for massive MIMO systems, incorporating finer-grained beamforming options to accommodate more complex channel conditions and higher system performance requirements. In Type II codebooks, the PMI indicates multiple beams in the beam set, along with their combination coefficients, to generate the precoding vector. Specific implementations of Type I and Type II codebooks can be found in the relevant protocol; for brevity, they are not listed here. However, it should be understood that this application does not limit the codebook; for example, the codebook may also include codebooks defined in future communication systems.
[0165] Furthermore, for ease of understanding, the PMI parameters in this application are illustrated using parameters from the Type II codebook as an example, but are not limited to this. For instance, PMI parameters can also be parameters from the Type I codebook, or parameters from other codebooks, such as those defined in future communication systems.
[0166] VII. Data Stream and Subband:
[0167] Data stream is a spatial domain concept, while subband is a frequency domain concept. Multiple precoding vectors in the spatial domain can carry multiple data streams, and these precoding vectors form a precoding matrix. Each precoding vector corresponds to a data stream, meaning that data is transmitted on the antenna through a weighted sum of precoding vectors. Multiple precoding vectors are mathematically orthogonal, which makes the corresponding data streams orthogonal in the spatial domain as well. Each precoding vector can be a beam (Type I codebook) or a combination of multiple beams (Type II codebook). In the protocol, a column of the precoding matrix of the R15 Type II codebook (which can correspond to a precoding vector and a data stream in a subband) can satisfy the following formula (1).
[0168] Where β represents the power scaling factor. represents the basis weighted phase. p represents the basis weighted amplitude. v represents the spatial basis (dimension N1N2), and the upper and lower parts represent the precoding vectors corresponding to the two polarization ports. Different subscripts of v represent different beams, and the terminal must select a total of L beams for feedback. These L beams must be selected from two dimensions, N1 (horizontal) and N2 (vertical), with horizontal and vertical subscripts m1 and m2, respectively. N1 and N2 are the topologies of the logical antennas, which can be real physical antennas or virtual antennas mapped to physical antennas. The R15 Type II codebook only considers spatial compression, that is, using the combination coefficients of L beams to represent the precoding vectors of the N1N2 antenna dimensions. The precoding vectors of each subband need to be represented using the above codebook structure. The R16 Type II codebook further considers frequency domain compression, that is, using M v The combination coefficients of the taps are used to represent the precoding vectors of the N3 subband dimension. The precoding vectors of all subbands (N3 subbands) are represented by a codebook. The precoding matrix of the R16 Type II codebook (N3 precoding vectors, each vector corresponding to the data stream on a subband) can satisfy the following formula (2).
[0169] Among them, M v It is the number of frequency domain bases (or time delay domain taps) selected in the codebook. It is the t-th element on the frequency domain basis (dimension N3), where t = 0, 1, ..., N3-1 is the subband index, and l = 1, 2, ..., v is the data stream index. The relevant parameters of formula (2) can be compared with those of formula (1). For example, the frequency domain basis can satisfy the following formula (3) in the codebook.
[0170] Where f = 0, 1, ..., M v -1 is the index of the selected tap. For the R16 Type II codebook, the protocol predefines N1N2 spatial basis v (different basis for different indices, indices omitted here) and N3 frequency basis y (different basis for different indices, indices omitted here). The key to the PMI reported by the terminal for the codebook lies in indicating the L spatial basis and M v A frequency domain basis and the parameters on that basis. In other words, a PMI may include one or more PMI parameters. Please refer to the previous text for details on PMI parameters, which will not be repeated here.
[0171] 8. In this application, "multiple" can refer to two or more. Therefore, "multiple" can also be understood as "at least two". "At least one" can be understood as one or more, such as one, two, or more. For example, "including at least one" means including one, two, or more. For example, including at least one of A, B, and C, then it can include A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A, B, and C. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects. Specifically, there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone. In addition, the character " / ", unless otherwise specified, generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.
[0172] In this application, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably, as are "according to" and "based on". Ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" used in this application are generally used to distinguish different objects and are not used to limit the order, timing, priority, or importance of multiple objects. For example, the first state pool, second state pool, third state pool, fourth state pool, and fifth state pool mentioned in this application are used to distinguish different state pools and do not limit the order, timing, priority, or importance of these state pools.
[0173] In this application, the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to such process, method, product, or apparatus.
[0174] In this application, "predefined" may include predefined terms, such as protocol definitions. "Predefined" can be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means of indicating relevant information in the device (e.g., including various network elements), and this application does not limit the specific implementation method.
[0175] The term "storage" or "preservation" in this application can refer to storage in one or more memory devices. These memory devices can be separately configured or integrated into an encoder, decoder, processor, or communication device. Alternatively, some memory devices can be separately configured, 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 is not limited.
[0176] In the schematic diagrams of the accompanying drawings of this application, the dashed arrows or boxes indicate optional steps or optional modules.
[0177] In this application, "instruction" can include direct instruction, indirect instruction, explicit instruction, and implicit instruction. When describing a certain instruction information to indicate A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A. In this application, the information indicated by the instruction information is called the information to be instructed. In specific implementation, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly indicate the information to be instructed by indicating other information, where there is a correlation between the other information and the information to be instructed. It can also indicate only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement of various information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent. Furthermore, the information to be instructed can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information to be sent separately, and the sending period and / or timing of these sub-information can be the same or different.
[0178] In this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which can include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission by other units or modules via the air interface. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which can include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY by other units or modules via the air interface. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of a chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of a chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between access network devices and access and mobility management function network elements, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via a bus, wiring, or interface. In addition, in this application, "feedback" can be replaced by "reporting" or "sending". Furthermore, "transmission" can include "send" and / or "receive".
[0179] In this application, the words “exemplarily,” “such as,” “for example,” etc., are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as an “example” in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design solutions. Specifically, the use of the word “example” is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. In this application, “of,” “corresponding, relevant,” and “corresponding” are sometimes used interchangeably, and it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent unless the distinction is emphasized. In this application, any two of “program,” “instruction,” and “code” can be used interchangeably.
[0180] In this application, "greater than or equal to" and "greater than" can be used interchangeably. "less than or equal to" and "less than" can also be used interchangeably. For example, "A is greater than or equal to threshold 1, B is less than threshold 1" can be replaced with "A is greater than threshold 1, B is less than or equal to threshold 1".
[0181] In MIMO technology, the terminal device can feed back a precoding matrix indication to the network device based on the received reference signal. This precoding matrix indication includes at least one precoding matrix indication parameter, which indicates the precoding matrix determined by the terminal device. As the number of antennas, beams, taps, or data streams increases, the feedback overhead of the precoding matrix indication parameter becomes larger. Therefore, how to improve the precoding matrix feedback method to reduce feedback overhead requires further discussion.
[0182] Based on this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method and apparatus for improving the feedback method of precoding matrices, for example, reducing the feedback overhead of precoding matrices. The method and apparatus described in this application are based on the same technical concept. Since the principles by which the method and apparatus solve problems are similar, the implementations of the apparatus and method can be mutually referred to, and repeated details will not be elaborated further.
[0183] The various communication methods provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These methods can be applied to the communication systems shown in FIG1A or FIG1B, but are not limited thereto. The embodiments of this application are described using the interaction between a terminal device and a network device as an example. The terminal device may be a terminal equipment, or a component applied in the terminal equipment (e.g., a module, a communication module, a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the terminal functions. The network device may be a network device, or a component applied in the network device (e.g., a module, a communication module, a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), a chip system, or a processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the network device functions.
[0184] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, the terminal device and / or network device may execute some or all of the steps in the embodiments of this application. These steps or operations are merely examples, and the embodiments of this application may also perform other operations or variations thereof. Furthermore, the steps may be executed in different orders as presented in the embodiments of this application, and it is not necessarily necessary to execute all the operations in the embodiments of this application.
[0185] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 3, the method may include the following:
[0186] S301: The network device sends a first reference signal. The terminal device receives the first reference signal.
[0187] For example, the network device may send a first reference signal to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device may receive the first reference signal from the network device. For instance, the network device may send the first reference signal on resource #1; correspondingly, the terminal device may receive the first reference signal on resource #1. Resource #1 may include at least one of the following: time-domain resource, frequency-domain resource, spatial-domain resource, or sequence resource, etc., without limitation. Resource #1 may be predefined, pre-configured, or pre-agreed, without limitation.
[0188] In one optional implementation, the network device may send configuration information (or measurement configuration information, etc.) to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device may receive configuration information from the network device. For example, the network device may send configuration information to the terminal device before sending the first reference signal. This configuration information may be used to configure the resources carrying the first reference signal (such as resource #1) and / or information related to measurement result reporting. The information related to measurement result reporting may include, for example, at least one of the following: reporting indicators, reporting time, reporting period, reporting format, or information related to reporting, such as resources used to carry the measurement results. In this application, the measurement result is a PMI or PMI parameters. It should be understood that this application does not limit the implementation method of the configuration information.
[0189] The first reference signal may be, for example, CSI-RS, but is not limited to this. This first reference signal can be used to determine the PMI. The PMI may include at least one PMI parameter, or the PMI may consist of at least one PMI parameter, or the PMI may indicate the precoding matrix through at least one PMI parameter. Optionally, the first reference signal used to determine the PMI can be replaced by: the first reference signal used to determine at least one PMI parameter. In this application, the at least one PMI parameter may include the first PMI parameter.
[0190] As an example, please refer to Table 1 for information on PMI parameters. In Table 1, L represents the total number of bases selected for the spatial domain, and M... v N is the total number of bases selected for the frequency domain, N3 is the number of subbands, and l is the data stream index. For the specific meanings of the PMI parameters mentioned in Table 1, please refer to the relevant protocols of the Type II codebook; for simplicity, they will not be elaborated upon here. Furthermore, this application uses some parameters from the Type II codebook as examples for PMI parameters, but this application does not limit the implementation method of PMI parameters. For example, PMI parameters can also be other parameters besides those mentioned in Table 1, such as PMI parameters defined in future communication systems. That is, the method provided in the embodiments of this application is also applicable to other parameters besides those mentioned in Table 1.
[0191] Table 1
[0192] For terms such as reference signal, CSI-RS, PMI, and PMI parameter, please refer to the previous text.
[0193] S302: The terminal device determines the value of the first PMI parameter as the first value based on the first reference signal.
[0194] For example, the terminal device can obtain the value of at least one PMI parameter by measuring the first reference signal, and the at least one PMI parameter includes the first PMI parameter. In this application, the value of the first PMI parameter determined by the terminal device based on the first reference signal is denoted as the first value. Optionally, the first value can also be replaced by a first value. It is understood that this application does not limit the implementation method of the terminal device determining the value of the first PMI parameter based on the first reference signal.
[0195] Next, the terminal device can feed back the first PMI parameter. In this application, the terminal device can feed back the first PMI parameter based on a state pool (such as denoted as the first state pool) to reduce feedback overhead.
[0196] As an example, Table 2 provides information on the range of PMI parameters and feedback overhead. Table 2 illustrates four data streams. It is understood that the data in Table 2 is merely an example, and this application is not limited to it.
[0197] Table 2
[0198] The first state pool may include at least one state value of the first PMI parameter (e.g., denoted as N state values, where N is a positive integer) and an index associated with each of the N state values. For example, the first state pool includes N state values and N indices of the first PMI parameter, with each of the N state values corresponding one-to-one with the N indices. Optionally, the N state values can be understood as N previously fed-out values of the first PMI parameter, such as N previously fed-out values of the first PMI parameter from a terminal device. For example, the first state pool may store (or maintain) the N previously fed-out values of the first PMI parameter and the index associated with each of the N values. It is understood that if N is greater than 1, the N state values included in the first state pool are all different, that is, the N state values are N different values of the first PMI parameter, such as N different previously fed-out values of the first PMI parameter.
[0199] As an example, Table 3 provides an example of the first state pool. Table 3 uses N greater than 3 as an example. It should be understood that this application does not limit the implementation form of the first state pool. Furthermore, in this application, the indices associated with state values can be numbered starting from 0, or starting from 1, or using other numbering methods; this application does not limit the numbering method of the indices.
[0200] Table 3
[0201] Alternatively, the state pool may also be called a graph, PMI graph, PMI history graph, PMI parameter graph, PMI parameter history graph, set, or table, etc. This application does not limit the naming of the state pool.
[0202] Optionally, the state value may also be called a value, or a value, etc. This application does not limit the naming of the state value.
[0203] In this application, the total number of state values included in the first state pool (or the maximum number of state values included in the state pool of the first PMI parameter) is less than the total number of values that the first PMI parameter can take. Alternatively, the state values included in the first state pool (or the state values included in the state pool of the first PMI parameter) are a proper subset of the range (or set of values) of the first PMI parameter. For example, i 1,2 The value range is 0 to 2. 11 -1, there are a total of 2 11 The possible values, i 1,2 The state pool includes state values of 2. 11 Some of the possible values.
[0204] The N state values in the first state pool are the N values of the first PMI parameter that have been historically fed back. Therefore, when the terminal device first feeds back the first PMI parameter, the state pool may or may not be empty. In other words, the initialization state pool of the first PMI parameter may be empty, or it may not be empty. For example, the state values included in the initialization state pool of the first PMI parameter may be predefined, determined by the network device, determined by the terminal device, or pre-negotiated by the terminal device and the network device, without restriction. For example, the state values included in the initialization state pool of the first PMI parameter may be commonly used values of the first PMI parameter. It is understood that this application does not limit the implementation form of the initialization state pool of the first PMI parameter. Or, this application does not limit the initialization of the state pool of the first PMI parameter.
[0205] In one alternative implementation, the terminal device may create (or construct) a state pool for the first PMI parameter. For example, the terminal device may create a state pool for each of at least one PMI parameter (e.g., denoted as M PMI parameters, where M is a positive integer), the M PMI parameters including the first PMI parameter.
[0206] For example, the first PMI parameter is i 1,2 i 1,2 The state pool can contain a maximum of 16 state values, and the terminal device can use the following algorithm to define i. 1,2 The constructed state pool.
[0207] 1. Initialization: i 1,2,h =0 for h=0,1,…,15;
[0208] 2. Input: The current feedback value i 1,2 The value is
[0209] 3. Execution: for h = 0:15, i 1,2,15-h =i 1,2,14-h end for;
[0210] 4.
[0211] In the example above, the index of the newly added state value is the minimum index in the state pool, but this application does not impose any limitation on this. For example, the index of the newly added state value could also be the maximum index in the state pool, etc.
[0212] For example, i 1,2 The state pool can be found in Table 4. It should be understood that the representation of state values in Table 4 is only an example, and this application does not limit it.
[0213] Table 4
[0214] In one alternative implementation, the network device may create (or construct) a state pool for the first PMI parameter. For example, the network device may create a state pool for each of at least one PMI parameter (e.g., denoted as M PMI parameters, where M is a positive integer), where the M PMI parameters include the first PMI parameter. For specific implementation details, please refer to the description of the terminal device creating the state pool; further elaboration is omitted here. Furthermore, this application does not limit the execution order of the terminal device creating the state pool and the network device creating the state pool.
[0215] For example, the M PMI parameters may include at least one of the nine PMI parameters shown in Table 1, but are not limited thereto. That is, the M PMI parameters may include at least one of the following: i 1,1 i 1,2 i 1,5 i 1,6,l i 1,7,l i 1,8,l i 2,3,l i 2,4,l 、or i 2,5,l .
[0216] In one optional implementation, the M PMI parameters can be PMI parameters that support (or allow) the creation (or construction) of state pools. This eliminates the need for terminal devices and network devices to create state pools for all PMI parameters, enabling differentiated state pool creation and saving storage resources. Optionally, the PMI parameters supporting state pool creation can be predefined, pre-agreed upon, or configured on the network side (e.g., network device), without restriction.
[0217] Optionally, the maximum number of state values included in the state pool of PMI parameters can be predefined, pre-agreed upon, or configured on the network side (such as network devices), without restriction. This limits the number of state values in the state pool, eliminates the need to store all historically fed-back values, and saves storage resources. Optionally, the maximum number of state values included in the state pool of PMI parameters can be replaced by: the maximum space of the state pool of PMI parameters, or the size of the state pool of PMI parameters.
[0218] As an example, a network device may send second information; a terminal device may receive the second information. For example, the network device sends the second information to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second information from the network device. The second information may be used to indicate M PMI parameters supporting the creation (or construction) of a state pool; or, the second information may be used to indicate the maximum number of state values included in the state pool for each of the M PMI parameters; or, the second information may be used to indicate the M PMI parameters supporting the creation (or construction) of a state pool and to indicate the maximum number of state values included in the state pool for each of the M PMI parameters. The M PMI parameters include a first PMI parameter.
[0219] Optionally, the second information is used to indicate M precoding matrix indication parameters that support the creation of a state pool. The maximum number of state values included in the state pool of each of the M precoding matrix indication parameters can be predefined or pre-agreed upon.
[0220] Optionally, the second information is used to indicate the maximum number of state values included in the state pool of each of the M precoding matrix indicator parameters. The information supported by the M precoding matrix indicator parameters for creating the state pool can be predefined or pre-agreed upon.
[0221] The second information may be carried by an RRC message, or the second information may be an RRC message; there is no limitation on this. Optionally, the second information may be included in the configuration information (i.e., the configuration information includes the second information), or the second information and the configuration information may be carried in the same message, or the second information and the configuration information may be carried in two different messages. It should be understood that this application does not limit the implementation form of the second information.
[0222] In the above embodiments, the M PMI parameters are PMI parameters that support the creation of state pools. As an example, PMI parameters with high feedback overhead can support the creation of state pools, while PMI parameters with low feedback overhead do not require the creation of state pools, i.e., they do not support the creation of state pools. As another example, PMI parameters with small value changes over a period of time can support the creation of state pools, while PMI parameters with large value changes over a period of time do not require the creation of state pools, i.e., they do not support the creation of state pools. Optionally, a PMI parameter with small value changes over a period of time can be said to possess stationarity; conversely, a PMI parameter with large value changes over a period of time can be said to lack stationarity. In other words, whether a PMI parameter supports the creation of a state pool can be determined by the stationarity and / or feedback overhead of the PMI parameter. For example, a network device (and / or a terminal device) can determine whether a PMI parameter supports the creation of a state pool based on the stationarity and / or feedback overhead of the PMI parameter.
[0223] For example, Table 5 provides information on PMI parameters that support and do not support the creation of state pools. Table 5 illustrates the feedback overhead for four data streams (see Table 2). It should be understood that the data in Table 5 is merely an example and is not intended to limit the scope of this application.
[0224] Table 5
[0225] Understandably, this application does not limit the reasons for whether PMI parameters support the creation of state pools.
[0226] In S302, the terminal device determines that the value of the first PMI parameter is the first value. Next, the terminal device can feed back the first PMI parameter based on the first state pool. There are several cases where the terminal device feeds back the first PMI parameter based on the first state pool, which are denoted as Case 1 and Case 2, respectively.
[0227] In scenario 1, the terminal device may send an index (denoted as the first index) from the first state pool, which is associated with a first state value in the first state pool, as shown in S303. For example, if the similarity between the first state value and the first value is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the terminal device may send the first index and execute the contents of S303 and S304. In scenario 2, the terminal device may also directly send a first PMI parameter, the value of which is a first value, as shown in S305. For example, if the similarity between the first value and each state value in the first state pool is less than the first threshold, the terminal device may send the first PMI parameter and execute the contents of S305 to S307. In other words, if the similarity between the first state value and the first value is greater than or equal to the first threshold, the terminal device may execute the contents of S303 and S304; if the similarity between the first value and each state value in the first state pool is less than the first threshold, the terminal device may execute the contents of S305 to S307. That is, S303 and S304 are parallel steps with S305 to S307, which are indicated by dashed boxes in Figure 3.
[0228] This application describes the process as follows: if the similarity between the first state value and the first value is greater than or equal to a first threshold, the terminal device sends a first index; if the similarity between the first state value and each state value in the first state pool is less than the first threshold, the terminal device sends a first PMI parameter. In another optional embodiment, if the similarity between the first state value and the first value is greater than the first threshold, the terminal device sends a first index; if the similarity between the first state value and each state value in the first state pool is not greater than the first threshold, that is, if there is no state value in the first state pool with a similarity greater than the first threshold to the first state value, the terminal device sends a first PMI parameter.
[0229] The first threshold can be predefined, determined by the terminal device, agreed upon in advance, or configured on the network side (such as network device configuration), and is not restricted.
[0230] S303: The terminal device sends the first index. The network device receives the first index.
[0231] For example, the terminal device may send a first index to the network device; correspondingly, the network device receives the first index from the terminal device. For example, the terminal device may send the first index to the network device based on measurement results and report relevant information. Optionally, the first reference signal is CSI-RS, and the first index may be included in the CSI report, without limitation. It should be understood that this application does not limit the implementation method of the terminal device sending the first index.
[0232] Here, the first index belongs to the first state pool, meaning the first state pool includes the first index. This first index is associated with the first state value in the first state pool. For example, the first state pool includes both a first index and a first state value, and the first index is associated with (or corresponds to) the first state value.
[0233] In Case 1, the similarity between the first state value and the first value is greater than or equal to the first threshold. Optionally, the similarity between the first state value and the first value being greater than or equal to the first threshold can be understood as: the first state value and the first value are equal (e.g., the similarity between the first state value and the first value is positive infinity); or as: the first state value and the first value are close to (or similar to) each other.
[0234] As an example, the terminal device can determine whether there exists a state value in the first state pool that has a similarity to the first value greater than or equal to a first threshold. If the terminal device determines that there exists a state value in the first state pool that has a similarity to the first value greater than or equal to the first threshold (e.g., denoted as the first state value, where the similarity between the first state value and the first value is greater than or equal to the first threshold), the terminal device sends the index associated with the first state value, i.e., sends the first index. It can be understood that if multiple state values in the first state pool have a similarity to the first value greater than or equal to the first threshold, the terminal device can send the index associated with the state value among these multiple state values that has the highest similarity to the first value.
[0235] Optionally, the similarity between the first state value and the first value can be determined by at least one of the following calculation methods: Hamming distance calculation, Euclidean distance calculation, difference calculation, or variance calculation, etc. It is understood that this application does not limit the calculation method for similarity. Optionally, if the similarity between the first state value and the first value is greater than or equal to a first threshold, it can be replaced by: the Hamming distance between the first state value and the first value being less than or equal to threshold #1; or by: the Euclidean distance between the first state value and the first value being less than or equal to threshold #2; or by: the difference between the first state value and the first value being less than or equal to threshold #3; or by: the variance between the first state value and the first value being less than or equal to threshold #4. Wherein, threshold #1, threshold #2, threshold #3, or threshold #4 can be predefined, determined by the terminal device, pre-agreed upon, or configured on the network side (such as configured by the network device), and are not limited.
[0236] For example, similarity is calculated using difference operations, with threshold #3 set to 10, i 1,2 The value range is 0 to 2. 11 -1, i 1,2 The state pool can contain a maximum of 8 state values: 0, 256, 512, 768, 800, 1000, 1200, and 2000. If the terminal device calculates i based on the received reference signal... 1,2If the value of 510 is less than the threshold #3, and the difference between 510 and 512 in the state pool is less than the threshold #3, then the terminal device can feed back the index associated with 512 in the state pool, which requires 3 bits. Compared to directly feeding back i... 1,2 The required 11-bit overhead can reduce feedback overhead. Alternatively, if the terminal device calculates i based on the received reference signal... 1,2 If the value is 900, and the difference between 900 and the 8 state values in the state pool is greater than the threshold #3, then the terminal device can feed back i. 1,2 , the i 1,2 The value is 900, which requires 11 bits, meaning the content of S304 is executed. The other similarity calculations are similar, and for the sake of simplicity, they will not be listed one by one.
[0237] S304: The network device determines the value of the first PMI to be the first state value in the first state pool based on the first index and the first state pool.
[0238] For example, after receiving the first index, the network device can determine the value of the first PMI based on the first index and the first state pool. The value of the first PMI is the first state value in the first state pool.
[0239] In one optional implementation, the terminal device may send first information; the network device may receive the first information. For example, the terminal device may send the first information to the network device; correspondingly, the network device may receive the first information from the terminal device. Optionally, the first information and the first index may be carried in the same message, without limitation. As an example, the first information may be used to indicate whether the currently fed-out information is information based on state pool feedback. For example, the value of the first information includes a first value and a second value, where the first value indicates that the currently fed-out information is information based on state pool feedback, and the second value indicates that the currently fed-out information is not information based on state pool feedback. For example, the first information may occupy 1 bit, with a first value of 1 and a second value of 0; or, the first value may be 0 and the second value may be 1. As another example, the first information may be used to indicate that PMI parameters are fed back based on state pool feedback within a set duration. For example, the first information may be used to indicate that PMI parameters are fed back based on state pool feedback within the next set duration. Optionally, the first information may also indicate which PMI parameters are fed back based on state pool feedback within the set duration. Through this implementation, the network device can determine which PMI parameters are information based on state pool feedback. It should be understood that this application does not limit the implementation form of the first information.
[0240] In this application, the description is based on the example of the first information indicating that the current feedback information is based on state pool feedback. Optionally, the first information indicating that the current feedback information is based on state pool feedback can be replaced by: the first information can be used to indicate that the first index is an index in the first state pool; or it can be replaced by: the first information can be used to indicate that the first index is feedback information based on the state pool (or the first state pool).
[0241] Optionally, the network device determining the value of the first PMI as a first state value in the first state pool based on the first index and the first state pool may include: the network device determining the value of the first PMI as a first state value in the first state pool based on the first information, the first index, and the first state pool. For example, the network device may determine the first index as an index in the first state pool based on the first information, and determine the value of the first PMI as a first state value in the first state pool based on the first index and the first state pool.
[0242] It is understood that the terminal device may indicate that the first index is information based on state pool feedback through the first information, or it may indicate it in other ways, and this application does not limit this. For example, the field containing the first index may be used to indicate that the first index is information based on state pool feedback.
[0243] In S303 and S304 above, the terminal device can send a first index, the network device receives the first index, and determines the value of the first PMI parameter to be the first state value in the first state pool based on the first index and the first state pool. Typically, the number of bits occupied by the index is less than the number of bits occupied by the PMI parameter. Therefore, compared to feeding back the PMI parameter, feeding back the first index by the terminal device can reduce the feedback overhead of the PMI parameter, thereby reducing the feedback overhead of the PMI.
[0244] For example, the first PMI parameter is i 1,2 Typically, the four data streams correspond to i 1,2 It requires 11 bits, if i 1,2 The maximum space of the state pool is 16, meaning it can store a maximum of 16 state values, based on i. 1,2 The index of the state pool feedback would require 4 bits, which can save 7 bits.
[0245] Another example, the first PMI parameter is i 1,5 (or i) 1,6,l Typically, the four data streams correspond to i. 1,5 (or i) 1,6,l It requires 9×4 bits, if i 1,5 (or i) 1,6,l The maximum space of the state pool is 8, meaning it can store a maximum of 8 state values, based on i. 1,5 (or i) 1,6,lThe index of the state pool feedback would require 3×4 bits, which can save 6×4 bits.
[0246] Another example, the first PMI parameter is i 1,7,l Typically, the four data streams correspond to i 1,7,l It requires 64×4 bits, if i 1,7,l The maximum space of the state pool is 32, meaning it can store a maximum of 32 state values, based on i. 1,7,l The index for state pool feedback would require 5×4 bits, which can save 59×4 bits.
[0247] Another example, the first PMI parameter is i 2,4,l Typically, the four data streams correspond to i 2,4,l It requires 36×4 bits, if i 2,4,l The maximum space of the state pool is 32, meaning it can store a maximum of 32 state values, based on i. 2,4,l The index for the state pool feedback would require 5×4 bits, saving 31×4 bits. Other PMI parameters are similar and will not be listed here for brevity.
[0248] S305: The terminal device sends the first PMI parameter. The network device receives the first PMI parameter.
[0249] For example, the terminal device may send a first PMI parameter to the network device; correspondingly, the network device may receive the first PMI parameter from the terminal device. For example, the terminal device may send the first PMI parameter to the network device based on measurement results and report relevant information. Optionally, the first reference signal is CSI-RS, and the first PMI parameter may be included in the CSI report, without limitation. It should be understood that this application does not limit the implementation method of the terminal device sending the first PMI parameter.
[0250] In this case, the first PMI parameter is set to a first value. In case 2, the similarity between each state value in the first state pool and the first value is less than a first threshold. Optionally, the similarity between each state value in the first state pool and the first value being less than the first threshold can be understood as: there is no state value in the first state pool that is equal to the first value (e.g., there is no state value in the first state pool with a similarity of positive infinity to the first value); or it can be understood as: there is no state value in the first state pool that is close to (or similar to) the first value.
[0251] As an example, the terminal device can determine whether there exists a state value in the first state pool that has a similarity to the first value greater than or equal to a first threshold. If the terminal device determines that there is no state value in the first state pool that has a similarity to the first value greater than or equal to the first threshold, that is, each state value in the first state pool has a similarity to the first value less than the first threshold, the terminal device sends the first PMI parameter.
[0252] Optionally, if the similarity between each state value in the first state pool and the first value is less than a first threshold, it can be replaced by: the Hamming distance between each state value in the first state pool and the first value being greater than threshold #1; or by: the Euclidean distance between each state value in the first state pool and the first value being greater than threshold #2; or by: the difference between each state value in the first state pool and the first value being greater than threshold #3; or by: the variance between each state value in the first state pool and the first value being greater than threshold #4. For the similarity, threshold #1, threshold #2, threshold #3, or threshold #4, please refer to the description in S303, which will not be repeated here.
[0253] S306: The terminal device determines the second state pool.
[0254] The second state pool includes a second state value and an index associated with the second state value, where the second state value is a first value. For example, the terminal device can determine the second state pool based on the first value and the first state pool. This second state pool is the state pool for the first PMI parameter. Optionally, the second state pool can be understood as: the updated first state pool, or the reconstructed (or modified) first state pool. Optionally, the terminal device determining the second state pool can be replaced by: the terminal device updating (or reconstructing, or modifying) the first state pool to obtain the second state pool. For example, the terminal device can update the first state pool based on the first value to obtain the second state pool. For example, the terminal device can obtain the second state pool by adding (or storing) the first value to the first state pool. Optionally, the second state pool can still be called the first state pool, or it can have other names; this application does not limit this.
[0255] It is understood that the execution order of S305 and S306 is merely an example, and this application does not limit it. For example, the terminal device may first determine the second state pool and then send the first PMI parameter; or the terminal device may send the first PMI parameter during the determination of the second state pool.
[0256] In one optional implementation, the second state pool may include K state values of the first PMI parameter and K indices associated with those state values. The K state values include a second state value, and the index associated with the second state value can be the smallest index among the K indices associated with the state values. In this implementation, the index associated with a newly added state value in the state pool of the first PMI parameter is the smallest index in that state pool, such that the state value associated with the largest index in the state pool of the first PMI parameter is the earliest historical value of the first PMI parameter fed back by the terminal device.
[0257] As an example, the K state values may include a second state value and (N-1) state values. The (N-1) state values are the remaining state values from the N state values included in the first state pool, excluding the state value associated with the largest index. The index associated with the second state value can be the smallest index among the indices associated with the K state values, where K is N. For example, if N is the maximum number of state values included in the first state pool (i.e., the first state pool is full), the K state values may include a second state value and (N-1) state values, where the (N-1) state values are the remaining state values from the N state values included in the first state pool, excluding the state value associated with the largest index.
[0258] Optionally, the terminal device determines the second state pool, which may include: the terminal device deleting the state value associated with the largest index in the first state pool; incrementing the value of the index associated with each of the remaining (N-1) state values in the first state pool by 1; storing the first value in the first state pool to obtain the second state pool, wherein the second state value is associated with the smallest index in the second state pool, and the second state value is the first value.
[0259] Taking the first state pool shown in Table 3 as an example, the second state pool can be found in Table 6. In Table 6, the index associated with the second state value is 0.
[0260] Table 6
[0261] As another example, the K state values include the second state value and the N state values included in the first state pool. The index associated with the second state value can be the smallest index among the indices associated with the K state values, where K is (N+1). For example, if N is less than the maximum number of state values included in the first state pool (i.e., the first state pool is not full), the K state values include the second state value and the N state values included in the first state pool.
[0262] Optionally, the terminal device determines the second state pool by: the terminal device incrementing the value of the index associated with each of the N state values in the first state pool by 1; storing the first value in the first state pool to obtain the second state pool, wherein the second state value is associated with the smallest index in the second state pool, and the second state value is the first value.
[0263] Taking the first state pool shown in Table 3 as an example, the second state pool can be found in Table 7. In Table 7, the index associated with the second state value is 0.
[0264] Table 7
[0265] In another optional implementation, the second state pool may include K state values of the first PMI parameter and K indices associated with those state values. The K state values include a second state value, and the index associated with the second state value can be the largest index among the K indices associated with the state values. In this implementation, the index associated with a newly added state value in the state pool of the first PMI parameter is the largest index in that state pool, such that the state value associated with the smallest index in the state pool of the first PMI parameter is the earliest historical value of the first PMI parameter fed back by the terminal device.
[0266] As an example, the K state values may include a second state value and (N-1) state values, where the (N-1) state values are the remaining state values from the N state values included in the first state pool, excluding the state value associated with the smallest index. The index associated with the second state value can be the largest index among the indices associated with the K state values, where K is N. Accordingly, K is N. For example, if N is the maximum number of state values included in the first state pool (i.e., the first state pool is full), the K state values may include a second state value and (N-1) state values, where the (N-1) state values are the remaining state values from the N state values included in the first state pool, excluding the state value associated with the smallest index.
[0267] Optionally, the terminal device determines the second state pool, which may include: the terminal device deleting the state value associated with the smallest index in the first state pool; decrementing the value of the index associated with each of the remaining (N-1) state values in the first state pool by 1; storing the first value in the first state pool to obtain the second state pool, wherein the second state value is associated with the largest index in the second state pool, and the second state value is the first value.
[0268] Taking the first state pool shown in Table 3 as an example, the second state pool can be found in Table 8. In Table 8, the index associated with the second state value is N-1.
[0269] Table 8
[0270] As another example, the K state values include the second state value and the N state values included in the first state pool, where the index associated with the second state value is the largest index among the indices associated with the K state values, and K is (N+1). For example, if N is less than the maximum number of state values included in the first state pool (i.e., the first state pool is not full), the K state values include the second state value and the N state values.
[0271] Optionally, the terminal device determines the second state pool by: storing the first value into the first state pool to obtain the second state pool, wherein the index associated with the second state value is the maximum index in the second state pool, and the second state value is the first value.
[0272] Taking the first state pool shown in Table 3 as an example, the second state pool can be found in Table 9. In Table 9, the index associated with the second state value is N.
[0273] Table 9
[0274] As an example, the terminal device can determine whether the currently fed back information is based on state pool feedback. If the terminal device determines that the currently fed back information is based on state pool feedback, it does not update the state pool; or, if the terminal device determines that the currently fed back information is not based on state pool feedback, it updates the state pool.
[0275] For example, the first PMI parameter is i 1,2 i 1,2 The state pool can contain a maximum of 16 state values, and the terminal device can update i using the following algorithm. 1,2 The state pool.
[0276] 1. Initialization: i 1,2,h =0 for h=0,1,…,15;
[0277] 2. Input: The current feedback value i 1,2 The value is
[0278] 3. Judgment: The current feedback i 1,2 Is the information based on feedback from the state pool?
[0279] 4. If yes, then do not update i. 1,2 State pool;
[0280] 5. If no, then execute:
[0281] 6. for h=0:15,i 1,2,15-h =i 1,2,14-h end for;
[0282] 7.
[0283] In the example above, the index of the newly added state value is the minimum index in the state pool, but this application does not impose any limitation on this. For example, the index of the newly added state value could also be the maximum index in the state pool, etc.
[0284] Understandably, this application does not limit the implementation method of updating the first state pool by the terminal device.
[0285] S307: The network device determines the second state pool.
[0286] The second state pool includes a second state value and an index associated with the second state value, where the second state value is a first value. For example, the network device can determine the second state pool based on the first value and the first state pool. This second state pool is the state pool for the first PMI parameter. Optionally, the second state pool can be understood as: an updated first state pool, or a reconstructed (or modified) first state pool. Optionally, the network device determining the second state pool can be replaced by: the network device updating (or reconstructing, or modifying) the first state pool to obtain the second state pool. For example, the network device can update the first state pool based on the first value to obtain the second state pool. For example, the network device can add (or store) the first value to the first state pool to obtain the second state pool. For example, after receiving the first value, the network device can add (or store) the first value to the first state pool to obtain the second state pool.
[0287] It is understood that the execution order of S307 and S306 is merely an example, and this application does not limit it. For example, the network device may determine the second state pool before the terminal device; or, the network device may determine the second state pool during the period when the terminal device determines the second state pool.
[0288] For the second state pool, please refer to the description in S306, which will not be repeated here.
[0289] Optionally, the network device determines the second state pool by: deleting the state value associated with the largest index in the first state pool; incrementing the value of the index associated with each of the remaining (N-1) state values in the first state pool by 1; and storing the first value in the first state pool to obtain the second state pool, wherein the second state value is associated with the smallest index in the second state pool, and the second state value is the first value. The second state pool can be referred to Table 6.
[0290] Optionally, the network device determines the second state pool by: the network device incrementing the value of the index associated with each of the N state values in the first state pool by 1; storing the first value in the first state pool to obtain the second state pool, wherein the second state value is associated with the smallest index in the second state pool, and the second state value is the first value, and the second state pool can be referred to Table 7.
[0291] Optionally, the network device determines the second state pool, which may include: the network device deleting the state value associated with the smallest index in the first state pool; decrementing the value of the index associated with each of the remaining (N-1) state values in the first state pool by 1; storing the first value in the first state pool to obtain a second state value, the second state value being associated with the largest index in the second state pool, the second state value being the first value, and the second state pool being referenced in Table 8.
[0292] Optionally, the network device determines the second state pool by: storing the first value into the first state pool to obtain a second state value, wherein the index associated with the second state value is the maximum index in the second state pool, and the second state value is the first value, and the second state pool can be referred to Table 9.
[0293] As an example, the network device can determine whether the currently received information is information based on state pool feedback. For instance, the network device can determine whether the currently received information is information based on state pool feedback based on first information. If the network device determines that the currently received information is information based on state pool feedback, it does not update the state pool; or, if the network device determines that the currently received information is not information based on state pool feedback, it updates the state pool.
[0294] For example, the first PMI parameter is i 1,2 i 1,2 The state pool can contain a maximum of 16 state values, and the network device can update i using the following algorithm. 1,2 The state pool.
[0295] 1. Initialization: i 1,2,h =0 for h=0,1,…,15;
[0296] 2. Input: The currently received value i 1,2 The value is
[0297] 3. Determine: the currently received value i 1,2 Is the information based on feedback from the state pool?
[0298] 4. If yes, then do not update i. 1,2 State pool;
[0299] 5. If no, then execute:
[0300] 6. for h=0:15,i 1,2,15-h =i 1,2,14-h end for;
[0301] 7.
[0302] In the example above, the index of the newly added state value is the minimum index in the state pool, but this application does not impose any limitation on this. For example, the index of the newly added state value could also be the maximum index in the state pool, etc.
[0303] Understandably, this application does not limit the implementation method of the network device determining the second state pool.
[0304] In S305 to S307 above, if the value of the first PMI parameter calculated by the terminal device based on the received first reference signal (i.e., the first value) is dissimilar to all state values in the first state pool, the terminal device can feed back the first PMI parameter to determine the second state pool, and add the first value to the state pool of the first PMI parameter maintained by the terminal device. After receiving the first PMI parameter, the network device determines the second state pool to add the value of the first PMI parameter (i.e., the first value) to the state pool of the first PMI parameter maintained by the network device. In this way, if the value of the first PMI parameter calculated subsequently is similar to the first value, the terminal device can feed back the index associated with the first value in the second state pool based on the second state pool, thereby reducing the feedback overhead of the PMI parameter.
[0305] The aforementioned first reference signal can be used to determine at least one PMI parameter. In an optional implementation, the first reference signal can also be used to determine a second PMI parameter, which is described in the first PMI parameter description and will not be repeated here. For example, the terminal device can determine that the first PMI parameter has a first value and the second PMI parameter has a second value based on the first reference signal. Optionally, S303 can be described as follows: the terminal device can send third information; the network device can receive the third information. For example, the terminal device can send third information to the network device, and correspondingly, the network device can receive third information from the terminal device. The third information may include a first field, a second field, and a third field. The first field can be used to indicate that the second field is information based on state pool feedback, or the first field can also be used to indicate that the information carried by the second field is an index in the first state pool, as specifically described in the first information description. The second field can be used to carry the first index. The third field can be used to carry the second PMI parameter, which has a second value.
[0306] For example, the second PMI parameter does not support the creation of a state pool; or, the second PMI parameter supports the creation of a state pool, and the similarity between each state value in the third state pool of the second PMI parameter and the second value is less than a second threshold. The third state pool includes H state pools of the second PMI parameter and an index associated with each of the H state values, where H is a positive integer. The specific implementation can be referenced from the first state pool, and will not be elaborated further.
[0307] Further, after receiving the third information, the network device determines the value of the first PMI parameter as a first state value based on the first and second fields. Optionally, if the second PMI parameter supports the creation of a state pool, the terminal device can determine a fourth state pool, such as by determining the fourth state pool based on the second value and the third state pool; correspondingly, the network device can determine the fourth state pool based on the third field. The fourth state pool includes the third state value and an index associated with the third state value, where the third state value is the second value. For the specific implementation of the terminal device determining the fourth state pool, please refer to S306; for the specific implementation of the network device determining the fourth state pool, please refer to the content of S307.
[0308] In another optional implementation, the first reference signal can also be used to determine a third PMI parameter. The third PMI parameter is described in the same way as the first PMI parameter, and will not be repeated here. For example, the terminal device can determine the value of the first PMI parameter as a first value and the value of the third PMI parameter as a third value based on the first reference signal. Optionally, S305 can be described as follows: the terminal device can send fourth information; the network device can receive the fourth information. For example, the terminal device can send fourth information to the network device, and correspondingly, the network device can receive fourth information from the terminal device. The fourth information may include a fourth field, a fifth field, and a sixth field. The fourth field can be used to indicate that the sixth field is information based on state pool feedback, or the fourth field can also be used to indicate that the information carried by the sixth field is an index in the fourth state pool, as specifically described in the first information. The fifth field can be used to carry the first PMI parameter, the value of which is the first value. The sixth field can be used to carry a second index. The second index is associated with the fourth state value in the fifth state pool. The second index belongs to the fifth state pool. The similarity between the fourth state value and the third value is greater than or equal to the third threshold. The fifth state pool includes G state values of the third PMI parameter and the index associated with each of the G state values, where G is a positive integer. For specific implementation, please refer to the first state pool, which will not be elaborated further.
[0309] Furthermore, after receiving the fourth information, the network device determines the value of the third PMI parameter to be the fourth state value in the fifth state pool based on the fourth field and the sixth field, and determines the second state pool based on the fifth field. For specific implementation details, please refer to S307.
[0310] Through the two implementation methods described above, PMI can include multiple parameters. Some of these parameters are fed back based on a state pool, while the remaining parameters may not be fed back based on a state pool (e.g., the remaining parameters are fed back directly). This flexible implementation can adapt to different communication scenarios. Alternatively, if some parameters are fed back based on a state pool, and the remaining parameters are not, the terminal device can indicate which parameters are based on state pool feedback information through a field (e.g., a first field or a fourth field), so that the network device can determine which parameters are based on state pool feedback information.
[0311] For example, PMI includes PMI parameter #1 and PMI parameter #2. PMI parameter #1 does not support the creation of a state pool, while PMI parameter #2 does. The terminal device determines the value of PMI parameter #1 (denoted as value #1) and the value of PMI parameter #2 (denoted as value #2) based on the received first reference signal. If value #2 is consistent with or similar to state value #1 in the state pool of PMI parameter #2, the index associated with state value #1 is denoted as index #1. Then, the terminal device can send information #1 to the network device. Information #1 includes fields #1, #2, and #3. Field #1 is used to indicate that field #3 is information based on state pool feedback, field #2 is used to carry PMI parameter #1, the value of PMI parameter #1 is value #1, and field #3 is used to carry index #1.
[0312] Another example is that PMI includes PMI parameter #2 and PMI parameter #3. Both PMI parameter #2 and PMI parameter #3 support the creation of state pools. The terminal device determines the value of PMI parameter #2 (denoted as value #2) and the value of PMI parameter #3 (denoted as value #3) based on the received first reference signal. If value #2 is the same as or similar to state value #1 in the state pool of PMI parameter #2, the index associated with state value #1 is denoted as index #1. If value #3 is the same as or similar to state value #2 in the state pool of PMI parameter #3, the index associated with state value #2 is denoted as index #2. Then, the terminal device can send information #2 to the network device. Information #2 includes fields #4, #5, and #6. Field #4 is used to indicate that fields #5 and #6 are information based on state pool feedback. Field #5 is used to carry index #1, and field #6 is used to carry index #2. Alternatively, information #2 includes fields #5 and #6, with field #5 carrying index #1 and field #6 carrying index #2. That is, the current feedback information is by default information based on state pool feedback. Alternatively, if value #2 is the same as or similar to state value #1 in the state pool of PMI parameter #2, the index associated with state value #1 is denoted as index #1, and value #3 is dissimilar to each state value in the state pool of PMI parameter #3; then, the terminal device can send information #3 to the network device. Information #3 includes fields #7, #5, and #8. Field #7 is used to indicate that field #5 is information based on state pool feedback, field #5 is used to carry index #1, and field #8 is used to carry PMI parameter #3. The value of PMI parameter #3 is value #3.
[0313] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 4 is used to further explain the process involved in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 4, the method may include the following:
[0314] S401: The network device sends configuration information to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the configuration information from the network device.
[0315] This configuration information can be used to configure the resources carrying the first reference signal and / or information related to the reporting of measurement results. Please refer to the relevant description in S301 for details, which will not be repeated here.
[0316] S402: The network device sends second information to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second information from the network device.
[0317] S402 is an optional step, indicated by a dashed line in Figure 4. For example, the second information may be included in the configuration information.
[0318] The second information can be used to indicate the M PMI parameters that support the creation (or construction) of a state pool; and / or, the second information can be used to indicate the maximum number of state values included in the state pool for each of the M PMI parameters. The M PMI parameters include the first PMI parameter. The implementation of the second information is described in S302 and will not be repeated here.
[0319] S403: The network device creates a state pool for each of the M PMI parameters.
[0320] Furthermore, the execution order of S402 and S403 is merely an example, and this application does not limit it.
[0321] S404: The terminal device creates a state pool for each of the M PMI parameters.
[0322] The execution order of S403 and S404 is merely an example, and this application does not limit it.
[0323] S405: The network device sends a first reference signal to the terminal device; correspondingly, the terminal device receives the first reference signal from the network device.
[0324] The implementation method of S405 is described in S301 and will not be repeated here.
[0325] S406: The terminal device determines the value of the first PMI parameter as the first value based on the first reference signal.
[0326] The implementation of S406 is described in S302 and will not be repeated here.
[0327] S407: The terminal device determines whether the similarity between the state value in the first state pool and the first value is greater than or equal to the first threshold.
[0328] Alternatively, S407 can be expressed as: The terminal device determines whether there exists a state value in the first state pool that has a similarity to the first value greater than or equal to the first threshold.
[0329] The first state pool is the state pool for the first PMI parameter. The first state pool can be the initial state pool for the first PMI parameter, or it can be the state pool after the first PMI parameter has been updated; there is no restriction. For the description of the first state pool and the initial state pool, please refer to the relevant description in S302, which will not be repeated here. If the terminal device determines that the similarity between the first state value in the first state pool and the first value is greater than or equal to a first threshold, then S408 and S409 are executed. Alternatively, if the terminal device determines that the similarity between each state value in the first state pool and the first value is less than the first threshold, then S410 to S411 are executed.
[0330] For the implementation of S407, please refer to the relevant descriptions of S303 and S305, which will not be repeated here.
[0331] S408: The terminal device sends a first index to the network device; correspondingly, the network device receives the first index from the terminal device.
[0332] The first index belongs to the first state pool and is associated with the first state value in the first state pool. The similarity between the first state value and the first value is greater than or equal to the first threshold.
[0333] Optionally, the terminal device may also send first information to the network device; correspondingly, the network device receives the first information from the terminal device. The first information may be used to indicate that the first index is an index in a first state pool, or to indicate that the first index is information based on state pool feedback. Figure 4 illustrates an example of the terminal device sending first information and a first index to the network device.
[0334] For details on how S408 is implemented, please refer to the description of S303.
[0335] S409: The network device determines the value of the first PMI parameter as the first state value based on the first index and the first state pool.
[0336] Optionally, the network device determines the value of the first PMI parameter as a first state value based on the first information, the first index, and the first state pool. Figure 4 illustrates an example of the network device determining the value of the first PMI parameter as a first state value based on the first information, the first index, and the first state pool.
[0337] For the implementation of S409, please refer to the relevant description of S304, which will not be repeated here.
[0338] S410: The terminal device determines the second state pool.
[0339] The second state pool includes a second state value and an index associated with the second state value, where the second state value is the first value. For the specific implementation of S410, please refer to the description of S306; it will not be repeated here.
[0340] S411: The terminal device sends a first PMI parameter to the network device; correspondingly, the network device receives the first PMI parameter from the terminal device.
[0341] The first PMI parameter takes the first value. For the implementation of S411, please refer to the relevant description in S305; it will not be repeated here. Furthermore, the execution order of S410 and S411 is merely an example, and this application does not impose any restrictions on it.
[0342] S412: The network device determines the second state pool.
[0343] The second state pool includes a second state value and an index associated with it, where the second state value is the first value. For a detailed implementation of S412, please refer to the description in S307; it will not be repeated here. Furthermore, the execution order of S410 and S412 is merely an example, and this application does not impose any limitations on it.
[0344] In the communication methods shown in Figures 3 and 4 above, both the terminal device and the network device need to update (or maintain) the state pool of the first PMI parameter to ensure that the terminal device and the network device have a consistent understanding of the state pool of the first PMI parameter. In another optional implementation, the update of the state pool of the first PMI parameter can also be performed by one of the terminal device and the network device, and the updated state pool information can be sent to the other device. As an example, the update of the state pool of the first PMI parameter can be performed by the terminal device. For example, after the terminal device determines the second state pool, it can send the information of the second state pool to the network device; the network device receives the information of the second state pool and stores the second state pool, without executing S307 and S412. As another example, the update of the state pool of the first PMI parameter can also be performed by the network device. For example, after the network device receives the first value, it determines the second state pool and sends the information of the second state pool to the terminal device; the terminal device receives the information of the second state pool and stores the second state pool, without executing S306 and S410.
[0345] In another optional implementation, the terminal device and the network device may not update the state pool of the first PMI parameter; that is, the state values included in the state pool of the first PMI parameter are fixed. For example, the state values included in the state pool of the first PMI parameter can be predefined, determined by the network device, determined by the terminal device, or pre-negotiated by the terminal device and the network device, without limitation. For example, the state values included in the state pool of the first PMI parameter can be commonly used values within the range of values for the first PMI parameter, without limitation.
[0346] Based on the same technical concept as the above-described method embodiments, the embodiments of this application can be applied to an ORAN system. The network device in the above-described method embodiments can be replaced with at least one of the following: CU (CU-CP or CU-UP), DU, or RU. As an example, the DU can be used to implement communication with a terminal device. For example, the DU can send a first reference signal to the terminal device and receive a first index (or first PMI parameter) from the terminal device. As another example, the DU can implement communication with the terminal device through the RU. For example, the RU receives the first index (or first PMI parameter) from the terminal device and transmits the first index (or first PMI parameter) to the DU. Optionally, the DU and / or CU can update the state pool of the first PMI parameter. Optionally, if the update of the state pool of the first PMI parameter is performed by the CU, the DU can receive the first PMI parameter from the terminal device, or receive the first PMI parameter from the terminal device through the RU and transmit the first PMI parameter to the CU, and the CU then updates the first state pool according to the value of the first PMI parameter to obtain a second state pool.
[0347] Based on the same technical concept as the above-described method embodiments, this application provides a corresponding communication device that can be used to perform the functions of the relevant steps in the above-described method embodiments. This function can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. The communication device can be a terminal or access network device, or a device within the terminal or access network device (e.g., a module, communication module, circuit or chip responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), chip system, or processor), or a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the terminal or access network device.
[0348] In one possible implementation, the communication device provided in this embodiment of the application has the structure shown in FIG5, including a processing unit 502. Optionally, the communication device further includes an interface unit 501. The functions of each unit in the communication device 500 are described below.
[0349] Interface unit 501 is used for inputting and / or outputting information. Input information can be replaced by received information, and output information can be replaced by transmitted information. When outputting information, interface unit 501 can output information to other devices outside of communication device 500, or to other units within communication device 500. In some embodiments, interface unit 501 can be implemented through at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, and an input / output interface. In other embodiments, interface unit 501 can be implemented through an interface circuit, such as a mobile communication module. The mobile communication module may include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, a low noise amplifier (LNA), etc. Interface unit 501 is used to perform the receiving and transmitting operations in the above method embodiments.
[0350] In this application, the interface unit 501 may also have other names, such as a transceiver unit or a communication unit. Optionally, the interface unit 501 may include a receiving unit and / or a sending unit, used for inputting information and outputting information, respectively. The receiving unit is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments. The sending unit is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments.
[0351] The processing unit 502 can be used to support the communication device 500 in performing the processing actions in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 502 can be implemented by one or more processors. For example, the processor 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), microprocessors (MCUs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The processing unit 502 is used to perform processing-related operations in the above method embodiments, for example, to instruct operations other than receiving and sending operations in the above method embodiments.
[0352] In one embodiment, the communication device 500 is applied to the terminal device shown in FIG3 or FIG4 of this application embodiment. The specific functions of the interface unit 501 and the processing unit 502 in this embodiment will be described below.
[0353] Interface unit 501 is configured to: receive a first reference signal; processing unit 502 is configured to: determine, based on the first reference signal, that the value of the first precoding matrix indication parameter is a first value; interface unit 501 is further configured to: if the similarity between a first state value in a first state pool and the first value is greater than or equal to a first threshold, send a first index, the first index being associated with the first state value and belonging to the first state pool; or, if the similarity between each state value in the first state pool and the first value is less than the first threshold, send the first precoding matrix indication parameter, determine a second state pool based on the first value and the first state pool, the second state pool including a second state value and an index associated with the second state value, the second state value being the first value; wherein, the first state pool includes N state values of the first precoding matrix indication parameter and an index associated with each of the N state values, where N is a positive integer.
[0354] Optionally, the interface unit 501 is further configured to: send first information, the first information being used to indicate that the first index is an index in the first state pool, or the first information being used to indicate that the first index is information based on feedback from the first state pool.
[0355] Optionally, the interface unit 501 is further configured to: receive second information, the second information being used to indicate M precoding matrix indication parameters supporting the creation of a state pool, and / or, the second information being used to indicate the maximum number of state values included in the state pool of each of the M precoding matrix indication parameters; wherein the M precoding matrix indication parameters include the first precoding matrix indication parameter.
[0356] Optionally, when determining the second state pool based on the first value and the first state pool, the processing unit 502 is configured to: delete the state value associated with the largest index in the first state pool; increment the value of the index associated with each of the remaining (N-1) state values in the first state pool by 1; store the first value in the first state pool to obtain the second state pool, wherein the second state value is associated with the smallest index in the second state pool.
[0357] Optionally, when determining the second state pool based on the first value and the first state pool, the processing unit 502 is configured to: increment the value of the index associated with each of the N state values in the first state pool by 1; store the first value in the first state pool to obtain the second state pool, wherein the second state value is associated with the smallest index in the first state pool.
[0358] Optionally, the processing unit 502 is further configured to: determine the value of the second precoding matrix indication parameter as a second value based on the first reference signal; when sending the first index, the interface unit 501 is configured to: send third information, the third information including a first field, a second field and a third field, the first field being used to indicate that the second field is information based on state pool feedback, the second field being used to carry the first index, and the third field being used to carry the second precoding matrix indication parameter.
[0359] Optionally, the processing unit 502 is further configured to: determine the value of the third precoding matrix indication parameter as a third value based on the first reference signal; when sending the first precoding matrix indication parameter, the interface unit 501 is configured to: send fourth information, the fourth information including a fourth field, a fifth field, and a sixth field, the fourth field being used to indicate that the sixth field is information based on state pool feedback, the fifth field being used to carry the first precoding matrix indication parameter, the sixth field being used to carry a second index, the second index being associated with a fourth state value in a fifth state pool, the second index belonging to the fifth state pool, the similarity between the fourth state value and the third value being greater than or equal to a third threshold, the fifth state pool including G state values of the third precoding matrix indication parameter and an index associated with each of the G state values, where G is a positive integer.
[0360] In another embodiment, the communication device 500 is applied to the network device shown in FIG3 or FIG4 of this application embodiment. The specific functions of the interface unit 501 and the processing unit 502 in this embodiment will be described below.
[0361] Interface unit 501 is configured to: send a first reference signal, the first reference signal being used to determine a first precoding matrix indication parameter. Interface unit 501 is further configured to: receive a first index; processing unit 502 is configured to: determine, based on the first index and a first state pool, that the value of the first precoding matrix indication parameter is a first state value in the first state pool, the first state value being associated with the first index, and the first index belonging to the first state pool. Alternatively, interface unit 501 is further configured to: receive the first precoding matrix indication parameter, the value of the first precoding matrix indication parameter being a first value; processing unit 502 is configured to: determine a second state pool based on the first value and the first state pool, the second state pool including a second state value and an index associated with the second state value, the second state value being the first value. Wherein, the first state pool includes N state values of the first precoding matrix indication parameter and an index associated with each of the N state values, where N is a positive integer.
[0362] Optionally, the interface unit 501 is further configured to: receive first information, wherein the first information is used to indicate that the first index is an index in the first state pool, or the first information is used to indicate that the first index is information fed back based on the first state pool; when the value of the first precoding matrix indication parameter is determined to be a first state value in the first state pool according to the first index and the first state pool, the processing unit 502 is configured to: determine the value of the first precoding matrix indication parameter to be the first state value according to the first information, the first index and the first state pool.
[0363] Optionally, the interface unit 501 is further configured to: send second information, the second information being used to indicate M precoding matrix indication parameters supporting the creation of a state pool, and / or, the second information being used to indicate the maximum number of state values included in the state pool of each of the M precoding matrix indication parameters; wherein the M precoding matrix indication parameters include the first precoding matrix indication parameter.
[0364] Optionally, when determining the second state pool based on the first value and the first state pool, the processing unit 502 is configured to: delete the state value associated with the largest index in the first state pool; increment the value of the index associated with each of the remaining (N-1) state values in the first state pool by 1; store the first value in the first state pool to obtain the second state pool, wherein the second state value is associated with the smallest index in the second state pool.
[0365] Optionally, when determining the second state pool based on the first value and the first state pool, the processing unit 502 is configured to: increment the value of the index associated with each of the N state values in the first state pool by 1; store the first value in the first state pool to obtain the second state pool, wherein the second state value is associated with the smallest index in the second state pool.
[0366] Optionally, the first reference signal can also be used to determine the second precoding matrix indication parameter. When receiving the first index, the interface unit 501 is used to: receive third information, the third information including a first field, a second field and a third field, the first field being used to indicate that the second field is information based on state pool feedback, the second field being used to carry the first index, and the third field being used to carry the second value of the second precoding matrix indication parameter.
[0367] Optionally, the first reference signal can also be used to determine the third precoding matrix indication parameter. When receiving the first precoding matrix indication parameter, the interface unit 501 is configured to: receive fourth information, the fourth information including a fourth field, a fifth field, and a sixth field, the fourth field being used to indicate that the sixth field is information based on state pool feedback, the fifth field being used to carry the first precoding matrix indication parameter, the sixth field being used to carry a second index, the second index being associated with a fourth state value in the fifth state pool, the second index belonging to the fifth state pool, the fifth state pool including G state values of the third precoding matrix indication parameter and an index associated with each of the G state values, where G is a positive integer.
[0368] In one possible design, when the communication device 500 is a communication equipment or a communication module within a communication equipment, the functionality of the processing unit 502 can be implemented by one or more processors. For example, the processor may include a modem chip, or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a modem core. The functionality of the interface unit 501 can be implemented by transceiver circuitry.
[0369] In one possible design, when the communication device 500 is a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in a communication device, such as a modem chip or a system-on-a-chip (SoC) or SIP chip containing a modem core, the function of the processing unit 502 can be implemented by a circuit system in the aforementioned chip that includes one or more processors or processor cores. The function of the interface unit 501 can be implemented by the interface circuit or data transceiver circuit on the aforementioned chip.
[0370] The communication device can be a terminal or an access network device.
[0371] A more detailed description of the processing unit 502 and the interface unit 501 can be obtained directly from the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown in Figure 3 or Figure 4, and will not be repeated here.
[0372] It should be noted that the module division in the above embodiments of this application is illustrative and only represents a logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, exist as separate physical units, or have two or more units integrated into one unit. The integrated units can be implemented in hardware, as software functional units, or in a combination of hardware and software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.
[0373] For example, the functional unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as one or more ASICs, one or more CPUs, one or more MCUs, one or more DSPs, or one or more FPGAs, or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.
[0374] If the integrated units described above are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.
[0375] In one possible implementation, the communication device provided in this application embodiment is shown in FIG6. The communication device 600 includes a processor 602. Optionally, the communication device 600 further includes an interface circuit 601 and a memory 603. The interface circuit 601, the processor 602, and the memory 603 are coupled to each other.
[0376] Optionally, the interface circuit 601, processor 602, and memory 603 are coupled to each other via bus 604. Bus 604 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. Buses can be divided into address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in Figure 6, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.
[0377] Interface circuit 601 is used for inputting and / or outputting information. Input information can be replaced by received information, and output information can be replaced by transmitted information. When outputting information, interface circuit 601 can output information to other devices outside of communication device 600, or to other units within communication device 600. For example, interface circuit 601 can be implemented through at least one of a physical interface, a communication module, a communication interface, an input / output interface, and a mobile communication module. The mobile communication module may include one or more of at least one antenna, at least one filter, a switch, a power amplifier, an LNA, etc. Interface circuit 601 is used to perform the receiving and transmitting operations in the above method embodiments.
[0378] Interface circuit 601 may be one of the following: a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, a communication circuit, an interface, a communication interface, or an input / output interface (e.g., a chip's input / output interface). Interface circuit 601 may include an input interface circuit and an output interface circuit, used for inputting information and outputting information, respectively. The input interface circuit is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments. The output interface circuit is used to perform the transmitting operation in the above method embodiments.
[0379] The transceiver can be used for communication with other communication devices. For example, if communication device 600 is a terminal device, the transceiver can be used to communicate with a network device. Or, if communication device 600 is a network device, the transceiver can be used to communicate with a terminal device.
[0380] Optionally, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter. The receiver is used to perform the receiving operation in the above method embodiments. The transmitter is used to perform the sending operation in the above method embodiments.
[0381] Optionally, the transceiver can be integrated with the processor 602 or exist independently and be coupled to the processor 602 through the interface circuit of the communication device 600. This application embodiment does not specifically limit this.
[0382] Processor 602 can be used to support communication device 600 in performing the processing actions in the above method embodiments. When communication device 600 is used to implement the above method embodiments, processor 602 can also be used to implement the functions of processing unit 502. Processor 602 can be a CPU, or other general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. General-purpose processors can be microprocessors or any conventional processor. Processor 602 is used to perform processing-related operations in the above method embodiments, for example, to instruct operations other than receiving and sending operations in the above method embodiments.
[0383] In one embodiment, the communication device 600 is applied to the terminal device shown in FIG3 or FIG4 of this application embodiment. The specific functions of the processor 602 in this embodiment are described below.
[0384] Processor 602 is configured to: receive a first reference signal via interface circuit 601; determine, based on the first reference signal, that the value of the first precoding matrix indication parameter is a first value; if the similarity between the first state value in the first state pool and the first value is greater than or equal to a first threshold, send a first index via interface circuit 601, the first index being associated with the first state value and belonging to the first state pool; or, if the similarity between each state value in the first state pool and the first value is less than the first threshold, send the first precoding matrix indication parameter via interface circuit 601, determine a second state pool based on the first value and the first state pool, the second state pool including the second state value and the index associated with the second state value, the second state value being the first value; wherein, the first state pool includes N state values of the first precoding matrix indication parameter and the index associated with each of the N state values, where N is a positive integer.
[0385] In another embodiment, the communication device 600 is applied to the network device shown in FIG3 or FIG4 of this application embodiment. The specific functions of the processor 602 in this embodiment are described below.
[0386] Processor 602 is configured to: send a first reference signal via interface circuit 601, the first reference signal being used to determine a first precoding matrix indication parameter; receive a first index via interface circuit 601, and determine, based on the first index and a first state pool, that the value of the first precoding matrix indication parameter is a first state value in the first state pool, the first state value being associated with the first index, and the first index belonging to the first state pool; or, receive a first precoding matrix indication parameter via interface circuit 601, the value of the first precoding matrix indication parameter being a first value, and determine, based on the first value and the first state pool, a second state pool including a second state value and an index associated with the second state value, the second state value being the first value; wherein, the first state pool includes N state values of the first precoding matrix indication parameter and an index associated with each of the N state values, where N is a positive integer.
[0387] The specific functions of processor 602 can be found in the description of the communication methods provided in the above embodiments and examples of this application, as well as the specific functional description of communication device 500 in the embodiment of this application shown in Figure 5, which will not be repeated here.
[0388] Memory 603 is used to store program instructions and / or data. Specifically, program instructions may include program code, which includes computer operation instructions. Memory 603 may include RAM and may also include non-volatile memory, such as at least one disk storage device. Processor 602 executes the program instructions stored in memory 603 and uses the data stored in memory 603 to implement the above-mentioned functions, thereby realizing the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. Memory 603 may be integrated with processor 602 or may be a memory outside the communication device.
[0389] It is understood that the memory 603 in Figure 6 of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be RAM, which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.
[0390] This application also provides a communication device 700, which can be a terminal, a processor in the terminal, or a chip. The communication device 700 can be used to perform the operations performed by the terminal device in the above method embodiments.
[0391] When the communication device 700 is a terminal, Figure 7 shows a schematic diagram of the terminal's structure. As shown in Figure 7, the terminal includes a processor, a memory, and a transceiver. The memory can store computer program code, and the transceiver includes a transmitter 731, a receiver 732, radio frequency circuitry (not shown in the figure), an antenna 733, and input / output devices (not shown in the figure).
[0392] The processor is mainly used to process communication protocols and communication data; control terminals; execute software programs; and process data from software programs.
[0393] Memory is mainly used to store software programs and data.
[0394] Radio frequency (RF) circuits are mainly used for the conversion between baseband signals and RF signals, as well as for the processing of RF signals.
[0395] Antennas are primarily used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves.
[0396] Input / output devices can include touchscreens, displays, or keyboards. They are primarily used to receive user input and output data to the user. It should be noted that some types of terminals may not have input / output devices.
[0397] When data needs to be transmitted, the processor performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs a baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit then processes the baseband signal and transmits it outwards as electromagnetic waves via an antenna. When data is sent to the terminal, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna. The RF circuit converts the RF signal back into a baseband signal and outputs it to the processor. The processor converts the baseband signal back into data and processes that data.
[0398] For ease of explanation, Figure 7 shows only one memory, processor, and transceiver. In actual terminal products, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories. Memory may also be called storage medium or storage device, etc. Memory may be set up independently of the processor or integrated with the processor; this application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.
[0399] In the embodiments of this application, the antenna and radio frequency circuit with transceiver function can be regarded as the interface unit of the terminal, and the processor with processing function can be regarded as the processing unit of the terminal.
[0400] As shown in Figure 7, the terminal includes a processor 710, a memory 720, and a transceiver 730. The processor 710 may also be referred to as a processing board, processing module, or processing device. The transceiver 730 may also be referred to as an interface circuit, transceiver, or transceiver device. The processor 710 is used to execute the processing operations on the terminal device side in the above method embodiments. The transceiver 730 is used to execute the transmission and reception operations on the terminal device side in the above method embodiments.
[0401] [Correction 01.04.2026 based on Rule 91] Optionally, the device in transceiver 730 used to implement the receiving function is considered a receiver, and the device in transceiver 730 used to implement the transmitting function is considered a transmitter. That is, transceiver 730 includes receiver 732 and transmitter 731. A receiver may sometimes be called a receiver module, receiving circuit, etc. A transmitter may sometimes be called a transmitter, transmitting module, or transmitting circuit, etc. The receiver is used to perform the receiving operation on the terminal device side in the above method embodiments. The transmitter is used to perform the transmitting operation on the terminal device side in the above method embodiments.
[0402] It should be understood that Figure 7 is merely an example and not a limitation, and the terminal may not depend on the structure shown in Figure 7.
[0403] When the communication device 700 is a chip, the chip includes a processor and a transceiver. The transceiver can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface. The processor can be a processing module integrated on the chip, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit. In the above method embodiments, the sending operation of the terminal device can be understood as the output of the chip, and the receiving operation of the terminal device in the above method embodiments can be understood as the input of the chip.
[0404] The communication device 700 may also include a memory, which may be a memory built into the chip or an external memory.
[0405] This application also provides a communication device 800, which can be an access network device or a chip. The communication device 800 can be used to perform the operations performed by the network device in the above method embodiments.
[0406] When the communication device 800 is an access network device, such as a base station, Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of an access network device. The access network device includes parts 810, 820, and 830.
[0407] The 810 section is mainly used for baseband processing and controlling access network equipment; the 810 section is usually the control center of the base station, which can be called a processor, and is used to control the access network equipment to perform the processing operations on the network device side in the above method embodiments.
[0408] The 820 section is primarily used to store computer program code and data.
[0409] The 830 section is primarily used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency (RF) signals, as well as converting RF signals to baseband signals. The 830 section is commonly referred to as a transceiver module, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, or transceiver unit. The 830 section may include an antenna 833 and RF circuitry (not shown in the figure), where the RF circuitry is mainly used for RF processing. The 830 section can be used to perform the transmit and receive operations on the network device side in the above method embodiments.
[0410] [Correction 01.04.2026 based on Rule 91] Optionally, the device used to implement the receiving function in part 830 can be regarded as a receiver, and the device used to implement the transmitting function can be regarded as a transmitter. That is, part 830 includes receiver 832 and transmitter 831. A receiver can also be called a receiving module, receiver circuit, etc., and a transmitter can be called a transmitting module, transmitter, or transmitting circuit, etc. The receiver is used to perform the receiving operation on the network device side in the above method embodiments. The transmitter is used to perform the transmitting operation on the network device side in the above method embodiments.
[0411] Sections 810 and 820 may include one or more boards, each board may include one or more processors and one or more memories. The processor is used to read and execute programs in the memory to implement baseband processing functions and control access network devices. If multiple boards exist, they can be interconnected to enhance processing capabilities. As an optional implementation, multiple boards may share one or more processors, multiple boards may share one or more memories, or multiple boards may simultaneously share one or more processors.
[0412] It should be understood that Figure 8 is merely an example and not a limitation, and access network devices may not depend on the structure shown in Figure 8.
[0413] When the communication device 800 is a chip, the chip includes a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver can be an input / output circuit or a communication interface; the processor can be a processor integrated on the chip, a microprocessor, or an integrated circuit. In the above method embodiments, the transmitting operation of the network device can be understood as the output of the chip, and the receiving operation of the network device in the above method embodiments can be understood as the input of the chip.
[0414] The communication device 800 may also include a memory, which may be a memory built into the chip or an external memory.
[0415] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a computer program product including computer-executable instructions, which, when run, causes the methods provided in the above embodiments to be executed.
[0416] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods provided in the above embodiments.
[0417] The storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access. For example, but not limited to, a computer-readable medium can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.
[0418] Based on the above embodiments, this application also provides a chip for reading a computer program stored in a memory and implementing the method provided in the above embodiments.
[0419] Based on the above embodiments, this application provides a chip system including a processor for supporting a computer device in implementing the functions involved in the devices in the above embodiments. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing necessary programs and data of the computer device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete components.
[0420] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.
[0421] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to this application. It should be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more blocks of the flowchart illustrations and / or one or more blocks of the block diagrams.
[0422] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.
[0423] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.
[0424] In this application, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably. "At least one item" refers to one or more items, and "more than one item" refers to two or more items. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.
[0425] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.
[0426] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, if such modifications and variations fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.
Claims
1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: receiving a first reference signal; determining, according to the first reference signal, that a value of a first precoding matrix indication parameter is a first value; if a similarity between a first state value in a first state pool and the first value is greater than or equal to a first threshold, sending a first index, the first index being associated with the first state value, the first index belonging to the first state pool; or, if a similarity between each state value in the first state pool and the first value is less than the first threshold, sending the first precoding matrix indication parameter, determining a second state pool according to the first value and the first state pool, the second state pool comprising a second state value and an index associated with the second state value, the second state value being the first value; wherein the first state pool comprises N state values of the first precoding matrix indication parameter and an index associated with each state value of the N state values, N being a positive integer.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises: sending first information, the first information being used for indicating that the first index is an index in the first state pool.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The second state pool comprises K state values and an index associated with the K state values, the K state values comprising the second state value, the index associated with the second state value being a minimum index in the index associated with the K state values, wherein: the K state values comprise the second state value and (N-1) state values, the (N-1) state values being remaining state values except a state value associated with a maximum index in the N state values comprised in the first state pool, K being equal to N; or, the K state values comprise the second state value and the N state values comprised in the first state pool, K being (N+1).
4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving second information, the second information being used for indicating that M precoding matrix indication parameters supporting creation of a state pool, and / or, the second information being used for indicating a maximum number of state values comprised in a state pool of each precoding matrix indication parameter in the M precoding matrix indication parameters; wherein the M precoding matrix indication parameters comprise the first precoding matrix indication parameter.
5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The N state values are N values of the first precoding matrix indication parameter which have been fed back historically.
6. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method comprises: sending a first reference signal, the first reference signal being used for determining a first precoding matrix indication parameter; receiving a first index, and determining, according to the first index and a first state pool, that a value of the first precoding matrix indication parameter is a first state value in the first state pool, the first state value being associated with the first index, the first index belonging to the first state pool; or, receiving the first precoding matrix indication parameter, the value of the first precoding matrix indication parameter being a first value, and determining a second state pool according to the first value and the first state pool, the second state pool comprising a second state value and an index associated with the second state value, the second state value being the first value; The first state pool includes N state values of the first precoding matrix indicator parameter and an index associated with each of the N state values, where N is a positive integer.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The method further includes: Receive first information, which indicates that the first index is an index in the first state pool; The value of the first precoding matrix indication parameter is determined based on the first index and the first state pool, including: Based on the first information, the first index, and the first state pool, the value of the first precoding matrix indicator parameter is determined to be the first state value.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein, The second state pool includes K state values and indices associated with the K state values. The K state values include the second state value, and the index associated with the second state value is the smallest index among the indices associated with the K state values, wherein: The K state values include the second state value and (N-1) state values, where the (N-1) state values are the remaining state values in the first state pool, excluding the state value associated with the largest index, and K is the N; or, the K state values include the second state value and the N state values in the first state pool, where K is (N+1).
9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second message, the second message being used to indicate M precoding matrix indication parameters that support the creation of a state pool, and / or, the second message being used to indicate the maximum number of state values included in the state pool of each of the M precoding matrix indication parameters; wherein, the M precoding matrix indication parameters include the first precoding matrix indication parameter.
10. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that, The N state values are the N values of the first precoding matrix indication parameter that have been historically fed back.
11. A communications device, characterized by It includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, or includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 6 to 10.
12. 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 in memory to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, or to implement the method as described in any one of claims 6 to 10.
13. The communication apparatus according to claim 12, wherein It also includes the memory.
14. A chip, characterized by The processor is configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, or the processor is configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 6 to 10.
15. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The device stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 5 to be implemented, or cause the method as described in any one of claims 6 to 10 to be implemented.
16. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product includes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 5 to be implemented, or causes the method as described in any one of claims 6 to 10 to be implemented.