WO2024208041A1 - Reference signal indication method, apparatus, and system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application provides a reference signal indication method, comprising: determining configuration information, the configuration information being used for configuring at least one first time unit, the first time unit being used for sending at least one reference signal, the reference signal sent by the at least one first time unit comprising a first reference signal, and the configuration information comprising at least one of the number of the reference signals in the first time unit, time domain offset of the first reference signal sent in the first time unit relative to a reference signal period starting point, and a time interval of two adjacent reference signals in the first time unit; determining, on the basis of the configuration information, a first index, the first index corresponding to the first reference signal; and sending the first index to a second device. According to the method, the first reference signal can be indicated by using the first index determined according to the configuration information, such that a target reference signal can be indicated under the condition that a plurality of candidate reference signals exist, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of beam switching.

Description

A reference signal indication method, device and system

This application claims the priority of the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on April 6, 2023, with application number 202310404159.9, and the priority of the Chinese patent application with the invention name “A method, device and system for indicating a reference signal”, all contents of which are incorporated by reference in this application.

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a method, device and system for indicating a reference signal.

Background Art

In the sidelink (SL) system of the new radio (NR), user equipment (UE) can communicate with other user equipment in a resource pool. Physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH) feedback resources are periodically configured in the resource pool. UE can be divided into receiving UE and sending UE according to the sending and receiving of information.

Currently, the transmitting UE uses a beam to send a reference signal in all directions in a scanning manner. The receiving UE receives the reference signal in all directions and measures the reference signal received power (RSRP). Based on the measurement results, the corresponding beam is used to feed back the selected reference signal to the transmitting UE on a given feedback resource. The beam pairs that the transmitting UE and the receiving UE can use can be determined based on the selected reference signal.

However, if there are multiple transmitting UEs and the receiving UE selects multiple reference signals based on RSRP, that is, there are multiple candidate beam pairs, when the transmitting UE needs to switch beams over time or moves, it is impossible to indicate the target reference signal after switching, nor to determine the corresponding beam pair.

Therefore, how to indicate a target reference signal when there are multiple candidate reference signals has become an urgent problem to be solved in the industry.

Summary of the invention

The present application provides a method, device and system for indicating a reference signal. Through this method, a target reference signal can be indicated when there are multiple candidate reference signals, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of beam switching.

In a first aspect, a method for indicating a reference signal is provided, comprising: determining configuration information, the configuration information being used to configure at least one first time unit, the first time unit being used to send at least one reference signal, the reference signal sent by at least one first time unit including a first reference signal, the configuration information including at least one of the number of reference signals in the first time unit, the time domain offset of the first reference signal sent in the first time unit relative to the starting point of the reference signal period, and the time interval between two adjacent reference signals in the first time unit; determining a first index based on the configuration information, the first index corresponding to the first reference signal; and sending the first index to a second device.

In the present application, a time unit has a starting time point, an ending time point and a certain time domain length in the time domain. A time unit may also be referred to as a period, a time period or a time window. The present application does not limit the specific name.

It should be understood that the executing entity in the above scheme is the first device, and the first device may be a terminal device. Exemplarily, the first device may be a receiving UE in the SL system, and the second device may be a sending UE in the SL system.

In the present application, the first device has multiple ways to determine configuration information.

In a possible implementation manner, the first device receives configuration information sent from other devices, where the other devices may be other UEs or base stations, which is not limited.

In a possible implementation, configuration information is pre-configured in the first device, wherein the pre-configured configuration information may be configured according to a protocol or in other ways, and the specific pre-configuration method is not limited in this application.

It should be understood that in the present application, the configuration information determined by the first device and the second device is the same.

Based on the above scheme, the first reference signal can be indicated by using the first index determined according to the configuration information, and the target reference signal can be indicated when there are multiple candidate reference signals, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of beam switching.

In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first reference signal includes a sideline-synchronization signal block SSB or a sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

In a possible implementation, the reference signal in the present application may be a reference signal of a candidate beam obtained through beam training. For example, the first reference signal may be a reference signal with RSRP higher than a threshold value in beam training, or may be determined based on a geographic location, or may be determined based on a specific cell ID. It should be understood that the present application does not limit the specific source of the reference signal.

In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first reference signal has a first beam direction.

In the present application, the reference signal is directional, not omnidirectional. The direction of the reference signal is the same as the direction of the beam sending the reference signal. The beam sending the reference signal can be determined based on the reference signal in the present application.

Based on the above scheme, the corresponding beam can be determined by using the direction of the reference signal, thereby determining the target beam when performing beam switching, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of beam switching.

In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the system frame number of the starting point for sending the first reference signal in the first time unit is an integer multiple of the time domain length of the first time unit.

In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first index includes: an index of the first reference signal in the jth first time unit, and the reference signal sent in the jth first time unit includes the first reference signal.

In a possible implementation, if the distribution of the reference signal in each first time unit configured in the above configuration information is the same, all target reference signals (first reference signals) can be indicated by the first index, and each target reference signal has a first beam direction. Among them, whether the distribution of the reference signal in each first time unit is the same can be determined by the first device according to the configuration information or indicated by other information or fields, and this application does not limit this.

In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the first index also includes: an index of the j-th first time unit.

In the present application, the time domain position of the first reference signal can be determined according to the index of the jth first time unit and the index of the first reference signal in the jth first time unit, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of beam switching.

In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, determining the configuration information includes: acquiring the configuration information from radio resource control RRC signaling.

In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the first index is carried by any one of the sidelink control information SCI, the media access control layer control unit MAC CE, the physical layer sidelink shared channel PSSCH, and the physical layer sidelink feedback channel PSFCH.

Based on the above scheme, the first device instructs the second device through SCI dynamic indication or RRC configuration MAC CE activation, which can reduce signaling overhead and save resources.

In a second aspect, a method for indicating a reference signal is provided, comprising: determining configuration information, the configuration information being used to configure at least one first time unit, the first time unit being used to send at least one reference signal, the reference signal sent by at least one first time unit including a first reference signal, the configuration information including the number of reference signals in the first time unit, the time domain offset of the first reference signal sent in the first time unit relative to the starting point of the reference signal period, and the time interval between two adjacent reference signals in the first time unit; receiving a first index from a first device, the first index corresponding to at least one item in the first reference signal; and determining the first reference signal based on the first index.

It should be understood that the executing entity in the above scheme is the second device, and the second device may be a terminal device. Exemplarily, the first device may be a receiving UE in the SL system, and the second device may be a sending UE in the SL system.

In the present application, the second device has multiple ways to determine configuration information, and the configuration information determined by the second device should be consistent with the configuration information determined by the first device.

In a possible implementation manner, the second device receives configuration information sent from other devices, where the other devices may be other UEs or base stations, which is not limited.

In a possible implementation, configuration information is pre-configured in the second device, wherein the pre-configured configuration information may be configured according to a protocol or in other ways, and the specific pre-configuration method is not limited in this application.

Based on the above scheme, the first reference signal can be indicated by using the first index determined according to the configuration information, and the target reference signal can be indicated when there are multiple candidate reference signals, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of beam switching.

In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: determining a first beam direction corresponding to the first reference signal.

In the present application, the reference signal is directional, not omnidirectional. The direction of the reference signal is the same as the direction of the beam sending the reference signal. The beam direction of the beam sending the reference signal can be determined based on the reference signal in the present application.

Based on the above scheme, the direction of the reference signal can be used to determine the corresponding beam direction, and then the target beam when beam switching is performed can be determined, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of beam switching.

In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the first reference signal includes a sideline-synchronization signal block SSB or a sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

Exemplarily, the reference signal in the present application may be a reference signal used for beam training, and the first reference signal is a reference signal in which RSRP is higher than a threshold value in beam training.

In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the system frame number of the starting point for sending the first reference signal in the first time unit is an integer multiple of the time domain length of the first time unit.

In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first index includes: an index of the first reference signal in the jth first time unit, and the reference signal sent in the jth first time unit includes the first reference signal.

In a possible implementation, if the distribution of the reference signal in each first time unit configured in the above configuration information is the same, all target reference signals (first reference signals) can be indicated by the first index, and each target reference signal has a first beam direction. Among them, whether the distribution of the reference signal in each first time unit is the same can be determined by the first device according to the configuration information or indicated by other information or fields, and this application does not limit this.

In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the first index also includes: an index of the j-th first time unit.

In the present application, the time domain position of the first reference signal can be determined according to the index of the jth first time unit and the index of the first reference signal in the jth first time unit, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of beam switching.

In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, determining the configuration information includes: acquiring the configuration information from radio resource control RRC signaling.

In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the first index is carried by any one of the sidelink control information SCI, the media access control layer control unit MAC CE, the physical layer sidelink shared channel PSSCH, and the physical layer sidelink feedback channel PSFCH.

Based on the above scheme, instructing the second device through SCI dynamic indication or RRC configuration MAC CE activation can reduce signaling overhead and save resources.

In a third aspect, a communication device is provided, which is used to execute the method provided in the first aspect. Specifically, the device may include a unit and/or module, such as a processing unit and/or a transceiver unit, for executing the method provided in the first aspect or any one of the above implementations of the first aspect.

In one implementation, the apparatus is a first device. When the apparatus is a first device, the transceiver unit may be a transceiver, or an input/output interface; the processing unit may be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input/output interface may be an input/output circuit.

In another implementation, the device is a chip, a chip system, or a circuit used in the first device. When the device is a chip, a chip system, or a circuit used in the first device, the transceiver unit may be an input/output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin, or a related circuit on the chip, the chip system, or the circuit; the processing unit may be at least one processor, a processing circuit, or a logic circuit.

Specifically, the communication device includes: a transceiver unit and a processing unit; the processing unit is used to determine configuration information, the configuration information is used to configure at least one first time unit, the first time unit is used to send at least one reference signal, the reference signal sent by at least one first time unit includes a first reference signal, the configuration information includes the number of reference signals in the first time unit, the time domain offset of the first reference signal sent in the first time unit relative to the starting point of the reference signal period, and at least one of the time intervals between two adjacent reference signals in the first time unit; the processing unit is also used to determine a first index based on the configuration information, the first index corresponds to the first reference signal; the transceiver unit is used to send the first index to the second device.

In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the first reference signal includes a sideline-synchronization signal block SSB or a sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

In combination with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the first reference signal has a first beam direction.

In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the system frame number of the starting point for sending the first reference signal in the first time unit is an integer multiple of the time domain length of the first time unit.

In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, the first index includes: an index of the first reference signal in the jth first time unit, and the reference signal sent in the jth first time unit includes the first reference signal.

In combination with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the first index also includes: an index of the j-th first time unit.

In combination with the third aspect, in certain implementations of the third aspect, determining the configuration information includes: acquiring the configuration information from radio resource control RRC signaling.

In combination with the third aspect, in some implementations of the third aspect, the first index is carried by any one of the sidelink control information SCI, the media access control layer control unit MAC CE, the physical layer sidelink shared channel PSSCH, and the physical layer sidelink feedback channel PSFCH. item.

The beneficial effects of the method shown in the third aspect and its possible design above can refer to the beneficial effects in the first aspect and its possible design.

In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, which is used to execute the method provided in the second aspect. Specifically, the device may include a unit and/or module, such as a processing unit and/or a transceiver unit, for executing the method provided in the second aspect or any one of the above implementations of the second aspect.

In one implementation, the apparatus is a second device. When the apparatus is a second device, the transceiver unit may be a transceiver, or an input/output interface; the processing unit may be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input/output interface may be an input/output circuit.

In another implementation, the device is a chip, a chip system or a circuit used in the second device. When the device is a chip, a chip system or a circuit used in the second device, the transceiver unit may be an input/output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin or a related circuit on the chip, the chip system or the circuit; the processing unit may be at least one processor, a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

Specifically, the communication device includes: a processing unit and a transceiver unit; the processing unit is used to determine configuration information, the configuration information is used to configure at least one first time unit, the first time unit is used to send at least one reference signal, the reference signal sent by at least one first time unit includes a first reference signal, the configuration information includes the number of reference signals in the first time unit, the time domain offset of the first reference signal sent in the first time unit relative to the starting point of the reference signal period, and at least one of the time intervals between two adjacent reference signals in the first time unit; the transceiver unit is used to receive a first index from a first device, the first index corresponds to a first reference signal; the processing unit is also used to determine the first reference signal based on the first index.

In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the processing unit is further used to: determine a first beam direction corresponding to the first reference signal.

In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the first reference signal includes a sidelink-synchronization signal block SSB or a sidelink-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the system frame number of the starting point for sending the first reference signal in the first time unit is an integer multiple of the time domain length of the first time unit.

In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the first index includes: an index of the first reference signal in the jth first time unit, and the reference signal sent in the jth first time unit includes the first reference signal.

In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the first index also includes: an index of the j-th first time unit.

In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, determining the configuration information includes: acquiring the configuration information from radio resource control RRC signaling.

In combination with the fourth aspect, in certain implementations of the fourth aspect, the first index is carried by any one of the sidelink control information SCI, the media access control layer control unit MAC CE, the physical layer sidelink shared channel PSSCH, and the physical layer sidelink feedback channel PSFCH.

The beneficial effects of the method shown in the fourth aspect and its possible design can refer to the beneficial effects in the second aspect and its possible design.

In a fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: at least one processor, the at least one processor is coupled to at least one memory, the at least one memory is used to store computer programs or instructions, and the at least one processor is used to call and run the computer program or instructions from the at least one memory, so that the communication device executes the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

In one implementation, the apparatus is a first device.

In another implementation, the apparatus is a chip, a chip system, or a circuit used in the first device.

The beneficial effects of the method shown in the fifth aspect and its possible design can refer to the beneficial effects in the first aspect and its possible design.

In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: at least one processor, the at least one processor is coupled to at least one memory, the at least one memory is used to store computer programs or instructions, and the at least one processor is used to call and run the computer program or instructions from the at least one memory, so that the communication device executes the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

In one implementation, the apparatus is a second device.

In another implementation, the apparatus is a chip, a chip system or a circuit used in a second terminal device.

The beneficial effects of the method shown in the sixth aspect and its possible design can refer to the beneficial effects in the second aspect and its possible design.

In a seventh aspect, a method for indicating a reference signal is provided, comprising: determining first information, the first information being used to determine a first time point, the first time point being the time domain position of a second reference signal; and sending the first information to a second device.

The execution subject in the above solution is the first device, which may be a terminal device. For example, the first device may be a SL system. The second device can be a receiving UE in the SL system, and the second device can be a sending UE in the SL system.

Based on the above scheme, the first device indicates the location of the reference signal to the second device through the time point, and can indicate the target reference signal when there are multiple candidate reference signals, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of beam switching. Indicating the reference signal through the time point does not require too many restrictions on the time when the second device sends the reference signal, thereby reducing the restrictions on the second device and improving the flexibility of beam switching. In addition, indicating the location of the reference signal to the second device through the time point does not require additional indication signaling in the scenario of multiple UEs, thereby reducing resource overhead.

In combination with the seventh aspect, in certain implementations of the seventh aspect, the second reference signal includes a sideline-synchronization signal block SSB or a sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

Exemplarily, the reference signal in the present application may be a reference signal for beam training, and the second reference signal is a reference signal in which RSRP is higher than a threshold value in beam training.

In combination with the seventh aspect, in certain implementations of the seventh aspect, the second reference signal has a second beam direction.

In the present application, the reference signal is directional, not omnidirectional. The direction of the reference signal is the same as the direction of the beam sending the reference signal. The beam sending the reference signal can be determined based on the reference signal in the present application.

Based on the above scheme, the corresponding beam can be determined by using the direction of the reference signal, thereby determining the target beam when performing beam switching, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of beam switching.

In combination with the seventh aspect, in certain implementations of the seventh aspect, the first information includes a first time point.

Exemplarily, the first information may include a system frame number corresponding to the first time point.

In combination with the seventh aspect, in certain implementations of the seventh aspect, the first information includes a reference time point and a first time domain length; the first time point is determined based on the first time domain length and the reference time point.

In this application, the selection of the reference time point can be set according to actual needs, and this application does not limit this.

In a possible implementation, the reference time point may be preset in the protocol.

In combination with the seventh aspect, in certain implementations of the seventh aspect, the reference time point is any one of the time point when the system frame number SFN is 0, the starting point of the sideline-synchronization signal block SSB period, and the starting point of the sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS period.

In one possible implementation, the starting point of the sideline-synchronization signal block SSB period may refer to the starting point of the i-th SSB period starting from SFN 0, and the starting point of the sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS period may refer to the starting point of the j-th CSI-RS period starting from SFN 0, where i and j are integers greater than or equal to 0.

In combination with the seventh aspect, in certain implementations of the seventh aspect, the method also includes: obtaining a reference time point from radio resource control RRC signaling.

In combination with the seventh aspect, in certain implementations of the seventh aspect, the first information is carried by any one of the sidelink control information SCI, the media access control layer control unit MAC CE, the physical layer sidelink shared channel PSSCH, and the physical layer sidelink feedback channel PSFCH.

In the above scheme, the first device can instruct the second device through SCI dynamic indication or RRC configuration MAC CE activation.

In an eighth aspect, a method for indicating a reference signal is provided, comprising: receiving first information from a first device, the first information being used to determine a first time point, the first time point being a time domain position of a second reference signal; and determining the second reference signal based on the first information.

The executing entity in the above scheme is the second device, and the second device may be a terminal device. Exemplarily, the first device may be a receiving UE in the SL system, and the second device may be a sending UE in the SL system.

Based on the above scheme, the second device can determine the reference signal according to the time point indicated by the first device, and can indicate the target reference signal when there are multiple candidate reference signals, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of beam switching, reducing restrictions on the second device, and improving the flexibility of beam switching. In addition, indicating the position of the reference signal to the second device by the time point does not require additional indication signaling in the scenario of multiple UEs, thereby reducing resource overhead.

In combination with the eighth aspect, in certain implementations of the eighth aspect, the method further includes: determining a second beam corresponding to the second reference signal, and the second beam and the second reference signal both have a second beam direction.

In the present application, the reference signal is directional, not omnidirectional. The direction of the reference signal is the same as the direction of the beam sending the reference signal. The beam sending the reference signal can be determined based on the reference signal in the present application.

Based on the above scheme, the corresponding beam can be determined by using the direction of the reference signal, thereby determining the target beam when performing beam switching, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of beam switching.

In combination with the eighth aspect, in certain implementations of the eighth aspect, the second reference signal includes a sideline-synchronization signal block SSB or a sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

Exemplarily, the reference signal in the present application may be a reference signal for beam training, and the second reference signal is a reference signal in which RSRP is higher than a threshold value in beam training.

In combination with the eighth aspect, in certain implementations of the eighth aspect, the first information includes a first time point.

Exemplarily, the first information may include a system frame number corresponding to the first time point.

In combination with the eighth aspect, in certain implementations of the eighth aspect, the first information includes a reference time point and a first time domain length; the first time point is determined based on the first time domain length and the reference time point.

In this application, the selection of the reference time point can be set according to actual needs, and this application does not limit this.

In a possible implementation, the reference time point may be preset in the protocol.

In combination with the eighth aspect, in certain implementations of the eighth aspect, the reference time point is any one of the time point when the system frame number SFN is 0, the starting point of the sideline-synchronization signal block SSB period, and the starting point of the sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS period.

In combination with the eighth aspect, in certain implementations of the eighth aspect, the method also includes: obtaining a reference time point from radio resource control RRC signaling.

In combination with the eighth aspect, in certain implementations of the eighth aspect, the first information is carried by any one of the sidelink control information SCI, the media access control layer control unit MAC CE, the physical layer sidelink shared channel PSSCH, and the physical layer sidelink feedback channel PSFCH.

Based on the above scheme, instructing the second device through SCI dynamic indication or RRC configuration MAC CE activation can reduce signaling overhead and save resources.

In a ninth aspect, a communication device is provided, which is used to execute the method provided in the seventh aspect. Specifically, the device may include a unit and/or module, such as a processing unit and/or a transceiver unit, for executing the method provided in the seventh aspect or any one of the above implementations of the seventh aspect.

In one implementation, the apparatus is a first device. When the apparatus is a first device, the transceiver unit may be a transceiver, or an input/output interface; the processing unit may be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input/output interface may be an input/output circuit.

In another implementation, the device is a chip, a chip system, or a circuit used in the first device. When the device is a chip, a chip system, or a circuit used in the first device, the transceiver unit may be an input/output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin, or a related circuit on the chip, the chip system, or the circuit; the processing unit may be at least one processor, a processing circuit, or a logic circuit.

Specifically, the communication device includes: a processing unit and a transceiver unit; the processing unit is used to determine the first information, the first information is used to determine the first time point, and the first time point is the time domain position of the second reference signal; the transceiver unit is used to send the first information to the second device.

In combination with the ninth aspect, in certain implementations of the ninth aspect, the second reference signal includes a sideline-synchronization signal block SSB or a sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

In combination with the ninth aspect, in certain implementations of the ninth aspect, the second reference signal has a second beam direction.

In combination with the ninth aspect, in certain implementations of the ninth aspect, the first information includes a first time point.

In combination with the ninth aspect, in certain implementations of the ninth aspect, the first information includes a reference time point and a first time domain length; the first time point is determined based on the first time domain length and the reference time point.

In combination with the ninth aspect, in certain implementations of the ninth aspect, the reference time point is any one of the time point when the system frame number SFN is 0, the starting point of the sideline-synchronization signal block SSB period, and the starting point of the sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS period.

In combination with the ninth aspect, in certain implementations of the ninth aspect, the transceiver unit is further used to: obtain a reference time point from radio resource control RRC signaling.

In combination with the ninth aspect, in certain implementations of the ninth aspect, the first information is carried by any one of the sidelink control information SCI, the media access control layer control unit MAC CE, the physical layer sidelink shared channel PSSCH, and the physical layer sidelink feedback channel PSFCH.

The beneficial effects of the method shown in the above ninth aspect and its possible design can refer to the beneficial effects in the seventh aspect and its possible design.

In the tenth aspect, a communication device is provided, which is used to execute the method provided in the eighth aspect. Specifically, the device may include a unit and/or module, such as a processing unit and/or a transceiver unit, for executing the method provided in the eighth aspect or any one of the above implementations of the eighth aspect.

In one implementation, the apparatus is a second device. When the apparatus is a second device, the transceiver unit may be a transceiver, or an input/output interface; the processing unit may be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input/output interface may be a processor. The port can be an input/output circuit.

In another implementation, the device is a chip, a chip system or a circuit used in the second device. When the device is a chip, a chip system or a circuit used in the second device, the transceiver unit may be an input/output interface, an interface circuit, an output circuit, an input circuit, a pin or a related circuit on the chip, the chip system or the circuit; the processing unit may be at least one processor, a processing circuit or a logic circuit.

Specifically, the communication device includes: a transceiver unit and a processing unit; the transceiver unit is used to receive first information from a first device, the first information is used to determine a first time point, and the first time point is the time domain position of a second reference signal; the processing unit is used to determine the second reference signal based on the first information.

In combination with the tenth aspect, in certain implementations of the tenth aspect, the processing unit is further used to: determine a second beam direction corresponding to the second reference signal.

In combination with the tenth aspect, in certain implementations of the tenth aspect, the second reference signal includes a sideline-synchronization signal block SSB or a sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

In combination with the tenth aspect, in certain implementations of the tenth aspect, the first information includes a first time point.

In combination with the tenth aspect, in certain implementations of the tenth aspect, the first information includes a reference time point and a first time domain length; the first time point is determined based on the first time domain length and the reference time point.

In combination with the tenth aspect, in certain implementations of the tenth aspect, the reference time point is any one of the time point when the system frame number SFN is 0, the starting point of the sideline-synchronization signal block SSB period, and the starting point of the sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS period.

In combination with the tenth aspect, in certain implementations of the tenth aspect, the transceiver unit is further used to: obtain a reference time point from radio resource control RRC signaling.

In combination with the tenth aspect, in certain implementations of the tenth aspect, the first information is carried by any one of the sidelink control information SCI, the media access control layer control unit MAC CE, the physical layer sidelink shared channel PSSCH, and the physical layer sidelink feedback channel PSFCH.

The beneficial effects of the method shown in the above tenth aspect and its possible design can refer to the beneficial effects in the eighth aspect and its possible design.

In an eleventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: at least one processor, the at least one processor is coupled to at least one memory, the at least one memory is used to store computer programs or instructions, and the at least one processor is used to call and run the computer program or instructions from the at least one memory, so that the communication device executes the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

In one implementation, the apparatus is a first device.

In another implementation, the apparatus is a chip, a chip system, or a circuit used in the first device.

The beneficial effects of the method shown in the above eleventh aspect and its possible design can refer to the beneficial effects in the first aspect and its possible design.

In the twelfth aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising: at least one processor, the at least one processor is coupled to at least one memory, the at least one memory is used to store computer programs or instructions, and the at least one processor is used to call and run the computer program or instructions from the at least one memory, so that the communication device executes the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

In one implementation, the apparatus is a second device.

In another implementation, the apparatus is a chip, a chip system or a circuit used in a second terminal device.

The beneficial effects of the method shown in the above twelfth aspect and its possible design can refer to the beneficial effects in the second aspect and its possible design.

In a thirteenth aspect, the present application provides a processor for executing the methods provided in the above aspects.

For the operations such as sending and acquiring/receiving involved in the processor, unless otherwise specified, or unless they conflict with their actual function or internal logic in the relevant description, they can be understood as operations such as processor output, reception, input, etc., or as sending and receiving operations performed by the radio frequency circuit and antenna, and this application does not limit this.

In the fourteenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a program code for execution by a device, and the program code includes a method for executing the first aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the first aspect or the second aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the second aspect or the seventh aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the eighth aspect.

In the fifteenth aspect, a computer program product comprising instructions is provided. When the computer program product is run on a computer, it enables the computer to execute the method provided by the first aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the first aspect, the second aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the second aspect, the seventh aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the seventh aspect, or the eighth aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementations of the eighth aspect.

In a sixteenth aspect, a chip is provided, the chip comprising a processor and a communication interface, the processor reads data stored in the memory through the communication interface instructions to execute the method provided by the first aspect or any one of the above implementations of the first aspect, the second aspect or any one of the above implementations of the second aspect, the seventh aspect or any one of the above implementations of the seventh aspect, or the eighth aspect or any one of the above implementations of the eighth aspect.

Optionally, as an implementation method, the chip also includes a memory, in which a computer program or instructions are stored, and the processor is used to execute the computer program or instructions stored in the memory. When the computer program or instructions are executed, the processor is used to execute the method provided by the first aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementation methods of the first aspect or the second aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementation methods of the second aspect or the seventh aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementation methods of the seventh aspect or the eighth aspect or any one of the above-mentioned implementation methods of the eighth aspect.

In the seventeenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which includes the communication device shown in the fifth and sixth aspects, or the communication system includes the communication device shown in the eleventh and twelfth aspects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 100 applicable to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a reference signal indication method 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a time unit provided in an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 4 is a reference signal distribution diagram provided in an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 5 is another reference signal distribution diagram provided in an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 6 is another reference signal distribution diagram provided in an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of another reference signal indication method 300 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 8 is another reference signal distribution diagram provided in an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 9 is another reference signal distribution diagram provided in an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a wireless communication device 400 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a wireless communication device 500 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication device 600 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication device 700 provided in an embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: global system for mobile communications (GSM) system, code division multiple access (CDMA) system, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, general packet radio service (GPRS), LTE system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD) system, universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) system. communication system, fifth generation (5G) system or future evolved communication system, vehicle-to-X (V2X), where V2X may include vehicle to network (V2N), vehicle to vehicle (V2V), vehicle to infrastructure (V2I), vehicle to pedestrian (V2P), etc., long term evolution technology for vehicle communication (LTE-V), Internet of Vehicles, machine type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), long term evolution technology for machine-to-machine communication (LTE-M), machine to machine (M2M), device to device (D2D), etc.

The network device in the embodiment of the present application can be any device with wireless transceiver function. The device includes but is not limited to: evolved node B (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), node B (NB), radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station (e.g., home evolved nodeB, or home node B, HNB), base band unit (BBU), access point (AP) in wireless fidelity (WIFI) system, wireless relay node, wireless backhaul node, transmission point (TP) or transmission and reception point (TRP), etc., and can also be a gNB in 5G, such as NR, system, or a transmission point (TRP or TP), one or a group of (including multiple antenna panels) antenna panels of a base station in a 5G system, or it can also be a network node constituting a gNB or a transmission point, such as a base band unit (BBU), or a distributed unit (DU), etc.

For example, the network equipment can be a traditional macro base station in the traditional universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS)/LTE wireless communication system, a micro base station in a heterogeneous network (HetNet) scenario, a BBU and a remote radio unit (RRU) in a distributed base station scenario, and a baseband pool (BBU pool) and RRU in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario.

In some deployments, the network equipment may include a centralized unit (CU) and a DU, or a radio access network (RAN) equipment including a CU node and a DU node. For example, in an LTE system, the RAN equipment including a CU node and a DU node splits the protocol layer of the eNB in the LTE system, places some of the functions of the protocol layer in the CU for centralized control, and distributes some or all of the functions of the remaining protocol layer in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU. The gNB may also include an active antenna unit (AAU). For example, in a 5G system, the CU implements some of the functions of the gNB, and the DU implements some of the functions of the gNB. For example, the CU is responsible for processing non-real-time protocols and services, and implements the functions of the radio resource control (RRC) and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layers. The DU is responsible for processing physical layer protocols and real-time services, and implements the functions of the radio link control (RLC) layer, the media access control (MAC) layer, and the physical (PHY) layer. AAU implements some physical layer processing functions, RF processing and related functions of active antennas. Since the information of the RRC layer will eventually become the information of the PHY layer, or be converted from the information of the PHY layer, therefore, under this architecture, high-level signaling, such as RRC layer signaling, can also be considered to be sent by DU, or, sent by DU+AAU. It is understandable that the network device can be a device including one or more of a CU node, a DU node, and an AAU node. In addition, the CU can be divided into a network device in the RAN, and the CU can also be divided into a network device in the core network (CN), and this application does not limit this.

The terminal device in the embodiment of the present application is a device for realizing wireless communication functions, such as a terminal or a chip that can be used in a terminal, etc. The terminal can be a user equipment (UE), access terminal, terminal unit, terminal station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, wireless communication device, terminal agent or terminal device, etc. in a 5G network or a future evolved PLMN. The access terminal may be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication function, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device or a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, etc. The terminal may be mobile or fixed. The terminal device in the embodiment of the present application may also be a vehicle-mounted module, a vehicle-mounted module, a vehicle-mounted component, a vehicle-mounted chip, a vehicle-mounted unit or a vehicle-mounted telematics processor T-BOX built into the vehicle as one or more components or units, and the vehicle may implement the method of the present application through the built-in vehicle-mounted module, vehicle-mounted module, vehicle-mounted component, vehicle-mounted chip, vehicle-mounted unit or vehicle-mounted telematics processor T-BOX. The terminal device in the embodiment of the present application may also be a vehicle, a road side unit (RSU), an on-board unit (OBU), a vehicle-mounted chip, etc.

In the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device or a terminal device, which may be a general device or a dedicated device, and the embodiments of the present application do not specifically limit this. In the embodiments of the present application, the communication device used to implement the function of the terminal device may be a terminal device; or it may be a device that can support the terminal device to implement the function, such as a chip system. The device may be installed in the terminal device or used in combination with the terminal device. In the embodiments of the present application, the chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 100 applicable to an embodiment of the present application.

The communication system 100 shown in (a) of FIG1 includes a network device 10, a user device 20, and a user device 21, wherein the user device 20 and the user device 21 are both within the coverage of the network device 10, the network device 10 and the user device communicate via the Uu air interface, and the user devices 20 and 21 communicate via the PC5 interface. The communication system 100 shown in (b) of FIG1 includes a network device 10, a user device 20, and a user device 21, wherein the user device 20 is within the coverage of the network device 10, and the user device 21 is outside the coverage of the network device 10. The communication system 100 shown in (c) of FIG1 includes a network device 10, a user device 20, a user device 21, and a user device 22, wherein the user device 20 and the user device 21 are not within the coverage of the network device 10, and the user device 22 is within the coverage of the network device 10.

In the scenarios shown in (a)-(b) of Figure 1, user equipment 20 can communicate with user equipment 21 through resources scheduled by the network device, which can be called authorized resources or authorized frequency bands; or, user equipment 20 can communicate with user equipment 21 through resource self-selection, that is, selecting resources from a resource pool, which can be called unlicensed resources or unlicensed frequency bands. In the scenario shown in (c) of Figure 1, since user equipment Both user equipment 20 and user equipment 21 are in a range without network coverage, so user equipment 20 and user equipment 21 can communicate with each other in a resource self-selected manner.

It should be understood that the number of user equipment and network equipment shown in FIG. 1 is only an example, and the present application does not impose any limitation on the number of user equipment and network equipment in the communication system.

In the present application, the communication between the user equipment 20 and 21 shown in FIG. 1 through the PC5 interface may be performed in the FR2 frequency band.

In order to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, first, a brief introduction is given to the concepts and technologies involved in the embodiments of the application.

It should be understood that the related terms and explanations in the following text are common to all embodiments throughout the text, and different embodiments can be used independently or in combination based on certain internal or external connections, and different implementation methods in the embodiments can be used independently or in combination.

Beam: A beam is a communication resource. Different beams can be considered as different resource beams. The same information or different information can be sent using (or through) different beams. Beams can be divided into transmit beams and receive beams.

Beam pair link (BPL): Beam pair is based on the concept of beam. A beam pair usually includes a transmitting beam of a transmitting device and a receiving beam of a receiving device.

Transmit beam: The transmitting end device sends a signal with a certain beamforming weight, so that the transmitted signal forms a beam with spatial directivity. In the uplink direction, the transmitting end device can be a user device; in the downlink direction, the transmitting end device can be a network device.

Receive beam: The receiving device receives the signal with a certain beamforming weight, so that the received signal forms a beam with spatial directivity. In the uplink direction, the receiving device can be a network device; in the downlink direction, the receiving device can be a user device.

Beamforming: Beamforming is used to form a beam. Beamforming includes transmit beamforming and receive beamforming.

Transmit beamforming: When a transmitting device with an antenna array sends a signal, a specific amplitude and phase are set on each antenna element of the antenna array so that the transmitted signal has a certain spatial directivity, that is, the signal power is high in some directions and low in some directions. The direction with the highest signal power is the direction of the transmit beam. The antenna array includes multiple antenna elements, and the specific amplitude and phase attached are the beamforming weights.

Receive beamforming: When a receiving device with an antenna array receives a signal, a specific amplitude and phase are set on each antenna element of the antenna array so that the power gain of the received signal has directionality, that is, the power gain is high when receiving signals in certain directions, and low when receiving signals in other directions. The direction with the highest power gain when receiving a signal is the direction of the receive beam. The antenna array includes multiple antenna elements, and the specific amplitude and phase added are the beamforming weights.

Send a signal using a certain transmit beam: Send a signal using a certain beamforming weight.

Receive signal using receive beam: Receive signal using a certain beamforming weight.

In the SL system, reference signals can be used for initial synchronization of the FR2 beam. Specifically, the transmitting UE sends the reference signal in a scanning manner. The receiving UE receives the reference signals in all directions and measures the RSRP, and feeds back the selected reference signal to the transmitting UE on a given time-frequency resource based on the measurement results. The transmitting UE sends initial link establishment information to the receiving UE in the corresponding beam direction based on the feedback results, and at the same time instructs the receiving UE to feedback the resource location. After receiving the initial link establishment information, if the receiving UE needs feedback, it will provide feedback at the time-frequency resource location indicated by the sending UE.

Among them, the reference signal has directionality, and the reference signal has a beam direction of the beam for sending or receiving the reference signal, and the beam direction is determined by the beamforming weight, that is, the directionality of the reference signal can refer to that the reference signal corresponds to a beamforming weight, and different directions of the reference signal can refer to different beamforming weights for sending or receiving the reference signal, so the corresponding beam direction can be determined according to the reference signal. It should be noted that the receiving UE refers to the user equipment as the receiving end device, and the sending UE refers to the user equipment as the transmitting end device.

In the communication system 100, when the receiving UE finds that the RSRP of multiple reference signals meets the receiving threshold, and the transmitting UE needs to perform beam switching over time or movement, the receiving UE needs to indicate the target beam after the beam switching to the transmitting UE. To achieve this purpose, the receiving UE can indirectly indicate the target beam by indicating the target reference signal to the transmitting UE. The beamforming weight of the target beam can be determined based on the target reference signal, and then the target beam is determined.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a reference signal indication method 200 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 2, the specific steps are described as follows, wherein the first device and the second device are terminal devices, specifically, the first device may refer to a receiving UE, the second device may refer to a sending UE, and the first reference signal is a target reference signal.

S210, the first device determines configuration information, wherein the configuration information is used to configure at least one first time unit, the first time unit is used to send at least one reference signal, and the reference signal sent by the at least one first time unit includes a first reference signal.

This application does not limit the specific method for the first device to determine the configuration information.

In a possible implementation, the first device receives configuration information from a base station or other device. Specifically, the first device may The configuration information can be obtained from the radio resource control RRC signaling. In particular, the first device receives the configuration information from the second device.

In a possible implementation manner, configuration information is preconfigured in the first device according to a protocol.

It should be noted that in the present application, the time unit has a starting time point, an ending time point and a certain time domain length in the time domain. For the convenience of description, the time frame is taken as an example. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the time unit provided in an embodiment of the present application. The starting time point of the time unit in Figure 3 is the time point with a system frame number of n, and the ending time point is the time point with a system frame number of m. The time domain length is m-n+1 frames, and reference signals can be sent and received in the time unit in Figure 3.

In a possible implementation, the system frame number of the starting point for sending the first reference signal in the first time unit is an integer multiple of the time domain length of the first time unit. Taking the time unit in Figure 3 as the first time unit as an example, at this time, n can be 6 and m can be 11.

It should be understood that FIG3 is only an example, and the time unit used to represent the time unit in the present application may be a time frame, a subframe, or a time slot, without limitation. The time unit in the present application may also be referred to as a cycle, a time period, or a time window, and the present application does not limit the specific name.

In the present application, the configuration information includes at least one of the number of reference signals in the first time unit, the time domain offset of the first reference signal sent in the first time unit relative to the starting point of the reference signal period, and the time interval between two adjacent reference signals in the first time unit. The parameters in the configuration information can be configured according to actual conditions.

Exemplarily, the number of reference signals in the first time unit can be determined based on the beamforming weight set of the sending UE or the number of directions of the sending UE, so that the reference signal in the first time unit can correspond to all beamforming weights in the beamforming weight set of the sending UE or the reference signal in the first time unit can correspond to all directions of the sending UE.

Exemplarily, the time domain offset of the first reference signal sent in the first time unit relative to the starting point of the reference signal period may be set to 0.

Exemplarily, the time intervals between two adjacent reference signals in the first time unit may be the same or may not be the same.

It should be understood that the parameters of each first time unit in the at least one first time unit configured in the present application may be the same or may not be the same.

The present application does not limit the reference signal sent in the first time unit. In a possible implementation, the reference signal in the present application may be a reference signal of a candidate beam obtained through beam training. Exemplarily, the first reference signal may be a reference signal whose RSRP is higher than a threshold value in beam training, or may be determined based on a geographic location, or may be determined based on a specific cell ID. It should be understood that the present application does not limit the specific source of the reference signal.

Exemplarily, the reference signal may include a sideline synchronization signal block SSB or a sideline channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

It should be understood that, according to the description of FIG. 1 , the first reference signal in the present application is not omnidirectional, but has a direction, and its direction is related to the beamforming weight of the beam that sends the first reference signal.

S220, the first device determines a first index, where the first index is determined according to configuration information, and the first index corresponds to a first reference signal.

In a possible implementation, the distribution of reference signals in each first time unit configured by the configuration information in S210 is the same, as shown in FIG4 , which is a reference signal distribution diagram provided in an embodiment of the present application. The configuration parameters of each first time unit in FIG4 are the same, and the distribution of the transmission direction of the reference signal in each first time unit is also the same. At this time, the first index includes the index of the first reference signal in the jth first time unit, and the reference signal transmitted in the jth first time unit includes the first reference signal. It should be understood that in the present application, reference signals with the same transmission and reception direction can be considered to be the same reference signals, so in this case it can be considered that each first time unit includes a first reference signal, and the first index at this time can refer to multiple first reference signals at the same time.

In a possible implementation, the distribution of reference signals in each first time unit configured by the configuration information in S210 is the same, as shown in FIG4 , which is a reference signal distribution diagram provided in an embodiment of the present application. The configuration parameters of each first time unit in FIG4 are the same, and the distribution of the transmission direction of the reference signal in each first time unit is also the same. At this time, the first index includes the index of the first reference signal in the jth first time unit, and the reference signal transmitted in the jth first time unit includes the first reference signal. It should be understood that in the present application, reference signals with the same transmission and reception direction can be considered to be the same reference signals, so in this case it can be considered that each first time unit includes a first reference signal, and the first index at this time can refer to multiple first reference signals at the same time.

In one possible implementation, the distribution of reference signals in each first time unit configured by the configuration information in S210 is not the same, as shown in Figure 5, which is another reference signal distribution diagram provided in an embodiment of the present application. The configuration parameters of each first time unit in Figure 5 are the same, and the distribution of the sending direction of the reference signal in each first time unit is not the same. At this time, the first index includes the index of the j-th first time unit and the index of the first reference signal in the j-th first time unit. The reference signal sent in the j-th first time unit includes the first reference signal. At this time, the first index indicates the first reference signal.

In a possible implementation manner, the distribution of the reference signal in each first time unit configured by the configuration information in S210 is not the same. As shown in Figure 6, Figure 6 is another reference signal distribution diagram provided by an embodiment of the present application. In Figure 6, the number of reference signals and the time interval between two adjacent reference signals in the configuration parameters of the first time unit are different, and other parameters are the same. Accordingly, the distribution of the sending direction of the reference signal in each first time unit is different. At this time, the first index includes the index of the j-th first time unit and the index of the first reference signal in the j-th first time unit. The reference signal sent in the j-th first time unit includes the first reference signal. At this time, the first index indicates the first reference signal.

It should be noted that, in the above-mentioned Figures 4 to 6, the time domain length of the first time unit in each figure is the same, and the time domain lengths of the first time units in different figures may be the same or different. Further, the system frame number of the starting point for sending the first reference signal in each first time unit is an integer multiple of the time domain length of the first time unit.

It should be understood that Figures 4 to 6 only show a part of the entire data transmission process. In fact, the entire process may include the situations of Figures 4 to 6 and combinations thereof. For example, in at least one first time unit configured by the configuration information, some first time units satisfy the distribution of Figure 4, and some first time units satisfy the distribution of any of the situations in Figures 5 to 6.

S230: The first device sends the first index to the second device.

Specifically, the first index can be carried by any one of the sidelink control information SCI, the media access control layer control unit MAC CE, the physical layer sidelink shared channel PSSCH, and the physical layer sidelink feedback channel PSFCH.

S240: The second device determines configuration information.

In the present application, the configuration information determined by the second device should be the same as the configuration information determined by the first device, so as to ensure that the reference signals determined by the two are the same.

For the description of the configuration information, please refer to the relevant description in S210, which will not be repeated here. In particular, the configuration information of the second device may be sent by the first device.

It should be understood that step S240 in the present application should occur before S250, but step S240 may occur before S210 or at any time point from S210 to S230.

In a possible implementation manner, after determining the configuration information, the second device sends the configuration information to the first device.

In a possible implementation manner, if the configuration information is pre-configured or the configuration information is sent by a base station or other user equipment, there is no sequence for S210 and S240.

S250: The second device determines a first reference signal.

Further, the second device may determine the beam direction of the first beam, that is, the beamforming weight of the first beam, according to the beamforming weight of sending the first reference signal.

The first beam may be a target beam for beam switching by the second device.

Based on the above scheme, the first index determined according to the configuration information can be used to indicate the first reference signal, and the target reference signal can be indicated when there are multiple candidate reference signals, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of beam switching. In addition, the number of bits occupied by the first index is generally small, and resource overhead can be reduced by indicating the first index.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of another reference signal indication method 300 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Fig. 7, the specific steps are as follows, wherein the first device and the second device are terminal devices, specifically, the first device may refer to a receiving UE, the second device may refer to a sending UE, and the second reference signal is a target reference signal.

S310, a first device determines first information, where the first information is used to determine a first time point, and the first time point is a time domain position of a second reference signal.

In a possible implementation, the reference signal in the present application may be a reference signal of a candidate beam obtained through beam training. Exemplarily, the second reference signal may be a reference signal whose RSRP is higher than a threshold value in beam training, or may be determined based on a geographic location, or may be determined based on a specific cell ID. It should be understood that the present application does not limit the specific source of the reference signal. Exemplarily, the reference signal includes a sideline-synchronization signal block SSB or a sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

It should be understood that, according to the description of FIG. 1 , the second reference signal in the present application is not omnidirectional, but has a direction, and its direction is related to the beamforming weight of the beam that sends the second reference signal.

In the present application, the first information is used to determine the first time point, wherein the first information may directly indicate the first time point or may indirectly indicate the first time point. Exemplarily, the first information may include the first time point, wherein the parameter characterizing the time is not limited in the present application, and may be the system frame number SFN, or may be DFN, slot index, or other parameters characterizing the time. Taking SFN as an example, FIG8 is another reference signal distribution diagram provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG8, the first information includes the first time point SFN x.

Exemplarily, the first information may include a reference time point and a first time domain length, and the first time point may be determined based on the first time domain length and the reference time point. Point SFN x and the first time domain length T.

In the present application, the position of the reference time point can be set according to actual needs. Exemplarily, the reference time point can be any one of the time point when the system frame number SFN is 0, the starting point of the side-synchronization signal block SSB period, and the starting point of the side-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS period. Specifically, the starting point of the side-synchronization signal block SSB period may refer to the starting point of the i-th SSB period starting from SFN 0, and the starting point of the side-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS period may refer to the starting point of the j-th CSI-RS period starting from SFN 0, and i and j are integers greater than or equal to 0.

The reference time point may be pre-configured according to a protocol, may be indicated by a base station or other device, or may be set by the first device itself according to usage requirements.

Exemplarily, the first device obtains the reference time point from radio resource control RRC signaling.

It should be understood that if the first device and the second device can obtain the same reference time point through other means, the first information may not include the reference time point, but only include the first time domain length.

S320: The first device sends first information to the second device.

Specifically, the first device can send the first information to the second device through any one of the sidelink control information SCI, the media access control layer control unit MAC CE, the physical layer sidelink shared channel PSSCH, and the physical layer sidelink feedback channel PSFCH.

S330: The second device determines a second reference signal.

Further, the second device may determine the beam direction of the second beam, that is, the beamforming weight of the second beam, according to the beamforming weight of the second reference signal.

The second beam may be a target beam for beam switching by the second device.

Based on the above solution, the first device indicates the position of the reference signal to the second device through the time point, and can indicate the target reference signal when there are multiple candidate reference signals, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of beam switching, reducing restrictions on the second device, and improving the flexibility of beam switching. In addition, indicating the position of the reference signal to the second device through the time point does not require additional indication signaling in the scenario of multiple UEs, thereby reducing resource overhead.

In combination with the reference signal indication method provided in the above-mentioned embodiment of the present application, in combination with Figures 10 to 13, the first device and the second device provided in the embodiment of the present application are described.

Fig. 10 is a schematic block diagram of a wireless communication device 400 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Fig. 10, the device 400 may be a first device, or a chip or a circuit, such as a chip or a circuit that may be provided in a first device.

The device 400 may include: a transceiver unit 410 and a processing unit 420. Optionally, it may also include a storage unit 430. The storage unit 430 is used to store instructions.

The processing unit 420 is used to determine the configuration information and determine the first index; the transceiver unit 410 is used to send the first index. Alternatively, the processing unit 420 is used to determine the first information; the transceiver unit 410 is used to send the first information.

It should be understood that each unit in the apparatus 400 is used to execute each action or processing process performed by the first device in each of the above methods. Here, in order to avoid redundancy, the detailed description is omitted.

Fig. 11 is a schematic block diagram of a wireless communication device 500 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Fig. 11, the device 500 may be a second device, or a chip or a circuit, such as a chip or a circuit that may be disposed in a second device.

The device 500 includes: a transceiver unit 510 and a processing unit 520. Optionally, it may also include a storage unit 530. The storage unit 530 is used to store instructions.

The transceiver unit 510 is used to receive the first information or the first index; the processing unit 520 is used to determine the reference signal.

It should be understood that each unit in the terminal 500 is used to execute each action or processing process performed by the second device in each of the above methods. Here, in order to avoid redundancy, the detailed description is omitted.

According to the aforementioned method, FIG12 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication device 600 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG12, the device 600 may be a user equipment (e.g., the aforementioned first device), or may be a chip or circuit, such as a chip or circuit that may be provided in a user equipment. The user equipment may correspond to the first device in the aforementioned method.

The apparatus 600 may include a processor 610 (i.e., an example of a processing unit) and a memory 620. The memory 620 is used to store instructions, and the processor 610 is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 620, so that the apparatus 600 implements each action or processing process performed by the first device in the above methods.

Furthermore, the device 600 may also include an input port 630 (i.e., an example of a communication unit) and an output port 640 (i.e., another example of a communication unit). Furthermore, the processor 610, the memory 620, the input port 630, and the output port 640 may communicate with each other through an internal connection path to transmit control and/or data signals. The memory 620 is used to store computer programs, and the processor 610 may be used to store computer programs from the memory. The memory 620 calls and runs the computer program to control the input port 630 to receive signals and the output port 640 to send signals, thereby completing the steps of the first device in the above method. The memory 620 can be integrated in the processor 610 or can be set separately from the processor 610.

Optionally, if the device 600 is a user equipment, the input port 630 is a receiver, and the output port 640 is a transmitter. The receiver and the transmitter may be the same or different physical entities. When they are the same physical entity, they may be collectively referred to as a transceiver.

Optionally, if the device 600 is a chip or a circuit, the input port 630 is an input interface, and the output port 640 is an output interface.

As an implementation, the functions of the input port 630 and the output port 640 may be implemented by a transceiver circuit or a dedicated transceiver chip. The processor 610 may be implemented by a dedicated processing chip, a processing circuit, a processor or a general-purpose chip.

As another implementation, it is possible to use a general-purpose computer to implement the first device provided in the embodiment of the present application. That is, the program code that implements the functions of the processor 610, the input port 630, and the output port 640 is stored in the memory 620, and the general-purpose processor implements the functions of the processor 610, the input port 630, and the output port 640 by executing the code in the memory 620.

Among them, the functions and actions of each module or unit in the communication device 600 listed above are only exemplary descriptions. Each module or unit in the communication device 600 can be used to execute each action or processing process performed by the first device in the above-mentioned methods. Here, in order to avoid repetition, its detailed description is omitted.

For the concepts, explanations, detailed descriptions and other steps involved in the device 600 and related to the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, please refer to the description of these contents in the aforementioned method or other embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

According to the aforementioned method, FIG13 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication device 700 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG13, the device 700 may be a user device (e.g., the second device described above), or a chip or circuit, such as a chip or circuit that can be set in a device. The user device corresponds to the user device (e.g., the second device described above) in the aforementioned method.

The apparatus 700 may include a processor 710 (i.e., an example of a processing unit) and a memory 720. The memory 720 is used to store instructions, and the processor 710 is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 720, so that the apparatus 700 implements each action or processing process performed by the second device in the above methods.

Furthermore, the device 700 may also include an input port 730 (i.e., an example of a communication unit) and an output port 730 (i.e., another example of a processing unit). Still further, the processor 710, the memory 720, the input port 730 and the output port 740 may communicate with each other through an internal connection path to transmit control and/or data signals. The memory 720 is used to store a computer program, and the processor 710 may be used to call and run the computer program from the memory 720 to control the input port 730 to receive a signal, control the output port 740 to send a signal, and complete the various actions or processing processes performed by the second device in the above-mentioned methods. The memory 720 may be integrated in the processor 710, or may be provided separately from the processor 710.

Optionally, if the apparatus 700 is a network device, the input port 730 is a receiver, and the output port 740 is a transmitter. The receiver and the transmitter may be the same or different physical entities. When they are the same physical entity, they may be collectively referred to as transceivers.

Optionally, if the device 700 is a chip or a circuit, the input port 730 is an input interface, and the output port 740 is an output interface.

Optionally, if the device 700 is a chip or a circuit, the device 700 may not include the memory 720, and the processor 710 may read instructions (programs or codes) in the memory outside the chip to implement the actions or processing processes performed by the second device in the above methods.

As an implementation, the functions of the input port 730 and the output port 740 may be implemented by a transceiver circuit or a dedicated transceiver chip. The processor 710 may be implemented by a dedicated processing chip, a processing circuit, a processor or a general-purpose chip.

As another implementation method, it is possible to use a general-purpose computer to implement the network device provided in the embodiment of the present application. That is, the program code that implements the functions of the processor 710, the input port 730, and the output port 740 is stored in a memory, and the general-purpose processor implements the functions of the processor 710, the input port 730, and the output port 740 by executing the code in the memory.

Among them, each module or unit in the communication device 700 can be used to execute each action or processing process performed by the second device in the above-mentioned methods. Here, in order to avoid redundancy, its detailed description is omitted.

For the concepts, explanations, detailed descriptions and other steps involved in the device 700 and related to the technical solution provided in the embodiment of the present application, please refer to the description of these contents in the aforementioned method or other embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, which includes the aforementioned first device and second device.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks and steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or in a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel may 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.

Those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

In the above embodiments, the functions of each functional unit can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented by software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions (programs). When the computer program instructions (programs) are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from a website site, computer, server or data center by wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (digital subscriber line, DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) mode to another website site, computer, server or data center. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., a high-density digital video disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a solid state disk (SSD)), etc.

If the functions are implemented in the form of 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 the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium, including several instructions for a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: U disk, mobile hard disk, ROM, random access memory (RAM), disk or optical disk, and other media that can store program codes.

It should be noted that, in the embodiments of the present application, "used for indication" may include direct indication and indirect indication, and may also include explicit indication and implicit indication. The information indicated by a certain information is called information to be indicated. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be indicated, such as but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be indicated, such as the information to be indicated itself or the index of the information to be indicated. The information to be indicated may also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, wherein the other information and the information to be indicated have an association relationship. It is also possible to indicate only a part of the information to be indicated, while the other parts of the information to be indicated are known or agreed in advance.

The first, second and various digital numbers in the embodiments of the present application are only used for the convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present application. For example, to distinguish different indication information, different time intervals, etc.

The "pre-definition" or "pre-configuration" described in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by pre-saving corresponding codes, tables or other methods that can be used to indicate relevant information in a device (for example, including a terminal device and a network device), and the present application does not limit its specific implementation method. Among them, "saving" can refer to saving in one or more memories. The one or more memories can be set separately or integrated in an encoder or decoder, a processor, or a communication device. The one or more memories can also be partially set separately, and partially integrated in a decoder, a processor, or a communication device. The type of memory can be any form of storage medium, and the present application does not limit this.

The “protocol” involved in the embodiments of the present application may refer to a standard protocol in the communication field, for example, it may include an LTE protocol, an NR protocol, and related protocols used in future communication systems, and the present application does not limit this.

In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more" means two or more. "And/or" describes the association relationship of the associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and/or B can mean: A exists alone, and both exist. A and B, when B exists alone, A and B can be singular or plural. The character "/" generally indicates that the objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b and c can mean: a, or b, or c, or a and b, or a and c, or b and c, or a, b and c. Where a, b and c can be single or plural, respectively.

In the embodiments of the present application, descriptions such as "when...", "in the case of...", "if" and "if" all mean that under certain objective circumstances, the device (such as a terminal device or a network device) will make corresponding processing, which does not limit the time, and does not require the device (such as a terminal device or a network device) to have a judgment action when implementing it, nor does it mean that there are other limitations.

This application describes multiple embodiments in detail in conjunction with multiple flow charts, but it should be understood that these flow charts and the related descriptions of their corresponding embodiments are only examples for ease of understanding and should not constitute any limitation to this application. Each step in each flow chart is not necessarily required to be executed, for example, some steps can be skipped. In addition, the execution order of each step is not fixed and is not limited to that shown in the figure. The execution order of each step should be determined by its function and internal logic.

The above is only a specific implementation of the present application, but the protection scope of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art who is familiar with the present technical field can easily think of changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be included in the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be based on the protection scope of the claims.

Claims (69)

A method for indicating a reference signal, characterized by comprising: Determine configuration information, where the configuration information is used to configure at least one first time unit, where the first time unit is used to send at least one reference signal, where the reference signal sent by the at least one first time unit includes a first reference signal, and where the configuration information includes at least one of the number of reference signals in the first time unit, a time domain offset of a first reference signal sent in the first time unit relative to a starting point of a reference signal period, and a time interval between two adjacent reference signals in the first time unit; Determine the first index based on the configuration information, where the first index corresponds to the first reference signal; The first index is sent to the second device. The method according to claim 1 is characterized in that the first reference signal includes a sideline-synchronization signal block SSB or a sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first reference signal has a first beam direction. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is characterized in that the system frame number of the starting point for sending the first reference signal in the first time unit is an integer multiple of the time domain length of the first time unit. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first index comprises: The index of the first reference signal in the j-th first time unit, and the reference signal sent in the j-th first time unit includes the first reference signal. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the first index further comprises: The index of the j-th first time unit. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the determining of configuration information comprises: The configuration information is obtained from radio resource control RRC signaling. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is characterized in that the first index is carried by any one of the sidelink control information SCI, the media access control layer control unit MAC CE, the physical layer sidelink shared channel PSSCH, and the physical layer sidelink feedback channel PSFCH. A method for indicating a reference signal, characterized by comprising: Determine configuration information, where the configuration information is used to configure at least one first time unit, where the first time unit is used to send at least one reference signal, where the reference signal sent by the at least one first time unit includes a first reference signal, and where the configuration information includes at least one of the number of reference signals in the first time unit, a time domain offset of a first reference signal sent in the first time unit relative to a starting point of a reference signal period, and a time interval between two adjacent reference signals in the first time unit; receiving a first index from a first device, the first index corresponding to the first reference signal; The first reference signal is determined based on the first index. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that the method further comprises: Determine a first beam direction corresponding to the first reference signal. The method according to claim 9 or 10 is characterized in that the first reference signal includes a sideline-synchronization signal block SSB or a sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11 is characterized in that the system frame number of the starting point for sending the first reference signal in the first time unit is an integer multiple of the time domain length of the first time unit. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the first index comprises: The index of the first reference signal in the j-th first time unit, and the reference signal sent in the j-th first time unit includes the first reference signal. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the first index further comprises: The index of the j-th first time unit. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the determining of configuration information comprises: The configuration information is obtained from radio resource control RRC signaling. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 15 is characterized in that the first index is carried by any one of the sidelink control information SCI, the media access control layer control unit MAC CE, the physical layer sidelink shared channel PSSCH, and the physical layer sidelink feedback channel PSFCH. A method for indicating a reference signal, characterized by comprising: Determine first information, where the first information is used to determine a first time point, where the first time point is a time domain position of a second reference signal; The first information is sent to the second device. The method according to claim 17 is characterized in that the second reference signal includes a sideline-synchronization signal block SSB or a sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the second reference signal has a second beam direction. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the first information includes the first time point. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the first information includes a reference time point and a first time domain length; The first time point is determined according to the first time domain length and the reference time point. The method according to claim 21 is characterized in that the reference time point is any one of the time point when the system frame number SFN is 0, the starting point of the sideline-synchronization signal block SSB period, and the starting point of the sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS period. The method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the method further comprises: The reference time point is obtained from radio resource control RRC signaling. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 23 is characterized in that the first information is carried on any one of the sidelink control information SCI, the media access control layer control unit MAC CE, the physical layer sidelink shared channel PSSCH, and the physical layer sidelink feedback channel PSFCH. A method for indicating a reference signal, characterized by comprising: Receiving first information from a first device, where the first information is used to determine a first time point, where the first time point is a time domain position of a second reference signal; The second reference signal is determined based on the first information. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that the method further comprises: A second beam direction corresponding to the second reference signal is determined. The method according to claim 25 or 26 is characterized in that the second reference signal includes a sideline-synchronization signal block SSB or a sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 27 is characterized in that the first information includes the first time point. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 27, characterized in that the first information includes a reference time point and a first time domain length; The first time point is determined according to the first time domain length and the reference time point. The method according to claim 29 is characterized in that the reference time point is any one of the time point when the system frame number SFN is 0, the starting point of the sideline-synchronization signal block SSB period and the starting point of the sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS period. The method according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that the method further comprises: The reference time point is obtained from radio resource control RRC signaling. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 31 is characterized in that the first information is carried on any one of the sidelink control information SCI, the media access control layer control unit MAC CE, the physical layer sidelink shared channel PSSCH, and the physical layer sidelink feedback channel PSFCH. A communication device, characterized in that it comprises a unit for implementing the method described in any one of claims 1 to 8 or 17 to 24. A communication device, characterized in that it comprises a unit for implementing the method described in any one of claims 9 to 16 or 25 to 32. A communication device, comprising: Transceiver unit and processing unit; The processing unit is used to determine configuration information, where the configuration information is used to configure at least one first time unit, where the first time unit is used to send at least one reference signal, where the reference signal sent by the at least one first time unit includes a first reference signal, and the configuration information includes at least one of the number of reference signals in the first time unit, a time domain offset of a first reference signal sent in the first time unit relative to a starting point of a reference signal period, and a time interval between two adjacent reference signals in the first time unit; The processing unit is further configured to determine the first index based on the configuration information, where the first index corresponds to the first reference signal; The transceiver unit is used to send the first index to the second device. The device according to claim 35 is characterized in that the first reference signal includes a sideline-synchronization signal block SSB or a sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS. The device according to claim 35 or 36 is characterized in that the first reference signal has a first beam direction. The device according to any one of claims 35 to 37 is characterized in that the system frame number of the starting point for sending the first reference signal in the first time unit is an integer multiple of the time domain length of the first time unit. The device according to any one of claims 35 to 38, characterized in that the first index comprises: The index of the first reference signal in the j-th first time unit, and the reference signal sent in the j-th first time unit includes the first reference signal. The apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the first index further comprises: The index of the j-th first time unit. The apparatus according to any one of claims 35 to 40, wherein the determining configuration information comprises: The configuration information is obtained from radio resource control RRC signaling. The device according to any one of claims 35 to 41 is characterized in that the first index is carried by any one of the sidelink control information SCI, the media access control layer control unit MAC CE, the physical layer sidelink shared channel PSSCH, and the physical layer sidelink feedback channel PSFCH. A communication device, comprising: Processing unit and transceiver unit; The processing unit is used to determine configuration information, where the configuration information is used to configure at least one first time unit, where the first time unit is used to send at least one reference signal, where the reference signal sent by the at least one first time unit includes the first reference signal, and the configuration information includes at least one of the number of reference signals in the first time unit, a time domain offset of a first reference signal sent in the first time unit relative to a starting point of a reference signal period, and a time interval between two adjacent reference signals in the first time unit; The transceiver unit is used to receive a first index from a first device, where the first index corresponds to a first reference signal; The processing unit is further configured to determine the first reference signal based on the first index. The device according to claim 43, characterized in that the processing unit is further used for: Determine a first beam direction corresponding to the first reference signal. The device according to claim 43 or 44 is characterized in that the first reference signal includes a sideline-synchronization signal block SSB or a sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS. The device according to any one of claims 43 to 45 is characterized in that the system frame number of the starting point for sending the first reference signal in the first time unit is an integer multiple of the time domain length of the first time unit. The apparatus according to any one of claims 43 to 45, wherein the first index comprises: The index of the first reference signal in the j-th first time unit, and the reference signal sent in the j-th first time unit includes the first reference signal. The apparatus according to claim 47, wherein the first index further comprises: The index of the j-th first time unit. The apparatus according to any one of claims 43 to 48, wherein the determining configuration information comprises: The configuration information is obtained from radio resource control RRC signaling. The device according to any one of claims 43 to 49 is characterized in that the first index is carried by any one of the sidelink control information SCI, the media access control layer control unit MAC CE, the physical layer sidelink shared channel PSSCH, and the physical layer sidelink feedback channel PSFCH. A communication device, comprising: Processing unit and transceiver unit; The processing unit is used to determine first information, where the first information is used to determine a first time point, where the first time point is a time domain position of a second reference signal; The transceiver unit is used to send the first information to the second device. The device according to claim 51 is characterized in that the second reference signal includes a sideline-synchronization signal block SSB or a sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS. The device according to claim 51 or 52 is characterized in that the second reference signal has a second beam direction. The device according to any one of claims 51 to 53 is characterized in that the first information includes the first time point. The device according to any one of claims 51 to 54, characterized in that the first information includes a reference time point and a first time domain length; The first time point is determined according to the first time domain length and the reference time point. The device according to claim 55 is characterized in that the reference time point is any one of the time point when the system frame number SFN is 0, the starting point of the sideline-synchronization signal block SSB period and the starting point of the sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS period. The device according to claim 55 or 56, characterized in that the transceiver unit is also used for: The reference time point is obtained from radio resource control RRC signaling. The device according to any one of claims 51 to 57 is characterized in that the first information is carried on any one of the sidelink control information SCI, the media access control layer control unit MAC CE, the physical layer sidelink shared channel PSSCH, and the physical layer sidelink feedback channel PSFCH. A communication device, comprising: Transceiver unit and processing unit; The transceiver unit is used to receive first information from a first device, where the first information is used to determine a first time point, where the first time point is a time domain position of a second reference signal; The processing unit is configured to determine the second reference signal based on the first information. The device according to claim 59, characterized in that the processing unit is further used for: A second beam direction corresponding to the second reference signal is determined. The device according to claim 59 or 60 is characterized in that the second reference signal includes a sideline-synchronization signal block SSB or a sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS. The device according to any one of claims 59 to 61 is characterized in that the first information includes the first time point. The device according to any one of claims 59 to 62, characterized in that the first information includes a reference time point and a first time domain length; The first time point is determined according to the first time domain length and the reference time point. The device according to claim 63 is characterized in that the reference time point is any one of the time point when the system frame number SFN is 0, the starting point of the sideline-synchronization signal block SSB period and the starting point of the sideline-channel state information reference signal CSI-RS period. The device according to claim 63 or 64, characterized in that the transceiver unit is also used for: The reference time point is obtained from radio resource control RRC signaling. The device according to any one of claims 59 to 62 is characterized in that the first information is carried on any one of the sidelink control information SCI, the media access control layer control unit MAC CE, the physical layer sidelink shared channel PSSCH, and the physical layer sidelink feedback channel PSFCH. A communication system, characterized by comprising: a first device and a second device; The first device is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or 17 to 24; The second device is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 9 to 16 or 25 to 32. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that a computer program is stored on the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer program is executed, The device performs the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 or 17 to 24, or The device is caused to perform the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 16 or 25 to 32. A chip system, characterized in that it comprises: a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to call and run the computer program from the memory. Making a communication device equipped with the chip system perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or 17 to 24; or The communication device equipped with the chip system executes the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 16 or 25 to 32.